Chapter 5, the second day of the second month, when the dragon raises its head

Sturgeon and shrimp wontons? Can that still be called wontons? ... Moreover ...! ... Besides, I want longan, the kind that blooms in April and bears fruit in July, bright and juicy longan! How did it turn into wontons? How could it possibly become wontons? Zhu Youcong's eyes are almost overflowing with tears.

"May I ask what the young prince would like to eat?" The innkeeper, with a cautious and obsequious smile, addressed Zhu Youcong, fearful that he might inadvertently offend this esteemed guest.

After a meal, the chubby Zhu Youcong, leaving Fuyun Building, was not happy despite having eaten to the point of gluttony; instead, he appeared even more listless, looking more fragile than a peony in winter. Are there peonies in winter? Certainly not, at least not in the winter of Luoyang during the Ming Dynasty

"Fourth brother, look at the sky, it's already noon. By the time we get to the destination, I fear everyone will have dispersed." Zhu Youzong, feeling quite annoyed, as a fifteen-year-old youth in the prime of his life, had originally planned to go out and seek some fresh novelties, perhaps even to engage in a bit of trickery along the way. However, all of this was ruined by his precious younger brother.

Yes, indeed. The old servant will arrange it immediately! Please, the four young princes, proceed to the Linhua Pavilion first

One quarter past noon

What is going on here? It's just a haircut, isn't it? Yet, the chubby Zhu Youcong has managed to make a fuss from the hour of Chen until now. Fortunately, he has been eating well, drinking well, and sleeping well lately; otherwise, he might have suffocated from lack of oxygen! One cannot entirely blame him. In the thirty years before his time travel, the Ming Dynasty people Zhu Youcong saw (of course, on television) all had their heads adorned with black caps and long hair cascading down, didn't they? As a normal young man with a healthy secretion of hormones, Zhu Youcong certainly does not wish to be a cross-dresser, but he thinks that since he has come to the Ming Dynasty with great difficulty, he should at least put on a show and adopt a style with a feather fan, a silk scarf, and flowing long hair, right? But now, just as he is preparing for his first public appearance, his parents unexpectedly want him to shave his head and tie up his hair. Isn't this simply tormenting his tender heart?

Oh! The shopkeeper has finally realized and hurriedly explained: "On the second day of the second month, it is common in folk culture to add the title 'Dragon' to food names. For example, dumplings are called 'Dragon Ears', spring pancakes are 'Dragon Scales', noodles are 'Dragon Whiskers', rice is 'Dragon Seeds', and wontons are referred to as 'Dragon Eyes'. It is indeed my fault for not explaining clearly, which led to the misunderstanding by the young prince. It is all the fault of this old servant!"

Ah... Zhu Youcong was taken aback. Wasn't it longan? How could it be wonton? How could it be wonton? Scoundrel! I...! I'm furious! Zhu Youcong slammed the table and shouted, "What... what is this?"

Hmm? Longan? Did the young prince not just say he wanted to eat this? The innkeeper looked anxious; he had specifically instructed the chefs to painstakingly prepare these four large bowls of colorful wontons. What could have possibly displeased this young master? "I... I was afraid the young prince might not be accustomed to it, so I specially asked the chefs to use top-quality sturgeon, shrimp, and mushrooms, complemented with carrots and lychees, along with the finest ginger and scallions..."

Oh, three young princes, please come in quickly

"No, I would rather not go out today than have my hair cut!" Zhu Youcong's stubbornness also emerged, displaying an attitude of being willing to sacrifice anything but his hairstyle.

Zhu Youcong, with a mournful expression, finally made his appearance wearing a gauze hat and cotton boots

Linhuage Pavilion? Wow—having a meal amidst both rain and flowers? Could it be that I am being asked to have an outdoor picnic? In this cold winter, is it a meal or just gnawing on ice cubes? Zhu Youcong thought to himself with a hint of dark humor.

"Cōng'er, be good. Today is the Day of the Dragon Raising Its Head. You must get a haircut to ensure good health!" This is the reasoning presented by the Princess of Fortune, Lady Yao.

Alright, please wait a moment, four young princes!" The shopkeeper turned around and hurriedly ran off.

Indeed, Fourth Brother, the longan at the Fortune Pavilion is truly exceptional, prepared even better than what we have at home. If it weren't for our visit, others would not be able to enjoy it. Zhu Youzong also couldn't understand what this Fourth Brother was up to; it was clearly top-quality longan!

"Cōng'er, be obedient and shave your head, and your father, the king, will give you his most beloved jade lion!" This is the Duke of Fortune enticing him with benefits

What is this? Zhu Youcong was confused; the Ming Dynasty was not the Qing Dynasty, so who would casually refer to someone as a servant?

