Xu Miaoqing just smiled when she heard these things. She naturally felt more at ease after hearing what Zhu Yunying said.
While it's true that empresses were the mothers of the nation, many understand that after Empress Lü of the Han Dynasty, emperors of successive dynasties held a certain degree of wariness towards their empresses. Wu Zetian's actions further fueled this apprehension among many.
Putting aside other matters, Empress Ma's high status before the Ming Dynasty was undeniable. However, that was only because Empress Ma had been kind to many military officials and because Emperor Zhu had deep feelings for her.
When the retired emperor was on the throne, he did not re-establish an empress for more than ten years, and nothing happened. In recent years, he did not have a crown princess for more than ten years, and nothing happened either. In the end, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty was the most powerful, and the empress, who was the mother of the nation, actually had no real power.
Zhu Ruyi is a daughter, so it's understandable that Zhu Yunying might show some favoritism. Lian Qiongqiong is dutiful, which naturally puts Xu Miaoqing at ease. As for Zhu Wenjin, the son born to Zhu Yunying by Wang Shi, there's really nothing to worry about.
If nothing unexpected happens, Zhu Wenjin will probably only dare to complain in his heart. They are all princes and grandsons of the emperor, but he can only watch his elder brother shine brightly. They, as sons of concubines, can only be content to be wealthy and idle princes and cannot have any other thoughts.
Zhu Ruyi ran over with a grin and affectionately threw herself into Zhu Yunying's arms, "Dad, why don't you come to see us!"
Gu Nian
"Then you have to come see Daddy." Zhu Yunying kissed her precious daughter and said, "Don't you know how much we miss you?"
Xu Miaoqing couldn't stand it anymore. Zhu Yunying kissed Zhu Ruyi, and Zhu Ruyi immediately pouted and wanted to kiss Zhu Yunying back. The father and daughter were very happy and kept snuggling together.
This is something Zhu Wenjin wouldn't even dare to dream of, let alone Little Zhu would probably be jealous.
Xu Miaoqing stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I'd better have someone serve the meal. Yin'er said he's coming back too, and it's been quite a while since we've dined together."
"We just had a meal together at Grandfather's place a few days ago," Zhu Yunying said with a smile. "But since Yin'er is here, let Zhu Wenjin come too. As the older brother, Yin'er should learn to take care of his younger siblings."
Xu Miaoqing felt happy upon hearing Zhu Yunying's words, which was a characteristic of the Zhu family.
In the past, the eldest Zhu was in charge of his younger brothers and sisters. Even when the old Zhu and Empress Ma were alive, he was still the eldest brother and father. His younger brothers and sisters were all very well behaved in front of him and dared not have any messy thoughts.
The situation was similar for Zhu Yunwen. Although the early death of Lady Chang caused Zhu Yunwen and Lady Lü to have some confused thoughts, they could only be obedient in front of Zhu Yunwen. The position of the eldest son was not just a matter of title; many things also needed to be done.
It's for Xiao Zhu's sake to act like an older brother in front of his younger siblings. After all, he's the eldest brother, and he'll be the 'patriarch' of the Zhu family and the future successor of the Ming Dynasty. These are the responsibilities he needs to shoulder.
Zhu Wenjin was brought over. The child was just grinning foolishly. He did recognize his father, but they didn't seem very affectionate.
"Look at your little brother." Zhu Yunying was in a good mood and said while holding Zhu Ruyi, "His little feet are sticking up, and he's stuffing them all into his mouth."
Children's flexibility is exaggeratedly terrifying. Zhu Wenjin, sitting on the tatami, leaned back slightly and then raised his chubby little legs, easily doing a split. Even more exaggeratedly, he could put them in his mouth and gnaw on them.
"Is it time to eat again?" Little Zhu's voice preceded her arrival, shouting, "We just finished eating! Let's eat less!"
Seeing his chubby-cheeked eldest son return, Zhu Yunying said, "Your younger brother and sister are here, and you, as their older brother, aren't you going to comfort them?"
“Ruyi likes to cry, and Wenjin can’t even walk steadily, so we won’t play with them.” Little Zhu squeezed straight into Xiao Zhu’s arms, clearly a little jealous. “Dad, we’re busy every day and don’t have time to take care of our younger siblings.”
Zhu Ruyi was very obedient and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"Ruyi, I'll take you fishing tomorrow," Little Zhu said. "We won't feed the fish, and there are lots of koi in the pond. If you like, we'll have someone catch them all for you!"
This older brother does act like one; he even knows his sister likes pretty things, like butterflies and koi fish. However, he clearly only remembered her when he saw her; he hadn't remembered he had a sister when he was having so much fun.
"If you really miss your sister, take her with you when you go to the elephant stables in a few days," Zhu Yunying said with a smile. "Your sister is in the palace all day long, unlike you who runs around everywhere."
Although Zhu Yunying dotes on Zhu Ruyi, he still sometimes follows certain rules and regulations, and he doesn't spoil Zhu Ruyi without any limits.
Little Zhu would occasionally sneak out of the palace, sometimes with Zhu Yunying's permission, and sometimes at the urging of his father, Zhu Yunying, to take him out. Therefore, compared to other princes and grandsons, Little Zhu was indeed more worldly-wise; at least in terms of his treatment outside the palace as a child, he was even better off than Zhu Yunying was as a child.
The princesses, on the other hand, were practically unable to leave the palace before establishing their own residences. The princes, however, could only leave when they returned to their hometowns to pay respects to their ancestors.
With her children by her side, Joo Yoon-young was in a fairly good mood. Although the children were quite mischievous, they were behaving well for the time being. Most importantly, Joo Yoon-young usually didn't need to take care of the children herself, so she didn't find it bothersome to have them all around her.
If he really had to take care of the child himself, he probably wouldn't feel so comfortable and warm at this moment.
"Father, Mother said she embroidered a cloak for my elder brother," Zhu Ruyi whispered in Zhu Yunying's ear. "My elder brother is going to war on horseback."
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