"Why did he have to visit now of all times?" Zhu Yunying said, even more annoyed. "Doesn't he know you're about to give birth? He's still running around outside at this hour. This kid has no filial piety."
Zhu Yunying was just complaining casually, but Xu Miaoqing became nervous because in this era, once one had a reputation for being 'unfilial,' even the crown prince could not bear it; it was a fatal stain.
"Your Majesty," Xu Miaoqing quickly explained, "I believe that the Crown Prince's inspection tour shows that he has the people of the realm at heart." She was determined not to give the Emperor any reason to misunderstand. "Before the Crown Prince accompanied you, I often reminded him that I hoped he would pay more attention to the lives of ordinary people..."
Zhu Yunying belatedly realized what was happening and put his arm around Xu Miaoqing, saying, "Don't overthink it. We just can't stand that kid being so playful. Think about it, he's our eldest son. How long has he been gone? He hasn't even come back to see us. We've been so fond of him, but this kid is closer to his great-grandfather. What kind of situation is this!"
Xu Miaoqing was no longer nervous; she knew exactly what her precious son was like.
Little Zhu Ruyi arrived. The tender little girl was very happy to see Zhu Yunying. "Your subject greets Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Highness the Empress Dowager."
Lian Qiongqiong, who had come along, also quickly paid her respects, saying, "Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Highness the Empress."
Zhu Yunying smiled and raised her hand, saying, "Get up, everyone. There's no need for such formality among family. Ruyi, what have you done for your mother today?"
Zhu Ruyi immediately rushed over and said with a hint of pride, "Father, your son copied a sutra for Mother."
Zhu Yunying was very happy and immediately said, "Alright, come with us later and we'll help put it in the Fengxian Hall. Let our ancestors see Ruyi'er's filial piety and the literary talent of the female scholars of our Zhu family."
Zhu Ruyi blushed and rested her head on Zhu Yunying's chest. "Father, my handwriting is not good. Mother also said that my handwriting is too big and not delicate enough."
Xu Miaoqing said helplessly, "It's all Yin'er's fault. His handwriting is so strong and powerful. His grandfather praised it a few times, and Yin'er thought that was the best. He's so good to him. He went to teach Ruyi'er. A girl's strong handwriting is not delicate or elegant enough for me."
Zhu Yunying laughed and said, "Good, these really are our children. When we were the same age as Yin'er and Ruyi, our handwriting was not as good as theirs. Our imperial grandfather and imperial grandmother kept our handwriting, and even our father dared not let outsiders see it."
Lian Qiongqiong pretended not to know anything, but she had actually seen the emperor's handwriting when he was a child. It was said that the precocious emperor could write when he was two or three years old, and it was even said that he had written on memorials.
Judging from calligraphy, His Majesty's characters are overly crafted and lack any spirit. However, Lian Qiongqiong couldn't help but admire the bloodline of the Hongwu Emperor. When the Ying Shi Emperor was less than five years old, his characters were already powerful and sharp.
If the court officials outside saw this, they might sigh that the Ming Dynasty had a worthy successor, but it's hard to guarantee that some wouldn't worry that it would be another Hongwu Emperor. After all, Emperor Yingshi at that time wasn't even the true crown prince, but only the eldest grandson.
Zhu Ruyi was even happier because he had gained approval. "Father, I think so too. My elder brother also said that Mother doesn't understand, and that what Great-Grandfather and Father said is right. My handwriting should be like Great-Grandfather's and Father's. My elder brother also wants me to learn his handwriting, and I'm almost done with it."
"No, that's not right," Zhang Yang quickly asked, "Ruyi, have you ever helped your brother write calligraphy?"
Zhu Ruyi immediately fell silent, lowering her head and whimpering...
The three adults exchanged glances, and Lian Qiongqiong felt slightly uneasy. Although her daughter was the emperor's most beloved princess, she was still a princess and couldn't get involved in court affairs. Of course, if she gave birth to a son, then he was even less allowed to touch upon these matters.
Zhu Yunying and Xu Miaoqing were even more speechless, not because they were dissatisfied with Zhu Ruyi. They had seriously underestimated little Zhu; that kid was the epitome of cunning, slyness, and utter mischief. He had even learned to trick his younger sister into helping him with his 'homework'.
"When Yin'er comes back, even if Grandfather stops us, we'll still give him a few spanks on the bottom, that little rascal!"
Xu Miaoqing did not refute Zhu Yunying's harsh words, seemingly agreeing with them.
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