Chapter 34: Princess Jurong!

Chen Lin was just about to propose another condition when the system suddenly chimed in.

【Task unlocked: First Industrial Revolution. Help the Great Ming complete the Industrial Revolution. Reward: 10 billion yuan, which can be withdrawn in installments based on completion progress.】

Damn it!
Again?!
Where do all these tasks come from? Is this a "death-wish" system?
But 10 billion yuan, and I can withdraw it in installments!
System, I think you are intentionally guiding me to change history. Tell me, what exactly is your goal?

【Yes, it is precisely to have the host change history and change the Great Ming...】

Are you really that blunt?
【It is just that blunt...】

Damn it, I was just curious if the Great Ming’s "Fire Ox" was a steam engine, and you go and drop an Industrial Revolution task on me. If I were curious about the Great Ming’s alchemy, would you drop a cultivation task on me too?

【.........】

Whatever, it’s already come to this. Might as well just do it.

Seeing him standing there in a daze, Zhu Yuanzhang assumed he was still thinking about other conditions. "Well? Have you made up your mind?"

Chen Lin snapped back to reality. "Well, I want to be the Minister of the Ministry of Works."

"What!?"
"No, no, that is absolutely out of the question. The Minister of a Ministry deals with the core policies of the imperial court; it’s not something for you to play around with."

Chen Lin turned and walked away, reaching Chen Xiaolan to take the badminton racket she handed him. "My Lady, I’ll play against you."

Across the net, Empress Ma wiped away her sweat and gestured for Zhu Yuanzhang to come over. Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't waste any time; he hurried forward and took the racket. Since he couldn't persuade Chen Lin head-on, he would try a flanking maneuver. In any case, the position of Minister of Works was off-limits, and Vice Minister was out too; at best, he could offer the post of a Director within the Ministry of Works.

*Smack!*
Chen Lin showed no mercy, delivering a smash that hit Zhu Yuanzhang right in the face. Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his face and picked up the shuttlecock from the ground. "It’s actually quite interesting. I’ll beat this brat first..."

"Watch the serve!"
Hmm?
Why didn't it fly?
Try again!
*Whoosh!*
Another swing and a miss!
Damn it, I don't believe this.
*Whoosh!*
Another swing and a miss...

"Grandfather is so clumsy, he can't even serve the shuttlecock."

Zhu Yuanzhang threw his racket down. "I'm not playing anymore. Chen Lin, I'm hungry, hurry up and arrange some food."

"If you're hungry, just go back to the palace. I never said I was keeping you for dinner, honestly." As he spoke, he looked at Zhu Xiongying, who had already picked up a racket. "Little Zhu, let's keep playing."

Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to go to Empress Ma’s side and sit on the bench at the edge of the court, taking the small bottle of iced black tea that Chen Xiaolan handed him. "Only Xiaolan is thoughtful, unlike that brat; he has no respect for his elders."

Empress Ma laughed. "Isn't this quite good? Talking, laughing, and playing around—you're the only one who takes it all seriously."

Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless. "You say that lightly. If it were any other emperor in history, this brat would have been executed long ago."

"I don't think so. If other emperors in history knew he had the ability to bring the dead back to life, they would have treasured him even more than you do. Unlike you, getting angry at the slightest provocation—you lack the temperament of a monarch."

"My dear, why are you taking his side!?"

At this moment, Chen Xiaolan suddenly interjected, "Your Majesty, actually, the Young Master respects you very much. Yesterday, he told me that without the Great Ming established by Your Majesty, the legacy of the Huaxia civilization would have been severed after the Battle of Yashan."

"Your Majesty re-established the Han dynasty in the midst of chaos, restored the dignity of the Han people, and continued the traditions and culture of the Han; you are truly an emperor for the ages."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned. "An emperor for the ages? Did he really say that?"

"Xiaolan would never dare to deceive Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed. "Very well, I suppose I was being petty. But that brat is truly infuriating." He looked at Chen Xiaolan. "Xiaolan, you are the Empress’s foster daughter, which makes you my foster daughter as well. I must bestow the title of Princess upon you."

"How about this: when I return to the palace, I will issue an imperial decree naming you the Princess of Jurong. How does that sound?"

Chen Xiaolan was alarmed. "I dare not. I am merely a commoner; to receive the favor of Your Majesty and the Empress is already a stroke of divine fortune. I dare not covet the title of Princess."

Empress Ma took Chen Xiaolan's hand. "Don't be afraid. This is the importance the Emperor places on your young master; it is not just because of your status as a foster daughter. Do you understand what I mean?"

Chen Xiaolan was clever; how could she not understand? But... "I must ask the Young Master first."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma both nodded. This foster daughter knew her place, understood how to advance and retreat, and was loyal—a truly excellent young woman.

Watching Chen Xiaolan run off to find Chen Lin, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed. "I don't know what kind of incredible luck that brat Chen Lin has to encounter such a fine woman. It’s too good for him."

Empress Ma teased, "They have shared hardships and true feelings; Xiao Chen has been inseparable from Xiaolan, exchanging heart for heart, and cares only for her. Unlike some people—getting on in years, yet arranging a concubine selection every few years. Shameless."

Zhu Yuanzhang felt awkward. "Yes, yes, I won't select any more concubines in the future; I will focus on being good to you alone."

"But come to think of it, I really didn't expect Chen Lin's evaluation of me to be so high. 'Emperor for the ages'—am I really that extraordinary?"

Empress Ma replied, "That’s why I said it; Xiao Chen has a cold exterior but a kind heart. At most, he has a foul temper. Toward you as an Emperor, toward our family, and toward the Great Ming, he has no ill intentions. You, sometimes, you just can't control your temper. Xiao Chen is clearly just trying to get a rise out of you, and you take it to heart."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed. "I admit, I fell for his tricks. I just can't help getting angry, but his tongue is just too sharp. If it were you, you’d be angry too."

Empress Ma smiled. "That’s true. His tongue is indeed sharp. He has you cornered, he’s not afraid of death, he has no relatives to threaten, and his only weakness, Xiaolan, is well-protected. You could say he has no flaws. The key is that there are things you have to beg him for. When I think about it carefully, I feel frustrated for you as an Emperor."

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes welled up. "Exactly! I am truly frustrated. Only you understand me, my dear..."

As they talked, Zhu Yuanzhang shared the history Chen Lin had revealed to him with Empress Ma.

"What did you say? Biao will die young!?"

Zhu Yuanzhang rushed to comfort her. At the same time, Chen Xiaolan told Chen Lin about Zhu Yuanzhang’s plan to bestow the princess title.

"Young Master, I will listen to you. If you want me to be this princess, I will; if not, I won't."

Chen Lin looked toward Zhu Yuanzhang. "He’s trying to use you to curry favor with me. Fine, since he’s being so generous, taking him for a tour of the future world isn't entirely out of the question."

"But Young Master, won't this affect you?"

Chen Lin pinched Xiaolan’s cheek. "It's fine, my Princess."

"Oh, I don't care about being a princess or not. I just want to stay by the Young Master's side."

Chen Lin chuckled. "That’s great. Let’s see, your 'visitor' should be gone by now, right? Do you know what to do tonight?"

Chen Xiaolan lowered her head. "I... I... I know..."

Just then, Zhu Xiongying’s voice came from across the court: "Chen Lin, hurry up and serve!"

"Serve your head! Kids have no sense of timing. I'm done playing."

Chen Lin threw down his racket and took Chen Xiaolan toward the kitchen. Since Zhu Yuanzhang was being so sincere, he might as well show some hospitality!