Chapter 31: Conversation at the Villa

"Has more promise than your father!!"

What does that mean?

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with trepidation, only to find the latter staring back at him with an unkind expression. Chen Lin chuckled inwardly; this was getting interesting. Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang wore thoughtful expressions, while Empress Ma watched Chen Lin, lost in her own musings. Only Zhu Xiongying remained carefree, circling the little electric scooter, touching this and tapping that, clearly delighted.

Chen Lin knew when to quit. Planting the seeds of rebellion in Zhu Di’s heart was enough for now; some things had to be done slowly. Rush too much, and you’re bound to pull a muscle. He pulled Chen Xiaolan over to the three brothers. "Come, meet your new foster sister. Xiaolan, show your respects to your three brothers."

Chen Xiaolan took the cue immediately, curtsying to each of the three princes in turn. "Xiaolan greets the three brothers."

Seeing that the three remained silent, Empress Ma stepped forward and gestured at them. "Well? Is my foster daughter not good enough for you to acknowledge?"

Only then did the three snap out of their daze, hurriedly cupping their hands in return. "Greetings, little sister Xiaolan..."

Chen Lin smiled; that was settled. With Empress Ma and the three princes present, Zhu Yuanzhang wouldn't dare lay a finger on Xiaolan, which meant he could provoke the old man to his heart's content.

At that moment, Zhu Yuanzhang stepped forward and said, "Hurry up and take us inside for a tour. I want to see what kind of illegalities a commoner like you, without rank or title, has managed to commit."

Chen Lin retorted flatly, "And what if I don't welcome you?"

"You!!"

Empress Ma quickly stepped in to smooth things over, taking Chen Lin’s hand. "Little Chen, I’m a bit thirsty. Might I trouble you for a cup of water?"

Faced with Empress Ma’s gentle request, Chen Lin found it hard to refuse. He snorted at Zhu Yuanzhang, then joined Chen Xiaolan in helping the Empress up the ramp.

Zhu Yuanzhang was livid! As the majestic Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who wouldn't be falling over themselves to host him? Yet here he was, being turned away at the door. Who would believe it? But he dared not say much; he couldn't out-argue the boy, and he certainly couldn't kill him. Arresting him and resorting to torture was out of the question—not only would the Empress object, but if the lad committed suicide in prison or pulled some other stunt, the one left to clean up the mess would be the Emperor himself. Most importantly, he felt his health failing and his energy waning; there would come a day when he might need this boy's help. If he offended him too deeply, and the boy refused to lift a finger, he would be the one left suffering.

"Father, should we follow?" Zhu Shuang asked tentatively.

"Follow? Why wouldn't we? I want to see what is so special about this house."

With that, the father and his three sons headed toward the ramp, but Zhu Xiongying was still lingering by the electric scooter. "Grandson, let’s go!"

*Vroom!*

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhu Xiongying twisted the throttle, and both boy and bike shot forward like a bolt!

"Oh, my dear grandson!"

Inside the villa's living room, Chen Xiaolan had just poured a cup of iced black tea for Empress Ma when Zhu Yuanzhang burst in, looking menacing as he dragged a bruised and scraped Zhu Xiongying behind him.

"Chen Lin! Get out here, you brat!"

Chen Lin lay on the sofa, scrolling through his phone without even lifting his eyelids. "What are you hollering about? Don't you know the etiquette of being a guest in someone else's home?"

"Coming empty-handed is one thing, but making such a scene—is this how an emperor behaves? Look at Zhu Di; he’s composed and dignified. I think he looks more like an emperor than you do."

Zhu Di’s face was filled with horror. *Oh, my dear mother, please, stop talking, you’re going to get us killed!*

Zhu Yuanzhang was fuming, pointing at Chen Lin, unable to force out a single word. Empress Ma, meanwhile, looked on in distress at her grandson, who had nearly scarred his face. "My poor grandson, your Imperial Grandmother just turned her head for a second, how did you end up like this?"

Zhu Xiongying cried, "Imperial Grandmother, it hurts."

"It hurts! Little Chen, Little Chen, go get the medicine!"

Chen Lin snapped his fingers, and Chen Xiaolan hurried to fetch the medical kit.

"Young Master, which one?"

"The purple liquid and the Band-Aid. I taught you how."

"Oh, right, I remember."

Soon, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhu Xiongying looked like a violet-faced demon, with adhesive bandages plastered on his palms and forearms. A box of yogurt quickly turned his tears into smiles. Done.

Empress Ma finally relaxed, hugging Zhu Xiongying and leaving with Chen Xiaolan to the backyard, leaving the time and space to the men. Chen Lin also sat up, knowing that Zhu Yuanzhang would inevitably ask some critical questions, and he had to be careful.

"Sit down. Guests are guests."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted and plopped into the sofa, only to spring back up instinctively. He cautiously probed the cushion with his hand before sitting down again, curiously stroking the leather surface. He wondered, looking at the strange furniture and appliances—were these all brought from the future? Was the entire estate brought from the future? How on earth did this boy manage it? Could it really be sorcery?

The three brothers exchanged glances and sat down gingerly, surveying the decor—it felt both familiar and alien. It was like the houses of ordinary officials, yet there were things they had never seen before.

Chen Lin took out a pack of cigarettes, flicked one out for himself, and tossed the pack and a lighter onto the coffee table. "Help yourselves."

*Sshh—*

"Zhonghua!"

"Interesting..."

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the pack, inspected it, and lit one up. "How much is this per pack? I want a hundred."

The three brothers watched their father longingly, only to see him tuck the pack into his own pocket after lighting up.

"What are you looking at? If you want to smoke, pay for it yourselves. Honestly..."

Chen Lin exhaled a ring of smoke. "Didn't you swipe a whole carton from me at the restaurant? That was only a few days ago—is it already gone?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smacked his lips. "I don't smoke that much; the Crown Prince is the heavy smoker—a pack and a half a day." He paused. "But these are truly good. They clear the mind. When we’re exhausted from handling state affairs late at night, the Crown Prince and I light one up, and we’re instantly alert."

Chen Lin shook his head. "Using one's son as a minister—Zhu Yuanzhang is destroying the Crown Prince!!"

Zhu Yuanzhang shuddered violently. "What does that mean?"

"Are you saying the Crown Prince will..."

At this, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to recall the purpose of his visit. "You come from the future; the history books must record what happens after the Hongwu years. Tell me, how many years did the Crown Prince reign after I died, and what is the fate of the Ming Dynasty?"

Chen Lin sneered. "What else could it mean? It means exactly what I said. Don't you understand?"

"Are you saying the Crown Prince was worked to death!?"

"Wait, you only mention the Crown Prince—did he die before he could even become Emperor?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Di. "You think highly of the fourth son—is he the one who eventually becomes Emperor!?"

Chen Lin chuckled. "Why should I tell you?" He looked at the terrified Zhu Di. "Come on, let's go to the backyard and play badminton!"

"Stay where you are! Nobody leaves until this is made clear!"

*Clatter!*

Mao Xiang led a group of Imperial Guards storming into the room, securing all exits with swords drawn. They clearly weren't joking.

Chen Lin walked up to Mao Xiang, stretched out his neck, and patted him. "Go ahead, kill me, and you'll go down in history!"

"Ugh..."

As Chen Lin stepped forward, Mao Xiang retreated, completely overwhelmed by the other's aura.

*Ding! Quest activated: Change the fate of Crown Prince Zhu Biao. Reward: 100 million RMB.*