The Ming Dynasty: Starting with taking Old Zhu on a journey to the future

Zhu Yuanzhang's face gradually appeared.

Looking at the familiar faces, both Empress Ma and Zhu Biao sensed something was amiss.

Chongba seems to have aged.

Looking at the person he had been longing for day and night, Zhu Yuanzhang limped towards her: "Sister."

Empress Ma watched this scene unfold.

Ignoring Zhu Yuanzhang's unusual behavior, he hurried forward and quickly helped him up, asking, "Zhongba, what's wrong? Why are you limping?"

The familiar relationship gradually warmed Zhu Yuanzhang's long-frozen heart.

"Girl, I miss you."

Empress Ma ignored such mushy words and instead helped Zhu Yuanzhang walk into the inner room.

"Xing'er, go to the Imperial Hospital and get some ointment for sprains."

The personal maid immediately went to the Imperial Hospital.

Supported by Empress Ma and Zhu Biao, Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at Kunning Palace.

After Zhu Yuanzhang sat down, Empress Ma knelt down, took off his shoes, and examined his ankles.

Fortunately, no bones were broken; it was just a twist, and nothing serious.

She was finally relieved.

"Sit down first, and we'll apply the ointment later."

Zhu Biao's gaze was now fixed on Jiang Huan and Lan Chen.

Looking at Jiang Huan carrying Lan Chen on his back, he asked, "What happened to him?"

Why are you doing this behind his back?

Jiang Huan explained, "Reporting to the Crown Prince, he was so exhausted that his legs were too weak to walk, so I carried him on my back."

Overwork?

Zhu Biao observed Lan Chen thoughtfully, muttering to himself.

I feel like this kid looks familiar.

I feel like I've seen this somewhere before.

Never mind, I'll ask again later.

His gaze fell on his father.

Did my uncle's passing really hit my father that hard? Why did his hair turn white overnight?

I feel like I've aged more than ten years.

Empress Ma asked, "Chongba, what exactly happened?"

"How did it get like this?"

Overjoyed, Zhu Yuanzhang cried and said, "I'm alright, sister. I'm craving your flatbreads. Could you make me some?"

"Are you hungry? I'll have the Imperial Kitchen prepare a meal."

In response, Zhu Yuanzhang said frankly, "I just want to eat the pancakes you make."

I eat the food from the Imperial Kitchen every day, but I haven't had the pancakes my sister makes in over ten years.

Upon hearing this, Empress Ma felt strange, but she did not refuse.

He immediately stood up: "Then you wait here."

"Biao'er, you stay here with your father."

After saying this, Empress Ma went to the Imperial Kitchen to prepare pancakes for Zhu Yuanzhang.

On the way to the Imperial Kitchen.

Empress Ma recalled Zhu Yuanzhang's face and expression.

It seems that this Chongba in front of me is not only old, but also quite lacking in spirit.

The passing of Li Zhen is certainly a source of great sorrow.

It's still hard to believe that such a direct change can alter a person's appearance.

However, regardless of his appearance or temperament, he was indeed the Zhu Chongba she knew.

He comes from humble beginnings, yet he possesses an air of authority, ruthlessness, and cold-bloodedness, but his eyes reveal warmth when he faces his family.

Speaking of which...

It seems like it's been a long time since I've made pancakes by hand.

It seems like the last time I ate here was three years ago?

Pancakes are definitely not as delicious as delicacies from land and sea.

It just adds a touch of sentimentality.

……

Inside the Kunning Palace.

Zhu Biao sat beside Zhu Yuanzhang in silence for a long time.

Looking at his father, whose hair had turned white overnight, he finally spoke, "Please accept my condolences on the passing of my uncle."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

Has Lee Jung passed away?

I was originally thinking of visiting Li Zhen while I was there.

It seems the timeline is a bit late.

Seeing his father's low spirits, Zhu Biao quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Father, why haven't I seen those two before?"

"Are they the ministers newly promoted by the Emperor?"

Zhu Biao looked at Jiang Huan and Lan Chen.

"Hmm," Zhu Yuanzhang hummed softly.

Then the father and son fell silent again.

I want to say everything, but I can't say anything at all.

Perhaps it's because we've argued so often over the years, but it seems like we can't communicate without arguing.

Just as Zhu Biao was pondering how to start a conversation, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke first: "Biao'er, are you still adapting to handling state affairs?"

Zhu Biao nodded.

"Father, rest assured, I am gradually adapting and can share some of the burden with you."

"Um."

Just when Zhu Biao thought his father was about to give him some lectures...

All that could be heard was Zhu Yuanzhang softly murmuring, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you feel tired, take a rest."

These words left Zhu Biao speechless.

I don't know how to respond.

"When you have free time, try to exercise more. We don't expect you to be both scholarly and athletic; we just hope... that you can stay safe and sound."

Zhu Biao turned to look at his father, and saw an indescribable sorrow in his father's eyes.

As the crown prince, he was born to shoulder certain responsibilities.

Although she didn't understand why her father would suddenly say those words.

However, he still responded: "Since you have appointed me as the crown prince, I will not let you down."

"Since you ascended the throne, you have attended to every detail. Compared to you, my little burden is nothing."

During the conversation.

The palace maid then returned from the Imperial Hospital and retrieved some ointment.

After Zhu Biao took the medicine, he squatted down and personally applied it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

The cool ointment was applied to Zhu Yuanzhang's skin, and he immediately felt the pain subside somewhat.

Not long after.

Empress Ma then carried a bowl of steaming hot pancakes into Kunning Palace.

Empress Ma placed the sesame seed cakes on the round table.

Then he called out, "Zhongba, Biao'er, the pancakes are ready!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao stood up and helped Zhu Yuanzhang walk towards the round table.

Empress Ma helped Zhu Yuanzhang sit down at the table: "Try it quickly, I haven't made pancakes for years, I don't know if the taste has changed."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the pancake and, without complaining about the heat, put it in his mouth.

A familiar taste spread through my taste buds: "Girl, your pancakes are still as delicious as ever."

Empress Ma smiled slightly: "If it's delicious, eat more."

"Biao'er, you should try some too."

Zhu Biao nodded and reached out to take a small piece.

Zhu Yuanzhang then took a piece of cake and stuffed it into Lan Chen's mouth.

As for Jiang Huan... even he himself felt there wasn't enough to eat.

The purpose of feeding Lan Chen was to help him regain some strength so that he could control the ship and return.

Zhu Biao took a couple of bites, but didn't find it particularly delicious.

It's just a pie in the sky.

But looking at his father's expression, it was as if he had tasted some kind of heavenly delicacy.

This puzzled him: "Mother, why does Father look so satisfied with what he is eating, but when I tasted it myself, it was just ordinary?"

"I didn't find it particularly delicious?"

Upon hearing this, Empress Ma smiled calmly and explained, "This cake is just an ordinary cake; what we eat is merely a lingering memory."

"Back then, your father was framed and imprisoned by Guo Tianxu. He wasn't given anything to eat, so I secretly stole a few cakes from the kitchen, hid them in my clothes, and secretly sent them to your father."

Zhu Yuanzhang added, "Your mother was burned on the chest because of this, and the scar is still there to this day."

It turned out to be the case.

This was the first time he had ever heard of such a thing.

I never imagined that something like this had happened between my father and mother.

Empress Ma watched quietly as Zhu Yuanzhang ate his pancakes.

He would occasionally recount things from the past.

Jiang Huan carried Lan Chen on his back and arrived outside Kunning Palace.

The family of three enjoyed a rare moment of leisure.

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished eating the pancakes, Empress Ma slowly asked, "Chongba, don't you... have anything you want to say to me?"