Chapter 254: Hongwu Year 13, Spring Festival

Hongwu Year 13, Spring Festival.

Before dawn, Yingtian Prefecture was already filled with the crackling of firecrackers.

In the rear courtyard of Wu Wang Fu, Zhu Yong sat up from the bed and rubbed his eyes.

Beside him, Guanyin Nu was still sleeping, a faint smile at the corner of her mouth.

She had kept watch through the night until the hour of Zi, was exhausted, and fell asleep as soon as she returned.

Zhu Yong didn't disturb her, slipped out of bed quietly, draped his outer robe and walked to the window.

Outside the window, a thin line of pale dawn just appeared on the horizon.

In the distant direction of the Imperial City, faint lights could be seen, the palace preparing today's grand court ceremony.

He stood by the window, watching silently.

In his mind, that familiar voice sounded right on time.

Ding... Hongwu Year 13, Spring Festival, the sign‑in function has refreshed.

Do you want to perform the annual sign‑in?

Zhu Yong's mouth curved into a smile.

Twelve years.

Every Spring Festival, unchanging.

He silently whispered in his heart: sign‑in.

Sign‑in successful!

Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Cement manufacturing method (full process and Blueprint).

Description: includes limestone calcination process, clay ratios, slag addition method, water‑hardness testing standards, etc. Can be used to build cities, repair roads, construct ports; once hardened, as hard as stone. Recommended to submit to the Ministry of Works for trial production.

Zhu Yong looked at the suddenly appearing Blueprint information in his mind and couldn't help but laugh.

Cement.

This thing is great.

Road repair, city building, port construction—what can't it be used for?

If the official road from Yingtian to Yangzhou were paved with cement, rainy days would no longer be muddy.

At the dock along the Yangtze, reinforced with cement, how many more ships could it hold?

"What are you thinking? Smiling so broadly."

From behind, Guanyin Nu's lazy voice came.

Zhu Yong turned his head, saw his wife already awake, propping herself up to look at him.

"Nothing much, just got a new gadget, later we'll go to the palace, show it to dad." Zhu Yong walked back to the bedside, sat down and said.

Guanyin Nu laughed, "Another thing given by a deity in a dream?"

"Yes! White-bearded Old Man said this thing is called cement, mix with water and apply to walls, when dry it's harder than stone." Zhu Yong nodded, speaking seriously.

Guanyin Nu blinked, "Harder than stone? Then wouldn't it be used for building city walls?"

"Yes, it can also repair roads, build bridges," Zhu Yong said.

Guanyin Nu thought for a moment, then said, "If it's really that powerful, then on rainy days we won't fear stepping in mud."

Zhu Yong laughed, "Just thinking about this?"

"What's the matter? I just like cleanliness." Guanyin Nu gave him a glare, got up to dress.

The two finished washing and changed into court robes.

Zhu Yong wore the Wu Wang Fu python robe, Guanyin Nu wore the Crown Princess formal dress, and they left the rear courtyard.

In the courtyard, the two children were already waiting.

Zhu Huanhuan wore a red little jacket, hair tied into two small buns, looking very spirited.

Seeing dad and mom come out, she hurried over laughing, "Dad, Mom, Happy New Year! Give us red envelopes!"

Zhu Yong smiled, pulled two red envelopes from his sleeve, one for her, one for the little son beside her.

Four‑year‑old Zhu Qiong Jiong, with a tiger‑head look, took the red envelope, his voice baby‑like, "Thank you, dad, thank you, mom."

As he spoke, his little hand grasped the envelope, squeezed hard, and it tore, the copper coins inside scattering on the ground.

Zhu Huanhuan: "... little brother, you did it again."

Zhu Qiong Jiong stared blankly at his hand, then at the copper coins on the ground, plaintively, "I didn't squeeze..."

Zhu Yong burst out laughing, bent down, picked up the coins, shoved them back into his son's hand, "It's fine, when I was little I did the same; having strength isn't a bad thing."

Guanyin Nu shook her head helplessly.

This child, since birth, has shown extraordinary strength.

