Many civil and military officials, nobles and relatives of the emperor were glancing at the handsome young man standing at the front of the procession, but it wasn't easy for them to get close enough to speak to him.
Looking back at Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile, "Don't look so sad. You should also pay attention to the appearance of an imperial family member."
Zhu Yunwen nodded obediently and said, "Your Majesty, it's just that those people are staring at us, and I don't like it. If my second brother and I weren't standing here, they would definitely come over and talk to you."
Zhu Xiong Ying chuckled and then said, "It won't be easy for them to get close to you. Just ignore them. If they ever try to get near you again, remember to tell your brother."
Zhu Yunwen nodded obediently; he wasn't entirely without cunning. He knew that while his elder brother seemed to be reminding him, he was actually giving Zhu Yunwen a warning.
Crown Prince Zhu Biao has returned to the capital after inspecting Shaanxi and Xi'an. He also brought back Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, who had been summoned back to the capital for repeated offenses in the region. Prince Qin had been committing numerous misdeeds in his fiefdom, but his status as a prince meant he had nothing to worry about.
Even a prince who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner.
Such claims should be taken with a grain of salt; the things the King of Qin did in his fiefdom were truly outrageous and resented by both heaven and man. However, everyone knows that the King of Qin is certainly innocent.
Just look at who the Prince of Qin returned to the capital with this time to know that the Emperor had issued an edict to recall the Prince of Qin. However, the Crown Prince was worried that his younger brother would be reprimanded and stripped of his title if he was recalled early, so he "disobeyed the edict" and only returned with the Prince of Qin, Zhu Shuang, after finishing his official duties.
Zhu Xiong Ying, along with his younger brother and civil and military officials, respectfully welcomed the Crown Prince back to the capital. Zhu Biao smiled and nodded. The refined and magnanimous Crown Prince enjoyed high prestige in the court.
"Second Uncle, let me take you back to the palace first." Zhu Biao gave Zhu Xiong Ying a look, and Zhu Xiong Ying immediately stepped forward. "Let's go to the Fengxian Hall first to offer incense to our ancestors and the Empress Dowager."
The stern and valiant Zhu Shuang returned to the capital somewhat uneasy and asked in a low voice, "Nephew, is your imperial grandfather really going to strip your second uncle of his title?"
Zhu Shuang is now truly afraid; when he was in his fiefdom, he was fearless.
Not only did he engage in massive construction projects, but he also ordered soldiers and civilians within the pass to buy gold and silver year after year, plunging them into poverty to the point that they had to sell their children. When soldiers and civilians came to beg for mercy and gathered at the Prince's mansion, he sent his men to beat them up, killing an old man on the spot and arresting nearly a hundred people.
He favored his secondary wife, Lady Deng, while keeping his primary wife, Lady Wang, under house arrest elsewhere, feeding her only stale food and fruit in poor-quality containers every day.
In an attempt to curry favor with the Deng family, Zhu Shuang sent people to the coastal provincial administration to buy up pearls and jade, causing families to be ruined and people to die. Zhu Shuang also had empress's clothes made for the Deng family to wear, and at the same time, he had his own bed made into a five-clawed dragon bed that could only be used by the emperor.
Lady Deng was given a death sentence. She was the legitimate daughter of Deng Yu, who was posthumously granted the title of Prince of Ninghe.
Zhu Xiong Ying whispered, "Grandfather is very angry right now, and Second Uncle is still in Fengxian Hall these days. As long as Father helps to persuade him, Second Uncle doesn't need to worry so much."
Zhu Shuang felt a pang of jealousy. They were both sons, yet the treatment he received from his elder brother, the Crown Prince, was worlds apart. Some of his actions were almost treasonous, and indeed, they were serious, since the Empress's court robes could not be worn casually, and the Emperor's bed could not be slept on casually.
However, Zhu Shuang didn't need to worry too much about such 'evidence'. His elder brother had been reassuring him throughout the journey, and could help persuade him to drop the charges. As long as his brother protected him, Zhu Shuang didn't need to worry so much.
Zhu Shuang smiled and said, "Grandson, remember to put in a good word for your second uncle. As long as he returns to his fiefdom, he'll send you some fun things!"
Zhu Xiong Ying smiled without saying a word; he now appeared to be merely a junior who seemed to respect his elders. As for Zhu Shuang's actions in his fiefdom, Zhu Xiong Ying did not wish to say more.
The case of Zhu Shuang, a prince who committed numerous atrocities in his fiefdom, is not an isolated example. Zhu Shuang's actions were extremely heinous, but they were not the worst. Zhu Shuang himself came from a poor background, and his sons and grandsons were not necessarily hard-working, nor did they have much empathy for ordinary people.
The Crown Prince's return to Yingtian Prefecture naturally drew the attention of countless court officials, as it concerned their own interests. Many knew the reason behind the Crown Prince's recent inspection tour.
The court has been in chaos these past two days. Many people want to know the Crown Prince's opinion, how to proceed with the next steps, and what the Emperor and Crown Prince are thinking.
Zhu Xiong Ying disappeared again at this time. He didn't even have time to see Old Zhu and Big Zhu, mainly because they were too busy. Zhu Xiong Ying was also very busy, busy arranging for his ships to set sail again.
Besides opening up maritime trade, we also need to inquire about things in other places.
"Your Highness, the Emperor and the Crown Prince request your presence." Wang Chengen tiptoed to Zhu Xiong Ying's side and whispered, "The imperial carriage is waiting outside."
Zhu Xiong Ying was frustrated and looked miserable. "I'm doomed! Grandfather is mocking me! He's sixty years old and still trying to fool me..."
Forget it, let's hurry to the Wuying Hall; this is an extremely important matter.
Remembering something, Zhu Xiong Ying asked, "Is lunch ready?"
Wang Chengen immediately replied, "The princess has prepared lunch and a pot of yellow wine."
Zhu Xiong Ying was delighted; her younger sister was indeed thoughtful!
Actually, the Ming Dynasty did not have a liquor tax. This was because when Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he criticized the Yuan Dynasty for its monopoly on liquor, which he saw as a nuisance to the people. After becoming emperor, he naturally couldn't contradict himself and give people cause for criticism, so he simply abolished the liquor monopoly.
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