Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

After strolling around for most of the hour, Zhu Gaoxi led everyone to sit down in a side hall of Chengyun Hall. Inside the side hall was a large round table made of rosewood, complete with chairs.

Zhu Gaoxi recited a few words on the table and conjured up several refreshing drinks and desserts.

There was mango pomelo sago, taro bubble tea, mung bean shaved ice, and several plates of osmanthus cake, mung bean cake, and chilled watermelon. Fine water droplets condensed on the cup, and the watermelon, with its red flesh and green rind, emitted a wisp of cool air.

Zhu Gaoxu picked up a cup of mung bean shaved ice and took a big gulp, squinting his eyes comfortably: "Fourth Brother's place is so comfortable. I was sweating from walking around, but this sip cooled me down instantly."

Zhu Zhanji held the mango pomelo sago dessert and slurped it down, his mouth full of pearls, and mumbled, "Fourth Uncle, this is delicious!"

The family enjoyed desserts and cold drinks, chatting and laughing.

Zhu Gaoxu put down his cup, leaned back in his chair, rubbed his belly, and laughed, "Fourth brother, your mansion is built right next to your second brother's. It's so close, I'll have to come over for meals often from now on. I crave all your divine delicacies if I don't have a meal of them."

Lady Wei glared at him: "Your Highness, all you know is how to eat."

Zhu Gaoxu chuckled: "Of course, the Imperial Kitchen can't make the things here, Fourth Brother. Besides, Fourth Brother and I have a good relationship, so he'll definitely welcome me, right, Fourth Brother?"

"Of course, eldest brother, second brother, third brother, father, mother... I welcome any of you."

Zhu Di put down his teacup, glanced at everyone, and said, "Fourth Prince, the mansion is built, but such a large mansion can't be occupied by just you alone. There can't be a shortage of manpower, supplies, and servants. I'll send a group of eunuchs and palace maids from the palace to take care of you for now."

Zhu Gaoxi rose and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Father Emperor."

Zhu Di then looked at his three sons: "You three elder brothers can't just stand by and watch. Eldest son, help take care of the antiques and paintings in your fourth brother's residence."

Zhu Gaochi nodded: "Father, rest assured, I will take care of it as soon as possible."

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu: "Second son, you can decide on the weapons for your fourth brother's residence."

Zhu Gaochi patted his chest and said, "Leave it to me! I have plenty of good swords and spears in my armory; I'll bring them all over to my fourth brother later!"

Zhu Di then looked at Zhu Gaosui: "Third brother, you know about the flowers, trees and gardens in your fourth brother's residence, so help take care of them."

Zhu Gaosui cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys. I will have someone send over some precious flowers and trees to embellish the garden."

Empress Xu smiled and shook her head: "You all act as if you're doing things for your own family."

Zhu Gaoxu retorted confidently, "Fourth Brother's affairs are our own! Besides, Fourth Brother's mansion is so magnificent, we can't let it stand empty and shabby, can we?"

Zhu Gaoxi watched as his family members worried about him, one after another, and raised his teacup to everyone: "Thank you, Father and Mother, thank you, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother. You are all welcome to visit my residence anytime in the future."

Zhu Zhanji jumped up from his chair: "Fourth Uncle, I'll come tomorrow!"

Zhang Yan grabbed him: "Your fourth uncle just moved in, and you're already causing trouble."

Zhu Zhanji pouted, "I'm not going to cause trouble, I'm here to keep Fourth Uncle company!"

The family was chatting and laughing when Zhu Di put down his teacup and sighed. Empress Xu glanced at him: "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Zhu Di shook his head: "I'm thinking about moving the capital to Beijing. The palaces there have been under construction for years, costing a fortune and conscripting countless laborers. The people in the Ministry of Works are complaining every day. If they have that kind of power, why should I worry about these things?"

He glanced at Zhu Gaoxi, then shook his head. "Although the fourth prince is a disciple of the Dao Ancestor, I can't rely on him for everything."

Empress Xu glared at him: "Your Majesty, aren't you just relying on him? The child is only seven years old, and you want him to build palaces for you?"

Zhu Di coughed but did not reply.

Zhu Gaoxi smiled and put down his cup: "Father, when you have time, I will go to Beijing to help you build the new palace."

Zhu Di's eyes lit up, and he couldn't suppress the urge to smile: "Really?"

Empress Xu glared at him again: "Your Majesty!"

Zhu Di waved his hand: "I was just asking."

Zhu Gaochi shook his head and smiled: "Fourth brother, with your skills, you're probably not going to be idle from now on."

Zhu Di stood up, straightened his robes, and glanced at everyone's faces before finally settling on Zhu Gaoxi. A slight smile played on his lips. "Fourth Prince, I'll remember this. If you really go to Beijing another day, I'll go with you."

Zhu Gaoxi rose and cupped his hands in obeisance: "Your subject obeys."

