Chapter 39: The Chang Family

After chatting for a while with Chang Yuchun, Lan Yu and others at Wu Wang Fu, Zhu Yong turned back to the Eastern Palace.

It was already noon, and the Eastern Palace was a bit lively.

He walked straight toward the main hall, and just as he reached the doorway, he heard a woman's voice from inside.

"Prince, your ears are really soft."

Zhu Yong was startled for a moment, pushed the door open, and went in.

He saw Zhu Biao standing by the table, with a girl standing beside him.

The girl was about thirteen or fourteen, dressed in a sturdy outfit, her hair tied in a ponytail, with a heroic look in her brows and eyes.

She was pinching Zhu Biao's ear with her hand; Zhu Biao not only didn't get angry, but wore a helpless expression.

"Miss Chang, stop messing around…"

"Who told you to promise to practice archery with me yesterday and then break the appointment?" the girl raised an eyebrow.

Zhu Yong stood at the doorway, eyes wide open.

He had never seen his older brother like this, being pinched on the ear and pleading for mercy.

The two heard the noise and turned their heads.

Zhu Biao saw Zhu Yong, his face flushing red, quickly brushed the girl's hand away and said, "Second brother, you… how did you return?"

The girl, however, was straightforward, sizing up Zhu Yong and saying, "This is Prince Wu…"

Zhu Yong nodded naively and asked, "You are…"

"Chang Wan, Chang Yuchun is my father, Prince. I often hear Father speak of you, saying you are the world's number one fierce general," the girl laughed.

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "General Chang, you're flattering me."

Zhu Biao adjusted his clothing, cleared his throat, and said, "Second brother, you're back."

"Hmm."

Zhu Yong stepped forward, then looked at Zhu Biao, then at Chang Wan, and suddenly, in a naive tone, asked, "Older brother, are you… playing?"

Zhu Biao's face turned even redder: "No! Miss Chang is just… just being a bit naughty."

Chang Wan smiled, "Prince, I'm teaching the Crown Prince to practice archery! He promised me yesterday, but ended up debating the classics with Mr. Song, so I'm punishing him."

Zhu Yong nodded as if half‑understanding.

In his memories of a past life, he knew that Chang Yuchun had a daughter who later married Zhu Biao, becoming Crown Princess Chang Shi.

So that's how it is… now.

"Then you continue, I'm leaving." Zhu Yong turned and walked out; he still had self‑awareness—he knew he couldn't be a third wheel in such matters.

"Second brother! Um… don't tell Father and Mother about this," Zhu Biao called after him.

"What matter…" Zhu Yong turned back.

"It's… the matter of Miss Chang being here."

"Oh, okay…" Zhu Yong replied naively and left.

After leaving the Eastern Palace, he still mulled over that scene.

His older brother being pinched on the ear… was actually quite amusing.

Back at Wu Wang Fu, Zhang Wu came forward and said, "Prince, Cao Guo Gong Fu has sent New Year gifts."

"Uncle Li Zhen…" Zhu Yong asked.

"Yes, and General Li Wenzhong also sent some."

Zhu Yong nodded and went into the residence to see.

The New Year gifts were plentiful: there were silk, pastries,

and also a fine bow.

He had Zhang Wu record them into storage and prepared return gifts.

After finishing these tasks, it was already near afternoon.

Cao Guo Gong Fu had sent so many New Year gifts that Lin Yong, no matter what he said, had to pay a visit; thinking of this, Zhu Yong said:

"Zhang Wu, have Hu Bo prepare some New Year gifts, you go ready the horses, and we'll go to Cao Guo Gong Fu to pay New Year's respects."

Hu Bo was the steward of Wu Wang Fu, sent by Empress Ma.

"Yes!"

The Cao Guo Gong residence was not far from Wu Wang Fu.

When Zhu Yong arrived, the mansion was bustling.

As soon as he entered, he saw the little fellow Li Jinglong running around, his laughter audible from afar.

"Prince! Why have you come?" Seeing Zhu Yong's figure, Li Wenzhong, who was sitting in the courtyard, couldn't help but stand up and ask.

"I've come to pay New Year's respects to my cousin," Zhu Yong said with a goofy smile.

"Uncle Wu Wang…"

Li Jinglong also ran toward Zhu Yong; Li Jinglong liked Zhu Yong a lot, because every time he saw him he would bring tasty treats.

As expected, when Li Jinglong rushed forward, Zhu Yong gave him a red envelope and a bag of snacks.

"Thank you, Uncle Wu Wang…" Li Jinglong clutched the red envelope and snacks, replying sweetly.

"Alright, alright! Come in and sit!" Meanwhile, Li Wenzhong stepped forward and led him inside.

In the hall of the Guo residence, many people were seated: Xu Da, the Chang Yuchun seen earlier that morning, Lan Yu as well, and several other generals.

Upon seeing Zhu Yong arrive, they all couldn't help but stand and bow.

