Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

The salty aroma of cured pork mixed with the sweetness of cabbage wafted from the small kitchen of Kunning Palace, filling the entire courtyard.

Zhu Hui sat by the stone table, staring longingly at the kitchen doorway.

Several dishes were already laid out on the table, all made by Empress Ma herself: stir-fried pea shoots, braised tofu with scallions, and pickled radish—simple home-style dishes.

Today, because the main character is returning, Empress Ma has sent all the eunuchs and palace maids elsewhere.

She was just worried that her second son wouldn't be comfortable with so many people watching him.

Therefore, today, only their family lives in Kunning Palace.

"Are you hungry? Wait a little longer, the cured meat tastes best when it's stewed until it's very tender." Empress Ma brought out a bowl of rice and placed it in front of Zhu Li.

The rice was dazzlingly white, with each grain plump and full.

Zhu Hui swallowed hard and said, "Mother, this rice is so white."

He ate brown rice in the mountains, the kind with the husk on, which not only hurt his throat but also strained his teeth, requiring a lot of chewing.

"From now on, you can eat this white rice all the time. Eat up! Eat more, there's more in the pot. Try this tofu, your father loves this dish I make." Empress Ma sat down next to him and picked up her chopsticks to serve him some food.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting opposite him and had already eaten most of his rice, looked up and agreed, "Your mother's cooking skills are better than any of the imperial chefs in the palace."

He said this in a natural tone, just like an ordinary husband praising his wife.

Zhu Li picked up a piece of tofu and put it in her mouth.

His eyes lit up, and he shoveled another big mouthful of rice into his mouth. His father hadn't lied to him; it really was delicious.

Zhu Biao sat on his other side, eating slowly and deliberately.

He only ate a small portion of the rice in his bowl and picked up very little food, spending most of his time picking up food for Zhu Li.

"Brother, you eat too." Zhu Liang's mouth was stuffed full, and seeing that his older brother was eating so little, he couldn't help but say.

"I'm not hungry." Zhu Biao smiled and put another piece of pickled radish on his plate.

Just then, a bubbling sound came from the kitchen.

Empress Ma stood up and said, "That's enough!"

She brought out a ceramic pot, and as soon as she lifted the lid, steam wafted out, carrying with it the salty aroma of cured meat, the sweet and soft smell of cabbage, and the scent of some unknown spices.

Zhu Hui sniffled, her eyes widening in disbelief.

I don't know if it's because this world has spiritual energy or something, but the food in this world is naturally much tastier than what I ate in my previous life.

The cured pork in the pot is cut into thick slices, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and stewed until it is glossy and shiny.

The cabbage, having absorbed all the meat juices, lay limply next to the meat.

The soup was milky white with a few specks of oil floating on top.

Empress Ma first served Zhu Yuan a full bowl, with more meat, more vegetables, and less soup.

"Eat slowly, it's hot."

Zhu Li didn't care that it was hot; she blew on it twice and then put it in her mouth.

Although he was able to hunt in the mountains, he had never been able to eat his fill. Now that he was able to eat his fill, he would have to eat as much as he could!

The salty and savory aroma of the cured pork explodes in your mouth; the fatty parts melt in your mouth, while the lean parts are chewy and satisfying.

The cabbage is soft, tender, and sweet, which is perfect for cutting through the richness of the dish.

This soup is even more amazing; it's savory with a hint of sweetness, and it slides down your throat, warming you from head to toe.

"Delicious!" Zhu Li mumbled.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily and served himself a large bowl, saying, "I knew it! Your mother's stewed cured meat is the best in the world!"

The family of four sat around the stone table, eating as dusk fell.

The setting sun painted the courtyard orange-red, and the wind chimes on the eaves jingled in the breeze.

Zhu Li ate too quickly and choked, pounding her chest in frustration.

Empress Ma quickly handed him water, and Zhu Biao gently patted his back.

