Chapter 91: Starving and Thirsty

The two entered the mansion, Hu Bo came forward, tears streaming, and said, "Prince, you have finally returned."

"Hu Bo, I'm fine," Zhu Yong lightly patted his back and said.

Zhu Yong didn't dare to press hard, lest a single palm send Hu Bo away.

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying also came over to salute; both maidens' eyes were red.

Zhu Yong said to Guanyin Nu, "I'll go take a bath first; I'm covered in dust."

"The hot water is ready," Guanyin Nu nodded.

Zhu Yong turned and went to bathe and change.

Guanyin Nu waited in the room, feeling a swirl of emotions.

For the past two months, she had worried every day.

Although she knew her husband was brave, the battlefield is perilous; who can know what might happen?

Fortunately, he returned safely.

He also achieved an unprecedented feat, though that feat was against her former…

Just as she was thinking, Zhu Yong emerged from his bath, having changed into ordinary clothes.

He walked up to Guanyin Nu and took a small cloth pouch from his bosom.

"For you to wear," Zhu Yong said innocently.

Guanyin Nu took it, opened it, and saw a wolf‑tooth necklace and a white stone, crystal clear.

"What is this…" she asked, holding the stone with some confusion.

"The wolf teeth are from a wolf I killed; the stone was picked up by the lake of Buyuerhai, and I thought it looked nice, so I brought it for you," Zhu Yong said.

Guanyin Nu clenched the stone, and tears finally fell.

"Why are you crying! Don't like it? If you don't like it, I'll go get another…" Zhu Yong saw this and instantly panicked.

"I like it, I really like it; Prince, you are thoughtful," Guanyin Nu wiped away her tears and said.

Zhu Yong exhaled, smiled foolishly, and said, "As long as you like it."

The two sat down and talked.

Guanyin Nu asked about the Northern Campaign, and Zhu Yong gave a brief account.

When speaking of the battle, his words were terse, yet Guanyin Nu could sense the danger within.

"Prince, in the future… could you charge at the front less?" she whispered.

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "I am a general; I can't not charge at the front. But rest assured, I'm strong; no one can hurt me."

Guanyin Nu knew she couldn't persuade him, and said nothing more.

Soon, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat ambiguous.

However, at that moment, a clamor suddenly came from outside.

"Second Prince! Second Prince!"

It was Zhu Di's voice.

At once, Zhu Yong felt his hammer surge with a blood‑thirsty urge; these guys were too much of a dampener.

Guanyin Nu blushed, patted Zhu Yong's back, and Zhu Yong could only get up and go out, where he saw Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, and Zhu Su—four youngsters—charging into the courtyard.

"Second Prince… you're finally back!" Zhu Di, who ran the fastest, grabbed Zhu Yong's arm and shouted.

Zhu Yong glared at the fellow, then helplessly smiled, patted his head, and said, "Everyone's here?"

"Here we are! Second Prince, I heard you even killed the Northern Yuan Emperor; what does he look like?" Zhu Gang said excitedly.

"Just like us, two eyes and a nose," Zhu Yong said helplessly.

"Second Prince is truly amazing; Imperial Father said he'll tell us your story," Zhu Shuang added.

Zhu Yong laughed, "We'll go dine at the palace tonight; then Father will definitely speak."

The youngsters clung to Zhu Yong and began asking this and that.

Guanyin Nu stood in the corridor watching, a smile on her face.

At that moment, someone else came over.

It was Chang Wan.

She was accompanied by a maid, walking toward the group with a smile.

"Second brother has returned?" Chang Wan laughed.

"Sister‑in‑law…" Zhu Yong quickly saluted.

"Stop the formalities, I'm just here to see you; your elder brother is busy in the palace, so I came first to congratulate you," Chang Wan waved her hand and said.

She looked at Guanyin Nu and said, "Second brother has returned; sister‑in‑law looks much better now."

Guanyin Nu's cheeks flushed, and she respectfully said, "Greetings, elder sister‑in‑law."

"We're all family, no need to be formal; tonight we'll go to the palace together; Imperial Mother has prepared many dishes," Chang Wan took her hand and laughed.

