Chapter 47: The Son and the Servant Will Die
The thought just flashed through his mind, and Zhu Yuanzhang said decisively: "You are a man, how can you give up halfway! You don't have to be afraid, don't you still have the King of Jin?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "Prince Jin? Although the Prince of Jin is of noble status, doesn't he still have his father above him?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face froze slightly. For some reason, Zhu Yuanzhang at this moment actually showed more patience than usual.

He slowly comforted Deng Qianqiu and said, "Don't worry, His Majesty is a tolerant person who can distinguish right from wrong. How could he make things difficult for a little kid like you?"

Deng Qianqiu tilted his head and said nothing.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was already gloomy, and he said in a deep voice: "In short, work hard! Young people should have lofty ambitions. You are a man, do you just want to be like you are now, guarding people's houses every day? Receive such a small salary and spend your whole life? Don't you like wealth?"

Deng Qianqiu thought for a moment and said, "I like it, but... I feel like the money I have now is enough for me to live my whole life."

Zhu Yuanzhang's back teeth were about to break, but he still showed patience, staring at Deng Qianqiu with sharp eyes: "Are you not interested in beauty?"

Deng Qianqiu was stunned and said awkwardly: "Why, brother, you have a daughter at home..."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly became furious and his face became stern.

Deng Qianqiu saw Zhu Yuanzhang's unfriendly expression, and suddenly reacted, and hurriedly explained: "Ahhh... My mistake, I thought you wanted to propose to me because I am handsome, elegant, and have a stable job."

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath, narrowed his eyes, and said faintly: "You don't love power? Don't you want to rise to prominence?"

Deng Qianqiu unexpectedly said: "I don't have much ambition, as long as my father has ambition."

When Deng Jian was mentioned, Zhu Yuanzhang's face began to change color imperceptibly. He seemed to have mixed feelings in his heart, but he still said: "If your father had ambition, why would you, as a son, be just a centurion?"

Deng Qianqiu, who had been calm just now, suddenly became furious: "Don't you dare talk about my father like that! My father is already working hard. Just wait and see. In this imperial examination, he will definitely..."

"Imperial Examination..." Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned. He looked at Deng Qianqiu in shock: "What did you say?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "I am not good at bragging, but since you are asking, it is okay to tell you. My father wants to take the imperial examination this time, and he wants to take the exam. With his talent, it seems that he will definitely pass."

Under the night sky, Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned pale and blue, and his eyes were full of shock.

"The provincial examination is imminent. Does that mean your father has already come to Nanjing to prepare for the examination?"

"Of course!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became more complicated, and he smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Deng Qianqiu couldn't help but wonder, "Brother, what's wrong with you? I see you look unhappy."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Deng Qianqiu and said, "You really don't know how high the heaven is or how deep the earth is. It's true that a son is like his father. Do you two really think you can look down on the scholars of the world?"

Deng Qianqiu felt that the old man in front of him seemed to underestimate his father's ability, so he retorted, "You underestimate my father."

"Ha..." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "You don't know how high the sky is or how deep the earth is!"

Deng Qianqiu couldn't help but complain: "You look down on my father? Humph, don't you know that my father worked hard to get up at the sound of cock-crows and study hard? I'm not bragging, how many scholars in the world are as hardworking as him?"

Zhu Yuanzhang finally felt that his patience had reached its limit. The news that Deng Jian was going to take the imperial examination seemed to shock him a little. He looked at the boy in front of him and repeatedly adjusted his mentality.

Finally, he decided to make one last attempt: "What do you wish for? Everyone has desires, and you should have them too."

Deng Qianqiu was stumped by the question. He scratched his head and began to think seriously. After thinking for a while, Deng Qianqiu said, "I think... if the world becomes better and people can live and work in peace and contentment, will this desire be greater..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned, then he looked at Deng Qianqiu in front of him seriously, his eyes became more complicated, and he realized that the young man did not seem to be lying.

Zhu Yuanzhang was indeed caught off guard by this answer. He was even a little shocked when he heard it coming from the mouth of this young boy.

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone softened unconsciously, and he asked, "You are so young, why do you think so?"

Deng Qianqiu said seriously: "Because I have also been hungry and cold, I know how uncomfortable it is."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent. He avoided Deng Qianqiu's gaze and seemed to be touched by something.

"Brother, why don't you speak?" Deng Qianqiu said.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Deng Qianqiu steadily and found that the young man was looking at him calmly, and the light in his beautiful eyes seemed particularly clear under the moonlight.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I heard that you cured the queen, but I don't know if the fetus in her belly can be saved."

Deng Qianqiu was shocked and said, "You know this too? Damn, how come this palace is like a sieve, any kind of news can spread? It seems that it is not unfair to arrest all the eunuchs in this palace and behead them."

Deng Qianqiu felt that he had gone off topic, so he continued, "The Queen's symptoms are actually caused by old age. If she takes a proper walk on weekdays and keeps calm, and has someone to take care of her, she shouldn't be in any serious trouble."

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed relieved at this. He couldn't help but say, "You are so bold to criticize the harem. You will lose your head sooner or later."

Deng Qianqiu: “…”

Deng Qianqiu was speechless. Wasn't it you who brought up this topic first?
Zhu Yuanzhang, however, put his hands behind his back and walked away, saying, "Pay attention to your words in the future, and be careful of what you say!"

Having said that, without waiting for Deng Qianqiu to react, Zhu Yuanzhang walked away quickly.

…………

The next day, Prince of Jin Zhu Gang entered the palace to meet the emperor with great trepidation. When he heard that his father had specifically summoned him, he was so scared that he pissed his pants.

After entering the hall, he took small steps and looked around carefully, blinking his small eyes again and again like a weasel.

Zhu Yuanzhang was behind the curtain in the hall when he suddenly said, "Rebellious son, you have done a good thing!"

Zhu Gang's already bad face turned even paler. He knelt down in the direction of the curtain and shouted, "I wish you would die."

Zhu Yuanzhang probably knew that this guy had done something bad. Normally, if he had any sense, he would be arrogant. Today, he was acting sneaky, and it seemed that he had really done something wrong again.

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "You also know that you are guilty of a thousand deaths. It seems that you know that your crime is unforgivable."

Zhu Gang burst into tears: "Your son shouldn't criticize your father behind his back. Father, please listen to your son's explanation. The situation at that time was..."

"Hmm?" Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and asked, "Are you still criticizing me?"

"Ah..." Zhu Gang looked up in bewilderment, and said subconsciously: "Father, which crime are you talking about? Don't keep me in suspense. If you keep telling me what I have done every day, it will be embarrassing for both father and son."

(End of this chapter)