The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

On the way back, at Zhu Xiong Ying's instruction, the four brothers rode in the same carriage towards the imperial city.

As for the birthday gifts that his fourth uncle gave to Old Zhu, after the Ministry of Rites had counted them, they were then escorted back to the city.

At the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), as soon as he entered the palace gate, he encountered the eunuch sent by Kunning Palace!

He ordered his attendants to first relay the message to Emperor Zhu and Empress Ma.

Zhu Xiong Ying was not in a hurry. He brought his cousin Zhu Gao Chi, along with his two little followers Zhu Yun Wen and Zhu Yun Tong.

As they continued their journey, the officials began to describe the sights and sounds of the palace.

Looking around, Zhu Gaochi gradually regained some familiar memories, and he found himself talking more.

With Kunning Palace in sight, Zhu Xiong Ying put his arm around his younger cousin and said with a smile, "Fourth brother, from now on, treat the palace like home. Study and practice martial arts with us, don't be shy!"

"With my brothers Yunwen and Yunhu around on weekdays, I'm never bored or lonely!"

Zhu Gaochi felt both warmed and moved. He quickly shifted his plump body and forced a bow, saying, "Brother thanks you for your guidance, elder brother!"

"When we were in Beiping, Father said that my eldest brother was a good grandson of the Emperor and a role model for all of us brothers! After I come to the capital, I will definitely learn from my eldest brother and obey his orders in everything."

His fourth uncle has such good taste.

He's determined to take his fourth brother, Zhu Gaochi, as his follower!

"Okay, okay!"

A quarter of an hour later, inside the Kunning Palace.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty was sitting on his imperial couch, reading through memorials and talking to his wife.

Speaking of the grandsons from various vassal states, they are arriving in the capital one after another.

Old Zhu's wrinkles around his eyes have smoothed out, the gloom on his face has dissipated, and he is now filled with laughter!

Since the beginning of autumn, Empress Ma has not had a moment's rest.

Every day, they are either busy sewing shoe soles or knitting winter clothes!

To the left and right, the other grandchildren, whom I haven't seen for a long time!

How could she, as the grandmother, not love him dearly?

How could one not make a pair of shoes or a piece of clothing by hand?

"Reporting to His Majesty and Empress! The eldest grandson and several princes have arrived!"

A eunuch, holding a whisk, rushed in.

Just as the words were spoken, a shout rang out from the palace gate.

"Grandpa, Grandma, your grandson has brought my fourth brother, Gao Chi, back!"

Seeing that his elder brother Zhu Xiong Ying had entered the hall in a hurry without prior notice, he was shocked.

Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but sigh, his elder brother was truly too brave!

What surprised him even more was the attitude of his two closest relatives.

Yet they were incredibly kind, showing no sign of blame whatsoever.

The next moment, Old Zhu smiled and waved, saying, "Our grandson is back! Where's Gao Chi? Come over here and let us see him!"

Empress Ma put down her needlework, her face full of affection, and said, "Is this Gao Chi? He's grown so much!"

"Grandma remembers, when you left Beijing, you cried in my arms. Now, I'm afraid Grandma can't carry you anymore!"

"Grandson greets His Majesty and His Majesty!"

"Grandson greets His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Emperor!"

When Zhu Xiong Ying and Zhu Gao Chi arrived, Zhu Yun Wen and Zhu Yun Tong also surrounded them.

After chatting for a while, Empress Ma pulled her eldest grandson to sit beside her, then rubbed her fourth grandson's chubby little face, and asked with concern, "Good boy, you're so handsome, just like your father when he was little. Did you get seasick on the boat trip?"

Zhu Gaochi replied, "Reporting to Grandmother, I am doing well. I was well taken care of by the Chief Secretary and the Imperial Envoy on the journey and did not suffer any hardship!"

"My father and mother are stationed in Beiping, thinking of my grandfather and grandmother day and night. They ask their grandson to convey their greetings to you!"

