Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

However... Zhu Li didn't move.

He didn't even summon an axe and shield.

The fist and palm were about to hit him...

Zhu Hui raised his hand, his left hand pressing down lightly.

"Buzz..."

The air seemed to freeze.

Zhu Shuang's fist stopped three inches in front of Zhu Hui's chest, unable to advance even half an inch further.

Zhu Gang's palm strike was like cutting into cotton; its force was completely neutralized.

The two men's expressions changed drastically, and they tried to back away.

Zhu Hui casually waved his right hand.

"Bang! Bang!"

Two muffled thuds.

Zhu Shuang was sent flying three zhang away, landing hard on his backside and rolling twice before coming to a stop.

Zhu Gang fared even worse; he was slammed into a sandpit on the edge of the training ground, headfirst, his legs kicking wildly in the air.

The entire room fell silent.

From start to finish, it took less than three breaths.

Zhu Hui lowered his hand, scratched his head, and said, "I told you, I'm strong."

Zhu Shuang got up, covered in dust and dirt, his face full of disbelief.

Zhu Gang pulled his head out of the sandpit, spat out sand, and his eyes turned red.

"You...you used sorcery!"

Zhu Hui said earnestly, "It's just strength."

Zhu Shuang gritted her teeth: "I don't believe it! Let's try again!"

This time, he unleashed his full power, his body radiating a pale golden aura, and he pounced like a tiger descending a mountain.

Zhu Gang was also going all out. He drew a long sword from the weapon rack next to him, and the blade burst into crimson flames. With a single slash, a wave of heat rolled out.

The scale was several times larger than before.

Zhu Li sighed.

The tattoo on his left arm felt slightly warm. He didn't summon the shield, but with a thought, the power of Xing Tian burst forth from his body.

"boom!"

An invisible shockwave exploded outwards from him.

Zhu Shuang's protective aura shattered like an eggshell, sending him flying backward. He crashed into a wooden stake by the training ground, and with a crack, the stake broke.

Zhu Gang's fiery sword energy extinguished itself a foot away from Zhu Hui, and the long sword flew out of his hand, embedding itself in the ground and vibrating.

He himself was thrown over by the blast wave and rolled seven or eight times before coming to a stop.

Zhu Hui stood still, not even moving the hem of her clothes.

He looked at the two of them and asked sincerely, "Shall we continue fighting?"

Zhu Shuang struggled to his feet, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his eyes shifting from defiance to horror.

Zhu Gang lay on the ground, panting heavily, looking at Zhu Hui as if he were a monster.

Zhu Biao then slowly spoke, "Third brother, fourth brother, are you convinced?"

Zhu Shuang remained silent for a moment, then clasped his hands in a fist and bowed his head, saying, "Second brother... your divine power is unparalleled, I admire you."

Zhu Gang also got up, wiped his face, and said in a muffled voice, "I give up."

Zhu Li walked over, helped them up with one arm each, and patted them on the shoulder: "Are you alright? I held back."

Zhu Shuang smiled wryly, "If Second Brother hadn't held back, I'm afraid I would already be..."

Zhu Gang didn't speak, but the restlessness in his eyes completely subsided.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched from a distance, a smile playing on his lips.

Empress Ma breathed a sigh of relief and scolded, "You're all brothers, what kind of behavior is this, fighting and bickering? Go back quickly, we haven't finished eating the dumplings yet."

The group walked back.

Zhu Xiong Ying, nestled in Chang Shi's arms, danced excitedly, shouting, "Second Uncle won! Second Uncle is the best!"

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang supported each other, both limping.

Zhu Biao walked beside Zhu Hui and whispered, "Well done."

"Won't they hold a grudge?" Zhu Li was a little worried.

"No, according to the Zhu family's rules, only those who are beaten into submission count. Now that you've shown this skill today, they'll truly treat you as their second brother from now on."

Zhu Biao smiled and said.

Zhu Li seemed to understand, but not quite.

Back at Kunning Palace, the dumplings were still warm.

This time, Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang behaved themselves, respectfully pouring tea and serving food to Zhu Hui, addressing him affectionately as "Second Brother."

As she watched this scene, Madam Lü lowered her head and ate her dumplings, her eyes filled with an unfathomable darkness.

After the meal, Zhu Yuanzhang called his sons to the East Pavilion to talk.

"Third and fourth brothers, you've seen them and fought them. Tomorrow, return to your fiefdoms, guard them well, and don't cause any trouble."

