"Forget it, forget it, fate has dictated it this way, and it cannot be forced. This humble Taoist shall say no more."
This half-hearted statement only made Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma even more worried.
Empress Ma rose and bowed, "May True Person Qingyun please tell us the truth..."
"Whatever important matters there are, do not conceal them. Understand this consort's feelings as a mother."
Zhu Yuanzhang echoed, "True Person Qingyun, please speak frankly. What has happened to Biao'er and Di'er?"
"True Person Qingyun, what exactly did you see?"
Zhu Biao and Zhu Di were also bewildered by their words, not understanding what Wu Tao was playing at.
It turned out that Wu Tao, through the power of the Source of Time, had glimpsed all that would happen five hundred years before and five hundred years after this very moment.
It was precisely because he had seen future events that Wu Tao dared not blurt everything out.
Wu Tao pouted and thought to himself, "Speak frankly? Do I dare? If I told you that neither of your two precious sons are easy to manage?"
"One will die soon, and the other will later rebel and seize his nephew's throne..."
"Will you believe me and deal with them, or will you disbelieve me and deal with me instead?"
"After all, these two brothers are currently models of fraternal harmony, their relationship so close they might as well share the same pair of pants."
"Then, after Crown Prince Zhu Biao's untimely death, you directly appointed his son, your own grandson Zhu Yunwen, as emperor."
"And at this time, Zhu Di gradually began to harbor ambitions for the throne."
"As a result of Zhu Yunwen's policy of enfeoffing vassals, Zhu Di saw that the time was ripe and directly rebelled, killing his own nephew and seizing the throne. The methods involved were quite ignoble."
"This also laid the groundwork for future fratricide and estrangement between father and son over the throne."
"These emperors also made the Great Ming Empire a messy and chaotic place."
"However, according to the history Wu Tao saw, while Zhu Biao was alive, Zhu Di was still obedient."
"It was only after Zhu Biao's death that Zhu Di's ambitions slightly grew."
"It wasn't until the decree to curtail feudal lords was issued that he began to feign compliance, advise with impatience, and even directly rebel against his nephew Emperor Hui, Zhu Yunwen, to become emperor himself."
"At this time, Zhu Biao's health was still relatively good. If he had paid a little more attention, perhaps..."
Thinking of this, Zhang Xuanqing's heart stirred. He pondered for a moment and said, "Very well, since Your Majesty and the Empress wish to hear, this humble Taoist shall speak..."
"However, this is merely speaking casually. Let everyone hear it and not take it to heart."
Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma's spirits lifted. They did not believe that Wu Tao's hesitation for so long was just casual talk.
The imperial couple immediately sat up straight. However, Liu Bowen, sitting beside Wu Tao, could not help but frown and said, "Fellow Taoist..."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
He had barely uttered three words when he was interrupted by a series of coughs from Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang glared fiercely at Liu Bowen, the threat in his eyes unmistakable.
In fact, he had long held a grudge against Liu Bowen.
A long time ago, Zhu Yuanzhang had asked Liu Bowen about the fate of the Great Ming and other matters. Unfortunately, Liu Bowen was too intelligent and too slippery.
One day he would feign illness, the next he would claim the location was wrong, and the day after he would concoct some excuse about the timing not being ripe...
It was as if he were treating Zhu Yuanzhang's mind and wisdom as cabbage to be casually trampled upon.
Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang, out of options, had directly confronted Liu Bowen, threatening him with dire consequences if he did not speak.
As a result, Liu Bowen was as unyielding as a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, claiming that heavenly secrets could not be divulged, and that Zhu Yuanzhang could do as he pleased.
If it weren't for Liu Bowen's good relationship with Empress Ma and his genuine talent, Zhu Yuanzhang would have dealt with him long ago.
What was even more infuriating was that not only would Liu Bowen not speak, but he also would not let Wu Tao speak now!
Zhu Yuanzhang cursed inwardly, "Shameless old scoundrel, you won't speak, but you won't let others speak either?"
"Fine, you wait for me? If I don't find an opportunity to deal with you later, I'll take your surname!"
Compared to Liu Bowen's evasiveness, Wu Tao, who now occupied Qingyunzi's body, had a personality that was either silent or, once he spoke, would speak without reservation.
This time, just as Zhu Yuanzhang was about to elicit something from Wu Tao, Liu Bowen interrupted him. How could he not be angry?
If it weren't for the outsiders, he would have eaten Liu Bowen alive!
Fortunately, Liu Bowen also knew that he couldn't go too far, otherwise he would definitely be on Zhu Yuanzhang's list of reckoning in the future!
Although Wu Tao had seen future events through the Source of Time, he couldn't directly reveal his secrets to them like this.
