Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Zhu Yunhuan went to court early, and Xu Miaojin slept until she woke up naturally, then got up to wash and have breakfast. Fortunately, she did not have any severe morning sickness and her appetite was much better.

A maid stepped forward and said softly, "Your Highness, Concubine Ning is here."

Xu Miaojin immediately stood up and prepared to greet her. Then Concubine Ning's laughter came, "Miaojin, there's no need to pick me up. Just don't blame me for being rude."

Xu Miaojin said coquettishly, "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? I am a junior, and I have always received your love and care before and after entering the palace. I can't thank you enough."

This was just a polite remark. Before Xu Miaojing entered the palace, she had basically never seen Concubine Guo Ning. After all, when she was born, Concubine Guo Ning was already the emperor's favorite concubine.

Concubine Guo Ning looked carefully at Xu Miaojin's meal and nodded with satisfaction.

During this period, she often came to the East Palace, and naturally she wanted to observe Xu Miaojin's situation. She wanted to ask about her daily life and everything else.

This was naturally what Zhu Yuanzhang meant. It was not easy for Zhu Yuanzhang to come over or ask Xu Miaojin, so he could only let Concubine Guo Ning come over to take a look and ask.

As for Zhu Yuanzhang, he would certainly ask Zhu Yunhuan a lot of questions, but sometimes he was worried about his unreliable grandson, thinking that Zhu Yunhuan would easily exaggerate and only report good news but not bad news.

"The aunts and sisters will come over soon." Xu Miaojin held Concubine Guo Ning's hand and said affectionately, "Your Highness used to complain that your aunt didn't come back easily after getting married, but now he blames the sisters."

Concubine Guo Ning naturally knew some of Zhu Yunxun's situation, and said jokingly with a smile, "Your Majesty has the same temperament. He feels annoyed when his family is around, and misses them when he can't see them. The Crown Prince has a special relationship with the two princesses, and Your Highness was raised by the princesses."

Many people know this, especially in the imperial palace. Even now there are rumors that the former crown prince used to favor the current crown prince.

But many people who remember some things know that when the former crown prince was alive, he openly disliked the current crown prince the most. Many people even think that the crown prince grew up well because of the care of Crown Princess Lu.

Concubine Guo Ning lowered her voice and said, "Your Majesty often complains that the two princesses are not smart enough and fail to help the Crown Prince. Look, despite his complaints over the years, his Majesty has continued to reward them. Isn't it because he thinks the princesses are not capable enough? After all, they have taken care of the Crown Prince for many years!"

Xu Miaojin also nodded and said, "I have always respected my sisters and aunts."

Concubine Guo Ning smiled and said, "You should be more respectful to your aunt. She helped Yunhuan a lot during the one year or so she was in the Eastern Palace. The Eastern Palace was in chaos at that time, and it was your aunt who helped to manage it."

Xu Miaojin also understood that the crown prince's two sisters were unreliable and not capable enough, so it was the widowed Princess Anqing who was in charge of the Eastern Palace and made the palace behave properly.

This is also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang did not let his youngest daughter move out of the Eastern Palace even though it seemed against the etiquette. It was because the Eastern Palace at that time really needed to have rules.

"Your Majesty and Your Highness are both nostalgic people, and they always remember what the princess did." Concubine Guo Ning continued, "Look at Your Highness, you have many cousins, which one does Your Highness like?"

Xu Miaojin naturally knew more about this. Her husband's favorite cousin was indeed the little girl from her aunt's family.

The chubby Wang Ruyi was the apple of the emperor's eye. She seemed even more unruly than Princess Anqing, but the emperor and the grandson loved her.

As for Princess Anqing's husband, Wang Ji, even though he was the descendant of a meritorious official, he had no talent. But now he was idle in the Five Military Commandery, traveling around and no one said anything, and he was not allowed to fight in battle.

"Your Highness has arranged a lot of people in Taicang. Do you want the Guo family to contribute?" After Concubine Guo Ning and Xu Miaojin finished chatting about family matters, she immediately started talking about business. "The Guo family still has some people."

Even though Guo Ying and Guo Zhen are now leading troops outside, it seems that there is no one in charge of the Wuding Marquis Mansion, but that is only on the surface.

Although Concubine Guo Ning was married, she was still able to take charge of the affairs of the Marquis Wuding's Mansion.

