Chapter 68: Birthday Banquet

Hongwu Third Year, the twenty‑first day of the tenth month.

In the early morning, the Yingtian Prefecture was still shrouded in a thin mist, and the Imperial City had already become busy.

Today is Zhu Yuanzhang's forty‑fifth birthday; although it is not a full lifespan, the court from top to bottom still has to organize the Wan Shou Festival celebrations.

Zhu Yong rose before dawn, dressed in a brand‑new regular attire of the Prince of Wu, and, accompanied by Royal Guard Captain Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng, set out from Wu Wang Fu toward the Imperial City.

"Prince, the white tiger has already been delivered to Guanglu Temple; the people there were startled, saying they've never seen such a large white tiger before," Zhang Wuhe said, riding his horse beside Zhu Yong, smiling.

"That beast is not easy to fight; it took seven days of searching in the mountains before we encountered it, and I thought, for Father's birthday, we must present something rare," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

Since learning not long ago that Zhu Yuanzhang's birthday was approaching, Zhu Yong had been thinking about what to give him, because on Empress Ma's last birthday, Zhu Yong had specially gone into the mountains to hunt a live white deer for Empress Ma…

The civil officials even claimed it was an auspicious beast; Empress Ma liked the white deer very much, and it is now kept in Kunning Palace. This was the first thing Zhu Yong gave to her mother, and she must nurture it well.

Therefore, for Zhu Yuanzhang's birthday, Zhu Yong also went into the mountains, hoping to find something good.

Just within those seven days, he found a white tiger, but the tiger was too ferocious to capture alive, so Zhu Yong could only kill it.

Chen Heng interjected: "Isn't it rare? I heard even the chefs at Guanglu Temple dare not skin it; in the end, Prince himself had to do the skinning."

Zhu Yong nodded.

The white tiger measured a full twelve chi in length and weighed over eight hundred jin; it was the one he hunted after seven days and seven nights deep in Zijin Mountain.

Ordinary tigers and leopards would flee at his sight, but this white tiger was unusually ferocious, daring to pounce and bite.

Zhu Yong, without a hammer, fought it bare‑handed for nearly half an hour, and finally snapped its neck.

The tiger skin, stripped whole, has been handed to the Imperial Household Department for tanning, to be made into a Great Cloak to present to Zhu Yuanzhang.

The tiger bones were soaked in wine, and the tiger meat became a main dish for today's Wan Shou Banquet.

The party entered the palace through East Hua Gate; just after passing Fengtian Gate, they saw Zhu Biao standing in front of Wenhua Hall, speaking with someone.

"Elder brother!" Zhu Yong shouted.

Zhu Biao turned his head, saw Zhu Yong, and walked over smiling, saying, "Second brother, you arrived early; I heard you hunted a white tiger for Imperial Father?"

"Yes, after seven days in the mountains, Father will surely like it."

Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

"Imperial Father heard about it yesterday and was overjoyed, saying that the birthday gifts from all the Civil and Military Officials are nothing compared to your practical white tiger. Come, let's first go to Kunning Palace to pay respects to Imperial Mother," Zhu Biao patted Zhu Yong's shoulder.

The two brothers walked side by side toward Kunning Palace, while Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng followed far behind.

Since learning that his sister had an auspicious white deer, Zhu Yuanzhang had been extremely jealous; now he need not envy, for he also has a white tiger, albeit dead, which is still better than having none.

Inside Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was doing her makeup.

Seeing her two sons enter, she set down her comb and smiled, "Both of you are here, Yong Er, I heard you hunted a white tiger; you weren't hurt, were you?"

"Mother, I'm fine; that beast can't hurt me," Zhu Yong said.

Empress Ma examined Zhu Yong carefully, confirmed he was unharmed, and then said relieved, "Next time you must not take such risks; the white tiger is ferocious, what if you get injured?"

"Mother, rest assured; haven't you seen second brother's skill yet?" Zhu Biao said with a smile, deflecting.

Just then, Guanyin Nu stepped out of the side hall.

She had lived in Kunning Palace for about half a year and had already become accustomed to palace life, dressed in a light‑blue court outfit, standing graceful and poised.

"I have met Imperial Mother, Crown Prince, and Prince of Wu," Guanyin Nu said, bowing.

Empress Ma gestured for her to come over and said, "Minmin is also up; for today's Wan Shou Banquet, you will go with us and sit by my side."

"Yes," Guanyin Nu replied, stealing a glance at Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong gave her a simple smile.

Guanyin Nu's face flushed red, and she lowered her head.

Empress Ma watched, smiling inwardly.

These two children, one simple‑hearted, the other shy, actually make a good match.

After a year passes, they'll arrange the marriage.

……

Midday, Jinshen Hall.

Inside the hall, dozens of banquet tables had already been set.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the central throne, with Empress Ma on his right.

On the left sat Crown Prince Zhu Biao, and below him were the various princes and princesses.

The Civil and Military Officials were seated in order of rank, the hall brightly lit, and the sounds of strings and flutes never ceased.

Zhu Yong sat beneath Zhu Biao, opposite were Third Prince Zhu Shuang and Fourth Prince Zhu Gang.

The two, upon seeing Zhu Yong, both craned their necks; they still vividly remembered the incident when they were slapped on the palm last time.

"Today is our birthday; esteemed officials, feel free of formalities, eat well and drink well," Zhu Yuanzhang raised his wine cup and declared loudly.

The ministers chorused, "We wish the Emperor boundless longevity!"

After drinking the first cup of wine, the birthday gifts began to be presented.

First the princes and princesses presented gifts. Zhu Biao offered a hand‑copied Filial Piety Classic, its calligraphy neat and vigorous. Zhu Yuanzhang looked and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Biao'er, you are thoughtful."

Next came Zhu Yong's offering.

Four guards carried a massive tiger skeleton into the hall; the skeleton was as white as jade, the skull intact, the jaws wide open, its majesty extraordinary.

The hall was filled with gasps of amazement.

"Imperial Father, this is the white tiger skeleton hunted by second brother; I have asked the craftsmen to treat it so it can be preserved long‑term," Zhu Biao rose and explained.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood, walked to the skeleton, and examined it closely, becoming more delighted: "Excellent! What a fine white tiger, Yong Er, how did you manage to hunt this beast?"

Zhu Yong said simply, "I searched the mountains for seven days, encountered it, it pounced, I fought it for a while, and snapped its neck."

He spoke lightly, yet everyone in the hall felt alarmed.

To fight a white tiger bare‑handed, what kind of Divine Strength must that be?

"Good… truly worthy of our Wu King! This longevity gift, I love it most!" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily.

Next, the inner attendants carried up dozens of dishes, and a plate of tiger meat was placed in the most prominent spot before Zhu Yuanzhang.

The tiger meat was bright red, perfectly steamed, and its fragrance filled the air.

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up a chopstick, tasted it, and nodded: "The flesh is firm, a fine thing; all of you ministers, try it as well."

The Banquet officially began, with song and dance to add to the merriment.

Zhu Yong buried his head in his meal; his appetite was huge, with seven or eight empty bowls before him.

Beside him, Zhu Biao occasionally served him dishes; the two brothers ate and served in perfect sync.

After three rounds of Wine, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly lively.

At this moment, the Minister of Justice Lu Zhan stood up, carrying a wine cup to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, may you live ten thousand years; we are overjoyed. My daughter Lu Chan will present a dance to celebrate your birthday."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Approved."