Ultimately, Zhu Yuanzhang felt sorry for his son. After Zhu Biao finished processing the memorials, he asked, "Biao'er, we're not letting you establish a crown princess now. Do you resent us?"
Zhu Biao stood up and said respectfully, "Father, I know what I'm doing. With Lady Chang gone, I have no intention of establishing a Crown Princess."
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, and then said, "You have also seen our 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty,' which stipulates that the eldest son should be the heir.
“Father, Ying’er’s name should also be changed.” Zhu Biao remembered something and said, “When Ying’er was born, the Imperial Ancestral Instructions had already been written down.”
The "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" is a classic text compiled under the supervision of Zhu Yuanzhang. Its contents are admonitions to his descendants to consolidate the imperial power of the Ming Dynasty. It was originally named "Record of Ancestral Instructions" and began to be compiled in the second year of Hongwu's reign. It was completed in the sixth year and revised again in the ninth year.
This also includes some requirements for naming children in the Zhu family. The Crown Prince and princes must each have a twenty-character name, chosen according to their generational naming conventions. Furthermore, the name must be a two-character name, with the second character having a radical representing one of the five elements, in the order of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood.
According to Zhu Xiong Ying's generation, and according to Zhu Yuan Zhang's requirements, it should be Zhu Yunx, and this 'x' must have the fire radical.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Let's forget about Ying'er. Our ancestral precepts haven't been written down yet at that time."
"Father, my son and my brothers all had our names chosen according to ancestral precepts." Zhu Biao said solemnly. He was seen by some as a Confucian disciple. "Ying'er is the Crown Prince. If Father and I cannot set a good example, how will the Ming Dynasty be passed down in the future?!"
Although his son had contradicted him, Zhu Yuanzhang was still very happy. It was true that he favored his eldest son and doted on his eldest grandson. But seeing his eldest son, on whom so much hope was placed, so sensible, Zhu Yuanzhang was also overjoyed.
Remembering something, Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "How is Yunhu?"
Zhu Yunwen is Zhu Xiong Ying's younger brother. He is currently being raised by his concubine, Lady Lü.
Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Fortunately, Ying'er goes to see her younger siblings every day. If you ask me, she cares about them even more than I do, fearing that Lady Lü might not do her best."
Just as the father and son were chatting, a young eunuch cautiously reported, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the Grandson have arrived."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly; his eldest grandson usually didn't come to Fengtian Hall.
"It must be something important," Zhu Biao laughed and said to Zhu Yuanzhang. "I guess the Empress Dowager didn't agree, so he came to plead with Father Emperor."
Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed upon thinking about it. "Biao'er, go and deliver the decree. I want to see what he has to do!"
Zhu Biao waved his hand, and the little eunuch immediately took a few steps back, then turned around to invite His Highness the Crown Prince.
"I can walk by myself!" Zhu Xiong Ying said impatiently, climbing up the high threshold while holding onto the handle. "I don't need your help!"
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao watched with smiles as the little boy climbed over the threshold of the main hall. Zhu Xiong Ying was a sensible and reasonable child. Although he came from a wealthy family, he did not show any signs of being a spoiled brat.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Highness the Crown Prince," the little boy said in a childish voice, kneeling on the ground. "Your subject has a matter to report!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed, but feigned authority, "Oh, it's the Crown Prince! Crown Prince, what brings you here?"
Zhu Xiong Ying spoke up immediately, saying, "I have heard that the imperial mausoleum has been completed. I request permission to offer sacrifices at the mausoleum."
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were both stunned. No wonder the grandson of the emperor had come to Fengtian Hall. The empress really couldn't make a decision on such a matter.
Zhu Yuanzhang glared at his son and said, "You've been in power for so long, it's time for you to handle this kind of matter!"
Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Xiong Ying calmly and asked, "Ying'er, why do you want to go to the mausoleum to offer sacrifices?"
“Sun Chen is the eldest grandson of His Majesty the Emperor, and should rightfully be enshrined in the mausoleum!” Zhu Xiong Ying said matter-of-factly. “Since Sun Chen is a descendant of the Zhu family, he should naturally be enshrined in the mausoleum!”
Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and hurriedly said, "Ying'er, after some time, when you are a little older, we will take you to the mausoleum for worship."
Zhu Biao added, "Ying'er, you are still young. When you grow up, you will naturally have to worship at the mausoleum and pay respects to your ancestors."
“Yes, yes, right. For now, we can just worship our ancestors at the Fengxian Hall.” Zhu Yuanzhang quickly said, “When you grow up a bit, take your younger brothers to the mausoleum to worship, so that our ancestors can be happy. If we don’t go now, our ancestors will be happier.”
Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "Grandfather, the imperial mausoleum is now complete. If your grandson doesn't go..."
"If the Crown Prince goes, your father and your uncles will go," Zhu Yuanzhang continued. "Ying'er, you will stay in the Imperial City and worship your ancestors in the Fengxian Hall!"
After finally getting rid of Zhu Xiong Ying, Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao, don't you dare teach our grandson all that Confucian stuff!"
Zhu Biao laughed and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Father, I understand. I study Confucianism, but I am not a Confucian official."
Zhu Yuanzhang was satisfied with the answer, but then became somewhat suspicious, "We still need to investigate whether anyone has spoken ill of us to our grandson!"
Zhu Xiong Ying slowly walked towards Kun Ning Palace. No maids or eunuchs offered to carry him or lead him, and no one dared to mention riding in a sedan chair.
The journeys were usually not long, and the Crown Prince walked them all by himself. Even if they were a little longer, he would rest when he got tired and generally wouldn't need anyone's help.
Zhu Xiong Ying had just returned to Kun Ning Palace when Empress Ma laughed, "Ying'er, has your imperial grandfather agreed to your request?"
Seeing her grandson shake his head with a pained expression, Empress Ma smiled even more broadly. This obedient grandson was sensible, intelligent, and exceptionally filial. Having such a wonderful grandson by her side made Empress Ma very happy; she couldn't bear to let him return to his ancestral home in Fengyang to pay respects at the imperial tombs.
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