Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

After the court session ended, Zhu Gaoxu was the first to rush out of the palace gate, his steps so fast it seemed he was about to be reincarnated. Zhu Gaosui followed behind, Zhu Gaochi was supported by eunuchs and walked slowly at the back, and Zhu Zhanji followed beside his father, his legs numb from standing, walking with a limp.

"Hurry up, hurry up, let's go find Fourth Brother!" Zhu Gaoxu shouted without turning his head.

Zhu Gaochi, panting heavily, said, "What's your hurry? Fourth Brother isn't going anywhere."

"How can I not be in a hurry? I'm starving!" Zhu Gaoxu patted his stomach. "I just told them about the food at Fourth Brother's place, and that I was hungry myself!"

In the courtyard of the Qianxi Fourth Palace, Zhu Gaoxi was sitting under an old locust tree drinking milk tea. When the palace maid told him everything that had happened in the court, he almost spat out his milk tea.

Just as they were recovering, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate, and Zhu Gaoxu's voice rushed in first: "Fourth brother, fourth brother, your second brother has come to bring you good news."

As soon as Zhu Gaoxu entered, he shouted, "Fourth brother, it's done! Those old foxes in the court, who always talked about the ancestral system and the Ministry of Revenue's lack of funds, all turned pale and fell silent when they heard that you, the Daoist Ancestor, had taught them the construction method, which didn't require spending money or manpower. Father Emperor immediately approved it, allowing you to establish your own residence right next to your second brother!"

Zhu Gaoxi put down his milk tea, stood up, and smiled: "Thank you, Second Brother. Where is Father? Has he finished court yet?"

"The court session is over, time to return to Kunning Palace." Zhu Gaoxu plopped down on a stone bench, rubbing his hands. "Let's not talk about that now, Second Brother is hungry. I haven't had enough of what I had yesterday, conjure some up for Second Brother."

Zhu Gaochi coughed and said, "Second son, what's the rush? Father and Mother haven't arrived yet. What kind of talk is this? We'll eat together when they arrive."

Zhu Gaoxu slapped his forehead: "Yes, yes, elder brother is right. Let's invite Father and Mother first."

He waved to the eunuch beside him, "Go quickly to Kunning Palace and invite the Emperor and Empress Dowager over. Tell them that Fourth Brother has some good food here and invites them to dine."

The eunuch responded and ran off.

Zhu Gaoxi smiled, read something on the table, and placed several drinks on it for everyone to drink while they waited.

"Almost there, almost there." Zhu Gaoxu took another swig, and his stomach growled.

He patted his stomach and muttered, "Father, hurry up, I can't take it anymore."

A short while later, Zhu Di and Empress Xu arrived. Zhu Di strode in, glancing at the dishes and drinks already laid out on the table.

A slight smile played on his lips: "You're eating again? I could smell it back in Kunning Palace."

Empress Xu followed behind, shaking her head with a smile: "Xi'er, your courtyard has now become a place where the whole family freeloads meals."

Zhu Gaoxu quickly stood up to offer his seat, and Zhu Gaochi also rose. Zhu Di sat down in the main seat, with Empress Xu beside him.

Zhu Gaoxi personally served a cup of mango pomelo sago to his mother and a cup of light milk Longjing tea to his father.

Empress Xu took the drink, squinted her eyes, and said, "This is delicious, it's so refreshingly cool."

Zhu Di picked up the Longjing tea, took a sip, and nodded: "Fourth Prince, your method of preparing food is indeed a good thing."

The family sat around under the old locust tree, enjoying local delicacies and drinking milk tea.

After finishing his meal, Zhu Gaoxu wiped his mouth and stood up. "Father, have you finished eating? If you have, let's go take a look at that piece of land! The vacant lot next to my residence—I guarantee Fourth Brother will be satisfied!"

Zhu Di put down his chopsticks, wiped his hands, and stood up: "Let's go and see. The Empress and I also want to see how the Fourth Prince builds houses, and how they differ from those of us mortals."

Empress Xu also stood up, patted her robes, and suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, establishing a residence is a major event. Our whole family went, but the wives of the eldest, second, and third sons weren't present. Isn't that a bit inappropriate? Should we send someone back to bring the princesses over as well, so they can all see it together?"

