Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

"Alright, alright, sit down! We're all family, don't stand," Zhu Yuanzhang said, waving his hand.

Guanyin Nu then sat down at the lower end, her back ramrod straight, her hands neatly placed on her knees.

Zhu Hui sat next to her, but sat crookedly and even secretly yawned.

Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly slid off Chang Shi's arms, ran to Zhu Li, and cried out, "Second Uncle! I want to ride a big horse!"

Zhu Hui chuckled, picked up the little guy, and carried him on his shoulder, saying with a smile, "Come on, your second uncle will take you for a couple of laps around the yard!"

Empress Ma said, both amused and exasperated, "Li'er! You've only just sat down..."

"It's alright, let them play." Zhu Yuanzhang didn't mind at all, and instead watched his grandson giggling on his son's shoulder with a smile.

As Guanyin Nu watched this scene, her tense nerves gradually relaxed.

It seems... it's not that scary after all.

Breakfast was served: congee, side dishes, and several steaming baskets of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).

Zhu Yuanzhang ate quickly, slurping down a bowl of porridge before grabbing two steamed buns and saying, "We still have things to do, you guys take your time eating."

He turned back at the door and said to Guanyin Nu, "Girl, come to the palace often to keep your mother company. She must be feeling bored in the palace."

"Yes, Father Emperor," Guanyin Nu replied, rising to her feet.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and strode away.

Empress Ma then beckoned Guanyinnu to sit closer and placed a small steamed bun on her plate, saying, "Try this. It's made by the Imperial Kitchen. Your father loved this."

Guanyin Nu took a small bite; the broth was delicious and the meat was tender.

Her eyes lit up and she said, "Delicious!"

"Eat as much as you like. Are you settling in well in Yingtian? If you're missing anything, just tell Li'er, or come to the palace and tell me directly," Empress Ma said with a smile.

"Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, Mother," Guanyin Nu said softly.

"Don't keep thanking me. We're family, so let's not be so formal. Li'er may seem simple, but he's honest and kind. You won't feel wronged marrying him."

As Empress Ma spoke, she glanced at Zhu Hui, who was chasing Zhu Xiong Ying in the courtyard, and chuckled softly.

Guanyin Nu followed her gaze.

In the courtyard, Zhu Li was lying on the ground letting Zhu Xiong Ying ride on his back like a horse. The little guy was pulling on his hair and laughing so hard that his eyes disappeared from his grin.

Zhu Li wasn't annoyed; instead, he deliberately swayed back and forth to tease him.

The sunlight shone on the two of them, making them feel warm and cozy.

As Guanyin Nu watched, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

"By the way, according to the rules, you need to go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to worship and pay respects to your ancestors in three days. The Ministry of Rites has already made arrangements, and I will have Li'er accompany you then."

Empress Ma said something as if she remembered something.

"Yes." Guanyinnu nodded.

"There's also the homecoming gift... Your family is in the northern desert, so you can't go back this time. But the proper etiquette can't be omitted. I've prepared some silk and medicinal herbs for your parents. I'll have Li'er accompany you to the city to pay respects, as a way of paying respects to your parents from afar. You can also visit your brother's residence..."

Empress Ma paused for a moment before speaking.

Guanyin Nu was stunned.

She hadn't expected that Empress Ma would even think of this.

She did think that she might never see her parents again after marrying into the Ming Dynasty from the grasslands. Her father had died young, and her mother had passed away before she was captured.

She thought the custom of returning to her parents' home would be omitted because of her special status.

"Mother..." Her voice choked with emotion.

"Silly child, why are you crying? Now that you've married into the Zhu family, I am your mother. If you miss home, come to the palace and tell me about the grasslands," Empress Ma said, patting her hand.

Guanyin Nu nodded emphatically, and tears finally fell.

After breakfast, Zhu Biao also had to attend to official business.

Before leaving, he said to Guanyin Nu, "Sister-in-law, I have a few words to tell you."

Guanyin Nu hurriedly stood up: "Brother, please speak."

"First, Li'er is straightforward and sometimes doesn't consider the consequences of her words and actions, so please keep an eye on her. Second, you are the Princess of Beiyuan, a special person, so it's inevitable that some people in the court will gossip about you."

Don't take it to heart, your parents and I will support you.

third…"

He paused, his smile deepening, and said, "Give Li'er a child soon, your parents are waiting to hold their grandson."

Guanyin Nu's face turned bright red instantly.

Zhu Biao laughed and turned to leave.

Holding the sleeping Zhu Xiong Ying, Madam Chang winked at Guan Yin Nu and said, "Your eldest brother is like that; he looks gentle, but he's actually quite wicked! Don't pay him any mind..."

Guanyin smiled, pursing her lips.

It was almost Chenshi (7-9 AM) when we left Kunning Palace.

