Ming Dynasty: What's wrong with being a leisurely crown prince?

Chapter 2: How can one truly enjoy life?

Zhu Gaochi woke up early in the morning.

I subconsciously looked around, but there was no one there.

Looking further ahead, you can see Zhang Yan sitting at the dressing table, quietly combing her hair.

Zhu Gaochi came up behind Zhang Yan, rested his chin on her head, and embraced her with his arms. Seeing that Zhang Yan in the mirror was starting to look a little shy, he smiled slightly.

"Why are you up so early? Why don't you rest a little longer?"

"I... still need to go to the palace... to see the Empress Dowager..."

Zhang Yan felt very uncomfortable because Zhu Gaochi had never done this before. She felt both happy and nervous, her heart pounding. She didn't know whether to push Zhu Gaochi away or let him do as he pleased.

Finally, blushing, she got up and sat down on the bed.

"How embarrassing!"

Zhang Yan clutched the blanket, rubbing it repeatedly, looking somewhat lost.

Zhu Gaochi smiled and sat down next to Zhang Yan, causing the bed to shake slightly.

"Aren't you going to ask me why I got up so early too?" Zhu Gaochi said with a smile, holding Zhang Yan's hand in his.

Zhang Yan felt Zhu Gaochi holding her hand. Even though they were already an old married couple, she felt a special feeling in her heart that she had never experienced before.

To be precise, Zhu Gaochi had never been so gentle in front of her before, which made her feel a girlish shyness when he was being so intimate with her now.

"Why are you up so early?"

Zhang Yan was momentarily confused. She never spoke like this before, so why was she acting this way now?

"Well, when I sat down just now, you could see the bed was rocking. I guess I've really gained some weight. I'm going to start losing some."

Zhu Gaochi tightened his grip on Zhang Yan's hand, trying to find something to say to ease her tension.

He knew from his memory that Zhang Yan was not the person she was now; this time, she was clearly different from before.

"Huh? You want to lose weight?"

Zhang Yan was genuinely surprised this time; Zhu Gaochi was actually going to lose weight?

You should know that she had brought this up before, and the imperial physician had also mentioned it several times, but Zhu Gaochi simply wouldn't listen, and they had even argued about it.

Now that Zhu Gaochi is unusually willing to lose weight, Zhang Yan has a dreamlike illusion.

Seeing Zhang Yan's surprised expression, Zhu Gaochi smiled and nodded.

"I'm going out now. Prepare some breakfast for me, and I'll come back to eat later."

Oh, and boil two eggs, cook some millet porridge, and add a dish of pickled vegetables.

After saying that, Zhu Gaochi began to dress and wash up.

Zhang Yan paused for a moment, then stepped forward to help Zhu Gaochi dress, without letting the maids come in to help.

Even after Zhu Gaochi left, Zhang Yan was still somewhat dazed.

"He seems to have changed."

"I wish all of this wasn't a dream. I wish you could stay like this forever."

Zhang Yan's gaze remained fixed on the direction Zhu Gaochi had left, her heart filled with complex emotions.

Although she didn't know why Zhu Gaochi had changed so drastically overnight, she hoped that he could maintain this change.

Finally, she blushed shyly, as if she was thinking about last night and Zhu Gaochi's actions just now.

Blushing, she dressed and quickly washed up before preparing breakfast for Zhu Gaochi.

This was the first time she had ever willingly, expectantly, and sweetly cooked for Zhu Gaochi.

But thinking that Zhu Gaochi's way of eating might be a bit too simple, he frowned slightly and walked out of the bedroom.

But as soon as they stepped outside, a figure pounced on them.

"Mother, did Father favor the maid again last night? Why is he like this, he..."

"Zhanji, shut up! That's your father, you're his son, how dare you speak ill of him?"

Zhang Yan interrupted Zhu Zhanji with a serious expression, looking at him sternly.

Zhu Zhanji was stunned for a moment when he heard Zhang Yan's stern words.

"Mother, he is..."

"I know what you're going to say, but I'll tell you, your father was with me last night."

You came here disheveled and making a scene without fully understanding the situation, which greatly disappoints your mother.

Remember, that's your father, the current crown prince. Do you think you can do whatever you want just because the emperor likes you?

I'm happy that you love your mother, but you don't always see the whole picture and act impulsively. How will you support your father in the future?

Zhang Yan knew that Zhu Zhanji was standing up for her, but having just experienced Zhu Gaochi's tenderness, she was now seeing Zhu Zhanji with his hair disheveled, wearing a bathrobe, completely unkempt, running over like this.

She started criticizing Zhu Gaochi without even understanding the whole story. How could she not be angry with such behavior?

Zhu Zhanji was momentarily stunned, completely bewildered.

Zhang Yan had never been so fierce to him before. This time, he was clearly doing it for Zhang Yan's sake, yet he was the one who got yelled at.

Seeing Zhu Zhanji's expression, Zhang Yan then recounted what had happened.

"As the heir of the Crown Prince's residence and favored by His Majesty, you are subject to few constraints, and those around you are bound to flatter you."

However, you should be reasonable and understand the big picture. Listening to all sides will bring clarity, while believing only one side will lead to darkness. In this way, you will not be taken advantage of by petty people. This is what it means to be reasonable.

As the heir apparent of the Crown Prince's residence, you are favored by His Majesty and should help your father secure his position in the Eastern Palace; this is the proper way to fulfill your filial duty.

Although you are still young, you are already nine years old, which is not so young anymore.

Zhang Yan squatted down and stroked Zhu Zhanji's face, which was already half her height.

This was the first time she had taught Zhu Zhanji in this way.

Zhu Zhanji listened quietly, momentarily unsure of what Zhang Yan meant by her words.

