Chapter 267: White Hat

The thirteenth year of Hongwu, the twentieth day of the seventh month.

Yingtian Prefecture, Prince Yan's residence.

Just after the Chen Hour, a gatekeeper reported that a monk was requesting an audience with Prince Yan, claiming to be Yao Guangxiao, who had recited sutras and prayed for blessings for the Imperial Mother at Kunning Palace a few days earlier.

Zhu Di was practicing spear in the rear courtyard.

Since he had followed Second Prince in teaching the brothers martial arts, he practices for an hour each day; after these years, his skill with his hands is now quite good.

"Monk… what does he want?" Zhu Di sheathed his spear and took the handkerchief handed by the maid to wipe his sweat.

"He says he wishes to discuss Buddhist teachings with the Prince," the gatekeeper said.

Zhu Di frowned. He, a Prince who leads troops into battle, discussing Buddhist teachings with a monk?

But recalling that day at Kunning Palace, the monk's chanting was indeed pleasant, and the Imperial Mother said it brought her peace of mind.

"Send him to the Flower Hall to wait; once I change my clothes, I will come."

Zhu Di tossed the handkerchief aside and walked toward the rear courtyard.

In the Flower Hall, Yao Guangxiao sat upright, sipping tea.

He wore his distinctive black monk robe, his features slender, yet his eyes were sharply keen, not like a monk at all, more like a strategist.

Soon after, Zhu Di emerged from the rear hall, already changed into a royal blue everyday garment.

"Master, thank you for waiting; may I ask what instruction you seek in today's visit?" Zhu Di said plainly as he sat on the Main Seat.

Yao Guangxiao set down his tea cup, smiled faintly and said, "I, a humble monk, dare to visit to present the Prince with a gift."

"A gift?" Zhu Di raised an eyebrow.

Yao Guangxiao drew an item from his sleeve—a delicate little box—and offered it with both hands.

Zhu Di took it, opened it, and saw a white monk hat inside, finely crafted with superior fabric.

Zhu Di was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "Master, your hat is indeed exquisite, but I am a Prince who leads troops and do not believe in Buddhism; why would I wear a monk's hat?"

Yao Guangxiao looked at Zhu Di and said slowly, "Prince, you have misunderstood; the 'white hat' I mentioned is not this monk's hat."

Zhu Di's smile faded, "Then what is it?"

Yao Guangxiao stood, walked to Zhu Di, and lowered his voice, "I have heard that Crown Prince, though benevolent, has never been physically robust.

Prince Wu is indeed brave, yet of a simple and straightforward nature; as for the future of Great Ming's realm… have you, Prince, ever considered?"

Zhu Di's complexion changed abruptly.

He stared fixedly at the monk before him, his gaze shifting from surprise to fury.

"What did you say!"

Yao Guangxiao, unhurried, continued, "Prince, you are a dragon's son, of noble blood; should the Crown Prince meet an untimely end, the Prince could also…"

Before he finished, Zhu Di sprang to his feet, seized Yao Guangxiao by the collar, and lifted him up entirely.

"Bald donkey! How dare you curse my elder brother?!"

Yao Guangxiao's face reddened from the grip, yet he remained composed, "Prince, calm your anger, I, the humble monk, only…"

"Only what! My elder brother is fine! My Second Prince is fine! You, a monk, dare utter such treasonous words in my residence!" Zhu Di glared fiercely.

He slammed Yao Guangxiao onto the ground, turned outward and shouted, "Men! Bind this bald donkey for me!"

A few Imperial Troops rushed in, and in a flash subdued Yao Guangxiao, pinning him to the ground.

Yao Guangxiao finally panicked, "Prince! I, the humble monk, only thought of the Prince…"

"Think of me? Do you know how heavy my Second Prince's two hammers are? Twelve hundred jin! One strike would turn ten monks like you into mush! My elder brother treats me like a brother and a father; I revere him as I would the heavens! You make me rebel? You make me die!"

Zhu Di leaned forward, staring at him, his gaze as cold as a blade.

Yao Guangxiao's complexion turned ghastly.

He never imagined the Yan Prince would react so violently.

Among the princes in history, which one would not feel a stir upon hearing such words?

This one, however, immediately orders a binding!

"Prince, spare me, I acknowledge my fault…"

"Acknowledged? Too late!" Zhu Di sneered.

He waved his hand, "Take him to the East Palace; I will personally hand him over to my elder brother for punishment!"

……

East Palace, study.

Zhu Biao was discussing the newly delivered steam engine improvement plan from the Ministry of Works with Zhu Yong.

In recent years the steam engine has progressed well; now the Ministry of Works has begun research on steam turbines, yet they have encountered a difficulty, and despite much contemplation, the officials have not fully resolved it.

"Second Brother, look here; the Ministry of Works says this piston must be replaced after a short run—so wasteful," Zhu Biao said, pointing to a component on the Blueprint.

Zhu Yong leaned over, shook his head, "Elder brother, I don't understand this either; I only know how to use it. Let the Ministry of Works figure it out themselves; we've already given them the concept."

Zhu Biao was about to speak when a clamor erupted from outside.

"Crown Prince! Prince Yan requests an audience!"

Zhu Biao looked up and said, "Fifth Prince, let him in."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhu Di strode in, with several Imperial Troops behind him escorting a heavily bound black‑robed monk.

"Elder brother! Second Brother! This bald donkey is treasonous; I, the younger brother, dare not handle him myself, so I bring him to you for punishment!" Zhu Di clasped his fists in salute, his anger still evident.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong exchanged a glance, both were somewhat baffled.

"What's going on?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Di pointed at Yao Guangxiao and said, "This bald donkey came to my residence today, claiming to give me a white hat, and also said that my elder brother's health is poor, the future of the realm uncertain, urging me to prepare early!

What else but sowing discord!"

Zhu Biao's gaze suddenly turned cold.

He slowly stood up, walked to Yao Guangxiao, and looked down at him from above.

"Oh! You say my body is unwell?"

Yao Guangxiao's forehead broke into sweat, yet he forced himself to say, "Crown Prince, calm your anger, this humble monk… this humble monk was merely speaking offhand…"

"Offhand? Your offhand remark—do you intend to put the Prince of Yan to death, or to put me to death?" Zhu Biao smiled, his smile gentle, but his eyes were chillingly cold.

Yao Guangxiao opened his mouth, but could not speak.

Zhu Yong also walked over, looking up and down at the black‑robed monk.

Yao Guangxiao.

He was far too familiar with that name.

In history, it was this monk who placed the "white hat" on Zhu Di, inciting him to raise troops during the Jingnan Rebellion, and eventually Zhu Di became the Yongle Emperor.

But in this life, history had already changed.

Northern Yuan was gone, Goryeo was gone, Nüzhen was gone, and the Wa Country had become the Eastern Japan Office.

Zhu Di, contentedly training troops and cultivating land in Beiping, had no mind to rebel.

This monk ran over to stir up trouble—does he think his life is long?

"Brother, what do you intend to do with this person?" Zhu Yong looked at Zhu Biao and said.

Zhu Biao pondered silently.

According to his temperament, a person who sows discord like this, killing him would not be excessive.

Moreover, he incited an imperial prince's rebellion; exterminating the Nine Clans would be sufficient.

But…

After all, this monk had recited sutras at the Imperial Mother's birthday, and the Imperial Mother quite liked his chanting voice.

"Fifth brother, what do you think should be done?" Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Di and said.