This prompted Zhu Yunying to speak up, and also to defend himself, "Grandfather, that's not right. When I was a child, you and my father were both busy with state affairs. My education was mostly handled by my grandmother. It was you who didn't teach me, and now you're blaming me."

"What's wrong with your grandmother?" Old Zhu glared and said irritably, "Don't think that just because your father never led troops, he can handle things properly when we're fighting outside. He knows about military affairs. Your second uncle, third uncle, and fourth uncle, which one of them doesn't know about military affairs?! They were all taught by your grandmother. Even your good-for-nothing fifth uncle knows a thing or two about military affairs."

Well, the five children raised by Empress Ma were all quite accomplished. Apart from Crown Prince Zhu Biao, they all seemed to have the potential to be wise princes at the time. However, once they arrived at their fiefdoms, they let themselves go and each of them committed some misdeeds.

However, to be fair, Empress Ma's educational level was quite high; the children she personally taught were all quite capable. Let's not even talk about moral character; at least these princes were no pushovers—they were all skilled in archery and horsemanship, and knowledgeable in military affairs.

Actually, the tenth prince, Zhu Tan, was alright. Although he acted erratically, these princes were all quite capable. However, it was hard to say about the princes after him. Apart from the issue of talent, the main reason was that Empress Ma was busy taking care of her future grandson and educating her eldest grandson.

Empress Ma looked after the other princes to some extent, but mostly left them to their mothers to care for. Empress Ma didn't have much time or energy for it. It's also possible that Emperor Zhu had too many concubines and sons in his harem, making it impossible for Empress Ma to care for and educate them all.

Zhu Yunying quickly got up, lit incense and handed it to his father, muttering, "Grandmother still has a secret. She knows I like martial arts and is afraid I'll become like Emperor Wu of Han. Grandmother has told me countless times to pay attention to recuperation and to focus on the people's livelihood."

Old Zhu took the incense and looked at the memorial tablet, saying, "Sister, do you see this? This is your eldest grandson. What's the point of spoiling him like this?! Over the years, whenever there's a war, he complains about you, saying you don't teach him military strategy. We've told him many times, but he just doesn't have the talent. He can't learn it and then blames it all on you."

Zhu Yunwen and the others lowered their heads and dared not speak. If it weren't for the special occasion today, they would have wanted to slip away one by one.

Zhu Yunying wasn't afraid at all and continued, "To be honest, there are some things I have to blame my grandmother for. When I said I would build water conservancy projects in the future, she said I was like Emperor Yang of Sui. When I said I wanted all the dynasties to pay tribute to me, she was afraid I would become like Li Shimin. I've realized that no matter how well I do, my grandmother can always see my shortcomings."

If anyone else dared to speak ill of his wife, Zhu Yuanzhang would have had them torn to pieces long ago. If any other member of the royal family dared to say such things, they might have been sent back to their hometown and imprisoned within the high walls of Fengyang.

But when Zhu Yunying said this, Old Zhu felt only warmth. This was his grandson nagging and complaining, and Old Zhu also knew that this was something his grandson had never forgotten—who had raised this little boy to be the emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

What Xiao Zhu described were all cherished memories for Lao Zhu, memories of how he and his wife raised and educated their grandson. Seeing his grandson so accomplished and still remembering things from his childhood filled Lao Zhu with immense satisfaction. After all, Xiao Zhu was only eight years old when Empress Ma passed away. Even though he could remember things, it's normal to forget many things.

After offering incense to Empress Ma, Old Zhu said, "Ying'er, offer incense to your parents for us."

There was no need for someone else to do that; we could have had Zhu Yunying help Little Zhu. But now, Zhu Yunying is doing these things himself.

Looking at Zhu Biao's memorial tablet, Old Zhu sighed, "Biao'er, you're heartless. You went to find your mother, and then you abandoned us and Ying'er! Fine, you take good care of your mother for us. We'll look after Ying'er, and we'll help you raise your grandson. Ying'er will be successful; he'll definitely be better than you, the emperor of our Great Ming. Our little crown prince will be better than you, and better than your father too."

Little Zhu looked around anxiously, "Great-grandfather, I am the crown prince, there is no little crown prince!"

Old Zhu chuckled, as if remembering something, "He's still our bloodline, our Biao'er's grandson! Just like your father, he's not even as tall as a human but he's already eyeing the dragon throne!"

Zhu Yunying chuckled and lowered his head, then said seriously, "Back then, I genuinely wanted to go and pay respects at the ancestral tombs."

"Do you think we can stop you?" Old Zhu said irritably. "You're so cunning. When did we ever let Yunwen and Yunwen go to the main ancestral rites? We know what we're doing, and your father knows what we're doing too!"

Zhu Yunwen was completely bewildered, unable to understand what his imperial grandfather and elder brother were playing at. Zhu Yue was also completely confused; she was only slightly better than her careless younger brother, although she had her own little schemes, but there were many things she genuinely didn't know.

The reason wasn't just because Zhu Yue was a girl; more importantly, Emperor Zhu's rules were sometimes very strict. Not to mention these granddaughters, even the princes and legitimate daughters were not allowed to participate in court affairs.

Therefore, many things—matters in the Fengtian Hall, the Wuying Hall, or the Qianqing Palace—were known only to the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Imperial Grandson. Others were not allowed to know, nor should they even attempt to find out.

"Chang Shi, you can rest assured now. Ying'er is doing well, and Yin'er is doing well too." After glancing at Chang Shi's memorial tablet, Old Zhu gave her some face, out of respect for his grandson and great-grandson. "Biao'er is with you now, and Old Chang is over there too. If you know, please have Old Chang visit Tiande more often, since your son married his daughter."

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