Chapter 207: Uneasy in the Heart

Hongwu Year Ten, the ninth day of the third month.

The spring chill was biting; at dawn, Tian Gang of Yingtian Prefecture was just waking, and the Yan Wu Chang in the rear courtyard of Wu Wang Fu already rang with shouts and commands.

Zhu Yong, dressed in short armor, was sparring with several Imperial Troops.

It was called sparring, but in fact he was fighting a group alone.

A dozen or so Imperial Troops surrounded him, swords, spears, and clubs coming at once, yet they could not get close.

Zhu Yong brushed them aside with a hand, his feet never shifting.

"Prince, your skill is truly… I submit," Zhang Wu panted, saying as his sword could no longer be lifted.

Chen Heng was even more straightforward, sitting down without getting up: "Prince, take a break; my arm can't even be raised."

Zhu Yong gave a simple smile and replied, "Alright, a break."

He took the towel handed over by Wang Gui and wiped away his sweat.

A few young Imperial Troops nearby watched him secretly, their eyes full of admiration.

These fresh recruits had only been added last year; seeing their own Prince train for the first time made their eyes pop out.

He fought a dozen or more, as if playing.

"Prince, are you still entering the palace today?" Wang Gui asked.

"Yes, the eldest brother said there's something to discuss," Zhu Yong nodded.

He is now the Grand General Zhenglu, commanding thirty thousand troops of the Longxiang Army stationed in the capital, responsible for the Imperial City's defense.

Although the Northern Yuan, Nüzhen, Goryeo, and Wa Country have all been defeated by him, and the Western Regions pacified, the capital's defense cannot be relaxed at all.

That was also Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang's intention; he said that with Yong Er guarding Yingtian, even sleeping feels secure.

After changing clothes, Zhu Yong mounted a horse and headed toward the Imperial City.

Just upon reaching Wu Men, he saw Zhu Biao standing there, apparently waiting for him.

"Eldest brother? Why are you here?" Zhu Yong asked, a bit surprised.

Zhu Biao walked over smiling, lowering his voice: "Second brother, today Imperial Father seems… in a bad mood."

"What's wrong?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Ahem… this matter you'll only know when you see it, but it should be nothing serious."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "Alright then! I'll go pay my respects."

The two brothers walked side by side toward Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then patted his shoulder and suddenly said, "Second brother, whatever Imperial Father says later, don't argue—just listen."

Zhu Yong looked bewildered and said, "Huh?"

Such a big matter? Since his return, he had never seen his father get angry, let alone see a flushed face.

……

Inside Qianqing Palace, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind the imperial desk, his expression not pleasant.

Seeing his two sons enter, he lifted his eyes, then fixed his gaze on Zhu Yong.

"Yong Er, are you here?"

"Father, I'm here," Zhu Yong bowed clumsily.

Zhu Yuanzhang squinted and hummed, then suddenly asked, "Yong Er, which foot did you step in with when you entered today?"

Zhu Yong was startled and said, "Ah! The left foot, I think!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table, "Left foot! Our Great Ming Prince, entering first with the left foot—what decorum is that!"

Zhu Yong blinked, "…"

Zhu Biao stood beside him, trying to keep a straight face.

"You, the illustrious Wu King, Grand General Zhenglu, moving in and out of the palace—how can you ignore protocol?" Zhu Yuanzhang rose and began pacing.

"If the Imperial Censor sees this, you'll be in trouble; we'd have to speak for you. Speaking for you is fine, but the damage is bad—do you understand?"

Zhu Yong blinked and said, "Father, I…"

"Don't speak! I haven't finished! You, this child, grew up in the mountains, no one taught you manners, we understand.

But it's been several years since you were recognized—eight years, perhaps! Recognized as kin in Hongwu Second Year, now it's Hongwu Year Ten, seven years have passed, and you still haven't learned which foot to step first with?" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

Zhu Biao slipped back a step.

"Also! A few days ago didn't you give the Sixth Prince some items? I heard you showed them to Biao first; I am your father!

If you have good things, why not show them to me first, but to your elder brother?" Zhu Yuanzhang continued.

Zhu Yong finally understood.

He realized his old dad was just jealous.

