Chapter 344: Is the Night View of the Qinhuai River Beautiful?

The eighteenth year of Hongwu, the twentieth day of the seventh month. Night.

Moonlight, like water, spilled over the Qinhuai River.

Zhu Yong stood at the alley entrance, watching Tang Yue push the door open and go inside; from within came Tang Yue's tearful "Father," followed by Tang He's curses, mixed with the crisp sound of something smashing onto the ground.

Zhu Gang drew his neck back and said, "Uncle Tang's temper is even more explosive than Uncle Chang's."

Zhu Di said nothing, turned his head toward Zhu Yong and said, "Second Prince, those boys will have to be given a harsh beating when we return."

Zhu Yong nodded, turned and walked back.

A few younger brothers followed behind.

The lights along both banks of the Qinhuai River grew sparser, the silk‑and‑bamboo music from the painted boat faded, leaving only the sound of water lapping against the embankment, one splash after another, neither hurried nor slow.

Zhu Gang walked for a while, then chuckled, "Second Prince, you think that kid Chang Mao, when we go back and tell his father he was just going to listen to music, will Uncle Chang believe it?"

Zhu Yong ignored him; Uncle Chang was not in Yingtian, but Lan Shenzi would probably not spare Chang Mao either.

Zhu Gang continued on his own, "He definitely won't believe it. Uncle Chang's temper is such that he'll beat him first, then talk, then beat again, then talk again, then beat again."

But since Uncle Chang isn't there, Lan Shenzi will also give Chang Mao a good beating.

Zhu Di couldn't help laughing, "Third Brother, you're really in the know."

"Of course, I came here the same way. Of course, I never went to a brothel; I just skipped school to fight crickets, was punished by Elder Brother with copying texts, and was slapped on the hand by Second Prince." Zhu Gang puffed his chest, then shyly added another remark.

Zhu Su whispered from behind, "Third Brother, last time you said you'd strolled the flower streets in the Eastern Seas."

Zhu Gang's face changed, he turned and glared, "Sixth Prince, stop talking nonsense. I was there to inspect the populace and, incidentally, to observe local customs."

Zhu Su fell silent, but the smile at the corner of his mouth could not be hidden.

Zhu Yong listened to the brothers' bickering and said nothing.

At the crossroads, Zhu Gang took his leave first, saying he had to go to the Ministry of Works tomorrow to see the newly built steam engine.

Zhu Di also said he needed to return to the manor to pack his luggage; in a few days he must go back to the Western Regions.

Zhu Su was the most eager, saying the pharmacy over there was still waiting for him to return and check the experimental data.

The brothers each went their separate ways.

Zhu Yong walked alone toward Wu Wang Fu.

The pedestrians on the street were already few; occasionally one or two horse‑drawn carriages passed by, and the coachman's shout carried far in the night.

Moonlight stretched his shadow long, casting it on the bluestone road, swaying with each step.

He still thought in his heart of those kids, Chang Mao and the others.

At sixteen or seventeen, it's the age when one can't control oneself at all.

A beating can only keep them in line for a few days; after some time they forget again.

Someone has to keep an eye on them, someone has to teach them.

But who will watch them?

Chang Yuchun spends the whole year fighting abroad, Li Wenzhong's illness hasn't fully recovered, and Xu Da and Tang He are too old to manage them.

If these kids have no one to supervise, trouble will eventually arise.

He thought, it would be great if Zhu Biao were free.

Elder Brother has his own way of managing people.

Back then, among the brothers, none escaped being thoroughly dealt with by Elder Brother. Zhu Gang still felt a lingering chill when he mentioned Zhu Biao now.

But Zhu Biao has no time.

Court affairs are enough to keep him busy.

Zhu Yong sighed and quickened his pace.

Wu Wang Fu is in the southeast of the Imperial City, not far from the Qinhuai River.

After turning two streets, one can see the two large red lanterns at the gate of the manor.

The Imperial Troops at the gate saw him and immediately saluted.

Zhu Yong waved his hand and strode inside.

The back courtyard lights were already out; only the main hall remained lit.

Zhu Yong pushed the door open and entered; Guanyin Nu was sitting under the lamp reading a book.

She wore plain nightclothes, her hair loose, expression blank, and did not look up when she heard a sound.

Zhu Yong felt a sudden thump in his heart.

He sat at the bedside, reaching out to grasp her hand.

Guanyin Nu calmly withdrew, turned a page of her book.

"Back?" the voice was faint.

Zhu Yong nodded, "Hmm, I'm back."

Guanyin Nu still didn't look up, "Is the night view of the Qinhuai River beautiful?"

Zhu Yong was startled, then understood; she had misunderstood.

"I went to look for those kids, Chang Mao and the others; they ran off to Zui Xian Lou, and I'm bringing them back." He hurriedly explained.

Guanyin Nu only then lifted her head and gave him a glance.

That look was neither trusting nor distrustful, just a plain, indifferent stare.

Zhu Yong hurried, "Really, Third Brother, Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother are all present; they can bear witness. Chang Mao, Li Jinglong, Xu Zengshou, Tang Yue—four kids, none fled."

"I escorted them home, and Uncle Tang was so angry he threw something down."

Guanyin Nu set the book down and, leisurely, said, "Prince, no need to rush; I never told you what to do."

Zhu Yong opened his mouth, but no words came out.

