Fengxian Hall is where Old Zhu worshipped his ancestors, and it is generally inaccessible to the general public.
This time was different. Although Zhu Xiong Ying was still dressed in ordinary clothes, albeit as a crown prince, the situation was different. This was a family coming to pay respects, which naturally made the situation even more special. This was an important matter, a way of informing the ancestors beforehand.
Little Zhu also came. Although he is usually naughty, he at least understands a little bit.
Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was also serious. At the beginning of his reign, following the custom of previous dynasties, he posthumously conferred the title of emperor upon his four ancestors. Temples were built for each of them, which became known as the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the place where the royal family worshipped their ancestors.
Of course, we are now at Fengxian Hall, which is the family temple for worshipping ancestors, and it is not as solemn as going to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Xu Miaoqing's expression was solemn. Of course, she was qualified to enter the hall; she was Zhu Xiong Ying's legal wife.
"Offer incense to your great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandmother," Old Zhu said to Zhu Xiong Ying, standing to the side. "You know how to address yourself, don't you?"
Zhu Xiong Ying took the incense from Xu Miao Qing and gestured for Little Zhu to come over as well. "Great-grandson Emperor Zhu Yun Ying, along with his wife Zhu Xu Shi and son Zhu Wen Yin, kowtow to his great-grandfather."
Old Zhu laughed heartily, quite pleased. He had become emperor, and his grandson was going to be emperor too. Such a joyous occasion had to be shared with his parents, so they could share in his happiness! Old Zhu had no recollection of the other ancestors, but he had a deep affection for his parents.
Little Zhu had no idea what his mother was thinking; all the boy knew was to kneel there, stick his little bottom out, and kowtow.
After bowing to his great-grandfather and great-grandmother, Zhu Xiong Ying personally lit the fire and handed it to Xu Miao Qing.
Looking at the memorial tablet before him, Zhu Xiong Ying knelt down and kowtowed respectfully. Without uttering a word, Zhu Xiong Ying simply stared at the tablet, only speaking as he rose, "Grandmother, your grandson has become emperor, and I will certainly be a good emperor."
Old Zhu smiled and said, "Don't do that, you'll frighten Yin'er."
“Come here, Yin’er won’t be scared. He knows that his great-grandmother, grandfather, and grandmother will protect him.” Zhu Xiong Ying said with some dissatisfaction, “Grandmother used to love me the most, so she will naturally take care of my offspring as well.”
Old Zhu waved his hand impatiently and said, "Go talk to your parents, and we'll talk to your grandmother."
Old Zhu took down Empress Ma's memorial tablet and sat on the prayer mat, holding it in his arms as he spoke. At this moment, Zhu Xiong Ying, with his wife and children, arrived before the memorial tablets of Zhu Biao and Crown Princess Chang.
"Yin'er, light some incense for your grandpa and grandfather." Zhu Xiong Ying picked up little Zhu and said with a smile, "Yin'er is still too young to remember his grandfather. Even when your grandfather is sick, he still thinks about you."
Little Zhu has no memory of Big Zhu at all. By the time he started to remember things, Big Zhu was already gone. In fact, to be honest, Little Zhu's ability to remember things and people is very limited; children are generally quite forgetful.
Listening to Zhu Xiong Ying's rambling, Xu Miao Qing was completely bewildered. Or rather, although she knew before that the Zhu family wasn't particularly rule-abiding and didn't adhere to any of the traditional etiquette, this was a complete eye-opener for her.
When Little Zhu saw Old Zhu beckoning, he immediately ran over to Old Zhu and chatted with his great-grandfather.
“Father, I’m going to have to change how I address you now.” Zhu Xiong Ying knelt on the prayer mat and said, “When I was little, I always jokingly called you ‘Father Emperor,’ and in a few days I will be able to call you that for real. It’s just that you didn’t keep our promise. If you were still here, your son would be traveling the world with your grandfather.”
Sitting to the side, Xu Miaoqing was even more alarmed. It seemed that her husband had been 'instigating' her for a long time. The throne of the Zhu family was a real 'hot potato,' and they had been discussing the succession for a long time.
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't care about any of that and continued, "Now it's all good, my son is about to ascend the throne. He didn't become the crown prince, and that's all because you broke your promise. It was agreed that the retired emperor would take the crown prince on a tour of the world. Since you, the emperor, are not in the capital to govern, my grandfather and I have no way to travel around and see the world of the Ming Dynasty."
Old Zhu, who was not far away, also heard this and said with a smile, "Ying'er, don't blame your father. We were greedy. If we had known this would happen, we would have retired at sixty. Your father broke his promise, but you must keep your promise and bury us in Xiaoling."
Zhu Xiong Ying immediately laughed and said, "Grandfather, who dares to go against your wishes regarding the arrangements for your passing?"
Old Zhu laughed and said to the memorial tablet in his arms, "Sister, our Ying'er is going to be the emperor. We've also deposed the prime minister, but the rules still apply. Just watch and see our eldest grandson ascend the throne!"
Zhu Xiong Ying stood up and knelt before the prayer mat, looking at the memorial tablet and said, "Grandmother, your grandson is going to be the emperor. I still remember what I promised you, Grandmother. I will definitely be a good emperor, so that the people can have enough to eat and wear, and so that our Zhu family's empire can be passed down."
Old Zhu was full of confidence, even more so than Zhu Xiong Ying: "You can definitely do it; you're better than us!"
“Grandmother, when I ascend the throne, I will also go to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. At that time, Xu Huizu will lead all the officials and elders of the capital to pay their respects. Ru Chang, you also know that he will help me go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to our ancestors.”
"The ones who presented the memorial, displayed the memorial, and announced the memorial were Zhuo Jing, Yan Zhenzhi, and Li Jinglong. My cousin has also made something of himself these past few years, helping his grandson train troops and conduct inspections everywhere. Yun Tong will be back in a couple of days. That child is still playful to this day. I reckon that child is still playful. Come to think of it, it was my spoiling of him when he was a child."
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