Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

The banquet had barely ended, and the maids were still clearing away the dishes, when the gatekeeper announced from outside the courtyard: "Your Highness, the ladies of the palace have sent gifts."

Zhu Gaoxi and the children were playing with Xiao Jin under the eaves when they heard this and looked up. Empress Xu hadn't left yet; she was sitting in the hall drinking tea. Hearing this, she put down her cup and glanced at him: "Your establishment of your own residence is a major event, and the ladies of the harem should also show their appreciation. Just keep that in mind."

As soon as the gatekeeper finished speaking, several eunuchs and palace maids filed in. Zhu Gaoxi accepted them one by one: a white jade paperweight from Consort Quan, an inkstone and brush from Consort Gong, a blue and white lotus vase from Consort Zhang, calligraphy from Consort Li, and a gold-inlaid jade ruyi from Consort Lü. These precious gifts filled half a table.

Zhu Gaoxi nodded: "Please thank all the ladies on my behalf, and tell them that I have received all the gifts and that I am very pleased with them."

He thought for a moment, then instructed the gatekeeper, "Prepare a few return gifts."

Zhu Gaoxi turned and entered the side hall, reciting a few times on the table: "Eighth Prince's Secret Recipe Mini Hamburgers, Sesame Sauce Cold Noodles, Soup Dumplings, Cantonese Roast Goose, Mango Pomelo Sago, Longjing Matcha Mung Bean Cake..."

Several dishes steamed, emitting an irresistible aroma. The large hamburger looked tempting, and the drinks were colorful and appealing. He felt something was missing. Since others were so generous, he couldn't be stingy. So he reached out and gently touched the food and drinks with his finger, and a wisp of pale green creative energy seeped into them.

Then he said to the eunuch beside him, "Pack it in a food box and send it to each palace. Tell them that His Highness Prince Rui has opened his new residence and has prepared a small gift for all the ladies to try."

Several eunuchs and palace maids carried food boxes out the door.

The reactions of the palaces to the food boxes varied, but they all exclaimed that it was indeed divine food, and this time it was even more delicious than the last, and their health improved after eating it.

The moment the food touched her lips, the warmth slid down her throat, like being slowly warmed by a charcoal fire on a winter's day, seeping from her fingertips into her very being. Many of her long-standing ailments improved significantly: the aches and pains in Consort Quan's shoulders and back from prolonged needlework, the lingering chills in Consort Gong's body after childbirth, the fatigue that plagued Consort Zhang in autumn, and Consort Li's perpetually cold fingertips…

It felt as if it was being held up by an indescribable warmth, and was slowly melting away.

When Zhu Gaoxi heard the eunuchs report the reactions of the concubines in the palace, he smiled faintly. This time, the food had been enhanced with the power of creation, so of course it was different.

Suddenly, a report came from outside the courtyard gate: "Your Highness, Eunuch Huang Yan, who serves His Majesty, has arrived!"

Zhu Gaoxi looked up and saw Huang Yan walking in quickly, followed by a young eunuch in his early twenties.

Huang Yan approached Zhu Gaoxi, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "This old servant greets Your Highness. His Majesty said that Your Highness's residence has just been established, and you cannot be without a capable person to assist you. This little brat is called Little Snot. He has served His Majesty for several years. Although he looks young, he is quite capable in running errands, delivering messages, and handling miscellaneous tasks. His Majesty instructed this old servant to bring him here so that he can serve Your Highness from now on."

Huang Yan stepped aside, and Little Snotty gave a quick bow, her voice clear and bright: "This servant, Little Snotty, greets His Highness Prince Rui."

Zhu Gaoxi sized him up. He was in his early twenties, with a round, fair face and a pair of bright, intelligent eyes. He spoke fluently and was neither arrogant nor overly obsequious. He seemed like a reliable person.

