[Ming Dynasty] Want to Compare Dads? My Dad Is Zhu Biao

[First draft, edited March 15, 2024]

Reborn as a grandson of the Ming emperor, with the founding emperor as his grandfather and the current crown prince as his father.

And himself? The apple of everyone's eye.

Zhu Xiongying, who had worked himself to the bone in his previous life and died young as a result, declared:

Perfect, wonderful. Now I can lie flat and take it easy, hahaha.

But it didn't take long for him to realize that although his imperial grandfather doted on him, he was a terrible grandpa who threw his grandson under the bus.

His father loved him, but was always trying to push him to succeed.

In the middle of summer, Zhu Xiongying made some refreshing ice cream and happily took it to share with his imperial grandfather.

His grandfather was getting on in years, and his digestive system couldn't handle it. The imperial physician said he should eat as little cold food as possible.

His father treated these words as sacred, leaving his grandfather desperately wanting a taste.

Of course, the dutiful Zhu Xiongying had to help his grandfather out.

Eating less didn't mean he couldn't eat any at all. What was wrong with having a little?

So the grandfather and grandson hid under the dragon throne and sneaked a taste.

When a figure came into view, Zhu Yuanzhang reacted quickly, shoved the ice cream into Zhu Xiongying's hands, and raised his hand to protest:

"Biao, look, I haven't eaten any. This kid ate it all. It has nothing to do with me."

Zhu Xiongying looked at his empty-handed grandfather, then at the ice cream he'd just been handed, still unfinished. He looked up and met his father's ominous gaze: ...

Zhu Xiongying made a cake, with a soft, smooth sponge and sweet, delicious cream.

Grandfather and grandson gobbled it down, bite after bite.

Zhu Yuanzhang: "The imperial physician said I shouldn't eat anything too sweet. This isn't very sweet, so I think it's fine."

Zhu Xiongying: "Of course. I had them reduce the sugar especially for you, Imperial Grandfather. You can't throw me under the bus again. But surely Father won't catch us this time."

Zhu Yuanzhang agreed heartily: "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."

The next second, Zhu Biao appeared again.

Zhu Xiongying instinctively looked down. All he had in his hands was his own original piece of cake. Great, his imperial grandfather, the Son of Heaven, had kept his word... Wait, no, where was his imperial grandfather? Grandfather, where are you?

Zhu Yuanzhang, who had already sneaked away: Dear grandson, Grandpa keeps his word. I didn't throw you under the bus this time. Grandpa... ahem, Grandpa is just busy with state affairs and has to leave first.

The grandfather and grandson agreed to travel the land incognito, and decided to sneak away after leaving a note for Zhu Biao to govern in their absence.

So Zhu Xiongying packed his bags and went to find Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Imperial Grandfather, hurry up. I checked, Father isn't outside. Let's go now. I planned the route ahead of time, so we definitely won't get caught this time."

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't dare move a step. He kept winking and making strange faces.

Zhu Xiongying shuddered and turned around, only to see his father emerge from behind the screen.

Zhu Xiongying: !!!

Zhu Yuanzhang: Is it possible your father isn't outside because he's inside?

Every time Zhu Xiongying got caught, his father would hit him with three soul-searching questions: "You have time to fiddle with this stuff, but not to attend lessons with your tutor, is that it? Have you read today's books? Done your homework? Practiced your calligraphy?"

Zhu Xiongying: Boohoo, my heart aches. I'm so sad. Imperial Grandfather, you always throw your grandson under the bus. If I trust you again, I'm a dog.

A cheerful story of everyday life between three generations.

Zhu Yuanzhang: Always protects his grandson, but immediately caves whenever Zhu Biao appears.

Zhu Biao: Always spoils his son, but never lets him slack off. He's determined to raise him into a wise emperor and successor.

Zhu Xiongying: ... It's not easy being a couch potato. Yingying sighs.

Theme: Establish a moral compass for the world and a livelihood for the people