The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

September 18th, the 18th year of the Hongwu reign.

At the beginning of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), before dawn.

The bells and drums at the Meridian Gate resounded, and the four gates of the Imperial City were wide open.

Looking around, civil and military officials, led by meritorious ministers such as Xu Da, lined up according to their ranks, and then passed through Fengtian Gate to the foot of the steps of Fengtian Hall, where they stood in their respective places of worship.

The Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Zhan Hui, and others inspected various places, strictly prohibiting whispering, disorderly conduct, and noise!

The royal family was equally large.

Led by Crown Prince Zhu Biao, they entered through the Donghua Gate, passed through the Wenhua Hall, and went straight to the Fengtian Hall.

Guided by the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, Zhu Biao, dressed in court attire, stood facing west to the east of the throne, as the head of the imperial clan!

Behind him stood his younger brothers who had not yet taken up their fiefdoms: the eighth prince Zhu Zi, the tenth prince Zhu Tan, the eleventh prince Zhu Chun, the twelfth prince Zhu Bai, the thirteenth prince Zhu Gui, and the fourteenth prince Zhu Yan.

Next came the imperial grandsons.

As the eldest son of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying naturally stood at the head of the group, also facing west.

Following them stood Zhu Jixi, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Yuntong, Zhu Youdun, Zhu Shangbing, Zhu Xianting, and others.

At 3:45 AM, the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau reported to Crown Prince Zhu Biao, "The auspicious time has arrived!"

Then, at the Crown Prince's signal, the master of ceremonies loudly proclaimed "Greetings!" and the Zhonghe Shaoyue music played "The Song of Saint An".

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, riding in his imperial palanquin and surrounded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Imperial Guards, arrived at Fengtian Hall and ascended the throne.

clap clap clap!

At the sound of the whip cracking, the hall and its surroundings fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop.

"Bowing! Paying respects! Rising!"

With the master of ceremonies chanting in response, the grand music of the imperial steps played "Long Live the Emperor".

All the civil and military officials, as well as all the sons and grandsons of the emperor, immediately performed four bows and shouted "Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and said, "Rise!"

The ceremony concluded and music began.

"Enter the form!"

The next part of the ceremony involved reading the congratulatory message aloud to the public.

This memorial, a joint birthday greeting from all the officials, was mainly filled with flattery, praising Emperor Zhu's achievements in establishing the dynasty and bringing peace and prosperity to the people!

Furthermore, I wish His Majesty good health and a long life!

Zhu Xiong Ying had experienced this situation in the past two years, and naturally, she remained calm and composed.

Looking to the side, I saw that my younger brother Zhu Jixi and several others seemed rather nervous.

He was busy, but his eyes encouraged him.

Only his cousin Zhu Gaochi, though also sweating a bit, performed the greetings meticulously and without any mistakes!

This performance alone demonstrates the demeanor of a great general!

After the court officials finished reading the congratulatory message.

Then it was the turn of the imperial family members to congratulate Zhu Yuanzhang!

Looking at his descendants, Zhu Yuanzhang's serious face softened with a slight smile, and he summoned them one by one to ask them questions.

After all the congratulatory gifts and memorials from various places have been presented.

The imperial edict was read aloud by the official in charge of issuing the edict.

The emperor then proclaimed: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, with my meager virtue and the blessings of Heaven, Earth, and my ancestors, have ascended the throne for eighteen years. Today, on the occasion of your birthday, all officials, members of the imperial family, and subjects of the realm offer their heartfelt congratulations. I am delighted. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon all officials a banquet at Fengtian Gate..."

The main meaning is nothing more than granting a general amnesty and celebrating universally!

……

Kunning Palace.

Just after the grand court ceremony concluded, Empress Ma was also receiving congratulations from the inner court ladies.

Just as the ceremony concluded, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, along with all the princes and grandsons, arrived to pay their respects.

As a mother and grandmother, Empress Ma had no airs whatsoever; she was always full of love and affection for her children and grandchildren.

