Zhu Yunying began to fast, a habit he had cultivated for over a decade. On Chang's birthday and death anniversary, Zhu Yunying would abstain from meat for three days and women for a week, and would go to the Fengxian Hall to offer sacrifices every day.
This habit used to be limited to Zhu Yunying, but Zhu Xi and Zhu Yue followed it too. Later, when Zhu Yunwen grew a little older, he also followed it; Zhu Yunwen couldn't not follow it, since his nominal mother was Empress Chang, and Lady Lü was only his birth mother. But now it's naturally different; Xu Miaoqing and little Zhu also have to follow it. Even Lady Sang needs to follow it now.
After the court session ended, Zhu Yunying changed into casual clothes, which were not so formal, and simply chatted with his mother.
Upon arriving at the Fengxian Hall, Zhu Yunying smiled and said, "Since you're all here, go inside and chat with the Empress Dowager. What are you standing here for?"
"If you don't come, who would dare to go in?" Zhu Yunwen was as fearless as a dead pig, and said directly, "If I enter the hall first, my grandfather will issue an imperial edict to reprimand me! I'm not stupid, I've been scolded too many times!"
Zhu Yue glared at her troublesome younger brother, but seeing his nonchalant attitude, she pinched Zhu Yunwen hard. Seeing him grimace and beg for mercy, she finally let him go.
Zhu Yunying chuckled and said, "If any ministers see this, they should impeach him."
"Grandfather doesn't care. A little playful bickering is fine. Mother would definitely be happy to see us all playing around," Zhu Yunwen said, though with a hint of melancholy. "You all still remember Mother. I knew she passed away right after giving birth to me..."
Zhu Yunying patted his younger brother on the shoulder, knowing that this seemingly carefree brother harbored a deep-seated resentment about this matter. Zhu Yunying had always believed that their mother had died to give birth to him, and in fact, many others shared this belief.
The same applies to Zhu Biao, which was one of the reasons why Zhu Biao didn't like Zhu Yunwen very much back then.
Everyone lined up according to their rank and entered the Fengxian Hall under Zhu Yunying's leadership. Zhu Yunying lit incense first, followed by Xu Miaoqing and Little Zhu. The reason was that they were the Empress and the Crown Prince, and strictly speaking, they were also emperors.
Next is Zhu Yunwen, the legitimate son. Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunxuan, and Zhu Yunxi are all sons born to concubines, so their statuses are different. Following them are Lady Sang, and Zhu Yunwen's principal wife, Lady Ma. Then comes Zhu Yunwen's son, Zhu Wenkui, who is the youngest generation.
After offering incense, Zhu Yunying said, "Yunyi, take Yin'er to offer incense to the ancestors."
Zhu Yunwen and the others watched longingly, but none of them had the right to do so, not even Zhu Yunwen himself. His task was simply to accompany Little Zhu and help him light and offer incense, though nominally it was Little Zhu who was offering the incense.
The reason, of course, is that Little Zhu is the direct descendant, the legitimate heir of the Zhu family, and the most 'pure and upright'.
Zhu Yunying plopped down on the prayer mat, looking very casual. "Mother, your son, younger brother, and younger sister have come to see you. Your son is doing quite well now, and your younger brother and sister are also doing well, all married and established in their careers. Even Yunhu has children, so you can rest assured now."
Zhu Yunying was simply chatting casually with a smile. Although Zhu Yunwen wanted to correct some of his elder brother's forms of address, he only dared to think about it in his heart. The reason, of course, was that he knew very well that not only his elder brother, but also his grandfather, often disregarded etiquette.
The so-called "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" were often rules established for members of the imperial family and meritorious officials, not for the late Zhu Yuanzhang and early Zhu Yuanzhang. Moreover, those two were very sentimental and often acted like landlords, peasants, and their foolish grandsons. Trying to reason with them about rules was something only a fool would do.
The three Zhu brothers, who were accompanying the sacrificial ceremony, were soon driven away, leaving only Chang's legitimate children.
Zhu Yunying sat on the futon with a smile and said to Little Zhu, "Yin'er, you memorized a poem a while ago, didn't you? Recite it for your imperial grandfather and grandmother."
Little Zhu immediately got up and said, "Dad, Grandpa Emperor won't let me carry you."
Zhu Yunying became curious and asked, "Why won't you carry it anymore?"
Little Zhu is already in school, which can be considered 'kindergarten', but his kindergarten is rather special. In addition to going to the main hall like other royal children, Little Zhu also has a special tutor and receives private lessons from Old Zhu.
Regarding the education of young Zhu, the old Zhu and the young Zhu had discussed it many times. It was clear that their opinions were largely in agreement: other members of the royal family could read more books and delve deeper into Confucianism, which was fine, such as Zhu Chun, the "Shu scholar" who loved reading and scholarship, or Prince Xu, Zhu Yunwen.
But little Zhu is definitely not an option. He only needs to have a slight understanding of Confucian culture, because he is the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Little Zhu said in a serious tone, "Grandpa Emperor taught me the Six Secret Teachings, but I don't know them."
The Six Secret Teachings, also known as the Six Secret Teachings of Taigong or the Art of War by Taigong, is said to be the military strategy section of the ancient Chinese classic Taigong from the pre-Qin period.
It is an important part of China's classical military cultural heritage, with profound and extensive content, rich and insightful ideas, and rigorous and meticulous logic. It is a concentrated embodiment of the essence of ancient Chinese military thought.
Zhu Yunying was speechless. During this period, Old Zhu had largely ignored politics, only needing to step in and take the blame for Zhu Yunying at crucial moments. The rest of the time, he spent partly enjoying time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but more importantly, he was teaching young Zhu Yunying.
A voice suddenly came from outside the gate of Fengxian Hall. Old Zhu laughed and said, "Yin'er, don't try to recite the Six Secret Teachings in front of your father. He can't learn it all. We taught him when he was young, but he just didn't get it."
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