Chapter 118: Climbing Dragons, Attaching to Phoenixes

Just as he was speaking, a eunuch outside reported, "Crown Prince, Duke of Song Feng Sheng wishes an audience."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong exchanged a glance.

"Please let him in," Zhu Biao said.

A moment later, Feng Sheng entered, his complexion not very good.

"I, your servant, have the honor to see the Crown Prince and Prince Wu," Feng Sheng saluted.

"Duke of Song, no need for formalities, sit," Zhu Biao raised his hand.

Feng Sheng sat down, glanced at Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu, and hesitated to speak.

"Duke of Song, you may speak freely; we are all family," Zhu Biao said.

Feng Sheng then said, "Your Highness, my wayward nephew… today is getting married, taking a Lu Family daughter as his bride."

"I am aware of this matter," Zhu Biao nodded.

"I… I have failed to discipline him, letting that scoundrel disgrace the Feng family; now the Lu Family has married in, and I fear…" Feng Sheng sighed.

He did not finish, but the meaning was clear. Feng An is no good match; with the Lu Family marrying in, life will not be easy.

Zhu Biao said calmly, "Duke of Song, the marriage was arranged by the Imperial Father, and the Lu Family also consented; we need not discuss further. As for Feng An, since you know he is incompetent, you should strictly discipline him.

You are a Founding Merit Official; do not let a nephew tarnish the Feng family's reputation."

Feng Sheng hurriedly replied, "Your Highness's admonition is noted; I will return and enforce strict discipline."

"Hmm, any other matters?" Zhu Biao asked.

Feng Sheng hesitated a moment, then said, "I heard… before the Lu Family's marriage, there was a hunger strike, claiming death over marriage; Lv Ben locked her in a room and forced her onto the Sedan Chair."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly, then relaxed and said, "It is the parents' decree and the matchmaker's words; since she was born into the Lu Family, she must accept her fate."

"Yes… yes…" Feng Sheng's forehead broke into sweat.

He could tell that the Crown Prince had no sympathy for the Lu Family at all.

"Duke of Song, if there is nothing else, you may withdraw; I still need to discuss military affairs with Prince Wu," Zhu Biao said.

"I take my leave," Feng Sheng bowed and exited.

After he left, Zhu Biao said to Zhu Yong, "Did you see? Feng Sheng came to test the waters, wanting to gauge our attitude toward Lu Chan."

"Is he afraid the older brother will blame him?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Hmm, Feng An is incompetent; if the Lu Family's marriage goes poorly, he fears we'll think the Feng family was negligent. In fact, he worries too much; how the Lu Family fares is none of my business."

Zhu Biao sneered.

Chang Wan said softly, "Brother Zhu Biao, the Lu Family may be hateful, but after all she is a woman; marrying someone like Feng An is truly pitiful."

"Wanmei, you are kind‑hearted, but some people cannot be pitied; if the Lu Family enters the Eastern Palace, the first targets will be you and Xiong Ying.

She is in this state because of her own fault," Zhu Biao said, gripping her hand.

Chang Wan nodded and said nothing further.

Guanyin Nu listened nearby, sighing inwardly.

This is the royal court: seemingly tender, but truly heart‑stopping at every step.

The Lu Family's ambition to climb dragons and attach to phoenixes, ending in this fate, is indeed retribution.

After sitting a while longer in the Eastern Palace, Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu took their leave and returned home.

In the carriage, Guanyin Nu leaned on Zhu Yong's shoulder and whispered, "Your Highness, I only truly understand today that the royal family… is truly hard."

"Hmm, so I must protect you both; with me around, no one can bully you or Huanhuan," Zhu Yong wrapped his arm around her and said.

Guanyin Nu felt warmth in her heart, looked up at him and asked, "Your Highness, if… if in the future someone wants to send a daughter into Wu Wang Fu, would you take a concubine?"

Zhu Yong was startled, then gave a simple smile, "No, having you and Huanhuan is enough; I'm not greedy."

"But among royal offspring, three wives and four concubines are commonplace…" Guanyin Nu whispered.

"Customs are customs; I don't want them. I only like you and Huanhuan; more would be trouble," Zhu Yong said earnestly.

Guanyin Nu smiled, her eyes watery, "Your Highness treats me so well."

"You are my daughter‑in‑law; if I'm not good to you, who else could I be good to."

The carriage returned to Wu Wang Fu as dusk approached.

As soon as they entered, Hu Bo greeted them, "Lord, General Chang and General Lan have arrived, waiting in the Flower Hall."

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu exchanged a glance.