Especially when it came to the grandson of the emperor who had just arrived in the capital, she repeatedly instructed him, "Are you settling in well in the capital?" and "If you need anything, just tell your grandmother..."

When discussing her beloved grandson Zhu Xiong Ying, Empress Ma made no attempt to conceal her favoritism, pulling him directly to her side. She then looked at her other grandsons, including Zhu Gao Chi, and praised, "Your eldest grandson has taken excellent care of his younger brothers these past few days. Your imperial grandfather, and I, have both witnessed it!"

"And with you, their eldest brother, around, Xi'er and Chi'er won't be shy..."

"After the festival, we'll be in the capital. I'll need you, my elder brother, to supervise my studies and other matters..."

Empress Ma had good intentions, hoping that her eldest grandson could unite his brothers, become a role model for the emperor, and establish prestige.

Zhu Xiong Ying hurriedly replied, "Grandmother, you flatter me. Protecting my brothers is simply my duty."

"As for his studies, he will continue to attend the same school, and his grandson will certainly provide proper guidance..."

"In addition, for health reasons, my grandson told his father that in a few days, he will arrange for the Imperial Hospital to vaccinate his younger brothers with smallpox vaccine as well..."

Seeing that her eldest grandson had considered things carefully, Empress Ma's eyes reddened, and she nodded repeatedly, saying, "Your child has been intelligent since childhood, and you handled this extremely well. Now that you've done this, your grandmother is at ease!"

Several feet away.

The thirteenth prince, Zhu Gui, stared intently at everything, his eyes gleaming with a peculiar light.

Even at her seat, Consort Guo's expression was somewhat unusual...

By afternoon.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang held a banquet for his officials.

He then went with Empress Ma to the Qianqing Palace for a family banquet.

Fifteen minutes later, everyone waiting there immediately stood up, bowed, and offered their congratulations on the birthday.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the central throne, while Empress Ma sat on the phoenix throne.

On the east side, Zhu Biao was the head, and the other princes in the capital were arranged in order of age.

On the west side seated were the emperor's eldest grandson, Zhu Xiong Ying, and his grandsons Zhu Ji Xi, Zhu Yun Wen, Zhu Gao Chi, and Zhu Yun Tong.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked around, smiled, and raised his hand, saying, "Today is our family banquet, so there aren't so many court etiquette rules. I know many of you have been hungry all day and didn't eat your fill at the palace banquet earlier. Now, just eat and drink to your heart's content, no need to stand on ceremony!"

At this point, Old Zhu specifically glanced at his grandsons Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Gaochi.

These two grandsons are usually very polite and well-mannered, which is a good thing!

However, he still preferred his eldest grandson to be like that—eating and drinking heartily, without holding back!

"Your Majesty, I thank you!"

"Grandson thanks His Majesty!"

After thanking everyone and taking their seats, soft music began, and the family dinner officially started.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Suddenly, Zhu Xiong Ying stood up, her voice clear and her eyes earnest, and said, "Grandpa Emperor, Grandmother Emperor!"

"Today, I saw that my father and my uncles all presented birthday gifts to my grandfather!"

"I, your grandson, would also like to join in the fun, and have prepared a few small items. Together with all the elders, I wish my imperial grandfather and grandmother good health and long life!"

A word from me.

This piqued the curiosity of not only Emperor Zhu and Empress Ma, but also Crown Prince Zhu Biao and all the princes and grandsons.

In recent months, with the Embroidered Uniform Guard around, Zhu Yuanzhang had already been aware of some of his grandson's movements.

However, the details were not questioned in detail.

"What gift did your grandson prepare for us?"

As soon as Old Zhu finished speaking, Zhu Xiong Ying clapped his hands.

Lai Shun and Lai Fu carried a small box inside and gently placed it on the ground.

He opened it and saw two pillows. He said softly, "This first one is a health-preserving medicinal pillow that my grandson specially made for you..."