Chapter 41: Father, Do Not Be Afraid

Beyond satisfying the palate, the most vital use for high-proof spirits is disinfecting wounds.

If not for the sake of the thousands of Great Ming’s soldiers, Zhu Yuanzhang would never have let seven-year-old Zhu Xiongying venture out. Now, hearing the lad threaten to quit, he immediately changed his tune. "No, no, no! The distillery must go on!"

"Well, about that..." The little boy’s eyes darted as an idea struck him. "Grandfather Emperor, didn't you say last time that if anyone hit your grandson again, you’d beat them to death for me?"

"Uh... yes, Grandfather will vent your anger for you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang understood instantly. He pulled off his boot and flung it straight at Zhu Biao. Zhu Biao dared not dodge, and the boot landed squarely on his head.

"Ouch..."

This child was truly a menace to his own father!

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have gained three months of life!]

"Grandson! Is that enough? The distillery business must be arranged!"

"Grandfather Emperor! Have you ever seen anyone beaten to death by the sole of a shoe?" The little boy stared at him, looking bored and clearly unsatisfied. He then reached out and picked up the imperial seal from Zhu Yuanzhang’s desk. "Grandfather Emperor, use this!"

"Father! Don't be afraid. I think being crushed to death is better than being beaten to death! At least it’s quick!"

Seeing what his son held, Zhu Biao’s face darkened. *Good boy, you really do love your father!*

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang still had some sense; he quickly took the heavy seal from the boy's hands. It was so weighty that even he had to exert some effort to hold it. Zhu Biao let out a long sigh of relief. *Father still knows how to look out for me!*

"No, no! Grandson, it’s not that I’m worried about your father! We only have one of these seals, and it’s quite hard to find! You’ll need it when you ascend the throne later!"

Zhu Biao: *It was just my imagination!*

Regardless, it was a blessing not to be crushed to death.

"Alright then!" The little boy nodded reluctantly. He’d see if Zhu Biao dared to lay a hand on him again. Next time he tried, he’d dash straight to the Imperial Study. Zhu Yuanzhang hadn't used much force this time, but that might not be the case next time!

"Grandson! Next time you leave the palace, you must be even more careful!" Even while settling scores, the necessary warnings had to be given. No one knew where the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty were hiding.

"Alright! Grandfather Emperor, I understand...!" Zhu Xiongying nodded, staring at the memorials on the desk. "Grandfather Emperor, you are still reading memorials so late at night?"

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, now that the court has no Chancellor, I have to handle all the affairs of the Three Departments and Six Ministries myself!"

He then shot a fierce glare at Zhu Biao, who was standing at the door. "Your father has time to hit you, but doesn't know how to come help me!"

"Father... I..." Zhu Biao had grievances he couldn't voice. He had been handling government affairs all day, and it was his father who had told him to go back and spend time with his son. How did it become that he wasn't helping? *Sigh!* He couldn't say that. If he did, the other boot would come flying too!

The little boy blinked his eyes. "Grandfather Emperor, you have to attend court tomorrow morning; you must get some rest!"

Zhu Yuanzhang felt a warmth in his heart. "Is my grandson concerned for me?"

"Of course! High pressure and staying up late can easily lead to sudden death! Grandfather Emperor, do you know what sudden death is?"

"Uh... I don't!"

"It’s just 'poof,' and you’re dead, with no warning at all!" The little boy flopped onto the dragon desk to demonstrate for Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Cough, cough... Xiongying! Don't talk nonsense! Your Imperial Father is in excellent health!" Zhu Biao broke into a cold sweat at his son’s reckless words.

"Father! I’m not talking nonsense; I’m serious! I want Grandfather Emperor to live a hundred years!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was coaxed into a hearty laugh by these words. "My grandson really does care about me! Haha..."

"If Grandfather Emperor suddenly died, there would be no one to help me vent my anger when Father hits me!"

"..."

The moment Zhu Xiongying finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang’s laughter came to an abrupt halt. *Well, well!* So this boy had an ulterior motive after all!

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, your lifespan has increased by three months!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, your lifespan has increased by two months!]

Zhu Yuanzhang’s mouth twitched. "Don't worry, my dear grandson! Even if I really do have that 'sudden' thing, if your father dares to bully you, I’ll come back as a ghost and beat him!"

"Haha! Grandfather Emperor, you are the best!" Seeing the greenish hue on Zhu Biao’s face, Zhu Xiongying laughed even more happily.

"Dear grandson! But let's be clear, while you're busy with the distillery, you must still attend the Grand Hall of Learning...!" Zhu Yuanzhang urged patiently. "The knowledge taught at the Grand Hall is all things you will need once you sit on the throne!"

"Then... alright!" Since the old emperor had said so, the little boy had to nod. After all, he had even beaten his own son to help him out! Besides, he was curious to see what exactly they taught at this so-called Grand Hall of Learning.

...

The next day, Zhu Xiongying slept until the sun was high before heading toward the Grand Hall of Learning with Shunzi.

Upon arriving, he found that the princes, including Zhu Zhen, Zhu Tan, and Zhu Bo, were all sitting there properly. Besides the princes, many princesses were there as well—Princess Huaiqing, Princess Daming, Princess Fuqing, and others!

Perhaps it was because Zhu Xiongying’s charm stats had already exceeded those of an ordinary person, or perhaps it was just his naturally handsome appearance, but as soon as he appeared, he immediately caught the attention of the princesses.

"Oh? Who is this? Why is he coming to the Grand Hall of Learning too?"

"Yes! I've never seen him before! But he’s so cute!"

"Indeed! Such fair, delicate skin and big eyes—he is truly beautiful...!"

The princesses even forgot their studies, showering him with praises.

"Ahem..."

The teacher standing at the front was Kong An. This was his territory, and regardless of whether they were princes or princesses, they all had to obey him. If anyone resisted, they would receive a strike from the ruler! This was all for the sake of education, and even if the princes complained to the old emperor, he wouldn't say anything.

Zhu Xiongying was no exception. Seeing him arrive so late, Kong An’s face darkened immediately. "Your Highness, the Grand Imperial Grandson, please be on time next time!"

"The Grand Imperial Grandson? So he’s the child of the Crown Prince!"

"Then he is our little imperial nephew?"

"I never imagined our little imperial nephew would be so cute!"

"To be able to come to the Grand Hall of Learning at such a young age, he must be exceptionally clever...!"

Upon learning the little boy’s identity, the princesses erupted into another flurry of whispers.

"Slap, slap..."

The sound of the ruler hitting the table echoed, startling the princes and princesses. They feared this object most of all. It caused a piercing pain in the palms of one's hands!

"Silence!" Kong An scowled and shouted sternly.

"Oh? Minister Kong, you seem a bit different here than you are at court!" Zhu Xiongying ran to the front and said in surprise.

At court, this man only knew how to parrot other people's opinions. He even rushed ahead of others to volunteer himself for tasks. He seemed quite cunning! He hadn't expected that here in the Grand Hall of Learning, he would suddenly show such authority, keeping the princes well-behaved and orderly!