Zhu Li led Guanyin Nu by the hand as they walked along the palace path. The sunlight was just right, making the red walls and yellow tiles shine brilliantly.

Occasionally, when eunuchs or palace maids passed by, they would respectfully step aside and bow.

"Wife, are you still nervous?" Zhu Li asked.

"Much better. Father and Mother are... more amicable than I thought," Guanyin Nu said honestly.

"I told you long ago, my parents are good people. It's just that my father can be a bit fierce sometimes, but he's only fierce to those who deserve it," Zhu Li grinned.

Guanyinnu nodded, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh right, Mother said we're going to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices in three days, and we also need to prepare gifts for the bride's return visit..."

"Going back to your parents' home... Your home is on the grasslands, are you going back to your brother's place?"

"Mother said we should go outside the city to pay our respects, as a way of paying homage to our parents from afar. I'll also go to my brother's residence for a meal," Guanyin Nu said softly.

Zhu Hui thought for a moment and said, "Then let's go tomorrow! I know there's a high ground north of the city where you can see very far. If we go there to pay our respects, your parents on the grassland should be able to see us."

Guanyin Nu felt a warmth in her heart and said, "Okay."

The two walked to the palace gate, where the carriage was still waiting.

Just as I was about to get into the carriage, I suddenly heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats coming from afar.

A fast horse galloped to the palace gate. The imperial guard on horseback dismounted, his face solemn, and ran straight into the palace.

Zhu recognized him as one of Jiang Huan's men.

"Something happened?" he muttered.

Guanyin's servant also saw it: "Should we ask?"

"No need, my brother will handle it. Let's go home." Zhu Li shook his head and helped her onto the carriage road.

As the carriage drove away from the palace gate, Guanyin Nu couldn't help but lift the curtain and glance back.

The imperial guard had already run into the palace, his figure disappearing behind the layers of palace walls.

She lowered the carriage curtain, a vague unease creeping into her heart.

But when I turned to look at Zhu Hui, he was already leaning against the carriage with his eyes closed, resting. His breathing was steady, as if the sky falling down wouldn't concern him.

Looking at his profile, Guanyin Nu suddenly felt that perhaps there was really no need to worry too much.

With this simple-minded husband, that seemingly gentle but actually formidable older brother, and loving in-laws...

After wandering the grasslands for more than a decade, she finally found a place where she could rest in peace.

The carriage drove through Zhengyang Street, where the red lanterns had not yet been taken down and were swaying gently in the morning breeze.

The people have already begun their busy day, and the aroma of breakfast stalls wafts into the cars.

"Wife, I'm hungry." Zhu Li suddenly opened her eyes.

"Didn't you eat enough in the palace?" Guanyinnu asked.

"I'm full, but I'm hungry again," Zhu Hui said matter-of-factly.

Guanyin Nu chuckled and said to the coachman outside, "Stop at the intersection ahead."

The carriage stopped, and Zhu Li jumped off and ran to a pancake stall.

The stall owner, an elderly man, saw Zhu Li dressed in expensive clothes and asked somewhat nervously, "Young...Young Master, how many would you like?"

"Four, please!" Zhu Li took out his money.

"Your Highness, you can't eat that much..." Guanyin Nu also got out of the carriage and whispered a reminder.

"One for you, one for me, and the remaining two for Qingmei and Qingzhu. Add plenty of sauce," Zhu Li said, handing the coins to the old man.

The pancakes were ready quickly and piping hot.

Zhu Hui took it and handed one to Guanyin Nu first: "Try it, the pancakes from Yingtian are so fragrant."

Guanyin Nu took a small bite; the bread was crispy, and the sauce was savory and delicious.

The two stood on the street eating pancakes. Zhu Hui's mouth was covered in sauce, and Guanyin Nu couldn't help but wipe it for him with a handkerchief.

The old man stared blankly at the young couple, dressed in fine clothes yet standing on the street eating pancakes, for a long time before suddenly slapping his thigh: "You...you are His Highness Prince Wu!"

Zhu Hui grinned and said, "It's me."

The old man was so excited his hands trembled: "Your Highness's wedding is a joyous occasion, and I, this old man, also received some wedding candy! I wish Your Highness and the Princess a long and happy marriage!"

"Thanks, give me two more to take to the people in the manor." Zhu Li took out a few more copper coins.

On the way back to the carriage, Guanyinnu whispered, "Your Highness, aren't you afraid of being talked about for eating like this on the street?"

"What did you say?" Zhu Hui said nonchalantly. "I'm eating my pancake, who's it bothering?"

Guanyin Nu looked at his open and honest demeanor and suddenly smiled.

Yes, why care what others say?

When they returned to the Wu Prince's Mansion, Qingmei and Qingzhu were directing the servants to clean up the mess from last night's banquet.

Upon seeing the two return, he hurried to greet them.

Zhu Li handed the pancakes to them and said, "Eat them while they're hot."