"When did I die in history?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked, puzzled and curious. "I probably didn't live past ten years old. So now it seems I might have survived a near-death experience?"

Eight-year-old Zhu Xiong Ying sat on the couch, just staring blankly.

Empress Ma arrived, smiling, and said, "Ying'er, it's time for your morning lesson."

As a model of virtue in the imperial harem, Empress Ma, despite her high rank, personally prepared Emperor Zhu's meals every day. She also personally oversaw the food and clothing of the princes and grandsons, showing meticulous care. She was especially considerate when palace maids became pregnant by her favor, and she would find ways to mediate when concubines displeased the emperor.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood up and said with a smile, "Grandmother, after I finish my studies, let's go for a walk in the Imperial Garden. We'll also call Xi'er and Yue'er to come and keep you company."

Empress Ma nodded happily, her face beaming, "Okay, we'll talk about it after you finish school."

Zhu Xiong Ying's diligence and eagerness to learn left Ru Chang feeling helpless, as did Song Shen, the grandson of Song Lian and another companion to the Crown Prince. They all hoped that the Crown Prince would become a model Confucian emperor, but they could also see that the Crown Prince didn't care about that at all.

He did listen to the Five Classics, but Zhu Xiong Ying often just listened without seeking a deeper understanding.

Old Zhu said nothing about it, and Zhu Biao wouldn't say much either. Both father and son understood perfectly well that they didn't want Zhu Xiong Ying to become the Confucian emperor many civil officials envisioned.

Looking at the grown-up Zhu Xiong Ying, after careful consideration, Old Zhu also discussed with the Empress for a long time that the grandson should go back to worship the ancestors.

Sending the crown prince back to the imperial mausoleum in Fengyang to pay respects was a mutual decision between Emperor Zhu and Empress Ma. This could be seen as a way of announcing to the world that the eldest grandson had grown up.

Security was not a major concern. The main thing was the ceremonial procession, with guards, eunuchs, and maids accompanying them. Officials from the Ministry of Rites would also be in attendance. Zhu Xiong Ying didn't need to worry about much.

All he needed to do was preside over the ceremony; all he needed to do was to be the refined and wise eldest grandson of the emperor. This was also a relatively formal debut for the third generation of the emperor.

Xu Da's eldest son, Xu Yungong, along with Li Jinglong, the heir apparent of the Duke of Cao, and Liu Zhi, the Imperial Son-in-Law, accompanied the emperor.

This arrangement revealed some of Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts to many. The current crown prince's position is arguably the most secure among all crown princes, and it seems the grandson's position is no longer a concern—a situation unique in his own right.

"Uncle-in-law, have you finished organizing the Marquis of Chengyi's posthumous works?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked curiously, sitting in the carriage. "If they are, could you lend them to me?"

Liu Bowen is portrayed as incredibly powerful in folk tales, so Zhu Xiong Ying was quite curious about him. Although based on the information he had, he knew that Liu Bowen wasn't as miraculous as depicted in the folk tales, he was still somewhat intrigued.

Liu Bowen was hailed as one of the three great poets and writers of the early Ming Dynasty. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang repeatedly referred to him as "my Zhang Liang." Liu Bowen was proficient in astronomy, military strategy, and mathematics, and was indeed very talented and capable.

Liu Zhi immediately replied respectfully, "Your Highness, the first draft is complete. I hope Your Highness will correct it."

What kind of corrections are these? They're just praising Zhu Xiong Ying.

The army marched slowly. As a kind-hearted grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying felt sorry for the soldiers who were too tired and hot in the summer, so he slowed down the march and did not march during the hottest time of the day.

Xu Yungong and Li Jinglong began to "sit down and discuss strategy." Both of them were well-versed in military strategy, but Li Jinglong seemed to be more skilled in theoretical discussions, even suppressing Xu Yungong.

"This guy is either Zhao Kuo or he's really in Cao Cao's camp but his heart is with Liu Bei." Zhu Xiong Ying showed affection for Li Jinglong, but thought to himself, "Someone like Xu Yun Gong is better. He's loyal, reliable, and capable."

Xu Yungong was Xu Da's eldest son. He apparently defeated Zhu Di several times during the Jingnan Rebellion. As Zhu Di's brother-in-law, Xu Yungong did not acknowledge Zhu Di's involvement in the rebellion and was therefore imprisoned. However, Xu Yungong's younger brother became an inside agent for Zhu Yunwen and was killed by the desperate Zhu Yunwen.

The army continued its slow march toward Fengyang, but suddenly, everything fell into chaos.

A fast horse arrived, its rider extremely anxious, "Your Highness, the Empress is seriously ill..."

Zhu Xiong Ying was instantly struck dumb. For the past few years since arriving in this world, he had grown up by Empress Ma's side, receiving endless love and care. But now, what on earth was happening?!

"One man, two horses; three horses!" Zhu Xiong Ying shouted anxiously, ignoring Xu Yun Gong and Liu Zhi's advice, "Respond to the Heavenly Emperor immediately!"

With his superb horsemanship, Xu Yungong carried Zhu Xiong Ying on horseback, and the bumps and jolting were negligible. Conserving the horse's strength was out of the question.

When they set off, Empress Ma was perfectly fine. How did she become so seriously ill now? She only took a nap, and she became seriously ill!

The group, weary from their journey, rode back to Yingtian Prefecture. Xu Yungong, no longer as composed as before, simply carried the Crown Prince and rushed towards the imperial city.

"Grandmother!" Zhu Xiong Ying cried out, his voice trembling with emotion. He was completely disoriented. "Grandmother!"

Empress Ma opened her eyes with difficulty, grasped Zhu Xiong Ying's hand, and said, "Ying'er..."

Zhu Xiong Ying's tears flowed uncontrollably, and she turned around, shouting, "Where are the imperial physicians? Where are the people from the Imperial Hospital?!"

"Ying'er, life and death are ordained by Heaven. What use are prayers and sacrifices? Besides, how can the imperial physicians save a life? If the medicine is ineffective, I'm afraid they will be punished because of me, won't they?" Empress Ma forced a smile and comforted her, "Grandson, don't blame them."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly. At this moment, he would agree to whatever Empress Ma said.

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