Xu Miaojin thought about it carefully and said, "Your Highness has said something before, but this is the first time to go out to sea, and Your Highness does not want more nobles to participate."

Some things are just like this, and the actual situation is just like this. If you put on airs and act like a joke, there are actually some benefits, but if you lower your posture, it will be a bit embarrassing.

Even though there were many uncertainties in this first voyage, if one wanted to board the ship of Zhu Yunhuan, the Crown Prince, then one would definitely have to pay some price.

Concubine Guo Ning obviously understood this and continued, "Your Highness, my brother and nephew have always been close to Your Highness, and they should serve Your Highness."

There is nothing wrong with saying this. Guo Ying was Zhu Yuanzhang's confidant, and Guo Zhen actually did a lot for Zhu Yunhuan.

Among the nobles, Marquis Wuding was closer to Zhu Yunhuan. Many people saw these things and knew what was going on.

Xu Miaojin thought for a moment before she relaxed a little, "I will go and persuade His Highness about this matter. His Highness is now thinking about getting close to others. You are naturally one of our family members, so His Highness will surely be able to help you."

Hearing Xu Miaojin say this, Concubine Guo Ning naturally breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, Concubine Guo Ning was also very clear about many things. Although Xu Miaojin acted like she was showing off, many people knew about this matter, which was the so-called "stepping stone".

Spending some money and resources to become the confidant of the Crown Prince is not difficult for many dignitaries to make such choices. Only in the center of power can one get better development.

Especially since the crown prince holds great power, it naturally means more opportunities.

Xu Miaojin and Concubine Guo Ning were chatting about family matters when a palace maid came to report that Princess Anqing and others had entered the palace.

"Cousin." Princess Anqing teased her daughter and said, "Call someone quickly."

This little girl didn't give face to Zhu Yunhuan, nor did she give face to Xu Miaojin. She turned around and lay on her mother's body, with her chubby little face pressed against her shoulder, pretending to ignore everyone.

Princess Ningguo joked, "You are the only one who has many ideas, but I think my niece is the most sincere."

Princess Anqing was not angry either, and said proudly, "My daughter is lucky to have her brother to take care of her. Look at Shunchang, he always nags Yunhu every time he sees him." Princess Ningguo was a little depressed. Her sons were polite and learned, which was of course a good thing. But as for her nephews, she preferred some more noisy and lively brothers.

Xu Miaojin tried to smooth things over and said, "Aunt, His Highness still values ​​Shunchang. Of all the royal family members who are heading north, only Shunchang can follow Brother Gao Chi and Youdun to guard the Beiping Pass."

"Brother Gao Chi?" Princess Ningguo continued to tease, "Yun Hun always addressed Prince Wulin by his first name when he saw him, and the same was true when he met Ji Hun and the others. Gao Chi is just a few months older than Yun Hun, but he never calls him brother."

Several princes' sons grew up and studied in Yingtian Prefecture, so Princess Anqing naturally knew them all.

However, it can be heard from the way they address him that people are now being particularly "avoiding suspicion" towards Zhu Yunwen, and he is only referred to by the title of prince.

Xu Miaojin couldn't get the conversation started. Zhu Yunhuan didn't care about those things, but Xu Miaojin couldn't help but care. He was one day older, but he was still her elder brother. Zhu Yunhuan could talk casually, but that didn't mean Xu Miaojin could call him casually.

After joking, Xu Miaojin also spoke up, "I was too embarrassed to speak up at first, but I was so bold in front of my family."

In fact, Princess Anqing and the others also found it a bit strange. Why was he summoned out of nowhere? It would be fine if it was just one or two people, but basically everyone who was close to Zhu Yunhuan was summoned, which was a problem.

Let's not talk about anything else, just say that Xu Miaojin's sister-in-law Xu Li is now sitting quietly on the side with a very low sense of presence, and she doesn't look down on others just because she is the wife of Duke Wei and the sister-in-law of the Crown Prince's Consort.

There is nothing that can be done about it. Xu Li's identity is naturally the focus in other places and is sought after by others, but in front of this group of people, it is still slightly inferior.

"Your Highness has already used a lot of money to subsidize the navy in the past few years. Others may not know, but the two sisters know it." Xu Miaojin said, "Although the court has contributed a lot of money, the Crown Prince used the last bit of the East Palace's family assets to fill the gap a few days ago."

Zhu Yourong and Zhu Youling looked at each other. They couldn't help but feel a little worried. Although they didn't pay much attention to some things, it didn't mean they knew nothing about them.