Empress Xu smiled and shook her head, taking Zhu Gaoxi's hand: "You child, you agree to whatever your father says."

Zhu Gaoxi said with a grin, "Don't worry, Mother, I know what I'm doing."

Zhu Di stood by the window, gazing at the mansion that stood out of nowhere, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

As the sun set, the glazed tiles of Prince Rui's Mansion shimmered with golden light in the afterglow. The family chatted and laughed as they left the mansion and boarded their respective carriages.

Zhu Di and Empress Xu returned to the palace in the imperial carriage, while the three brothers took their wives back to their respective residences.

On the carriage of the Prince of Han, Lady Wei's face fell as soon as she got in. Zhu Gaoxu was still immersed in excitement, muttering, "Fourth brother's golden nanmu pillar is thicker than the Fengtian Hall," when Lady Wei pinched him hard.

Zhu Gaoxu hissed, "What are you doing?"

Lady Wei lowered her voice, gritting her teeth: "Your Highness, what did you say to Father Emperor today? 'Pigsty'? Are you tired of living?"

Zhu Gaoxu shrank back: "Wasn't that just a slip of the tongue..."

"And another thing," Madam Wei glared at him, "you should stop putting on airs of being the second brother in front of your fourth brother. Your fourth brother is a disciple of the Dao Ancestor, a person among immortals. He doesn't hold it against you, but don't you know that? Even Father doesn't dare to act arrogantly in front of your fourth brother, but you, you keep calling him 'second brother'."

Zhu Gaoxu scratched his head: "I was always the second brother..."

"Second brother is second brother, but you need to know what's important." Madam Wei sighed. "Fourth brother can now build a princely mansion out of thin air. If Father Emperor has any major issues in the future, he will be the first person he thinks of. Instead of helping fourth brother, you just know how to freeload. Go back and get the best weapons from your armory and send them to Prince Rui's mansion tomorrow. Don't wait for your third brother and the others to get them first."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I understand, I'll send it tomorrow."

Madam Wei pinched him again: "Also, next time you go to your fourth brother's place, don't just think about food. Ask him what he needs and lend a hand if you can. Running errands for him is better than anything else."

Zhu Gaoxu rubbed his arm: "Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Inside the Crown Prince's carriage, Zhang Yan leaned against the wall, gazing at the twilight outside the window, remaining silent for a long time. Zhu Gaochi, leaning back on the cushions, was still marveling, "Fourth Brother's abilities are truly..."

"Your Highness," Zhang Yan interrupted him, turning her head, "you'll need to pay more attention to your fourth brother in the future."

Zhu Gaochi was taken aback: "I've always been very attentive to it."

"Pay attention?" Zhang Yan gently shook her head. "You are the Crown Prince, and it's true that your fourth brother is a disciple of the Dao Ancestor, but he is also your brother."

Zhu Gaochi was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "You mean..."

"What I mean is, you should visit your fourth brother more often and get closer to him." Zhang Yan held his hand. "Your fourth brother is a disciple of the Dao Ancestor. Others can't get close to him even if they want to, but you are his brother. If your fourth brother becomes an immortal in the future, maybe our whole family can follow him. So, you should get closer to your fourth brother, lest the benefits end up going to the Prince of Han."

Zhu Gaochi opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Zhang Yan sighed, "Your Highness, I don't mean for you to compete with the Second Prince. It's just that you must genuinely help and care for the Fourth Prince. He knows what's going on. If you treat him well, he will naturally remember it."

Zhu Gaochi nodded: "You're right."

Inside the carriage of Prince Zhao's residence, Lady Weng leaned against the carriage wall, still holding the cup of taro and boba milk tea that had long since gone cold. Zhu Gaosui sat opposite her, his eyes closed, as if deep in thought.

Madam Weng spoke softly, "Your Highness, I have truly seen firsthand the abilities of my fourth brother today."

Zhu Gaosui opened his eyes but did not speak.

"You said that my fourth brother is a reincarnation of a deity," Madam Weng paused, "I was half-believing and half-doubting at first, but seeing him today, it's not a reincarnation at all, he's clearly a deity descended to earth."

Zhu Gaosui's lips curled up slightly: "Do you believe me now?"

Madam Weng nodded, then lowered her voice: "Your Highness, you must pay more attention to Fourth Brother from now on. Second Brother is eyeing us covetously, and Eldest Sister-in-law is no pushover either. Although Fourth Brother is young, he is the future pillar of our Zhao Prince's Mansion. Getting close to Fourth Brother is better than anything else."

Zhu Gaosui gazed at the darkening sky outside the window and said calmly, "I know what I'm doing regarding my fourth brother's matter."

Madam Weng looked at him, hesitated, and finally just sighed softly.

The three groups of people returned to their respective homes. Tonight, all three families will likely be tossing and turning in bed.