For many, once they enter the inner palace, it's difficult to leave.
Previously, it was difficult for Zhu Xiong Ying to leave the palace, but after he was named the Crown Prince, as long as he had a legitimate reason and reported it in advance, there was no problem.
Dressed like a wealthy young master, Zhu Xiong Ying carried a folding fan and strolled around, looking at everything. His two younger sisters, though somewhat overwhelmed by the sights, obediently followed behind him.
As for his younger brother Zhu Yunwen, he's a real handful, running around happily right now.
"Go and keep an eye on him, make sure no one bumps into him," Zhu Xiong Ying said to Wang Cheng En with a smile. "That child must be getting restless in the palace."
Wang Chengen nodded and quickly caught up. Although he knew that the Third Prince was accompanied by reliable people, he still had to keep an eye on him.
"Brother, where are we going?" Zhu Yue asked, a little curious and uneasy. "We've been wandering around for half a day. Will Father be angry when we get back to the palace?"
Zhu Xiong Ying was not afraid and said confidently, "Let's go to the Princess's residence first to see our eldest aunt. For dinner, we'll go to our maternal grandmother's. Oh, and go to the Yongchang Marquis's residence and ask him to wait there for dinner."
As the Crown Prince's "study companion," Fu Rang immediately nodded in agreement. Although he knew that one of the things the current emperor feared most was having close ties with nobles, there were some things that were unavoidable and didn't need to be taken seriously.
For example, Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu, was the brother-in-law of the late Prince Kaiping, Chang Yuchun. By all accounts, the Crown Prince was Lan Yu's grand-nephew.
At this moment, Imperial Son-in-Law Mei Yin and Liu Zhi were chatting outside the princess's residence. The two men shared the same title: Imperial Son-in-Law Mei Yin, the husband of Princess Ningguo, and the husband of Princess Anqing.
Mei Yin was the nephew of Mei Sizu, the Marquis of Runan. He had served as the Shandong Provincial Education Commissioner and was well-versed in classics and history. He was considered Zhu Yuanzhang's favorite son-in-law.
Liu Zhi was Liu Bowen's grandson. Although he wasn't Zhu Yuanzhang's favorite son-in-law, his wife, Princess Anqing, was Zhu Yuanzhang's youngest daughter, making her Zhu Yuanzhang's beloved daughter.
Upon seeing a group of children or teenagers appearing in the distance, Liu Zhi and Mei Yin both smiled, "Welcome, Imperial Grandson..."
“Uncle, if that’s the case, I won’t come here to be a bad guest anymore.” Zhu Xiong Ying interrupted directly, saying bluntly, “If my two aunts find out, I’m afraid I’ll get a beating.”
Mei Yin said with a smile, "Your Highness, etiquette must not be disregarded."
“If this were in the imperial court, then etiquette would be essential, but this is not the imperial court; this is a family banquet,” Zhu Xiong Ying said, half-jokingly. “I was raised by my two aunts, and I am closest to them.”
Mei Yin simply smiled. His wife, Princess Ningguo, had practically watched the Crown Prince grow up, but Princess Ningguo married him when the Crown Prince was only four years old.
Liu Zhi and Princess Anqing were deeply in love, and he knew that the Crown Prince and Princess Anqing were also close. Moreover, his marriage was indirectly caused by the Crown Prince, who supposedly disliked a young scholar who had previously passed the imperial examination.
"Call someone!" Zhu Xiong Ying turned around, somewhat annoyed. "Now that you have a toy, you don't know how to call people anymore!"
"Uncle-in-law!"
"Uncle-in-law!"
Now it was the two princes-in-law's turn to respond quickly, and they were also busy bowing.
"Ying'er! Come see your Vice Commander-in-Chief." Princess Ningguo, holding her eldest son Mei Shunchang, saw Zhu Xiong Ying and immediately said with a smile, "Come quickly, let your imperial aunt take a look!"
Zhu Xiong Ying refused to admit it and quickly said, "Aunt, I never said I would make him the Vice Commander-in-Chief. I am only the Crown Prince's grandson; how could I have the authority to bestow official titles and ranks upon him!"
Princess Ningguo feigned anger and criticized, "Fine! Your little aunt's offspring are all deputy commanders-in-chief and left and right commanders-in-chief, but your eldest aunt's offspring can't even become a second-rank official?!"
Princess Anqing, who was holding the baby in swaddling clothes, said with a smile, "Elder sister, I've said it before, Ying'er is just like my elder brother and father. I don't believe anything he says!"
Mei Yin and Liu Zhi were both drenched in sweat. Did they really think the Embroidered Uniform Guard was just for show?!
However, they all understood that some things could only be said by the emperor's legitimate sons and daughters. If others said them, they might really face the fate of having their families wiped out.
“Auntie, I’m not denying it. I was just too young to understand official titles back then.” Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and immediately said, “If my little cousin calls me now, I’ll give him an official title. If he doesn’t keep his promise, Auntie can come and beat me. You’ve beaten me quite a few times already.”
Princess Anqing immediately corrected her, somewhat speechless, "If my offspring don't achieve high official rank and wealth, it must be because you're petty and hold grudges! Tell me honestly, when have I ever hit you?"
"You pinched my ears and cheeks quite often too!" Zhu Xiong Ying said, touching her cheek. "I remember I was a little chubby when I was little, and my aunt loved to pinch my cheeks!"
Princess Ningguo whispered something in her eldest son Mei Shunchang's ear, and the two-year-old boy immediately ran over, "Cousin, the Crown Prince!"
"I don't recognize him! I was talking about my younger cousin, this is my older cousin!" Zhu Xiong Ying panicked and immediately jumped up and down. "Xi'er, Yue'er, quickly restrain this brat!"
Zhu Xi and Zhu Yue ran over laughing and teasing their cousin, but were immediately chased away by the two imperial aunts. As for Zhu Yunwen, who was being carefree, he was just grinning foolishly. This child was a bit slow and introverted, only lively in front of his family.
Mei Yin and Liu Zhi were somewhat relieved. Although the Crown Prince had said many 'treasonous' things, and the two princesses seemed to have said some disrespectful things as well, they knew that even if these words reached the Emperor's ears, he would not only laugh it off, but would laugh it off even more.
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