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

"He's the Sixth Prince now, and he's here in Qingshui County to 'bestow favors.' As long as we don't provoke him, he won't harm us!"

"Besides, if his real goal is to rebel, he would be more than happy if all of us gentry stood on his side."

Hu Wan leaned back, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "As for the Li family, they are very likely trying to make an example of us."

He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes:

"Otherwise, how could that brat Huang Zi'an be unharmed? He's also from one of the four great families!"

Zhao An was delighted to hear this, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that what Hu An said made some sense.

"You know what, now that you've analyzed it, it seems like that kid really is waiting for us to defect to him!"

Hu Wan smiled, then picked up his teacup and said slowly.

"Brother Zhao, what you need to do most now is to put your mind at ease, do what you need to do, laugh when you need to laugh, and welcome others when you need to welcome them."

"Just pretend you know nothing and wait for my message."

Having finished speaking, Hu Wan stood up, preparing to take his leave.

However, Zhao An grabbed him.

"Brother Hu, don't be in such a hurry to leave."

"You've gone to so much trouble to come all this way to see your brother, how can I let you just leave like this?"

"Today, you've helped me out of my troubles, so I have to treat you well."

Before Hu Wan could refuse, Zhao An clapped his hands and called out towards the door:

"Ladies, please come in."

The voice just fell,

The door creaked open.

A group of girls filed in from outside.

They were all dressed in loose silk skirts, with light powder on their faces, and their eyes and brows carried a mature woman's charm—something that a naive young girl could not compare to.

Hu Wan saw it immediately.

Because all of these women were pregnant.

Some had slightly protruding bellies, while others were already showing. They swayed their hips as they walked, exuding an indescribable charm.

Hu Wan paused in his steps.

He looked at Zhao An, his brows furrowing:

"Brother Zhao, what do you mean by this?"

Zhao An chuckled and waved to the girls, gesturing for them to sit down first.

Then he leaned closer to Hu Wan, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "Brother Hu, you know, we two brothers have been having really bad luck lately!"

"The sudden appearance of a sixth prince has caused widespread panic."

"I think it's time for our luck to change."

Upon hearing the words "good luck," Hu Wan stopped walking.

He reached out his hand, smiling, and pointed at Zhao An:

"My dear brother..."

"You really know how to have fun."

Zhao An chuckled, offered no explanation, and pulled the two of them down to sit side by side.

The girls filed in through the door, some pouring wine, others setting out dishes, and the room quickly became lively.

After a few rounds of drinks, the two had long forgotten about the Sixth Prince and the White Lotus Sect.

The scene changes.

Inside the enclosed shed.

Just moments ago, the Sixth Prince Zhu Ming was awe-inspiring and domineering on the execution ground, but now he was kneeling on the ground, clutching his ears with both hands.

He kept his head down and remained silent.

Empress Ma stood before him, her phoenix eyes slightly wide, one hand on her hip:

"Tomorrow, I'll ask you—"

"Just now at the execution ground, what did you say came after fairness?"

Zhu Ming lowered his head, not daring to utter a sound.

Empress Ma stepped forward, her voice growing even deeper: "Who taught you to use such foul language? Confess!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ming's eyes lit up, and he blurted out, "Fourth Brother taught me all of this!"

Empress Ma was taken aback: "Your fourth brother?"

"That's right!" Zhu Ming's eyes lit up, as if he had grasped a lifeline. "It was Fourth Brother who taught me!"

"The last time he came to the palace to visit Mother, I played with him, and all he talked about was those...those..."

Zhu Ming scratched his head, seemingly a little embarrassed to say it, but finally gritted his teeth and said, "Anyway, he's the one who taught me! He even said that's how a man should talk!"

Empress Ma laughed in anger upon hearing this.

She pointed at Zhu Ming, speechless for a long time, then finally flung her hand away and cursed fiercely in the direction of the capital:

"You little brat, fourth brother!!"

"I always ask you to look after your younger brother, and this is how you do it?!"

"You're spouting nonsense and even teaching it to your brother?"

"You just wait, I'll deal with you later!!"

After scolding the fourth prince, Empress Ma's anger subsided.

She looked down and saw Zhu Ming still kneeling on the ground, his little hands clutching his ears, his face showing a cautious expression.

Empress Ma's heart softened immediately.

"Get up, get up quickly."

She quickly reached out and pulled Zhu Ming up, patting the dust off his knees: "Get up quickly, does it hurt from kneeling?"

Zhu Ming shook his head.

However, Empress Ma was not at ease and reached out to pull him into her arms, making him sit on her lap.

She reached out and gently massaged his knees, scolding him as she did so:

"You silly child, where did all that bravado go from the execution ground? Now that you're in front of your mother, you're like a little rabbit. You kneel just because I tell you to?"

Zhu Ming chuckled and tilted his head back:

"That's when I'm in a tough spot in front of others, but with my mother, I can kneel for three days and three nights without feeling any pain, let alone kneeling for a short while."

Upon hearing this, Empress Ma felt as if something had gently bumped into her heart.

She didn't say anything, but simply reached out and affectionately pinched Zhu Ming's cheek.

As they were talking, Empress Ma suddenly exclaimed "Oh dear!" and stood up abruptly.

Zhu Ming was startled: "Mother, what's wrong?"

"Oh no!" Empress Ma slapped her forehead. "When I came out, I was so worried about you that I forgot to tell your father!"

"They've been out for two days now..."

"You know your dad's temperament; he's probably getting really anxious at home!"

As she spoke, she stood up:

"No, I have to go back and let your father know I'm safe."

As she spoke, she looked down at Zhu Ming, reached out and took his hand: "Come on, you come back with your mother."

Zhu Ming was taken aback: "Huh? I'm going too?"

"Of course I'll go." Empress Ma pinched the little guy's cheek, her lips curving into a slight smile. "Shouldn't you go back and report to your father about what you did in Qingshui County?"

She said that, but she had a different story in her mind.

Hmph, Chongba, Chongba.

You always say that I'm a spoiled mother who spoils my son, that I pamper him every day and that I'll only spoil him rotten.

But you didn't expect it, did you? Our Ming'er is just as capable as the boss when it comes to getting things done.

Let's see if you dare to be tough in front of me again!

Empress Ma, holding Zhu Ming's hand, became increasingly pleased with herself and wished she could fly back to the palace immediately.

Zhu Ming, however, did not move.

He frowned and said, "Mother, if I go back, what will happen to things here?"

"There are still so many people who haven't eaten. I can't just leave them like this after I leave, can I?"

Empress Ma was taken aback for a moment, then looked somewhat ashamed.

Yes, there are still so many people here who have no food to eat. She was so focused on her own feelings that she forgot about the people.

Empress Ma wanted to slap herself.

At this moment, Xu Miaoyun, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, spoke up: "Sixth Prince, please go back without worry. I'll take care of things here!"