At just over one year old during the 'Zhua Zhou' ceremony, others grabbed brush, ink, paper, inkstone; he grabbed a small wooden hammer and crushed it.

At two, he wrestled fruit with his sister, gave a gentle push, and she fell flat.

At three, he arm‑wrestled Zhu Xiongying, reddening Zhu Xiongying's wrist, causing Zhu Biao to exclaim, "This kid is something!"

Now four, his strength is even greater.

A common child's small Stone Lock, he can lift with one hand.

"Alright, put the coins away, we should go to the palace," Guanyin Nu said.

The family boarded the carriage and headed toward the Imperial City.

Inside Kunning Palace, it had already become lively.

Empress Ma sat in the main hall, surrounded by several young Crown Princesses.

Crown Princess Chang Wan, Crown Prince Zhu Biao's wife, sat at her right side, speaking softly.

Zhu Biao stood aside, holding a five‑year‑old little girl in his arms—his and Chang Wan's second child, daughter Zhu Wenwen, born in the eighth year of Hongwu.

"Where is Imperial Father?" Zhu Biao asked.

"In the front hall; he'll be here shortly. You sit first. Has Yong Er's family not arrived yet?" Empress Ma said with a smile.

As soon as she finished, a eunuch's announcement came from outside: "Prince Wu, Wu King Consort are arriving..."

Zhu Yong entered with Guanyin Nu and the two children, first bowing to Empress Ma and saying, "Mother, Happy New Year."

"Good, good, good—come up quickly, Huan Huan, Qiong Jiong, come to Grandma's side." Empress Ma waved with a smile.

The two children ran over; Zhu Huanhuan politely bowed, and Zhu Qiong Jiong tried to copy but his movements were clumsy, making Empress Ma laugh heartily.

"This child, the more he grows the more he looks like his father when he was first found. That look, that expression—just like Yong Er back then." Empress Ma held Zhu Qiong Jiong's hand and examined him.

Zhu Biao leaned in, looked at Zhu Qiong Jiong, and said with a smile, "Second brother, this kid will surely be stronger than you someday."

"That's truly good," Zhu Yong chuckled innocently.

Zhu Xiongying stepped out from the side, grabbed Zhu Qiong Jiong's hand and said, "Little brother Qiong Jiong, let's go play!"

Zhu Qiong Jiong's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.

The two children held hands and ran out, and Zhu Huanhuan followed, saying she was watching her brother.

The adults in the room all laughed.

Empress Ma watched the backs of the children and sighed, "Time flies. In a blink, Xiong Ying is nine, Huan Huan is nine, Wenwen is five, Qiong Jiong is four… Our big family is getting livelier and livelier."

Chang Wan smiled, "Imperial Mother, in a few more years, when the children get married and bear children, that will be true festivity."

Empress Ma nodded, her face full of smiles.

At that moment, another announcement sounded from outside: "The Emperor has arrived..."

Zhu Yuanzhang strode in, followed by several eunuchs.

He wore a bright yellow dragon robe, vigorous and spry—hardly the look of a fifty‑five‑year‑old man.

"Everyone here? Yong Er, you came quite early." Zhu Yuanzhang glanced around the room, his gaze lingering on Zhu Yong before speaking.

"Father, Happy New Year." Zhu Yong smiled and bowed.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, sat beside Empress Ma, and said, "Everyone sit. Today's Family Banquet, no need for formalities."

Everyone took their seats, and the palace maids began serving the dishes.

The Family Banquet was a reunion feast, with abundant dishes—chicken, duck, fish, meat all present. A full table spread before Zhu Yong; he buried himself in the food, occasionally passing a portion to Guanyin Nu beside him.

Watching his son's eating, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but laugh, "Yong Er, your appetite hasn't lessened over the years."

"Father, my body needs strength; eating less makes me weak," Zhu Yong said naively.

Zhu Biao interjected, "Remember when you wrestled with Lan Yu and ate eight bowls of rice? You scared Lan Yu so much he didn't dare challenge you for a month."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Zhu Yong was unbothered and kept eating.