Huang Yan added from the side, "This little rascal has been serving this old servant for quite a few years now. He's done all sorts of work, from delivering memorials to relaying imperial edicts to the Wenyuan Pavilion. Sometimes he's even the one who delivers the manuscripts for proofreading the Yongle Encyclopedia to the Wenyuan Pavilion. He's quite reliable. If Your Highness has any orders, just send him."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxi understood. The fact that this little snot-nosed boy could work in the Wenyuan Pavilion, deliver memorials, convey imperial edicts, and had even come into contact with the manuscript of the Yongle Encyclopedia meant that he was literate, capable, and competent. The key was that the emperor had sent him, so he couldn't be wrong.

He nodded to Little Snot: "From now on, Qiutang will be in charge of internal affairs, and you will be in charge of external affairs. We'll discuss things together."

Little Snotty quickly bowed again: "This servant obeys. Your Highness, rest assured, this servant promises not to embarrass you."

"Little snot, His Highness Prince Rui is a god among men. Many people would love to serve him but don't have the chance. You should serve His Highness well. Don't underestimate His Highness just because he is young. If you delay His Highness's affairs, you won't have enough heads to cut off..." Huang Yan's gaze lingered on Xiao Xizi's face for a moment, and his tone became a few degrees heavier than before.

Little Snot quickly bowed and said, "Don't worry, sir, I understand. This job by His Highness's side is something many people would love to do. I will do my best and will not dare to slack off in the slightest."

Although Little Snot had lived in the deep palace for a long time, she knew that the Empress's life had been snatched back from the jaws of death by His Highness. She had also seen His Highness Prince Rui fly on a sword and ride a dragon... It was truly an incredible stroke of luck for her to be able to serve His Highness, an opportunity that many people would kill for. Upon hearing that she was to serve Prince Rui, many people who did not get along with him came to curry favor with him.

After saying that, he secretly glanced at Huang Yan again, thinking to himself: If Eunuch Huang didn't have to serve the Emperor, he probably would want to stay as well.

Huang Yan watched from the side, nodded in satisfaction, and then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Zhu Gaoxi: "The person has been delivered. This old servant will now return to the palace to report."

Huang Yan turned to leave, but Zhu Gaoxi called out to him, "Eunuch Huang, please wait."

Huang Yan turned around, and Zhu Gaoxi said something towards the side hall. Several plates of exquisite tea snacks appeared on the table, packed in a food box. Then, a small plate of mung bean cakes and a cup of warm tea were placed separately in another small food box.

"Please trouble Eunuch Huang to deliver this box to the Emperor and convey my gratitude. This small box is for you, Eunuch Huang. Thank you for your trouble in running this errand; it's just a small token of my appreciation, please don't find it offensive."

Huang Yan glanced at the small food box in his hand, then at Zhu Gaoxi, his smile warmer than before. He bowed and said, "Your Highness is too kind. This old servant dares not accept such a compliment."

Zhu Gaoxi smiled and said, "It's only right that Eunuch Huang makes the trip."

Huang Yan did not refuse again. He put away the food box, smiled, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Then this old servant will shamelessly accept it. Your Highness, rest assured, the food will definitely be delivered to His Majesty."

He bowed to Zhu Gaoxi again before turning to leave, his steps lighter than when he arrived. He was overjoyed; he hadn't expected to taste such divine food while simply running errands. After eating, he found his old ailments had improved considerably, and he was now visiting the Prince Rui's residence more frequently.

Of course, Zhu Gaoxi must have added some power of creation, but not too much. At most, he could only cure some minor ailments. If he had added too much power of creation, Huang Yan would have truly been given a third limb. The question then becomes whether Huang Yan would cut it off or not.

Throughout the afternoon, dignitaries of all ranks in the capital came to deliver gifts. Some brought calligraphy and paintings, some porcelain, some gold and silver, and some silk. The gatekeepers delivered invitations several times in a short period of time.

Zhu Gaoxi treated everyone equally, having people prepare food boxes as return gifts, providing plenty of celestial delicacies, but not adding any more of the power of creation.

After receiving the return gift, the powerful and wealthy tasted it and praised it highly, but their praise was limited to just "delicious".

After the news spread, a hot topic emerged at banquets in the capital: Not only could Prince Rui ride a sword and a dragon, but the food in his mansion was also divine, unparalleled in the world. Being able to mooch a meal there was better than eating delicacies from land and sea for half a year.