Chapter 26: Returning to the Capital

Zhu Di cast a faint glance at the tiger skin in Mao Xiang's hands, a flicker of surprise and fondness flashing in his eyes.

But immediately after, he thought of how many tiger skins could be bought with just this set of yellow rosewood furniture of Zhu Gaoxu's, not to mention the other things he had purchased.

Thinking of this, the complexion of Zhu Di, which had just improved, turned green again.

Fortunately, the imagined beating still hadn't landed.

Glaring fiercely at his spendthrift son, Zhu Di called for someone to lead over his warhorse, and after mounting, he said to Zhu Gaoxu with a dark face: "You little brat, we'll settle this account later; for now, accompany your old man into the palace."

Zhu Gaoxu also saw it; Zhu Di was clearly in a rush to see Zhu Yuanzhang.

Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have escaped this beating.

"Never thought I'd actually have to thank Lao Zhu at a time like this."

Muttering to himself, Zhu Gaoxu didn't dare delay, and with his short legs, he headed toward his Feudatory Prince Carriage.

Just as Zhu Gaoxu arrived beside the carriage and before he could lift his foot to get on, Zhu Di rode his horse to his side.

"Even I don't have as much pomp as you, and you dare to sit in a Feudatory Prince Carriage?"

As he spoke, he pulled Zhu Gaoxu up, and fearing he would stir up more trouble, he simply made him sit in front of him.

The father and son were now riding the same horse.

Zhu Gaoxu, pulled onto the horse's back, seemed somewhat unhappy.

In fact, Zhu Di also had a Feudatory Prince Carriage, and his pomp was even greater than his son's.

This time, Zhu Yuanzhang was urging him urgently, and Zhu Di's status did not allow him to be too high-profile in Kyoto, so he naturally chose the most low-profile approach.

Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu strongly suspected that his old man didn't have such pomp and was jealous of him.

It was fortunate that Zhu Di didn't know Zhu Gaoxu's thoughts, otherwise, even at the risk of being reprimanded by Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di would have rewarded this "filial son" with a beating on the spot.

Glancing at Zhu Gaoxu and ignoring his son's sullenness, Zhu Di flicked his horse whip and led his two hundred guards toward Kyoto.

Zhu Gaoxu's three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards also mounted their horses and followed behind.

As for the hundred or so servants, no one paid them any mind.

They wouldn't get lost anyway.

Just like that, five hundred riders headed from the Royal Hunting Ground in a grand procession toward the north gate of Kyoto.

Dust flew along the way, and the ground rumbled with the sound of hooves.

It could be considered a massive display of force.

But just as they were about to enter the city, Zhu Di had his guards wait outside, taking only four or five attendants with him.

Clearly, he was afraid of people misunderstanding.

As for Zhu Gaoxu's three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards, they had no such concerns.

Just like that, Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu, with three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards, returned to Kyoto in a grand procession.

The three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards wore flying-fish robes, carried Xiuchun Dao at their waists, and rode large, fine horses.

It could be said that from the moment they entered the city, they were the focus of everyone's attention.

And the leaders, Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu, were undoubtedly the focus of the focus.

Seeing the gazes of the commoners directed at him, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but feel he was "back in the game."

Straightening his shoulders, Zhu Gaoxu, sitting on the horse, had his head just reaching Zhu Di's chest.

Zhu Gaoxu shouted to the surrounding onlookers: "My father is the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, here by imperial decree to return to the capital!"

"In the future... woo... woo-woo..."

Just as Zhu Gaoxu wanted to say something more, Zhu Di's large hand covered his mouth.

Before coming, he had heard his wife, Xu Miaoyun, say that Zhu Gaoxu had become increasingly abnormal since arriving in Jingcheng.

He hadn't believed it before, but now he felt a bit of pity for his wife.

"Miaoyun, you've suffered lately!"

Sighing in his heart, Zhu Di covered Zhu Gaoxu's little mouth with one hand, while his other hand flicked the horse whip, quickly heading toward the Imperial Palace.

The group of Embroidered Uniform Guards hurried to keep up, leaving behind a crowd of bewildered commoners...

After verifying their identities at the gate of the Imperial Palace, Zhu Di led Zhu Gaoxu inside.

The other Embroidered Uniform Guards all remained outside, with only Mao Xiang following behind.

Upon entering the Imperial Palace, a eunuch who had been waiting for a long time led the group toward the Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Di walked through the Imperial Palace with his head held high; it had to be said he truly possessed a royal bearing.

Even the usually indifferent Mao Xiang unconsciously showed a hint of caution.

This was something that only appeared when facing Lao Zhu or the Crown Prince.

Zhu Di quickly noticed Mao Xiang's unusual behavior, and with a smile, he said to Mao Xiang: "My little son is mischievous; I have troubled General Mao these days."

As he spoke, Zhu Di reached out and patted Zhu Gaoxu on the head.

Zhu Gaoxu, having received an inexplicable slap, shrank his neck and pouted without saying a word.

Only he knew what he was thinking in his heart.

Mao Xiang did not look at Zhu Gaoxu much, but bowed and replied: "Prince of Yan, please do not be so polite. All of this is the Emperor's decree, and protecting the Nanyang Commandery Prince is this subject's honor."

"Haha, I know what this brat of mine is like better than anyone; I will have to trouble General Mao in the future."

After Zhu Di finished speaking, he first glared at Zhu Gaoxu, then paused and continued: "It is just that this Prince has one small request, and I hope General Mao will agree."

"Please instruct me, Prince of Yan."

"I know this little brat too well; he is too flashy, so I would like to ask that in the future, the brothers of the Embroidered Uniform Guards wear plain clothes and protect him in secret, if that is alright?"