In the south of Ningshou Palace in the east of the Imperial Palace of the capital, there is a palace with red walls and green tiles, called Ciqing Palace, on February 6 of the 39th year of Wanli (that is, 1611 AD), Zhu Youzhen, the emperor of Chongzhen, was born here.

Because Zhu Youzhen's grandfather, Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun, favored Zhu Changxun, the third son born to Zheng Guifei, and Zhu Changluo, the eldest son born to a lowly palace maid, that is, Zhu Youzhen's father, the prince's status has been unstable, and his children have not been treated normally since childhood.

When Zhu Changluo was the crown prince, he had seven sons, five of whom died young, leaving only the eldest son Zhu Youxiao and the fifth son Zhu Youzhen.

When Zhu Youxiao was fifteen years old, his biological mother Wang Cairen was beaten to death by his father's favored "Xi Li" (Li Xuanzhi, who lived in the West Palace).

When Zhu Youzhen was five years old, his biological mother Liu Shunu was punished by her father Zhu Changluo and died unjustly.

These two motherless children were handed over by their father Zhu Changluo to the pampered and domineering "Xi Li" Li Xuanzhi to "raise", you can imagine what kind of childhood the two brothers spent.

Finally survived until the death of his grandfather Wanli Emperor, the fierce competition for the throne, and the famous "Three Strange Cases in the Late Ming Dynasty" of the "Court Attack Case", in the end, their father ascended the throne as Emperor Taichang, so Zhu Youxiao and Zhu Youzhen moved to the Qianqing Palace with the "West Li" Li Xuanzhi.

However, due to his weak body and excessive indulgence, coupled with his father Zhu Changluo's sudden illness and rush to the doctor, another of the three strange cases occurred, "Red Pill Case", Taichang Emperor Zhu Changluo died after only one month as emperor, becoming the shortest reigning emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

So last year, Zhu Youzhen's only elder brother, the sixteen-year-old emperor's eldest son, Zhu Youxiao, won the last of the three strange cases in the "palace transfer case", shattered Xi Li's conspiracy to be the empress dowager to control the government, and ascended the throne as the emperor of the apocalypse.

After ascending the throne, Zhu Youxiao once complained to the ministers close to the DPRK and China against "Xi Li": "The election attendants are insulting and abused, and I cry day and night. Huang Kao (father) knew that he was wrong, and he comforted him from time to time...... How can the outer court know all about my suffering. The elder brother is still like this, and the treatment of Zhu Youzhen, who is also under the "raising" of "Xi Li", can be imagined.

Emperor Zhu Youxiao of the Apocalypse and his younger brother have been suffering from the same illness since childhood, and have a deep relationship, and immediately after ascending the throne, Zhu Youzhen was changed to "Dong Li" (another Li surname of his father Taichang Emperor Zhu Changluo, called "Dong Li" because he lived in the East Palace).

This year, Emperor Zhu Youxiao of the Apocalypse canonized the eleven-year-old Zhu Youzhen as the king of letters.

So Zhu Youzhen lived in Ciqing Palace, his birthplace, with his mother "Dong Li".

"Dong Li" believes in Buddhism, eats fasting and recites Buddha every day, and his temperament is very indifferent, although he does not have much care for Zhu Youzhen, but there is absolutely no more child abuse.

Zhu Youzhen is a strong child, both in literature and martial arts, he is very diligent, and he is both civil and military at a young age. Because his biological mother was born lowly, coupled with his kindness, he is very sympathetic to the suffering of ordinary people living at the bottom.

In order to observe the people's situation on behalf of his brother, Zhu Youzhen took his chamberlain Wang Chengen, who walked out of the palace gate for the first time a month ago, and went out on patrol in micro-clothes, inspecting and understanding the living conditions of people in various places while playing. After coming to Mizhi County, Yan'an Prefecture, he heard that Wang Chengen's senior brother Yao Shimen was an elder with a foreign surname in Li Jiqian Village, so he wanted to meet him, so he met Gao Jie.

When he first saw Gao Jie, he had a special sense of closeness, and he hoped to be his friend like Li Hongji and Li Guo. The Ming Dynasty believed in Buddhism, and Zhu Youzhen was no exception, so he believed that he and Gao Jie were fateful.

Just for the sake of safety, he concealed his identity and changed his surname "Zhu" to the surname Zhu, and his name took the word "letter" of "Xinwang".