"Uncles and elders, please sit; I'm just here to pay New Year's respects," Zhu Yong waved his hand.

Zhu Yong approached Li Zhen, performed a bow, and laughed, "Having read so many books, I still know some etiquette."

"Uncle, your nephew has come to pay you New Year's respects."

"Prince, rise quickly, come, come sit beside your uncle..." Seeing Zhu Yong, Li Zhen was very happy and hurriedly pulled him to sit beside her.

Then everyone began to chat idly.

While chatting, Chang Wan came out of the back hall, and behind her was a little girl about seven years old; although the girl was still young, she already had the looks of a beauty in the making.

Especially those eyes looked extraordinarily lively.

Seeing Zhu Yong, Chang Wan's eyes brightened and she called out, "Prince Wu!"

"Miss Chang," Zhu Yong nodded.

Chang Yuchun laughed, "Wan'er, have you met the Prince?"

"I saw him this morning in the Eastern Palace, Prince; this is Xu Miaoyun, Xu Shu's eldest daughter, and she's very curious about the Prince," Chang Wan answered her father's inquiry, then smiled and introduced the girl beside her to Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong was startled; Xu Miaoyun—wasn't she the future principal consort of Zhu Di, the future Empress Xu?

Zhu Yong curiously glanced at Xu Miaoyun, then said, "Curious, curious—what am I doing! I'm just a general with some strength, not even as good as Uncle Xu!"

"Prince, you mustn't say that; if it weren't for your few hammers, Bo Ren wouldn't have taken those two cities so easily."

Xu Da said with a smile.

Xu Da was still very proud of his eldest daughter.

"Prince, I'm just curious whether those two hammers of yours really weigh five or six hundred catty..." Being looked at like that, Xu Miaoyun wasn't shy; instead she stepped forward generously and said to Zhu Yong.

"So, Prince, may I go see your weapons, those two big hammers?"

Xu Miaoyun, with an expectant expression, looked at Zhu Yong and said.

"Yes, yes, Prince, I'm also very curious!" Chang Wan said curiously from beside.

Chang Yuchun laughed and scolded, "Girl, what are you looking at, hammers! Prince, ignore her; I've spoiled this girl, she's always dancing with knives and guns all day."

Zhu Yong replied, "The hammers are at the residence, I didn't bring them. If you want to see them, come to my place another day."

"Really?" Chang Wan and Xu Miaoyun said happily.

"Hmm."

Lan Yu laughed beside them, "Brother-in-law, my niece will probably need to find a husband who can fight."

Chang Yuchun laughed loudly, "Indeed! He has to be stronger than me!"

Everyone laughed.

Zhu Yong looked at Chang Wan, recalled how she pinched Zhu Biao's ear, and thought to himself that his older brother's future days might be quite lively.

After dinner at Cao Guo Gong Fu, Zhu Yong finally took his leave.

At the doorway parting, Chang Wan and Xu Miaoyun reminded, "Prince, we'll come another day to see the hammers!"

"Alright."

On the way back to the residence, Zhang Wu whispered, "Prince, Miss Chang and the Crown Prince..."

"Hmm?" Zhu Yong looked at him.

"Nothing, it's just... Miss Chang often goes to the Eastern Palace, and there are rumors both inside and outside the palace," Zhang Wu said.

Zhu Yong said naively, "My older brother's affairs, he knows them himself."

He knew in his heart that Chang Wan would later become the Crown Princess, his older brother's principal wife.

The next day, Zhu Biao arrived.

"Second brother, the map copy is finished; keep the original, and I've taken the copied map and the map instrument to Father," Zhu Biao sat down, looking a bit weary.

"Older brother tired?" Zhu Yong nodded and asked.

"Hmm, I've been discussing with people from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue all day about the matters on that map... can't speak plainly, can only talk around it," Zhu Biao rubbed his forehead.

Zhu Yong had Zhang Wu bring tea. Zhu Biao took a sip, then suddenly said, "Second brother, today in the Eastern Palace... what you saw..."

"I didn't see anything," Zhu Yong said naively.

Zhu Biao was startled, then laughed, "You! Miss Chang... she's straightforward, no ill intentions."

"I know, General Chang's daughter is certainly not lacking," Zhu Yong nodded.

Zhu Biao looked at him and suddenly asked, "Second brother, what do you think of Miss Chang?"

"Pretty good, she can pinch your ear, impressive," Zhu Yong said honestly.

Zhu Biao chuckled, "You... never mind, let's not talk about that. In the spring we may have to launch Kuokuo; are you ready?"

"Ready, the hammers are polished, the horses are fed and strong," Zhu Yong said, and his eyes instantly lit up.

"It's not just about charging into battle; you also have to learn to lead troops. You're now Prince Wu, you can't always be at the front yourself," Zhu Biao reminded.

"I know, my elder cousin Li Wenzhong taught me a lot."

The two brothers chatted until noon, and Zhu Biao only then returned to the palace.