Mu Ying immediately became somewhat saddened and said, "Your Majesty's kindness is boundless, this subject..."

At this moment, Da Zhu stepped forward and said, "Cousin, don't be sad. The Empress Dowager loves to see her children and grandchildren succeed. Now that you have made great contributions and Chun'er is a young hero, the Empress Dowager will be overjoyed. I was originally thinking of resting for two days before going, but I thought that would not make you happy."

Mu Ying began to weep, tears welling up from the depths of his heart. "Your Majesty, I am ashamed..."

Old Zhu was displeased and slammed his hand on the table. "Wenying, if you're being so formal, your mother will be unhappy!"

Mu Ying burst into tears, showing no sign of losing his composure. "Father, I am an unfilial son. Mother has passed away, and I have not been able to fulfill my filial duties at her side. In all these years, I have been busy traveling around and have not been able to offer incense at her grave. I have failed as a son."

Old Zhu was also quite saddened, but then said, "Don't say such things. You were ordered by us to fight in various battles. Your mother is happy to see you so accomplished and loyal to the country. I know my sister; she loves to see you all succeed!"

Whether this can be considered a transgression of etiquette is debatable. In some places, it certainly is, but there are some things that cannot be said more about.

Not only were many of the ritual systems in place at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, but the most important factor was Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude.

In fact, many ministers had submitted memorials, such as proposing that the princes' crowns and robes be the same as those of the crown prince, which was unprecedented in previous dynasties. However, Zhu Yuanzhang simply did not intend to change it, even though both the eldest and young emperors had spoken up.

Or they might verbally praise a minister who submits a memorial, saying they'll consider it or that they hadn't thought of it before, but once the matter is settled, they'll deny it and keep dragging it out.

The eldest son, Zhu, is definitely the emperor's biological son, but the other sons are also his biological sons! The throne will belong to the eldest son in the future, so the other sons can wear the same crown and robes as the crown prince and have a little fun, at least to look good on the surface.

There was nothing the elder and younger Zhu could do about Zhu Yuanzhang's intentions. Even though the treatment this father and son received was better than all the other princes and grandsons combined, to be fair, Zhu Yuanzhang wasn't bad to the other princes and grandsons either.

Zhu Xiong Ying was in a fairly good mood. He didn't seem to have done much during his trip back to Beijing for the Spring Festival, but he did manage to do a few things.

As for what comes next, naturally, right after the New Year, he will have to start preparing to go to Beiping again. There are still many things to deal with there, and he has a lot to do.

This new year, the twenty-third year of Hongwu, may bring about many changes under Zhu Xiong Ying's influence, and will be quite different from some historical events.