Chapter 93: Stealing Half a Day's Leisure

A few days later, the weather was fine.

Zhu Yong got up early, saw the bright sunshine, and his mind was set.

"Minmin, the weather is nice today; let's go out of the city for a walk," he said excitedly.

Guanyin Nu, who was embroidering, looked up at the words and asked, "Prince, where do you wish to go?"

"We'll go to the riverside outside the city for a picnic, invite Lao San, Lao Si and the others, as well as the sister‑in‑law, make it lively," Zhu Yong laughed.

Guanyin Nu also became enthusiastic: "Very well, I will go prepare."

Soon, the news spread to the Eastern Palace and the various Wang Fu.

Zhu Biao had to handle state affairs and couldn't leave, so Chang Wan brought a maid and came.

Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, and Zhu Su, the four boys, heard about going out to play and jumped up with joy.

Zhu Zhen and Zhu Fu were still young, so Empress Ma did not let them come along.

At the end of the Chen Hour, two carriages and several horses marched out of the city in great splendor.

Zhang Wu and Chen Heng led a squad of Imperial Troops as guards, also leading a fat sheep and bringing pots, bowls, and pans.

The spot was chosen at a riverbank on the Qinhuai River Upstream, where the water was broad and the banks were covered with lush green grass.

Upon arrival, the Imperial Troops began setting up a stove and lighting a fire.

Zhu Yong personally slaughtered the sheep, his technique skillful.

Guanyin Nu and Chang Wan, with a maid, prepared the other ingredients.

The boys ran wildly along the riverbank.

"Second Prince! There are fish in the river!" Zhu Di suddenly shouted at Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong, hearing this, walked over, then looked down and indeed saw fish shadows in the water.

"Hold on, I'll go catch them," he put down his knife and walked to the riverbank.

The river water was clear, and one could see carp about a foot long swimming back and forth.

Zhu Yong took a long spear from a guard's hand, then went to the riverbank, holding his breath and focusing.

Suddenly...

Zhu Yong's spear thrust down violently.

"Puff..."

He lifted the spear.

"Wah-la!"

A big fish was speared up by him, still flopping on top!

"Wow!" the boys exclaimed.

Zhu Yong tossed the fish to Zhang Wu, saying, "Take it and clean it up."

Then he caught a few more before stopping.

Over there the fire was already lit, the lamb meat cut into large pieces, skewered on iron spits for roasting.

The fish was also cleaned, salted, wrapped in a lotus leaf and buried into the fire.

Chang Wan also brought pastries and fruit, spreading them out on the ground.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang were the most mischievous; while Zhu Yong wasn't watching, they sneaked to pick wild fruits by the river.

"Lao San and Lao Si! Don't run far!" Zhu Yong shouted.

The two responded, and in an instant vanished from sight.

Zhu Di, more steady, helped gather firewood.

Zhu Su, still young, sat obediently beside Chang Wan, eating pastries.

Soon, the aroma of roasted meat drifted outward.

Zhu Yong sat beside the fire, turning the meat skewers.

Guanyin Nu sat beside him, handing over seasonings, saying, "Prince, salt and cumin."

Zhu Yong took them and sprinkled evenly.

The meat grilled to a golden hue, oil bubbling, sizzing.

"Alright, let's eat," Zhu Yong called.

Everyone gathered around to sit.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang also returned, holding bunches of wild fruits.

"Second Prince, here you go," Zhu Shuang handed over.

Zhu Yong took it, bit it, frowned at the sourness and said, "So sour and you still picked it?"

Zhu Gang chuckled, "We think it's sweet."

Chang Wan tried one, squinting at the sourness, "You two have really special tastes."

Everyone laughed loudly.

The lamb was crisp outside and tender inside, sprinkled with cumin and chili, its fragrance overwhelming.

Zhu Yong first handed a skewer each to Guanyin Nu and Chang Wan, then distributed to his younger brothers.

Zhu Di took a skewer, bit a large mouthful, steam making him gasp, yet he raised his thumb and said, "Second Prince's roasted meat is truly fragrant!"

Zhu Su ate in small bites, his mouth glossy with oil.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang devoured greedily, nearly choking.

"Eat slower, there's plenty," Zhu Yong laughed.

He again pulled a roasted fish out of the fire.

The lotus leaf unfolded, the fish fragrance spreading everywhere.

The fish meat is tender and fresh, carrying the scent of lotus leaves.

Chang Wan praised, "Second brother's skill is better than the royal chef's."

Guanyin Nu also nodded, "Prince, everything you make tastes good."

Zhu Yong chuckled, "I'll just grill it casually."

After eating their fill and drinking enough, everyone sat by the river to rest.

The river flowed gently, and a cool breeze brushed their faces.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang, having finished their meal, began to play and ran to the riverbank to skip stones.

Zhu Di also joined, and the three compared who could throw the farthest.

Zhu Su leaned in Chang Wan's arms, feeling a bit sleepy.

Guanyin Nu whispered quietly with Chang Wan, laughing lightly from time to time.

Zhu Yong lay on a large stone, watching the blue sky and white clouds.

Days like this are truly wonderful.

No battlefield slaughter, no court disputes, only family companionship.

They suddenly recalled their previous life, that busy modern person, who had never known such leisure.

"Second Prince… you also want to skip stones? Let me teach you," Zhu Di ran over, pulling Zhu Yong, and said.

Zhu Yong sat up and said, "Alright, I'll see how you throw."

He walked to the riverbank, Zhu Di picked up a flat stone and flicked it sideways.

The stone skipped seven or eight times on the water before sinking.

"Not bad," Zhu Yong nodded.

Zhu Shuang, dissatisfied, said, "Watch me!"

He gave a strong toss, but the stone sank immediately.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Zhu Gang also tried, and the stone skipped five times.

Zhu Yong picked up a stone and tossed it casually.

The stone hopped over twenty times on the water, nearly reaching the opposite bank.

"Wow!" the youngsters stared in amazement.

"Second Prince, how did you do that?" Zhu Di asked excitedly.

"Angle, force… practice enough and you'll get it," Zhu Yong replied simply.

Zhu Di nodded earnestly.

They played a while longer, and the sun had shifted westward.

Everyone packed up their things, preparing to return to the city.

On the carriage, Zhu Su had already fallen asleep, with Chang Wan holding him.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang were also tired, leaning in the carriage to nap.

Zhu Di was still energetic, pulling Zhu Yong to ask about warfare matters.

Zhu Yong spoke of some harmless topics; even so, Zhu Di's eyes lit up.

"Second Prince, when I grow up, I also want to go to war with you."

"Alright, we'll talk when you grow up," Zhu Yong said with a smile.

Returning to the city, it was already dusk.

Everyone returned to their respective mansions.

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu entered Wu Wang Fu, and Hu Bo came forward to greet them.

"Prince, Princess Consort, someone has arrived from the palace, saying the emperor summoned the Prince to enter the palace tomorrow for a council."

"Understood," Zhu Yong nodded.

Guanyin Nu was a bit worried, "Being summoned so late, could something have happened?"

"Probably not; perhaps it's just to inquire about Northern Frontier matters," Zhu Yong reassured.

But he knew in his heart that when father summons at this hour, it's mostly not a trivial matter.

Still, they had enjoyed today; those worries could wait until tomorrow.

The night deepened, and the lights of Wu Wang Fu went out one by one.

The laughter by the Qinhuai River seemed to still drift in the wind.