With a serious expression, Zhu Yunying said, "Today is the funeral of my maternal grandmother. Please rise."
At this moment, Xu Miaoqing slowly spoke, "Princess, Princess Wu, come with me."
After saying this, Xu Miaoqing led little Zhu slowly forward. The heavily pregnant Sang looked proudly at Madam Ma, Zhu Yunwen's legal wife; Madam Ma didn't receive such treatment, being an 'outsider' after all.
Little Zhu reached out and pushed aside the 'beaded curtain' in front of him, somewhat puzzled, "Mother, your son is with Father."
Little Zhu is very clever; he usually addresses his parents as "Dad" and "Mom." But when he's dressed more formally, he uses more formal terms. However, he's still a child of the Zhu family, so even when he's dressed formally, he can't be too overtly formal.
Emperor Zhu usually disliked referring to himself as "朕" (Zhen), and his imperial edicts would occasionally contain words like "咱" (Zan) or "俺" (Wo). Zhu Yunying was slightly better; he almost always used "朕" in his imperial edicts, but those were still just imperial edicts.
Zhu Yue helped Sang Shi over and heard Xu Miaoqing's voice, "You should go with your mother first to see your cousins, and then go to see your father."
Zhu Yue and the others were relatively happy, even though the current emperor treated his younger siblings quite well. However, everyone could see that the current emperor always clearly distinguished between close and distant relatives.
Zhu Yunwen, along with his wives, concubines, and children, eagerly came to attend the funeral of his nominal maternal grandmother. This wasn't out of filial piety; it was purely a performance for the emperor's benefit. Their act might have had some effect, but the emperor didn't seem particularly concerned.
Of course, if they dare not come, even if the emperor doesn't say anything, he will probably settle accounts later.
Sang Shi was well aware that the emperor she had always regarded as her elder brother was the current emperor, and Zhu Yunwen was not her elder brother. She was extremely respectful to Zhu Yue, but when she saw Zhu Yunwen's wife, Ma Shi, she became extremely displeased.
Of course, although Lady Ma was a princess consort, she was still a woman from a family of civil officials and was quite proper and respectful. Lady Sang was uncouth, but Lady Ma didn't bother with her, nor dared to, because her husband was Prince Xu, while Lady Sang's husband was Prince Wu, the most esteemed prince in the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Yunying didn't care about these palace intrigues; he simply walked ahead with a serious expression, and Zhu Yunxuan immediately followed obediently. Zhu Yunwen was quite clever; he immediately led Zhu Yunxuan and Zhu Yunxi to follow, after all, Lady Changlan was their nominal maternal grandmother.
In fact, some of Zhu Yunying's elders also sent their wives and children this time. His uncles also wanted to make a show of themselves. Ostensibly, they were there to mourn the birth mother of his sister-in-law, Lady Chang, but it wasn't out of respect for the current emperor.
After all, some superficial work still needs to be done, even if everyone knows the truth, it's still necessary to put on a show at this point.
They're definitely coming. In fact, many people have been discussing it privately these past few days, such as the scale and etiquette of Changlan's funeral.
Some people think that the current emperor might go in person, but considering that the emperor hasn't had much contact with the Chang family in recent years, it's hard to say that the emperor won't go in person. After all, there are still many important matters in the court, and Chang Lanshi is only the maternal grandmother.
But now look at it again, the emperor not only came in person, but also brought the empress and the crown prince. Even though it doesn't seem like a grand funeral, and the coffin wasn't laid in state in Yingtian Prefecture for officials to pay their respects, who dares to say that Changlan's funeral wasn't grand enough? Even the empress's funeral might not have received such treatment!
Zhu Yunying simply stood quietly by the roadside, gazing into the distance with a solemn expression.
Little Zhu arrived, accompanied by some of his cousins and younger cousins, as well as Zhu Ruyi, who was still unsteady on her feet and was holding Little Zhu.
Gradually, a convoy appeared in the distance.
Zhu Yunying slowly opened his eyes, and Wang Chengen immediately took out a hemp rope from a plate covered with a yellow cloth and tied it around Zhu Yunying's waist. Zhu Yunying then took the white cloth and tied it to his forehead.
"His Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
Making the emperor wear mourning clothes is unacceptable!
But as soon as someone voiced their objection, they saw the emperor's eyes flash with a cold light. It was best to say nothing at this point.
Zhu Yunying looked at Zhu Yunhuo and said, "Dress in mourning clothes, let's go pick up our maternal grandmother!"
Zhu Yunwen quickly put on his mourning clothes and then personally put them on little Zhu.
Zhu Yunying, holding his son and daughter's hands, paid no attention to the cautious gazes of the families of the civil and military officials kneeling on the ground.
As they walked onto the road, facing the direction from which the coffin had come, Zhu Yunying knelt down and loudly proclaimed, "Your unfilial grandson Zhu Xiong Ying, along with his son Zhu Wen Yin and daughter Zhu Ru Yi, respectfully welcomes his maternal grandmother!"
As Zhu Yunying knelt down and prostrated himself, Zhu Yuntong couldn't help but cry out, "Grandmother, my elder brother has come to see you! Look at us, look at my elder brother!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
