Chapter 200: Zhu Qiong Jiong

The ninth year of Hongwu, the twenty‑eighth day of the eleventh month.

Winter has arrived in Yingtian Prefecture, and these days are especially cold.

The sky is heavy and gray, as if snow were about to fall, yet it lingers without descending.

In the side hall on the east side of Kunning Palace, the charcoal fire burns brightly.

Guanyin Nu leans on the soft couch, her belly already swollen as if a pot were strapped around it.

The imperial physician said it would be within these days, so Empress Ma promptly brought her into the palace; the side hall was tidily prepared inside and out, with a midwife, nanny, and physician all on standby.

Zhu Yong moved a chair to the couch edge, holding a cloth in his hand, clumsily wiping Guanyin Nu's sweat.

"Prince, I've already wiped you three times," Guanyin Nu said helplessly.

"I'm not doing it because you're hot," Zhu Yong replied in a simple voice.

"I'm not hot; it's the fire in the room that's burning brightly."

"Oh…" Zhu Yong set the cloth down, unsure what to do, and sat there blankly watching his wife.

Guanyin Nu found his stare amusing, reached out to pinch his cheek and said, "Prince, you staring at me makes me uncomfortable."

"Then where should I look?"

"Look out the window, look at the roof—anywhere is fine."

Zhu Yong honestly turned his head toward the window.

Outside the window there was nothing but a bare old locust tree, with a few sparrows hopping on its branches.

After a while, he turned his head back.

Guanyin Nu sighed, "Prince…"

"I'm not looking at your face; I'm looking at your belly—did the baby kick you?" Zhu Yong said seriously.

"It kicked, several times this morning."

Zhu Yong gently placed his hand on Guanyin Nu's belly and said in a goofy tone, "Kid, don't kick your mother; if you do, dad will come out and beat you."

As soon as the words finished, a small lump rose on the belly, right atop Zhu Yong's palm.

Zhu Yong grinned, "He heard that."

Guanyin Nu also smiled, her smile gentle.

Xiao Zhu carried the prenatal medicine inside, saw the couple's awkwardness, pursed her lips in a smile, set down the medicine bowl, and stepped out.

Outside the door, Xiao Ying was speaking with the nanny sent by Empress Ma.

"Princess, how is your appetite today?" the nanny asked softly.

"I drank a bowl of porridge this morning, ate half a mantou, and said I didn't want to eat at noon," Xiao Ying replied.

The nanny nodded, "These days it's like this; before labor you don't eat much, the kitchen keeps soup hot, ready at any time."

Just then, footsteps sounded from afar.

Empress Ma arrived with several palace maids, followed by Zhu Biao and Chang Wan.

"How is it?" Empress Ma asked as she entered.

"Mother, it's fine; he just kicked me," Zhu Yong said.

Empress Ma walked to the couch edge, sat down, patted Guanyin Nu's hand, and probed her forehead, "Your complexion is okay; have you felt anything these past days?"

Guanyin Nu shook her head, "Just lower‑back soreness, otherwise fine."

"When the back aches, labor is near; when I gave birth to Biao'er, my back ached for two days, then I went into labor," Empress Ma said from experience.

However, Guanyin Nu had already given birth to Huan Huan and thus had experience; Empress Ma was merely comforting her.

She told her not to be so nervous.

Chang Wan leaned in, speaking softly, "Sister‑in‑law, don't be afraid; giving birth is just that—painful, but it passes."

Guanyin Nu nodded.

She truly was not afraid.

Having grown up on the Grassland and witnessed many lives and deaths, she understood childbirth well, especially since she already had a daughter, Huan Huan.

Zhu Biao patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said, "Second brother, step out for a moment; I have something to tell you."

The two brothers left the side hall and stood in the corridor.

"The Ministry of Works sent a report: the steam engine improvement has progressed; those craftsmen switched to a new steel, extending service life by thirty percent," Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yong's eyes brightened, "How long can it run?"

"It can operate continuously for half a month without trouble, much better than before; the Ministry of Works says further improvements will allow it to be used in weaving workshops next year," Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Biao smiled.

"Good!" Zhu Yong said with a smile.

He recalled that in the histories of his previous life, the steam engine was the core of the Industrial Revolution.

If this thing truly spreads throughout Great Ming, the changes it would bring…

"Also, the trigger‑gun concept you gave the Ministry of Works last time—they've figured it out, made two Samples; when you have time, go test them," Zhu Biao said in a lowered voice.

Zhu Yong nodded, "I'll go in two days."

"No rush; first settle things here," Zhu Biao patted his shoulder and said.

From inside the room came Guanyin Nu's voice, "Prince?"

Zhu Yong immediately turned and went inside.

