The Embroidered Uniform Guard (Jinyiwei) is necessary, absolutely necessary, but it must not be allowed to become too powerful. This is also why Zhu Xiong Ying had Wang Chengen establish a separate organization; the infamous Eastern Depot (Dongchang) was already taking shape, and the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were the emperor's eyes and ears.

Upon seeing Zhu Xiong Ying appear, the civil and military nobles who had already begun lining up immediately fell silent.

The Crown Prince used to be quite refined. Even though some people knew he harbored resentment, he outwardly appeared refined and benevolent. But the current Grandson of the Crown Prince, while known for his martial prowess, is now even more serious, strict with rules, and demanding of civil and military officials.

After the whip was cracked, Zhu Xiong Ying led the civil and military officials into the palace; naturally, only officials of the fourth rank or above were qualified to enter.

After Old Zhu took his seat, Zhu Xiong Ying naturally stepped forward from the head of the group and greeted the Emperor with "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."

The officials immediately bowed, and Old Zhu waved his hand, saying, "Peace be with you."

Zhu Xiong Ying naturally stepped onto the steps, facing the officials, and said, "I have something to report."

This is just the usual court ceremony, so it's simple. A grand court ceremony would naturally be much more complicated.

Zhu Xiong Ying listened more and spoke less, but kept many things to himself. Old Zhu also hesitated to make immediate decisions on many matters, though he didn't care much about trivial things.

If it's a big or complicated matter, he will definitely return to the Qianqing Palace. Even if he has a clear idea and has made a decision, he will not make a decision immediately. He needs some time to talk to Xiao Zhu and let Xiao Zhu understand some of the reasons behind it.

Just after the court session ended, Zhu Xiong Ying heard Wang Cheng En's report. Old Zhu immediately became timid and evasive, like a child who had done something wrong.

Zhu Xiong Ying was somewhat helpless. It couldn't be said that Old Zhu was now like a child. It was just that Old Zhu was almost all alone now, and the only person he cared about most was Zhu Xiong Ying, so naturally he cared about Zhu Xiong Ying's feelings.

“Grandpa, I will stay at Qianqing Palace tonight,” Zhu Xiong Ying said without hesitation. “Grandpa is getting on in years, he should rest more. Yin’er is still young, and I am counting on Grandpa to teach Yin’er in the future.”

"Yes, yes." Old Zhu nodded repeatedly, then explained, "We're getting old, we need less sleep, it's alright."

It's really nothing to worry about. Just a few days ago, the imperial physician reported that Consort Ge was pregnant. The 65-year-old Zhu is still going strong; he'll be giving Zhu Xiong Ying a new uncle early next year. His own Zhu Wen Yin might even be competing with his uncle, who's half a year younger than him, for candy—that's no exaggeration.

Sometimes, Zhu Xiong Ying really admired Lao Zhu's physical strength; Lao Zhu's physical fitness was top-notch.

Zhu Xiong Ying remembered something and said to Old Zhu, "Mao Xiang is dead."

“Alright, you can submit a memorial tomorrow, and we’ll burn some instruments of torture.” Old Zhu said, he was well aware of the situation. “The Embroidered Uniform Guard has been too arrogant these past few years, we have to teach them a lesson. Otherwise, our lackeys will start biting people indiscriminately.”

Let Zhu Xiong Ying be the good Samaritan, because the Embroidered Uniform Guard has indeed incurred the wrath of both heaven and man over the years. Having Zhu Xiong Ying step forward at this time would naturally encourage officials, scholars, and gentry to express their gratitude to him. Even if many believe this is Emperor Zhu's (the Crown Prince's) opinion, without the Crown Prince's intervention, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would undoubtedly remain arrogant.

We need to give our henchmen some power so they can bite. But sometimes we also need to tighten the reins to prevent these lackeys from baring their teeth and claws, and to prevent them from turning on their masters.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard has become arrogant and domineering enough over the years, and their power is indeed considerable. Now that the internal affairs of the Ming Dynasty are relatively stable, the Embroidered Uniform Guard needs to rein themselves in a bit. Emperor Zhu and Emperor Xiaozong need to give them a little rein.

In reality, whether it's the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Eastern Depot, they are essentially the emperor's servants. Having lost the emperor's favor, their power and threat diminish considerably. If they want to continue striking fear into the hearts of civil and military officials, they'll likely have to lie low for a while.

"Ying'er, the Embroidered Uniform Guard should be reined in a bit, and you should also tidy yourself up a bit." Old Zhu earnestly advised Zhu Xiong Ying, "If the Embroidered Uniform Guard is used well, you will know what's going on in the world, and it will be easier to handle things in the future. Choose carefully and select some reliable people."

With each new crown prince comes a new court; there must have been some differences between Zhu Yuanzhang's Imperial Guard and Zhu Xiong Ying's Imperial Guard.

Previously, Zhu Xiong Ying had Song Zhong as the third leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but the core of the Embroidered Uniform Guard still belonged to the elder Zhu and the first Zhu. Now, it's necessary to start from scratch and create an Embroidered Uniform Guard system belonging to the younger Zhu!