The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

The Crown Princess, née Lü, was the daughter of Lü Ben, the Minister of Ceremonies.

In the tenth year of the Hongwu reign, which was eight years ago, the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Yunwen, was born.

A year later, Lady Chang passed away, and he was then officially appointed Crown Prince.

In her daily life, Lady Lü was devoted to filial piety, visiting her parents morning and evening and personally caring for them.

In Empress Ma's eyes, she was a virtuous daughter-in-law!

Upon hearing this, she hurriedly instructed, "Please come in quickly! It's chilly outside tonight, don't catch a cold!"

After a while, with the help of palace maids, Lady Lü, heavily pregnant, stepped across the threshold.

She stood three feet away from the soft couch at the head of the table before firmly standing still, breaking free from his support, and curtsied, saying, "Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty!"

Lady Lü was only twenty-six years old, with a beautiful and charming appearance, and was currently pregnant with her second child.

Historically, she gave birth to three healthy sons for Zhu Biao.

They are Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunxuan, and Zhu Yunxi.

Empress Ma looked at her with great concern and quickly gestured for her attendants to help her to her feet, scoldingly saying, "Quickly, no need for formalities! How can you kneel in your condition? Be careful not to harm the fetus!"

"It's been eight months already, and you, my child, are always so proper and diligent in your daily self-reflection..."

As a mother, Empress Ma understands the hardships of pregnant women the most!

Back then, when she gave birth to her eldest son, Biao'er, conditions were tough, and she had to stay temporarily in a merchant's house. Chongba was not by her side either, as he was busy attacking Jiqing!

When it came to the second son, Zhu Shuang, he happened to be in the army camp of the Northern Expedition.

When it came to the third son, Zhu Gang, and the fourth son, Zhu Di, the conditions were somewhat better...

Upon hearing this, Lady Lü was flattered and immediately expressed her gratitude.

A moment later, she raised her head and glanced at the eldest grandson of the emperor beside the empress.

Zhu Xiong Ying took two steps forward and bowed, saying, "Xiong Ying greets Auntie!"

Even in front of Emperor Zhu and Empress Ma, he addressed Crown Princess Lü as "Auntie" instead of "Mother Consort".

In his heart, the only true mother figure was Lady Chang!

The Lü family is not worthy!

As for later generations, many people say that Zhu Xiong Ying's death was caused by Lü!

In his view, this is utter nonsense!

Firstly, shortly after Xiao Xiao Zhu was born and still breastfeeding, Empress Ma stripped her of her parental rights and sent her to live in Kunning Palace.

Neither Biao'er's father nor his birth mother, Chang, could do anything but stare helplessly, not daring to utter a single word.

Secondly, did Lady Lü really dare to plot against Little Zhu...?

Old Zhu is intolerant of even the slightest imperfection; how could he not find out? And how could he let the Lü family get away with it?

At that time, executing nine generations of the Lü family would be considered merciful; at the very least, ten generations would be executed.

If you ask which ten clans, Fang Xiaoru was the most qualified to speak on this matter throughout the entire Ming Dynasty!

However, it is possible that his younger brother Zhu Yunwen, who grew up in the Eastern Palace, was spoiled by Lady Lü.

Otherwise, Zhu Yunwen would not have been chosen as the crown prince, leading to numerous tragedies such as the Lan Yu case.

Inside the palace.

Upon hearing the imperial grandson call her "Auntie," Lady Lü's fair face was filled with complex emotions, and her fingers clenched slightly.

This child isn't actually his own!

After a serious illness, he became increasingly distant from his stepmother, and what if in the future...

Lady Lü had been married into the royal family for many years and was no longer the naive young girl she once was.

With the Empress present, he concealed his thoughts and his expression instantly returned to normal.

Like a loving mother, she reached out to help him up, saying kindly, "Your Highness, please rise! There's no need for such formality!"

Seated on the couch, Empress Ma's gaze was gentle and calm, taking in everything. Then, she smiled and said, "Alright! We're all family, Crown Princess, don't stand! Sit down and let's talk!"

"Daughter-in-law obeys!"

In a short while, after Ms. Lü sat down, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted about everyday matters and shared some experiences on pregnancy care.

Zhu Xiong Ying waited to the side, responsible for serving tea and water.

After a while, feeling a bit bored, I unconsciously started to yawn.

Seeing this, Empress Ma frowned and said, "Is the eldest grandson sleepy? Go and rest first. He has to go to the main hall for his studies early tomorrow morning!"

The Great Hall was built by imperial decree in the first year of the Hongwu reign. Located in the eastern part of the palace, it was mainly used for the education of the royal family and the sons of nobles.

There are morning reading sessions and regular classes every day.

In the early years of the Hongwu reign, seeing the lax discipline in teaching, Emperor Zhu set many rules!

Several years ago, after Prince Yan, Zhu Di, and others took up their fiefdoms, only a group of young princes and grandsons remained.

Catching a glimpse of Empress Ma's concerned gaze, Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head and said, "Grandson isn't sleepy, just a little tired. I'll wait for Grandfather to come back before I sleep..."

Empress Ma pulled him to her side and said with a smile, "Alright, alright! Then lie down here and rest!"

"Um!"

On this side, they agreed not long ago.