Zhu Biao shook his head, smiled, and followed inside.

……

Evening arrived, and the sky grew increasingly gloomy.

In the side hall, lamps were lit, casting a warm, cozy glow.

Guanyin Nu leans on the couch, talks with Chang Wan, and mentions Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Huanhuan.

"Those two kids are having a great time now; today Xiong Ying told me he wants to take Huan Huan to build a snowman. I said there's no snow yet, and he said they'll go later."

Chang Wan smiled.

Guanyin Nu also laughed and said, "Huan Huan was nagging yesterday, saying she wants to build a snowman with brother Xiong Ying."

Empress Ma, listening nearby, smiled and shook her head, saying, "These two children get along surprisingly well."

Just then, Guanyin Nu suddenly frowned and clutched her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Empress Ma rose immediately.

"It hurts a bit…" Guanyin Nu inhaled.

Empress Ma, experienced and shrewd, promptly ordered, "Send for the midwife, have the imperial physician wait in the side hall, and prepare hot water."

The room instantly bustled with activity.

Zhu Yong stood there dazed, at a loss.

Empress Ma pushed him and said, "You go out, don't get in the way here."

"Mother, I…"

"Out!" Empress Ma glared.

Zhu Yong was driven out, standing in the corridor, listening to the faint sounds coming from inside.

Zhu Biao stayed with him, speaking softly, "Don't worry, Imperial Mother is here."

Zhu Yong nodded, but his eyes kept fixed on the door.

The sky had become completely dark.

From inside, Guanyin Nu's voice came intermittently, not loud, yet each utterance made Zhu Yong's heart tighten.

He stood in the corridor, motionless, like a Wooden Stake.

Zhu Biao had someone bring a chair over, but he didn't sit.

When a hot tea was brought, he didn't drink.

He just stood there, staring at that door; although it was the second one, he still felt somewhat worried.

Hai Hour had just passed when the door opened.

The midwife poked her head out, her face beaming, and said, "Congratulations, Prince Wu, mother and child are safe; it's a little prince!"

Zhu Yong was stunned for a moment, then lifted his foot and rushed inside.

"Hey, Prince, it's not tidied inside yet…" The midwife couldn't stop him.

Inside, Guanyin Nu lay on the couch, her complexion a bit pale, but her spirit was fine.

Beside her lay a swaddling cloth containing a wrinkled little baby, sleeping with eyes closed.

Zhu Yong rushed to the couch's edge, first looking at Guanyin Nu and saying, "How are you…"

"I'm fine," Guanyin Nu whispered.

Zhu Yong then looked at the little baby, extended a finger, gently tapped its face and said.

"Soft, warm."

"My son…" he said happily.

Guanyin Nu smiled and said, "Yes, our son."

Empress Ma entered from outside, carrying a bowl of brown sugar water, and said, "Minmin, have some first, warm your body."

Guanyin Nu took it and drank slowly.

Empress Ma lifted the baby, examined it closely, and said, "This child looks like Yong Er; the eyebrows, the eyes, the nose, exactly the same."

Chang Wan leaned over to look and said, "Indeed, just like Prince Wu when he was a child."

Zhu Biao also entered, looked at the child, and laughed, "Second brother, congratulations! Both son and daughter are now complete."

Zhu Yong grinned foolishly, his eyes squinting into a thin slit.

……

When the news reached Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang was preparing to rest.

After the eunuch finished speaking, he threw on an outer robe and headed to Kunning Palace.

Entering the side hall, he glanced at Guanyin Nu and said, "Minmin, you've worked hard."

He then looked at the child again, lifted him and examined him for a while, laughing loudly, "Good! Good! We have another grandson!"

Empress Ma scolded, "Be gentle, don't frighten the child."

Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his voice, but his smile couldn't be restrained, and said, "Yong Er, what shall we name this baby?"

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "I haven't thought of it yet."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Our Zhu family this generation, from fire and earth, this child was born in winter; winter belongs to water, water and fire meet, the jade‑like fungus pervades the universe, the great vessel shines like beautiful jade, at the age of awakening the body receives praise, auspicious history aligns with the engraved diagram,"

"Shall we name him Zhu QiongJiong?"

"Jiong? Zhu QiongJiong…" Zhu Yong muttered.

He originally wanted to use Zhu Qiongwu's, but since his father had already chosen, he'll call him this!

"Jiong means brightness; winter has light, warm and gentle, a good name," Zhu Biao explained.

Zhu Yong smiled and said, "Then I'll listen to father and call him Zhu QiongJiong."

Zhu Yuanzhang returned the child to the grandmother, patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said, "Treat Minmin well; she gave you two children."

"Hmm, I know."

……

Night deepened, and Kunning Palace gradually fell silent.

