Xu Huizu understood these things; it was the education he had received over the years. He knew what he should do, and he was also aware of his position.
Little Zhu wasn't very conscious; she was just lying on the couch looking like she was about to doze off. Xu Miaoqing was talking to Xu Huizu, but she was also gently stroking Little Zhu's back.
Xu Miaoqing naturally knew her son very well. Little Zhu always needed someone to scratch his back to fall asleep. If no one rubbed his back, he couldn't fall asleep or sleep soundly, and he would be very unhappy.
Normally, his wet nurse or maid could touch his back, but in front of his great-grandfather or mother, no one else could give him that privilege. If it was his father, the emperor, little Zhu would also very 'domineeringly' grab his father's hand and place it on his back, and only his closest person could touch his back.
There might be some arrogance due to being spoiled, but most children from ordinary families who are slightly pampered are like that. Little Zhu's behavior is nothing special.
Seeing her son about to fall asleep, Xu Miaoqing smiled indulgently and said softly, "I was chatting with Consort Ning the other day, and she said that His Majesty enjoyed a life of luxury when he was young, but he was not spoiled. It's just that Yin'er is the one who knows how to enjoy life the most in the whole capital."
A hint of tenderness appeared in Xu Huizu's eyes as he looked at little Zhu and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation..."
"His Majesty intends to have Qin'er enter the palace to accompany him in his studies." Xu Miaoqing said with a smile, "When you go back, elder brother, please talk to Qin'er more about it. His Majesty does not like people to be too formal when they are close to others. We cannot neglect the relationship between ruler and subject and only talk about the relationship between ruler and subject, especially His Majesty's juniors."
Xu Huizu's situation wasn't surprising. People with his background had all served in the palace before, such as the emperor's personal guards or the crown prince's study companion—treatment usually reserved for noble families.
His son naturally received the same treatment, but now he was accompanying the Crown Prince. Thinking about it, it made sense; his son wasn't too old, just a little older, not even ten years old, so he could be a good companion to the Crown Prince.
The prince's companions are all from prestigious families and of noble status.
They must either be born into a noble family, specifically one of the top noble families, and be a trusted confidant of His Majesty. Or they must be sons of civil officials at the level of ministers in the Six Ministries, and similarly, be key advisors to His Majesty.
Then there are the children of imperial relatives, such as the children of His Majesty's younger sister or the children of the retired emperor's eldest daughter. Only these children have the opportunity to study alongside the Crown Prince. Others cannot have such an honor. At most, they can study in the main hall with the princes.
The Crown Prince's study companion was no ordinary person; such a privilege was reserved for the emperor's closest relatives. This was an extremely clear signal, a signal that indicated the closeness or distance between the study companion and His Majesty.
Just like the retired emperor, most officials could only address him as "Your Majesty," and only a very few close relatives could call him "Your Excellency." Xu Huizu could only be called "Your Majesty." Nowadays, those who could call the retired emperor "Your Excellency" were extremely rare, a privilege reserved for the founding fathers of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Yunying naturally knew a great deal about what happened in the harem, and if he wanted to know something, there was no way he couldn't find out.
Zhu Yunying was quite satisfied with both Xu Miaoqing's and Xu Huizu's performance. What he needed was for the Xu family to make their stance clear, work diligently, and complete the tasks he assigned. That was the most important thing.
In a good mood, Zhu Yunying said to Wang Chengen, "The wife of the Duke of Zhongshan, Lady Li, is virtuous and kind. She has bestowed upon me twenty pearls and a pair of phoenix hairpins. I will go back and tell my grandfather that he should reward me with a pair of ruyi scepters."
While memorizing the imperial edict, Wang Chengen said jokingly, "Your Highness, please spare this servant! If this servant goes to the Emperor Emeritus, I'll be scolded again!"
"Being scolded?" Zhu Yunying was taken aback, then worried, "Is it because Grandfather's jade ruyi is gone, or was it stolen by the Prince of Wu?"
Wang Chengen chimed in, deliberately making a bitter face, "Your Majesty, when the time comes, the Emperor Emeritus will surely say that Your Majesty is not in charge of the household and does not know the cost of firewood and rice, and that this servant does not know how to advise Your Majesty. He might even say that this servant is in charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs and has to trouble him with everything, big or small."
Zhu Yunying stroked his chin, deeply agreeing, "Then you go and get scolded, it's better than us getting scolded. By the way, add two more pairs of Ruyi scepters, the Crown Prince has three maternal aunts."
Wang Chengen was truly in a bad mood now. The retired emperor's jade ruyi was not so easy to obtain. Having three pairs of jade ruyi brought out meant he was bound to be scolded until he couldn't lift his head!
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