Old Zhu was very reluctant to part with his beloved grandson who was about to leave for Beiping.
Since the birth of this precious eldest grandson, he has almost always been under Old Zhu's watchful eye. The only time they were separated for a short period of time was last year when Zhu Xiong Ying returned to his hometown in Fengyang to pay respects to his ancestors.
But that time, the Crown Prince was with Zhu Xiong Ying, so Old Zhu naturally had nothing to worry about. This time, however, it was different. This time, Zhu Xiong Ying was going to Beiping alone, and the boy needed to take charge and oversee the situation independently.
While peeling crabs for Old Zhu, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Grandpa, what's there to be sad about? I'm going to Beiping this time, and I reckon I'll be back in two or three months."
Old Zhu was a little dissatisfied and said, "Returning in two or three months? What kind of talk is that!"
“Come back for the New Year! With Grandfather here, how can I spend the New Year alone in Beiping?” Zhu Xiong Ying said matter-of-factly. “Grandfather, we need to make this agreement now. If there’s war or something, that’s fine, but otherwise, other holidays are fine too, but we have to be together for the New Year.”
Old Zhu looked disgusted and said irritably, "You're not a child anymore, you know the important matters of the nation..."
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't stand on ceremony and asked directly, "Grandpa Emperor, just tell me if it's okay or not? If it's not okay, then I won't come back this year!"
Zhu Biao smiled as he ate crabs with yellow wine; only his precious son had the audacity and privilege to do so. For example, interrupting the emperor—a subtle, underhanded rebuff.
Old Zhu thought for a moment and then said, "If you can't bear to leave the prosperity of Yingtian Prefecture and are worried about your younger siblings, then come back for the New Year."
"Whether Yingtian Prefecture is prosperous or not is not important," Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile, not finding it cheesy at all. "It is true that I am reluctant to part with my younger siblings, but I am also reluctant to part with my imperial grandfather. Imperial grandfather, please remember to issue an imperial decree to me in the twelfth lunar month, so that I can return to the capital with a legitimate reason."
Old Zhu said irritably, "We gave you those imperial edicts, and you don't know how to use them?! If your two imperial sisters go to Beiping on the orders, just wait and see how we deal with you!"
Zhu Xiong Ying was in a bit of an awkward situation. There were indeed no secrets in the capital, and besides, Zhu Xiong Ying had no intention of keeping a low profile.
Zhu Biao said somewhat irritably, "Father, you've spoiled this child. His younger siblings have to work so hard to look after him. With Father and your son here, none of his younger siblings have ever suffered any hardship."
Old Zhu snorted and said, "Do you think we're senile? The little schemes of the Lü family over the years can't be hidden from our eyes. As for that child, Yunhuo, it's fine. It's good that Yunhuo can live a peaceful life as a wealthy prince. I reckon Ying'er won't want him to run away."
Zhu Biao was a little embarrassed. He could actually see through some of the little schemes that the Lü family had been up to over the years.
It seems that Zhu Yuntong was being taken good care of, but he was not good at studying and only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. To put it bluntly, this child was spoiled. He was good at eating, drinking, and having fun, but he had no patience, perseverance, ambition, or determination. He was a rather mediocre child.
But Zhu Yunwen was different; he was seen by many as a refined and bookish grandson of the emperor. If it weren't for Zhu Xiong Ying, whose brilliance shone like the moon in the sky, perhaps no one would have even noticed Zhu Yunwen's existence.
After all, in the eyes of some civil officials, Zhu Yunwen was more in line with what they envisioned as the ideal son or grandson of the emperor. Some also saw Zhu Yunwen's image as somewhat similar to that of Crown Prince Zhu Biao.
Watching Zhu Xiong Ying devour the crab, Old Zhu found it amusing. "No wonder some people look down on you. You're our imperial grandson! You have absolutely no royal bearing. What's so delicious about this crab!"
"Grandson just loves this kind of thing, yellow wine with crab is just right," Zhu Xiong Ying said with a grin. "Besides, I don't need to pretend in front of my grandfather. But in front of others, my manners are not bad at all."
Zhu Xiong Ying was about to leave for Beiping, and Old Zhu was naturally very reluctant to let her go. But his son had grown up and eventually had to go out and experience life.
Moreover, there are many things to do right now, and even if Old Zhu is reluctant to part with them, he has no choice but to let go at this point.
Don't say that this is the responsibility that royal descendants should bear. Even in ordinary families, children will inevitably have to go out and experience things as they grow up. They can't always stay with their parents.
The three generations of the family huddled together in the Qianqing Palace, a small reunion before their departure. At least for Old Zhu, his children and grandchildren were the people he cared about most now.
Seeing that it was getting late, Old Zhu said, "Biao'er, go back to the East Palace. Ying'er can stay here with us. Tomorrow, Biao'er will go to manage state affairs. Our Ying'er has grown up too, so we won't see him off."
Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said, "There's nothing to see me off. I'll be back soon anyway. Father, there's no need for you to see me off. I'll just take my men and leave on my own."
Zhu Biao nodded, then said with a hint of grumbling, "Father, Ying'er is going to Beiping tomorrow. I was thinking of talking to Ying'er again after I returned to the East Palace, but Father made him stay at the Qianqing Palace."
"You two, father and son, have time to talk anytime!" Old Zhu said irritably. "Why does it have to be tonight? Our grandson is going to Beiping soon, what's wrong with him keeping us company and talking?"
Zhu Biao, unafraid of his father's temperament, became even more frustrated. "Father, ever since Ying'er was born, she's been raised by Mother. Over the years, Ying'er has been closer to Father. I haven't had that much time to talk to Ying'er. But Father..."
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