The noblewomen didn't find these rules cumbersome; in fact, they envied the many who enjoyed such lavish treatment. Just like the civil and military officials of the previous dynasty, who couldn't sleep at night and worried about being punished by the emperor, yet still flocked to the court.
All for this kind of glory, all for holding great power and leaving a mark on history.
Just like the Kunning Palace, it has actually been uninhabited for many years. Even now that Zhu Yunying has ascended the throne, he is only in the 'Eastern Palace', specifically in the Chunhe Hall, since it would be inconvenient to expel the old Zhu from the palace.
It was only when something major happened that Xu Miaoqing summoned the noblewomen to Kunning Palace, which was also the proper procedure.
After the civil and military officials left Fengtian Hall, Emperor Zhu led Zhu Yunying towards Fengxian Hall. Little Zhu skipped along behind, presumably because the Empress was also waiting there at this time, meaning they were the only ones qualified to enter Fengxian Hall at this hour.
Upon arriving at Fengxian Hall and standing before it, Old Zhu said, "Ying'er, you should be twenty-three by now."
"You'll be twenty-four by the start of the year," Zhu Yunying laughed and said, "At this age, my grandson will become emperor."
Old Zhu smiled and said to Zhu Yunying, "Our Ying'er has also suffered. We haven't been able to get many things done for her."
Zhu Yunying couldn't understand, and Old Zhu said with some self-reproach, "Before our Ying'er was born, we were working on the 'Ancestral Instructions Record,' and we called you by that name for many years, and even changed it. Your grandmother would definitely scold us if she found out. We were too busy at the time to celebrate our grandson's coming-of-age ceremony."
The coming-of-age ceremony is actually the coming-of-age ceremony.
The Ming Dynasty did have a coming-of-age ceremony; Zhu Yuanzhang (Hongwu Emperor) established it in the third year of his reign that the emperor's coming-of-age ceremony consisted of four parts. However, at that time, Zhu Yuanzhang himself did not need to undergo the ceremony. The crown prince's coming-of-age ceremony, however, was held at either the twelfth or fifteenth day of the twelfth month, slightly earlier than that of ordinary people.
Zhu Yunying laughed and said, "I remember when I was granted the title of Crown Prince, it was during my coming-of-age ceremony."
Looking at the memorial tablet, Old Zhu said, "We didn't let you have your coming-of-age ceremony back then because your grandmother and mother weren't here. When Yin'er grows up a bit, you can't be lacking in these rituals. We are emperors, we are peasants, we don't care about these things, but our descendants can't. You should also improve and follow the proper rules."
Zhu Yunying smiled and nodded, saying, "Grandson remembers, the proper etiquette must be observed."
Some things take time. The saying that it takes three generations for a noble family to emerge makes sense; many things cannot be achieved overnight.
Emperor Zhu and Emperor Xiao Zhu were not aristocrats at heart; they were indeed not very particular about certain things. Their understanding of rules was that others should abide by them, but emperors were not necessarily required to follow them.
This might be a good thing, but it might not be a good thing either, so we need to be a little careful.
Xu Miaoqing didn't say much at this time, but simply led Xiao Xiaozhu to offer incense to the ancestors one by one, which was something she and Xiao Xiaozhu should do.
Looking at these memorial tablets, Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "Grandpa Emperor, do you think our parents would be happy to see how successful we are now? They must be proud of us now that we are so capable."
Old Zhu nodded repeatedly and said with certainty, "We don't know about others, but seeing how successful our Ying'er is, we feel proud. We knew our Ying'er was capable, but we didn't expect her to be this capable!"
Zhu Yunying laughed and said with absolute certainty, "That's good. We're doing pretty well now, but I know we can do even better!"
Zhu Yunying is somewhat capable now, but he also feels he can do better. He is currently quite capable, a capable and wise emperor, but he also feels that this is far from enough, and he can do even better.
It's more important to talk to your ancestors in the Fengxian Hall; that's what a true ancestral temple is, not a place like the Temple of Heaven for the sake of etiquette.
That's just how some things are; it's better to talk about them with your own family. Those who truly care are your own family. But some things, some actions, are actually just for the world to see.
After all, he was the emperor, and he had to set an example.
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