Wu Tao shook his head, pondered, and then said with a smile, trying to deceive them.
"Crown Prince, your physiognomy indicates the bearing of a ruler. This humble Taoist shall not say too much here..."
"You only need to ensure you maintain good health, and there will be no major issues. After all, good health is everything..."
"If your health is not maintained, then the world in the future... Heh heh, that is all I will say. I have already said enough."
...
"As for His Highness the Prince of Yan, please forgive this humble Taoist's boldness!"
"Judging solely from your physiognomy, your eyebrows are connected, which is a 'brow tiger'; your eyes are clear and spirited, which is a 'sun and moon eye'!"
"The auxiliary corners form ridges, the nose tip is slightly upturned, the forehead is prominent and the dragon bone is straight, signifying the ability to contain everything!"
"In summary, it is a sun-like forehead and dragon-like countenance; the appearance of a heavenly sun; a dragon's bearing; dragon eyes and wind-like pupils; extraordinary bones reaching the crown; a river-like mouth and sea-like jaw!"
"Throughout history, people with such physiognomy have all been great figures, such as Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Sima Yi, Chai Rong, and others!"
"If Your Highness has aspirations in the art of war in the future, you will undoubtedly achieve great success. I only fear... alas, alas..."
"Just remember the bonds of flesh and blood, the ties of brotherhood, and show mercy in the future!"
Before he finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma both frowned, and Liu Bowen's eyebrows involuntarily twitched.
Rumble!!!
Just then, a gust of wind blew, and the lanterns outside the hall began to flicker.
"Haha, Biao'er, Di'er, did you hear that? Why aren't you thanking True Person Qingyun for his guidance quickly!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's expression quickly returned to normal. He laughed heartily and ordered Zhu Biao and Zhu Di to thank Wu Tao.
However, his heart was far from calm.
After all, this was not the first time Wu Tao had told Zhu Biao to pay attention to his health.
Could it be that True Person Qingyun had foreseen his son's untimely death and that he would have to send his son off before his time, and was thus warning him in advance?
And as for Zhu Di, things like a sun-like forehead and dragon-like countenance clearly indicated an imperial destiny!
Moreover, figures like Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Cao Cao, Sima Yi, and Chai Rong, were none of them simple individuals; they were all ruthless!
And what was the meaning of True Person Qingyun's final warning to Zhu Di to remember kinship and brotherhood?
Could it be that Zhu Di would do something that involved fratricide in the future?
...
After all, Emperor Wu of Han, in his later years, had forced his wife and son to their deaths in pursuit of power.
Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, also killed his brothers and imprisoned his father after the Xuanwu Gate Incident before successfully ascending the throne.
Cao Cao had also killed several of his cousins to achieve his goals.
The methods of the others were not much better.
And that word "alas"...
What an annoying word!
Zhu Yuanzhang also felt this way.
Relatively speaking, Empress Ma, after hearing all this, worried that her two sons might be involved in some unpleasant events in the future.
Just as she was about to ask more questions, Zhu Yuanzhang stopped her with a look. Helpless, she had to suppress her concerns for the moment.
At this moment, Zhu Biao and Zhu Di exchanged glances, and both harbored some unpleasant thoughts.
Although their relationship was still good at this time, they were both in their thirties, and their worldly wisdom could be considered profound.
Wu Tao's previous words had led them to associate some very unpleasant things.
However, on the surface, they seemed to have heard nothing, and as per their father's orders, they bowed to Wu Tao, "Thank you, True Person Qingyun, for your guidance!"
Wu Tao did not stand on ceremony, laughed heartily, and said, "No need. I merely wish to avoid those unpleasant events from happening in the future..."
Wu Tao's words, instead of easing their minds, made Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma's hearts sink further, and they became even more worried.
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes darted, and he immediately thought of a good idea.
He picked up his wine cup and said heartily, "Thank you, True Person Qingyun, for the reminder. Come, come, I will toast you, True Person!"
After drinking it down himself, he refilled the cup and continued to toast.
Empress Ma, being a woman of great intelligence, immediately understood Zhu Yuanzhang's intentions. She also picked up her wine cup, urged Wu Tao to drink, and gave Zhu Biao and Zhu Di a look, signaling them to toast Wu Tao as well.
The wine in the imperial palace was all top-quality vintage.
This fine wine was made from excellent grains, meticulously fermented, then steamed, purified, and buried underground for decades to complete the final process.
This treated wine not only possessed the mellow aroma of alcohol but also the fragrance of the earth. Its taste was pungent but not overwhelming, with a moderate mouthfeel, making it extremely delicious.
Wu Tao drank heartily, accepting every toast. In a short while, he began to show signs of intoxication.
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