Ascending the throne and becoming emperor was a completely new beginning for Zhu Yunying, and also a completely new beginning for the Ming Dynasty.
However, some people seem to feel that not much has changed, except that the Crown Prince now sits on the dragon throne, confirming the relationship between ruler and subject. Many things do indeed appear to remain largely unchanged.
Although the emperor sitting on the dragon throne is Zhu Yunying, the Hongwu Emperor behind the scenes is the one many civil and military officials truly revere. The new emperor's authority is still insufficient, and he certainly needs more time to consolidate his control over the court.
There were many things Zhu Yunying didn't need to worry about too much; he had his own plans. He also knew that many things couldn't be rushed. Now that Old Master Zhu was still alive, Zhu Yunying could naturally use this time to better enhance his prestige. This was a fairly good transitional phase; at least now that he had taken over, no one dared to cause trouble.
Zhu Yunying still wielded considerable influence, which naturally reassured him, as he no longer needed to worry about clashing with his court officials. Even if the civil and military officials harbored some grievances, they simply accepted their fate, thinking of Zhu Yunying's apparent retirement as the Retired Emperor.
The princes who had been enfeoffed in the provinces were finally able to return to their fiefdoms with their children. From their father's birthday to the new emperor's ascension to the throne, these people had been in Yingtian Prefecture for three months, and now they didn't have much to do. In front of their father, they all behaved themselves and established their relationship as ruler and subject, so there was no need for them to stay in Yingtian Prefecture any longer.
As for the princes who haven't been granted fiefdoms, they're probably all watching with longing.
However, the effect was mediocre. Zhu Yunying first bestowed titles upon two princes, both of whom were his younger brothers. He then bestowed titles upon two younger sisters: Zhu Xi as Princess Jiangdu and Zhu Yue as Princess Linhuai, both of which were quite prestigious.
Zhu Yunwen's title of Prince of Wu goes without saying; it was his title before he ascended the throne. Prince of Xu, Zhu Yunwen, was from Xuzhou, one of the nine provinces of ancient China. Jiangdu is also without question, being very close to Yingtian Prefecture. As for Linhuai, simply put, it was formerly known as Zhongli or Haozhou. In the third year of Hongwu's reign, Linhao County was renamed Linhuai County, and in the seventh year, it was merged into Fengyang Prefecture.
In short, Zhu Yunying's younger siblings either held prestigious titles or lived near Yingtian Prefecture. This naturally conveys a lot of information, and many people felt that the new emperor took good care of his younger siblings.
Xu Miaoqing has been very busy lately. As the current empress, she naturally needs to shoulder her responsibilities.
Chang Lanshi held a very special position, attracting the attention of many court ladies. She was Chang Yuchun's principal wife, the mother of the late Empress Chang, and the maternal grandmother of the new emperor, making her a woman of exceptional status.
Despite having three daughters-in-law, Chang Lanshi had no psychological barriers whatsoever. She was indeed an elder, but she also knew she had to uphold the duties of a subject.
“No need for such formalities, Madam Kaiping.” Xu Miaoqing quickly stood up and helped Chang Lanshi up, saying, “Madam Kaiping is of noble status.”
Chang Lan didn't mind and showed a kind smile, "I am, after all, a subject, and should not be arrogant."
“Madam is being presumptuous,” Xu Miaoqing said with a smile. “Madam is His Majesty’s maternal grandmother after all. If Madam were to pay homage with such formality, His Majesty would surely reprimand me for disrespecting my elders.”
Just then, Shuangquan arrived. "Please, Princess Consort of Kaiping, receive the imperial decree."
Emperor Zhu bestowed a walking stick upon Lady Chang, a practice borrowed from the Western Han dynasty's custom of not requiring women to kneel or bow when entering the court. This served as a relief for Zhu Yunying and Xu Miaoqing, as only with Emperor Zhu's personal decree could Lady Chang truly be exempt from kneeling.
It was normal for Lady Changlan to receive such an honor, given her special status. However, Zhu Yunying's three maternal aunts did not receive the same treatment. After all, Zhu Yunying's uncles had established their hierarchical relationship as ruler and subject according to etiquette. Old Zhu was strict with his own sons, so he naturally wouldn't expect much from other people's daughters-in-law.
Many noblewomen looked at Chang Lan with envy, their eyes filled with longing for the phoenix-headed cane in her hand. Although it wasn't explicitly stated that she would strike down a tyrannical emperor or a treacherous minister, if she were to actually strike down some officials, those people would have no choice but to accept it, and might not even dare to resist.
Zhu Yue watched with a beaming smile, holding her chubby son with great pride. Her elder brother was the Emperor, and she herself held the title of "Imperial Princess," which naturally signified her special and noble status. As long as her husband achieved some military merit, inheriting the title of Duke would be just around the corner, and her son's future would be secure.
Little Zhu came running over. This lively little guy had seen his share of big events, and with Old Zhu's doting on him, he didn't know what fear was. As for the ladies of the court looking at him, Little Zhu had nothing to be afraid of.
He was dressed in the Crown Prince's everyday clothes. Although he was a bit small, he was still a genuine Crown Prince.
Xu Miaoqing's three sisters-in-law also looked at Xiao Zhu, for he was their future support. Xiao Zhu was immediately named Crown Prince upon the new emperor's ascension to the throne, and many people could see the Emperor Emeritus's doting affection for him, which naturally made them feel even more at ease.
In the Ming Dynasty, it seems there's really no need to consider the concept of a prince's residence or a successor's succession; the order of succession is very clear. The rules established by the retired emperor seem to be fully accepted by the new emperor.
"Mother, Father said he'll reward you with vegetables," little Zhu said in her sweet, childish voice, which touched the hearts of many noblewomen.
Picking up her chubby son, Xu Miaoqing said, "You need to change how you address him; you should call him Father Emperor and Mother Empress."
“Great-grandfather said he wouldn’t change it.” Little Zhu knew very well that his great-grandfather was the greatest and most powerful. “Dad got scolded.”
Well, although Zhu Yunying has ascended the throne, the one with the most authority in the Ming Dynasty is still the old Zhu. Even though it seems that all the civil and military officials are convinced of the new emperor, compared with the Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yunying has a long way to go and much to learn.
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