The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

On this New Year's Eve.

Empress Ma's words were intended to admonish her descendants to guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and to never forget the hardships of founding the Ming Dynasty!

Even on ordinary days, as the mother of the nation, she sets an example by being diligent and thrifty in managing her household!

The princes and grandsons at the banquet were mostly born in the deep palace and raised in luxury; how could they have ever experienced hunger and hardship?

At the end of last year, I learned of the illegal activities committed by my second son, Zhu Shuang, and others.

Empress Ma was furious and decided to teach him a lesson.

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, the eldest grandson of the emperor Zhu Xiong Ying, and others bowed in agreement.

After everyone was seated, Zhu Xiong Ying hesitated for a moment, then bowed again and said, "I will never forget the teachings of my Imperial Grandmother!"

"Grandson also knows that his imperial grandfather established this great Ming dynasty so that the people of the world would not go hungry or be bullied..."

"Grandson will certainly study hard and acquire skills so that he can share the burdens of his Imperial Grandfather in the future!"

His words struck a chord with Zhu Yuanzhang.

He laughed heartily, full of praise, and said, "Our eldest grandson is right! You should all learn from him!"

"Only in this way can our country be entrusted to someone!"

Seeing that the tofu soup was getting cold, Empress Ma quickly interrupted, saying, "Alright, Xiong Ying has done a lot of things that benefit the country and its people this year. Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and your royal grandfather will be giving you many rewards!"

"Let's drink the soup while it's hot today!"

Empress Ma has spoken, and even Emperor Zhu has to obey.

When the eunuch brought the spoons, Empress Ma personally served a large bowl to her children and grandchildren.

After the family dinner.

Instead of leaving, everyone stayed in the warm pavilion to keep Old Zhu and Empress Ma company on New Year's Eve.

Feeling a bit tired from sitting, Zhu Xiong Ying leaned against his grandmother's arm and took a short nap.

I don't know how much time had passed, but then I heard Sanbao's soft call from beside me.

"Your Highness, wake up, wake up!"

Zhu Xiong Ying opened his eyes and woke up. Turning his head, he saw in the candlelight that he was lying in the side hall on the small bed that Old Zhu usually used to rest, covered with a quilt.

It was obvious that the Empress Dowager saw that he was sleepy and ordered the palace servants to bring him over.

"What time is it?"

Meanwhile, he yawned and asked.

Sanbao bowed and said, "Your Highness, it is just past the last quarter of midnight! In half an hour, I must accompany His Majesty and the Crown Prince to perform the audience ceremony in the inner court!"

"Then she changed into her imperial robes and prepared to attend the grand court assembly..."

Sanbao had been in the palace for less than a year, but he knew the court etiquette by heart, even better than his personal eunuchs such as Laishun and Laifu.

That said, the first day of the Lunar New Year is always the busiest time of the year.

Even the entire first month of the lunar calendar is packed with activity!

As the emperor's eldest grandson, he was bound to participate in most ceremonial events!

It was getting late.

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly got up, washed up, and changed her clothes.

Once Biao'er's father is found, he will meet with the other princes and grandsons who are waiting.

After waiting for about an incense stick's time, Old Zhu, dressed in casual clothes, strode over.

Then, they went together to Fengxian Hall, which is the location of the inner court ancestral temple, to pay homage to the ancestral tablets of the Zhu family.

After this matter was concluded, upon returning to the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Biao, Zhu Xiong Ying, and others paid New Year's greetings to Emperor Zhu and Empress Ma in turn.

As for outside the Meridian Gate.

The dukes, marquises, nobles, civil and military officials, and envoys from foreign vassal states had already lined up and were waiting for a long time.

Zhu Xiong Ying, along with other descendants of the Zhu family, were led to a side hall of the Fengtian Hall after changing into their ceremonial robes.

When the hour of Yin arrives.

At the Meridian Gate, the Imperial Guards beat the drums three times.

At the sound of a drum, the court officials entered through the side gates on the left and right, and proceeded to the foot of the steps of the Fengtian Hall.

