Chapter 249: Family

……

Wu Wang Fu.

Zhu Yong entered the door and was immediately pounced on by a small figure, ending up in his arms.

"Dad..."

Zhu Huanhuan was eight years old, with two little braids, wearing a pink dress, clinging to Zhu Yong's leg and climbing up.

Zhu Yong scooped her up with one arm and laughed, "Huan Huan, did you miss dad?"

"Miss! Miss every day, miss at every meal, even before sleeping!" Huan Huan hugged his neck, her little mouth chattering.

Guanyin Nu stepped out of the main hall, looked at the father and daughter, and a smile curled at the corner of her mouth.

She wore a light‑blue long dress, her hair tied up with a white jade hairpin, appearing a few degrees more gentle than when she first married.

"Back?" she asked softly as she walked over.

"Mm! Did you miss me?" Zhu Yong looked at her and chuckled.

Guanyin Nu's face flushed slightly, she glared at him and said, "What are you saying in front of the children?"

Huan Huan covered her mouth and giggled, "Mom also misses you, keeps saying it every day, wondering why dad hasn't come back yet."

"Huan Huan!" Guanyin Nu scolded.

Huan Huan made a funny face, slipped out of Zhu Yong's arms, and ran off to find her brother.

In the main hall, three‑year‑old Zhu QiongJiong sat on the floor, holding a small wooden hammer, pounding a wooden board.

"Dong, dong, dong."

Each strike split a crack in the board.

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying stood nearby watching, wanting to stop him but not daring to.

"Little Prince, stop hammering, my hand hurts…" Xiao Zhu whispered.

Zhu QiongJiong didn't even lift his head and said, "It doesn't hurt!"

Another strike split the board in two.

He looked up, saw Zhu Yong, his eyes brightened, dropped the hammer, and ran over on his short legs shouting, "Dad! Dad!"

Zhu Yong bent down, scooped him up, glanced at the board split in two on the floor, and weighed his son.

This kid, at three already has that strength.

"QiongJiong, how many pieces have you smashed?" he asked.

Zhu QiongJiong counted on his fingers, "One, two, three… a lot!"

Xiao Ying whispered, "Little Prince has already broken five boards today, and there are two small wooden stools…"

Zhu Yong laughed, "Good, good, just like your dad."

Guanyin Nu sighed, "Just like you, terrifying strength; a few days ago you almost knocked Xiao Zhu over, and I gave him a good scolding."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "The child is young, doesn't understand, we'll teach him slowly."

Guanyin Nu gave him a glare, "All you can do is act like a good person."

Huan Huan ran over, tugged Zhu Yong's hem and shouted, "Dad, dad, did you bring me a gift?"

Zhu Yong was startled.

"Oh no, I forgot."

Guanyin Nu saw his expression and knew what was happening, she laughed, "Your dad went off to war, there's no time to buy gifts."

Huan Huan's little mouth puckered, about to cry.

Zhu Yong quickly squatted, pulled a small object from his chest, "Look, what is this?"

It was a tiny curved blade, its sheath inlaid with gems, the personal sword of a rebel leader from the Nalin Seven Stations, which he casually pocketed.

Huan Huan's eyes lit up, took the curved blade, drew the sheath, looked at the glittering blade, and jumped up happily, "So beautiful! Thank you, dad!"

Zhu QiongJiong also rushed over shouting, "I want it too! I want it too!"

Zhu Yong pulled out another small dagger, belonging to another leader, and handed it to his son.

Zhu QiongJiong took it, held the small dagger, his eyes shining.

Guanyin Nu watched the two children's delighted faces and softened inside.

"Alright, stop standing out there, come inside and eat," she said.

The family entered the main hall.

The dishes were already laid out, steaming hot.

Huan Huan sat beside Zhu Yong, QiongJiong sat on the other side, the two little ones chattered nonstop.

"Dad, I studied the Three Character Classic at Dabentang, let me recite it to you!"

"Dad, yesterday I lifted a small Stone Lock!"

