Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 392 Winter of the Ninth Year of Xuande
However, Zhu Zhanhe wasn't entirely disappointed in his eldest son. After all, seeing the conflicted look on his son's face, Zhu Zhanhe knew that his son was clearly still struggling with his own thoughts. Since his son was conflicted, it meant that he still cared about his other younger brothers! This was something that made Zhu Zhanhe feel gratified.

"Yes!" Zhu Qiyu visibly relaxed after his father gave him time to think, though a hint of hesitation remained on his face. After all, the stakes were too high; he still needed to discuss it with his grandfather and mother!

"Yu'er, how is the alligator dragon doing lately?" Looking at his son's troubled face, Zhu Zhanhe casually chatted with him to divert his attention.

"Father, Uncle Long has grown even bigger recently! Yesterday, Xiao Hu and I measured Uncle Long's body and found that he is now over twenty-four feet and five inches tall!" Upon hearing his father's question, Zhu Qiyu immediately thought of the majestic and towering alligator dragon. A look of joy clearly appeared on Zhu Qiyu's face.

Zhu Zhanhe was unaware that his son had started calling Tuolong "Uncle Long" at some point!
"More than twenty-four zhang? Not bad!"
You can now approach and command the alligator dragon without relying on your father's keepsake, which is a good sign.

"You must continue to work hard in the future." Zhu Zhanhe did not stop his son from calling Tuolong "Uncle Long." However, what surprised Zhu Zhanhe was that Tuolong had such a bad temper, ignoring everyone. Even Wei Jizhong, who had been with him for more than ten years, would be driven away by Tuolong if he approached without a token.

His son, though he also grew up by the side of the alligator dragon, was able to approach and command the alligator dragon without any token, thanks to the fact that he contained half of Zhu Zhanhe's bloodline. This was what surprised Zhu Zhanhe.

Of course, this might also be related to Zhu Zhanhe's order to Tuolong not to harm his family. After all, no matter what, Zhu Zhanhe wouldn't allow Tuolong to hurt his son. Moreover, Tuolong possesses the intelligence of a seven or eight-year-old child! He's quite clever.

"Father, am I stupid?" Surprisingly, Zhu Qiyu's excited light dimmed instantly when faced with Zhu Zhanhe's praise.

"Why do you say that?" Seeing his son's gloomy expression, Zhu Zhanhe guessed the reason for his son's unhappiness, but he still asked softly.

“Father, I have grown up by Uncle Long’s side since I was a child, and now I have gained Uncle Long’s approval.”

However, to this day, I still cannot perceive the feeling that my father described, the feeling of being able to clearly understand Uncle Long's innermost thoughts.

"Father, is it possible for me to never be able to truly become one with Uncle Long like you, Father?" Zhu Qiyu's thoughts were simple. He had been by the side of the alligator dragon for ten years, but he could only control the alligator dragon in a simple way.

As for controlling the alligator dragon and issuing commands, Uncle Wei and the others could also do it with the token! What Zhu Qiyu wanted was to absorb that majestic alligator dragon into his body, just like his great father! He was his father's son, and his body contained the bloodline of his father's true dragon! He wanted to be as great and godlike as his father!
However, not to mention taking the alligator dragon into his body, Zhu Qiyu hasn't even reached the stage his father mentioned—being able to understand the alligator dragon's thoughts! Therefore, a deep sense of frustration has been slowly gathering around Zhu Qiyu.

"Yu'er, you are still young, there's no need to rush."

"Maybe things will get better in a few years!" Looking at his son's sad face, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but gently stroke his son's hair and softly comfort him.

"Father, is it true?" After hearing Zhu Zhanhe's comforting words, Zhu Qiyu looked up at Zhu Zhanhe with a face full of surprise. Zhu Qiyu had always regarded his father's words as gospel and believed them without a doubt! Therefore, after hearing his father's words, Zhu Qiyu was overjoyed. He looked at his father expectantly, his eyes full of longing for confirmation.