He knew in his heart that his own princess, appearing warm and gentle, had a clear mind.

The more you hurry, the less she hurries. The more you explain, the more she thinks you have a problem.

Just then, two heads poked out from behind the door.

Zhu Huanhuan and Zhu Qiong Jiong were crouched at the doorway, one pursing a smile, the other staring wide‑eyed.

Zhu Yong turned and glared, "What are you looking at? Go back to sleep."

Zhu Qiong Jiong huddled his neck a bit but didn't leave; instead he pushed the door a little wider and asked cheerfully, "Dad, what kind of place is a brothel?"

The room fell silent for a moment.

The book in Guanyin Nu's hand snapped shut with a "pop."

Zhu Yong's face darkened instantly.

"Who told you that?"

Zhu Qiong Jiong blinked, "I heard it at the doorway just now; you said you were going to Zui Xian Lou to find Brother Chang Mao and the others, and Brother Chang Mao went to a brothel."

"A brothel is… a place to listen to music, right? Is it pleasant?" Zhu Qiong Jiong thought for a moment and added earnestly.

Zhu Yong inhaled deeply, about to speak, when Guanyin Nu had already stood, walked to the doorway, and pushed the two children outward.

"All go back to sleep; we'll talk tomorrow."

Zhu Huanhuan tugged her brother and left; at the courtyard gate she glanced back, a crooked smile on her lips, like a cat that had stolen a fish.

Zhu Qiong Jiong, still being hauled by his sister, shouted back, "Dad, take me to listen to music tomorrow, okay?"

Zhu Yong's face grew even darker.

The door shut.

The room fell quiet again.

Zhu Yong sat on the bedside, watching Guanyin Nu stroll back slowly, pick up the book, and continue reading.

"I really didn't go," he said in a low voice.

Guanyin Nu turned a page and said, "I know."

Zhu Yong was startled, "You know?"

Guanyin Nu set the book down, looked at him, and suddenly smiled, "I'm not clear on what kind of person the Prince is? If you had really gone to such a place, you wouldn't be hurrying to explain so much."

Zhu Yong exhaled, then felt something still wasn't right.

Guanyin Nu continued, "However, the Prince handled this matter poorly today; those children going to such a place should be dealt with. Yet you pulled them out in front of so many people and escorted them home. Have you considered that when they return they'll be beaten, and after the beating their pride will be bruised and they'll hold a grudge against you."

Zhu Yong frowned, "If they bear a grudge, they bear a grudge; if it needs to be handled, it must be."

"It should be dealt with, but can you handle this time, can you handle the next? Chang Mao is already in his thirties, still fooling around with a few kids; he's a bit better. Li Jinglong and the others are already fifteen; at that age, the more you forbid them, the more they want to go."

"Can you keep an eye on them every day?"

Zhu Yong fell silent.

Guanyin Nu was right.

He can pull Chang Mao out of Zui Xian Lou, but what about tomorrow? The day after? He can't possibly guard the Qinhuai River bank every day.

"Then what do you suggest?" he asked.

Guanyin Nu thought for a moment and said, "Let the elder brother step in, gather the children together, explain the stakes clearly, punish those who should be punished, teach those who should be taught."

"That's far more effective than you going alone to pull them out."

Zhu Yong nodded, then shook his head, "The elder brother is so busy, he has no time to deal with this."

Guanyin Nu smiled, "Even if the elder brother is busy, he won't ignore these children. If you can't bring it up, I'll speak to the elder sister, and she'll bring it up with the elder brother."

Zhu Yong looked at her and suddenly thought, marrying this woman was truly a gain.

"Fine, I'll go with your plan."

Guanyin Nu nodded, got up, and went to make the bed.

Zhu Yong sat there, still thinking of Zhu Qiong Jiong's words, "Take me to listen to music tomorrow, okay?"

A nine‑year‑old knows nothing, yet thinks it's a fun place.

But if he truly became curious and one day slipped away to see…

He shivered.

"Guanyin Nu, over at Jiong Jiong…"

Guanyin Nu turned and asked, "What is it?"

"He asked what a brothel is; I'm afraid…"

Guanyin Nu's hand paused, then she continued making the bed, "I'll tell him tomorrow."

Zhu Yong nodded and said nothing more.

That night, Zhu Yong slept fitfully.

In his dream, Chang Mao was beaten to a howl, Li Jinglong knelt on the ground crying, and Zhu Qiong Jiong stood at Zui Xian Lou's entrance, grinning and waving at him.

He jolted awake; dawn had already broken.

Guanyin Nu was not by his side.

From outside came Zhu Qiong Jiong's chattering voice, gibberish, unclear what he was saying.

Zhu Yong put on his clothes and went out, seeing Zhu Qiong Jiong standing in the courtyard, holding a small wooden mallet, talking to Wang Gui.

"Uncle Wang, are brothels fun?"

Zhu Yong's steps halted.

Wang Gui clearly hadn't expected to hear that question; he was stunned, then his face changed, "Little Prince, who told you that?"

"Dad said it last night, that Uncle Chang Mao went to a brothel. Is a brothel a place to listen to music? Is it pleasant?"

Wang Gui's face flushed bright red, unsure how to answer.

Zhu Yong strode over and grabbed Zhu Qiong Jiong by the back of his collar.

"Ah ah ah, Dad, what are you doing!" Zhu QiongJiong kicked his legs in the air.