Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

This was arranged by Zhu Biao; it was a clean and tidy two-courtyard house, not far from the Wu Prince's Mansion.

The Zheng couple moved in some time ago, and their belongings have all been settled. Many places are similar to those in the village, exuding a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Empress Ma looked it over inside and out, nodded and said, "It's good, but it lacks a bit of liveliness. I'll have the palace send some daily necessities over later, and also assign two honest and dutiful servants. You're all getting old, so don't do everything yourself."

Madam Zheng was about to decline again, but Empress Ma stopped her, saying, "Don't be so polite with me. You have been kind to Li'er, which is also a kindness to me."

Zhu Yuanzhang was strolling around the courtyard when he saw a pile of farm tools in the corner. He bent down, picked up a hoe, and weighed it in his hand: "This hoe is good; the steel is fine."

Zheng Dazhu hurriedly said, "It was made by Li'er last year. He has a strong hand, and the farm tools he makes are more durable than others."

He brought this specially from the village.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Hui, a smile in his eyes.

Just then, Zhu Xiong Ying pulled Zheng Daya along and ran over from the backyard, holding up a bamboo dragonfly and saying, "Second Uncle! Why can't this fly high?"

Zhu Hui took it and casually rubbed it...

The bamboo dragonfly shot straight into the sky with a whoosh, becoming a small black dot, and only fell back down after a while.

Zhu Xiong Ying opened her mouth wide and exclaimed, "Wow!"

Zheng Daya chuckled to herself, "That's just how my brother is; he can never quite control himself."

As they were talking and laughing, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the courtyard gate.

Zhu Biao frowned slightly and gestured for the guards to go out and investigate.

Soon, the guard returned and reported: "Your Highness, it was just a few thugs who were drunk and causing trouble in the street. They have been driven away."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened: "Such a thing can happen right under the emperor's nose?"

Zhu Biao calmly said, "Father, I will have people restore order to the capital region."

Empress Ma waved her hand: "Alright, I'm happy today, let's not talk about these things."

But Zhu Xiong Ying had already heard him and looked up to ask, "Father, what's a local ruffian?"

"He's a bad guy." Zhu Biao patted his head.

"Bad guys deserve to be hit!" Zhu Xiong Ying raised her small fist.

Zhu Hui laughed: "Yes, he deserves to be hit."

……

It was already afternoon when I came out of the Zheng family's courtyard.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma returned to the palace, and Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiong Ying also took their leave. The little guy was tired from playing and kept dozing off in Zhu Biao's arms.

After seeing them off, Zhu Hui turned back to her adoptive parents and said, "Father, Mother, I'll take you back."

"No need, no need, it's just a few steps." Zheng Dazhu waved his hand.

"Let's go, it's a good opportunity to take a walk," Zhu Li insisted.

The family of four walked slowly along the street.

Holding her brother's hand, Zheng Daya suddenly whispered, "Brother, Her Majesty the Empress is so kind."

"Um."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is also fine."

"Um."

"That little prince is funny too; he calls me 'auntie'!"

Zhu Hui smiled: "Then you should come visit him often in the future."

"May I?"

"sure."

As Zheng Dazhu reached the courtyard gate, he stopped, looked at Zhu Hui, and hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Father, just say what you have to say."

Zheng Dazhu rubbed his hands together and lowered his voice, saying, "Li'er, you are a prince now. Your parents can't help you much, so we'll just tell you this: the palace is complicated, so be careful and don't be too honest. Be wary of those who need to be guarded against."

Zhu Hui nodded and said, "I know."

Madam Zheng also took his hand and said, "Also, get married soon, have a child, and life will be more stable."

Zhu Hui, both amused and exasperated, said, "Mother, this..."

"You're already twenty-two, not young anymore. In the village, people your age already have children who can run around. If it weren't for the lack of suitable men in the village, your mother would have arranged a marriage for you long ago," Zheng Huangshi murmured.

Fortunately, this is the mythical Ming Dynasty, unlike ordinary ancient times.

After exchanging a few more words, Zhu Hui took his leave.

On his way back to the Wu King's Palace, he walked briskly.

Everything went smoothly today. My parents met and got along well. My older brother's attitude was clear, and everything is moving in a positive direction.

When he reached the corner of the street away from the mansion, he suddenly stopped.

This street is relatively quiet, and there are usually not many pedestrians. At this moment, it is completely deserted.

But there was a faint fishy smell in the air.

Zhu Hui looked around and continued walking forward.

Just as they took three steps, seven or eight dark figures suddenly leaped down from the rooftops on both sides!

