Volume One, Chapter 11: Mother, I... I Don’t Want to Marry!

Speaking of Zhu Xiongying, pride emanated from the faces of both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.

Meanwhile, the subject of their conversation, Zhu Xiongying, had returned to the Kunning Palace accompanied by Lady Chang. Since his birth, he had been raised by Empress Ma and resided within the palace.

"Grandmother Empress, Xiongying is back!"

"Little Aunt, come quickly, look! I brought you something delicious!"

With his arms wrapped around a large bag of snacks, Zhu Xiongying scampered into the palace on his short legs. The "Little Aunt" he referred to was Zhu Yourong, the second daughter of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma. Before marriage, princesses lived with the Empress, and as such, Zhu Yourong frequently played with Zhu Xiongying, sharing a very close bond.

Hearing his voice, Zhu Yourong, who had been chatting with Empress Ma, immediately hurried over.

"Little Xiongying, you’re back! What was that you said? You brought something delicious for your aunt from outside the palace?"

Being a bit of a foodie herself, Zhu Yourong grew excited at the mention of snacks.

Zhu Xiongying handed the bag to her. "Little Aunt, it’s these..."

"What are these?" Zhu Yourong asked, looking puzzled.

"They’re delicious! Super delicious!"

Zhu Xiongying pulled out a bag of potato chips and, mimicking Jiang Lin’s movements, tore it open with force. "The Immortal Brother gave them to me before I left. I endured the whole way back without eating them."

"An Immortal Brother?" Zhu Yourong laughed, teasing him. "What is this, Little Xiongying? Did you meet an immortal today? Did he conjure these snacks out of thin air?"

"Hmm? Little Aunt, how did you know? Have you seen the Immortal Brother too?" Zhu Xiongying blinked, gazing at her with innocent, wide-eyed curiosity.

Zhu Yourong, of course, did not believe his claim, assuming he had simply encountered a street performer.

"I’ve seen him too, and his tricks are truly remarkable!"

"Yes, the Immortal Brother is amazing! He has a magical treasure that can play animations, featuring the mighty Calabash Brothers. They have all sorts of spells—spitting fire and water! Also, Mother was feeling faint earlier, but luckily the Immortal Brother fed her some medicine and saved her."

"What?!" Zhu Yourong turned to look at Lady Chang, who was still chatting with Empress Ma.

Lady Chang nodded. "I fainted while out today, and the young master took me to a private residence to rest. I never expected to meet such an extraordinary person there..."

"An extraordinary person?" Empress Ma’s interest was piqued. Lady Chang began to recount the events, and both Empress Ma and Zhu Yourong listened intently. As she spoke, Zhu Yourong felt a growing curiosity about this mysterious man from a later era.

Just as she was about to ask further questions, Zhu Xiongying tugged at her sleeve. "Little Aunt, can you help me open this? I’ve been trying for ages..."

Zhu Yourong, being ten years his senior, easily tore the bag open. The moment it opened, a crisp, refreshing aroma wafted out.

"Wow, it smells so good! It smells a bit like cucumber," Zhu Yourong noted, leaning in to sniff the chips.

Zhu Xiongying took a chip and popped it into his mouth. "Little Aunt, you have some too!"

"All right!" Zhu Yourong took a bite, and the crispy texture immediately brightened her expression. She dashed over to Empress Ma. "Mother, you must try this!"

Empress Ma was also drawn in by the aroma and took a piece. As she tasted it, her usually composed and reserved demeanor shifted into one of pleasant surprise.

"Hmm? These snacks brought by Master Jiang are quite delicious! Yourong, what are these called?"

Zhu Yourong didn't know, so she turned back to Zhu Xiongying.

"Potato chips!" Zhu Xiongying chirped. "Grandmother Empress, the Immortal Brother said they’re called potato chips, made from potatoes. And the shredded potatoes the Immortal Brother made were also incredibly good. I really want to eat them again!"

As he spoke, Zhu Xiongying instinctively licked his lips, savoring the memory. Zhu Yourong, now deeply intrigued by this "Immortal Brother," whispered to herself:

"I really want to taste them too..."

"Princess, what exactly is it that you wish to taste?" Lady Chang teased, "Master Jiang is not only a master of culinary arts but also exceptionally handsome."

Zhu Yourong was taken aback, her face flushing bright red. "What are you saying? What does his looks have to do with me?"

Despite her words, the corners of her mouth curled upward, unable to hide a secret flicker of anticipation. If even Lady Chang thought he was handsome, how handsome could he truly be? Was he even more dashing than her eldest brother?

Seeing this, Empress Ma took Zhu Yourong’s small hand, patting it with a smile. "Yourong, you are at a marriageable age. Should I go see this Master Jiang for you tomorrow?"

"Mother, I... I don’t want to get married!" With a burning face, Zhu Yourong pulled her hand away and ran off.

She caught up to Zhu Xiongying and whispered, "Little Xiongying, come play elsewhere with me, okay?"

"Okay!" Zhu Xiongying nodded without hesitation. As she led him away from the Kunning Palace, she asked, "Little Xiongying, answer one question for your aunt, truthfully now."

"What question?"

"Is that Immortal Brother very handsome?"

"Hmm... the big brother is very, very handsome!"

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Do you know his name?"

"Jiang Lin! The Immortal Brother said his name is Jiang Lin!"