Chapter 173

Seeing Zhu Xi before him.

Zhu Biao's thoughts immediately returned to those years.

At that time.

His Xiongying was only this big.

He was being held by his Sister Chang, calling him "Daddy" affectionately.

At that time.

Great Ming had not long been founded.

Those calls of "Daddy."

After seeing Zhu Xi at this moment, they seemed to echo endlessly in Zhu Biao's ears.

Leaving Zhu Biao completely stunned.

And inside the hall.

Shen Yuer looked at Zhu Biao in confusion, but she dared not speak, only feeling some astonishment in her heart.

"What is wrong with the Crown Prince? Why is he staring at Xi'er?"

"Could it be that some taboo has been broken?"

Shen Yuer thought with some worry.

After a good while.

Zhu Biao slowly regained his senses, but his gaze remained on Zhu Xi.

And within this gaze, there were many emotions.

Memories!

Sorrow!

Guilt!

And even an indescribable sense of intimacy.

"Sigh."

"Xiongying has already passed; it is impossible for him to come back to life. The dead cannot return."

"I watched him being buried with the Empress with my own eyes back then."

"However..."

Zhu Biao thought to himself, but his gaze remained fixed on Zhu Xi: "How can there be such a similar person in this world? This Zhu Xi is almost a carbon copy of Xiongying when he was small; could it be that reincarnation truly exists?"

Perhaps.

At this moment.

Zhu Biao's heart was filled with infinite waves.

If he hadn't seen his own son buried in the tomb with his own eyes, he would have truly thought that the Zhu Xi before him was his son coming to find him from his childhood.

"Your name is Zhu Xi, right?"

Regaining his composure, Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Xi and smiled gently, showing an intimacy he had never displayed before.

Zhu Xi could only call "Daddy" and "Mommy" now; he didn't understand what Zhu Biao was saying.

Naturally, he didn't know what the meaning of a name was.

So he blankly lifted his little head, looking at his mother.

"Come over here to me."

Zhu Biao smiled gently, beckoning to Zhu Xi.

Seeing this scene.

Shen Yuer was truly quite nervous; after all, Zhu Xi was still small, and his behavior was uncontrollable.

If he did something to offend him, it would be bad.

She was just about to speak.

But Zhu Xi didn't seem afraid of Zhu Biao at all; he actually opened his arms and walked toward Zhu Biao, one small step at a time.

Seeing this.

Shen Yuer couldn't speak anymore.

"What is wrong with Xi'er today?"

"Usually, besides the two maids, me, and Steward Lin, he is very shy with everyone else."

"Why is he not afraid of the Crown Prince today?"

Shen Yuer was also very confused and astonished in her heart.

Seeing Zhu Xi actually walk over, a look of indescribable emotion surged on Zhu Biao's face.

The scene at this moment.

Made Zhu Biao sink even deeper into memories.

It was also the Donggong.

Outside this hall.

His most beloved wife, Lady Chang.

Held his son and came to find him.

Zhu Biao still remembered that he was standing on the steps in front of the hall.

When Zhu Xiongying saw him, he was about the same age as Zhu Xi, had just learned to walk not long ago, and also, upon seeing him, opened his arms and called "Daddy."

Looking at the slowly walking Zhu Xi, Zhu Biao's eyes were filled with intimacy and tenderness.

He actually stood up directly from his chair, walked around the imperial desk, squatted down in front of it, and opened his arms as well.

The eunuch serving nearby was stunned to see this scene.

But he dared not make a sound, only keeping his head low.

After a while.

Zhu Xi walked with small steps, finally reaching Zhu Biao, and threw himself into his arms, showing no shyness at all.

And Zhu Biao directly picked up Zhu Xi and stood up.

"Zhu Xi."

"You have quite a lot of courage."

"To not be afraid of me."

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Xi, who looked so much like his deceased son, and felt an indescribable sense of intimacy in his eyes.

"Your Highness."

"Usually, Xi'er is shy."

"Besides me and the steward at home, he is very shy with everyone else."

"But today, seeing Your Highness, he is not afraid."

"This also makes me very astonished." Shen Yuer said with a smile.

Hearing this.

The smile on Zhu Biao's face grew even wider.

"Haha."

"Zhu Xi, it seems you feel close to me."

"I feel the same toward you, very close." Zhu Biao held Zhu Xi tightly; at this moment, perhaps the feeling for Zhu Biao was as if he were holding his own son from the past.

Giving him, who had lost his son for many years, a rare and indescribable comfort.

Shen Yuer, watching the scene from the side, also smiled.

This scene looked.

Just like a grandfather and grandson!

However.

This was just a coincidence.

In Shen Yuer's view, perhaps it was because her son was curious about Zhu Biao, or perhaps Zhu Biao possessed an unspoken affinity.

