Zhu Xiong Ying, weary from his journey, naturally received special treatment. For instance, he charged ahead recklessly, but no guards or eunuchs in the imperial city stopped him. Instead, many people began to bustle about, opening the palace gates and having many maids and eunuchs carrying lanterns to guide Zhu Xiong Ying.
This was the treatment Zhu Xiong Ying received. Of course, the Great Zhu would also receive the same treatment, making him one of only three emperors in the Ming Dynasty to receive such treatment.
Zhu Xiong Ying gently pushed open the door of the Qianqing Palace and silently sat down by the couch. Human hearts are made of flesh and blood; Zhu Xiong Ying knew all too well the feelings and affection Old Zhu had shown him over the years.
If Zhu Xiong Ying did have some utilitarian ideas at the beginning, he is now much more naive.
He waved for the maids and eunuchs to leave, but Old Zhu, who was lying on the couch, suddenly woke up.
He quickly sat up and grabbed Zhu Xiong Ying's arm, asking, "Why are you back so soon? You don't know how to take care of yourself. It's still chilly in early spring. What if you catch a cold?"
Zhu Xiong Ying then smiled and said, "I was worried about my grandfather, so I came back."
Old Zhu felt a warmth in his heart, then roared, "Why haven't you had ginger soup prepared for the Crown Prince yet! Hot water, quickly serve the Crown Prince his washing up!"
Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said, "Grandpa, I'm fine. I just need to wash my feet. I've kept you from resting."
"It's alright, it's good that our grandson is back." Old Zhu smiled as he looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, then turned to Shuang Quan, "That boy, how long has it been since our great-grandson returned?"
Shuangquan immediately knelt down and whispered, "Your Majesty, His Highness has been back for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn..."
"You dog servant, why didn't you wake me up!" Old Zhu got angry and was about to get up and hit him.
Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and put her hand on Old Zhu's shoulder, saying, "It's because your grandson doesn't allow them to disturb Grandpa. Grandpa is lying down, and it's cold outside. Grandson will take a bath, and Grandpa will chat with you, okay? Grandpa always says he's getting old and doesn't sleep much, so today I'll indulge myself a little and Grandpa will talk to me."
Old Zhu nodded repeatedly, but continued to criticize Zhu Xiong Ying, "You're back, so you should have woken us up. We thought you wouldn't be back until tomorrow or the day after. We already told you not to come back. You just went to Beiping and haven't even had a chance to catch your breath. You must have had such a tiring journey! Who is your grandfather? What hasn't he encountered?!"
Zhu Xiong Ying then untied his cloak and said, "Grandson knows that Grandfather is a great hero who has experienced many storms. But grandson also knows that Grandfather values family the most. If grandson does not return at this time, grandson will not feel at ease."
Old Zhu wrapped himself in a quilt, sat on the couch, and remained silent for a long time before saying, "Ying'er, we didn't take it seriously when you said that your father and your uncles were afraid of us. But we're not happy about what your eighth uncle did."
Zhu Xiong Ying could only comfort him, saying, "Eighth Uncle is timid. The Hu Weiyong case has involved too many things over the years, so it's normal that Eighth Uncle was frightened. Grandfather, this is not your fault. I know that many of my uncles have caused a lot of trouble over the years, and Grandfather has only punished them slightly. Eighth Uncle should know about this."
This isn't Zhu Xiong Ying exaggerating; it's just that quite a few of Zhu's descendants have caused trouble over the years. However, most of the time, Zhu would only give them a slight reprimand or admonishment, without actually punishing them severely.
The self-immolation of Prince Zhu Zi and Princess Tan this time was probably something many people didn't expect.
Maids and eunuchs filed in, bringing bath tubs, and hot water was readily available. Zhu Xiong Ying, the imperial grandson, had no need to worry about running out of water; it was always ready.
Soaking in the bathtub, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Uncle Ba, is there some misunderstanding that's causing you to be so upset this time?"
Old Zhu sighed and said, "We were afraid he would overthink things, so we sent someone to summon him to the capital. Who would have thought that the boy would be so distraught? We've already sent people to investigate, and we're afraid someone said something to him."
This is also part of Old Zhu's personality; he's primarily prone to suspicion. Furthermore, even if his own family members do something wrong, Old Zhu can find reasons to exonerate them without a second thought. When his descendants make mistakes, Old Zhu often pretends not to know and is quite indulgent in many ways.
Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely ruthless and strict with his officials, nobles, and relatives. However, he couldn't truly be ruthless with his own flesh and blood.
Although it was already late at night, Zhu Xiong Ying and Lao Zhu didn't seem to have any intention of sleeping; they still needed to chat.
Old Zhu was probably preoccupied with something on his mind, and also because he was naturally energetic and didn't get much sleep. Zhu Xiong Ying, though tired, forced himself to stay awake, knowing that Old Zhu was very sad at this moment, and he felt he had to talk to him.
"Old Eight is really having a bad day, there's nothing we can do." Old Zhu rolled over, still rambling on, "Even tigers don't eat their cubs, do you think we're more powerful than tigers? Old Eight, are you that afraid of us?"
Zhu Xiong Ying comforted him, saying, "Grandpa, Eighth Uncle has really misunderstood this time. To be honest, among the princes who have been enfeoffed, Eighth Uncle is the most upright and has not committed many misdeeds. In the end, it is Eighth Uncle who has misunderstood, and it has little to do with Grandpa."
Old Zhu forced a smile and then said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Ying'er, we have thought about it. You said before that we were too imposing. We have no choice but to be like this. If we were nicer to our other sons, they would start to have some thoughts. I am the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and I have to consider the country."
"You know Li Shimin, right? He was the most favored of all the princes among his four sons, and the crown prince panicked." Old Zhu said earnestly to Zhu Xiong Ying, "It's not that we don't like your other imperial uncles, it's just that we dare not like them, and we dare not let them have any other thoughts!"
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