Chapter 294: Healing Empress Ma

Half a watch later, Zhu Yong returned.

He held a small jade bottle in his hand, which contained a pill.

When he went to Australia, he left these pills in Guanyin Nu's hands, fearing he wouldn't return in time from abroad.

Earlier, one was used to save Chang Yuchun, one to save Zhu Biao, there were eight remaining, and now one will be used to save mother.

Worth it.

He pushed the door open and entered the hall, walking to the bedside.

Empress Ma was still awake; seeing the jade bottle in his hand, she whispered, "Yong Er, this is...."

"Mother, this is the medicine given by the White-bearded Old Man, it can save a life," Zhu Yong knelt at the bedside, opened the stopper, and poured out a pill.

The pill was golden‑yellow, faintly shimmering, emitting a faint medicinal scent.

Empress Ma looked at him, her eyes slightly reddened.

"Yong Er, this medicine… how many have you used?"

"Two, to save General Chang and big brother; mother, take it quickly," Zhu Yong replied honestly.

She suddenly smiled, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Alright, mother, eat."

Zhu Yong placed the pill into her mouth, then handed her warm water to drink.

The pill dissolved instantly in her mouth, flowing down her throat.

Empress Ma closed her eyes, and her breathing gradually steadied.

Zhu Yong stood by the bedside, motionless.

Half a watch later, Empress Ma opened her eyes.

Her complexion became much rosier, and her breathing steadied.

She looked at Zhu Yong, who was guarding the bedside, and whispered, "Yong Er."

Zhu Yong lifted his head, his eyes slightly red.

"Mother, you're awake?"

Empress Ma nodded, reaching out to touch his face.

"My Yong Er, you've grown up."

Zhu Yong said nothing, merely holding her hand tightly.

Outside the hall doors, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao entered.

Seeing Empress Ma's condition, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes also reddened.

"Girl…"

Empress Ma looked at him and laughed, "Zhong Ba, I'm fine; Yong Er gave me the medicine."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked to the bedside, looked at his wife, then at his son, something stuck in his throat, rendering him speechless.

Zhu Biao also came over, looked at Zhu Yong, and softly said, "Second brother, you saved mother again."

Zhu Yong shook his head, naively saying, "Big brother, she's my mother; saving her is what I should do."

That night, Zhu Yong did not return to the mansion.

He kept watch at Kunning Palace, by his mother's bedside, the whole night.

Empress Ma slept soundly, breathing evenly, her complexion rosy.

Zhu Yong sat on the stool beside the bed, watching her sleeping face, his heart at peace.

In the history books of his previous life, Empress Ma died in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu era.

In this life, he will not let that happen.

Mother alive, father happy, big brother at ease, the whole family reunited.

That's what he wants.

The sky outside the window gradually brightened.

A new day began.

The fifteenth year of Hongwu, the tenth day of the eleventh month.

Empress Ma awoke, her spirit much better than the day before.

After the imperial physician examined her pulse, he knelt, kowtowed, and repeatedly exclaimed, "Miracle, miracle, Empress Mother's pulse is steady and strong; there is no serious problem!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face lit up with great joy, and he immediately bestowed a heavy reward on the imperial physician.

Empress Ma leaned against the headboard, looked at the people filling the room, and laughed, "Everyone go back, I'm fine now."

Zhu Biao, accompanied by Chang Wan and the children, performed a bow and took his leave.

Zhu Yong also prepared to leave, but Empress Ma called him.

"Yong Er, stay."

Zhu Yong halted, turned, and walked back to the bedside.

When everyone had left, Empress Ma held his hand and whispered, "Yong Er, mother knows, that medicine is your life‑saving thing; using one means one less for you."

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "Mother, the life‑saving thing, giving it to you isn't a loss."

Empress Ma's eyes reddened again, she patted his head and laughed, "Silly child."

Zhu Yong gave a simple, goofy smile.

Empress Ma looked at him, then suddenly said, "Yong Er, tell Mother, is there something hidden in your heart?"

Zhu Yong was startled, then immediately shook his head.

"Mother, I have nothing hidden in my heart."

Empress Ma stared into his eyes, looked for a long time, and finally sighed.

"Fine, if you don't speak, Mother won't ask, but you must remember, no matter what happens, you still have Mother, you still have Father, and you still have your elder brother."