Zhu Xiong Ying said she wasn't sleepy, but after a long day of hard work, resting her head on her grandmother's lap made her feel incredibly at ease.

All worries and sorrows vanished like smoke.

I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Empress Ma lowered her gaze and saw her beloved grandson's adorable posture—his mouth slightly open and his eyelashes trembling—and thought to herself, "He looks just like Biao'er when he was little!"

In the blink of an eye, when Empress Ma looked up again, she couldn't help but look at Lady Lü and sighed, "When Xiong Ying's mother passed away, he was only four years old. He cried for days and nights, refusing to eat or drink. He was such a pure and filial child..."

"Even on ordinary days, I'm very polite, just a little reserved. Please don't take it to heart!"

Empress Ma's gaze was calm, yet filled with the invisible majesty of an emperor and empress, piercing straight to the heart.

It seems that everything becomes transparent in its eyes.

Lady Lü trembled slightly and leaned forward, saying, "Your Majesty's teachings are correct..."

After an incense stick had burned, Crown Princess Lü, preoccupied with her own thoughts, took her leave.

Empress Ma couldn't bear to wake her eldest grandson, so she simply continued to lean against him and had a maid bring a blanket to cover herself.

Then, she glanced at the dark night and said kindly, "His Majesty is busy with state affairs and probably won't be here tonight. I'll be looking after the grandson, so you all shouldn't just stand there; go and rest!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After most of the palace maids and eunuchs had left.

Empress Ma closed her eyes, recalling the inside story revealed by her eldest grandson when he returned to the palace two hours earlier, and thought to herself, "Those officials have angered Chongba this time; I wonder how many people will die!"

"I only hope that this matter can fulfill Chongba's wishes, and through it, cleanse the bureaucracy and restore a bright and just world for the people!"

"As for Xiong Ying, he wants to visit his mother's grave in a few days. Since Chong Ba has agreed, why not let Chang Mao and the others go with him? That way, they can take care of him!"

……

The Imperial City, the Hall of Literary Glory.

Zhu Yuanzhang stayed up all night. After summoning Mao Xiang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the officials of the Criminal Division to his side, he immediately issued an arrest order.

Subsequently, the Crown Prince was summoned to discuss the case.

For a time, chaos reigned in the capital, and people were filled with fear and unease.

By dawn, Mao Xiang had entered the palace to report back. Guo Huan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, and his subordinates had all been imprisoned and handed over to the presiding judge, Wu Yong, for severe interrogation.

In addition, Li Yu, Zhao Quande, and other officials involved in the case will be arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and then escorted from Beiping to Yingtian Prefecture for trial.

Once inside the palace, only Zhu Biao remained. Zhu Yuanzhang leaned against the dragon throne and recounted the considerations of his beloved grandson Zhu Xiong Ying from the previous day, focusing on the key points.

"What our eldest grandson said is exactly what's in the bag; it's worth a try later!"

"The key now is to use Guo Huan to expose all these two-faced people in the court, recover the stolen grain, and replenish the national treasury!"

"As for those Jiangnan gentry, for so many years, relying on their control of our Great Ming's purse strings, they have dared to become even more audacious, colluding with each other. In the end, we will make them bleed, kill one of them, and let them know what the law is..."

"These matters, besides the overt investigation by the Imperial Censor and the covert investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, should also, as Grandson suggests, be addressed by mobilizing the people to report them. In overall management, Biao'er, you will assist in supervising this!"

Before the throne, Zhu Biao listened intently, his demeanor unlike his usual benevolent and amiable self. His face was calm and solemn as he bowed and said, "Father, rest assured, your son will certainly handle it well!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was greatly pleased and nodded, saying, "You were in charge of the blank seal case and the Hu Weiyong case a few years ago, Biao'er. We trust you!"

These words had just been spoken.

A familiar shout came from outside the palace gate.

"Grandpa! I knew you hadn't eaten breakfast, so I waited until the imperial kitchen had prepared it and brought you vegetarian buns and eggs..."

Zhu Xiong Ying carried a schoolbag embroidered with an orange cat, which was sewn by Empress Ma herself. She also carried a food box in her hand. As soon as she stepped in, she saw Old Zhu and Little Zhu.

He quickly bowed and said, "Grandson greets His Majesty!"

"Oh, Dad, you're here too..."

Seeing his eldest son's sneaky appearance, Zhu Biao looked helpless.

What kind of talk is that, U.A.?

Old Zhu ignored all that. Seeing his grandson arrive, his mood instantly brightened, and he exclaimed happily, "Our grandson really knows how to care for us! He even brought us breakfast!"

"Didn't our eldest grandson eat either?"

Zhu Xiong Ying put down the food box, took out a variety of food items, and said, "Yes, grandson wanted to eat with Grandfather!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, peeled an egg, and was about to feed it to his grandson.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Xiong Ying was even faster and had already peeled one.

"Grandpa, please eat!"

"We're not hungry, Grandson, eat while it's hot, it'll help you with your studies!"

Not far away, Zhu Biao watched the grandfather and grandson pushing each other back and forth, a scene of grandfatherly love and grandsonly filial piety.

He stood there all alone, like an outsider.

He couldn't help but wonder if he had picked her up outside Jiqing City back then.

The next instant, a figure appeared in front of them.

"Dad, have a chicken too!"