"Yuer, I am much older than you, practically of your father's generation, so I will just call you by your name."

Zhu Biao looked at Shen Yuer with a smile, while teasing little Zhu Xi, and asked: "Is everything well in Ying Tianfu?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

"Ying Tianfu is very prosperous, and I am doing well." Shen Yuer replied immediately, expressing her gratitude.

"Zhu Ying is a pillar of the nation, and the youngest, most promising general in our Great Ming."

"The reason I summoned you to Ying Tian is not to threaten Zhu Ying, but to let him focus on the Northern Expedition."

"Now that Zhu Ying's fame in the northern frontier and the Northern Yuan is growing, the enemy will naturally try every possible way to deal with him."

"And as his wife, you are naturally the target they would deal with."

"Although Daning is Great Ming territory, it is ultimately a border region; if assassins or bandits were to infiltrate, it would be very likely, but in Ying Tian, this naturally will not happen." Zhu Biao said to Shen Yuer with a smile.

Clearly.

Suddenly summoning Shen Yuer to Ying Tian might have carried some intention of holding Zhu Ying in check, but these things could not be said too clearly, as it would be disheartening.

Zhu Biao's explanation made sense.

Even in later generations, there were criminals and assassins, let alone now.

Being in a border prefecture, it went without saying.

Now that Zhu Ying was in the Northern Yuan and among the Jianzhou Jurchens, he was hated to the bone.

Staying in Daning was indeed dangerous.

Hearing this, Shen Yuer immediately said: "On behalf of my husband, I thank Your Highness for your concern! My husband and I have no complaints about coming to Ying Tian."

Shen Yuer understood.

Being able to have the Crown Prince Zhu Biao personally explain this was a great honor.

"Haha."

Zhu Biao laughed, then said: "Of course! Summoning you to Ying Tian is not only for better protection, but also to let you live in Ying Tian first; when the Northern Expedition succeeds, Zhu Ying can return to the capital for an audience."

"I have heard Zhu Ying's name countless times in Ying Tian, but I have never met him."

"After this Northern Expedition, we must meet."

Hearing this!

Shen Yuer immediately replied with a smile: "My husband once told me that he has long admired the Emperor and the Crown Prince and has always wanted to come to the capital to meet you."

"Haha."

"It seems that Zhu Ying and I are mutually drawn to each other." Zhu Biao laughed, appearing very happy.

"I heard your Zhu family has a liquor business; is it selling well?" Zhu Biao asked with a smile again.

Regarding this.

Shen Yuer was not surprised.

In previous conversations with her husband, she naturally knew of the existence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and their family business was not hidden; if Zhu Biao didn't know, that would be strange.

"My husband's family used to run a distillery, and he has a knack for brewing; the fine wine brewed by our family's distillery is very mellow, so it has won the favor of drinkers."

"In Daning, the liquor is in short supply."

"Now that we have come to Ying Tian, I am also preparing to open a restaurant and a distillery here; first, to earn some money for household expenses, and second, to recruit some commoners and provide for their livelihood." Shen Yuer said with a smile.

Seeing how gentle Zhu Biao was, Shen Yuer was not as nervous anymore.

"The way of the merchant is not the most noble."

"However, brewing is not truly the way of the merchant."

"But do not dabble too much; after all, our Hongwu Dynasty is not that generous toward merchants, especially officials engaging in business; although there is no explicit rule, one must be cautious." Zhu Biao said with a tone of warning.

Hearing this!

Shen Yuer's heart tightened, and she immediately nodded: "Please rest assured, Your Highness; our Zhu family currently only has the distillery and the restaurant! Although this involves business, our Zhu family will absolutely not engage in those dirty dealings."

"No need to be nervous."

"I was just mentioning it."

"After all, in the eyes of the current Emperor, merchants value profit too much, and he cannot stand merchants being too excessive."

"Of course."

"Zhu Ying is so young and capable, and in the future, he will be a pillar of our Great Ming; he cannot be affected by other matters." Zhu Biao said gently.

"I will keep your words in mind, Your Highness; when my husband returns, I will certainly explain them to him." Shen Yuer nodded immediately.

"The Shen family."

"Are you the daughter of Shen Wansan? Why are you at odds with the Shen family?" Zhu Biao's eyes flashed as he asked suddenly.

This question.

Made Shen Yuer's heart skip a beat.

Her relationship with the Shen family.

Was actually a heartache for Shen Yuer, but also one she had to face.

With Zhu Biao asking this.

Shen Yuer didn't know how to answer.

"I dare not hide anything from you."

"I did indeed grow up in the Shen family, and Shen Wansan is my father in name."

"But..."

At this point.

Shen Yuer remembered the days of being bullied in the Shen family, and her expression turned ugly.

