Joo Yoon-young was in a good mood, probably because he was confident about some things and not too worried about things getting out of control.
Needless to say, the Wu Xun Group is basically in cahoots with the Zhu family, and Zhu Yunying is the captain of that group.
As for the civil service, this is no longer the Song Dynasty, nor the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty in history. Although the status of scholars has improved somewhat, this improvement is relatively limited. They are still no match for imperial power.
As for aristocratic families, history has been continuously weakening them since the time of Empress Wu Zetian. Through the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and the repeated purges by the Khitans, Jurchens, and Mongols, the power of aristocratic families was severely diminished.
Although there are indeed some prominent families nowadays, these people are not influential enough to change the political landscape.
Putting aside Zhu Yunying's own prestige, the fact that Old Zhu was still in charge was enough to make others tremble with fear.
Zhu Yunying stormed off from Fengtian Hall, sending Wang Chengen to Fengxian Hall to deliver an imperial edict. After all the commotion, the palace was in turmoil, and everyone could now return to their respective chambers. This grand drama would be put on hold for today.
As for Zhu Yunying, he naturally went straight to the Qianqing Palace. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think that the emperor was going to apologize.
In the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Zhu was in a good mood. "This is a willow tree. If we say that the year's plan starts in spring, the willow tree is the first to sprout."
Little Zhu didn't believe it and said, "Great-grandfather, there are still many green leaves, and I also have plum blossoms."
Old Zhu began to patiently teach, explaining that plum blossoms bloom in winter. Some trees and flowers, however, remain green throughout the year. Willows, on the other hand, are different; they sprout buds in spring, their leaves turn yellow and fall in autumn, leaving only bare trunks and branches in winter.
Seeing Joo Yoon-young approach, Little Joo ran over with a cheer, and Joo Yoon-young happily picked him up.
"He's got the weight, no wonder he's our son!" Zhu Yunying said happily as he picked up little Zhu and weighed him in his arms.
Little Zhu was also very happy, and hugged Zhu Yunying, saying, "Dad, I want to sit on your shoulders!"
Without a word, Joo Yoon-young gently exerted his strength. Little Joo skillfully sat on Joo Yoon-young's shoulders, her two little hands holding Joo Yoon-young's head, smiling happily.
Old Zhu watched with a smile. Not only did Little Zhu sit on his shoulders, but Old Zhu also often let Little Zhu sit on his back.
This was a treatment that Old Zhu had longed for, because his grandson was so sensible. Old Zhu had even wanted to be his ox or horse, carrying his grandson on his back, but such opportunities were rare. On the few occasions that did come, it was usually him and Empress Ma who had to coax Little Zhu before he would reluctantly sit on Old Zhu's back and let Old Zhu crawl around on the couch a couple of times.
Even so, Little Zhu still felt sorry for his imperial grandfather, reluctant to let him climb a few more laps. Old Zhu was both gratified and heartbroken. His grandson was so sensible and filial, which was naturally a good thing. But sometimes, it also meant missing out on the joy of doting on his grandson.
Fortunately, the grandson is very sensible, but the great-grandson is not precocious; he's just a mischievous child.
Of course, Old Zhu is also very old-fashioned and hypocritical; no one else can sit on his shoulders. In Old Zhu's eyes, only Little Zhu can sit on his shoulders. Even his grandson's spoiled little princess is not allowed to sit on them.
Carrying little Zhu to the palace, Zhu Yunying said, "Grandpa Emperor, our Yin'er cried so well today."
Old Zhu immediately beamed and said to Zhu Yunying, "That's right! If it weren't for our Crown Prince being sensible, you and the Empress would have been scolded by us! The Crown Prince's tears have saved you. It's giving you a way out and not hurting your feelings."
Zhu Yunying laughed and said with a smile, "It's all thanks to my grandfather's teachings. Our Crown Prince can now help us handle matters in the court. In a few years, my grandfather and Yin'er will continue to help us, and we'll be able to get things done more easily."
Watching little Zhu stuff fruit into his mouth, old Zhu beamed with joy, "Alright, let's live a few more years. When we reach eighty, we'll be able to see Yin'er helping you manage state affairs."
"Eighty?" Zhu Yunying objected with a smile. "That won't do. It has to be at least eighty-five to be able to help us. Our little one isn't like us. We could do a lot of things before we were ten, but our little one will probably just be naughty by the time he's ten."
Little Zhu didn't see this as criticism; he looked up at Old Zhu with his chubby little face and grinned foolishly.
"We think it's good that you lost your temper today. You and your father are just too soft-hearted." Old Zhu smiled broadly, praising Zhu Yunying. "You are the emperor, you must use both kindness and severity. You have to make them fear you. Respecting you won't do, you have to make them fear you. That way, it will be easier for you to handle things in the future. Look at us, do they dare disobey us?"
Zhu Yunying chuckled and corrected him, "Grandfather, neither my father nor I are soft-hearted. I remember when we used to approve imperial edicts, my father was very good at it. One by one, those people either went to prison or to the execution ground."
“Being too benevolent is not as good as being domineering!” Old Zhu laughed, though he was just joking before. “It’s good that you’re like this. I’m a domineering emperor, and I guess some people will call me a tyrant in the future. If you’re a little more benevolent, the people below will sing your praises. That’s how we are, one ruthless and one kind.”
Zhu Yunying nodded with a smile, because that seemed to be the arrangement. The old Zhu was ruthless, while the eldest Zhu was benevolent. Now, while the old Zhu was slightly more 'amiable,' it was still limited. Therefore, Zhu Yunying was stricter than the eldest Zhu, but compared to the old Zhu, he was a benevolent ruler.
Little Zhu sat obediently on Xiao Zhu's shoulders, even though he couldn't understand what his father and great-grandfather were saying. But that didn't stop Little Zhu from getting used to this way of interacting and listening to adults.
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