Indeed, indeed, you all must not have noticed that just now, the fourth brother caused such a commotion that even the spiders on the beams fell down. Zhu Youhua also looked on with envy, this younger brother truly has great lung capacity

Wuwuwu... Zhu Youcong observed the situation and realized that it was impossible not to shave, so he had no choice but to obediently accept his fate

Dragon ear? Dragon scale? Dragon whisker? And dragon eye? Wow—truly a high-end restaurant run by the Fuwang family, even fast food is this good? However, I haven't heard of or tried the first three, so I think I'll pass. As for the dragon eye? That's a great thing, you know. Even Li Shizhen said that among foods, lychee is the most precious, while dragon eye is excellent for strengthening the body and mind, and can treat the damage to the heart and spleen caused by excessive worry. Just right, since I wasn't in a good mood this morning, I'll eat this. And to have dragon eye as a meal in the middle of winter? That's a great thing, you know. Even Li Shizhen said that among foods, lychee is the most precious, while dragon eye is excellent for strengthening the body and mind, and can treat the damage to the heart and spleen caused by excessive worry. Just right, since I wasn't in a good mood this morning, I'll eat this. And to have dragon eye as a meal in the middle of winter? Hmm, sounds like something not everyone can enjoy!

Ah! Is that so? Did it shake all the spiders down? Why don't you say this is a sonic weapon? It could cause buildings to collapse, block out the sun and moon, and dry up the seas and stones! Is there such an unreliable brother like you? Zhu Youcong rolled his eyes and continued to hang his head, too lazy to argue with his three brothers.

Could it be... could it be that the Fourth Brother is referring to that longan? Such things are not available at this time of year! It is still the quick-witted and perceptive eleven-year-old Zhu Youhua who understands people's hearts.

I do not want it! I do not want it!

"You dog, didn't you see my fourth brother?" Zhu Youhua was so angry that he almost slapped the shopkeeper with a five-hundred.

Well, it's already this time, so let's just have something simple to eat, whatever comes quickly. After that, we still need to go shopping with the library! Zhu Youcong's selective amnesia is purely forgetting who had been busy for several hours early in the morning, which is why they had to come to pay their respects to the Five Organs Temple right after stepping out.

Indeed, Zhu Youcong has once again been deceived. Although there were no extreme hairstyle restrictions like those in the Qing Dynasty during the Ming Dynasty, apart from the first few decades influenced by the Mongols, only uncivilized barbarians, shamans, madmen, and hermits—those outside the mainstream—would wear their hair long and loose. As for wearing hair down with the left side exposed, that is a distinctive mark of foreign tribes. If a Han person were to wear their hair down, it would be a sign of the fall of the nation! As a royal relative, Prince Fu would never allow his son to behave so recklessly.

In a moment, four bowls of steaming wontons were served at the table

"Just the longan will do!" Zhu Youcong waved his hand and sat down in a grand manner, waiting for his longan feast.

Upon entering the Linhua Pavilion, Zhu Youcong realized that it was entirely different from what he had imagined. An outdoor picnic was certainly out of the question. In the center of the courtyard stood a pavilion, surrounded by what appeared to be peach trees. In the lake encircling the pavilion, there was a small waterfall. Although, in the depths of winter, the pavilion had been fitted with temporary wooden boards and thick curtains, the sound of the flowing water could still be heard. How beautiful this place would be in the season of blooming flowers and warm spring!

Nonsense! At this moment, Fat Fu Wang also wore a long face, and for the first time in many days, he sternly said to Zhu Youcong: "Usually, whatever you want, your father can comply with! But today, absolutely not. How can the noble descendants of the great Ming dynasty learn from those uncivilized outsiders?"

Little... Little Prince, this old servant did not recognize the great mountain! The shopkeeper truly did not expect that the fourth son of the favored Prince Fu, who usually resides deep within the royal palace, would come here today

Who is it? Why does the voice sound so seductive? Zhu Youcong looked up and saw a person who appeared to be the manager standing in front of him, with a large restaurant clearly visible ahead. A big signboard read "Fulin Building"!

What a grievance! I am even more wronged than Dou E! I am not a historian, so how could I possibly know so many rules? Zhu Youcong was almost embarrassed to the point of using his ability to vanish into the ground after the shopkeeper's explanation.

Hehe, Fourth Brother may not know yet, but Fulin Tower is the best restaurant in the family. It is managed by the household servants, and my brothers often come here for a drink!" Zhu Youqu turned to the shopkeeper and said: "Go! Tell the chefs to get their spirits up. In a moment, they should focus on their specialties. If Fourth Brother finds the food unpalatable... each of them will receive twenty lashes!"

Outside the Wangfu

Elder brother, I must say, our fourth brother really knows how to stir things up! At only thirteen, Zhu Youqu doesn't have as many thoughts as his elder brother; he simply admires the boundless energy of this precious younger sibling

"Good Fourth Brother, hurry and shave your head, your brothers are still waiting for you, and it is almost noon now!" This is Zhu Youzong appealing to emotions

Today is the second day of the second month, known as the Dragon Raising Its Head day. I wonder what the lords would like to eat: 'Dragon Ears', 'Dragon Scales', 'Dragon Whiskers', 'Dragon Eyes', or something else