In the summer of the eleventh year of the Hongwu reign, a child dressed in a bright yellow robe walked out of the Kunning Palace.

Following behind him were a group of maids, eunuchs, and guards along the way, all of whom were cautious and dared not underestimate this cute little boy who still looked a bit chubby.

As Lady Chang lay on the couch, a maidservant said with a joyful expression, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has returned."

"Greetings to Mother Consort." Zhu Xiong Ying entered Chunhe Palace and greeted her respectfully.

Madam Chang smiled indulgently and asked, "Ying'er, have you finished your homework today?"

"Reporting to Mother, my studies are finished." Zhu Xiong Ying looked around and asked, "Where are my sisters? Where are they?"

Madam Chang struggled to her feet and said with a smile, "They've all gone to bed. If you want to see your sisters, come again tomorrow. Ying'er, go home a little later tonight."

Chang had already given up hope; sometimes she felt like she was just a tool.

Since giving birth to the eldest grandson of the emperor after ten months of pregnancy, she had very little opportunity to take care of him. When the grandson was two or three months old, the empress took him to Kunning Palace to be cared for. It was originally agreed that the grandson would return to the East Palace when he turned one year old, but this was just talk.

The Empress couldn't bear to part with her grandson, and the Emperor couldn't bear to part with his either. When the Crown Prince and his wife missed him, they would go to Kunning Palace to visit him.

In fact, Zhu Xiong Ying was speechless; he felt that his parents were too loving.

He was born in the seventh year of the Hongwu reign (1389), but he already has two younger sisters. If all goes well, he will likely have another younger brother or sister in November.

Simply put, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess have really been busy. It's only been four years since Zhu Xiong Ying was born. Four children in four years—that's quite a frequency; they've practically had no time to rest.

Meanwhile, last year, Consort Lü gave birth to Zhu Yunwen, the second son of Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

While chatting with Chang, Zhu Xiong Ying had mixed feelings about her birth mother.

Chang Shi was the daughter of Chang Yuchun, also known as Chang Shiwan!

Lady Chang was very happy. Although her eldest son hadn't grown up by her side, it didn't affect his closeness to her at all. The Crown Prince, who had grown up by the Empress's side, was even more fond of his two younger sisters.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao returned to Chunhe Palace and, upon seeing his wife and children, smiled and asked, "Ying'er, how were your studies today?"

"Father, I have completed my studies. I hope you will examine me," Zhu Xiong Ying said confidently.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "I'll test you again in a few days! Your father and mother both praise your intelligence, but you must remember that you cannot slack off in your studies. If you dare to take advantage of your talent and be lazy, your father and mother will not be able to protect you."

Remembering something, Zhu Biao said, "Master Song may come to give you a lecture in a while."

Zhu Xiong Ying was taken aback, then asked, "Master Song? Didn't Master Song already resign and return to his hometown?"

Zhu Biao smiled without saying a word. The teacher was Song Lian, who had just resigned from his post last year. However, Song Lian was praised by Zhu Yuanzhang as the foremost civil official of the founding of the dynasty and had lectured the Crown Prince Zhu Biao on the classics. In a sense, Song Lian could be considered Zhu Biao's teacher.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with his crown prince, but now that he saw his equally intelligent eldest grandson, he had his eye on him again.

Song Lian is only sixty-eight years old. After a year of rest, he should return to serve the court. He should teach the Crown Prince well, and also the Grandson of the Crown Prince.

Just as Lady Chang was preparing to serve the meal, a maidservant cautiously said, "Your Highness, the Emperor and the Empress are still waiting for you."

Zhu Biao sighed dejectedly. He knew just how beloved his eldest son was. It was said that his mother had lost her appetite if she couldn't see the Crown Prince. Even his father, the Emperor, would visit the Crown Prince every day whenever he was in the palace.

Zhu Xiong Ying could no longer stay in the East Palace and act cute, so she had to go to the Kunning Palace to act cute in front of the Emperor and Empress.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a good mood after a busy day, but he kept glancing towards the palace gates. "Sister, is our eldest grandson staying in the Eastern Palace?"

Empress Ma chuckled and said, “Your eldest grandson has been running around quite diligently these days! He’s definitely closer to his parents! I raised him for four years, and now every day after finishing his studies, he goes to pay his respects to his mother and play with his two younger sisters.”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed; his wife was jealous!

Remembering something, Empress Ma said softly, "Chongba, Ying'er is intelligent. In my opinion, she is even more intelligent than Biao'er."

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke up, "That's true. Ying'er is intelligent and has her own opinions, which is a good thing. This child has our ruthlessness and Biao'er's tolerance."

"Where has my eldest grandson been ruthless?" Empress Ma was displeased; she needed an answer. "Zhongba, don't talk nonsense! My eldest grandson is intelligent, so don't speak ill of him either!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face flushed, and he sat down angrily, completely unreasonable!

"Grandpa Emperor, Grandmother Emperor!"

Upon hearing this voice, Zhu Yuanzhang was no longer angry and quickly stood up. "Ying'er, come to your imperial grandfather!"

Zhu Xiong Ying trotted over and greeted him, "Grandpa Emperor."

The more Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, the more he liked him. Seeing this eldest grandson was like seeing his own son, Biao, as a child. Seeing this good grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that the Ming Dynasty would surely be passed down!

Empress Ma immediately arranged for a meal to be served and also summoned her youngest daughter, Zhu Zhu.

"Grandpa, you need to eat more!" The rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping is impossible in Kunning Palace; Zhu Xiong Ying is busy. "You and Father have to handle state affairs every day, so you need to eat more and rest more!"

Zhu Yuanzhang beamed and took the large chicken leg. "Ying'er, is this chicken leg really for your Grandfather?"

"You eat, Grandmother wants to eat vegetarian food, and Auntie will have a chicken leg." Zhu Xiong Ying arranged everything clearly and continued to busy herself. "Grandfather, can I leave the palace tomorrow? My eldest aunt is married now, I wonder if she's eating well at the Princess's residence?"

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