Zhu Wengeng arrived, and the little rascal immediately prostrated himself on the ground upon seeing Zhu Yunying, saying, "Nephew greets His Majesty, Your Majesty the Emperor."
"Get up," Zhu Yunying said with a laugh and a scolding tone. "I've always been afraid of you and your father. When you both kneel down, it's never a good thing. Tell me, what good stuff are you eyeing this time?"
Zhu Wengeng didn't mince words, saying, "Uncle, my aunt saw us riding a horse the other day and beat us up..."
"She deserves a beating!" Zhu Yunying immediately interrupted. "Your imperial aunt has had a tough time too. When she was little, she had to take care of your father, and now that she has her own children, she has to take care of you as well. Enough with the gossip, come with me into the palace."
Zhu Yunying naturally walked at the front, with little Zhu following without hesitation. Zhu Yunying didn't feel there was anything wrong with it. He was indeed the most noble prince, but even the most noble prince was still just a prince. Little Zhu was the crown prince.
While Zhu Yunying was leading people to perform the sacrificial ceremony at the Fengxian Hall, Xu Miaoqing also knew her own mission.
Looking at Zhu Yue, Xu Miaoqing said, "Your brother loves you and Xi'er the most. You two are only a year or two younger than him, and only a year or two older than Yun Tong. You have been taking care of him since he was a child. Now he is such a grown-up, and you still have to take care of everything for him. That child just won't grow up."
"Sister-in-law, Yunhu is just like that, a child who never grows up." Zhu Yue said with a smile, not minding. "But brother, compared to sister, Yunhu is much more sensible. If it weren't for your care all these years, we wouldn't be living such a happy life. Mother passed away early, and Grandfather and Father didn't care much about us. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be like this."
Xu Miaoqing replied matter-of-factly, "Your elder brother is, after all, the elder brother, so it's only right."
Even Zhu Yue felt this was only natural. Because Zhu Yunying was the elder brother, and sometimes the elder brother had to act like a father. In fact, Xu Miaoqing also felt this way. She only developed this feeling in middle age, and in her earlier years, it was Xu Da's eldest son, Xu Huizu, who had been disciplining her.
This kind of thing doesn't just happen in ordinary people's homes; it's the same even among nobles and the imperial family.
"Sang is somewhat jealous, and Yun Tong hasn't made much of a move over the years," Xu Miaoqing said, adding, "Let's subtly hint at some things to her first, and then give her a proper warning after she leaves the palace. After all, she comes from a humble family and is not very knowledgeable. Giving her some rewards to appease her later should be enough."
Zhu Yue nodded immediately and said, "That's what I think too."
Just then, Zhu Ruyi, adorned with a delicate jade bracelet, entered the palace. "Your Majesty, Aunt Wang is requesting an audience outside the palace."
Xu Miaoqing said with a smile, "Alright, go and summon her to the palace. When you come back, remember to visit your brother. We feel he's awake, and we won't feel at ease if you don't keep an eye on him."
Watching Zhu Ruyi walk away obediently, Zhu Yue quickly said, "Sister-in-law, although you have given my brother another prince, I think you should still try harder. My brother likes princesses, and Ruyi is well-behaved and sensible. She is also well-mannered and raised by the Consort."
Xu Miaoqing smiled gently, but also helplessly, "We were thinking of giving your brother another princess, but I'm afraid he won't be happy. You know what kind of person your brother is. To put it bluntly, your brother is just like your grandfather. He only cares about the country and his eldest son and grandson. We can't ask Yin'er about what she's learning now."
Zhu Yue empathized and said, "Years ago, the Emperor forbade my elder brother to stay in the Eastern Palace, fearing that Lady Lü would try to harm him. My elder brother also had a study, and my elder sister and I went to help tidy it up. It was full of maps and memorials. After we tidied it up once, the Emperor and Father scolded us, and from then on, someone guarded it outside."
Xu Miaoqing said with a smile, "It's the same now. We can't go to Yin'er's place either. A few years ago, your brother got a big ball with a map on it. Yin'er showed off to us and took it, and your brother rushed over to take it away. Now that you're in charge of the household, your brother doesn't allow anyone to learn that multiplication table he mentioned."
Zhu Yue was not very happy and said, "The multiplication table is not forbidden by the Emperor, and many people in our clan are learning it, as are many people at the Ministry of Works Academy. It's just that the Emperor's Earth thing, no one else is allowed to learn it or ask about it. We also know that the Emperor can make some kind of babbling sounds, and it seems that only Yun Tong and Geng'er have learned a little bit of it."
Xu Miaoqing fell silent. She roughly knew those things. Many times, when the emperor personally appointed the crown prince, not only would the emperor's people stand guard outside, but Xu Miaoqing would also send her female officials to wait outside.
Even when it comes to serving, only the emperor and empress's closest confidants can serve them; no one else can know about it, much less learn it. There are some things that members of the imperial family can learn, but there are others they cannot.
Not to mention members of the imperial family, even sons other than the crown prince are not allowed to follow this rule.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live a long life."
"Nephew pays respects to His Majesty, may His Majesty live a long life."
Looking at Zhu Wenjin kneeling in worship, Xu Miaoqing nodded slightly and said, "Today, the lecturer in the hall taught you the Thousand Character Classic. Go and write it down from memory."
Naturally, the maids had already prepared the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Although Zhu Wenjin looked 'bitter and resentful,' he dared not object. He could only sit down with a bitter face, scratching his head and cheeks as he began to silently write the thousand-character mantra, which he could not possibly complete.
Since the task is to discipline Lady Sang, it is essential to set a good example and show Lady Sang how the Empress embodies the virtues of a mother to the nation. As for illegitimate sons and daughters, so what? As the nominal and true mother, it is only right and proper for the Empress to discipline these illegitimate children; it is her duty.
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