"I heard General Zhu and the Huai West commanders never got along, and that Huai West had repeatedly targeted General Zhu. Is that true? Did these Huai West commanders come to apologize to General Zhu?"
"You can't call him General Zhu anymore. Didn't you see the plaque on this residence?"
"He's a Prince now—the Prince of Yuhuai."
"General Zhu is His Majesty's own grandson, the former Imperial Eldest Grandson."
"Yes, yes, I was still calling him General Zhu out of habit. I nearly forgot."
"Things are different now. The Imperial Eldest Grandson is of such noble status—how would these Huai Xi Aristocracy dare provoke him?"
"This act of carrying brambles to plead guilty is their explanation to the Imperial Eldest Grandson."
"..."
Before the Prince's residence.
Many commoners were discussing the matter.
The people living in Yingtian's inner city were naturally exceptionally well-informed. They knew quite a bit about the past between Huai West and Zhu Ying, as well as the Huai Xi Aristocracy.
When Zhu Ying emerged from the Prince's residence,
he was slightly taken aback as he looked at the Huai West commanders kneeling below, surprise showing on his face.
And when they saw Zhu Ying,
they did not hesitate in the slightest.
They immediately spoke in unison. "We offended the Imperial Eldest Grandson in the past. We beg the Imperial Eldest Grandson for forgiveness."
"Today, we submit ourselves to whatever punishment or scolding the Imperial Eldest Grandson sees fit. This subject will bear no resentment."
"We beg the Imperial Eldest Grandson to punish us."
At that moment,
those overbearing and arrogant Huai West commanders all lowered their heads and humbly begged Zhu Ying for forgiveness.
It was clear enough
that Zhu Ying's status was not merely a deterrent to the Huai West commanders—it was also their chance