Zhu Yunying quite liked taking baths, mainly because he was clean and health-conscious. He paid attention to these small details, and he also had the means to do so.

He could take baths in a tub normally, and setting up a bathhouse wouldn't have been a problem for Zhu Yunying. Even ordinary nobles and wealthy families could do the same, let alone the Crown Prince or the Emperor.

Little Zhu was happily splashing around in the bathtub; this little rascal simply loves playing in the water. Even during a bath, he's restless, splashing around with great enthusiasm.

“Autumn is here, a bath is really refreshing.” Old Zhu took the bath towel handed to him by Little Zhu and wiped his face, but his eyes could not leave Little Zhu. “Our Yin’er is strong. I remember you weren’t this strong when you were little. You didn’t like to eat, but our Yin’er is greedy.”

Xiao Zhu was genuinely amused and emphasized, "Grandpa, Yin'er isn't perfect either. At his age, we're much more sensible than him. Our Crown Prince isn't good at anything else, all he does is cause trouble."

“That’s still better than you. You’re too thoughtful and matured too early. You don’t act like a child.” Old Zhu wasn’t nitpicking; he was speaking from the heart. “Your grandmother and I know that you’re good at winning favor, easy to manage, and filial. But we still want our grandson to cause trouble around us. If you can’t do it, Yin’er will.”

Little Zhu, splashing water with both hands, ran over proudly and said, "Great-grandfather, swimming!"

"We saw it, have a drink of water." Old Zhu picked up little Zhu's chubby body and said with great affection, "Our Yin'er will be going to handle important matters of the court the day after tomorrow. Great-grandfather is very happy. Our Yin'er is sensible and capable!"

Even the smallest things a child does are remarkable in the eyes of their elders. Old Zhu was very proud at this time; his great-grandson was capable of handling important matters of the court, and Old Zhu certainly had every reason to be proud.

Little Zhu became happy and crawled out of Old Zhu's arms, "Great-grandfather, I am a great general! I want to fight!"

With the noisy children around, there wasn't much room for conversation. However, even with Zhu Yunying, the little workaholic, and Old Zhu, the old workaholic, they weren't always thinking about work or court affairs. This time, they were just taking a bath together.

Taking the juice offered by the maid, Zhu Yunying reached out and scooped up little Zhu. His precious son received plenty of juice every day, and little Zhu loved it very much. This could be considered royal treatment; it wasn't difficult for wealthy families to achieve the same.

After taking a few sips of juice from the cup, little Zhu generously said, "Great-grandfather, you should drink too!"

Old Zhu was even happier because his great-grandson was so filial. As for Little Zhu, he didn't care either. He comfortably covered his face with a towel, enjoying a relaxing bath and sweating it out. How wonderful that would be!

After the mischievous little Zhu was taken away, Old Zhu asked, "Autumn is approaching, have you inquired carefully about the firewood and charcoal?"

"We asked, not only in Yingtian Prefecture and Beiping, but also in all the garrisons." Zhu Yunying responded immediately, still quite confident. "Although I dare not say that there is no cold under heaven, we have made the necessary preparations."

This put Old Zhu at ease, and he sighed and said, "Getting through winter is the hardest part. In ordinary families, many elderly people can't survive the winter. Even the young and strong probably can't make it."

Zhu Yunying was aware of these things, so he said, "In previous years, I had people plant cotton to make more cotton clothes and quilts. In addition to the garrisons and border areas, this could also benefit the people. The reason why we have allowed people to grow cotton without paying taxes in recent years is the same. Some cotton will help them get through the winter."

Growing cotton held little appeal for many ordinary people, mainly because those who had experienced hunger preferred to have food in their hands. Therefore, in recent years, apart from the garrisons, a large portion of the Tartars captured from the north and exiled by Zhu Yunying were sent to grow cotton and mine.

These are all tasks that require a high level of human resources. In this day and age, it's impossible to talk about mechanization; they are basically all done by human labor.

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunying with great satisfaction and said, "Although we grew up in hardship, we know how difficult it is for ordinary people to survive. I am very happy that our children and grandchildren are all successful, have not forgotten their roots, and know how to care for the people."

Zhu Yunying, unable to bear his father's smugness, immediately retorted, "That's just a grandson, just our father. We're good. Of our uncles and cousins, very few are truly virtuous princes. Some are capable, but many are tyrannical and disregard the people!"

"Only you dare to talk to us like that!" Old Zhu said, both amused and annoyed. "It was better before, but now that we've given you our position, you've become so disrespectful!"

Zhu Yunying, seemingly unfazed, lazily said, "Even if Grandfather hadn't abdicated, I still have to say what I need to say. Some of our uncles have indeed gone too far. There are reports from below, so I can't say much more. Grandfather, please issue an edict to reprimand them."

Old Zhu was silent for a moment before saying, "We have no choice! We favor your father, and we favor you and Yin'er, but your uncles are still our children. We're not lenient with others, but those scoundrels are still our sons!"

"Grandson naturally understands this principle, which is why I am glad that I did not enfeoff princes." Zhu Yunying brought up the old matter again and said with a smile, "Grandfather should also see that there is actually some uncle who is not happy about my ascension to the throne."

Old Zhu was naturally aware of this matter, but even if his sons had some complaints, they only dared to grumble privately within the mansion. They felt that even without a crown prince, the throne shouldn't be given directly to the grandson of the crown prince.

Old Zhu understood that even if he were no longer alive, his sons wouldn't dare to cause trouble, because his precious grandson was shrewd and had excellent control over the court.

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