In the seventh year of Hongwu, the legitimate eldest grandson of Zhu Yuanzhang, the great ancestor of the Ming Dynasty, was born.
He who resides as the legitimate heir will surely ascend to t...
"I heard those scholars had a falling out with you, so I was preparing to deal with them," Zhu Yunwen protested, looking very aggrieved. "I hadn't even had a chance to rest before I was sent back to my hometown. My grandfather didn't want me to stay there, so he sent me back again. My grandfather is so biased. I even wanted to offer incense to my great-grandfather and eldest uncle, but my grandfather wouldn't allow it. He made me offer incense for you, so you could be a filial son and grandson!"
Lian Qiongqiong was already numb to it, probably because she had seen it all before; this imperial brother was just so impolite. If this imperial brother started to be polite, he probably wouldn't be so close to His Majesty the Emperor.
Looking at his younger brother, Zhu Yunying said, "Yunyi, you're not young anymore, it's time to think about having children. This time, the three judicial departments will hold a joint trial in Yingtian Prefecture. Just sit there for a while, listen and observe, and don't say anything more."
Zhu Yunwen laughed, a little embarrassed, "I still don't want to. I think raising children is too much trouble."
"Troublesome?" Zhu Yunying was anxious. How could this child be more progressive than modern people? "If you really find taking care of a child troublesome, you and the Princess Consort can just have one. After it's born, your aunt and elder sister can help take care of it, and your sister-in-law can also help take care of it. Putting everything else aside, just consider it helping your brother so that he can give Mother an explanation."
Zhu Yunwen thought for a moment and was somewhat tempted. "Alright, I'll consider it later. We don't want to have a little burden, but we also want to think about my elder brother so that he can give our parents an explanation. We understand!"
Pointing at his good-for-nothing younger brother, Zhu Yunying was speechless. It was as if she were the one who had given birth to his child.
At this moment, Lady Sang also said, "Your Majesty, ten months of pregnancy must be very difficult..."
"Fine, fine, I'm scared of you two!" Zhu Yunying had nothing to say to this shameless couple. "I'll send you the tonics and some other good things later. Consider it as me giving my parents an explanation, and thanking you two for giving us a nephew. Is that alright?"
Zhu Yunwen and Lady Sang immediately nodded with smiles. There was nothing wrong with being a little shameless, as long as they got the benefits. Besides, they could act cute in front of their elder brother, the emperor—a privilege most people didn't receive, which was why they were favored.
They knew very well that if Zhu Yunwen became like his other brothers, it would basically mean that he was just an ordinary member of the imperial clan, which was not a good sign.
Zhu Yunwen knew very well that their imperial grandfather was a person who valued blood ties and family affection. And their father was actually the same way; when their imperial grandfather was conquering the country, it was their father who was disciplining those imperial uncles.
For Zhu Yunwen, with his mother's early death and not being favored by his father, the emperor, he was basically raised under the care of his older brothers and sisters. Therefore, in front of his older brothers and sisters, Zhu Yunwen never minded acting a little rascal. He didn't need to deliberately act that way because he was the most troublesome younger brother in the family.
Zhu Yunying rubbed his temples, feeling both afraid of his troublesome younger brother and his equally troublesome sister-in-law. But what could he do? He was the eldest brother; he had no choice but to continue acting as the eldest brother and father figure.
Zhu Yunying didn't need to discuss matters of state with his younger brother, as the boy wasn't particularly interested in such things.
This troublesome younger brother caused Zhu Yunying a little worry, but not too much. Zhu Yunying knew his brother well; he was just good at eating, drinking, and having fun. He wouldn't make any big mistakes, but he might make quite a few minor ones.
I chatted with my younger siblings for a bit, talking about some everyday things, and that was about it.
"Oh, right, now that you're back, go find Zhaohui." Zhu Yunying said to his younger brother as if he remembered something. "That kid is good, but he's a bit timid in front of us. There are some things I can't do, so why don't you take him out for a walk?"
Zhu Yunwen immediately understood and said, "Zhaohui is quite good and can help you with things. However, Your Majesty, I am just a minor prince. Others know that Your Majesty likes me the most, but it is not appropriate for me to step in and appease you."
"I've given you a blood coral and a few dozen pearls. If all else fails, go check the vault yourself," Zhu Yunying said helplessly. "Or I could give you a jade pendant, and you can pass it on to Zhao Hui. Just make sure we don't embezzle it."
Zhu Yunwen was displeased and said very seriously, "Brother, don't look down on people. Although I am greedy, I know my limits. Don't give him the jade pendant either; that child can't afford it. I'll find an imperial sword and give it to him. If that doesn't work, give me a definite answer, and I'll be happy to ask for his help."
Seeing Zhu Yunying's eyes darting around, Zhu Yunying said helplessly, "Everyone says you're muddle-headed, but you're shrewd in small matters. Go tell Zhaohui that he will inherit the throne after this Northern Expedition ends. But make it clear to him that a real title is not allowed. Let him and Zanyi go out for a trip, and I will grant them titles when they return."
Zhu Yunwen, with his shifty eyes, asked in a low voice, "Zanyi is the Prince of Jingjiang, and he's quite a nice guy. Brother, you didn't tell him about being made a prince, did you?"
"Go ahead and try to freeload; I doubt he has much of a good stuff." Zhu Yunying said helplessly, then earnestly advised, "Second son, you're going to be the head of the Imperial Clan Court of the Great Ming Dynasty in the future, so don't do anything reckless."
Zhu Yunwen was displeased and muttered, "Your Majesty, I still don't like doing things. Let the third prince be the head of the Imperial Clan Court. If that's not possible, find a head of the Imperial Clan Court among my uncles. They are of higher seniority."
The head of the Imperial Clan Court wielded considerable power. However, this young man had absolutely no desire to do anything, leaving Zhu Yunying at a loss for words. Yet, this was indeed very much in line with Zhu Yunying's personality; he was essentially in a state of complete indifference.
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