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

Chapter 395 The Meeting of True Dragons
"Your Highness is just saying sweet things to deceive people." Hearing her husband's affectionate words and noticing his sincere and passionate gaze, Princess Xia felt a sweet touch in her heart. Then, as if shy, she pressed her delicate body tightly against her husband's, burying her long neck deeply in his neck.

In an instant, the room was filled with a sweet and loving atmosphere!
"Alright, Your Highness."

"Xiao Zhi and the others are waiting for Your Highness. Your Highness, please get up." After embracing for a moment, Princess Xia, blushing and slightly flustered, pushed away her husband's restless hands. She urged him to hurry and visit his new concubine, and not to torment her, who was feeling unwell, here.

"I see~." Zhu Zhanhe wasn't surprised at all by his wife's dismissal; he only showed a look of regret. After all, if Xia Shi hadn't been unwell, Zhu Zhanhe would have already taken her right there and then!
"Pop~"
Your Highness, is this alright?

"If all else fails, I promise to conceive another prince for you when Your Highness returns from Beijing." Facing her husband's regretful expression and his still-shamelessly entwined hand around her waist, Princess Xia glanced around furtively before shyly kissing him on the cheek. Then, blushing, she whispered something embarrassing: she would help her husband conceive another child when he returned.

"Okay~."

"I'll let you off the hook for now." Seeing his wife's expression, Zhu Zhanhe knew that she had been appeased. So, he decided to stop while he was ahead and reluctantly agreed to his wife's request. Immediately, Zhu Zhanhe released his wife's plump waist.

The moment Zhu Zhanhe released her grip, Princess Xia fled from her husband's clutches as if her life depended on it. She then glared at him fiercely, clearly annoyed. Afterward, as if fleeing, she headed towards the rear palace.

"Someone, prepare bathwater. I need to wash!" Zhu Zhanhe had just gotten up when he heard his wife, Xia Shi's, urgent voice. Only then did Zhu Zhanhe realize that his earlier unexpected argument might have caused his wife to accidentally leak blood.

Only after his wife's figure had completely disappeared did Zhu Zhanhe proudly move to another spot and begin his wonderful and comfortable afternoon nap.

A few days later.

Zhu Zhanhe had already arrived at Tianjin Port of the Ming Dynasty aboard his personal steed, the Navy's No. 1 ocean-going warship, along with more than a hundred ocean-going escort ships.

At this moment, the winter sea wind was biting, whipping up waves with a sound like cannon fire. Zhu Zhanhe, however, stood as steady as a mountain on the deck, watching the approaching fleet in the distance. Zhu Zhanhe knew that Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, had arrived with his fleet!
"Your Highness, the imperial fleet and the Prince's fleet are of equal size, and they have now entered the firing range of our navy's new artillery." At this moment, Liu Erniu, the commander of the Prince of Han's personal guards, came to Zhu Zhanhe and respectfully reported.

"Erniu, don't worry, there won't be a fight."

"Besides, even if a battle breaks out, who among those people in the imperial court can do anything to me?" Looking at Liu Erniu's tense expression, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but glance at the slowly approaching imperial fleet and said softly to Liu Erniu.

"Your Highness is invincible and unstoppable." Liu Erniu didn't refute his lord's proud expression; instead, he offered his unwavering support. After all, his lord's martial prowess was absolutely unmatched in the world! He was a match for ten thousand men!

"Alright, in a moment, send the rest away. Erniu, you can come with me alone to meet our Xuande Emperor." Zhu Zhanhe said softly to Liu Erniu as the imperial fleet approached and began communicating with his own fleet using flag signals.

".
"Yes!" Liu Erniu originally wanted to persuade his prince to bring more men to bolster his forces. However, faced with his prince's resolute gaze, Liu Erniu had no choice but to agree.

Moments later, the two fleets met!

"They're here~?"