Guanyin Nu drank the brown sugar water, ate a bowl of chicken soup noodles, and fell into a deep sleep.

Zhu Rong sat at the edge of the couch, looking at his daughter‑in‑law, then glancing at the son in the little bed beside him, a simple smile constantly on his face.

Zhu Biao hadn't left yet, stood nearby and said softly, "Second brother, go back and rest a while; there are Imperial Mother's people watching here."

Zhu Rong shook his head and said, "I won't leave; I'm staying right here."

Zhu Biao realized he couldn't persuade him, and said no more.

Empress Ma arranged for someone to bring in a soft couch, placing it beside Guanyin Nu's bed, and had Zhu Rong lie down on it.

Zhu Rong lay down, his eyes still looking that way.

Empress Ma shook her head and laughed, "Alright, stop looking; Minmin can't run away."

Only then did Zhu Rong close his eyes.

…

Early the next morning, the sky finally dropped snow.

Snowflakes fluttered everywhere, covering the Eastern Palace courtyard with a blanket of white.

Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Huanhuan hopped under the corridor, shouting that they wanted to build a snowman.

Because Guanyin Nu was about to give birth, Huan Huan was brought to stay in the Eastern Palace, where Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Wenwen kept her company, so she wouldn't be bored.

Chang Wan tugged at them and said, "Wait until the snow is deeper; it's not enough yet."

Zhu Xiongying stared eagerly at the snowfield, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Second aunt gave birth to a little brother?"

"She did; she gave birth last night," Chang Wan replied.

"May I go take a look?"

"Later, after your second aunt wakes up, then you can go."

Zhu Huanhuan also shouted from beside them, "I want to go too! I want to see the little brother!"

Chang Wan smiled and agreed.

In Kunning Palace, Guanyin Nu woke up, her spirit much better than last night.

Empress Ma had someone bring the morning meal, specially stewing chicken soup for Guanyin Nu and also cooking red‑sugar eggs.

Zhu Rong sat beside her; this time he didn't stare foolishly, but clumsily handed over bowls and spoons.

Grandma lifted Zhu Qiong Jiong over to nurse him; the little baby kept his eyes closed, his tiny mouth puckering as he ate earnestly.

At that moment, Chang Wan arrived with Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Huanhuan.

Zhu Huanhuan was led inside, standing on tiptoe to look at the little brother; after watching for a while she asked, "Father, why is he so small?"

"All newborns are small," Zhu Rong said.

"Was I this small when I was a baby?"

"Mm."

Zhu Huanhuan tilted her head, thought, and said, "Then when will he be able to play with me?"

"It will take a few years; when he grows up, he'll be able to play with you," Guanyin Nu said with a smile.

Zhu Huanhuan nodded, looked again for a while, and earnestly said, "Little brother is so ugly."

Everyone in the room laughed.

Empress Ma wrapped an arm around her and said, "He's not ugly; he'll be handsome when he grows up. You were the same when you were just born."

Zhu Huanhuan didn't believe it, pouting.

Zhu Xiongying said beside her, "My mother said I was ugly when I was little, but I'm not ugly now."

Zhu Huanhuan glanced at him and reluctantly accepted that explanation.

…

The snow fell all day long.

At dusk, Heaven and Earth were a vast expanse of white.

In a side hall of Kunning Palace, the charcoal fire burned warmly; Guanyin Nu leaned on the couch, Zhu Rong sat beside her, and in the little bed lay Zhu Qiong Jiong, sleeping soundly.

Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Huanhuan built a snowman under the corridor; though it was lopsided, the two youngsters were thrilled, running around to fetch branches for arms and stones for eyes.

Empress Ma stood at the doorway watching, a smile on her face.

Chang Wan said beside her, "Imperial Mother, it's cold outside; please come inside!"

"Just a moment more; it's rare to see the children so happy," Empress Ma replied.

Inside, Zhu Rong suddenly said, "Minmin, I thank you."

Guanyin Nu was startled and asked, "Thank what?"

"Thank you for giving me a son; in this life I have a father and mother, an elder brother, you, Huan Huan, and now Jiong, I… I feel so blessed," Zhu Rong said slowly.

Guanyin Nu looked at the simple‑hearted man, her heart melting completely.

She reached out, grasped his hand, and said, "I should be the one thanking you."

"Thank me?"

"Thank you for being kind to me, never looking down on me because I come from the Grassland, thank you for showing me that marriage is not a suffering but a blessing," Guanyin Nu whispered.

Zhu Rong scratched his head, "I… I just treat you well, nothing else."

Guanyin Nu smiled, leaning on his shoulder.

Outside the window, snow was still falling.

The bell from Fengtian Hall rang from afar, long and tranquil.