As for the imperial family of the Ming Dynasty, they may have gradually become aware of some things. This has caused them some unease, or perhaps not much emotional fluctuation.
After all, many princes and princesses weren't necessarily close to Emperor Zhu. They hadn't received much pampering from him since childhood, so naturally they didn't feel much intimacy towards him. Instead, they were more afraid of him and kept their distance.
But no matter what, Zhu Yuanzhang was still their father, and the illustrious status and wealth of these princes and princesses naturally came from him. Zhu Yuanzhang was their greatest support and their greatest reliance.
But now, with the Emperor's health failing, there are bound to be some unsettling and uneasy feelings about it.
In truth, they all understood that even though their father hadn't been very close to them over the years, he was still their father and had given them considerable leniency. While their father was indeed strict and domineering towards outsiders, he was remarkably forgiving towards his children.
If something happens to Father, things might not be so good in the future. That nephew emperor, although he has indeed treated the imperial family well over the years, is definitely not as good as Father in a way.
However, the members of the imperial family really didn't have many options at the moment, as their father was getting on in years. It was quite common for someone in their seventies to have some health problems, and there was no need to make a fuss about it.
At this point, the only thing I could do was go to the palace to talk to my father and listen to his lessons.
There may be a sense of duty as a son involved, but there are also some realistic or utilitarian factors at play.
For example, some members of the imperial clan hoped to obtain a 'last will and testament' from their father, not because they wanted to ascend the throne or assist the emperor. They simply hoped that if their father could leave an edict instructing the current emperor to treat his uncle well, then their future would be secure and peaceful. This was indeed the wish of some members of the imperial clan.
On the other hand, if children do not fulfill their filial duties at this time, it will naturally arouse a lot of criticism, or even impeachment.
If the emperor holds a grudge because of this, and then settles scores later, you'll have nowhere to turn for help.
Many people understand these things in their hearts, so whether they like it or not, they have to do them. Whether as sons or subjects, these are things they need to do; they are their duties.
In fact, these things could not be kept secret. Members of the imperial family took turns entering the palace, not to attend court, but to go to the Qing Palace. Many civil and military officials heard rumors about these things one after another.
Although the imperial family has not disclosed the Hongwu Emperor's health condition, it inevitably leads to speculation, with many worrying about a possible collapse of his tomb. After all, the Hongwu Emperor was quite old; perhaps even if such a thing did happen, it would be perfectly normal.
These were actually the reasons why Emperor Zhu was reluctant to see his children. He knew very well that if his children took turns visiting the palace, it would inevitably cause unrest among the people in the court and the country.
Even though he has abdicated and his grandson has taken control of the court, there are still many things that cannot be ignored.
Old Zhu wasn't being narcissistic at all; rather, he was very clear about his position. He founded the Ming Dynasty, and his status and authority as the founding emperor meant they were unshakeable. Even if his grandson controlled the court, he couldn't compare to him in terms of influence and prestige.
Originally, he thought it was better to avoid trouble and not cause unnecessary worries for his grandson. But now, Old Zhu doesn't care about those things anymore, and he doesn't care whether the child was his favorite or the one he was closest to.
For Old Zhu, it was a great comfort to have his own children visit him and talk to him at this time. Moreover, his most successful grandson would come to keep him company and chat with him every day at lunchtime.
These were all things that made Old Zhu extremely gratified, as he could now discuss many things with his son and grandson. This was a good thing, as it would allow his descendants to better understand how to get along with each other after his passing.
These things are very meaningful to Lao Zhu, and they are indeed one of the reasons why he looks so energetic now.
As for Zhu Yunying, he wasn't afraid of any extra trouble. He was just there to keep Old Zhu company and chat with his uncles; there was nothing to fuss about, since he had to eat every day anyway.
If his uncles heeded Zhu Yunying's admonition and could have fewer worries in the future, it would be even better for Zhu Yunying. Therefore, he felt it was only natural to do so now.
These matters were not considered a delay, and Zhu Yunying did not feel that they would affect his handling of state affairs.
Li Jinglong arrived at the Wuying Hall and said, "Your Majesty, your subject Yu Tongyuan has gone to Yingtian Prefecture and wishes to go to the South Seas."
Zhu Yunying smiled and said, "That's good. We won't see him then. The Duke of Hejian and the Duke of Guo have made great contributions and have saved the emperor's life many times. Let him go to sea with the fleet. Although he is a bit dull-witted, if he does well on this mission, he can be restored to his title."
Zhu Yunying still cherished old friendships, or perhaps these were all minor attempts by him to salvage the situation. The Ming Dynasty had many founding heroes, but in recent years, fewer and fewer of them held real power in the court.
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