Chapter 57: The Vanishing Light

Zhu Gaoxu did not know that after Lao Zhu summoned Yan Zhenzhi to the palace, he had asked in detail about the specific situation of the Daming Gun.

Upon learning that it could be mass-produced and that its performance was more than ten times stronger than the Three-Eyed Gun, Zhu Yuanzhang could no longer sit still.

Compared to Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Yuanzhang was more decisive in his actions.

He directly ordered all news to be sealed off, while simultaneously commanding all craftsmen involved in manufacturing the Daming Gun to eat and live within the Military Equipment Bureau.

At the same time, he sent someone to remind Zhu Gaoxu not to speak about it recklessly.

The pretext for this was to send Zhu Gaoxu a good meal.

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang was also afraid of truly starving Zhu Gaoxu; after all, this thing was created by Zhu Gaoxu, and under these circumstances, it was better for Zhu Gaoxu not to have any mishaps.

Thus, Eunuch Li arrived.

Zhu Gaoxu was not a deity, so naturally, he did not know Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts, but since there was good food, it would be a waste not to eat it.

After taking the food box handed over by the young eunuch, Eunuch Li walked over at this moment.

"Your Highness the Prince, may we step aside to speak?"

Zhu Gaoxu nodded, then glanced in the direction of Zhu Di, discovering that Zhu Di was not looking this way, but was instead looking up at the sky as if it were none of his business, as if there were something wonderful up there.

Regaining his focus, Zhu Gaoxu walked with Eunuch Li to a corner of the courtyard. Eunuch Li first scanned the surroundings, and seeing that no one was around, he leaned over and whispered in Zhu Gaoxu's ear: "The Emperor told me to inform you that the matter of the Daming Gun is of great importance; do not tell anyone under any circumstances. If you have already told others, then say so, so that we may be prepared."

It was just as Zhu Gaoxu had expected; it was exactly as he had thought.

Zhu Gaoxu first nodded to indicate he understood, then replied in a low voice: "Tell the Emperor Grandfather to rest assured; I know the weight of this matter and have not mentioned it to anyone."

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu say this, Eunuch Li nodded, then exchanged a few more pleasantries with Zhu Di before taking his leave.

Of course, when he left, he took some silver from the Yan Wangfu.

In terms of worldly wisdom and social graces, Zhu Di was an old hand.

Next, Zhu Gaoxu took the food box to the main hall. Since it was now mealtime, Zhu Di had the servants serve dishes, and they began to eat together with the food bestowed by Zhu Yuanzhang.

After finishing dinner, Zhu Gaoxu returned to his room.

As soon as he entered the room, Zhu Gaoxu lay down on the bed; he had basically not rested all day and was already exhausted.

The moment his head hit the pillow, he began to snore softly.

The next morning, Zhu Gaoxu woke up on time.

It must be said that although the development of technology in this ancient era was not high, it had its own benefits.

Especially for a child of Zhu Gaoxu's age, there were absolutely no entertainment facilities at night, so his biological clock was incredibly good.

Unlike the later, technologically advanced era, where one would open their phone at night and not sleep until at least two o'clock.

Today was the third day of signing in at Wanhua Pavilion. As soon as Zhu Gaoxu opened his eyes and washed up a little, he headed straight toward Wanhua Pavilion.

This time, to save time, Zhu Gaoxu boarded his Feudatory Prince Carriage.

The journey was uneventful. When Zhu Gaoxu arrived at Wanhua Pavilion, it was just in time for the guests to be leaving from the previous day.

Just like that, Zhu Gaoxu walked against the flow of people and entered Wanhua Pavilion.

A glance revealed that Wanhua Pavilion was basically devoid of guests, appearing very desolate.

Some servants were cleaning up the mess from yesterday, and Zhu Gaoxu even saw Linger in a corner.

Linger, who was tidying up a dining table, looked very happy to see Zhu Gaoxu arrive.

But then she thought of something, and her eyes dimmed instantly.

Zhu Gaoxu had said before that today was his last time coming to Wanhua Pavilion, at least for a long time to come.

Zhu Gaoxu also noticed Linger's unhappiness at this moment, but he did not point it out; instead, he asked: "Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

Linger shook her head and said: "Not yet, we have to wait until we finish cleaning up before we can eat."

"Then stop cleaning and come have breakfast with me."

As he spoke, he was about to pull Linger to the Private Room on the second floor.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu take her hand, Linger's face turned a bit red.

But soon Linger thought of something, shook her head, and said to Zhu Gaoxu: "I can't, I can't. If Xu Mama sees, she will scold me."

"Oh, don't be afraid. If she sees, I will explain it to her myself."

After saying this, he pulled Linger and walked toward the second floor.

Calling over a waiter, Zhu Gaoxu ordered a large spread of sumptuous breakfast.

Before long, a series of breakfast items like steamed buns, wontons, and fried dough sticks were placed on the table.

"Eat quickly."

Seeing that Linger still looked frightened, Zhu Gaoxu directly placed a small steamed bun into her bowl.

"It's fine, just eat without worry. After you finish, keep me company and chat; I have to leave in an hour."

Hearing these words from Zhu Gaoxu, tears welled up in Linger's eyes again, but she held them back, not letting them fall.

Thinking about it, in this life of darkness, Zhu Gaoxu was undoubtedly a ray of light in Linger's life.

But now, this ray of light was also about to disappear.

Zhu Gaoxu understood this in his heart, but he was helpless; he could only spend the final time accompanying Linger more, so that she would not give up on life because of this.