The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

seven years ago.

That is, November of the eleventh year of the Hongwu reign.

After Lady Chang passed away, she was buried on the sunny side of Zhongshan Mountain, in the Imperial Consort Jingyi Garden Cemetery on the east side of Xiaoling Mausoleum.

We arrived at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain.

To fulfill his filial duty, Zhu Xiong Ying changed to riding in a small blue cloth sedan chair.

It took nearly 25 minutes to pass through Xiamafang, Dajinmen, and Sifangcheng, and then walk along the Sacred Way to finally reach the destination.

Then, under Dong Lun's guidance, they performed the three bows and three kowtows ceremony before entering the garden.

All subsequent procedures, such as offering incense and libations, and presenting sacrificial offerings, had been instructed by eunuchs several days before leaving the palace.

His manners were impeccable, and even the Confucian scholar Wang Jing and others could not find fault with him.

When it came to reciting the sacrificial text, it was originally done by officials from the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Xiong Ying took it and read it aloud in a low, childish voice.

"Your filial son, Xiong Ying, respectfully offers this libation and sacrifice, along with simple vegetables and fruits, to the spirit of his mother, the Crown Princess Chang."

"My mother, Consort Zhong, came from a distinguished family and was of gentle and virtuous character. She was a descendant of the Prince of Kaiping and inherited the virtues of the Prince of Henghuang. In the early years of the Hongwu reign, she was married to the Crown Prince and held the position of Empress. She was gentle and respectful by nature and was virtuous and cautious in her conduct..."

"I remember when my mother was alive, she held me in her arms, caring for me day and night, never leaving my side. Now, on the southern slopes of Zhongshan, the pines and cypresses stand silent, her mausoleum stands majestically, her voice and countenance remain vivid, but her laughter is nowhere to be found. As a child, I bear this sorrow and grief, and personally come to her tomb to offer this humble offering..."

"Though I am young and weak, I dare not forget my mother's virtues. I will carefully observe etiquette and strive to learn, so as to comfort my mother's spirit in heaven! Alas! I offer this silk and burn this prayer, my sorrow and longing are boundless. I humbly hope you will accept this offering!"

This eulogy, arranged by Old Zhu, was originally written by a Hanlin scholar.

The content is sincere and simple, making people feel the same way.

As Zhu Xiong Ying recited the poem, tears were already streaming down her face.

It's not just about remembering my birth mother, Madam Chang, in this life, but also about missing my family members in another time and space.

In this situation, Chang Mao's eyes also reddened as he thought of the many people who comforted and cared for his sister when she was alive.

On the night of his death, he was summoned to his side, and entrusted with the care of Xiong Ying and Yun Hu...

Not far away, Li Zengzhi and Xu Zengshou, recalling the meticulous care the former Crown Princess had given them when they traveled to and from the Eastern Palace many years ago, felt a pang of emotion.

"The ceremony is complete!"

The ceremony only ended when Dong Lun finished speaking.

Upon seeing the eldest grandson of the emperor stand up, he initially swayed precariously, then fainted backward.

Everyone was startled.

"Your Highness!!!"

Chang Mao, who was closest to him, rushed forward to help.

Fearing something might go wrong, the group discussed the matter and quickened their pace, immediately returning to the city.

……

is the day.

The news that the eldest grandson of the emperor fainted during a ceremony to pay respects to the Crown Princess Chang spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Even the nobles and relatives outside the palace had heard about it.

Everyone praised her for her utmost filial piety!

Upon learning this news, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately put aside his official duties, his eyes red, and went to Kunning Palace.

Upon reaching the corridor outside the dormitory, before even stepping across the threshold, Old Zhu, in a gruff voice, loudly asked, "How's our eldest grandson?"

As he entered, he saw Empress Ma sitting by the bed, having just tucked her beloved grandson in. Turning her head, she coldly said, "Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs, yet you still remember Xiong Ying?"

"Even in his sleep, Xiong Ying still calls you 'Grandpa Emperor'!"

