Chapter 73: Prince Wu's Marriage

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Zhu Yong entered the palace early.

In Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was speaking with several concubines when she saw Zhu Yong arrive and laughed, "Yong Er, so early?"

"Mother, I have something to show you," Zhu Yong said naively.

"Oh? What is it?" Empress Ma asked curiously.

Zhu Yong had a palace maid bring paper and brush, and from memory reproduced the blueprint the system gave.

Although his handwriting was poor, his drawing was unexpectedly accurate; the system's memory was as if printed in his mind.

Empress Ma took the blueprint, examined it closely, and grew more astonished.

Although she came from a good background and, not to mention, had seen her mother spin and weave as a child, she was familiar with spinning wheels and continued to do such work after growing up.

She was indeed well‑versed in spinning wheels.

But the spinning wheel on this blueprint had a delicate, complex structure, and many components were unfamiliar to her.

"Yong Er, this is…"

"I got it from the White-bearded Old Man in my dream; he said this spinning wheel weaves quickly and can help Mother," Zhu Yong used that excuse as usual.

Empress Ma looked at it for a while longer, then her eyes lit up, "Here… this gear design… brilliant! If it can really be made, spinning efficiency could at least double!"

She rose excitedly and said, "Yong Er, this blueprint is crucial; Jiangnan's textile industry is thriving, and if this kind of spinning wheel is promoted, the people will save a great deal of labor in weaving."

Zhu Yong smiled naively, "As long as Mother thinks it's useful, that's fine."

Empress Ma immediately ordered someone to summon the Vice Minister of Works.

When the Vice Minister of Works arrived and saw the blueprint, he was also astonished, "Your Majesty, this… this spinning wheel design is exquisitely marvelous! I have never seen such a delicate transmission structure before!"

"Can it be made?" Empress Ma asked.

"Yes! Absolutely, give me a few days and I will certainly produce a sample!" the Vice Minister of Works said excitedly.

"Very well, this task is yours; remember, keep it secret, and do not disseminate anything before the sample is completed," Empress Ma said.

Later, weaving will become easier, and the price of cloth can be lowered, allowing the people to afford clothing.

"I will obey the decree!"

The Vice Minister of Works cradled the blueprint as if it were a treasure and left.

Empress Ma held Zhu Yong's hand, her eyes slightly moist, and said, "Yong Er, you truly are Mother's lucky star; if this spinning wheel can be promoted, who knows how many people it could benefit."

Zhu Yong said innocently, "If I can help Mother and the people, I'm happy."

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, news came from the Ministry of Works.

The sample had been produced.

Empress Ma took Zhu Yong herself to the Ministry of Works' workshop to inspect.

Inside the workshop, a brand‑new spinning wheel stood in the center.

Unlike traditional spinning wheels, this one had more gears and transmission rods; its structure was complex yet orderly.

The craftsman demonstrated its operation; the spindle whirled rapidly, and the yarn wound up at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Your Majesty, observe: a traditional spinning wheel yields at most four taels of yarn per person per day, whereas this new wheel allows a skilled worker to produce one jin and two taels per day, a three‑fold increase in efficiency!"

The Vice Minister of Works exclaimed.

Empress Ma tried it herself and indeed found it both fast and effortless.

"Good! Good! Begin immediately to produce one hundred units, first trial them in the palace and in Yingtian Prefecture; if the results are good, promote them throughout Great Ming next year."

She praised repeatedly.

"Yes!"

Leaving the Ministry of Works, Empress Ma was in high spirits.

"Yong Er, this New Year Gift of yours is more precious than anything," she said, looking at her son with full affection.

Zhu Yong smiled naively, "As long as Mother is happy, that's enough."

The carriage passed through the streets of Yingtian Prefecture; shops on both sides were already open, and pedestrians bustled about.

Empress Ma looked out the window and suddenly said, "Yong Er, your marriage is on February eighth; are all the things prepared?"

"Hu Bo is handling the preparations; I don't understand these things," Zhu Yong said, scratching his head.

"If you don't know, learn; once married you become an adult and can't keep being foolishly carefree as before," Empress Ma laughed.

"I understand," Zhu Yong nodded.

The carriage returned to the palace; upon entering Kunning Palace, they saw Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao speaking.

"Father, elder brother," Zhu Yong saluted.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved him over, "Yong Er, your mother told us about the spinning wheel; good, very good! Was this also given by the White-bearded Old Man?"

"Yes," Zhu Yong nodded.

Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a deep look, said no more, and simply remarked, "You child, a simple person has simple blessings, but after marriage you must be more shrewd; you can't stay so naive all the time."

Zhu Biao laughed, "Second brother is just like that, truly fine."

"It's truly good, but not overly so. By the way, your marriage is on February eighth; we have already had the Ministry of Rites prepare, and the ceremony must not be smaller than Biao's back then."

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Zhu Yong said innocently, "Thank you, Father."

On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, news spread that the new spinning wheel had been successfully trialed in the palace.

Several princesses and concubines who used it all praised it; spinning was both fast and effortless.

Empress Ma ordered a small workshop to be set up in Kunning Palace to teach the palace maids how to use the new spinning wheel, and the cloth produced would be used for palace garments.

The fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, Lantern Festival.

Yingtian Prefecture hung lanterns and ribbons, and flower boats on the Qinhuai River were like a tapestry.

Zhu Yong and Zhu Biao went out of the palace together to view the lanterns, and Chang Wan came along.

The three walked through the bustling market street, with all kinds of lanterns on either side.

"Second brother, after the marriage you'll be an adult; time flies, in a blink we're both sixteen." Zhu Biao looked at his brother, and although they were the same age, he felt a strange sentiment.

Zhu Yong chuckled innocently, "No matter how big I get, I'm still my elder brother's younger brother."

Chang Wan laughed, "Second brother is married; next year there should be a child, and then our Zhu Family will be even livelier."

Just then, a commotion erupted ahead.

It turned out an Acrobatic Troupe was performing, and a strongman was demonstrating the Chest Breaking Stone.

Zhu Yong glanced and said naively, "It's fake; the stone has been treated."

Chang Wan, curious, asked, "How does second brother know?"

"I can tell; a real stone wouldn't be like that," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Biao smiled, "Second brother's eyesight, truly worthy of a battlefield veteran."

The three strolled until the Hai Hour before preparing to return.

However, before heading back, Zhu Biao slipped a Little Booklet to Zhu Yong, telling him to look at it that night.

After returning, Zhu Yong, very curious, opened the booklet; it turned out to be colorful, and inside was…

This is big brother worrying that he won't know the Bridal Chamber!

Ugh…

Zhu Yong, while complaining, curiously opened the booklet.

In his previous life he had also seen many masters' works, and his phone still held collections….

No… my innocence….

February eighth is approaching in the blink of an eye.

Wu Wang Fu hung lanterns and ribbons, with Red Silk draped over every corner.

Before dawn, Zhu Yong was summoned, put on a bright red Wedding Dress, and wore a Gold Crown.

Hu Bo busily attended to everything, directing the whole mansion's preparations.

At the Chen Hour, the Wedding Procession set out.

Zhu Yong rode a tall horse, clad in a Wedding Dress, with a Red Flower on his chest.

Behind him was an Eight-Person Palanquin, with Drum and Music blaring.

The procession left Wu Wang Fu, circled half the city, and finally entered the Imperial Palace; Guanyin Nu had been staying in Kunning Palace these days and needed to be escorted out of the palace.

Inside Kunning Palace, Guanyin Nu had finished dressing.

She wore a Mongol‑style wedding gown, a Pearl Crown on her head, and a Red Veil covering her face.

Empress Ma personally adjusted her collar, her eyes slightly reddened.

"Minmin, from now on you will be the Wu King Consort; Yong Er, though simple‑hearted, is kind and will treat you well."

Guanyin Nu replied softly, "Your servant understands."

Outside, the Drum and Music grew nearer.

Empress Ma placed a Cover Head over her, and helped her walk out of Kunning Palace.

Outside the palace gates, Zhu Yong had dismounted and was waiting.

When Guanyin Nu emerged, he naively stepped forward, followed the Ritual Official's guidance, paid his respects, and then took one end of the Red Silk.

Guanyin Nu held the other end, her hand trembling slightly.

The two, amid the crowd's embrace, walked out of the Imperial Palace and boarded the Sedan Chair.

The Wedding Procession circled the city once, finally returning to Wu Wang Fu.

They bowed to Heaven and Earth, bowed to the High Hall, and the Husband and Wife bowed to each other.

The ceremony concluded, and they were led into the Bridal Chamber.

The banquet was set with over a hundred tables, and Civil and Military Officials came to congratulate.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma also arrived in person, sitting at the Main Seat.

Chang Yuchun, his face flushed red from drinking, patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said, "Nephew, now that you're married you're an adult! Treat your wife well from now on!"

Xu Da, Li Wenzhong, Lan Yu and others also took turns to toast.

Zhu Yong accepted every drink, gulping cup after cup.

Night fell, and the banquet gradually dispersed.

When Zhu Yong returned to the new room, his steps were already a bit unsteady; though his tolerance was high, he couldn't withstand so many people forcing drinks.

Inside the new room, Red Candles burned brightly, and Guanyin Nu, still with the Cover Head on, sat at the bedside.

Zhu Yong walked over, stood there naively for a moment, then remembered he needed to lift the Cover Head.

He picked up the Scale Rod and gently lifted the Red Veil.

In the candlelight, Guanyin Nu lowered her head, her face red as a ripe apple.

Zhu Yong scratched his head, not knowing what to say.

The two were silent for a while; Guanyin Nu whispered, "Prince…"

"Just call me Yong Brother," Zhu Yong said naively.

"Yong… Yong Brother," Guanyin Nu's voice grew even softer.

Zhu Yong sat down, thought for a moment, and said, "I'm a simple fool, I don't get those flowery words, but I promise you, I'll treat you well from now on and won't let anyone bully you."

Guanyin Nu lifted her head, looked at the simple‑hearted youth before her, and suddenly smiled.

"Your servant believes."

Outside the window, Moonlight was like water.