Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.

Yingtian Prefecture experienced its first snowfall of the winter. It wasn't heavy; a thin layer covered the rooftops and streets, and most of it melted by daybreak.

The Wu King's Palace was bustling with activity.

Before dawn, the kitchen was already bustling with activity. Some were chopping fillings, others were kneading dough, and still others were boiling water. A dozen cooks and servants were working non-stop.

Empress Ma sent word yesterday that everyone should come to Kunning Palace for the Little New Year's Eve family banquet, and no one is allowed to be absent.

Zhu Li was still yawning when Guanyin Nu dragged him out of bed.

"Wife, it's not even dawn yet..." he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Get up quickly, Mother said we need to arrive before Chenshi (7-9 AM), and we need to change our clothes." Guanyin Nu had already finished washing and dressing, wearing a newly made princess dress, her hair styled into an elegant topknot, adorned with the phoenix-headed gold hairpin that Zhu Yuanzhang had bestowed upon her.

Zhu Hui stared at her for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Wife, you're so beautiful."

Guanyinnu blushed, shoved the clothes into his hands, and said, "Put them on quickly."

By the time the two had finished getting ready and went out, it was just dawn.

The carriage was already waiting outside the mansion, with a pair of red lanterns hanging on the carriage shafts, glowing warmly in the morning mist.

When we arrived at Kunning Palace, there were already quite a few people standing in the courtyard.

Zhu Biao and Chang Shi arrived first with Zhu Xiong Ying. Zhu Xiong Ying was wearing a bright red cotton-padded jacket, looking like a New Year's picture doll, and was squatting in the snow poking at icicles.

Zhu Gang also rushed back from his fiefdom, and the brothers stood under the eaves talking.

Except for the third brother, Zhu Shuang, who was still imprisoned, all the other brothers came.

Zheng Dazhu and his wife, along with Daya, also arrived. Zheng Huangshi stood reservedly in the corner, while Daya was lively and played with icicles with Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Second Brother! Second Sister-in-law!" Zhu Di, with his sharp eyes, was the first to spot them.

Zhu Li walked over and patted each of his younger brothers on the shoulder, saying, "Third brother, fourth brother, sixth brother, you're all back."

"Brother!" Daya ran over, holding an icicle in her hand.

"Look, I broke it!"

Zhu Hui took it, looked at it, and put it back in her hand, saying, "Don't eat it, it hurts your stomach."

Da Ya giggled.

Guanyin Nu first bowed to Zhu Biao and Chang Shi, and then greeted Zhu Di and Zhu Su.

Zhu Su said gently, "Second sister-in-law, you look well. You didn't suffer in Goryeo, did you?"

"No, your second brother takes good care of me," Guanyin Nu smiled.

Just then, Zhu Yuanzhang's booming voice came from inside the hall: "What are you all standing outside for? Come in and warm up!"

The group entered the hall.

Three large tables were set up in the main hall of Kunning Palace. The main table was for Zhu Yuanzhang and his empress Ma, along with their sons and daughters-in-law. The second table was for Zheng Dazhu's family and several young princes and princesses.

Cold dishes were already laid out on the table: braised pork hock, smoked fish, braised beef, and mixed shredded vegetables... In the center was a large bowl of cabbage and pork filling, and next to it were rolled-out dumpling wrappers.

Empress Ma rolled up her sleeves and said with a smile, "Today we'll make them ourselves, and whoever makes them gets to eat them."

Zhu Li looked at the bowl of filling, swallowed hard, and said, "Mother, I don't know how to wrap them."

"I'll teach you." Guanyinnu rolled up her sleeves, washed her hands, picked up a wrapper, scooped a small spoonful of filling into the middle, and with a nimble pinch of her fingers, a dumpling shaped like a gold ingot was made.

Zhu Li imitated her, scooped up a large spoonful of filling, and squeezed it hard...

The filling squeezed out, and the skin broke.

"Pfft..." Zhu Di couldn't help but laugh.

Zhu Li was not discouraged. She took another piece of dough, this time with less filling, and carefully pinched it closed. Although it was crooked, it didn't break.

"It's done!" he said proudly, holding it up.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched from the side, grinning, and said, "Our son makes dumplings like he's in a war, so serious!"

The family started making dumplings together in a lively atmosphere.