Who knows, after the chase and killing incident, he worshiped Gao Ting and his wife as godfathers and godmothers, not only became friends with Gao Jie, but also became brothers, and enjoyed ten days of family fun.

After listening to Zhu Youzhen's narration, his mother Gao hugged Zhu Youzhen, burst into tears, feeling distressed and pitiful, and couldn't wait to make up for his painful childhood with strong maternal love.

Gao Jie's ears were sharp, and he faintly heard the low sobs coming from his room, knowing that it was Huijing, the little nun, who felt sympathy and felt sad because of Zhu Youzhen's tragic childhood, and thought that she was also a motherless child.

After being reborn, Gao Jie didn't like this sad atmosphere, he deliberately patted Zhu Youzhen's little head, and joked: "Little prince, you hide it from me so hard! What do you want me to do in the future, I have to bow down when I see you, it's a loss!"

Zhu Youzhen immediately became anxious and said loudly: "I don't want you to bow down, I am still my father's child, or your little brother, you will always be my relatives! Only outsiders need to bow down!"

Gao Jie saw that Zhu Youzhen was so anxious that his face was red, his heart was hot, and he felt that this future Emperor Chongzhen was really kind in his heart, no wonder later generations commented that he was a good emperor who loved the people like a son and had outstanding ability, but he was born at the wrong time.

Gao Ting saw a happy family next to him, loving each other, and also smiled. But then he smiled, as if he had thought of something, his face slowly became gloomy, and he whispered after a while: "But, you are about to leave!"

In a word, the reality was revealed, and the atmosphere quickly became cold and sad.

Zhu Youzhen looked at his godfather and godmother, and then at Gao Jie, sadness poured into his heart, and he threw himself into Gao's arms again, and the mother and son hugged their heads together and cried.

Gao Jie doesn't like to be sad and doesn't like to shed tears, but he has long regarded the little kid in front of him as his relative, and in the face of separation, hearing the cry of his mother and little brother, his eyes were also moist, so he had to turn around and calm down.

"Those who have lost their souls are the only ones who can say goodbye. This sentence is really appropriate.

Suddenly, Zhu Youzhen raised his head from Gao's arms and said in surprise: "Yes, Daddy, eldest brother, you can go back to Beijing with me this time, so we don't have to be separated!"

Gao Ting and his wife looked at each other, they were ordinary mountain people, with a humble status and a poor family, like most people in Changliang Bay, they might never have the opportunity to leave this poor ravine in their lives, and they had never even been to Mizhi County, how could they have thought that they could go to the distant capital, or even go to the palace to live?

This proposal was so shocking that Gao Ting and his wife couldn't figure it out at all, let alone decide, so they had to set their sights on Gao Jie.

When Gao Jie heard Zhu Youzhen's suggestion, his heart was also shocked.

If my father and mother go to the capital, their lives will naturally be hundreds of times better than they are now, which is also what I want to work hard to create for them. It's just that in that deep palace, can they get used to it? And now it seems that even Zhu Youzhen is in danger, will his father and mother also be implicated and in danger?

Gao Jie himself definitely can't go now, first, he has to continue to practice martial arts with his master to enhance his strength, and second, he has to help Li Hongji and Li Guo complete the family competition.

And they can't bear their parents, and they probably won't be able to let go of themselves.

Gao Jie's thoughts were confused for a while, and he couldn't figure it out, and suddenly seemed to think of something, so he said: "I can't make a decision on this matter, wait a minute, I'll go to the master to help us sum it up!"

In Zhu Youzhen's expectant gaze, Gao Jie turned his head and shouted into his room: "Senior sister, you come out!"

As soon as the words fell, Mrs. Hui Jing walked out.

Gao Ting and his wife suddenly saw a bald little nun appear at home, startled, and when they saw clearly that it was a little nun Hui Jing who had met, although they were relieved, they were still suspicious, and they couldn't figure out when she entered their house.

Without waiting for Gao Jie to speak, Hui Jing nodded and said, "Senior brother, I'll go out and call Master to come in!" and then walked out of the door.

The cavalrymen who were waiting outside suddenly saw a little nun come out, and they were a little stunned, and before they could react, they saw that this little nun passed through the cracks like a ghost, and disappeared into the woods next to the mountain road in a moment.

Wang Chengen and Chen Dake hesitated, and they didn't know whether to stop her, and watched her leave.

Both of them are good at martial arts, and they have seen people, and they were also shocked by the exquisite body of this little nun who was only a teenager.

