However, this old man was superstitious and feudal, and he was quite resistant to many things. The Zhu family's status was not ordinary, and he couldn't bring home a child whose background was unclear. When his children and grandchildren went to brothels to seek pleasure, Old Zhu often pretended not to know.
However, the only women who could be cheated were those from the pleasure quarters; none of them should even dream of marrying into a prince's or duke's household. Old Zhu, in many ways, also highly valued the principle of marrying someone of equal social standing.
“Fifth Uncle is currently busy compiling the Xiaokang Encyclopedia. We know in our hearts that Fifth Uncle is not the one who likes these things the most,” Zhu Yunying said with a smile. “But this is a very important matter, and we think that it is necessary to have a respected member of the imperial clan to oversee it. After thinking about it, Fifth Uncle has compiled books before, and Uncle Prince of Shu can also help out.”
Old Zhu smiled and stroked his beard. Although some of his descendants were good-for-nothings, there were also some who were successful.
Needless to say, the five sons' medical compilations were indeed quite excellent. The Shu scholar was also commendable, especially for his active participation in compiling the *Xiaokang Encyclopedia*.
"Otherwise, why would we have sent a few courtesans to the brothels?" Zhu Yunying said with a smile. "If we're talking about elegance, those courtesans and talented women outside are probably just like us. There are quite a few talented singers and dancers in the brothels, though."
Old Zhu glanced at Zhu Yunying without saying a word, then drank a cup of wine before saying, "You are still a bit soft-hearted."
Zhu Yunying laughed and said, "Soft-hearted? We don't agree with what you said, Grandfather. There are many female relatives of convicted officials in the Jiaofangsi. We put them there. Their fathers and brothers, we either beheaded or exiled. How could we be soft-hearted?"
In fact, the Jiaofangsi did have some connotations of government-run brothels.
In fact, during the Song and Yuan dynasties, "goulan" was just a place for entertainment. It was only later that "goulan" and "brothel" became synonymous.
Furthermore, the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, specifically responsible for playing musical instruments during celebrations or to welcome distinguished guests. Not all women in the Jiaofangsi were destined to become government prostitutes. In fact, some of the musicians in the Jiaofangsi were recruited by the imperial court. Of course, the majority came from the female relatives of disgraced officials.
Little Zhu poured Old Zhu a glass of wine and said, "We're not soft-hearted. I remember someone told us last time that some official's daughter had been thrown into the brothel and asked us to get her out. We don't care. If they want to, they can do it themselves. Everyone around us is from a wealthy and powerful family. Why should we have to step in?"
Old Zhu was still quite pleased and said, "Yin'er's words make sense. Those who are around you are all from prominent families. Although the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) is full of female relatives of convicted officials, which is somewhat taboo, if they really want to protect someone, they can do it themselves."
"That's what I think too. My second uncle told me that if I just say something casually, the people below will have to think a lot about it." Little Zhu muttered, "Last time I saw a pretty little palace maid, and that dog of a servant, Shuangquan, immediately brought her to me. I went to ask my little aunt, and she turned out to be my little aunt's maid."
Old Zhu remained silent. His youngest daughter was naturally precious, but his great-grandson was even more important. If his little girl's maidservant were to go to the young crown prince's side, it would clearly be a blessing, and Old Zhu naturally believed this without a doubt.
Zhu Yunying glared at Shuangquan, who had his head down. Little Zhu was naturally clueless about matters between men and women. But Zhu Yunying had to be careful; with such 'flattering' people around little Zhu, it was hard to guarantee he wouldn't be led astray.
The most important person is still Old Zhu, who doesn't care about age. If Little Zhu has a son next year, Old Zhu won't worry about anything. If that happens, Old Zhu will definitely want to proclaim to the whole world how heroic the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty is; Old Zhu will be overjoyed.
This is absolutely not an exaggeration; it's simply because Zhu Yunying knew his imperial grandfather very well.
Although Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Mengwan were slightly nervous, it didn't seem like they needed to be.
Judging from the current situation, this seems to be just a family banquet. Although it is a family banquet, who would dare to treat this banquet as an ordinary family banquet? At least Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Mengwan certainly wouldn't.
After a brief inquiry, Zhu Yunying said, "Tomorrow, your fifth uncle will lead you to pay respects to the Empress Dowager."
Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Mengwan naturally had no objections; it was something they should do. In fact, in their plans, even without Emperor Yingshi's reminder, they should still go to the Eastern Mausoleum to pay respects to Emperor Xiaokang, who was their imperial uncle.
"Uncle Wang, did you come back this time to ask your great-grandfather and father to bestow a name upon you?" Little Zhu put down his chopsticks and asked curiously. "A few years ago, we remember that pair of traitorous father and son from Goryeo. They always wanted the court to bestow a name upon their country."
Indeed, Yi Seong-gye had put in a lot of effort beforehand. Before the Ming Dynasty officially sent troops to punish him, Yi Seong-gye had been hoping to get the Ming Dynasty to bestow a name upon him.
So the so-called 'Joseon' would have been given to Yi Seong-gye by Zhu Yunying if he hadn't stopped him, and it would have become the name of the current regime on the Goryeo Peninsula.
Zhu Gaochi immediately replied, "Your Highness, my father has instructed me to submit the official letter..."
Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "Gao Chi, please don't be so polite. We were thinking about this as well. Although there are terms like Wa and Fusang in Japan, they have nothing to do with us. After all, it is the Ming Dynasty that originated here. My grandfather and I have discussed it and decided to separate the Ming Dynasty into two countries, one called Sun and the other called Moon. That would be quite appropriate."
Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Mengwan immediately expressed their gratitude, as the bestowal of a name upon their states essentially legitimized their status. Even without a formal ceremony, it appeared that Emperor Yingshi was officially preparing to officially recognize the two vassal states.
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