Xu Miaoyun also heard the conversation between the two in the carriage.

He had always felt uneasy about returning to the capital, and this time he was even more worried.

Zhu Kai had completely different ideas. He knew that in addition to doing a good job in subduing Wang Baobao in the border area, he was also attracting attention in developing his own business and trade there.

Zhu Yuanzhang brought him back from afar just to drain his blood.

Zhu Kai now controls all the wealth of the entire Liaobei region, even its economic lifeline. He has no other ideas about giving part of the money to Zhu Yuanzhang to fill the national treasury.

He was just afraid that some people with ulterior motives would set their sights on all his properties, which would be terrible, such as greedy people like Hu Weiyong.

Thinking of this, Zhu Kai felt uneasy. He was considering how to report to Zhu Yuanzhang in his own way what he had done in the past year or so, in a clear and understandable way without being too ostentatious.

This was a question that Zhu Kai had to consider in his mind. While he was thinking about it, they had already arrived at his mansion in the capital.

Seeing the Jinyiwei waiting at the door, Zhu Kai knew that it would be another sleepless night. It would be difficult to have a good rest tonight.

It was already getting dark at this moment, and it was too far away for Lan Yu to see clearly who it was.

"Your Majesty, look at this shadow. Why does it look a bit like Mao Xiang to me?"

General Lan Yu spoke doubtfully while squinting his eyes in an attempt to see more clearly, while Zhu Kai smiled and said.

"No doubt about it, it's him."

"Hasn't he already returned to the palace to report to the Emperor? Why is he here again? He seems to be holding a box in his hand."

"I don't need to think about it. I know that my father must have arranged something else for him. The box in his hand must be something my father wants him to bring to me."

Zhu Kai was a smart and insightful man. He knew that if this bag of gold was given to Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuanzhang would definitely respond.

Seeing that they had reached the door, Zhu Kai stopped and said to Lan Yu.

"Now we have delivered you to the gate of the mansion. You can go back and rest. I think you can finally rest assured now."

General Lan Yu certainly would not be able to rest assured so easily, especially after seeing the Jinyiwei people, he was also worried.

"Your Highness, there are Jinyiwei people at the door. How about I escort you for a while? I'll take you to the palace."

"No need. Mao Xiang must have come here so late because my father has something important for him to convey to me. If others see you here all the time, it will make them think too much, which is not good for you. Go back and rest early, and wait for the emperor's summons tomorrow morning.

I have basically anticipated that the emperor might summon you first to get the feel for what you have to say, and then arrange for me to enter the palace."

General Lan Yu immediately understood what Zhu Kai said.

"Your Majesty, if the Emperor summons me first, does Your Majesty have any instructions?"

"No, just tell the truth. Just tell the emperor whatever he asks. If you made it up or gave instructions in advance, it would be considered a crime of deceiving the emperor."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."

"You're welcome. These things are mutual. Thank you for your hard work."

After seeing that Zhu Kai had arranged everything, General Lan Yu immediately left.

Xu Miaoyun seemed to be worried in the carriage.

"Your Highness, after all this trouble, I'm back now, but I still can't find peace."

"Don't worry about other things. When you get off the carriage, go back to your room and rest. Leave the things here to me."

"Your Majesty..."

"Don't worry, Mao Xiang was asked by the emperor to come here this time, nothing will happen. It's probably because of this bag of gold."

"I have long advised the prince not to give him such a valuable thing.

Now you are causing trouble for yourself. The emperor must think that we have accumulated a lot of wealth in the border area for such a long time. Maybe you are rich enough to rival a country now."

Xu Miaoyun's slight complaint was also out of concern for Zhu Kai.

"Okay, I get it. Don't worry, I won't let you worry. Go back to your room first."

Zhu Kai pulled Xu Miaoyun slowly down from the carriage. At this time, many servants had already come out of the palace. They went straight forward and took Zhu Kai's horse away.

"My Lord, you are finally back."

An old butler came forward to greet Zhu Kai, his eyes filled with excitement and even tears.

"During the time that I was away, has the family been peaceful?"

"Your Highness, don't worry. During the time you were away, we have been watching over the palace diligently and there have been no accidents."

"That's good. This will prevent me from missing home while I'm at the border. I'm grateful for your help. I'll reward you well after I've sorted out the surrounding affairs in a few days."

"Your Highness, you are welcome."

"Hurry up and help the princess go back to her room to rest and sleep. Prepare some hot water for her to bathe and change clothes."

"Don't bother your Highness. We have already arranged all these matters. Please rest assured."

"Yeah, that's good, you did a great job, go ahead."

Xu Miaoyun looked back at Zhu Kai with some worry.

"Your Majesty, this..."

"Mao Xiang, let me deal with him. I'll be back soon. I'll go see what he wants to do first."

Xu Miaoyun followed the servants back to the room. Zhu Kai looked around and saw that there was no one around, so he called Mao Xiang over.

"Mao Xiang, why are you here again? Haven't you already returned to the palace to report the situation to my father and mother?"

"Your Majesty, I bring you everything the Emperor asked me to come over."

Zhu Kai looked at the maroon box in his hand. It seemed to be quite old and was an antique.

"Is this what the Emperor asked you to bring to me?"

"Yes, the emperor asked me to bring it here. However, this thing is extremely precious. Please look at it when you return to your room, Your Highness."

"We can't let you wait outside standing here at this late hour. Go back to your room first."

Mao Xiang held the box respectfully and followed Zhu Kai to the main hall of the palace.

Zhu Kai saw that he hadn't been home for a long time, but the surrounding environment was still pretty good. It was cleaned carefully and was not abandoned at ordinary times, which made him feel a lot more comfortable. At least in Zhu Kai's heart, only returning to the palace was his home.

