Carefully getting out of bed, Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "Grandpa, don't get up. Stay asleep with Yin'er."

"He wet the bed." Old Zhu said to Little Zhu with a smile, "That rascal is just like that, he plays like crazy during the day and sleeps soundly at night. We didn't intend to wake him up, so we let him wet the bed."

There's not much to say here. Joo Yoon-young originally thought that his father, Joo, favored him. But when it came to little Joo, Joo's father's doting affection was undisguised and direct. It's really unrealistic for Joo Yoon-young to say anything.

After washing up, he would have some breakfast and prepare to go to court. This was also one of Zhu Yunying's tasks, and this was his daily life.

Once in the imperial court, Zhu Yunying simply began preparing things step by step, and he handled it quite well.

The first year of Zhu Yunying's reign was generally stable, and he could be considered relatively 'relaxed'. There weren't many major events or unexpected situations, and everything was generally under control.

With the second year of the Ying Shi era about to begin, Emperor Zhu Yunying had a lot to do at the end of the year. Needless to say, there were sacrifices to Heaven, celebrations with civil and military officials, and various prayers and ancestral rites.

A new year brings new beginnings. During the Tang Dynasty, the country was divided into fifteen circuits, each with an investigating and handling commissioner in charge of inspecting criminal cases and supervising local officials.

Zhu Yunying dispatched twenty-four people as inspectors to tour the country, inquire about the people's hardships, investigate officials, commend the honest and condemn the corrupt, and act at their own discretion.

Among them were some important officials from the Six Ministries, and naturally, some members of the imperial family and nobles also sent along.

Needless to say, Zhu Yunying intended to train some members of the imperial clan by sending some of his sons to see the hardships of ordinary people and understand their lives. As for the military officers, it goes without saying that the young officers needed opportunities to hone their skills.

These interviewers, essentially "imperial envoys," were also doing things that offended people. Although most local officials dared not be too bold, there were bound to be a few desperate individuals, so they naturally needed to be careful.

The fact that the nobles went out with them this time was actually to investigate the affairs of the local garrisons.

Little Zhu ran around happily, while Zhu Ruyi stood unsteadily, cautiously chasing after her brother.

"Last year was relatively peaceful and the administration was efficient, and my father-in-law has made great contributions." Zhu Yunying raised his wine cup and said to Lian Zining, "Recently, I have also seen the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation, and I intend to appoint my father-in-law as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."

Lian Zining quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Minister Ru has made outstanding achievements in his leadership of the Ministry of Personnel."

"I know," Zhu Yunying laughed and said to Lian Zining, "The relocation of the capital is still underway, and the Ministry of Personnel is still short of people. I also want to set up some new offices. Father-in-law, you should go to the Ministry of Personnel first. Pay close attention to those with economic talent, and value virtue."

Lian Zining immediately realized that the imperial court was now consolidating the power of the Maritime Trade Office and strengthening its control over it. This was common knowledge, and there were indeed some people in the court who opposed it, feeling that it was a way of competing with the people for profit.

As a result, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot reported back, thoroughly investigating the backgrounds of those ministers who opposed the rulings. It was also revealed who the leading figures of which family were, and how many members of those families had benefited from the influence of officials in the court.

Perhaps it is only now that many people realize that the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which was abolished and reduced in previous years, is actually still active. It's just that the current Embroidered Uniform Guard's agents and the Eastern Depot's agents are slightly more low-key and don't have much law enforcement power.

Emperors never relaxed their surveillance and investigation of officials and the common people. It wasn't just Emperor Zhu who did this; Emperor Xiao Zhu did it too, and perhaps future emperors of the Ming Dynasty will continue to do so.

Lian Zining knew that his identity was special, and it was only because it was the New Year that he had the opportunity to see his daughter.

In reality, this was a low-key visit home by the Imperial Noble Consort, but the Lian Zining family was honored to be part of it. Not only did the Imperial Noble Consort and the current 'Eldest Princess' of the Ming Dynasty return, but His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince also made a personal visit.

As emperor, Zhu Yunying naturally sat in the main seat. Even though it was said to be a family ceremony, the Lian family dared not overstep their bounds.

The eldest son, Lian Chengjing, the second son, Lian Xuantong, and the third son, Lian Renshan, all stood respectfully to one side. Lian Zining's nephew, Lian Jilian, who came from their hometown in Jiangxi, failed the imperial examination last year and is still staying at the Lian residence to prepare for the metropolitan examination next year.

"Ruyi, come here." Zhu Yunying looked at her with a smile and beckoned her over, saying, "Don't quarrel with your imperial brother."

Zhu Ruyi stumbled over, laughing sweetly in her childish voice, and threw herself into Zhu Yunying's arms.

The Lian family members were filled with pride, as they had all heard that the Crown Prince's position was secure and that he was greatly favored by the Retired Emperor and the Emperor himself. They had also heard that in the current Ming Dynasty's imperial harem, the truly valued little princess was Lian Qiongqiong's daughter.

"Father." Zhu Ruyi hugged Zhu Yunying's neck and happily brought her chubby little face close to his.

Zhu Yunying remained motionless, her left cheek pressed against Zhu Ruyi's soft, chubby face. Little Zhu had run over and pressed her right cheek against it as well.

At this moment, Zhu Yunying no longer appears to be the emperor; he is simply a father, coaxing his two children.

Just give Lian Zining a brief mention of court affairs; some matters can be discussed later in the Wuying Hall or Fengtian Hall. We're here to visit relatives, so we can't forget our three brothers-in-law.

Zhu Yunying glanced at Lian Chengjing, his eyes shifting slightly. "Is my elder brother currently working in the Ministry of Works?"

Lian Chengjing immediately knelt down, saying, "Your subject dares not claim kinship with the emperor."

While it's not unreasonable to say he's related to the imperial family, in the Lian family's education, Lian Chengjing dared not be addressed as 'elder brother' by Zhu Yunying.

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