Zhu Biao understood something upon seeing this.

"The Shen family is the Shen family, and you are you."

"After you married Zhu Ying, you are now Zhu Ying's person and have nothing to do with the Shen family."

"I was just asking casually; you don't need to think too much about it, and you don't have to answer." Zhu Biao said with a smile.

Seeing this.

Shen Yuer breathed a sigh of relief and immediately thanked him: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Regarding the Shen family.

Shen Yuer really had nothing good to say.

If there was anything, it was meeting Zhu Ying in the Shen family, seeing him stand up for her for the first time, and his care over the following years.

But later, after arriving in Daning, the Shen family did not hesitate to send assassins to kill her and Steward Lin to silence them.

These things, naturally, were not convenient to say.

"How old is this little fellow?"

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Xi in his arms and asked.

"He is already eight months old."

"He just learned to walk not long ago."

"By the time his father returns, he should be able to walk completely." Shen Yuer replied gently.

"Zhu Xi."

Zhu Biao stared at the little fellow's face; every look made it hard for Zhu Biao to calm his heart.

After all, for him, it was like seeing his deceased son.

"I like this little fellow very much." Zhu Biao said gently, his gaze full of intimacy.

"I can see that."

"Your Highness likes children very much." Shen Yuer said with a smile.

"Perhaps."

Zhu Biao smiled faintly and did not say anything clearly.

As the Crown Prince of the Donggong, the heir to the nation.

As long as he wanted, as long as he took more concubines, he could have as many children as he wanted.

For the imperial family, heirs were nothing special, and being born into the imperial family did not guarantee much affection.

But Zhu Xi!

Clearly touched the most unforgettable memory in Zhu Biao's heart.

At that time!

His mother was still there, his wife was still there, and his eldest son was still there.

The whole family.

Happy and harmonious.

And now.

Everything had changed.

"Summoning you and your son today was also to see how you are doing in Ying Tian."

"After all, Zhu Ying is a pillar of the nation; I cannot treat his wife and son poorly."

"Now that I see you have gotten used to life in Ying Tian, I am relieved."

"Alright."

"Take the little fellow back to the mansion to rest."

"If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to the Donggong to find me."

Zhu Biao said gently, squatting down and slowly setting Zhu Xi down.

"I pay my respects and thank Your Highness."

Shen Yuer bowed, then slowly picked up Zhu Xi and walked toward the hall door.

But just at this moment!

Zhu Xi lifted his little head, looked at Zhu Biao with his large eyes, and actually said crisply: "A... Ah-weng!"

At this sound.

Zhu Biao was stunned, blankly looking at Shen Yuer and her son who had already reached the hall door, meeting Zhu Xi's large eyes.

Involuntarily.

Zhu Biao replied gently: "Eh!"

At this response.

Zhu Xi's eyes widened, and then he laughed, appearing very happy.

And Shen Yuer was stunned, looking at Zhu Xi with some amusement, and then somewhat nervously said to Zhu Biao: "Your Highness, this little fellow is always taught at home to call our elders 'Ah-weng,' but he has never said it; perhaps seeing Your Highness, he felt close and just said it."

"Go."

Zhu Biao waved his hand, his heart unable to calm down.

Seeing this, Shen Yuer held Zhu Xi and walked out of the hall.

But no one could see.

On Zhu Biao's smiling face, beneath his eyes, two clear tears actually flowed down.

"Xiongying."

"If you were still here."

"Perhaps Daddy would already be holding a grandson."

"If you were still here."

"You would also be able to help Daddy share many burdens."

"Sister Chang, I'm sorry, I didn't protect our son well."

At this moment.

Zhu Biao's tears could not stop flowing.

That he, the dignified Crown Prince, the heir to the nation, the resolute Zhu Biao in everyone's eyes, could be moved to such a degree, one can imagine how much Zhu Xi's call of "Ah-weng" touched Zhu Biao.

This sound.

Made Zhu Biao think of his son, and even more so of his wife, and his mother.

If... if they were all still here, how good would that be?

What would the Great Ming be like if they were still here?

The eunuch serving at the imperial desk saw Zhu Biao stunned in place for a long time and called out in a low voice: "Your Highness!"

Hearing the sound!

Zhu Biao slowly regained his senses.

Immediately raising his hand to wipe away the tears from his eyes.

"You may withdraw first."

"If there is anything, I will summon you." Zhu Biao turned around and waved his hand at the eunuch.

The eunuch looked nervously and immediately bowed: "This servant takes his leave."

In the vast Donggong hall, only Zhu Biao remained.

"Sigh."

"After so many years, I still cannot completely forget."

Zhu Biao sighed deeply, walked to his chair, and sat down, leaning back.

Outside the Donggong!

