Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

Zhu Gaoxu, who had just been suppressed by the old man and was bursting with pent-up energy, immediately perked up when he saw his third son arrive. He stood up, patted Zhu Gaosui on the shoulder, and said loudly:

"Third brother, you've finally arrived! Fourth brother, we've already changed the tea twice! Your residence is so far away."

Zhu Gaosui's shoulder slumped from the slap, and his vigilance returned. He remembered: the last time his second brother had been so enthusiastic towards him was the last time. Whenever his brother was nice to him, it was only when his brother needed him to do something for him or to be his straight man. He'd better be careful later.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't care what he was thinking, and put his mouth close to the third brother's ear, his tone full of excitement:

"You didn't see it just now, but the old man put on quite a show for Monk Daoyan, spouting off one sentence after another, completely intimidating that wicked monk. You didn't see the old monk's face; he's usually so composed, but just now his eyes were practically bulging out. The old man is probably thinking..."

He finished speaking quickly, and without waiting for Zhu Gaosui's reaction, he released his arm, patted his shoulder, and strode back to his seat as if nothing had happened. The whole process was smooth and natural, as if the two were very close brothers.

Zhu Gaosui rubbed his slightly sore shoulder, cursing under his breath, and leisurely took his seat with Madam Weng and the child. Madam Weng sat down next to Madam Wei, holding Princess Zhending in her arms, while Zhu Zhanyi obediently sat next to his mother. The family of four was finally settled.

The hall had just quieted down when Zhu Gaoxu's mind started racing again. Holding his teacup, he glanced at the old man out of the corner of his eye. "You've had your moment, now it's my turn, isn't it?"

He set down his teacup, cleared his throat, and turned to Zhu Gaoxi, his tone carrying a deliberate casualness, like a proud rooster:

"Fourth brother, your second brother is asking you, did the Dao Ancestor grant you the power to summon celestial delicacies because he was worried you wouldn't be used to the food in the mortal realm? That fried chicken burger and bubble tea I ate at your residence last time..."

Just as Zhu Gaoxi was about to reply, Zhu Di's gaze swept over him. He held his teacup, his face expressionless, but inwardly he snorted: This second son, quick-witted indeed, daring to speak before me. Is he itching for a beating again? Oh well, what can I do? He's the most like me.

The atmosphere inside the hall was delicate when Empress Xu suddenly patted the armrest and stood up. Having been husband and wife with Zhu Di for most of her life, she understood the situation immediately. If the father and son stayed any longer, they would probably start arguing and bickering in the Chengyun Hall.

She glanced at Zhu Di, said nothing, but turned and waved to Zhang Yan and Lady Wei, then smiled at Lady Weng:

"Alright, let them talk. We women won't join in. There's a waterside pavilion in the back garden of the fourth prince's mansion. I glanced at it when I passed by earlier, and the scenery was quite beautiful. Let's go sit over there and let them chat."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the children protested. Zhu Zhanji was the first to jump off his chair, grabbing Empress Xu's sleeve and refusing to let go: "Grandmother! I want bubble tea!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhanhe's voice was even louder than his father's earlier: "I want fried chicken! The fried chicken that Fourth Uncle had last time, the crispy kind!"

"And those long, yellow strips, dipped in red sauce!"

"Cake! Cake! That soft cake I had last time! And the white thing on top!"

Seeing their older brothers shouting so enthusiastically, even though some of them couldn't even name all the food, the younger children joined in the clapping and cheering, turning the hall into a chaotic mess.

Empress Xu was both amused and exasperated by the noise of these little brats. Just as she was about to say something, Zhu Gaoxi stood up. He walked over to the children and said gently, "Hamburgers, fries, bubble tea, cake... your fourth uncle remembers them all. But you're only thinking about food, haven't you thought about anything else?"

Zhu Zhanji looked up at him, asking curiously, "Fourth Uncle, is there anything else?"

"Yes." Zhu Gaoxi straightened up and beckoned to Qiutang and Yuehe, who were waiting under the corridor outside the palace. The two quickly stepped forward, bowed, and obeyed his orders. He whispered a few instructions.

Zhu Gaoxi turned around and smiled at the children, "Your fourth uncle prepared some fun things for you in the back garden early this morning. Go and play first. Your fourth uncle will have someone send you food and drinks later. You'll get everything you need."