"Slow down, slow down, no one's going to take it from you," Empress Ma said, both feeling sorry for her and amused.

Zhu Hui took a sip of water, caught her breath, and scratched her head sheepishly, saying, "It was so delicious, I couldn't resist."

"Eat as much as you like, there's still half a pot left! And when you're in Yingtian, you can come to your mother to cook for you whenever you want to eat it." Zhu Yuanzhang said, putting two more slices of meat into his bowl.

As they were eating, they heard light footsteps outside the courtyard gate.

A woman in her early twenties walked in carrying a little boy who looked three or four years old.

The woman was dressed in a light blue palace dress, with a gentle face, and the little boy in her arms had a chubby face and big, bright eyes.

"Mother, I heard that my second brother has returned. I brought Xiong Ying to pay my respects." The woman's voice was gentle; it was none other than the Crown Princess, Chang Shi.

Empress Ma quickly beckoned and called out, "Come in quickly, we're eating."

Chang approached, carrying Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Our beloved grandson has arrived..." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile upon seeing this.

Little Xiong Ying wasn't shy at all; his bright black eyes darted around before finally settling on Zhu Li.

"This is your second uncle," Zhu Biao introduced gently from the side.

Zhu Xiong Ying stared at Zhu Hui for a while, then suddenly reached out her little hand and said, "Hug!"

Zhu Li was taken aback.

Madam Chang couldn't help but smile and say, "Xiong Ying is usually shy around strangers, so it's quite unusual for her to be like this today."

Zhu Hui put down her chopsticks, wiped her hands on her clothes, and carefully took the child from her.

Zhu Xiong Ying was very light, soft, and had a milky scent.

He sat on Zhu Li's lap, tilting his little face up to continue watching. After a while, he suddenly reached out to touch the stubble on Zhu Li's chin.

"Stab," the little boy said.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Li chuckled and said, "Second Uncle will get a shave tomorrow."

Zhu Xiong Ying seemed satisfied. Her little hands reached out to grab Zhu Hui's clothes on his chest. As she grabbed, her head tilted to the side, and she actually fell asleep in his arms.

"Asleep?" Empress Ma asked softly.

"Mmm." Zhu Li didn't dare to move, her body stiff as she held the child.

Chang tried to take it, but Zhu Xiong Ying held onto Zhu Hui's clothes tightly.

"Let my second brother hold him! This child seems to get along very well with him," Zhu Biao said with a gentle smile.

So Zhu Li held his little nephew and continued eating with one hand.

His movements were awkward, but he was all smiles.

Empress Ma's eyes reddened again as she watched this scene.

She quickly lowered her head and ate her rice, suppressing her emotions.

"Li'er, there's something I need to tell you," Zhu Yuanzhang said, putting down his bowl and wiping his mouth.

Zhu Hui looked up and said, "Father, what do you want to say?"

"We've already sent people to pick up your adoptive parents. Judging by the days, they should be on their way by now. Once they arrive in Yingtian, we'll arrange for them to stay in a house next to the Prince of Wu's residence, close to you and convenient for them to move around," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Zhu Hui's eyes lit up: "Really..."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and continued, "As for Zheng Dazhu, we've arranged a sinecure for him, just a nominal position with a salary, as a way of thanking him for supporting you."

"Thank you, Dad!" Zhu Li grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

"No need to thank me, it's nothing. By the way, it's all settled with the sixth prince. He'll vacate the Wu Prince's residence for you, and he'll be renamed the Zhou Prince. He'll be moving in a couple of days." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, then seemed to remember something and added...

Zhu Hui blinked and asked, "Sixth brother...will you be unhappy?"

"He wouldn't dare. The sixth prince is gentle and sensible. He offered the position himself. Besides, the position of Prince of Wu is rightfully yours." Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened, then his tone softened.

Zhu Biao chimed in, "Sixth Brother is indeed sensible. I talked to him yesterday, and he said that Second Brother has been wandering for twenty-two years and should be compensated."