Chapter 201: Returning to Wu Wang Fu

In the ninth year of Hongwu, the second day of the twelfth lunar month.

Just as dawn was breaking, the carriage from Wu Wang Fu rolled out of the palace's East Hua Gate.

Zhu Yong rode a horse beside the carriage, wearing a dark Great Cloak; on the Black Horse beside him were a pair of drum‑jar golden hammers. It was his habit to carry the hammers whenever he went out, even if only returning from the palace to his own residence.

No wonder the horses suffer.

Inside the carriage, Guanyin Nu leaned against a large welcoming pillow, cradling the one‑month‑old Zhu Qiongjiong in her arms.

The little fellow was swaddled in thick cloth, only his rosy little face showing, eyes closed as he slept.

Zhu Huanhuan squeezed in beside her, her small head leaning forward to look at her brother, and whispered, "Mother, has brother fallen asleep?"

"Hmm, just fell asleep, don't disturb him," Guanyin Nu said softly.

Zhu Huanhuan nodded, glanced twice more, and could not help it; she stretched out a tiny fingertip to gently tap her brother's cheek.

Soft and warm.

She grinned, then quickly covered her mouth.

Seeing her daughter like that, Guanyin Nu felt her heart melt.

Outside the carriage, Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying rode horses behind, both wrapped in thick cloaks; Xiao Ying's face was frost‑red, yet she chattered nonstop.

"Sister Xiao Zhu, who do you think the young prince will look like when he grows up—like the prince or like the princess?"

"Can't tell that now," Xiao Zhu replied calmly.

"I think he'll look like the prince; those eyebrows and eyes are identical," Xiao Ying said with a smile, showing two dimples.

"Hmm, a bit alike."

Xiao Zhu nodded; it was clear she was placating Xiao Ying.

But Xiao Ying wasn't upset; she smiled even brighter.

The carriage turned into the alleys where Wu Wang Fu stood; from afar the mansion gates were wide open, and Hu Bo led dozens of servants waiting at the entrance.

The carriage halted; Zhu Yong dismounted, lifted the carriage curtain himself, and helped Guanyin Nu out.

"Princess, take care, the ground is slippery," Xiao Zhu reminded from beside.

Guanyin Nu cradled the child and stepped down cautiously.

Hu Bo hurried forward with a smiling face, saying, "Prince, Princess, you're finally back. The residence is all prepared; the warm pavilion in the main courtyard is heated, perfect for the princess and the young prince to move in."

"Thank you for your effort, Hu Bo," Guanyin Nu said.

"No trouble at all, it's my duty. Oh, the young prince is truly handsome, just like the prince!" Hu Bo laughed, eyes squinting, then leaned over to look at the swaddled little master and chuckled.

He burst into a laugh like a chrysanthemum.

Zhu Yong, also laughing nearby, said, "Was I like this when I was a child?"

"Old servant never saw the prince as a child, but he was certainly more handsome than now," Hu Bo laughed.

Who would have thought the usually steady Hu Bo could also flatter?

Everyone couldn't help but laugh at that.

Entering the residence, Guanyin Nu took the child to the warm pavilion in the main courtyard. Zhu Yong first changed his clothes, then examined the pair of treasured hammers—nothing special, just a habit to touch them daily.

Just as they left the storeroom, a gatekeeper reported, "Prince, Duke Cao has arrived, bringing the young lord."

Zhu Yong was startled, then quickly walked outward.

Duke Cao Li Zhen is his uncle‑in‑law and also Zhu Yuanzhang's brother‑in‑law.

The elderly uncle‑in‑law is already seventy‑four this year, and his health has been declining each year.

Zhu Yong visits him every few days, each time bringing some tonics and chatting with the elder.

A few days earlier Guanyin Nu gave birth; Li Zhen intended to visit the palace, but feared Zhu Yuanzhang would keep him there. When Zhu Yuanzhang saw his brother‑in‑law, he engaged him in conversation for half a day; the old man, being aged, could not sit still.

So today, hearing that the Wu Wang family had left the palace and returned home, he rose early and brought his grandson Li Jinglong.

Zhu Yong met them at the second gate and saw Li Zhen shuffling forward with a cane, a seven‑year‑old boy beside him—Li Jinglong.

"Uncle, why did you come in person? It's cold today; if there's something to convey, just tell me and I'll go," Zhu Yong said, stepping forward and supporting Li Zhen's arm.

Li Zhen waved his hand, sighed, then laughed, "No trouble, no trouble, I can still move about. I heard you added a son, so I had to come see.

There are too many people in the palace; I feared the emperor would keep me from leaving, so I came here to you."

Zhu Yong helped him inside, saying as they walked, "Uncle, go in first to warm up; Minmin is in the warm pavilion, just soothed the baby to sleep."

"Alright, alright… Second maid, call someone," Li Zhen nodded, then addressed the Li Jinglong beside him.

Li Jinglong respectfully saluted Zhu Yong, "Jinglong has seen Uncle Wu Wang."

The child now looks fair and pure, with delicate eyebrows and eyes; his salute is solemn, like an adult, no longer the cute look he once had.

Now he's like a little adult.

Zhu Yong patted his head and said, "Good boy, go in! Your aunt has something tasty there."

Li Jinglong's eyes brightened, but he held back, showing nothing.

The group entered the warm pavilion in the main courtyard; Guanyin Nu, already informed, came out holding the child.

"Uncle has arrived, come in and sit," Guanyin Nu said.

Li Zhen saw the child in Guanyin Nu's arms, his eyes lit up, and he walked over trembling, bowing his head to examine.

"Good, good, this child is fine; let us have a good look—who does he resemble?" Li Zhen said with a smile.

After examining for a while, he nodded and said, "He looks like Yong Er, those eyebrows and eyes are identical."

Zhu Yong chuckled, "Everyone also says…"

Li Zhen sat at the bedside, took the child in his arms gently, as if cradling a priceless treasure.

"In this life, fighting alongside Zhong Ba to seize the realm, watching each of you grow, take wives and bear children… wonderful! Truly wonderful," Li Zhen mused.

Guanyin Nu had tea and pastries brought, then took Li Jinglong's hand and handed him a piece of cake.

Li Jinglong politely thanked, nibbling small bites, yet his eyes couldn't help glancing toward the swaddling cloth.

Zhu Huanhuan ran out of the inner room, saw Li Jinglong, and cheerfully said, "Brother Jinglong!"

She is a few years younger than Li Jinglong, but the two often play together and get along quite well.

"Huan Huan." Li Jinglong set down the pastry, stood up, and said.

"Come, I'll show you the snowman I built!" Zhu Huanhuan grabbed his hand and ran outside.

"Slow down, don't fall!" Guanyin Nu shouted from behind.

The two children had already run out.

Xiao Zhu, who was nearby, saw this and hurriedly followed.

Li Zhen watched their backs, eyes full of affection and a hint of indescribable emotion.

"Long'er, this child, what a hard fate!" he said softly.

Zhu Yong knew what he meant.

Li Zhen's son Li Wenzhong is Zhu Yuanzhang's nephew, and also the Deputy Governor of Great Ming, in charge of the Left Military Governor's Office.

Since the campaign against Wa Country, he has not returned.

Although Wa Country has been pacified, the affairs there are countless, and Li Wenzhong cannot return for a while.

Li Zhen is old now, and the one he worries about most is this grandson.

"Uncle, rest assured, my cousin is doing fine in Wa Country, and should be able to return next year," Zhu Yong comforted.