"Mother also specially sent some woolen yarn and leather from Beiping so that you can make a warm coat for winter."

"Furthermore, my grandson's trip to the capital this time is on my parents' orders, to offer birthday greetings to my Imperial Grandfather!"

Thinking of his fourth son, who had been enfeoffed, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a pang of longing and laughed heartily, saying, "Fourth son, you've been very thoughtful. You've worked tirelessly these past years, holding off the Tartars in Beiping! And you're quite sensible too. Let your imperial grandfather test you again—have you fallen behind in your studies these past years?"

When asked questions by his elders, Zhu Gaochi appeared refined and answered them in detail.

After listening, Zhu Yuanzhang and his wife exchanged a glance, then he looked at his eldest grandson beside him and praised, "Although our Chi'er's knowledge is not as good as our eldest grandson's, it is still quite remarkable for his age!"

"Yunwen, Yunhuo, you two should learn from him!"

"Yes, Grandfather!"

Zhu Xiong Ying watched this scene and sighed to himself: Look at our fourth brother, he's really a good prospect! In the future, he and our fourth uncle will work together, one in literature and the other in martial arts, to protect our Ming Dynasty!

Glug glug!

I felt a little hungry, knowing that my younger brothers hadn't eaten much all morning.

Zhu Xiong Ying shook Empress Ma's arm, reminding her, "Grandmother, my cousin Gao Chi is here today. Did the imperial kitchen prepare anything delicious? We grandchildren are starving!"

Empress Ma was delighted upon hearing this and glanced at him, saying, "Don't worry, your imperial grandfather knows you're going out to pick up Gao Chi today and will be back late, so he had the imperial kitchen prepare the dishes in advance!"

"Someone, hurry and prepare the meal!"

Soon, all the dishes were served.

I know that my grandchildren are having dinner in the palace today.

It was obvious to the naked eye that Old Zhu was unusually generous this time!

Two chickens were specially slaughtered by the imperial kitchen, along with mutton, fish, and other meats.

Inside the palace, under Empress Ma's doting care, Zhu Xiong Ying was given special meals every day, so he didn't really lack for meat and fish.

He caught sight of a few chicken legs and quickly gave them to his grandparents and three younger brothers.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Yunwen, Yunhuo, Gaochi, you all need to eat more!"

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He then placed the chicken leg on his plate and handed it to his beloved grandson, saying with a smile, "These past few days, we haven't been liking anything too greasy. Grandson is at a crucial stage of growth; he needs to eat more meat!"

Gifted by the elders, dare not to give up.

Zhu Xiong Ying had no choice but to gulp it down.

Seeing her grandson Zhu Yunwen eating quickly, Empress Ma handed him her own portion, smiling and saying, "Eat slowly! If it's not enough, Grandmother will have the Imperial Kitchen make some more!"

After the meal.

Zhu Yuanzhang, unusually, paused his official duties and chatted with his grandson about family matters.

During the visit, Zhu Xiong Ying asked his other cousins ​​when they would arrive in Beijing.

When the time comes, I will bring my brothers Yunhu, Gaochi, and others to go out of the city again to welcome them. I must not show favoritism.

According to Old Zhu, the eldest son of the Prince of Jin and the second grandson of the emperor, Zhu Jixi, will arrive the day after tomorrow!

The sixth grandson of the Zhou king, Zhu Youdun, still needs five days to prepare!

Zhu Shangbing, the eldest son and seventh grandson of the King of Qin, was around the same time...

……

In the following days, as his cousins ​​arrived in the capital one after another, Zhu Xiong Ying was extremely busy.

The sons of the various princes who arrived in Beijing, favored by Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, did not reside in the princely residences outside the palace, but instead lived in the west courtyard of the Dabentang and the side courtyard of the Wenhuatang.

On the eve of the Emperor's birthday, all the eldest sons of the vassal kings entered the palace.

The entire imperial city was instantly bustling with activity!