Therefore, when teaching their children, they consciously make some choices. While hoping their children will be successful, they also hope their children won't be exceptionally successful, otherwise it might not be a good thing; contentment brings happiness.

After a brief examination of his cousin Mei Shunchang, Zhu Xiong Ying was quite pleased.

Mei Yin was Zhu's favorite son-in-law, not only because he was a direct descendant of the emperor, but also because of his extensive knowledge. Therefore, Mei Shunchang could be considered to have a family background in scholarship, even though Mei Yin was consciously trying to 'hide his talents'.

It was a fairly decent family dinner, and although Zhu Xiong Ying wanted to stay and chat with everyone, he knew it wasn't realistic. This wasn't just because of palace restrictions, but also because he foresaw the reality that he would eventually become a lonely figure.

At first, everyone saw that he was happy, but as they spent more time together, they started to notice his emotions...

This is someone very close to them. Even they are now paying attention to Zhu Xiong Ying's expressions and are being a little more cautious when interacting with him. Even if something like this had happened before, it wouldn't have been as obvious as it is now.

The last person to receive this treatment was Old Zhu, who is still feigning illness. Before him, they were not only father and son, but also ruler and subject. Even the former First Zhu and the current Second Zhu, despite being greatly favored by Old Zhu, still had to be mindful of his emotions.

Little Zhu doesn't need to worry. He's been playing all day and is tired. He fell asleep as soon as he got in the car.

“The two of us will definitely be all alone from now on.” Zhu Xiong Ying touched Xiao Xiao Zhu’s little face and said softly, “I can already feel it now, because before everyone only regarded me as the Crown Prince, just the heir apparent. Even if they took me into consideration, I was still just the heir apparent. But now, they know that the situation is different.”

With a hint of helplessness and self-deprecation, she said, "My son, an emperor is supposed to be all alone. Your aunt is no longer just an aunt, and your sister is no longer just a sister. Even your closest relatives will be careful in their interactions with you. But you must remember, even with your closest relatives, you can trust them. Just don't delegate too much authority, or it won't be good for them."

This is Xiao Zhu teaching Xiao Xiao Zhu, but unfortunately Xiao Xiao Zhu is asleep and naturally didn't hear it. And even if he wasn't asleep, considering Xiao Xiao Zhu's age, he probably wouldn't understand it anyway.

Back at the palace, Zhu Xiong Ying didn't say much. After sending Little Zhu back to the East Palace, he thought for a moment and then went to the Qianqing Palace.

When Old Zhu saw Zhu Xiong Ying coming over, he smiled and said, "Perfect timing, have a meal with us."

“That’s perfect. I don’t have any manners here with my grandfather either,” Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile. “But it won’t work with my aunt. When we have a meal, I have to consider me and Yin’er. It’s a bit uncomfortable.”

Old Zhu paused for a moment before saying, "Do you still remember your great-uncle?"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded. Li Jinglong's grandfather, Li Wenzhong's father, and the first Duke of Cao, Li Zhen.

Old Zhu said with emotion, "Of all our relatives, he's the only one left. We were good to this brother-in-law, and he was good to us when we were poor. Now that we're emperor, he's wary of me, his brother-in-law."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded with a smile, understanding these things. "We're all alone now, and there's nothing we can do about it. But Grandfather has one good point: Grandmother didn't care whether Grandfather was the Emperor or the Marshal. She would still speak her mind and argue if necessary. Miao Qing, she's not like that with us."

Old Zhu was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Your imperial grandmother doesn't tolerate us, and we've certainly given her plenty of trouble! Let alone the emperor, even the head of an ordinary household is more assertive than us!"

Zhu Xiong Ying laughed heartily and said half-jokingly, "That's because my grandfather and grandmother are such a loving couple. It would be a lie to say that I'm not envious. Besides, my grandmother is so wise and has helped my grandfather a lot."

Old Zhu laughed, filled with immense pride. This was why he had never appointed an empress all these years; that position would forever belong to his sister, and no one else was qualified to be empress.

The grandfather and grandson ate their meal and chatted, creating a slightly more harmonious atmosphere without too many formalities.

For both Zhu Xiong Ying and Old Zhu, this kind of interaction was probably only possible between the two of them. Others wouldn't dare to interact with them with such a peaceful mindset.