After careful consideration, Zhu Yunying decided to return to the palace to rest, as balancing work and rest was quite important to him.
Upon returning to the East Palace, Zhu Yunying saw Xu Miaoqing taking stock of the gifts, which surprised him slightly.
Looking at a rather large piece of blood coral, Zhu Yunying asked, "I remember this. It was left to us by our imperial grandfather. Why is it being brought out here?"
"It's Prince Heng's birthday, and as his sister-in-law, I should at least show my appreciation." Xu Miaoqing said with a smile, teasingly. "Everyone outside knows that you dote on Yun Tong the most, and I also know that Prince Xu and his mother acted recklessly back then. But Prince Heng is, after all, His Majesty's brother."
Zhu Yunying nodded and said, "That's true. I don't like Lady Lü, and I don't have a good impression of Yunwen either. But he is still my younger brother and the son of Father Emperor. As the elder brother, I still have to take care of him."
Xu Miaoqing continued, "Leaving aside Prince Heng for now, Yunxi's birthday is just around the corner." Xu Miaoqing reminded Zhu Yunying, "Although I cannot interfere in court affairs, I am still a daughter-in-law of the Zhu family. Your Majesty should keep in mind the matter of Yunxi's investiture as a prince."
Birthdays of members of the imperial clan are never trivial matters, especially those of Zhu Yunying's younger brothers. Even half-brothers should be taken care of, otherwise people will say that Zhu Yunying, as the eldest brother, is mistreating his younger brothers.
Moreover, the fifth son of the First Zhu will soon be ten years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning), which means he will naturally be granted the title of Prince. The First Zhu's "Ancestral Instructions" are still there. Although many changes have been made, and the First, Second, and Third Zhus have intentionally or unintentionally deviated from the ancestral instructions on several occasions, the other members of the imperial clan still have to obey.
At the age of ten, one could be appointed as the crown prince, imperial grandson, prince, or inherit the titles of duke or marquis. This is, of course, only in 'theoretical terms'.
In the past, Emperor Zhu was relatively good; he generally promptly bestowed the title of Prince upon his sons. Even Zhu Yunying, before being officially named, was not addressed as "Imperial Grandson" by anyone. It was only because of Emperor Zhu's favoritism that he and Empress Ma used the title intentionally or unintentionally, and only those close to him dared to call him "Grandson."
But little Zhu was only just learning to walk and talk when he was made crown prince. Zhu Yunying immediately made little Zhu crown prince as soon as he ascended the throne, just like when the old Zhu made the eldest Zhu crown prince as soon as he became emperor.
“We know about this. We’ll go visit them then.” Zhu Yunying smiled and joked, “If we go, they probably won’t have a pleasant birthday celebration.”
Xu Miaoqing immediately smiled and said, "If it were an ordinary birthday, His Majesty wouldn't have gone, since he would have given some birthday gifts anyway. But this year is different, because the fifth prince is going to be made a prince. Even boys from ordinary families celebrate their ninth birthday."
Zhu Yunying immediately laughed and said to Xu Miaoqing, "We know about these things. When I was nine years old, it was during the Great Qing Dynasty. My grandfather and father specially took me to the front court. You know, at that time, I was keeping a low profile and didn't want to show my face in front of the court officials and nobles."
Xu Miaoqing simply smiled and let it go. When Zhu Yunying turned nine years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning), a grand birthday banquet was held, even more extravagant than the birthday celebrations of the emperor and crown prince at the time. As the second legitimate daughter of the Prince of Zhongshan, she also went to the palace to celebrate. She also saw that the concubines in the harem kept their distance from Lady Lü, and Consort Li, who was acting as the acting harem official at the time, was busy trying to please Zhu Xi and Zhu Yue.
As for Zhu Yunying's talk of keeping a low profile and not wanting to go to the previous dynasty, that was just Zhu Yunying's "self-satisfaction." At that time, who didn't know that the Grandson's status was comparable to that of the Crown Prince? Who didn't know that the Grandson actually held military power at that time? It's just that the Grandson acted discreetly in some aspects.
"By the way, since the Fifth Prince is also going to be conferred the title of Prince, could you help him choose a principal wife?" Zhu Yunying said matter-of-factly. "Remember, she cannot be a military officer."
This was also a change. Most of Zhu Yunying's princes' principal wives were daughters of noble families. However, after Zhu Yunying was made the Crown Prince, the principal wives of his uncles began to be chosen from civil officials, aristocratic families, or families of low- to mid-ranking military officers.
Xu Miaoqing readily agreed, as this was also the Empress's duty.
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