The two of them glanced into the room, and were about to speak and discuss, when they saw the little nun come out of the forest with an old nun in a red robe.

The little nun was still flickering, and she was coming quickly in the direction of Gao Jie's house, while the old nun seemed to be walking slowly, and the wind was light, but she always followed behind the little nun.

Wang Chengen and Chen Dake's eyes narrowed, and their right hands involuntarily clenched the weapons on their waists, they could see that this old nun's martial arts were even more unfathomable, and their hearts were shocked.

Hui Jing arrived in front of the courtyard, did not stop at all, and went straight through the stunned officers and soldiers and entered the cave.

After the master of the clear space entered the courtyard, he stopped, and said to Wang Chengen and Chen Dake with his hands together: "Lao Nun is empty, I have been summoned by the high donor, can the two adults let me go?"

Wang Chengen and Chen Dake glanced at each other when they heard this, and then hurriedly replied: "Mrs. Shi, please!"

Qingkong smiled slightly, and then stepped into the house.

When Gao Jie saw Master coming in, he hurriedly stepped forward to bow down, bowed his head and said, "I've seen Master!"

The Void Master smiled and said, "Xiaojie, get up!"

Gao Ting and his wife also hurriedly came forward to salute, and Mrs. Clearance also returned the salute one by one.

Only Zhu Youzhen stood in place, looking timidly at the clear sky, at a loss.

Mrs. Clearance looked at Zhu Youzhen's appearance, smiled, walked over and touched his head, and said lovingly: "Child, you have a special identity and have something to hide from us, I can't blame you, but I don't know what I should call you in the future?"

Zhu Youzhen saw that the Void Master had no intention of blaming, so he was determined, leaned on her and said, "If you don't blame me, just treat me as the little brother of Brother Xiaojie, and call me Jian'er!"

The Void Master nodded, and then said to Gao Jie: "Xiaojie, Hui Jing told me just now, I think, let your father and mother go to the capital with Jian'er first!"

When Gao Jie heard this, he hurriedly said, "Master......"

The Void Master interrupted him and continued, "Such a big thing happened today, I'm afraid it will be dangerous for your father and mother to stay here." The enemy's forces are only afraid of a lot, they went to the capital with Jian'er, first, they can take care of Jian'er, they have no worries about food and clothing, second, it will be much safer than this, and third, you can also settle down and cultivate. After a while, you can go to the capital to meet your parents!"

Gao Jie thought for a while, and felt that the master was thoughtful and reasonable, so he nodded and said, "Just according to what the master said!"

Gao Shi saw that he had already decided to go to the capital, but Gao Jie couldn't go with him, so he immediately hugged his son and cried: "Jie'er, you have never left your father and mother since you were a child, and your mother is reluctant to let you go!

With tears in his eyes, Gao Jie hugged his mother tightly, and choked up: "Mother, the child is reluctant to you! However, don't worry, with the master here, the child is fine! I hope you take care of your health, and soon, I will visit you!"

The family said goodbye, Gao Ting and his wife went to clean up again, and then followed Zhu Youzhen out of the yard.

Zhu Youzhen was at the end, took Gao Jie's hand, and said reluctantly: "Big brother, you must come to see us early, I am waiting for you in the capital!"

Gao Jie smiled and said, "What's the matter, don't you really want to try the pills I made?!"

Zhu Youzhen smiled with tears, nodded vigorously and said, "Well, when the time comes, I will definitely not run away, I will help you try one!

Gao Jie laughed, tears in his eyes.

Zhu Youzhen thought about it, took off the sword he was carrying from his waist, handed it to Gao Jie, and said: "Big brother, this is left to you, first, you can defend yourself, and second, if you have an emergency, you can use this sword to ask the local army for help, whether it is a guard, a thousand households or a hundred households, I will let Xiao Enzi inform them!"

Gao Jie didn't shirk, took the sword and said, "Okay, little brother, I'll give it back to you when I get to the capital!"

Zhu Youzhen nodded vigorously, stretched out his hand and hooked Gao Jie and said: "If it is decided, it will be counted, and I am not allowed to release the pigeon!"

Zhu Youzhen suddenly popped out a modern sentence "release the pigeons", which made Gao Jie smile bitterly, he hugged his cute cheap little brother hard, and then with a sunny smile, he watched him and his parents get on the horse, slowly left under the escort of the cavalry, disappeared at the corner of the hillside, and then squatted on the ground and cried.