Shen Yuer walked out holding Zhu Xi, and Lin Fu immediately came to greet them.

"Young Mistress, is everything alright?" Lin Fu asked in a low voice immediately.

"It's fine."

"The Crown Prince just expressed some concern."

"Let's return to the mansion first." Shen Yuer replied with a smile, giving Lin Fu a look.

Seeing this.

Lin Fu understood immediately, asked no more questions, and took the mounting steps down from the carriage to help Shen Yuer and her son board.

"Commander Luo, we will take our leave now."

Lin Fu thanked Luo Yang.

"Steward Lin."

"The imperial palace is very large and easy to get lost in; I will lead you out of the palace." Luo Yang walked forward, personally taking the carriage reins to lead them out.

"Thank you for the trouble." Lin Fu thanked him immediately.

But at this moment!

Inside the Donggong.

In Lady Lv's palace.

The eunuch who had been serving beside Zhu Biao actually arrived at the palace and stood respectfully before Lady Lv.

"Little Sanzi."

"What did the Crown Prince and Zhu Ying's wife talk about in the hall today?" Lady Lv asked with a smile.

"Your Ladyship."

"The Crown Prince didn't say anything special to Lady Zhu; he just expressed some concern and warned her not to get too involved in merchant affairs."

"However... there is one more thing."

"I don't know if I should say it or not." The eunuch said with a trembling voice.

"What is it?"

Lady Lv frowned and immediately pressed.

"After the Crown Prince saw Lady Zhu's son, he was exceptionally close to him, held him for a while, and seemed to like him very much."

"And... and after Lady Zhu left, the little fellow accidentally called out 'Ah-weng,' and His Highness... His Highness seemed to shed tears." The eunuch dared not hide it and said respectfully.

Hearing this.

Lady Lv's expression changed, as if she had thought of something.

After looking at the eunuch before her again.

She took a money bag from the table beside her and threw it at the eunuch.

"Well done."

"You may withdraw."

The eunuch respectfully took the money bag and knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly: "Thank you, Your Ladyship, thank you, Your Ladyship."

After kowtowing a few times.

The eunuch quickly exited Lady Lv's palace.

After the eunuch left.

A look of hatred emerged on Lady Lv's originally calm face.

"Crown Prince."

"It seems you still haven't forgotten that base seed."

"After all these years, how am I inferior to that base woman? And how is Yunwen inferior to that base seed?"

"Could it be that after all these years, I haven't moved you?" Lady Lv clenched her fists, a sense of unwillingness and hatred surging in her heart.

As Zhu Biao's most favored concubine, Lady Lv knew Zhu Biao well; through the eunuch's description and thinking of Zhu Ying's son calling out "Ah-weng" and touching Zhu Biao to the point of tears.

She naturally thought of what had moved Zhu Biao.

Clearly, all of this was because of Zhu Xiongying!

……

Zhu Fu!

"Young Mistress."

"What exactly did the Crown Prince say just now?"

As soon as they got home.

Lin Fu asked with great concern.

"The Crown Prince reminded me that since my husband holds an official title, we should be less involved in merchant affairs."

"He even stated that the current Emperor does not like merchants." Shen Yuer said seriously.

Hearing this!

Lin Fu looked thoughtful and then said: "Does the Crown Prince not want us to continue running the distillery and restaurant?"

"No."

Shen Yuer shook her head and said: "He said the distillery and restaurant are not too deeply involved in merchant affairs, so it's fine; he just reminded me that the Zhu Fu should not get involved in other merchant affairs, as the current Emperor does not like officials engaging in business."

With this said.

Lin Fu breathed a sigh of relief.

"In that case, the Young Master's business is fine."

"As for other merchant affairs, having the distillery and restaurant is enough for our Zhu Fu."

"As for the rest, we don't care for them." Lin Fu said with a smile.

At this moment!

Shen Yuer looked at Zhu Xi beside her, with a tone of disbelief: "Xi'er was also very strange today."

"Usually, he is shy with everyone and doesn't dare to get close."

"But today, when he saw the Crown Prince, he actually walked up to him and let the Crown Prince hold him."

"When we were leaving, Xi'er actually called out 'Ah-weng'." Shen Yuer said with astonishment.

Hearing this.

Lin Fu smiled: "The Crown Prince has a virtuous reputation among the people and is said to be very benevolent, winning the support of the masses; perhaps it was this aura that made Xi'er feel close to him."

"That must be it."

"But the Crown Prince likes Xi'er quite a bit." Shen Yuer said with a smile.

"This must be 'loving the house and its crow'."

"The Young Master fights for the country and expands its territory, and is deeply valued by the Crown Prince; naturally, he also values the son of a valued subordinate." Lin Fu said.

……

(End of chapter)