Zhang Yan didn't say much, and then told Zhu Zhanji to go back.

After Zhu Zhanji left, Zhang Yan began to make breakfast for Zhu Gaochi.

However, I already had some ideas in my mind.

Inside the courtyard, Zhu Gaochi was practicing a set of soft, gentle boxing techniques, something he knew in his previous life. He would occasionally practice a set in the evening to help him shake off fatigue.

After finishing a set of punches, I ran for a while.

Without professional equipment, this seems to be all he can do.

Zhu Gaochi was a little envious of those who could eat whatever they wanted without gaining weight; some of them were truly born that way.

He felt no envy that she wasn't born that way and needed to manage her figure to stay slim.

He knows all too well how painful it is for someone to maintain their figure and not gain weight; it's all thanks to the countless hours of unseen training in the gym.

After running for a while, I came to the pavilion and brewed a cup of hot tea.

When the hot tea enters the mouth, the moment feels so pleasant.

But soon, Zhu Gaochi's thoughts began to wander.

Now that I've decided to be a leisurely prince and enjoy life to the fullest, what exactly constitutes leisure and enjoyment?

In his past life, he had never enjoyed life. The only leisurely time he had was when he was a child, he would meet up with his playmates on country lanes to herd cattle, cut pig feed, pick wild fruits, raid bird nests, play in the mud, catch crabs, and fish in streams.

That period was the happiest and most carefree time of his life.

Even though they were supposed to help with farm work, they were relaxed and enjoying themselves. They didn't find farm work to be a hardship, nor did they feel that the food was bad because they could only eat meat during festivals.

But as he grew up, he lost his happiness and had no time to enjoy life.

At this moment, Zhu Gaochi was somewhat confused.

Now, as the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty and the second most important figure in the Ming Dynasty, he lacks nothing.

But what should he do to leisurely enjoy life?

Zhu Gaochi didn't understand; this area was somewhat of a blind spot for him.

Leaning against the pavilion pillar, I looked up at the azure sky, the faint sunlight shining on my face.

Zhu Gaochi was thinking. Some people were lying in chairs, basking in the sunlight, greedily enjoying the tranquility. That was enjoying life, that was a leisurely life.

Some people think that having money and power means enjoying life.

Some people think that indulging in extravagance and debauchery is a form of enjoyment.

.................

There were too many things, but Zhu Gaochi just didn't know what constituted enjoyment for him.

Everyone pursues different things, and these aren't what he's pursuing either.

"What exactly constitutes enjoying life and having a leisurely life?"

These people, who were several decades old combined, were stumped by such a "simple" question, leaving Zhu Gaochi somewhat amused and exasperated.

Sipping hot tea and enjoying the beautiful scenery made Zhu Gaochi feel exceptionally pleasant.

There is beauty in movement, and there is beauty in stillness.

Just then, a beautiful figure came to his side, tilted her head to look at him, and held a mink coat in her hand.

"I thought you were asleep. It's not that hot yet. Be careful not to catch a cold."

But judging from your expression just now, you seemed to be enjoying yourself quite a bit, very relaxed and carefree.

I wonder when I'll be like you. Sigh, it seems I'm not destined for that.

The person who arrived was Zhang Yan.

As Zhang Yan draped the sable fur coat over Zhu Gaochi, she muttered to herself.

Actually, she had been there for a little while, looking around and thinking about things, so I didn't disturb her.

A man is indeed most charming when he is thinking, and perhaps the beautiful natural scenery added to that, which made her momentarily mesmerized.

She had never seen Zhu Gaochi in this state before, and seeing him suddenly, she found him rather strangely attractive.

As for Zhu Gaochi's weight gain, it's not that noticeable now, and she's already used to it, so it's no longer jarring.

Zhu Gaochi was stunned when he heard Zhang Yan's words.

Was he enjoying himself just now? Was he relaxed and carefree?

Zhu Gaochi was unaware of this, but now that Zhang Yan had suddenly brought it up, he suddenly realized something.

Enjoying a leisurely and carefree life doesn't seem to be something you deliberately pursue, but rather something you find enjoyable in the moment. Isn't that a kind of enjoyment too?

The tranquility of solitude, the happiness of being with someone—perhaps these are all ways to enjoy life?

Perhaps true enjoyment lies in doing things that make you happy?

Zhu Gaochi didn't know, but he wanted to give it a try.

Looking at Zhang Yan, Zhu Gaochi smiled, a particularly happy smile.

"You've enlightened me. You're truly my wise and capable wife, haha."

Zhu Gaochi held Zhang Yan in his arms and kissed her on the cheek. Zhang Yan blushed immediately, and her ears and neck seemed to be burning.

Zhang Yan didn't dwell on the details. She pushed Zhu Gaochi away, quickly stood up, and looked around.

"In broad daylight, they have no upright conduct."

Breakfast is ready, go and eat!

After Zhang Yan finished speaking, she hurriedly walked out of the pavilion, her heart filled with shyness.

This state of mind both captivated and filled her with shame.

She quickly stopped and watched Zhu Gaochi walking slowly, so she had no choice but to turn back and take Zhu Gaochi's arm.

"I'm helping you up so you don't fall. Please don't overthink it."

"Hehe, okay, I won't think too much about it. My wife still loves me the most."

Zhu Gaochi smiled and didn't expose him.

"Pah, I don't know where he learned that, so glib and smooth-talking."

She seemed to be talking about Zhu Gaochi, but her heart was filled with extraordinary sweetness.

Zhang Yan didn't urge Zhu Gaochi to walk faster. As the two of them strolled along slowly, Zhang Yan suddenly realized that perhaps this kind of life was a true enjoyment.

At least for now, she is feeling sweet, enjoying herself, and experiencing a level of leisure and freedom she has never known before.