Chapter 53: Yao Guangxiao!?

The bold and decisive Xu Miaojin was dragged away by Xu Yungong.

Chen Lin stood there stroking his chin, a righteous alter ego popping up in his mind: She is a bit too young, I cannot bring myself to make a move!

As soon as this thought arose, an evil alter ego appeared in his mind: What is there to fear, just raise her for a few years and she will be fine.

The righteous alter ego nodded: That is true, then let us raise her for a few years...

After completing his psychological construction, Chen Lin patted Chen Xiaolan on the shoulder and followed the crowd toward the inner palace. Seeing the chubby Zhu Gaochi waddling ahead, he kicked him right in the buttocks: "You little traitor."

Zhu Gaochi rubbed his bottom, feeling no pain at all.

Yet he still wailed and ran to complain to Xu Miaoyun, who merely patted his head: "Uncle Chen was just joking with you, he did not really kick you."

With that, Xu Miaoyun walked up to Chen Lin and gave a slight bow: "Lord Chen, could Gaochi be fostered at your residence for a period of time to study alongside the Imperial Grandsons?"

Zhu Di also crowded over: "Yes, yes, together, together. I will go over to accompany him then."

Xu Miaoyun gave him a sideways glance: "If anyone is to accompany him, it will be me. You still need to remain in the palace to assist the Crown Prince with state affairs."

Chen Lin, however, said: "Did the two of you even bother to ask if I, the person involved, agree?"

Zhu Di walked up with a cheeky smile: "Look at our relationship, you surely cannot disagree!"

"Besides, your sister-in-law is pregnant, and your living environment is nice. Letting him be raised at your place should be fine, right!"

Just at this moment, a system prompt suddenly rang in Chen Lin's mind.

[New mission activated: Help Zhu Di ascend the throne. Reward: One billion RMB...]

What!!

Chen Lin's eyes trembled violently!

Was there not still a mission to alter Zhu Biao's destiny?

And now you are asking me to help Zhu Di ascend the throne!

What on earth are you trying to do, system!

[I never said Zhu Di would become emperor in the Great Ming Dynasty!]

What do you mean?

[.......]

Could it be?

Chen Lin rolled his eyes, pulled Zhu Di aside, and asked, "Let me ask you, do you want to be emperor?"

Zhu Di hurriedly took a step back, looked toward Zhu Yuanzhu ahead, and finding no one paying attention to them, spoke in a low voice: "I do want to be emperor, but I cannot harm Big Brother. As long as Big Brother is still here, I will never do anything to wrong him."

"Then what if I help you kill the Crown Prince?"

Zhu Di quickly covered his mouth: "What nonsense are you spouting, that is a capital offense."

Chen Lin pulled his hand away: "Then let us try another method. To be emperor, one does not have to do it only within the Great Ming."

"Seeing how interested you were in the map of the Americas earlier, if I could enable you to establish another nation overseas, would you be willing to be its emperor?"

"This..."

Zhu Di stared at Chen Lin, his breathing gradually growing rapid, his eyes slowly turning red, yet in the end, he let out a heavy sigh.

"We shall talk about it later!"

"Then I will take that as your agreement."

Zhu Di did not respond, instead turning around and hurrying away from Chen Lin.

Chen Lin muttered to himself: "Emperor Yongle, I am not going to let you off that easily..."

Returning to the courtyard in the inner palace, all idlers had gone to rest, leaving only Zhu Yuanzhu's adult princes kneeling there waiting for instructions.

However, a group of monks had appeared in the courtyard!!

"Good grief, are we about to witness a legendary scene?"

"What legendary scene?" Chen Xiaolan asked curiously.

Chen Lin did not answer, quickly pulling Chen Xiaolan aside to watch the show.

They saw Zhu Yuanzhu clear his throat, looking down at his sons kneeling all over the ground.

"Coming to the capital this time, to put it bluntly, was originally meant to let you see your mother one last time. Fortunately, your mother's fortunes turned for the better, and she has fully recovered thanks to Chen Lin's treatment."

"Go on, thank Chen Lin first."

Chen Lin was taken aback. How did this melon-eating session involve himself?!

