This made Zhu Xiong Ying's expression turn bitter. He had been in the Ming Dynasty for fourteen years, and his territory had always been Yingtian Prefecture. The only time he had gone on a long trip, he returned halfway back to his hometown of Fengyang.
Seeing Zhu Xiong Ying's unhappy expression, Old Zhu patted the dragon throne and said, "Ying'er, talk to me for a bit."
Old Zhu patted Zhu Xiong Ying's head and smiled happily, "Our Ying'er is almost fourteen, it's time for her to get married. If our Ying'er works hard, we can still see our great-grandchildren, right?"
Zhu Xiong Ying was startled. "I'm fourteen now, which is still considered my age in the traditional Chinese way of counting age." Old Zhu hoped that he would have a child when he was fifteen or sixteen.
"Grandfather, how about we wait a few more years?" Zhu Xiong Ying said awkwardly, "My father was nineteen when I was born, so I'm not in a hurry!"
Old Zhu got anxious. Sometimes he was just a feudal old man. "Why can't we do it sooner?! We can hold our great-grandchildren sooner and then we can close our eyes in peace. We can go over there and tell your imperial grandmother and your mother. They should be happy!"
Seeing that Zhu Xiong Ying remained silent, Old Zhu earnestly advised, "We sent maids to your palace, and we know you haven't touched a single one! Ying'er, you're fourteen now, not a child anymore!"
Fourteen, is that really a lot?!
I want to live a few more years; I'm too young now to participate in activities unsuitable for children. Although in this day and age, thirteen or fourteen-year-olds are sometimes no longer considered children, but rather half-laborers.
Seeing that Zhu Xiong Ying didn't respond, Old Zhu was helpless. His grandson was just too sensible and opinionated, and sometimes he would get the short end of the stick.
Let's find another topic. Old Zhu has a way of dealing with this rascal. "Ying'er, tell me, should we choose your Crown Prince's consort for you from among the civil officials or the military?"
"Military merit, perhaps," Zhu Xiong Ying said to Old Zhu. "I don't get along with some civil officials. They all want me to become Emperor Renzong, but I'm not falling for that!"
Upon hearing Zhu Xiong Ying's words, Old Zhu laughed heartily. He also did not want his son or grandson to be Emperor Renzong, nor did he like his children and grandchildren to be manipulated by civil officials.
Old Zhu then added, "Then you should think carefully. After military achievements, there might be interference from relatives of the empress."
"Grandfather, I think those military merits are part of our family," Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile, "In the future, my children and grandchildren should choose their principal wives from these meritorious families. As for concubines, we can consider choosing from the families of civil officials."
Old Zhu's eyes lit up with delight. "Alright, Your Majesty will choose a good principal wife for you, and a concubine for you! Let's get this done by the end of the year, and next year we'll be holding our great-grandchild!"
Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Old Zhu speechlessly. "I'm your own grandson. Do you have to play these tricks on me?"
Old Zhu didn't take Zhu Xiong Ying's silent accusations to heart. He was looking forward to seeing his great-grandson, which would be four generations under one roof!
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