As for how Xu Miaoqing gets along with Lao Zhu, Zhu Yunying doesn't actually need to worry about it too much.
Xu Miaoqing was a clever woman and knew how to maintain boundaries. So she knew when to stop; she was aware of certain things. Perhaps it was her personality, but she knew what would please the emperor and what would displease the Hongwu Emperor.
Since that's the case, Zhu Yunying doesn't need to worry about those things. Family matters are certainly extremely important to him. However, an emperor can't spend all his time preoccupied with domestic affairs; he has many other things to attend to.
As Zhu Yunying had predicted, the court officials clearly hadn't given up. They still hoped to persuade the emperor at the last moment, hoping that Emperor Yingshi would realize his mistake and change his mind at the last hurdle.
They had previously advised His Majesty the Emperor to request permission from the Retired Emperor to legitimize the cabinet's authority. However, it was clear that the courtiers were disappointed; the Emperor remained obstinate and their wishes were not granted.
On important matters such as sending troops to Goguryeo or governing the Yellow and Huai Rivers, some ministers had offered advice. However, even though those ministers had offered advice, the emperor's mind was made up, and they could not completely stop him. In fact, some ministers even disagreed with him.
This time was different. The vast majority of the ministers were in agreement, but they encountered a stubborn emperor.
The fact that the retired emperor, the emperor, and the crown prince left the palace together sent shivers down the spines of all the civil and military officials. One or two leaving the palace was fine, but at least one had to remain inside; only then would everyone feel at ease.
If this entire regime were wiped out, it would inevitably plunge the Ming Dynasty into turmoil, and the world, which had only recently achieved stability, might descend into chaos. The seemingly certain succession to the throne would also be thrown into disarray.
It is perfectly normal for ministers to have their own concerns, and Zhu Yunying expressed his understanding.
Even if one understands, Zhu Yunying still has his own thoughts and ideas. There's no need to heed those suggestions.
It is the duty of a subject to worry about the state and its people. This also includes the subject's adherence to etiquette and law, and what they consider to be ethical principles.
If it were just the emperor and the crown prince visiting the Xiaoling Mausoleum to pay their respects, then no one would have much of an opinion, as there's also the concept of 'filial piety' involved. But if the emperor was truly determined, no one dared to stop him, for fear of damaging the public's perception of his filial piety.
However, the Emperor Emeritus's visit to the Xiaoling Mausoleum provoked resistance from many ministers, who also felt that such a thing should not be done.
Although Empress Ma is now buried in Xiaoling Mausoleum, and her legacy is still talked about by many officials, from the perspective of etiquette, Emperor Zhu absolutely could not go to pay homage to Empress Ma, otherwise it would be a violation of ethical norms.
Furthermore, based on some people's understanding of the Hongwu Emperor, since he went to the Xiaoling Mausoleum, he might inadvertently go to the Eastern Mausoleum.
Then the problem arises: the practice of husbands sacrificing to wives and fathers sacrificing to sons was simply a nightmare for officials who valued etiquette.
However, it was clear that even their strong opinions seemed to have little effect. Even though some ministers' objections appeared quite vehement, Emperor Ying Shi was determined to prevail.
Those who make a fuss can be temporarily imprisoned; no one can stop them. As for the officials, most will be released afterward. Of course, there are some who are obtuse, and they might be exiled by Zhu Yunying; the emperor can be a bit petty.
Zhu Yunying was determined to go to Xiaoling Mausoleum; in fact, it could be said that Emperor Zhu was determined to go, and no one could change his mind. This was clearly not just empty talk; once an emperor's will is firm, it is very difficult to change it.
In particular, the Hongwu Emperor and the Yingshi Emperor were both autocratic and often deliberately opposed civil and military officials.
Yingtian Prefecture held extraordinary significance for Zhu Yuanzhang, as it was the place where he truly laid the foundation for his imperial power. It was only after conquering this place that Zhu Yuanzhang began to truly sweep across the land, eliminating and driving out his enemies.
Purple Mountain is renowned for its beauty and elegance, a hallmark of Nanjing. It is also known as Zhongfu Dragon Coil because of its shape, which resembles a coiled dragon.
Xiaoling Mausoleum is located at the foot of Dulongfu Wanzhu Peak on the southern slope of Zijin Mountain. In the fourteenth year of the Hongwu reign (1389), Emperor Hongwu ordered Li Xin, the Vice Commander of the Central Military Commission, to oversee the construction of the mausoleum. A year later, Empress Ma passed away and was buried in Xiaoling Mausoleum.
Over the years, the construction of Xiaoling Mausoleum has never stopped. Its design is based on the imperial tombs of the Tang and Song dynasties, with some additions. The main hall is magnificent, the pavilions are splendid, and half of the seventy temples of the Southern Dynasties were enclosed within the forbidden garden.
Moreover, the imperial wall built from Chaoyang Gate to Xiaolingwei and then to the northwest of the mausoleum was over forty li long, and more than five thousand soldiers were stationed there to protect the mausoleum. Within the mausoleum grounds, pavilions and towers were connected, incense smoke swirled in the main hall, pine trees rustled in the wind, and a thousand deer were kept there. The cries of the deer amidst the forest created an extraordinary atmosphere.
At this time, Xiaoling Mausoleum looked incredibly lively. Although the soldiers of the Beijing Garrison were no longer qualified to accompany the emperor, they were still protected by the Xiaoling Guard. Naturally, there were also the emperor's personal guards, such as the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Standard Guard.
Old Zhu didn't need to dismount; he remained seated in the imperial carriage. "Should we call your father over?"
Little Zhu, nestled in Old Zhu's arms, said, "No, that won't do. Our father was raised by our great-grandmother. Even though our younger siblings are still quite young, if they get tired of walking, we can call them over."
“They won’t make it. Let them walk for a while. If they get tired, let them ride in a sedan chair.” Old Zhu was very biased and made no attempt to hide it. “We should have let you get down too, but we thought you weren’t that old, so we decided not to let you come along and talk to us.”
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