Dressed in black and masked, wielding steel knives, their movements were swift and their landings silent; they were clearly skilled martial artists.

The leader barked, "Kill!"

The blade flashed and fell.

Zhu Li did not dodge.

He didn't even summon his shield.

Raise your left hand, fingers spread, and flick it lightly at the steel blade that first struck you...

"when..."

The steel knife shattered, and fragments flew backward, embedding themselves in the assassin's face.

The man didn't utter a sound before falling backward to the ground.

The remaining assassins' offensive stalled.

Zhu Li then summoned his shield.

A bronze-colored round shield appeared on his left arm, simple and heavy, with animal patterns on the shield surface seemingly coming to life, flowing slightly in the sunlight.

He pressed his right hand onto his left arm, and the axe was also in his hand.

"Who sent you?" he asked.

No one answered.

The remaining seven assassins exchanged glances and pounced simultaneously, their blades flashing and forming a net that blocked all escape routes.

Zhu Li sighed.

The shield was pushed forward.

There are no fancy moves, just a simple push.

The shockwave exploded.

The seven people were like battering rams, flying backward and crashing into half of the opposite wall. Bricks and stones rained down, burying most of them, leaving only their hands and feet sticking out and twitching.

The streets were deathly silent.

Zhu Hui walked up to the assassin leader, whose body was half-buried under bricks and stones, squatted down, and pulled off his mask.

It was an unfamiliar face, around thirty years old, with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and unfocused eyes.

"Who sent you?" Zhu Li asked again.

The man opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His head lolled to the side, and he was no longer breathing.

Zhu Li frowned.

So fragile...

He stood up and looked around.

Some people had gathered at both ends of the street, watching from a distance, not daring to approach.

Soon, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard.

A squad of Imperial Guards arrived at high speed, led by Jiang Huan.

Upon seeing the scene, his expression changed, and he dismounted and knelt down, saying, "Your Highness, my guards are late!"

"It's alright, it's all taken care of." Zhu Hui put away his axe and shield.

Jiang Huan glanced at the collapsed wall and the people buried underneath, his eye twitched, and he waved for his men to clean up the scene. He lowered his voice and asked, "Your Highness, were any survivors?"

"No, he died from just one push," Zhu Li said honestly.

Jiang Huan remained silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "Your subject will investigate and find out who is behind this."

"Yes, that's good."

Zhu Hui dusted himself off and continued walking towards the Prince's Mansion.

After taking a few steps, he turned back and said, "By the way, Commander Jiang, you should tell my elder brother about these things..."

Jiang Huan: "...Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"That's good." Zhu Hui nodded and left.

Jiang Huan stood there, watching his retreating figure, then looking at the scene. He took a deep breath and said to his deputy, "Investigate! Dig three feet into the ground to find out who's so blind!"

……

Evening, in the East Palace study.

After listening to Jiang Huan's report, Zhu Biao paused for a moment, his pen still in his hand.

"Seven people, all killed by one shield?"

"Yes, His Highness the King of Wu said... just a push," Jiang Huan said, bowing his head.

Zhu Biao put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and remained silent for a long time.

As dusk deepened outside the window, the candlelight illuminated his serene face.

"Are there still remnants of the Lü family?" he asked.

"I am investigating, but judging from the methods used, it doesn't seem to be a remnant of the Lü family. It's more like...江湖死者 (Jianghu assassins)," Jiang Huan replied cautiously.

"Jianghu assassins... those who can afford to raise assassins are either wealthy or powerful families. Jiang Huan, go and investigate... which families have been making unusual moves lately, especially... those connected to the palace."

Zhu Biao repeated these four words, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"Your subject understands."

After Jiang Huan left, Zhu Biao sat alone for a while, then got up and walked to the window, looking in the direction of the Wu Prince's Mansion.

He recalled the relaxed look on Zhu Li's face as she rubbed bamboo dragonflies in the Zheng family's courtyard during the day.

Then I recalled Jiang Huan's description of the scene where a shield sent seven people flying.

A slight smile played at the corners of his lips.

"Second brother... the more capable you are, the more at ease your elder brother will be."

But his gaze gradually turned cold.

Some people never learn from their mistakes.

He walked back to his desk, picked up his pen, and wrote a handwritten edict.

"Order: The Five Cities Garrison Command shall immediately conduct a thorough investigation of all Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) forces in the capital. Anyone found to be privately raising assassins shall have their entire clan exterminated."

The brushstrokes are sharp and powerful, penetrating the paper.

After writing it, a flash of blue light appeared in Zhu Biao's hand, and then the edict disappeared from his hand.