Volume 1, Chapter 29: Fourth, I Have Something I'd Like to Discuss With You!

Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, and Zhu Biao sat together in the carriage returning to the palace, still stunned and unable to fully grasp what had just happened. Everything they had experienced at Jiang Lin’s home felt like an endless dream.

"My goodness, I never imagined that people of the future could be so formidable, capable of traversing both heaven and sea without limits!" Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed.

"Especially that flying machine that carries people through the sky—something we could never have even dreamed of before, yet the future has made it a reality," he added.

"And the rockets and the Tiangong space station! To think there is such a world beyond the heavens—it truly opened my eyes," he reflected in amazement.

Zhu Biao, sitting beside him, was equally excited. "Besides all that, Jiang Lin has brought so many wonderful things to our Ming—potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn seeds."

"Though these crops would eventually reach Ming, being able to enjoy such blessings two centuries early is an immeasurable boon to our people."

"Hahaha, well said!" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, feeling happier by the moment. The more he thought about Jiang Lin, the more he appreciated this son-in-law who had brought so many surprises.

Zhu Biao smiled. "Father, this trip has been incredibly fruitful. Not only did we rescue the Empress and Xiongying, but we also found a husband for Your Majesty’s daughter!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang’s smile broadened even further. For him personally, saving his sister and grandson, two beloved family members, brought even greater joy than the introduction of those miraculous crops.

Upon returning to the palace, they found a figure who had been waiting at the gate for some time—it was Prince Yan, Zhu Di.

As the three disembarked, Zhu Di hurried over. "Father, Mother, Elder Brother, you have returned! I heard you visited a wondrous hermit—did you meet him? What did you gain?"

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Zhu Di. Memories surfaced of what Jiang Lin had said about Zhu Di’s future deeds. While these actions couldn’t be entirely blamed on Zhu Di, they left Zhu Yuanzhang uneasy.

Young Zhu Yunwen was helpless—only one year old and unable to act—so Zhu Di, his son, was the only one who could ease his worries.

"Fourth son, we indeed have much to share today," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Curious, Zhu Di asked, "May I hear about it? I’m quite intrigued by that sage."

"Want to know?" Zhu Yuanzhang’s pale brows lifted slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good. Let’s find a quiet place—I have something to discuss with you."

With that, much to Zhu Di’s surprise, Zhu Yuanzhang grabbed his arm and headed toward a small grove.

"Father!" Zhu Biao hurriedly called out to stop them.

Zhu Di glanced back and signaled him to stay out of it.

Empress Ma chuckled softly. "Biao, escort me back. Let us not disturb the father-son conversation between your father and Fourth Brother."

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At the same time, Jiang Lin and Zhu Yourong had just finished their tasks. Both were drenched in sweat, utterly exhausted from the physical labor, collapsing onto the bed with no desire to move.

"Phew... after an hour of this, I’m nearly dead tired!" Jiang Lin exclaimed.

"Hmph! It’s all your fault—you’ve made me starve!" Zhu Yourong rubbed her belly and shot Jiang Lin a slightly resentful glance.

Jiang Lin looked surprised and confused. "How is it my fault?"

"You changed your mind halfway and insisted on tidying the entire room," she replied.

"Do you think I wanted to? It’s because your room was just too filthy!"

"I refuse to live in such a place," Zhu Yourong rolled her eyes at him.

"Men really are the same everywhere—even in the future, a home without a woman just won’t work."

"Before, the palace maids cleaned my chambers. I never had to do it myself, never imagined how exhausting it would be."

"But now, seeing the room so clean and beautiful, it feels worth the effort," Zhu Yourong said proudly.

Jiang Lin didn’t argue this time, for facts spoke louder than any feeble protest. He found no way to counter her words.

When he lived alone, he’d been a typical homebody. As long as the room wasn’t too messy, he’d never bother cleaning it. Even when he did, it was a superficial tidy-up, not the thorough spring cleaning they had done today—not even neglecting the tiniest corners.

Indeed, a home without a woman just wouldn’t do!

Seeing Zhu Yourong soaked in sweat, Jiang Lin spoke gently, "You’re sweating. I’ll run some water for you. Take a good soak and then come out for dinner."

"Okay, Jiang Lin, thank you," she said earnestly, biting her lip.

Jiang Lin smiled and stood, heading toward the bathroom with Zhu Yourong following.

At the bathtub, Jiang Lin crouched down and turned the faucet on.

Zhu Yourong’s eyes widened, amazed once again by this miraculous sight.

"Turning this releases water?"

Curious, she crouched beside the tub and dipped a small hand in.

"Hmm? It’s hot water!"

"Yes, because the water has been heated," Jiang Lin explained.

Zhu Yourong looked puzzled; she hadn’t seen Jiang Lin do anything to heat the water.

Seeing her confusion, Jiang Lin pointed upward. "Do you see that? It’s called a water heater—it heats the water."

"A water heater, I see!"

Zhu Yourong’s initial astonishment had faded; after all, having such wondrous devices in Jiang Lin’s home was becoming commonplace.

Once the tub filled, Jiang Lin turned to her. "Princess, let me teach you how to use the bathtub."

"This is called the faucet. It controls the water flow, temperature, and on/off switch."

"Raising it lets water flow; the higher, the stronger the flow. Lowering it reduces the flow; at the lowest, it’s off. Turning right makes the water hot; turning left, cold."

"Did you get it? When you bathe, you’ll control it yourself."

Zhu Yourong nodded, still a bit bewildered.

In her experience, bathwater had to be boiled in advance and poured into the tub, with fresh hot water added constantly to keep it warm.

But now, with this faucet, she could effortlessly adjust both flow and temperature.

Wasn’t this the kind of magic only immortals in stories could command?

Heavens!

Simply unbelievable!

How many more such marvels did the future hold?

Zhu Yourong’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Lin, feeling more certain that staying here was a wise choice, eagerly anticipating the life ahead.

Following his instructions, she tried it out.

"This is hot, this is cold, this increases flow, this decreases it, this stops it, and this turns it off."

"Good, Princess. Since you’ve learned, I’ll leave you to your bath."

With that, Jiang Lin turned and left the bathroom, heading toward the kitchen to prepare dinner.