Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

When the three brothers came out of Qianxi Fourth Courtyard, the sun was already setting.

Zhu Gaoxu walked at the front, carrying two food boxes, his steps light as if he were walking on clouds. Zhu Gaochi was supported by a eunuch, and another attendant also carried a food box. Zhu Gaosui followed at the back, holding a half-finished cup of mango pomelo sago, walking slowly.

"Brother, do you think your sister-in-law will be even more excited than you when she tries this for the first time?" Zhu Gaoxu turned around and grinned.

Zhu Gaochi glared at him: "Second brother, you never know how to keep your mouth shut."

The three parted ways in front of the palace gate and returned to their respective residences.

Back at the Prince of Han's residence, Zhu Gaoxu kicked open the door to the main hall and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Princess Consort! Princess Consort! Come out quickly!"

Lady Wei was sitting on the couch doing needlework when he shouted at her, startling her so much that she pricked her finger with the needle. She put down her handkerchief and came out irritably: "Your Highness, you're always so unserious. What's got you so happy?"

"Guess what Fourth Brother fed us today?" Zhu Gaoxu slammed the food box on the table, lifted the lid, and inside were neatly arranged milk tea, fried chicken, hamburgers, and roasted chicken wings. The aroma instantly filled the entire room, along with some drinks.

Mrs. Wei looked down and was stunned: "What is this? I've never seen it before?"

"You're right if you haven't seen this before! This is the new supernatural power of the Dao Ancestor that Fourth Brother has acquired! He can just sit at the table, recite the names of the dishes, and the dishes will appear! The Dao Ancestor was worried that Fourth Brother wouldn't eat well in the mortal world, so he specially taught him this!"

"What? Why is the Dao Ancestor treating my fourth brother so well? Just who is my fourth brother? Could he be the Dao Ancestor's own son?"

Mrs. Wei took a sip of the mango pomelo sago and her eyes lit up immediately: "This...this is so delicious? Sweet, icy, and with fruit pieces?"

Zhu Gaoxu, hands on his hips, laughed heartily: "What do you think? I also suspect he's the Dao Ancestor's biological son, otherwise why would we treat him so well? In the future, our fourth brother will be number one among us, even Father will have to come after him! Maybe when our fourth brother ascends to heaven, he'll even bestow upon us the title of immortals."

"By the way, how old is your niece again this year?"

Lady Wei was taken aback by his question and subconsciously replied, "Five years old. Your Highness, why do you ask that?"

"Idiot!" Zhu Gaoxu slapped his thigh. "Send her to the palace! Fourth Brother will have everything she needs from now on. She grew up with him, and even if it doesn't work out, they'll still have a childhood sweetheart bond! Do you think those wives of civil and military officials are fools? They've been eyeing this for a long time! If we don't act now, we won't even get a sip of soup! What are you waiting for? Take your niece to the palace tomorrow!"

Lady Wei held the mango pomelo sago, looked at the cup, then at her husband, opened her mouth, and after a long while, finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Your Highness, your mind... is certainly working quickly today."

"Of course!" Zhu Gaoxu said smugly. "My brain works better than anyone else's when I use it, even if I don't use it often. I'm not bragging, but my eldest brother and third brother combined aren't as good as me!"

The same thing happened at the Crown Prince's residence and the Prince of Zhao's residence.

The same scene unfolded at the Crown Prince's residence and the Prince of Zhao's residence. Zhang Yan finished her mango pomelo sago drink, then tugged at Zhu Gaochi's sleeve and whispered, "Your Highness, shouldn't we also get to know those nieces from my maternal family? My fourth brother is only seven years old and needs someone to serve him. If he could take a liking to one of them…"

Zhu Gaochi chewed on his braised pork, glanced at her, and smiled slightly: "You've thought further ahead than I have."

