The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 403

"Commander Lu."

Mu Yunping couldn't help but greet Yun Jin.

When Yun Jin heard this title, she was somewhat taken aback, because since joining the army, not many people had addressed her that way. The soldiers of the Xuanwu Army usually addressed her directly as "Commander".

If Yun Jin remembers correctly, the only people who address themselves this way, besides the former King of the Li Dynasty and the current King of Annam, are the few from the Mu Prince's Mansion.

Yun Jin looked at Mu Yunping, somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected that the person sent by the Mu Royal Palace would be this princess.

"Princess, it's been a long time."

Upon seeing an acquaintance, Yun Jin immediately abandoned her girlish demeanor and reverted to the dignified bearing of the Xuanwu Army commander.

Many people were stunned by Yun Jin's change in attitude. Mu Yunping felt very uncomfortable. She regarded Yun Jin as an idol. She didn't think much of Yun Jin's attitude towards her before, thinking that it was just General Lu's personality.

If Mu Yunping hadn't seen Yun Jin's demeanor in front of Zhou Chu just now, she would have had no idea that Yun Jin could be like this.

She couldn't understand what kind of magic Zhou Chu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, possessed that made the princesses of the Prince of Dai's mansion, and even many other princesses, look so infatuated with him. Now, even General Lu, the General she admired, acted like a little girl in front of Zhou Chu.

Mu Yunping couldn't understand it, but she still had to observe the proper etiquette.

"Yes, General Lu, it has been more than half a year since we last met. General Lu is even more charming than before."

Mu Yunping said from the bottom of her heart.

"Lord Zhou, I heard that you live in a mountain village outside the city. I have never lived in a mountain village before. I wonder if there is any place I can stay? I would like to experience it myself."

Zhu Siying looked at Zhou Chu, then at Yun Jin, and a sense of urgency suddenly rose in her heart.

Although Zhu Siying hadn't originally hoped to be with Zhou Chu, seeing another woman suddenly appear beside him and be so intimate with him made her feel very uncomfortable.

She couldn't help herself and blurted out those words without thinking.

She knew very well that saying those words might be slightly beneath her dignity, but Zhu Siying was already carried away and didn't care about that anymore.

If she hadn't seen Yun Jin, she wouldn't be like this, and she wouldn't even have hoped for anything. She was already very happy to be able to see Zhou Chu again.

Mu Yunping's address just now made her realize Yun Jin's identity. Her surname was Lu, so it could be basically concluded that this was the young lady of the Lu family who would appear in every storybook about Zhou Chu.

Zhu Siying had read many versions of the storybook about Zhou Chu, many of which were specifically about the love story between Zhou Chu and Yun Jin.

Originally, Zhu Siying really enjoyed watching their love story, but when Yun Jin appeared here, Zhu Siying realized that she might not be able to accept it at all, and that she might have unrealistic expectations of this Commander Zhou of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Yes, Lord Zhou, there's nothing special about the Dong residence. We've never lived in a mountain village before, so it's quite novel. We mainly want to get closer to Lord Zhou."

Prince Zhu Xianrong of Chu also stepped forward, partly to ease Zhu Siying's embarrassment, and partly because he genuinely wanted to get closer to Zhou Chu.

Zhu Xianrong was a smart man. He could tell that the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lord Zhou, was now extremely powerful. In fact, before coming here, Zhu Xianrong had someone investigate information about Zhou Chu.

Even the information on the surface was enough to make Zhu Xianrong's heart pound. This commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was only one year older than him, had an experience that could not even be described as magnificent.

The more Zhu Xianrong learned about Zhou Chu's past, the more he admired him, and subconsciously wanted to get closer to this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a famous minister who would surely be remembered in history.

Moreover, Zhu Xianrong was well aware that the political situation in the Ming Dynasty was gradually becoming clearer, and the maritime ban was only lifted thanks to the joint efforts of Zhou Chu and the emperor. If he wanted to gain a share of the maritime market in the future, it would be essential to maintain a good relationship with Zhou Chu.

Most princes and princesses didn't understand this, but Zhu Xianrong saw it very clearly.

Of course, besides Zhu Xianrong, there were other intelligent people among the other princes. Although they did not understand as much as Zhu Xianrong, they also knew that it would not do any harm to maintain a good relationship with Zhou Chu.

So one by one, people stood up and echoed Zhu Xianrong and Zhu Siying's statements.

Seeing so many people stepping forward, the other princesses who shared similar thoughts with Zhu Siying had no more reservations and followed suit.

Suddenly, nearly twenty princes and princesses wanted to live in Zhangjia Village.

"Gentlemen, Zhangjia Village is just a mountain village. The houses are made of mud, and the beds are nothing like the ones you usually live in. The food is also coarse and rustic. I'm afraid none of you will like it, whether it's food or lodging."

Zhou Chu knew very well that these people were only interested in the novelty for a moment. If they were to actually stay in Zhangjia Village, most of them would probably regret it within a day.

"It's alright. If Lord Zhou can get used to it, then we certainly can too. As the saying goes, 'Heaven will entrust great responsibilities to those who are destined for them, but it will first test their minds, strain their muscles and bones, and starve their bodies.' We haven't always lived a life of ease and comfort."

Zhu Xianrong said with a confident expression.

"Alright, since you all insist, I won't force you. Anyone who doesn't want to stay in Zhangjia Village can return to Shaoxing City on their own."

Zhou Chu said with a hint of helplessness.

Today, Zhangjia Village has been expanded, with nearly double the number of houses, making it more than capable of accommodating all the princes and princesses.

Hearing this, Zhu Siying and Mu Yunping were the happiest. Zhu Siying was happy because she was closer to Zhou Chu, while Mu Yunping was happy because she could be closer to Yun Jin. She simply admired and respected Yun Jin. After all, she had seen many female generals like Yun Jin, but compared to Yun Jin, they were far inferior.

Zhou Chu and Yun Jin left first, while Zhu Xianrong and the others, led by Dong Rui, headed towards Zhangjia Village.

"Just who is this Lord Zhou? How come Commander Lu has such a good relationship with him?"

Mu Yunping asked, looking puzzled.

As soon as she said that, not only Zhu Siying, but even Zhu Xianrong looked at her with the expression of looking at a country bumpkin.

Mu Yunping felt extremely uncomfortable under everyone's gaze.

"Our Mu family mansion is located in Lijiang, Yunnan. We are isolated from the outside world, so it's normal. What's the big deal?"

Mu Yunping said with slight dissatisfaction.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xianrong wore an expression that said, "I see."

"It's normal to be out of touch with the world; many princely residences are located in very isolated places. But to come to see Lord Zhou without doing any prior research, isn't that a sign of arrogance?"

Zhu Xianrong looked at Mu Yunping and said.

These words left Mu Yunping speechless, unsure how to refute them.

"You're right, I really wasn't fully prepared."

Mu Yunping had to admit that Zhu Xianrong's words made a lot of sense.

"Why do you think Lord Zhou could command Commander Lu's attitude like that? Actually, you've got it backwards."

Zhu Xianrong was very satisfied with Mu Yunping's attitude and began to explain.

"Why do you say that?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunping became even more puzzled.

"Because Commander Lu was raised by Lord Zhou from a young age, and I heard that Lord Zhou taught Commander Lu military strategy little by little."

Zhu Xianrong looked at Mu Yunping and said meaningfully.

"what!"

Mu Yunping was stunned when she heard this.