Empress Xu glanced at him curiously, but didn't ask any further questions, only nodding with a smile. Zhang Yan and Madam Wei exchanged a look, both thinking that this "little gadget" that Fourth Uncle had specially arranged must be some kind of supernatural power.

The children couldn't wait any longer when they heard there was something fun to do. Zhu Zhanji took the lead and rushed forward, but Zhang Yan grabbed him.

"Your Highness, Your Highnesses, please come with me," Qiu Tangyuehe said as she walked toward the back garden.

Then, several women led the children out of Chengyun Hall in single file, and the once lively hall suddenly became quiet, leaving only a group of men looking at each other in bewilderment.

Zhu Di watched as Empress Xu led the women out of the palace gates, then turned to look at Zhu Gaoxu and said indifferently, "Fourth Prince, summon a few more of your celestial delicacies. Since the Second Prince has set his sights on them, let him eat his fill."

After the children left, Zhu Gaochi suddenly spoke up: "To be honest, the cream mille-feuille, tiramisu, and that soft, white mochi that Fourth Brother made last time were really delicious."

Zhu Gaochi felt a little embarrassed when he talked about these strangely named sweets, after all, what kind of food is called "Meiniang" (媚娘, meaning "Charming Lady")? If he went out and told others, they would think that he, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, was a lecherous fiend.

Zhu Gaoxi smiled. No wonder this older brother is fat; he loves to eat desserts.

Then, turning to the empty rosewood table next to him, he named the food, and it immediately became covered with items: a row of bubble tea, a large plate of golden and crispy fried chicken, a small mountain of fries, several dishes of red and white ketchup, Sprite, Coke, ice cream...

He set aside a portion and had a servant carry it to the back garden.

Zhu Gaoxu was the first to reach out and grab a fried chicken leg, take a big bite, and exclaim, "This is the taste!" Zhu Gaochi scooped a spoonful of tiramisu with a silver spoon, closed his eyes, tasted it, and nodded slightly.

As Yao Guangxiao sat in the guest seat, looking at the colorful food on the table, he suddenly felt that his meditation practice was still far from perfect.

The question that the King of Han had just asked echoed in his ears again: "The Dao Ancestor was afraid that Prince Rui would not be used to the food in the mortal world, so he specially bestowed upon him supernatural powers." Just what was the identity of this Prince Rui that made the Dao Ancestor so fond of him?

"Master, you haven't tried this before, have you?" Zhu Gaoxu finished his chicken leg in a few bites, wiped his hands, walked over to Yao Guangxiao, picked up a Chocliz cigarette, and skillfully tore open the packaging.

"This is called ice cream. The black outer layer is called chocolate, and the inside is ice cream. You eat it by biting into it; licking it isn't enough."

Yao Guangxiao hesitated for a moment, then reached for a Chocliz, took a bite, and felt the crispy coating crackle in his mouth, the cool sensation sliding across his tongue. He paused for a second, then took another bite. Then, imitating Hanwang, he grabbed a bottle of Sprite, took a sip, and felt the carbonated bubbles burst on his tongue. A sip of Chocliz, a sip of Sprite—how delightful!

He finished the last bite of the Chollez, put down the stick, put his hands together, and murmured a Buddhist chant, thinking to himself: This is food for the immortals, not food for the stomach.

Watching the old monk's demeanor, Zhu Gaoxu felt sweeter than if he had drunk honey. Perfect! He'd have plenty to brag about later: the First National Preceptor of the Ming Dynasty, Monk Daoyan, had been personally taught by Zhu Gaoxu to eat ice cream and drink Sprite.

Zhu Di watched as Zhu Gaoxu taught Yao Guangxiao how to eat ice cream, and saw how the second son's silver tongue had completely captivated the old monk. The thought crossed his mind again: "This boy is like me." He then turned to look at the fat man; all this dead pig did was eat.

This second son is just like him in battle, in showing off, and even in that never-give-up attitude. If he had a camera, he would definitely sneak a picture of Yao Guangxiao drinking Sprite and eating ice cream, then post it on his WeChat Moments with the caption: "You think you can outrun me?"

Zhu Gaochi didn't look up from beginning to end, focusing intently on the tiramisu and mochi in front of him, eating spoonful after spoonful until he was completely satisfied. Zhu Gaosui, holding a glass of Sprite, watched his second brother enthusiastically teaching the old monk how to eat ice cream in front of Yao Guangxiao.