Moreover, Xu Miaoqing had also heard that the Earl of Chengyi was able to marry a princess because it was orchestrated by the Crown Prince. It was said that the Emperor and the Crown Prince favored a talented scholar, but the Crown Prince rejected him, which is why the Earl of Chengyi was able to marry a princess.
"Run?!" Zhu Xiong Ying grabbed Liu Yong and slapped him on the forehead triumphantly. "My aunt always liked to bully me, and now I've finally found my chance!"
Not to be outdone, the chubby Liu Yong struggled and shouted, "Cousin, Grandfather will beat you!"
Zhu Zhu and Liu Zhi were speechless. They both considered themselves intelligent, so how could they have given birth to such a clueless brat? Although the emperor did indeed love this grandson, there was a big difference between a grandson from a maternal grandfather and a biological grandson, especially since this was the emperor's favorite eldest grandson!
Princess Ningguo also arrived, bringing her children and a seemingly unwilling young girl, who was none other than Zhu Yue, who had gone wild with fun.
"Brother, I've finally managed to leave the palace, and no one's keeping me from going out. What's wrong with going out for a stroll?" Zhu Yue complained to Zhu Xiong Ying, quite displeased. "My eldest aunt is criticizing me today, and my youngest aunt is criticizing me tomorrow. It's so annoying!"
Princess Ningguo tapped Zhu Yue's forehead and said irritably, "You're always running around aimlessly, it's all because your brother spoils you! Tell me, why don't you learn needlework or read the 'Admonitions for Women'? It's all because of your brother who spoils you!"
After scolding Zhu Yue, Princess Ningguo began to criticize Zhu Xiong Ying, "Ying'er, you should also discipline your two sisters! Tell me, what kind of behavior have they displayed?!"
At this point, Zhu Xiong Ying simply smiled and remained silent. Having heard so much criticism, she had naturally developed some immunity. She was practically immune to it all; this wasn't the first or second time, and she was already used to it.
This was a true family banquet. Although Zhu Xiong Ying had many daughters, the ones he was truly close to were Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing. Princess Anqing, in particular, was the one who raised him; she was someone Zhu Xiong Ying had watched grow up, and she was his aunt.
At this moment, Xu Miaoqing also saw a different side of the Crown Prince. She saw a Crown Prince who was unpretentious and affectionate with his relatives, and a Crown Prince who had no regard for his image and was joking and playing around without any restraint.
While eating hot pot, Zhu Xiong Ying said to Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing, "I've been making a mess of things here, which has caused my aunts to suffer. They've left the prosperous Jiangnan region and come to this harsh and cold northern land to endure hardship."
Zhu Zhu, holding her youngest daughter, was quite relaxed. "Even if you hadn't spearheaded the relocation of the capital, given Father's personality, we would have come sooner or later anyway. It's good that we came earlier this time, so we can keep an eye on you here, otherwise you'll just be fooling around all day."
Zhu Xiong Ying felt this situation was a bit frustrating. He thought he had done a lot. But now it seemed that in the eyes of his elders, although Zhu Xiong Ying was a sensible and good child, he was still a junior, someone they needed to keep an eye on and take care of.
Mei Yin and Liu Zhi didn't say much at this time. They had never dared to talk about these topics before, mainly bad things about His Majesty the Emperor. It seemed that only the Emperor's closest people could say such things.
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't care about those things and said, "Actually, it's good that you've come here. My uncles can't do much in Yingtian Prefecture, but they can do a lot more here. What I'm thinking is that my eldest uncle will serve as the educational commissioner of Beiping and inherit the title of Marquis of Runan after some time."
This could actually be true. Mei Yin's uncle was Mei Sizu, the Marquis of Runan. However, after Mei Sizu passed away, he was implicated in Hu Weiyong's faction, and his entire family was killed.
Zhu Xiong Ying will definitely leave this title to Mei Yin. However, there are some prerequisites: Mei Yin must achieve some results first.
Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "My uncle-in-law will also have to work harder during this time. I'm thinking of him keeping an eye on Beiping for me. The title of Earl of Chengyi is already too low; Marquis of Chengyi would be better."
Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing were overjoyed, but also a little worried. "Ying'er, isn't this a bad idea? Your royal grandfather has been reducing the number of titles in recent years. If you do this, he might not be happy."
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't care and said confidently, "My two aunts shouldn't overthink it. My grandfather is reducing the ranks of nobility, but the nobles of my Great Ming must have some influence. Throughout history, the power of civil officials has inevitably continued to grow, and the nobles of the Great Ming should naturally be guaranteed some influence as well."
I understand, it's still about balance, and balance is essential. But all this meat has to rot in our own pots!
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