After pleading guilty, Lian Cheng reported, "Your subject is unworthy to serve as the Director of the Ministry of Works."

"I have also taken a look, and you are quite diligent," Zhu Yunying said with a smile to Lian Chengjing. "I intend to transfer you to the Martial Academy to oversee its construction. Once this matter is settled, you can be promoted to a local prefecture. If one is not a people-friendly official and does not know the hardships of the common people, it is probably not good to be an official in the imperial court, and it would be difficult to be a pillar of the court."

Lian Chengjing was somewhat excited. He was currently a fifth-rank official, neither high nor low. However, if he succeeded in this matter, he would have the opportunity to be promoted to a fourth-rank prefect or a fourth-rank assistant prefect.

If he were to gain experience in the lower levels and then return to the central government, he might become a third-rank advisor in the Provincial Administration Commission, or a third-rank vice minister or minister in the Three Departments and Six Ministries.

Somewhat restless, Lian Qiongqiong gritted her teeth, got up, and knelt before Zhu Yunying. "Your Majesty's great favor is too much for me to accept."

Zhu Yunying smiled and stretched out his hand, saying, "Don't say too much about court affairs. My eldest brother has some talent and ability, and I will naturally cultivate and promote him. My second and third brothers are only average, and I do not wish to entrust them with important responsibilities, as that would be a path to disaster."

Since things have come to this point, everyone naturally understands the situation.

Lian Chengjing's appointment to a high position naturally stems from his abilities, reflecting Lian Zining's effective parenting and the Lian family's strong academic tradition. However, no one would believe it's entirely unrelated to Lian Qiongqiong's influence.

There are so many talented and capable people in the world. They don't have that many opportunities. They won't be noticed by big shots so easily, and they won't be promoted immediately after making a little progress.

Zhu Ruyi stretched out her chubby little hands and pressed her little face firmly against Zhu Yunying's face.

"Dad, he has a beard!" Little Zhu suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Great-grandfather has a long beard!"

Zhu Yunying had no choice; growing a beard was a 'tradition.' It wasn't just a Ming Dynasty custom; it had existed since ancient times. Zhu Yunying basically didn't shave his beard, only occasionally trimming it slightly.

Forget about the bearded man; Zhu Yunying didn't have a full beard or long sideburns.

The two mischievous children started playing with Zhu Yunying's beard, which forced Zhu Yunying to raise his head and let the two children do as they pleased.

Lian Zining looked at it and said respectfully in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, I have prepared a simple lunch."

"Never mind, we rarely get a day off, and it's the New Year," Zhu Yunying said with a smile, turning to Lian Zining. "We still need to visit the Prince's Mansion and the Imperial Son-in-Law's Mansion, so we won't have a meal here. The Imperial Noble Consort can stay at the mansion, and we'll take the princess with us."

Lian Qiongqiong was a little conflicted. Of course, she wanted to have a meal with her family and enjoy a reunion dinner. Such an opportunity was too rare for her; it might not even happen once a year. But now that His Majesty the Emperor was going to the Prince's and Princess's residences, Lian Qiongqiong felt that she should go with him.

Zhu Yunying waved his hand and stood up. The entire Lian family naturally followed him out of the mansion, respectfully seeing the emperor off.

"Your Majesty's sister-in-law, I didn't know the baby would spit up milk the other day." Madam Sang glanced at her son on the bed and said triumphantly, "If it weren't for Your Majesty's sister-in-law and elder sister sending a wet nurse, I'm afraid I would have failed Your Majesty's grace."

Xu Miaoqing glanced at Sang Shi, then said to Zhu Xi, "Xi'er, His Majesty is extremely busy with state affairs and there are many matters to attend to in the court. This is also the first time Yun Tong and Sang Shi have had a child, so they may not be familiar with this matter. Please take good care of them and let us know if anything happens."

Zhu Xi immediately accepted the order and said, "Your Majesty, I will obey your decree."

“If you continue like this, your brother will scold us again,” Xu Miaoqing said with some resentment. “If it were anyone else, it would be fine, we are the Empress and can put on airs. But your brother dislikes seeing this in front of you.”

Zhu Xi hadn't said much yet, but Lady Sang was already feeling honored. She was the emperor's sister-in-law, a true sister-in-law. Lady Ma from Zhu Yunwen's family didn't have such prestige. Zhu Yunwen and Lady Ma's children, let alone being named by the retired emperor or bestowed names by the emperor, were hardly worth a second glance.

Xu Miaoqing and Zhu Xi exchanged a glance. Well, so be it if their sister-in-law's standards aren't high enough. At least it's easy for them to have peace of mind!

With the Spring Festival approaching, it's natural for families to visit each other, and even royalty should do the same!