"You go keep Huanhuan company; I'll go see Uncle Chang and Uncle Lan," Zhu Yong said.

"Hmm, Your Highness, drink less wine," Guanyin Nu advised.

"Understood."

Zhu Yong arrived at the Flower Hall; Chang Yuchun and Lan Yu were indeed there, with wine and dishes already laid out on the table.

"Uncle Chang, Uncle Lan, when did you arrive?" Zhu Yong laughed.

"Just arrived. Heard you went to the Eastern Palace, so we waited. Come, sit, and have a couple of drinks with us," Chang Yuchun gestured.

Zhu Yong sat down, and Lan Yu poured him wine.

After the three raised a toast, Chang Yuchun said, "Yong Er, I heard the Lu Family married today; did you happen to see it?"

"Yes, I saw it on the road," Zhu Yong nodded.

"Serves them right! Lv Ben isn't a good sort, his daughter isn't a cheap lamp either; marrying Feng An, perfect—a pair of scoundrels," Lan Yu spat.

Chang Yuchun, however, shouted from the side, "If His Majesty had not issued the decree, we would never have let Lv Ben, that old bastard, get away."

Chang Yuchun added, "Yong Er, now that you are Prince Wu, with high rank and authority, people will inevitably try to place people in your household. You must stay vigilant, and not treat your children as bargaining chips like the Lu Family did."

"Uncle Chang, rest assured, I won't," Zhu Yong said earnestly.

"I know you won't; you are loyal and righteous. Come, have some wine," Chang Yuchun patted his shoulder.

The three drank a few more cups and began discussing military matters.

The three of them drank until the moon was high in the sky before they dispersed.

After seeing off Chang Yuchun and Lan Yu, Zhu Yong returned to the back courtyard.

Guanyin Nu hadn't gone to sleep yet, and was stitching by the lamp.

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Waiting for the Prince, General Chang and General Lan to leave?" Guanyin Nu set down her stitching, stood up and helped him change clothes.

"Hmm, we drank quite a bit."

Zhu Yong chuckled foolishly and explained, "Chang Shu said not to follow the Lu Family, using children as bargaining chips."

Guanyin Nu paused, and in a soft voice said, "General Chang truly cares for the Prince."

"Hmm, Chang Shu treats me well, like my own father," Zhu Yong said.

After finishing changing, the two lay down.

Guanyin Nu leaned into Zhu Yong's arms and suddenly asked, "Prince, if... if I only bear daughters in the future, no sons, would the Prince take a concubine?"

Zhu Yong was startled, then immediately understood what she was worried about.

"Silly daughter-in-law, having sons or daughters is the same; Huanhuan is my treasure, another daughter would also be a treasure. No son, what's the problem? I don't rely on a son to continue the line."

He wrapped his arms around her and said.

"But the royal..."

"What about the royal family? As long as the elder brother has a son, that's enough. I don't care, Minmin, don't think about this; having you and Huanhuan, I'm already satisfied," Zhu Yong interrupted her, saying.

Tears welled in Guanyin Nu's eyes: "Prince..."

"Sleep now! Tomorrow I still have to go to the barracks," Zhu Yong patted her.

"Hmm."

The candle flame went out, and moonlight streamed in through the window lattice.

Zhu Yong held Guanyin Nu in his arms and fell asleep quickly.

Guanyin Nu, however, kept her eyes open, and only after a long while did she close them.

She recalled the tearful face of the Lu Clan during the day, the slightly rounded belly of Crown Princess Chang Wan, and the words Empress Ma had said to her...

"Minmin, Yong Er is simple and honest; you must think of him more. The royal family is not like ordinary households—one misstep leads to another."

She clenched her husband's hand, silently resolving in her heart that in this life she would protect this family, protect this simple husband, and protect their children.

Outside the window, the night wind brushed lightly.

The countless household lights of Yingtian Prefecture went out one by one.

Only the Imperial Palace and the Eastern Palace remained lit.

In Fengtian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was still reviewing Memorandums.

Empress Ma brought in a bowl of Ginseng Soup and softly said, "Zhong Ba, it's time to rest."

"Rest after finishing this one. Girl, Biao Er told Yong Er today about moving the capital," Zhu Yuanzhang looked up, smiled and said.

"What did the children say?" Empress Ma asked.

"Biao Er is steady, Yong Er is simple, both listen to us. Once the territories we've captured are wrapped up, we'll return to Fengyang, back to our hometown," Zhu Yuanzhang put down his brush and said.

Empress Ma nodded, "Alright, back to the hometown."

She looked toward the hall's exterior, the moonlight like water.

This world, this family, are both moving toward a better direction.

That is enough.