Princess Anqing added, "That's what we think too. Mediocrity isn't so bad, and a little comfort isn't a bad thing either. At least you have peace and quiet. If everyone were highly capable, they'd probably all be destined for a life of toil. Father and my brother are both capable, but they've never had a peaceful life. Ying'er was precocious from a young age and has been busy with court affairs since early on."

Princess Ningguo said, "It's good that Yuntong is like that. He may be a bit of a playboy, but he's always having a good time, which makes us happy."

Old Zhu smiled and said, "In this big family, there always needs to be one or two people who can endure hardship and take care of things. Our Ying'er can endure hardship, while those good-for-nothings like Yun Tong can just have a good time. We've worked hard all our lives just so that our descendants can live a better life."

Zhu Yunying basically agreed with some of Zhu's ideas. It would be a good thing if everyone were successful, but considering the sensitivity of the imperial clan's status, if everyone were successful, some problems might arise.

When that time really comes, the emperor will probably be somewhat unhappy and uneasy.

Therefore, the emperor wouldn't be displeased if some纨绔 (spoiled brats) or 好食饮無団 (fond of eating, drinking, and merrymaking) appeared among the imperial clan. At most, he would complain a few words on the surface, but secretly he was quite pleased.

As long as they can shoulder the responsibility and the head of the family is wise, that's enough. This is the kind of successor the emperor cares about most. Other things don't necessarily need to be a major concern.

Old Zhu put down the clapper and said to Zhu Yunying, "That's enough for today. Don't bother your uncle and aunt anymore."

"What could it be?" Zhu Yunying had been bold since childhood and was used to speaking rebelliously. "Are we afraid that our uncles will suddenly get a secret edict? It's just that our uncles are going to keep Grandfather company for a chat. We'll come and sit down too. There are some things we can't say, but we can use this as a pretext to criticize our uncles later."

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu was both amused and annoyed. "I've been powerful my whole life, everyone knows how domineering I, Zhu Hongwu, am! Only your grandmother and father can keep me in check! You, ever since you were little, have never been able to keep your mouth shut in front of me. If you ask me, it's all because of your grandmother's teachings. You've always been disrespectful, always saying that the country is yours!"

Zhu Yunying chuckled and pointed at little Zhu, "Isn't Grandfather the same? In front of Yin'er, he always talks about how he should be emperor, saying that the country should belong to him. You tell me, wasn't Grandfather just like Grandmother in her early years?"

Old Zhu thought it made some sense, but he wouldn't admit he was wrong; the only one who could be wrong was someone else.

Little Zhu, also inheriting his family's rebellious nature, said to Zhu Yunying, "Father, when we become emperor, we won't follow your example."

Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing were somewhat envious. If they were sons instead of daughters, they might be more valued by their father, the Emperor. Of course, they also understood that even if they were sons, they couldn't compare to their elder brother, the Emperor.

Over the years, everyone has seen that the Emperor only has eyes for his elder brother. Even though Ying'er and the Crown Prince have always been favored, everyone knows that it's because the Emperor loves them and extends that love to his elder brother.

The throne will only be left to the elder brother by the father. This was something that everyone had seen many years ago, as evidenced by the fact that the father immediately appointed a crown prince upon ascending the throne and continuously cultivated the crown prince's support.

Even if something unexpected happens, so what? Although my elder brother is gone, given his position in our father's heart, the throne can only be left to his son. It's practically impossible for anyone else.

Old Zhu smiled and said to Little Zhu, "If you really become emperor, it won't hurt to learn from your father. Your father was a good emperor. But there are some things you can't learn from him. Your father was wise. He wasn't a ruler who only maintained the status quo. If you become emperor and govern the country he left behind well, that will be enough!"

Little Zhu pouted, feeling a bit aggrieved, but even if she was unwilling, it seemed she had no choice but to accept this reality.

From a young age, everyone around him said that his father was precocious and extremely wise. Little Zhu also realized to some extent that even if he seemed to be better than his father in terms of military strategy, the emperor could not just think about charging into battle; that was only the job of the grand marshal.

Being a ruler who only maintains the status quo is something that young Zhu was naturally somewhat unwilling to do. But there was nothing he could do; perhaps being a good ruler who could maintain the status quo was already quite good. After all, he didn't have the abilities of his father and grandfather, so he shouldn't try to show off.

Zhu Yunying stood up and said, "Let's come over again for lunch tomorrow. We'll have Fifth Uncle come too. Aunts, come over as well. The First Princess is entering the palace tomorrow, so you can all keep her company and have a chat."

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunying with a smile and said, "They've all come one by one, aren't they afraid of trouble?"

Zhu Yunying smiled confidently and said, "We promised our Imperial Grandfather that we would treat our uncles and aunts better. If we even stop them from fulfilling their filial duties, what kind of good are we? Besides, our Imperial Grandfather has doted on us for so many years, how could we not know what he's thinking?"

"Alright!" Old Zhu stopped hesitating and said with a smile, "Then let's go see our sons and daughters again, talk to them, and have a meal with them! Then we'll feel at ease. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've seen many of my sons and daughters."

As he said this, Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunying with satisfaction and said, "Our good grandson, you really did not spoil him for nothing! Among our children and grandchildren, only you and your father have us in their hearts and regard us as father and grandfather. As for the others, they only look at the emperor."

"You two should leave too, so we can have some peace and quiet." After saying this, Old Zhu looked at his two biological daughters, seemingly with some disdain. "People say that raising a daughter brings good fortune. At our age, we haven't enjoyed the filial piety of our daughters, but our grandsons are always thinking of us."

Zhu Yunying chuckled. No matter what he did, it was good; Old Zhu could always find something to praise. As for others, no matter how well they did, Old Zhu would inevitably find fault with them.

Having long been accustomed to all this, Zhu Yunying could simply keep quiet and enjoy it. As for the others, they dared not show any dissatisfaction towards Old Zhu, and could only accept that they still had many shortcomings.

Go do what you're supposed to do. Everyone has a lot to do these days, so there's no need to stay in the Qianqing Palace any longer.

Xu Miaoqing carried Zhu Wenkun away, and Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing also led their children and grandchildren away. As for Zhu Yunying, he strolled leisurely towards the Wuying Hall. He still had many political affairs to attend to and certainly couldn't afford to be idle.

As for young Zhu, he will likely continue to stay in the Qianqing Palace to receive careful instruction from Emperor Zhu. Of course, it's also possible that young Zhu is causing trouble and Emperor Zhu is indulging him without restraint; this is not impossible.

Wang Chengen followed behind Zhu Yunying and whispered, "Your Majesty, it seems that the Duke of Zhongshan has collected enough evidence and will probably submit a memorial in the next few days."

Zhu Yunying chuckled and said, "He certainly knows how to pick a day. We thought he was going to keep stalling for a while longer!"

Alas, thinking of the grave mistakes made by the descendants of his trusted advisors, Zhu Yunying didn't know what to say. But now there were certain things that needed to be done; whether they were his most trusted confidants or founding heroes, their descendants had to be dealt with without mercy!

An emperor should do what an emperor should do!