"Long time no see, cousin!" On the naval vessel No. 1, Zhu Zhanhe saw the Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji in full military uniform. Upon seeing Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Zhanhe warmly stood up and greeted him. Then, Zhu Zhanhe saw that following behind the Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji were Yang Shiqi, Yu Qian, and Fan Zhong.

With a "whoosh," as Zhu Zhanhe approached, Fan Zhong, dressed in military uniform, instinctively took a quick step to stand directly in front of the Xuande Emperor, firmly protecting him behind him. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and he watched Zhu Zhanhe's every move with a solemn expression, as if he might attack at any moment.

"Insolence!" Seeing Fan Zhong's actions, Liu Erniu could not tolerate such provocation. He also gripped the hilt of his knife, standing beside Zhu Zhanhe, his eyes wide with rage as he glared at Fan Zhong, the killing intent in his eyes almost tangible. For a moment, the atmosphere on the wide deck of the ocean-going warship became somewhat tense.

"Hahaha.

General Liu, there's no need to be nervous.

"To avoid people saying that my Prince's Mansion doesn't know etiquette." Seeing that the atmosphere on the scene was extremely tense, Zhu Zhanhe glanced at Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, behind Fan Zhong, whose face was ugly. After smiling slightly, he raised his hand to signal Liu Erniu to step down.

"Yes!" After hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Liu Erniu retreated indignantly. However, his sharp eyes remained fixed on Fan Zhong, as if he might suddenly strike and cut Fan Zhong down at any moment!
"how?

Fan Zhong?

Are you planning to fight me to the death?

"Or do you think that if I wanted to take someone's life on this vast ocean, you could protect them?!" After Liu Erniu left, Zhu Zhanhe turned his gaze back to Fan Zhong, who was sweating profusely with tension.

After Zhu Zhanhe finished speaking, a hush fell over the scene, broken only by the roar of the waves echoing through the heavens and earth! The atmosphere became even more tense. Even Yang Shiqi and Yu Qian wore solemn expressions, sweat beading on their foreheads.

"Step back." After a moment of silence, a weak voice sounded behind Fan Zhong. Zhu Zhanhe looked up and saw Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, emerging from behind Fan Zhong in full military attire. However, judging from the Emperor's pale face and hearing his weak voice, Zhu Zhanhe knew that the thick armor he wore had become a heavy burden for him!

"Yes!" Fan Zhong responded softly after hearing Emperor Xuande's words. However, Fan Zhong still followed firmly behind Emperor Xuande, his hand on the hilt of his sword, as if only in this way could he feel a little safe.

"Zhanhe, it's been a long time." Looking at Zhu Zhanhe, who was still young and seemed to have not changed at all, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, had a complex expression in his eyes. He stared intently at his cousin whom he had not seen for more than ten years, his eyes full of envy.

The Xuande Emperor envied the other man's excellent physique! He envied the other man's dozen or so sons! He envied the other man's unparalleled martial prowess and talent! And he himself was about to be laid to rest forever!

"Brother, let's go inside and talk."

It's been many years since we brothers last saw each other.

"Shall we chat?" Looking at Zhu Zhanji's weak body, Zhu Zhanhe knew that the other party probably didn't have much time left. So, Zhu Zhanhe no longer cared about any barriers and directly invited the other party into the cabin to chat.

"Alright!" Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's invitation, the Xuande Emperor was taken aback for a moment, then readily agreed. He immediately followed his cousin's steps and headed towards the cabin.

"Your Majesty~~" Fan Zhong, Yang Shiqi, and the other two saw the emperor enter the room and immediately tried to follow. However, Liu Erniu unsurprisingly blocked them at the door.

"Grand Secretary Yang, Vice Minister Yu, General Fan"
"My elder brother and I need to have a chat. You all should wait outside." Zhu Zhanhe had naturally heard Yang Shiqi and the others' urgent voices. So, looking at the three people being blocked by Liu Erniu, he turned his head and said softly.

(End of this chapter)