Chapter 58: Practicing Martial Arts

The next day, at daybreak.

A commotion rose at the entrance of Wu Wang Fu.

"Second Prince! Second Prince!"

"Quickly open the door, we want to see Second Prince!"

Zhu Yong was still asleep, but the noise woke him, and he sat up groggily.

Xiao Zhu entered from outside and whispered, "Prince, the Third Prince and Fourth Prince have arrived."

Zhu Yong rubbed his eyes and muttered, "So early..."

After dressing and arriving at Qian Ting, he saw Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di, three boys, chattering around Hu Bo.

"Second Prince!" Zhu Di was the first to see Zhu Yong, his eyes brightening as he rushed over.

Ten-year-old Zhu Di had grown quickly; he was already at Zhu Yong's chest height.

He grabbed Zhu Yong's sleeve, excitedly saying, "Second Prince, I heard that on this western expedition you knocked Wang Baobao down with a single hammer? Tell us about it!"

Zhu Shuang also came over and said, "Second Prince, I heard you persuaded 30,000 troops to surrender... how did you do it?"

Zhu Gang was steadier, but his face was full of anticipation as he looked at Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong scratched his head and asked, "How do you know so much?"

"It spread throughout the palace! The eunuchs exaggerated yesterday's court meeting, saying Second Prince, you stepped on a gold brick in Fengtian Hall and shattered it, scaring the civil officials into a panic!"

Zhu Di said.

Zhu Yong's face tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Who said that? I didn't smash it; I just... cracked a few seams."

"That's still impressive! Second Prince, teach us martial arts! We also want to go to the battlefield!" Zhu Di said, his eyes shining.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang nodded repeatedly.

Zhu Yong looked at his three younger brothers, sighed, and said, "You're still young; what battlefield could you go to? Besides, war is not a game."

"We're not little! I'm ten years old, and Father at this age still..." Zhu Di puffed out his chest and shouted.

"What do you mean?" Zhu Yong tapped his head, "Father at this age is begging for alms; do you also want to beg?"

Zhu Di covered his head, feeling aggrieved, and said, "Second Prince..."

"Alright, alright, I still have to go into the palace today to pay respects to Mother; I didn't go yesterday after returning, and if I don't go soon Mother will scold me. If you have nothing to do, go back and study," Zhu Yong waved his hand and said.

"We'll go with you!" the three boys said in unison.

Zhu Yong, helpless, could only take them into the palace together.

In Kunning Palace, Empress Ma had just finished her morning meal and was speaking with Guanyin Nu.

"Your Highness, Prince Wu and the three princes have arrived," the palace maid reported.

"Quickly let them in," Empress Ma said with a smile.

Zhu Yong led the three younger brothers into the hall and first bowed, "Mother."

"Your son offers respects to Mother," Zhu Shuang and the others also performed the formal bow.

Empress Ma smiled and let them rise, her gaze landing on Zhu Yong as she said, "Yong Er, why didn't you come to see Mother after returning yesterday?"

Zhu Yong gave a goofy smile, "Mother, I was too tired yesterday; I fell asleep as soon as I got back."

"Sleeping until now?" Empress Ma raised an eyebrow.

"No... the brothers arrived early this morning," Zhu Yong said honestly.

Empress Ma looked at Zhu Shuang and the others, "Did you go bother your Second Prince again?"

Zhu Shuang quickly replied, "Mother, we went to hear Second Prince tell battlefield stories."

"Yes, yes! Second Prince is indeed formidable, a single hammer..." Zhu Di nodded enthusiastically.

"Enough, enough... your Second Prince just returned, let him rest. Guanyin Nu, please go and pour tea for the princes," Empress Ma said with a smile, interrupting.

Guanyin Nu responded, rose, and went to fetch tea.

Zhu Di curiously examined her, and whispered to Zhu Gang, "Fourth brother, is this the Northern Yuan Princess?"

Zhu Gang nodded, "It should be."

Guanyin Nu brought the tea over, and Zhu Yong took it, saying, "Thank you."

"Prince, no need for courtesy," Guanyin Nu said softly.

Empress Ma looked at the two, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes, then turned to Zhu Shuang and the others, "Did you all finish today's assignments?"

Zhu Shuang's face tightened, "Mother, isn't today a rest day..."

"On a rest day you don't study? When your elder brother was your age, he spent his rest days reading in Wenhua Hall," Empress Ma scolded, her face stern.

"Our elder brother is the Crown Prince..." Zhu Di muttered softly.

"The Crown Prince must be even more diligent. Though you don't have to be Crown Prince, you must not neglect your studies. Go back to Wenhua Hall to read; this afternoon the teacher will inspect. If you fail, we'll see how Imperial Father deals with you," Empress Ma said.

The three boys wilted, reluctantly bowing and taking their leave.

After they left, Empress Ma turned to Zhu Yong and said, "These little rascals need strict discipline."

Zhu Yong gave a goofy smile, "Mother is right."

Empress Ma sent Guanyin Nu to rest as well, leaving only mother and son in the hall.

She held Zhu Yong's hand, examined him closely, and said, "You've become thinner and darker; the harsh cold in the west must have given you a lot of hardship!"

"I haven't suffered; Xu Shu and General Chang have taken care of me! I eat well and dress warmly," Zhu Yong shook his head.

Empress Ma sighed, "You! You only report the good and hide the grievances..."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "Mother, I don't understand what you're saying..."

"You little rascal, you do know how to act..." Empress Ma laughed scoldingly.

"Hehe..."

Zhu Yong could only grin foolishly in response.

Empress Ma was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Yong Er, what do you think… how is the girl Guanyin Nu?"

Zhu Yong was startled, scratched his head and said, "Quite good… Mother, why are you asking this again?"

"Mother wants you to know, you're already fifteen, should settle down; Guanyin Nu is the Northern Yuan Princess, if you marry her it will help pacify the Northern Yuan defectors."

"Moreover, Mother sees that this girl has a steady temperament, understands the big picture, and is a good candidate for a wife," Empress Ma said gently.

Empress Ma was actually quite satisfied with Guanyin Nu; now it just depends on whether her son likes her.

Zhu Yong lowered his head and said nothing.

He actually knows that this marriage would benefit both himself and Great Ming.

And Guanyin Nu is indeed good.

But he felt a bit uneasy inside, as if his life had been arranged very clearly.

"Mother won't force you; first you should spend some time with her, and if you get along we'll talk. Tonight the Imperial Garden will hold a banquet; you should come and talk with her."

Empress Ma, seeing him like that, said in a warm voice.

"Mm." Zhu Yong replied.

After leaving Kunning Palace, Zhu Yong did not return to the residence, but went to Wenhua Hall.

He wanted to see whether those younger brothers were truly studying.

In the side hall of Wenhua Hall, Zhu Shuang was lying on the table dozing, Zhu Gang was secretly reading a leisure book, and only Zhu Di was honestly writing.

The master was not present, probably went to have tea.

Zhu Yong walked in and knocked on the table.

Zhu Shuang startled awake, saw Zhu Yong, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Second Prince, it's you…"

"Where is the master?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Went to have tea." Zhu Gang hid the leisure book behind him and said sheepishly.

Zhu Yong glanced around, walked to Zhu Di's side, and looked at what he was writing.

It was a copy of the Analects, the handwriting neat.

"Well written." Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Di looked up, his eyes sparkling, and said, "Second Prince, teach me martial arts! I promise to study well, but you must also teach me martial skills."

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Do you really want to learn?"

"Really want!" Zhu Di nodded vigorously.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang also came over and said, "Second Prince, we also want to learn!"