"Yes," Guanyin Nu replied.

Chang Wan turned to Zhu Yong and said, "Second brother, you've worked hard this time; with Northern Yuan gone and the Northern Frontier safe, your elder brother can finally sleep peacefully."

Zhu Yong smiled foolishly, "It should be so."

After chatting for a while, Chang Wan returned to the Eastern Palace first.

The four youngsters were also persuaded away by Hu Bo, who said Prince should rest.

The courtyard finally fell silent.

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu returned to the room, and Zhu Yong no longer had the earlier intention.

He only felt his spirit a bit weary.

"Are you tired?" Guanyin Nu asked.

"It's a bit, we rushed for over ten days," Zhu Yong said frankly; the battle wasn't tiring, but the march was very exhausting.

"Then sleep a while; we still have to enter the palace tonight!" Guanyin Nu laughed.

Zhu Yong nodded, shed his outer robe, lay on the bed, and fell asleep quickly.

Guanyin Nu sat at the bedside, watching his sleeping face.

The sixteen‑year‑old youth still bore a childish look, yet his brows already carried a general's dignity.

She gently brushed his eyebrows, feeling grateful inside.

Fortunately, he returned safely.

……

Evening, the imperial palace.

Three banquet tables were set inside Kunning Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma sat at the main table, Zhu Biao and Chang Wan on one side, and Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu on the other.

The other princes and princesses sat at the remaining two tables.

The dishes were abundant, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat all present.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in high spirits, raising his cup repeatedly.

"Yong Er, this cup is from father to you; it brings honor to Great Ming!"

Zhu Yong quickly rose and said, "Father, I toast you."

Father and son drank to each other.

Empress Ma laughed, "Drink less, Yong Er, the journey was hard."

"Glad, have two more cups, it's fine; Biao Er, you also drink," Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.

Zhu Biao raised his cup and said, "Second brother, elder brother toasts you."

The two brothers drained their cups.

During the banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang asked about the details of the Northern Frontier.

Zhu Yong, not good with words, was answered by Wang Baobao, who was also kept by Zhu Yuanzhang inside the palace.

Lan Yu, however, celebrated together with five thousand soldiers.

He described the Battle of Buir Lake in detail, and also spoke of the post‑war settlement.

Zhu Yuanzhang listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

"Wang Baobao, you have merit this time; we have recorded it," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Wang Baobao bowed and said, "Since I have returned to Great Ming, I shall be loyal."

"Good, come, come, eat the dishes!" Zhu Yuanzhang roared with laughter.

The banquet continued until the hour of Xu.

Zhu Biao and Chang Wan then returned to the Eastern Palace first.

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu, seeing this, also began to take their leave.

Stepping out of Kunning Palace, the night breeze was slightly cool.

Guanyin Nu draped her cloak, and Zhu Yong walked beside her.

"Prince…" Guanyin Nu whispered.

"Mm?"

"Thank you for returning safely."

Zhu Yong chuckled and replied, "I promised you I'd come back safely."

The two walked side by side along the palace corridor.

Moonlight poured down, stretching their shadows long.

In the distance, the lights of Fengtian Hall were still lit.

Zhu Yuanzhang again began discussions with Xu Da, Li Shanchang and others.

The Northern Frontier was pacified, but subsequent governance was a myriad of problems.

Nevertheless, tonight at least they could get a good sleep.

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu returned to Wu Wang Fu.

The mansion was quiet; the servants had all rested.

The two went back to the room, where Guanyin Nu attended to Zhu Yong's changing.

"Minmin." Zhu Yong suddenly said.

"Prince?"

"From now on... I'll try not to worry you so much," Zhu Yong said earnestly.

Guanyin Nu's eyes welled, and she whispered, "If the Prince is safe, I am content."

Zhu Yong grasped her hand and said, "I promised you."

The lights of Yingtian Prefecture's ten thousand households gradually went out.

In May of Hongwu Year Four, that night slowly drew its curtain.

And the future of Great Ming had only just begun.