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang bowed and agreed.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "Go! The eldest brother stays."

Zhu Li and his brothers withdrew from the East Pavilion.

Zhu Shuang leaned closer and whispered, "Second brother, if I need anything in Xi'an, just let me know."

Zhu Gang also said, "Taiyuan is the same."

Zhu Li nodded with a simple smile.

After they had gone some distance, Zhu Biao whispered to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Father, what about the Lü family..."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes turned cold as he said, "Investigate thoroughly. Find out the facts. Kill those who should be killed, exile those who should be exiled. Remember, keep your hands clean."

"Your subject understands."

"Also, the second son's adoptive parents are being secretly protected by a squad of Imperial Guards."

"Yes."

Outside the window, the sun is setting.

The aroma of dumplings lingered in Kunning Palace, while the darkness of Yingtian Prefecture was already approaching.

......................

In the tenth year of the Hongwu reign, Yingtian Prefecture was so cold in winter that it chilled one to the bone.

Zheng Dazhu's family lived in the newly bestowed house, which had two courtyards and a small garden.

This specification exceeded the standard for ordinary people, but it was personally approved by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Madam Zheng Huang couldn't stay idle, so she opened a vegetable garden in the yard and planted some radishes and cabbages.

Zheng Daya was sent to the palace girls' school and would be sent back every night. The little girl now spoke with an official tone, which made Zheng Dazhu very happy.

That evening, Zheng Dazhu squatted by the vegetable garden, pulling weeds.

A blue cloth carriage arrived outside the courtyard gate, and a middle-aged man in a silk shirt stepped out. He had a kind face and was carrying two boxes of pastries.

"Is Master Zheng at home? My surname is Lü, and I work in the Ministry of Revenue. I heard that Master Zheng is the adoptive father of His Highness Prince Wu, so I came to pay my respects." The middle-aged man said with a smile and cupped his hands.

Zheng Dazhu became alert.

Since moving to Yingtian, many people have come to try and establish connections, but most of them are merchants. This is the first time a court official has come to visit in person.

"Lord Lü, you're too kind. I'm just a farmer, I don't deserve the title of 'Master'." Zheng Dazhu stood up and wiped his hands on his trousers.

"I can accept it, I can accept it... This is just a small token of my appreciation, Master Zheng, please don't refuse. By the way, I heard that your daughter is studying in the palace. Coincidentally, I am acquainted with several scholars from the Imperial Academy. If there is anything you need help with, please don't hesitate to ask."

An official surnamed Lü handed over some pastries.

Zheng Dazhu did not accept the pastries, but said, "His Highness Prince Wu is taking care of Daya's affairs, so there's no need for you to trouble yourself, sir."

The two were locked in a tense standoff when the sound of horses' hooves came from the alleyway entrance.

Zhu Biao, dressed in an apricot-yellow casual robe, arrived at the Zheng family's gate on horseback, accompanied by four plainclothes guards.

He first dismounted, his gaze falling on the face of the official surnamed Lü, a gentle smile still on his lips.

"Master Lü has a refined taste; instead of calculating the autumn grain at the Ministry of Revenue, he has the leisure to visit the Zheng family."

Physician Lü's face paled, and he bowed, saying, "Your Highness, this official...this official was just passing by..."

"I brought some osmanthus cakes from Daoxiangcun in Suzhou on the way. The shop is half a city away from here. Doctor Lü, you took quite a roundabout route." Zhu Biao glanced at the cake box, his smile fading slightly.

Zheng Dazhu quickly bowed and said, "This humble subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Biao helped him up and said, "Uncle Zheng, there's no need for such formalities. I just happened to be passing by and thought I'd drop by to see you and your wife."

He turned to Physician Lü and said in a calm tone, "The Ministry of Revenue is busy lately, Physician Lü should go back to his post as soon as possible! By the way, I need to see the memorial on the land survey in Jiangxi tomorrow."

Physician Lü was sweating profusely. He repeatedly agreed, not daring to put down the pastries, and jumped into the carriage and ran away.

Zhu Biao watched the carriage disappear into the distance, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Uncle Zheng, from now on, if this kind of person comes to the door, just have the gatekeeper block them. If that doesn't work, go to the Prince of Wu's residence to find someone, or report it to the authorities directly, even the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

He paused, then added.

Zheng Dazhu nodded: "This humble subject understands."