Volume One, Chapter 15: Your Majesty, the Crown Prince Has Never Ascended the Throne!

Jiang Lin was momentarily taken aback, startled by a remark from Zhu Yourong.

“Your sausage, may I have a bite?”

“What sausage? Which kind?”

“No, when did people in ancient times become so open-minded?”

Looking up at Zhu Yourong, he realized she was intently staring at the sausage in her hand.

Ah!

So it was this sausage!

He almost misunderstood.

“May I? Just a small bite!” Zhu Yourong’s eyes were full of pleading innocence, stirring a tender feeling.

Jiang Lin couldn’t refuse such an adorable little princess and reluctantly placed the sausage into Zhu Yourong’s bowl.

“Princess, this sausage is called a ‘ham sausage’ in the future.”

“Ham sausage? That’s a nice name!”

Zhu Yourong bit into it, and the juice burst forth immediately. The mingling aroma of meat and instant noodle broth brightened her eyes, and her expression grew excited.

“Mmm~ this ham sausage is quite good!”

“What kind of meat is it made from?”

“Pork!” Jiang Lin replied.

Zhu Yourong gingerly returned the nearly finished sausage to Jiang Lin’s bowl.

She blushed slightly and said, “Here, I’m giving it back to you. I couldn’t help but take a few extra bites...”

“It’s alright. If you like it, you can have it,” Jiang Lin said generously, waving his hand.

At that moment, Zhu Biao approached.

“Hey, what are you two being so polite about?”

“If you won’t eat it, I’ll have it. I’ve never tasted ham sausage before!”

Before the words had fully left his mouth, Jiang Lin took the remaining sausage in one bite.

Zhu Biao was speechless: emmm…

Seeing Jiang Lin’s decisive action without hesitation, Zhu Yourong’s face flushed crimson in an instant.

---

Could this be considered an indirect kiss?

“Burp~ delicious, truly delicious!”

At that, Zhu Yuanzhang let out a loud, satisfied belch, looking content yet still a little wistful.

“Jiang Lin, make me another bowl!”

“Your Majesty, this instant noodle isn’t very nutritious. One bowl is enough,” Jiang Lin shook his head.

Seeing Jiang Lin refuse, Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t press further and changed the subject.

“Since you’ve finished eating, can you tell me about the future now?”

“Tell me, how does Biao rule after ascending the throne?”

Upon hearing the question, Zhu Biao looked at Jiang Lin expectantly.

He wanted to know what achievements he would make after becoming emperor.

“Your Majesty, perhaps I should just make you another bowl of instant noodles,” Jiang Lin diverted again, not wanting the old Zhu to know the truth of history. Otherwise, this old emperor might lose his temper right then and there.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s sharp eyes narrowed as he sensed something amiss.

What was going on?

Earlier, when asking Jiang Lin about Biao, the excuse was breakfast.

Now, when asking again, Jiang Lin gave an obviously flimsy excuse.

Very strange!

What could the crown prince have done that even Jiang Lin dared not speak of?

Originally, Zhu Yuanzhang had asked casually, but now his curiosity was piqued.

“Will you tell me or not?”

“Your Majesty, it’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just...” Jiang Lin’s expression showed hesitation.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition arising.

What happened after Biao ascended the throne?

Was it so shameful that Jiang Lin faltered?

Impossible!

---

Absolutely impossible!

In old Zhu’s eyes, his Biao was the most outstanding heir in history.

Yes!

It must be that Biao’s reign was too brilliant!

And Jiang Lin was playing hard to get,

just to give him a big surprise!

Thinking this, a trace of pride appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang’s face as he impatiently urged Jiang Lin:

“Do you even know the future or not?”

“Could it be... your identity as a man from the future is a fake?”

“Your Majesty, aren’t these things at my home enough proof of my identity?”

“If you truly come from the future, why are you stalling?”

Faced with the emperor’s pressing questions and suspicion, Jiang Lin felt a surge of irritation.

I’m really fed up!

I see you’re over fifty years old and I don’t want to shock you with bad news early on, yet you still doubt me?

If neither of you wants to live comfortably, then don’t blame me for being sharp-tongued and breaking your spirits.

No choice!

You forced me into this!

“Your Majesty, although I am from the future, I cannot tell you how the crown prince governed after ascending the throne because there are simply no records in the history books.”

“???” Zhu Yuanzhang’s face filled with question marks.

Just as he was perplexed, Jiang Lin’s voice reached his ear:

“Your Majesty, the crown prince never ascended the throne. How could the history books record it then?”