Inside the Prince Zhao's residence, Madam Weng, holding a cup of milk tea, listened to Zhu Gaosui's words, remained silent for a moment, and then said softly, "Your Highness, my family has several nieces, all of whom are quite beautiful...?"

Zhu Gaosui stood by the window, gazing in the direction of the Qianxi Fourth Palace, a slight smile playing on his lips: "It really is time to make some connections. Our family can't fall behind others. I originally thought my fourth brother was the reincarnation of Lü Dongbin, but now it seems he's probably not. His status is likely even higher than Lü Dongbin's."

That night, the ladies of the three princes' mansions were rummaging through their chests and cabinets, picking out clothes, preparing gifts, and writing letters back to their maternal homes to inquire about the birth dates and times of their nieces and grandnieces.

Night had fallen, and the courtyard of Qianxi Fourth Compound was quiet. The shadow of the old locust tree swayed and flickered on the window paper.

Suddenly, he remembered that he was still living in the palace. Although the Qianxi Fourth Palace was quiet, it was still within the imperial city, and with so many people around, it was inconvenient to do anything. When would this end?

He sighed, gazing at the moon outside the window, silently thinking: If only I could have my own mansion. Unfortunately, I'm not old enough to build one yet.

Moreover, even if he were allowed to establish his own residence, he would still need a large amount of money. This was because Zhu Di also needed to compile the Yongle Encyclopedia, the Ministry of Revenue did not have much money and was overspending every year, and there were also military expenses for wars and preparations for the voyages to the West, so his father would definitely not agree.

[Ding! It's time to check in for tomorrow. Do you wish to claim today's special ability?]

He sat bolt upright, mentally shouting, "Claim it!"

[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations, host, you have obtained a new supernatural power—Divine Craftsmanship.]

A translucent, pale gold panel surfaced deep within my consciousness:

Host: Zhu Gaoxi

Age: 7 years old

Number of check-in days: 5

Acquired supernatural powers: Power of Creation, Immortal Body, Sword Control, Culinary Delight, Divine Craftsmanship.

[Supernatural Power Effect: Divine Craftsmanship—What you imagine becomes reality. You can construct mansions, pavilions, and terraces out of thin air, and you can also repair, renovate, and expand them.]

A warm, gentle energy rose from his dantian, flowing along his meridians to his limbs. Zhu Gaoxi closed his eyes, and a scene appeared in his mind.

He stood on an open ground, silently reciting "mansion" in his mind. The soil beneath his feet churned, bricks and stones were laid on their own, beams and pillars were erected on their own, and roof tiles were laid on their own. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a three-courtyard complex rose from the ground, with carved beams and painted rafters, and upturned eaves, more exquisite than any mansion he had ever seen.

Zhu Gaoxi suddenly opened his eyes, his heart pounding like a drum.

Divine craftsmanship. It's not about turning lead into gold, or transforming mud into stone; it's about directly bringing to life the house you envision. No bricks, no wood, no craftsmen, no waiting. The house grows exactly as you imagine it.

He got out of bed, walked to the window, and opened it. The night wind rustled the leaves of the old locust tree as it blew in. He looked out at the courtyard, a thought churning in his mind: to establish his own residence, to leave the palace. To build a mansion and move out himself.

The Ming Dynasty's rule was that princes were granted titles at the age of ten and left their residences at fifteen. But he was only seven this year, which was still very early according to the rules. However, rules are rigid, but people are flexible.

With such master craftsmen, the mansion won't need the Ministry of Works' attention or the Ministry of Finance's funding; it can simply be created on its own. Surely Father Emperor will have nothing to say then?

Zhu Gaoxi thought about it more and more and it seemed feasible, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up. He closed the window, lay back on the couch, hugged the quilt, looked at the moonlight outside the window, and closed his eyes contentedly.

He was already planning how to talk to his father and mother tomorrow. He'd talk to his mother first; she was soft-hearted. If she agreed, then he'd talk to his father. Although his father was fierce, he truly loved him.