Zhu Biao was the most skilled; every dumpling he made was perfectly shaped, showing that he often helped make dumplings.

The Chang family's buns are also very well made.

In other words, Zhu Gang and Zhu Di were quick, so the dumplings looked quite different.

Zhu Su was the most meticulous, even the pleats were pinched neatly.

Zheng Huangshi also came to help. She wrapped the dumplings using the mountain people's method, making them thick-skinned and generously filled, like big gold ingots.

While wrapping the food, Empress Ma spoke to Guanyinnu and Lady Zheng Huang, asking, "Are you used to the food in Goryeo?"

"It's alright, but there aren't many green vegetables. In winter, there's only cabbage and radish, which they pickle and eat. I'm not used to it," Guanyinnu said.

"I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare some fresh food for you to nourish yourself; look how thin you've become," Empress Ma said with concern.

"Mother, I haven't lost weight, I've actually gained two pounds," Guanyin Nu whispered.

"It's good to be a little chubby, it's good for childbirth." Empress Ma smiled even more kindly.

"That's right, as long as you're not too thin, being a little chubby is fine..." Zheng Huangshi chimed in from the side.

Guanyin Nu's face turned red again.

After the dumplings were wrapped, the palace maids took them to the kitchen to cook.

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang pulled his sons to a side hall to drink tea and chat.

"Fourth brother, how's things in Taiyuan?" Zhu Yuanzhang turned to ask Zhu Gang.

"Father, Taiyuan is very peaceful."

Since his third brother was captured and taken back to Yingtian by his eldest and second brothers, he has become much more obedient, and Taiyuan has been quite peaceful.

"That's good. Fifth brother, you'll be going to Beiping to take up your fief next year. Don't be like that third brother. But it's time for you to marry a princess when you take up your fief."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Di and said.

"Father, I understand. However, I'm not in a hurry. I'm still thinking about going to war with my second brother!" Zhu Di said, clenching his fist.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened, and he said, "What nonsense are you spouting? It's time for you to get married."

"Alright! Father, Mother, we'll leave our princess to you to choose..."

In order to go to the battlefield, Zhu Di could only say this.

"Sixth Brother, I heard you're editing a book, how's it going...?"

"Father, the Compendium of Materia Medica of the Ming Dynasty has been completed in seven volumes, containing 1,200 kinds of medicinal materials and more than 800 prescriptions. Your son has also set up a medical college in Kaifeng and enrolled the first batch of fifty students," Zhu Su said gently.

"Okay, this is a good deed."

Zhu Yuanzhang patted him on the shoulder, and finally looked at Zhu Hui and said, "Second son..."

Zhu Hui, who was staring at the pastries on the table, looked up and said, "Huh?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed in exasperation: "All you know is how to eat!"

"Father, I'm hungry," Zhu Hui said honestly.

"You have to listen even if you're hungry!" Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him, but his eyes were full of laughter.

"The battle against Goryeo was fought brilliantly, bringing honor to our Great Ming. Those civil officials in the court, who used to always say that 'a righteous army should not be easily attacked,' are now completely silent."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "With this axe stroke, Second Brother not only cleaved away Mount Beiyue, but also the pedantry of many people."

"However... the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow against it. Your fame is too great now, and some people must be having trouble sleeping," Zhu Yuanzhang said after picking up his teacup and pondering for a moment.

Zhu Biao interjected, "Father, you mean... Japan?"

"And those Mongol tribes to the north, the Tibetans to the west, the Annamites to the south... they're all watching us! If our Great Ming becomes strong, they'll be afraid."

"Our Great Ming is weak, and they bully us, so we can't stop, we must keep becoming strong!" Zhu Yuanzhang said, counting on his fingers.

Zhu Li nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Zhu Biao glanced at him and said softly, "Second brother, there may still be battles after the New Year. You... be prepared."

"Who are you going to hit?" Zhu Li asked.

"Whoever doesn't behave will be beaten," Zhu Yuanzhang snorted.

At this moment, a palace maid came in and reported, "Your Majesty, the Empress says the dumplings are ready."

"Let's go, let's go eat dumplings!" Zhu Yuanzhang stood up.

Zhu Di, who was about to say that he also wanted to go to the battlefield, had no choice but to go along with them.