As for Zhu Yunwen's apparent undeserved accusation and being implicated in this incident, there's really nothing to worry about. Ultimately, it's just a minor reprimand, without any substantial punishment, so it's perfectly fine.

Actually, Zhu Yunwen's thoughts were quite simple. This time, Zhu Yunwen had indeed made a mistake. However, in Zhu Yunwen's view, Zhu Yunwen was just a fool, and he would definitely learn from his mistakes and was unlikely to repeat them.

Zhu Yunwen, on the other hand, was spoiled and pampered from childhood, to the point that he still seemed immature. In addition, Zhu Yunwen was quite the playboy, proficient in all sorts of pleasures, and with the emperor's favor, he was indeed quite fearless in many situations.

With the capital about to be moved, Zhu Yunwen was not going to Beiping. If he were left in Yingtian Prefecture, he would undoubtedly become even more lawless. While there was no real concern about his misbehavior, and he wouldn't commit any major offenses, some things were simply destined to happen.

Right now, in Yingtian Prefecture, right under the emperor's nose, Zhu Yunwen is already behaving like a spoiled brat. If he weren't under the emperor's watchful eye, he would undoubtedly be lawless and unruly—that much is obvious.

So let's consider this a warning in advance; there's no harm in it, it's just a precaution. This kind of thing is also suitable for Zhu Yunwen to do. Even if Zhu Yunwen is warned, he won't actually have any objections, he wouldn't dare to have any objections at all.

Zhu Yunying didn't actually care much about what happened in the Qianqing Palace; he knew that the old Zhu (Zhu Yunying) would definitely know what he was doing.

As an emperor, it's enough to just do what an emperor should do; there's not much else to worry about.

After finishing his official duties for the day, Zhu Yunying returned to Chunhe Palace. "If anyone pleads for mercy these next few days, don't get involved. Especially at the Imperial Academy. Although the Empress Dowager was kind to those students in the past, many of them are heartless and have failed to live up to the Emperor's grace."

Xu Miaoqing naturally understood some things. She didn't care too much about court affairs, nor did she actively offer any opinions. However, she was the Empress, and her son was the Crown Prince, so she would definitely pay attention to certain matters. Especially important ones; it would be difficult for her not to know about them.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I know what I'm doing." Xu Miaoqing massaged Zhu Yunying's temples and said softly, "Once this matter is settled, I'll have the Crown Prince lead the imperial family members to the Imperial Academy. What does Your Majesty think?"

Zhu Yunying smiled and praised, "That's naturally the best way. Both thunder and rain are expressions of imperial grace. This time, we should give those complacent scholars a good lesson and make them understand the importance of having reverence. However, imperial favor is also necessary. Our Ming Dynasty ultimately needs these scholars to govern it, and we cannot let their hearts be chilled."

This is Zhu Yunying, much like the late Zhu Yuanzhang. He knows how to use, and even heavily rely on, certain people. But once those people lose their value or cross his bottom line, he shows no mercy.

The tactic of "giving a stick and then a sweet treat" was something both Emperor Zhu and Emperor Xuanzong were very adept at, and many people were used to it. However, there were no real solutions, mainly because the emperor had special privileges.

In truth, Zhu Yunying's thoughts were quite simple. As emperor, he genuinely disliked the fact that Confucianism almost completely controlled the civil service system. Over the years, he had indeed imposed many restrictions, even suppressions, on Confucianism, but he was also well aware that completely abolishing Confucianism was unrealistic.

If Confucianism is not used, then other schools of thought are needed to fill the gap, and some of the theories of those schools may not be suitable for feudal rule.

Furthermore, the influence of Confucian culture on this nation is indeed too great, and it is unrealistic to completely abolish it. These are long-standing influences spanning over a thousand years, which Zhu Yunying could not change overnight.

Moreover, to be realistic, although many people have denigrated Confucianism in the future, it does indeed have many merits. Especially for feudal emperors, many of the ideas in Confucianism were indeed quite beneficial to their rule.

Therefore, restrictions will definitely be imposed when necessary, but Zhu Yunying will also use them when appropriate, which is not contradictory.

Joo Yun-young clearly did more than just think that way; he actually did it, and he planned to continue doing so.

“That would be best. The Crown Prince should be more benevolent.” Zhu Yunying smiled and said, “Our emperor is domineering and harsh. It would be good if the Crown Prince were more lenient. The ministers would want to get close to him, and the scholars would also want to befriend him.”

Only the emperors of the Ming Dynasty could say such things. In other dynasties, the mere fact that someone was "not like oneself" would be enough to make the crown prince tremble with fear. In fact, many crown princes' "crimes" would disqualify them from the throne.

However, in the Ming Dynasty, the crown prince did not need to worry about these things, because their birth was enough to secure their position.

The crown prince of the Ming Dynasty was probably the happiest, because he didn't need to worry about the cruelty of the struggle for the throne. This was much more comfortable than the crown princes of other dynasties. The cruelty of the struggle for the throne is well recorded in history books. Many of them were tragic human dramas and fratricide, which meant rivers of blood and piles of heads.

Although there's no need to worry too much about certain things, the Crown Prince's status is different, and he still needs to shoulder some responsibilities.

When the emperor is strict and domineering, the crown prince can appropriately show some elegance and benevolence.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!