For example, they knew what Xu Miaojin had just said. They also knew that Zhu Yunhuan attached great importance to the navy and that it must have cost a lot of money.

However, Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing were not so easily fooled. Zhu Yunhuan's shipbuilding was no secret. Even if they did not pay attention to state affairs, they knew something about it.

But the money was taken from the national treasury, and the money for shipbuilding was paid by the Five Military Commission, the Ministry of Revenue, etc. Even the Ministry of Works was pressured to provide manpower and money. There was no reason for Zhu Yunhuan, the crown prince, to pay for it out of his own pocket.

However, there is no need to say it out loud just to appear smart. After all, Xu Miaojin is the Crown Prince's Consort, and she should be given face when due.

Everyone knew what Xu Miaojin was saying now. In fact, Zhu Yunhuan was just hiding in the background and not coming out, or he was not in a position to speak to her face because of his inappropriate status.

Xu Miaojin smiled and said, "The gap is still a bit large now. If the elders have some money in their homes, they can help a little."

As soon as Xu Miaojin finished speaking, Xu Lishi spoke up, "Your Highness, how much is needed? I will go back right away. The Duke of Wei's Mansion has been blessed by the Emperor for generations, so we will naturally help your Highness."

If it were other matters, Xu Li might not necessarily step forward, especially when it came to matters involving state affairs, she would be absolutely cautious in her words and actions, which was also the style of the Duke of Wei's lineage.

But this time was different. Before Xu Huizu went to the battle, he repeatedly reminded them that if anything happened, they must help the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.

Xu Li naturally understood that her sister-in-law might be the Crown Prince's Consort, so maybe she would be able to see her little nephew by the end of the year. He would be the great-grandson of the Emperor and the future crown prince of the Ming Dynasty!
Zhu Yourong also spoke up, "Miao Jin, don't go looking for anyone else for this matter. Youling and I still have some pocket money."

Princess Anqing thought it was funny that her two nieces were "stupid", so they really thought that Zhu Yunhuan was in trouble and thought of using all their private money to subsidize him, probably thinking that this should be enough. They rushed to him worried that Zhu Yunhuan would "lose face", and how could the crown prince borrow money for his subjects.

Everyone understood Xu Li's motives, and they were definitely going to help Xu Miaojin. Just like the Prince of Kaiping, when Zhu Yunhuan gave a call, the Chang family members immediately stood shoulder to shoulder without hesitation.

"Okay." Princess Ningguo spoke first, saying, "Yunhuan and Miaojin know the limits of this matter. If you think it's appropriate, Miaojin will tell you the price. If you don't want to, just go back first and keep your mouth shut."

Things have come to this point. If I choose to leave now, it would obviously be a very stupid choice.

What's more, it is very clear at a glance that those who were called over were all Zhu Yunhuan's close friends and could be considered his confidants.

This is either because they are in trouble and really need help, or because they are just thinking about their own family members.

"Then I, your Highness, would like to thank you all on behalf of your Highness." Xu Miaojin thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness means that if the mansion is still well-off and has some surplus, it would be best if we could get 5,000 taels of silver."

Zhu Yourong asked worriedly, "With 5,000 taels per family, how much can you do?"

"Sister, five thousand taels is not a small amount." Xu Miaojin said with a smile, "Some people want to take five thousand taels, but His Highness won't allow it. It's such a small plate, we can't let our family members take it all."

Zhu Yourong realized it a little late. Why did his sister-in-law say that someone else was thinking of sending money? Or even if she wanted to send more money, he would not take more?

Xu Lishi asked, "Your Highness, should I have someone send the silver to the East Palace, or should I have an official?"

Xu Miaojin said, "It should be Xia Yuanji, the Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace, who should have taken the imperial edict."

Xu Li understood, "Then I will go back and prepare it. Your Highness has sent someone over. Just take out the silver."

Five thousand taels is not too much for these people, but it is not too little either. With a little preparation, they can still get it.

It's not that difficult to do. Even if I give five thousand taels to the Crown Prince for free, it's fine. As long as I can be recognized by His Highness as a confidant and reliable, then it's naturally worth it.

Zhu Yunhuan didn't care about the things in the East Palace, just wait and see the results. First, arrange some things and integrate some resources in hand to maximize their effectiveness, that's enough! (End of this chapter)