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

Chapter 26 Yang Pu, the Crown Prince's Tutor

Zhu Gaochi slowly put down his book and looked at Yang Pu who had arrived.

"No need, please have a seat. I just received some freshly picked tea from this year; please have a taste."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I won't stand on ceremony."

Although Yang Pu had something on his mind, he still smiled and sat at the table.

Huang Jindi and Chen Qin brewed tea, first pouring some for Zhu Gaochi, then for Yang Pu.

Yang Pu quickly stood up, bowed, and slowly accepted the gift.

He was aware of what had happened at the Eastern Palace, and he dared not accept the tea offered by these two women so openly.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Gaochi immediately looked at the two women.

"You can go back now."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Only after the two left did Zhu Gaochi slowly speak.

"Let's taste the tea first and see how it tastes."

Zhu Gaochi knew that Yang Pu had something to do, and he had already guessed why Yang Pu had come, but he was not in a hurry at all.

Upon hearing this, Yang Pu smiled helplessly. He could tell that Zhu Gaochi had already guessed it, and he then put down his anxiety.

"Please, Your Highness."

I raised the glass with both hands, slowly drank it down, and suddenly my eyes lit up.

"Excellent tea!"

"Haha, this is the first batch of new tea this year, so the taste is naturally much better than last year's aged tea."

Even after Zhu Gaochi drank it, he was still amazed by the taste.

In his previous life, he enjoyed drinking tea. After all, when starting a business, one must know the basic traditional skills of tasting tea and drinking wine, and being able to drink a lot of wine without getting drunk.

Sometimes, whether a deal goes through depends entirely on whether someone can drink enough, or whether they can offer a refreshing perspective on tea, or whether they can present an eye-catching tea set.

There are two things that tea drinkers find hard to resist: the tea itself, though this is actually secondary.

More importantly, teaware is another essential item for tea drinkers.

The tea that Zhu Gaochi drinks now is all tribute tea, which can be said to be the best tea combined with the best tea-making techniques.

Yang Pu drank it and said with a smile, "Your Highness is right."

Yang Pu sighed sincerely, saying that even the aged tea in the palace was better than many new teas outside.

In his home, there is still tea that Zhu Gaochi gave him before. He can hardly bear to drink it. He only takes it out when he really wants to drink it or when important guests come. As a result, it has become stale tea.

Zhu Gaochi poured tea for Yang Pu and, seeing Yang Pu's flustered yet cautious expression, said softly, "This year's tribute tea is not much, but the Crown Prince's Palace still received quite a lot. I will have someone send some to your residence later."

I know you like tea, but since this is for you, enjoy it and don't let it become stale.

"Come find me when you're done drinking."

"Your Highness, I thank you!"

Yang Pu stood up and bowed deeply to Zhu Gaochi, his expression solemn and resolute.

Zhu Gaochi reached out his hand to help him up, saying, "Get up. There's no need for formalities here. Be comfortable."

"Your subject accepts the instruction."

As Yang Pu sipped his tea, he felt both moved and thoughtful about the changes in Zhu Gaochi.

He understood what Zhu Gaochi meant by what he had just said, and that was what moved him.

They knew something about what had happened to Zhu Gaochi in the past two days.

Upon seeing Zhu Gaochi now, he discovered that Zhu Gaochi was even more outstanding in every aspect than before, making him unfathomable.

The impression and feeling he gave was quite different from before, and this brief time together made him feel exceptionally comfortable.

After a long while, Yang Pu calmed himself down and slowly spoke.

"Your Highness, you are different now."

"Oh? What's different?"

Seeing that Zhu Gaochi did not pursue the matter and that his expression not only remained unchanged but was full of smiles, Yang Pu breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, what he just said was already somewhat presumptuous.

Even if Zhu Gaochi changes, what they should do is adapt, not say such things.

But Yang Pu was both curious and compelled to ask, because only by asking could he feel at ease.

This is a sense of reassurance for Zhu Gaochi after the changes.

Hearing Zhu Gaochi's question, Yang Pu was momentarily stunned.

He did sense that Zhu Gaochi had changed, but when asked to pinpoint exactly what had changed or what was different, Yang Pu found it difficult to articulate.

It was that indescribable, yet undeniably different feeling I had with Zhu Gaochi.

"Your Highness, I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just feel that Your Highness is even more perfect now than before."

Yang Pu finished speaking with a forced smile and waited for Zhu Gaochi's reply.

This is a rather crude way of putting it, but it would be even more problematic not to say it at all.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi laughed instantly, shook his head, and said, "In this world, what is perfect? ​​It's nothing but an illusion."

Zhu Gaochi had no opinion on these matters. He believed that people should have some flaws, which was a good thing.

No matter what position you're in, you're bound to have a weakness.

It's a good flaw if the people below know it, and the person in question also needs to be aware of it.

Yang Pu was taken aback by Zhu Gaochi's words.

Many people are pursuing perfection, and he is no exception.

People always think that perfection is the best, but little do they know that having flaws is the best thing.

Yang Pu stood up and bowed deeply to Zhu Gaochi.

"Your Highness's words are truly enlightening and thought-provoking; I have learned a great deal."

"Hehe, there's nothing to learn. The reason you can understand is because that's just who you are, which has little to do with what I'm saying."

Zhu Gaochi did not acknowledge this favor; not all favors should be acknowledged.

Yang Pu hesitated for a moment, then smiled instantly.

Zhu Gaochi is truly surprising and unfathomable to Yang Pu. For a time, Yang Pu felt even more admiration for Zhu Gaochi.

"Your Highness, I have come here with two matters to discuss."

Xie Jin and his group opposed His Majesty's plan to build Beiping, which displeased His Majesty.

Given His Majesty's temperament, he will certainly not give up, and Xie Jin will likely continue to oppose him, thus displeasing His Majesty.

Besides, Your Highness is now diligently studying medical books. I didn't understand them before, but now I do.

Your Highness made the right choice. It's good to have some peace and quiet.

Your Highness, it is indeed necessary to read medical books. Your Highness has a great sense of filial piety, which I admire, and the people of the world will surely admire as well.

However, simply reading medical books is not enough; Your Highness also needs to handle state affairs appropriately.

Furthermore, Your Highness may follow the example of Emperor Taizu in praying for Empress Xiaoci Gao. It would be best to go to the temple to pray for the Empress, purify your mind and reduce desires, recite Buddhist scriptures, and read medical books.

His Highness's filial piety should be praised, and the world should take His Highness as a mirror and take filial piety as its foundation.

As for the matter of the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao, the Prince of Zhao has now reached the age to take up his fief. As his elder brother, Your Highness should advise His Majesty to keep the Prince of Zhao in the capital to fulfill your filial duty.

"The Prince of Han is also your elder brother; he should accompany Your Highness to the temple to cleanse the air of bloodshed and pray for the Empress's well-being."

Yang Pu spoke slowly, and then waited quietly for Zhu Gaochi's decision.