Whether Old Zhu will be jealous or not is not important. What matters most is that Zhu Xiong Ying does what he is supposed to do.
Zhu Xiong Ying stayed in Fengxian Hall for an hour. Old Zhu didn't actually wait the whole time. He knew that Zhu Xiong Ying wouldn't come out anytime soon, so he naturally needed to do his own things and work.
Zhu Yunwen and his two older sisters really wanted to visit their elder brother, but they were stopped. This was quite normal; Emperor Zhu doted on his grandsons and granddaughters. However, in Emperor Zhu's eyes, the combined weight of all his other grandsons might not be as significant as that of Zhu Xiong Ying.
Zhu Xiong Ying is currently paying respects to his ancestors, so it's best if others don't disturb him; that's Old Zhu's opinion.
After finishing the ancestral worship ceremony, Zhu Xiong Ying left the Fengxian Hall and saw Zhu Yun Tong and his two younger sisters.
"What are you doing here?" Zhu Xiong Ying laughed, then complained, "It's so cold outside, what are you standing here for? Besides, knowing I have a lot to do, you didn't even go in to help me draw the memorial tablet."
Zhu Xi ran over and said with some grievance, "Brother, Grandfather ordered us not to disturb you."
Zhu Yue chimed in, "Besides, we're not allowed to enter the Fengxian Hall casually. Grandfather forbids women from doing so..."
This kind of behavior was quite common among old feudal patriarchs like Zhu Yuanzhang. In fact, it wasn't just Zhu Yuanzhang; many feudal patriarchs of that era operated in this way. As for feminism and such, let's not overthink it.
Zhu Xiong Ying looked at her younger siblings, then asked with a smile, "Yun Wen hasn't come back yet?"
Zhu Yunwen said with a grin, "I'm still in my hometown. I reckon I should be back soon. My brother, I'll be going to Fengyang soon to visit the ancestral homeland, to train troops, and to learn about the hardships and lives of ordinary people."
This wasn't a special treatment; all the princes who were enfeoffed received similar treatment and had to stay in Fengyang for a period of time. The only exception was the father-son duo of Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiong Ying, who didn't need to reside permanently in Fengyang.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, the fourth prince, Zhu Yunxuan, respectfully paid his respects to Zhu Xiong Ying.
Looking at his half-brother, Zhu Xiong Ying chuckled and teased the boy. Four- or five-year-olds are quite adorable, and Zhu Xiong Ying found it amusing to tease such a little rascal. Right now, he looked like a wicked older brother, laughing heartily at Zhu Yun Xuan's anxious, angry, yet helpless expression.
Zhu Yunxuan's wet nurse and maids were very anxious and distressed, but they dared not speak. In the Eastern Palace, their status as concubines was still quite awkward. Not to mention the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince's grandson, even the two princesses and the prince who did not have marriage leave often ignored their concubines.
Wang Chengen walked over and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has issued a decree; it's time to go to the Qianqing Palace."
Zhu Xiong Ying picked up Zhu Yunxuan and casually said to a nanny, "Go tell the concubine that I'm taking the fourth prince out to play."
As he said this, Zhu Xiong Ying urged, "You three, hurry up! Do I really have to treat you?"
Zhu Yunwen was somewhat embarrassed, then a little awkward, "Brother, the fourth prince and I won't go."
Zhu Xi chimed in, "That's right, Grandfather only wants my brother. If we go there, Grandfather..."
"Listen to me, just go if I tell you to, there's no need for so much nonsense," Zhu Xiong Ying said. "When you bring Yun Xuan back, I'll rest there tonight."
Old Zhu really didn't want to see his other grandchildren; he only wanted to see his eldest grandson. But when he saw the other grandchildren, he wasn't unhappy at all.
Zhu Yunxuan suddenly found a backer and said in a wronged tone, "Father, my brother pinched my face until it turned red."
Zhu Biao found it amusing and asked, "How did your imperial brother pinch your cheeks?"
Zhu Yunxuan became agitated. He had just been subdued by his elder brother, unable to escape or cry, and could only be bullied by his brother. Now he was about to complain, excitedly recounting the unfair treatment he had just received.
Old Zhu laughed heartily, and Zhu Biao also joined in the laughter. The only one who was heartbroken was the chubby-cheeked Yunxuan. This time, it was Zhu Biao's turn to pinch his chubby face, and Old Zhu, unusually, also cupped Yunxuan's chubby face in his hands and rubbed it a few times.
“Yunxuan is better than the second and third sons.” Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said, “I remember the second and third sons weren’t this fat when they were little. Maybe it’s because I was too young to remember those things. Yunxuan is round and chubby, which is festive and fun.”
Zhu Biao chuckled and said, "I remember the second son was a bit chubby when he was little, with a round belly."
“Our Ying’er was chubby when she was little.” Old Zhu said with a smile, “Back then, our Empress often said that Ying’er was blessed. Our Ying’er was most fun when she was seven or eight months old. She would run around the palace all day wearing a bib.”
Zhu Xiong Ying was speechless. "I vaguely remember when I was a child, it wasn't that I liked wearing a bellyband, but that many children dressed like that in those days. What's more, Old Zhu and Empress Ma liked it even more. They liked to see Zhu Xiong Ying with her bottom bare and her little bird dangling, they thought it was very respectable."
The family simply ate and drank happily, without discussing any serious matters. They just listened to Zhu Xiong Ying talk about the local customs and culture of Beiping or along the way.
Emperor Zhu and his son Zhu Biao would never discuss politics in front of their other children. Not to mention their grandsons Yun Tong and Yun Xuan, even some of Emperor Zhu's other sons were generally not allowed to be involved in politics.
This is one of Zhu Yuanzhang's conventional approaches; he was quite resolute in establishing the eldest son as heir. Therefore, Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiong Ying were his chosen successors from the beginning. As long as they grew up smoothly, there was little need to worry about.
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