Zhu Yong ate while listening, smiling foolishly.

Guanyin Nu watched beside him, feeling completely at ease.

After the meal, Huan Huan tugged QiongJiong and went off to play.

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu sat in the garden pavilion, sipping tea.

"This time attacking Nalin Seven Stations, was it smooth?" Guanyin Nu asked.

"It went smoothly; the rebels fell apart at the first charge," Zhu Yong replied.

Guanyin Nu nodded, was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Brother Wang sent a letter."

Wang Baobao is now stationed in the Western Regions and hasn't returned for a long time.

"What did he say?" Zhu Yong asked.

"He said it's peaceful over there, so you can rest easy, and he misses Huan Huan and QiongJiong, asking when you'll be able to come back to visit," Guanyin Nu said.

Zhu Yong laughed, "Let him keep watch peacefully; next year when we have time, we'll go see him."

Guanyin Nu nodded and leaned against his shoulder.

The setting sun sank in the west, dyeing the whole backyard golden.

From afar came the laughing and noisy voices of two children.

Zhu Yong clasped Guanyin Nu's hand, feeling a wave of peace in his heart.

No matter how many wars are fought outside, returning here feels solid.

……

Night, Qianqing Palace.

The Family Banquet was set in the small hall, with only one table of people.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma sat at the head, Zhu Biao and Chang Wan beside them, Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu with the two children, and Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di were also present.

Zhu Xiongying, also eight years old, sat next to Zhu Biao, occasionally glancing at Huan Huan.

The two children had grown up together since childhood, their bond was very strong.

"Xiong Ying, Huan Huan, don't just stare, eat your vegetables," Empress Ma said with a smile.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the group of children, feeling pleased.

"Third Prince, Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, now that you've gone out and seen the battlefield, what thoughts do you have?" he asked.

Zhu Shuang rushed, "Imperial Father, I wish to follow Second Prince into battle more!"

Zhu Gang also nodded, "Yes, following Second Prince, we can learn things."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to Zhu Di and asked, "Fifth Prince, what about you?"

Zhu Di thought for a moment and said, "Imperial Father, I wish to one day be like Second Prince, able to handle matters alone."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "Good! Ambitious."

Empress Ma added from beside, "They are still young, take it slowly."

The Family Banquet continued, and the atmosphere became lively again.

After the meal, the children went to play, and the adults sat drinking tea.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said, "Yong Er, you have earned merit again this time; what reward do you want?"

Zhu Yong innocently replied, "Father, I want nothing; as long as there's food and a wife and children, that's enough."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "You simpleton."

Empress Ma also laughed, "Yong Er is just sincere."

Zhu Biao said beside them, "Second Brother, your steel‑tempering method has already been tested by the Ministry of Works, output has doubled; Imperial Father said he'll record a merit for you."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "That was given by the White-bearded Old Man, not my own merit."

The steel‑tempering method Zhu Biao mentioned is the high‑furnace steel‑tempering technique obtained in the twelfth year of Hongwu; it differs from the previous method.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "No matter who gave it, since you presented it, it's your merit; later the Ministry of Revenue will increase your salary."

Zhu Yong wanted to refuse, but seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's expression, he knew he couldn't, so he said, "Thank you, Father."

Late at night, the Family Banquet was dismissed.

Zhu Yong held the sleeping Zhu Qiong Jiong, Guanyin Nu led Huan Huan, and the four of them slowly walked back.

Moonlight spilled onto the palace path, stretching the shadows long.

Huan Huan looked up and asked, "Father, when will you go to war next time?"

"I don't know; maybe we'll rest for a while," Zhu Yong replied.

"Then can you stay at home every day?"

"I can."

Huan Huan happily jumped up and said, "Great! Father staying home every day, you can play with me!"

Zhu Yong smiled.

Under the Moonlight, the family's silhouettes gradually faded away.

On the eaves of Fengtian Hall, several pigeons perched quietly.

The autumn of the twelfth year of Hongwu had just begun.

And the wind in the court had already started to rise.