This rhetorical question stumped Zhu Yuanzhang.

In recent days, he has been so focused on the case that he has indeed neglected his relatives in the palace.

As they got closer, Old Zhu noticed that his eldest grandson was asleep. He lowered his voice and explained, "Sigh, it was our oversight!"

"And just now, I received a report from the eunuch saying that our eldest grandson has fainted from crying in the mausoleum! My heart clenched, and I dropped my memorial and rushed over..."

Empress Ma, knowing her husband's character well, did not intend to blame him excessively, and sighed, "I know about Chongba's troubles!"

"I heard everything, including what happened outside the palace!"

"But Chongba, you should try to control your impatience!"

"Just like back then, when you asked Mr. Zhu (Zhu Sheng) for advice on how to pacify the world, he said, 'Build high walls, store up plenty of grain, and delay declaring yourself king!'"

"Many things shouldn't be rushed, lest too much chaos occur and we become easy targets for exploitation..."

Empress Ma's words were a direct reference to the current grain theft case.

After the heads of the six ministries and a host of officials were imprisoned one after another, someone spread the news that the emperor had issued an edict that all arrested officials would have their entire families executed...

It concerns one's life and fortune.

If this gets out, won't it cause panic?

In reality, however, the execution of nine generations of a family was not something that everyone could enjoy; it was mostly reserved for heinous crimes such as treason and rebellion.

Like the Guo Huan case in history.

The ringleaders, Guo Huan and Zhao Mao, were executed by slow slicing and their homes were confiscated; only a few were exterminated along with their entire families.

Most officials below the rank of Vice Minister of the Six Ministries were beheaded, and their wives and children were also implicated.

For local officials, punishments ranged from exile and military service to beheading, with an even smaller scope of repercussions!

Merchants and landlords, some were executed, and many had their property confiscated...

If they were to exterminate their entire clan, the number of deaths would far exceed tens of thousands!

As for the current situation, there are rumors circulating in the capital.

Old Zhu never said that, so it's obvious that someone deliberately spread the word and stirred things up!

Empress Ma reminded me, especially of the last sentence.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized his mistake.

He said, "Why are all the things that have happened outside the palace these past two days so strange?"

He was caught up in the situation but unaware of it; someone dared to plot against him, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

That's incredibly bold!

You bastards, once we find you, we'll behead you!

Zhu Yuanzhang suppressed his anger, took his wife's hand, and exclaimed, "My dear sister, you are truly our strategist!"

"Back when we were conquering the world, you were the mastermind behind the scenes! Now that we're the emperor, we still can't do without you!"

Empress Ma shook her head and said, "Chongba! You are the one who steers this vast land. I'm old, and I was just mentioning it casually!"

After the conversation.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze softened as he carefully touched his beloved grandson's forehead, finding it slightly hot. He said with concern, "Sister, our grandson..."

Empress Ma reassured him, "Don't worry, Chongba. The imperial physician said that Xiong Ying didn't eat anything this morning, and coupled with her recent fasting, she developed food stagnation. She'll be fine after a day or two of rest!"

Hypoglycemia, also known as food syncope.

In his book "Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold for Emergency Use" written in the early Tang Dynasty, Sun Simiao even provided a solution: "First drink rice water or rice gruel, then take tonifying medicine."

Zhu Yuanzhang felt a sense of relief, stroked his beard, and murmured, "That's good! That's good!"

She could see that her husband was preoccupied with state affairs and not paying attention to his work.

Empress Ma, being virtuous by nature, said, "Chongba, don't just stand here. Go and get busy. I'll keep watch over Xiong Ying here!"

"But you've been working so hard these past few days... You must take good care of yourself, so as not to worry Xiong Ying!"

When talking about his eldest grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang's weakness was mentioned.

He was busy, so he agreed.

Half an incense stick later, she watched her husband leave.

Empress Ma's face was full of kindness as she looked down at her beloved grandson, whose eyes were tightly closed, and said, "My good child, you can open your eyes now!"