Chapter 178: Should One Sing on a Birthday?

The birthday gift the Crown Prince presented was the Three Treasures of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity carved from fine jade.

Zhu Yuanzhang gave Zhu Biao quite a lot of face.

At the very least, he expressed great joy on the surface.

Lao Zhu had reduced the number of imperial edicts bestowing honors upon his sons, as those who should have been enfeoffed had already been.

Simply showing favor for the birthday gifts sent by his few sons was the greatest reward Lao Zhu could give.

Finally, it was time for the younger generation to take the stage.

Such as Zhu Xiongying, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Gaochi, and so on and so forth.

The items were very simple, yet they appeared more thoughtful than those of everyone else.

Things like hand-copied copies of the Confucian Classic of Poetry.

Soon, all of the younger generation had presented their birthday gifts.

Even Zhu Gaoxu's younger brother, Zhu Gaosui, presented a gourd he had picked himself to wish Zhu Yuanzhang well.

At this moment, only Zhu Gaoxu had not moved.

And everyone's gaze turned toward him.

At this time, even Lao Zhu joined in the fun.

He cast his gaze upon him with a hint of playfulness.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu's little face darkened.

He thought to himself, "Lao Zhu, why are you joining in the fun?"

However, since it had come to this, Zhu Gaoxu was now in a position where he could not back down.

Supported by the gazes of the crowd, Zhu Gaoxu stood up.

Right now, it would not do if he did not actually pull off some kind of performance.

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu said directly to Lao Zhu: "Imperial Grandfather, I have composed a song for you as my birthday gift."

In truth, Zhu Gaoxu had also thought with a mischievous sense of humor.

Singing a "Happy Birthday" song to Lao Zhu would have been enough.

Just imagine that scene; I ask you, which of the civil and military officials in the court wouldn't be dumbfounded?

But Zhu Gaoxu was still afraid of death.

Let's not have a good day arrive tomorrow only for me to kick the bucket today.

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Lao Zhu asked curiously: "I heard others say before that you, kid, are good at writing poetry; today I see you can even compose music. Sing it for me to hear."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded.

Then, under the gaze of everyone, he began.

"I stand in the fierce wind!"

The very first line he sang shocked everyone.

From ancient times to the present, they had never heard a song with this kind of melody.

And the lyrics also sounded quite novel.

But Zhu Gaoxu didn't care what they thought and continued to sing.

"I hate that I cannot~ sweep away the endless heartache!"

"Looking to the heavens~ clouds move in all four directions!"

Listening to the lyrics, Zhu Yuanzhang furrowed his brows slightly; he actually felt a sense of being drawn in.

It was as if what was being sung was the situation of the imperial court; he looked to the heavens seeking help, but only saw the civil and military officials in the court secretly stirring.

And Zhu Gaoxu gave him the answer next.

"With sword in hand, I ask the world, who is the hero!"

Once this line was sung, not only Zhu Yuanzhang, but even the other ministers felt their hearts tremble and their blood surge.

Some of the military generals even subconsciously reached for the sabers at their waists.

Unfortunately, this was Zhu Yuanzhang's evening banquet, and no one was allowed to bring blades inside.

But Zhu Gaoxu turned a blind eye to the reactions of these ministers and continued to sing loudly.

"In this human world, there are a hundred charms and a thousand beauties~ but I only love that one kind of yours!"

"In the place of sorrow, when we part, who is not the same~"

"How many years of love and affection are buried in a hurry~"

After Zhu Gaoxu finished these three lines, Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Huanghou looked at each other for a long time without speaking; Ma Huanghou was already tearful.

The love between Xiang Yu and Consort Yu—how similar it was to the love between Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Huanghou.

Both were heroes of their generation, having met when they were of humble origins.

Regardless of the ending, Ma Huanghou had helped Zhu Yuanzhang even more.

But at this moment, in such a grand scene.

Zhu Gaoxu, who was closest, did not notice it at all.

His mind was entirely on the singing.

After such long suppression, he also needed to let it out.

Just like that, he treated the Fengtian Hall as a KTV.

"In my heart, you are the most important; we share joys and sorrows, life and death; you use your tender affection to carve into my bones, in exchange for my heroic spirit that roams the heavens!"

"In my heart, you are the most important; my tears rush toward the sky; in the next life, I shall still be a hero; returning as the setting sun glows bright!"

After Zhu Gaoxu finished singing these two lines, Zhu Yuanzhang's vision of Ma Huanghou became a bit blurry, and tears began to well up in his eyes as well.

Thinking that Ma Huanghou did not have much time left.

Tears flowed completely from Zhu Yuanzhang.

At this moment, someone noticed this and immediately stopped him from below: "Your Highness Nanyang, quickly cease your voice; His Majesty has lost his imperial composure."

Zhu Gaoxu was singing with great enthusiasm.

He was very dissatisfied at being interrupted.

However, after hearing that person's words, he turned to look and indeed saw that Lao Zhu was already streaming with tears.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu stop, Lao Zhu was clearly very angry; he slapped the Dragon Throne and said: "Sing! Who just spoke up to interrupt? Demote them three ranks!"

That self-important official heard these words, shrank his neck, and was on the verge of tears.

The others also became much more cautious.

The liquor today was potent; having drunk too much, many things were unclear, and it would be disastrous to cause trouble.

And Zhu Gaoxu, hearing Lao Zhu tell him to continue singing, ignored everything else and continued to sing.

"I stand in the fierce wind, wishing I could sweep away the endless heartache."

"Looking at the clouds moving in all directions of the vast sky, with sword in hand, I ask who in the world is a hero..."

Afterwards, Zhu Gaoxu sang it another four or five times.

He had finally vented completely.

After all, even at KTV, one would get tired of singing the same song over and over.

By this time, the moods of Ma Huanghou and Zhu Yuanzhang had finally calmed down.

As for the ministers below, quite a few military generals were still blushing, humming along quietly, appearing very excited.

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