Facing the princes who were bowing with cupped hands at a ninety-degree angle, Chen Lin sat firmly on a stone stool: "I accept your good intentions, but where are the tokens of gratitude?"

The princes were momentarily stunned, not knowing how to reply.

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhu spoke up again at that moment: "A thank you is enough, pay no attention to him, go back and kneel properly."

The princes scrambled back down to kneel before Zhu Yuanzhu, leaving Chen Lin with a speechless expression.

"Damn it, saving one's mother and this is all I get?"

Chen Xiaolan hurriedly stopped him: "Young master, the benefits we have already received are more than enough."

"What more than enough, what have I received?"

"Shh~~ His Majesty is speaking again."

Zhu Yuanzhu swept his gaze over his sons: "You see those monks over there? Each of you pick one. When you return to your fiefs, build a small temple and have them chant scriptures daily to pray for your mother's blessings. Begin!"

Chen Lin quickly sat upright and observed carefully: which one was Yao Guangxiao?

Soon, the princes had each chosen a monk, and Chen Lin hurried over to Zhu Di's side, eyeing the monk Zhu Di had selected.

"What is your name?"

"Amitabha, this poor monk's dharma name is Zhineng."

"Zhineng!?"

Chen Lin's mind was filled with question marks. That was not right; could the 'White-Hatted King' just be a piece of unofficial history?

Zhu Yuanzhu seemed to perceive Chen Lin's puzzlement and hurried over: "What is it? Who are you looking for?"

Chen Lin ignored him and shouted to the crowd: "Which one is Monk Daoyan?"

Everyone wore a look of utter bewilderment.

At that moment, a robust, bearded monk stepped out from the crowd. He had not been chosen by any of the princes.

"This poor monk is Daoyan..."

Chen Lin grabbed Daoyan and shoved Zhineng aside.

"Fourth Brother, this monk is the good one, profound in Buddhist teachings and utterly formidable. I suggest you pick him."

Zhu Di scratched his head and looked toward his father.

Zhu Yuanzhu hurriedly asked: "You know him?"

"I do not, but do you not think this monk has piercing eyes, a calm and steadfast demeanor, and coupled with his physique, his health must be top-notch? He will surely be able to chant scriptures and pray for the Empress day and night without rest!"

If he had not said that, it would have been fine, but the more he spoke, the more suspicious Zhu Yuanzhu became.

"You, Fourth Brother, and you, come inside with Us."

Zhu Di wore a mournful expression: "My Lord Guardian, what on earth are you trying to do? Can you not just let me go?"

Chen Lin wrapped an arm around Zhu Di's shoulder: "I will not let you go, resign yourself to fate, kid!"

Yao Guangxiao looked at the two of them with deep confusion, chanted a Buddhist phrase, and followed them inside.

Inside the room, Empress Ma and Zhu Biao were discussing something. Zhu Biao nodded continuously, finally letting out a sigh: "Mother, rest assured, this son will handle it properly."

At that moment, Zhu Yuanzhu led the three of them in, and Empress Ma asked: "Have you all made your selections?"

Zhu Yuanzhu did not answer. He sat down, his gaze shifting back and forth between Zhu Di and Yao Guangxiao, before finally landing on Chen Lin.

"Speak, is this Monk Daoyan the one who in the future..."

Chen Lin quickly stopped him: "Send him outside first!"

Zhu Yuanzhu was stunned for a moment, then nodded, waving his hand to dismiss Yao Guangxiao.

Yao Guangxiao walked in looking completely bewildered, and walked out looking equally bewildered.

Now, only their own family members remained in the room.

"Can you speak now?"

Chen Lin cleared his throat: "That Monk Daoyan just now, his secular name is Yao Guangxiao, and he is the mastermind behind Emperor Yongle's successful ascension to the throne."

"What did you say!?"

Zhu Yuanzhu, Zhu Biao, and Empress Ma leaped to their feet in shock, while Zhu Di dropped straight to his knees.

"Father, I did not, I really did not..."

"Quiet down, We were not asking you."

"Chen Lin, out with the details at once."