The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the Somersault Cloud, Old Zhu was so envious he cried!

After the little guy had told everything he needed to say...

He then arrogantly addressed the dancers below the stage: "Stop kneeling, keep playing the music, keep dancing!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Ma, who was standing to the side, glared at the little guy with a reproachful expression.

I wonder where he learned this bad habit of indulging in pleasure.

The banquet then proceeded as scheduled.

Everyone has changed.

The family heads, who had just been harboring their own thoughts and remaining silent in fear, now seemed to have made a pact.

One after another, they came forward with wine glasses, their faces beaming with smiles, showering each other with compliments as if they were free.

"The Sixth Prince is a young man of great talent and courage; he is truly a blessing to our Great Ming Dynasty!"

"Your Highness's inspection tour will surely eradicate corruption and restore a bright and just world for the people!"

"This humble subject has long disliked Qian Youde. Your Highness did well to kill him; it was a truly gratifying execution!"

Zhu Ming: "..."

With a chicken leg stuffed in his mouth, he mumbled two "hmm" sounds as a response.

But these people were not about to give up.

After the compliments, he changed the subject and began to subtly probe Zhu Ming's true purpose for coming here.

"Your Highness has been ordered to leave the capital. May I ask where your next destination is?"

"Does Your Highness have any urgent matters at hand? May we, your humble servants, be of service?"

"I've heard that Your Highness enjoyed the Emperor's favor when you were in the capital. I wonder if His Majesty has given any special instructions for our region?"

A group of people, each one more inquisitive than the last, each more evasive than the last.

They wanted to know exactly what kind of underwear Zhu Ming was wearing today.

Some people even asked if the Emperor had come along.

How many troops did the Sixth Prince bring with him this time?

Zhu Ming was getting a little annoyed by the questions.

Why talk so much when we're just eating?

Are we that close?

They kept coming over to ask all sorts of questions.

He glanced around and found that everyone's eyes were shining like copper bells, as if they wanted to pry something out of him.

Zhu Ming was too lazy to pay them any attention.

Just bury your head in your rice.

After finishing the chicken leg, I picked up a piece of braised pork.

After finishing the braised pork, I ladled out a bowl of soup.

He didn't say a single word to them from beginning to end.

The family heads were rebuffed and retreated sheepishly, but they were not giving up and tried again from a different angle.

Zhu Ming was so annoyed that he put down his chopsticks.

"If you've eaten your fill, hurry back. I won't let you stay overnight!"

The entire room was filled with: "..."

Well, if His Highness says we should disperse, then we have no choice but to disperse.

Several family heads rose one after another to take their leave.

They wore smiles on their faces, but each had their own plans in mind.

This sixth prince looked quite young, but he kept his mouth shut, and we couldn't get any information out of him.

After everyone had left

Zhu Ming jumped off the chair with a "thud" and stretched out a big yawn.

"Ugh, finally they're gone, they were so annoying."

He muttered to himself as he quickly gestured for Empress Ma to sit down.

"Mother, please sit down and rest. Standing is tiring."

Empress Ma was amused by his sycophantic behavior, shook her head, and sat down as instructed.

Xu Miaoyun covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

Zhu Ming didn't care and plopped down in front of Empress Ma, raising his little face with bright, expectant eyes full of anticipation.

"Mother, how did I do?"

Empress Ma found his appearance both amusing and exasperating.

She reached out and gently flicked his forehead.

"good."

"Who taught you that line, 'Remember to leave your estate to me before you die'?"

Zhu Ming rubbed his forehead and chuckled.

"That's because I couldn't control myself for a moment."

"Besides, Mother, don't you think that phrase is especially effective against that old fox?"

Empress Ma: "..."

She took a deep breath, tried to hold back, but ultimately couldn't resist and flicked him on the forehead again.

"This will not be repeated."

Zhu Ming covered his head and chuckled foolishly.

Alright!

"Someone come here!"

Zhu Ming clapped his hands and called out to the servants below.

"Remove all of these."

The servants were taken aback, then quickly stepped forward and deftly cleared away the leftover food from the table.

As soon as the banquet hall quieted down, Zhu Ming took out a neatly folded piece of cloth from his pocket and spread it on the table.

The cloth looked ordinary, but in that one shake, when it was lifted again—

The table was already laden with fresh dishes.

Steaming hot, with a wonderful aroma.

Roast goose, braised pork knuckle, steamed shad, eight-treasure duck, sweet and sour pork ribs, and a large bowl of thick, milky fish soup—all looked fresh from the pot.

Compared to this table, the large portions of fish and meat that were just removed seem like leftovers.

Magistrate Wang, who was standing to the side, stared wide-eyed.

"What... what is this?"

Zhu Ming proudly raised his chin.

"Hehe, baby, this is a good thing my master gave me."

After saying that, he didn't continue explaining, but instead invited everyone to sit down: "Sister Miaoyun, Wang Defa, please don't stand, sit down and eat with us."

After saying that, the little guy plopped down on Empress Ma's right side, while Miaoyun sat on Empress Ma's left side.

Zhu Ming picked up his chopsticks, just about to start eating, when he turned his head and saw Magistrate Wang still standing there. He immediately called out.

"Wang Defa, stop standing there, sit down and eat with us!"

Wang Decheng was standing below waiting when he heard this and shuddered.

"Your Highness...this is against the rules!"

Zhu Ming glared at him. "What rules? I, His Highness, tell you to sit. Besides, this is your home. Why are you being so formal?"

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Wang Defa's forehead.

He knows this is his home, but doesn't he even look at who's sitting in the main seat?

That's the Empress!

You should let him sit at the same table as the Empress for dinner.

What merit or ability does Wang Defa possess? If he were to actually eat this meal, he might lose three years of his lifespan tomorrow!

"Your Highness...Your Highness, I'll just stand and serve you. You all eat, don't worry about me!"

Wang Defa shook his head desperately, refusing to go forward no matter what.

Just as Zhu Ming was about to urge her again, Empress Ma spoke first, her voice gentle: "Magistrate Wang, since Ming'er has asked you to sit, then please sit. There's no need to worry about my status."

Upon hearing this, Wang Defa almost burst into tears.

With the Empress herself speaking, how could he dare to refuse?

He shakily moved to the table, first expressing his gratitude profusely, and then carefully sat down.

It's called sitting, but really it's just that my bottom barely touches the edge of the chair.

His back was ramrod straight, taut like a bowstring, and his hands were neatly placed on his knees.

He didn't even dare to touch the chopsticks in front of him.

Zhu Ming chuckled at his timid and cautious demeanor.

"Wang Defa, you're sitting here like you're being punished. Did you come here to eat, or to be tortured?"

"Here, have a piece of roast goose!"

As he spoke, Zhu Ming personally picked up a piece of roast goose and was about to put it in his bowl.

Wang Defa was so startled he almost jumped off his chair, and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you mustn't! This humble subject will do it myself!"

He took the roast goose, holding the bowl as if it were some rare treasure, and didn't dare to take a bite for a long time.

Mother, your son has made something of himself.

To be able to sit at the same table as the Empress and the Sixth Prince for a meal.

And the Sixth Prince even personally served me food!

The Sixth Prince's kindness can never be repaid in a lifetime!