RPAGF Chapter 60 Whether she was a foster mother or a stepmother, she was ultimately a poor child without
Chapter 60 Whether she was a foster mother or a stepmother, she was ultimately a poor child without
"You must be hungry after waiting so long, right?"
"I brought back some local specialties this time. You've definitely never tried them before. They taste amazing. Let's eat first and then talk about other things. We can discuss them after we've eaten our fill."
As he spoke, he quickly called out to the door, asking someone to bring in the sweet potatoes he had brought. He also had someone bring over a brazier, and personally placed the sweet potatoes by the brazier to roast them.
Empress Ma and the two imperial concubines exchanged bewildered glances, their faces full of confusion as they looked at the dark, unremarkable sweet potatoes in the brazier. "Chongba," they asked, their eyes filled with bewilderment, "what is this? It's all black, can we eat it?"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled but did not answer. While turning over the sweet potatoes, he said, "You'll know once you try them. I guarantee you won't be disappointed."
Before long, the sweet aroma of sweet potatoes filled the air, refreshing and delightful. Zhu Yuanzhang picked up a roasted sweet potato, peeled off the skin, and revealed the golden flesh, which smelled even more fragrant.
He handed one to Empress Ma, and then one to each of the two imperial concubines: "Try it quickly, eat it while it's hot, it tastes best."
Empress Ma took a bite with some skepticism, but the soft, sweet texture melted instantly in her mouth, without the slightest roughness. She was immediately won over, her eyes filled with delight: "This is so delicious! I've never eaten anything so wonderful!"
The two imperial concubines also quickly began to taste it. After finishing, their faces were full of praise, and they repeatedly exclaimed that the taste was excellent. Their previous anger and worries had also dissipated by most.
Looking at their expressions, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled smugly and slowly introduced, "Don't underestimate this sweet potato; it's not just ordinary food, but a divine substance!"
"These sweet potatoes have an extremely high yield, are drought-resistant and can thrive in poor soil, whether in mountainous or plain areas. They also have a soft and glutinous texture, making them a suitable staple food. If they were cultivated nationwide, they would surely alleviate the famine and ensure that everyone in the country has enough to eat!"
Empress Ma and the two imperial concubines were greatly surprised upon hearing this, their faces filled with disbelief. They quickly asked, "Is it really that miraculous? Where did you find this?"
"I didn't go out to fool around. This time I went out to find this divine object, as well as many good ways to benefit the people of the world."
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, his tone full of pride.
Empress Ma and the others' attitudes softened completely, and smiles appeared on their faces. Empress Ma then remembered the three princes and asked again, "Chongba, you still haven't told me where Shuang'er and the other two went?"
Zhu Yuanzhang put away his smile and slowly said, "I sent the three of them to labor reform, to farm, to endure hardship, and to temper their character."
"But don't worry, although they have worked hard, they have also grown a lot. Their former spoiled and arrogant nature is completely gone. They have become down-to-earth and resilient, and they have also learned to sympathize with the common people. They no longer live extravagantly. When they come back this time, you will definitely see a different side of them."
Empress Ma and the two imperial concubines were surprised again upon hearing this. Their faces were full of heartache, and their eyes were slightly red, but there was also a hint of relief: "The children have worked hard, but it is a good thing that they can change their temperament. It is better than continuing to be a spoiled brat."
After the banquet, the two imperial concubines took their leave, leaving only Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma in the bedroom, where the atmosphere became warm and intimate.
Empress Ma sat beside Zhu Yuanzhang, looking at him with gentle eyes, and slowly said, "Chongba, I guess you went to that adopted son of Zhu Yao's place again this time, didn't you?"
"For you to personally go there and bring back such a miraculous thing, this child must be no ordinary person."
Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a moment, then nodded, his face softening slightly: "My dear sister, you understand me best. That's right, this time I went to Yao'er's place. That child is indeed a peerless talent. Cement roads, sweet potatoes, the Single Whip Method—each one can benefit the world."
A hint of curiosity flashed in Empress Ma's eyes, and she said with a smile, "Oh? Such a remarkable child? I'd like to see him and see what kind of child you value so highly."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang hesitated for a moment, then frowned and said, "Sister, you can go, but there's one thing I need to make clear to you."
"Yao'er doesn't know my true identity yet and has always regarded me as his biological father. So after you go there, you will essentially become his stepmother, and he might... be hostile towards you."
"So you must be careful with your words and actions, and never reveal our identities. Otherwise, given his aversion to the court, he might become hostile towards me."
Upon hearing this, Empress Ma gave Zhu Yuanzhang a meaningful look, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes, and then said with a smile, "Don't worry, I know what's important and won't expose your identity."
"Whether she's a foster mother or a stepmother, she's still a poor child without a mother. If I go there, I can take good care of her and make up for the maternal love she's missed all these years."
Looking at Empress Ma's gentle appearance, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a warmth in his heart. He took her hand and nodded, "Alright, then wait a few days until the affairs of the court are settled, and then I will take you to Chenzhou to see Yao'er."
...
Hu Weiyong bid farewell to Zhu Yuanzhang and limped back to his prime minister's residence. As soon as he stepped through the gate, he was greeted by his wife, who was already waiting in the hall.
When his wife saw that he was covered in injuries, with thick bandages wrapped around his forehead, bruises all over his face, and his clothes in disarray, she was immediately filled with heartache and confusion. She walked over and reached out to touch his wounds, but was afraid of hurting him.
"Master, what happened to you? You've only been gone a few days, how did you get so disheveled, covered in injuries? What happened?"
His wife's voice was choked with emotion, her tone full of worry.
Hu Weiyong waved his hand dismissively, his face showing no concern. He reached out and brushed his wife's hand away, his tone tinged with smugness: "It's nothing, just a minor injury, nothing serious."
"Although we were covered in injuries, we gained a lot from this trip, more than any amount of gold and silver we could bring back. Our Hu family will surely rise to a higher level in the future."
Seeing his disheveled appearance and hearing his claim of having gained a lot, his wife retorted irritably, "Gained a lot? I didn't see that coming!"
"When you left, you were surrounded by a retinue, so glamorous. Now you come back, dressed in tattered clothes, covered in wounds, almost a beggar. I haven't seen you bring home anything of value. Is this what you call a good haul?"
Hu Weiyong's face darkened, and his tone was impatient: "What do you, a woman, know! The affairs of the court are not something you can understand."
"Forget it, even if I told you, you wouldn't understand. Stop nagging me and give me some peace and quiet." He said impatiently, waving his hand to send his wife away.
Just then, a servant hurried into the hall, bowed to Hu Weiyong and said, "Master, someone from the Duke of Han's mansion has come to say that Duke Li Shanchang of Han requests your presence, as he has important matters to discuss."