Zhu Di nodded: "Your mother is right, you should also call your wives over to see them."

Zhu Gaoxu slapped his thigh: "Yes, yes, yes! Mother is right! How could my wife not be there for such an important event? She's been talking about Fourth Brother's milk tea for days after drinking it last time. Let her see it for herself!"

Zhu Gaochi nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Mother is right. The princesses should also see Fourth Brother's extraordinary abilities." Zhu Gaosui nodded in agreement.

Zhu Gaoxi smiled: "Then, eldest brother, second brother, and third brother, you go back and pick up your sister-in-law. I'll pack some food and drinks for you here."

He chanted a few times at the table and conjured up several food boxes containing fried chicken, hamburgers, milk tea, and mango pomelo sago, all steaming hot and fragrant.

The names were thoughtfully written on the lids of the food boxes—"Eldest Sister-in-law," "Second Sister-in-law," and "Third Sister-in-law"—one for each person, ensuring no one was left out.

Zhu Gaoxu took the food box, sniffed it, and his mouth watered again. He quickly closed the lid and waved to Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui: "Go, go quickly! Come back as soon as you get the person, don't delay watching your fourth brother perform his magic!"

The three of them got into their respective carriages and hurried towards the mansion.

Upon arriving near the Prince of Han's residence, they could see Ji Gang leading a group of Imperial Guards already waiting there.

Zhu Di dismounted from the imperial carriage, and Ji Gang quickly stepped forward, kneeling on one knee: "Your Majesty, the surrounding people have been evacuated, and the area within a two-mile radius has been cleared. No unauthorized personnel are allowed to approach. All intersections are guarded by the Embroidered Uniform Guards; not even a fly can get in."

Zhu Di nodded and walked forward with his hands behind his back.

The three groups arrived near the Prince of Han's residence almost simultaneously. Lady Wei, Zhang Yan, and Lady Weng stepped out of the carriage, still holding milk tea in their hands, their faces filled with lingering reluctance.

Empress Xu greeted them with a smile: "You've all arrived? Come over here quickly, and we'll see how your fourth brother transforms the house in a bit."

Madam Wei smiled and thanked them. Zhang Yan took Zhu Zhanji's hand and stood aside, while Madam Weng sipped her milk tea slowly.

Zhu Gaoxu had already dismounted, pointed to the open space beside him, and said smugly to Lady Wei, "Look, this is my fourth brother's palace! We'll see it soon!"

Zhu Gaoxu pointed to a large open space next to him and said proudly, "Fourth brother, what do you think of this piece of land? It has good feng shui, high ground, and most importantly, it's next to my second brother. If anything happens, my second brother will take care of you anytime."

Zhu Gaoxi stood on the open ground, looking around. It was a large, flat area with a wide view. In the distance, one could see the shimmering waters of the Qinhuai River, and nearby, it was shaded by green trees. It was indeed a good place.

He nodded, already starting to plan how to build the palace.

Zhu Di stepped down from the imperial carriage, looked around, and nodded: "This place is good. The terrain is open, and it's not too far from the capital, just right."

He looked at Zhu Gaoxu and said, "Second brother, you didn't boast this time."

Zhu Gaoxi stood in the center of the open space, turned around, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Zhu Di: "Father, I have begun construction. Please step back a few paces, Father, Mother, elder brother, and sister-in-law."

Zhu Di nodded, glanced back at Empress Xu and his three sons and daughters-in-law, then at Zhu Zhanji, and said calmly, "Everyone step back a bit, don't get in the way of the fourth prince's spellcasting."

Zhu Di, along with Empress Xu and his entire family, took a dozen steps back.

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui stood half a step behind Zhu Di, their eyes wide open and their necks craned, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.

Zhu Gaochi stood beside the Prince of Han, his gaze calm, but his fingers clenched his sleeves slightly.

The three princesses stood beside Empress Xu. Lady Wei was holding a cup of milk tea, Zhang Yan was holding Zhu Zhanji's hand, and Lady Weng was sipping her milk tea. All eyes were focused on the small, moon-white figure in the center of the open space.