The second drumbeat signaled that the officials in charge, each performing their duties, checked that all aspects of the ceremony were in order...

When Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in his imperial robes, arrived at the Fengtian Hall in his palanquin and ascended the throne...

The annual New Year's Day Grand Assembly has officially begun!

First, the officials performed four bows, followed by the presentation of memorials, the reading of memorials, and New Year's greetings, all in prayer for peace and prosperity for the country.

After that, it was the turn of the royal family to offer their congratulations.

Zhu Biao, representing the princes, expressed his congratulations.

After Biao'er's father withdrew, Zhu Xiong Ying, representing all the imperial grandsons, slowly stepped forward without fear and bowed, saying, "Grandson congratulates His Majesty on the New Year. May His Majesty enjoy good health, live a long and prosperous life, and may the Ming Dynasty be forever secure, with peace throughout the land, tribute from all directions, and the people living in peace and happiness..."

He said a lot of flattering things.

Only after the congratulatory remarks were finished did they bow and return to their original positions, their movements were orderly and their etiquette was impeccable throughout.

Xu Da and other court officials read it.

Seeing his demeanor, everyone nodded in admiration.

After the outer court's congratulations concluded, the empress's congratulations continued.

At 9:00 AM, a banquet was held in the Huagai Hall.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty personally attended the event, and all officials and envoys from vassal states were seated according to their rank.

Looking around, Zhu Xiong Ying was the only grandson of the emperor who could serve him at his side!

Therefore, Marquis Yongchang Lan Yu, Duke Zheng Chang Mao, and many other nobles from Huaixi all stood tall, sharing both honor and disgrace!

It was already late afternoon (酉时).

Another banquet was held in the Qianqing Palace.

However, today, not only members of the imperial family are present, but also founding fathers such as Xu Da, Tang He, Chang Mao, and Lan Yu, or their relatives.

Every year around this time, Old Zhu liked to summon all his old comrades-in-arms and relatives to the palace to drink, boast, and reminisce...

That night.

Zhu Yuanzhang got completely drunk and didn't go anywhere else. Instead, he returned to Kunning Palace with the help of his grandson.

Inside the warm pavilion, upon seeing her husband return, Empress Ma hurriedly signaled to the palace maids to bring over the prepared hangover soup.

After serving him the drink, she pulled her beloved grandson aside and exclaimed, "Every year on the first and eighth of the lunar calendar, you get this drunk! It's all thanks to Xiong Ying who helped you back to your senses!"

"And as U.A. always says, one should take care of one's health!"

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't take it to heart, rubbing his beard and laughing, "Please forgive me, sister, we were just in a good mood today, so we drank a bit too much with Tiande and the others!"

"You have no idea, at the grand court assembly, watching the entire court offer congratulations, watching the vassal states from all directions pay tribute! I always think back to my days in Haozhou! Back then, I was just a hungry monk, with nothing but my life!"

"Our present peace is not solely due to our own abilities, but also to the sacrifices of our old brothers Tiande, Dingchen, and Wang Zhi, who risked their lives alongside us! From Haozhou to Jiqing, from the Battle of Poyang Lake to driving out the Yuan Emperor, we faced countless life-or-death situations before achieving this tranquility!"

Privately, Lao Zhu is a sentimental person.

As he talked, his throat became a little hoarse.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, "As my elder sister said, these people are all pillars of the Ming Dynasty and also close relatives of the Zhu family. We must not neglect any of them!"

"But as the emperor, there is a distinction between ruler and subject..."

Then, she turned to look at her eldest grandson.

Old Zhu said, "Grandson, we have something for you to do!"

"During this first month of the lunar calendar, you will visit each household on behalf of your grandfather, offer New Year's greetings, and convey their best wishes!"

As soon as he heard it was a visit, he knew exactly what that was all about!

Zhu Xiong Ying was overjoyed and replied, "Your grandson will obey Your Majesty's decree! You can rest assured, your grandson will certainly not be impolite!"