Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "Where is our nephew? Has he gone to the palace to congratulate his imperial aunt on her birthday?"
Wang Chengen hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is leading His Highness the Eldest Prince of Wu to coax His Highness the Third Prince. The imperial family members who are not yet adults in Yingtian Prefecture have all gone to offer birthday greetings."
This answer satisfied both Old Zhu and Young Zhu. Given Xu Miaoqing's status, even those members of the imperial clan without adult males were obligated to offer their birthday greetings to her. According to custom and duty, Xu Miaoqing also had a responsibility to educate the imperial clan members.
While Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunying were drinking tea, Li Jinglong and Zhu Yunwen arrived at the Qianqing Palace, and at this time they were considered to be behaving in a more proper manner.
Despite Old Zhu's considerable resentment towards his eldest sister and his largely indifferent attitude towards her over the years, he doesn't stop his children and grandchildren from fulfilling their filial duties and even shows some concern when they do.
Ultimately, blood is thicker than water, and for Old Zhu, who values family ties, these things are naturally even more important.
Although Zhu Yunwen wasn't exactly reliable, he was relatively dependable in these situations, not to mention Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong's true military prowess is hard to say, but when it comes to other tasks, he's generally quite trustworthy.
After asking carefully, Zhu Yunying was relieved and praised him, saying, "It must have been hard for you, Cousin Jiujiang, on this trip. It would be best if you could take me there. Then I'll trouble you again, Cousin Jiujiang, to go and offer birthday greetings to the Empress, have a drink, and then return home."
Li Jinglong naturally had no objections and felt it was an honor for him. As the grand-nephew of the Hongwu Emperor and the cousin of the Ying Shi Emperor, Li Jinglong may not have led troops into battle over the years, but his status has always been extremely prestigious and he has always wielded considerable power.
Foreign officials offering birthday greetings to the Empress—where else would an ordinary person receive such treatment? Only Li Jinglong had such prestige!
Seeing Zhu Yunying's expectant gaze, Zhu Yunying said irritably, "You go over there too. They say an elder sister-in-law is like a mother, so you should also congratulate your sister-in-law on her birthday."
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