The strongest eldest son of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 73 Dad, I want it all!!

Erhu immediately bowed and accepted the order: "Your subordinate understands. Your subordinate will start making the modifications immediately and will not reveal the slightest flaw."

With all the wedding documents prepared, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders and immediately decided to travel to Chenzhou incognito once again.

Just as he changed into his civilian clothes and was about to quietly leave the palace with Erhu, Crown Prince Zhu Biao rushed over and blocked their way.

Zhu Biao, looking puzzled, bowed and asked, "Father, it's getting late. Where are you going in your casual clothes?"

"And Mother, I have gone to pay my respects to you every day for the past few days, but I have never seen you. I wonder where you have gone?"

Zhu Yuanzhang remained calm and casually replied, "Your mother has been taking a stroll outside the palace recently, which has broadened her mind and spirits."

"Our purpose in leaving the palace this time is specifically to bring your mother back to the palace, so there's no need to worry."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly upon hearing this and pressed on, "Then how should we handle things at tomorrow's morning court? There are still many state affairs awaiting Your Majesty's decision."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, speaking casually and nonchalantly: "What's so difficult about that? Tomorrow you can act as regent for me."

"You are calm, kind, and prudent in handling affairs. I trust you. You can make decisions on ordinary government matters on your own."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao immediately bowed and declined, his expression both respectful and fearful.

"Father, you mustn't! The affairs of the court are matters of great national importance, and your son is still too inexperienced to presume to overstep his bounds as regent!"

After witnessing Zhu Yao's carefree and unrestrained life on several occasions, Zhu Yuanzhang's mindset had already subtly changed.

He no longer felt tense and overworked, and gradually learned to relax and enjoy his leisure time.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Biao with annoyance, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalance and impatience.

"We built this vast Ming Dynasty with our own hands! We've toiled for half our lives, so what's wrong with taking a few days off from the palace to relax?"

"No need for further explanation, it's settled then!"

Having said that, Zhu Yuanzhang ignored Zhu Biao's advice and turned to leave the palace with Erhu.

Zhu Biao stood there, watching his father's elegant departing figure, his brows furrowed with confusion and bewilderment.

He clearly noticed that his father's temperament had changed drastically recently, and he was becoming more and more casual and unrestrained, which was completely different from his previous diligent and strict demeanor.

Unable to dispel his doubts, Zhu Biao immediately turned around and went to the academy to find his teacher, Song Lian, and confided his confusion.

He recounted in detail how his father had secretly left the palace late at night, neglected state affairs for many days, and privately selected a large number of women from the common people.

Upon hearing this, Song Lian's expression changed drastically, his face turned solemn, and he shook his head and sighed repeatedly.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has long been away from the palace, neglecting state affairs, and has been secretly selecting women. Such behavior is clearly that of a foolish ruler!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao was completely stunned, his heart pounding, and for a moment he didn't know how to refute it.

He stood there stunned for a long time, muttering to himself, "No way... My father was wise and virtuous throughout his life, diligent in governing and loving his people, how could this happen?"

After much deliberation, a resolute glint flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes as he secretly made up his mind.

The next time his father secretly leaves the palace, he will definitely follow him secretly to find out the truth.

......

As night gently falls, the hall of the Liu family mansion in Chenzhou is warm and inviting, with a steaming pot of sour soup bubbling and filling the room with its aroma.

Zhu Yuanzhang, relieved of his fatigue from the long journey, casually asked a question while eating some fresh ingredients.

"Yao'er, your family business is now stable and everything is going smoothly, but you're all alone. Haven't you ever thought about getting married and starting a family?"

Zhu Yao paused slightly as he picked up some food, then smiled and replied.

"My wife mentioned this to me a while ago, but I haven't met anyone I like yet, so it's been delayed."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately exchanged a glance with Empress Ma beside him. Both of them smiled, their hearts in perfect sync, as they had thought of the same thing.

Zhu Yuanzhang put down his chopsticks, beaming with joy, and took out a neatly bound stack of portrait documents from his bosom, handing them to Zhu Yao.

"Since you know about this, then I'll arrange it for you. Take a look and see if there's anything you like."

Zhu Yao reached out and took the portraits, flipping through them one by one. His gaze swept over the portraits of women with beautiful features and gentle eyes, and he couldn't help but be full of amazement.

These twenty-odd women were all beautiful and graceful, far from ordinary beauties. Their resumes all described them as being proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, gentle and virtuous, and of good character.

Zhu Yao was increasingly surprised as he looked at it, feeling a sense of unease and disbelief that it all seemed too unreal.

He knew that it was not easy to educate women in ancient times. It was already rare for ordinary women from noble families to be literate. To be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and to possess both talent and good character, was extremely rare, one in a thousand.

Ordinary women from humble families learn needlework and housework from a young age, lacking the financial resources to pursue refined arts. Only the most powerful and wealthy families can afford to spend years meticulously cultivating such talented and beautiful women.

However, the stack of portraits that Zhu Yuanzhang casually took out contained portraits of twenty such outstanding women. The sheer number and high quality of these portraits were simply outrageous.

Zhu Yao couldn't help but feel suspicious, secretly wondering if his father had deliberately found fake information to tease and fool him.

At the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang saw the look of surprise and doubt on Zhu Yao's face and his heart tightened. He knew something was wrong.

In his haste, he chose daughters of top officials in the court, whose exceptional qualities made it easy for him to expose his flaws.

Empress Ma, who was standing to the side, was quick-witted and immediately sensed that the atmosphere was not right. She quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over.

"Yao'er, you don't need to be surprised. The girls your father chose for you are all from Jinling."

"Jinling is the capital of the country, a place where people gather, with a rich cultural heritage and many scholarly families. It produces many talented women, so it is naturally different from the small town of Chenzhou."

Zhu Yao nodded slightly upon hearing this, feeling somewhat relieved, and chuckled softly.

"I see. I was just being narrow-minded. The capital city is full of talented people, far superior to any small local town."

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly changed the subject, curiously asking, "After looking at so many, have you found any that catch your eye?"

Zhu Yao smiled and readily replied, "Yes, quite a few are pleasing to the eye."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately became interested, patting his chest and saying generously, "Which one suits your taste? Tell your father, and I'll personally propose marriage for you!"

To everyone's surprise, Zhu Yao's lips curled into a slight smile, and he uttered a startling statement, slowly saying, "Father, since these are all good girls from ordinary families in Jinling...?"

"I want...all of them!"

The moment those words were spoken, Zhu Yuanzhang spat out the mouthful of soup he had just taken a sip of, his face filled with astonishment.

He raised his hand to wipe the water from the corner of his mouth, stared at Zhu Yao with wide eyes, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"You little rascal! You've got quite the appetite, and your schemes are ruthless!"

"More than twenty girls, can you handle them all by yourself?"