"Yes!
As long as you work hard, you can definitely do it in the future!

Yu'er, progress comes little by little.

Now, you can command the alligator dragon without relying on tokens.

"Father believes that in the future, you will definitely be able to gain the approval of the Tuolong!" Facing his son's cautious yet eager gaze, Zhu Zhanhe comforted him without hesitation.

"Father, please rest assured, I will definitely do my best!" After receiving a positive reply from his father, Zhu Qiyu's face was filled with excitement and joy.

"Yu'er, it's time to go to school. Otherwise, your mother will be coming looking for you soon." Seeing his son's excitement, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but remind him that it was time to go to school.

"Huh~?"

Yes!

"Father, I take my leave!" Zhu Qiyu, who was in the midst of his excitement, became somewhat dejected when he heard his father say that it was time to study.

After all, what respectable child enjoys reading? However, when Zhu Zhanhe mentioned that Princess Xia was coming to see him, Zhu Qiyu was startled and could only reluctantly agree. After all, in Zhu Qiyu's eyes, his mother was incredibly strict!
After bowing and bidding farewell to Zhu Zhanhe, Zhu Qiyu slowly and reluctantly left Chengyun Hall and went to the study to read.

"Go on, your tenth uncle is probably still waiting for you!" Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but add another word of advice as he watched his son's departing figure. After his son's figure had completely disappeared, Zhu Zhanhe sighed silently in his heart.

In fact, Zhu Zhanhe had already guessed that, in this world, apart from himself, there was probably no one else who could merge with the alligator dragon!
Zhu Zhanhe spoke to his son in that manner only to comfort him. After a soft sigh, Zhu Zhanhe turned his gaze to the pristine white snowscape outside.
"Your Highness, Miss Xiaozhi has arrived." Just as Zhu Zhanhe was deep in thought, Xiao Xizi's voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Come in!" Upon hearing Xiao Xizi's voice, Zhu Zhanhe quietly instructed Xiao Zhi to come in.

"Greetings, Your Highness." A moment later, a mature and voluptuous figure appeared at the door, bowing slightly. Zhu Zhanhe recognized the figure instantly; it was Xiao Zhi. Upon entering, Xiao Zhi respectfully bowed to Zhu Zhanhe.

"What's wrong?" Looking at the docile Xiao Zhi, Zhu Zhanhe asked softly what had brought her.

"Your Highness, it's almost noon."

"Your Highness invites you to dine with her." When Xiao Zhi heard her master ask what brought her here, she knew that her master must have been busy with work and forgotten the time. So, Xiao Zhi said to Zhu Zhanhe in a charming tone.

"The princess has asked me to have a meal?"

Oh, it's already noon.

"Okay, I'll go right away." After hearing Xiaozhi's words, Zhu Zhanhe looked out the window again and realized that it was already noon. So, without hesitation, Zhu Zhanhe agreed to his wife's invitation to lunch.

Looking at Xiao Zhi's slender figure, Zhu Zhanhe thought to himself, "Who knows, I might even have a romantic encounter during my afternoon nap!"

"Xiao Xizi, let's go eat." Immediately, Zhu Zhanhe waved his hand and led Xiao Xizi and Xiao Zhi towards the inner palace.
"Your Highness~~" Zhu Zhanhe had just stepped into the gate of the East Third Palace when he looked up and saw his Princess Xia standing at the door, waiting for him with a look of surprise on her face. Hearing Princess Xia's sweet voice and seeing his wife's tall and voluptuous figure, Zhu Zhanhe's desire was also greatly aroused.

"Why did the Princess Consort come out?" Zhu Zhanhe quickened his pace, stepped forward, and gently took his wife Xia's delicate hand, wanting to walk with her into the room.

"This humble servant, Lady Lahe, greets Your Highness!" Just as Zhu Zhanhe was about to enter the room with his wife's hand in hand, he heard a slightly stiff, clear yet strange Chinese voice from the side.

(End of this chapter)