Volume 1, Chapter 33: Xiao Ai, turn on the air conditioner for me!

Knock, knock, knock...

"Hmm? Jiang Lin, what... what are you doing?"

"Princess, what are we waiting for? Stop stalling, let’s get started!"

"No... no, Jiang Lin, wait a little longer. Can’t we do it tonight?"

"As the saying goes, a day’s plan starts with the morning. This is the kind of thing that must be done in the morning!"

"But I don't want to! I’m so sleepy, I want to keep sleeping!"

"The sun is already hitting your backside, no more sleeping. Morning exercise is good for both our bodies!"

Early the next morning, Jiang Lin arrived at Zhu Yourong’s door, knocking to wake her up. He had intended to take her into the courtyard for some couple’s yoga to stretch and exercise. However, as soon as they stepped out, they were met by a familiar pair of figures: Zhu Yuanzhang and his son, Zhu Biao, standing alongside a young stranger.

"Brother Jiang, you're awake," Zhu Biao said with a wide, beaming smile upon seeing them. "We were afraid of disturbing you, so we didn't make a sound and just stood outside waiting."

Jiang Lin felt a sense of helplessness. "Seriously? Why are you here again? His Majesty promised me some peace and quiet yesterday."

Zhu Yuanzhang avoided Jiang Lin’s gaze. "What are you talking about? We’re here to visit my daughter today! I’m not bothering you; it’s you who shouldn’t be bothering me while I’m catching up with my daughter." With that, the old emperor marched toward Zhu Yourong. "My girl, I’ve missed you. Have you been sleeping well here?"

Jiang Lin was speechless. It was exactly as he had feared: he was being thoroughly entangled by Old Zhu, and there would be no easy escape. Even if he hid in the deepest, most remote forests, the old man would eventually track him down. This was going to be difficult.

"And you, Your Highness the Crown Prince? Don't tell me you're here to visit your sister," Jiang Lin said, turning to Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao didn't hesitate, clearly having anticipated the question. He spoke with confidence, "Brother Jiang, Father indeed promised not to disturb you, but my fourth brother and I never made any such promise!"

Jiang Lin: "???"

He turned in surprise to look at the young man standing beside Zhu Biao. "Fourth brother? Could you be the Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di?"

Hearing the title, Zhu Di waved his hands in a panic. "No... don't say such things! What Yongle Emperor? I am currently just the Prince of Yan of the Great Ming, and in the future, I will only ever be my eldest brother’s fourth brother." As he spoke, he glanced furtively at Old Zhu, letting out a sigh of relief when he saw no reaction.

Jiang Lin couldn't help but chuckle. He hadn't expected the formidable Yongle Emperor to have such a strong survival instinct. "Sigh... well, since you’re all here, come inside and sit."

Jiang Lin led the three of them into the house, feeling a wave of disappointment. His plan for couple’s yoga had clearly gone down the drain.

Zhu Yourong tugged at his sleeve. "Jiang Lin, I... I'm hungry."

"Hungry? I’ll make you breakfast. How does tomato and egg noodle soup sound?"

"Tomato and egg noodle soup? Yes, please!" Zhu Yourong nodded excitedly, licking her lips. She found the sweet and sour flavor of the tomatoes absolutely unforgettable.

Zhu Biao leaned in. "Brother Jiang, could you make a bowl for me as well?"

"Fine, fine," Jiang Lin agreed with a sigh, then looked at Zhu Di. "Your Highness, the Prince of Yan, would you like a bowl too?"

"Yes, please!" Zhu Di swallowed hard. On the way over, his eldest brother had told him that Jiang Lin’s home was filled with magical items and countless delicacies he had never tasted before.

Old Zhu frowned, looking dissatisfied. "Wait, why didn't you ask if I wanted one?"

"Hmm? Aren't you here to catch up with your daughter today?" Jiang Lin feigned ignorance. "I don't think you count as my guest, do you?"

Old Zhu was stunned, rendered speechless by the retort. "You..."

Zhu Yourong covered her mouth to hide a giggle. Jiang Lin was the first person she had ever seen dare to talk to her father like that; even her mother and brother wouldn't dream of such an attitude.

Jiang Lin was only joking, of course, and wouldn't leave the old man out. He eventually served five bowls of noodles to the table.

*Slurp.*

Zhu Biao finished his bowl in one go, a look of pure satisfaction on his face. "This is truly a unique flavor—it feels completely different from eating tomato-fried eggs or tomato hotpot!"

"Mmm, delicious! Simply amazing!" Zhu Di took a bite and his eyes lit up. Just as his brother had said, even this seemingly ordinary bowl of noodles was incredibly tasty. He abandoned all sense of decorum, eagerly shoveling noodles into his mouth. "So fragrant! These noodles are fantastic!"

After finishing his bowl, Zhu Di broke into a sweat. He began waving his arms to fan himself, but it was useless and only left him tired. "Phew... that was great, but it’s so hot in here!"

Jiang Lin heard him and said, "Xiao Ai, turn on the living room air conditioner."

The four members of the imperial family: "???"

Just as they stood there in confusion, a mechanical female voice echoed through the room: "Acknowledged. Living room air conditioner is now on. Current temperature: 26 degrees Celsius."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yourong looked at Jiang Lin with a hint of jealousy. "Jiang Lin, why is there another woman in your house?"

"There’s no other woman. That was just my home's AI assistant," Jiang Lin explained, feeling a bit helpless.

"AI assistant? What is that?" they asked, bewildered.

"Well... you could think of it as a butler from the future, capable of helping the owner manage household affairs," Jiang Lin thought carefully before explaining. "But it’s not a real person; it’s artificial intelligence. Its vessel is simply any electronic device in the room."

Zhu Di’s eyes widened. On the way here, his brother had told him how incredible people of the future were, possessing all sorts of magical treasures... Zhu Di had scoffed, thinking his brother was exaggerating. But seeing this with his own eyes, he wondered, *Is this man truly from the future? Is he a deity descended to earth?*

And this "AI assistant" thing—how did it sound so much like the "artifact spirits" that resided in the magical treasures of immortals in legends? It possessed consciousness and could help its master complete tasks. My heavens! Had the future become so advanced that every person was on par with an immortal?

At that moment, a cool breeze from the air conditioner swept through the living room. Zhu Di sighed in wonder, "What is this? It’s so cool and refreshing, as if we are in the middle of autumn."