"Father, that thing is a medical technique; Sixth Prince likes it, so I…"

"What about medicine? Can't I look at it? Though I'm not as knowledgeable as the Sixth Prince, I am the Emperor! All of Great Ming is mine; what can't I see?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared and said.

"Father is right," Zhu Yong nodded earnestly.

"Right about what? You're just placating me, Yong Er, be honest—do you think I'm old, useless, and that good things needn't be shown to me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pressed on even harder.

Zhu Yong hurriedly said, "No, Father, I'm not old at all."

"Not old, then why don't you show me?" Zhu Yuanzhang pressed.

Zhu Yong opened his mouth, unsure how to answer.

He couldn't possibly say, "Because the eldest brother is regent, it's more appropriate to discuss these things with him first," could he?

Wouldn't that only provoke Father even more?

Empress Ma, at some point, stepped out of the rear hall, sat beside them, holding a tea cup, and looked on with a smiling, gentle expression.

Zhu Biao slipped quietly to her side and whispered, "Imperial Mother, could you persuade Imperial Father?"

Empress Ma sipped her tea and said softly, "Persuade him about what? Let him speak; he's been rambling about Yong Er for half a shi, and he'll be done once he finishes."

Zhu Biao: "…"

Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "Yong Er, Yong Er, we know you have a good relationship with your elder brother, and that makes us happy, but you also have to think about us, the one who is your father!"

"Back then we raised the army from Fengyang and fought all the way to Yingtian—hardly easy. The realm we seized we handed to you brothers; we are satisfied, but you must not cast aside us old man!"

Zhu Yong stood earnestly, nodding continuously.

"And also! Those things of yours—Spinning Wheel, white sugar, Salt Method, steam engine—what we don't support? If we didn't support them, those civil officials would have turned you into a sieve long ago!"

"We've shouldered so many matters behind you; do you know that?"

"I know, Father, you have worked hard," Zhu Yong said earnestly.

"It's enough that you know! But you know what I mean—if there's something good, you should first show it to Biao, Biao is your elder brother, yet we are also your father!"

Zhu Yuanzhang softened his tone, but immediately raised it again.

Empress Ma, standing nearby, finally couldn't hold back and let out a "Pfft" laugh.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head, glared at her and said, "Girl, what are you laughing at?"

"Nothing, Zhong Ba, have you said enough? Yong Er has been standing for half a shi," Empress Ma set down her tea cup, stood up, and walked over to say.

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled and said, "Half a shi?"

"Indeed, we've been speaking since the Chen Hour, and now it's almost Shi Jing," Empress Ma laughed.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced out the window, then at Zhu Yong, cleared his throat and said, "Um… Yong Er, sit down and speak."

Zhu Yong said naively, "Father, I'm fine standing, not tired."

"Sit down if I tell you to sit!" Zhu Yuanzhang glared.

Zhu Yong obediently sat down.

Zhu Yuanzhang also sat back, lifted his tea cup, took a sip, and suddenly laughed, "Alright, we're just rambling; Yong Er, don't take it to heart."

"Father, I didn't take it to heart; you say it because it's for my good," Zhu Yong said earnestly.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao Er, you also; Yong Er is naive, you must teach him that when there's something good, he should first come tell Father, which costs nothing."

Zhu Biao replied with a smile, "Yes, Father, I, your son, will remember."

The atmosphere softened.

Empress Ma, still beside them, laughed, "Zhong Ba, you too; it's no big deal, just a half shi. Yong Er is such an honest child; look how he stands there, not daring to move."

Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed, "We just… we have a bit of unease in our hearts."

He looked at Zhu Yong, his tone a bit more sincere, and said, "Yong Er, we know you are close to your elder brother; you are twin brothers, separated in childhood, now reunited, so a good bond is natural."

"We are so happy we can hardly keep up, but… we are also your father, and sometimes wonder whether this child, when something happens, could also tell us about it?"

Zhu Yong felt a warmth in his heart.

He stood up, walked to Zhu Yuanzhang, and said earnestly, "Father, I will remember; in the future, when there is something good, I will show Father first."

Zhu Yuanzhang patted his shoulder and said, "Good! That's my good son!"