Zhu Yong nodded, but a complex feeling surged in his heart.

Mother truly cares for him.

The genuine kind.

He lowered his head, softly saying, "Mother, I remember."

……

Coming out of Kunning Palace, it was already Shi Jing.

The sunlight was fine, shining on the palace path, warm and pleasant.

Zhu Yong walked slowly, his mind replaying the words Mother had just said.

"Is there something hidden in your heart?"

He indeed had something hidden.

He concealed the secret of his transmigration, the secret of the system, and the memories and knowledge that do not belong to this era.

But these matters cannot be told to anyone.

Not even to Father or Mother, not even to elder brother.

He could only bear them himself.

"Younger brother."

A voice from behind came, Zhu Biao's voice.

Zhu Yong turned his head and saw Zhu Biao striding over.

"Elder brother."

Zhu Biao walked to his side, and they walked forward side by side.

"How is Mother?"

"Much better, just now she held me and talked for a while."

Zhu Biao nodded, fell silent for a moment, then said, "Younger brother, this time it was thanks to you."

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "Elder brother, why say all this? Mother is our mother, it's only natural."

Zhu Biao looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Younger brother, you know, sometimes I really feel you don't seem like our brother."

Zhu Yong's heart jumped, but his face remained unchanged.

"Elder brother, what does that mean?"

Zhu Biao laughed, "I just think you're more reliable than this elder brother of ours; with you around, there's nothing to fear."

Zhu Yong gave a simple smile, saying nothing in return.

The two walked side by side to Fengtian Gate, where Zhu Biao stopped.

"Younger brother, go back and rest well; these past few days you've been exhausted."

Zhu Yong nodded, "Elder brother, you should also rest early."

Zhu Biao patted his shoulder, turned and headed toward the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Yong stood at the entrance of Fengtian Gate, watching his elder brother's silhouette disappear around the palace wall corner.

Sunlight bathed him, warm and pleasant.

He lifted his head, gazed at the deep blue sky, and took a deep breath.

Mother is fine.

Everything is fine.

……

Returning to Wu Wang Fu, Guanyin Nu was already waiting at the door.

"Prince, Mother is fine, right!"

Zhu Yong nodded and went inside.

"After taking the medicine, she's already recovered."

Guanyin Nu let out a sigh, pressed her palms together and whispered a Buddha chant.

"May Heaven protect."

Zhu Yong looked at her, suddenly recalling something.

"By the way, any news from the north side?"

Guanyin Nu shook her head, "No, everything is normal over there with elder brother."

Zhu Yong nodded.

Wang Baobao is in the north, and now he is the actual controller there.

With him there, the north cannot turn the world upside down.

He entered the main courtyard, where Zhu Huanhuan and Zhu Qiong Jiong were playing in the yard.

Seeing Zhu Yong, Zhu Qiong Jiong ran over.

"Father! Is Grandma okay?"

Zhu Yong bent down, lifted him up, and laughed, "She's fine now, all right."

Zhu Qiong Jiong clapped happily.

Zhu Huanhuan also walked over, a smile on their little face.

"Dad, that's great."

Zhu Yong looked at the two children, feeling warm inside.

This is what he wants.

May the family be safe and all things go smoothly.

……

In the evening, the family sat together to eat.

Zhu Yong looked at Guanyin Nu, looked at the two children, and suddenly said, "In a few days, I'm going out for a trip."

Guanyin Nu was startled and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Over at the Ministry of Works, there are some matters to handle, and those Blueprints need to be watched as they are made," Zhu Yong said with a smile.

Guanyin Nu nodded and said nothing more.

As long as it's not a campaign, Guanyin Nu isn't worried.

Zhu Huanhuan lifted their head and whispered, "Dad, you're leaving again?"

Zhu Yong looked at them and said with a smile, "I'm not going far, just within the city, I'll come back every day."

Zhu Huanhuan finally felt relieved and continued eating.

Zhu Qiong Jiong ate with his mouth full of oil, lifted his head and mumbled, "Dad,

Zhu Yong looked at him and said with a smile, "Alright, when you're a bit older, I'll take you there."

Zhu Qiong Jiong pursed his lips, but soon the meat in the bowl drew his attention, and he buried his head and ate ravenously.

Guanyin Nu looked at her son, then at her husband, and a smile rose at the corner of her mouth.