Zhu Kai sat in the main seat.

Mao Xiang stood below holding the box.

“There’s no one else here this time, so just take this box.

Show me what this valuable thing is. The Emperor has to personally trouble you to deliver it again.

The Emperor knows that you have been going through so much trouble for such a long time and are already very tired. If it were not for something important and valuable, the Emperor would not have bothered you to make another trip."

Mao Xiang looked at Zhu Kai's analysis and was convinced.

"Your Majesty is wise. I'm afraid that since you gave me this bag of gold last time, you have already anticipated these things. Everything is under your control.

Moreover, the prince did not seem surprised when he saw me just now, which is enough to prove that you have already planned this.

It seems that even I, the commander-in-chief of the Jinyiwei, am part of the prince's plan. You just want me to present this gold to the emperor."

Mao Xiang realized this matter belatedly, but he is not too stupid to react now.

"Mao Xiang, you don't have to flatter me here. In fact, you have guessed that you are a smart person. I have always admired smart people. If there is a chance in the future, I will promote you."

"Your Highness is now a vassal king with a title."

Zhu Kai knew what this guy meant.

He said that he was a vassal prince and would spend very little time in the capital, so why should he be promoted to the commander-in-chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? This was clearly empty talk.

"Mao Xiang, don't think that I am just making empty promises to you."

"Painting?"

"To draw a pie in the sky is to make some promises to you, but the probability of their realization is very small, just like a pie in the sky drawn on paper, which you can't really eat."

"Your Majesty's words are really humorous."

"Don't think like that. You have seen my strength. What opportunities I have to promote you in the future and whether I can continue to stay in the capital all depend on my ability.

You don't have to worry about these, you just need to choose the right person to follow, that's the best."

"Your Majesty, let's not talk about this for now. Let's take a look at the gift the emperor has prepared for you."

After Mao Xiang finished speaking, he handed the box over. Zhu Kai opened the box and saw a super large pearl inside. Even though Zhu Kai was a time traveler, he was shocked by the size of the pearl.

“I never thought that in the Ming Dynasty, I could find Australian white of such good quality?
Such a large Australian white pearl would be priceless even in modern times, not to mention in the Ming Dynasty.

It seems that my father really has too many treasures. It is worth exchanging another bag of gold for such a good pearl. I will not lose out."

Mao Xiang definitely didn't understand what Zhu Kai was saying, so he asked in confusion.

"What is Australian White?"

"It's a type of pearl. I've said too much, but you still don't understand. Anyway, it's very valuable. Where did father get such a valuable treasure? Did he tell you the origin of this pearl?"

"The Emperor said that this was the Empress' dowry. It was given to the Empress by Chuyang Prince Guo Zixing. It has been kept for so many years and has never been shown to the public. It is extremely precious."

Zhu Kai could no longer hear what the other person was saying, he could only nod to himself.

"Indeed, this pearl is very valuable, and its value far exceeds that of this bag of gold.

This is just 50 taels of gold. My father actually gave me such an important gift in return. It is really hard for me to accept this gift. It is too expensive. I must return it to my father when I find a chance. "

"From this gift, we can see that the emperor values ​​you very much. The emperor said that this is also a reward for your actions in Liao over the past year. This is what you deserve. Please accept it, Your Majesty."

Only then did Zhu Kai calm down and listen to the other party's explanation.

It seems that Zhu Yuanzhang should have explained everything to him clearly and asked him to come personally to deliver the gift. In addition to expressing that the gift was very precious, he also wanted Zhu Kai to reward him with something more suitable for his status.

Zhu Kai was not a fool either. He was very insightful and understood Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts immediately. He then told the people around him.

"Someone is coming."

Suddenly, several men walked in from outside.

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"You guys go to the storehouse and get 100 taels of silver."

"I obey my orders."

After these people left, Zhu Kai closed the box containing the pearls and placed it next to himself.

"Mao Xiang, don't think that I am playing tricks on you by giving you 50 taels of gold. In fact, I have another intention. If you accept it, it's nothing."

"Your Highness, this gift is too valuable. How can someone of my status accept such a valuable gift? Do you have any self-awareness? I definitely don't dare to accept it casually. I must give it to the Emperor."

"No matter what you do, this 100 taels of silver is a reward for you. There are only two of us here, so you don't need to share some of the money for tea with the brothers around you."

Mao Xiang was very surprised at this time. Zhu Kai said clearly what he was thinking. This made him feel a little embarrassed, as if he was very stingy and harsh to the people around him.

"You don't have to be so nervous, this money is a reward for yourself.

You can arrange it however you want. I won't be in charge of anything else once you leave this door. You deserve this hundred taels.

These are just some small rewards. If you can calm down and work for me, there will be more rewards for you in the future. It depends on you. "

Mao Xiang could feel that Zhu Kai was trying to win him over, but he didn't expect him to be so blunt. This was really unconventional, and he suddenly didn't know what to say.

"Your Highness, I am a member of the Imperial Guards, promoted by the Emperor. I am only loyal to the royal family. Loyalty to the Emperor is also loyalty to Your Highness. There is no essential difference."

Zhu Kai sneered when he heard this.

"Mao Xiang, you are also a smart person, you should be able to understand what I say.

It is understandable that you still have concerns and do not want to give me a definite answer.

Everyone has suspicion in their heart. I will not make things difficult for you. Think it through before answering me.

Anyway, I have been staying in the capital for a while, so I should have a chance to hear your answer. You can go back and think about it slowly." (End of this chapter)