Chapter 72: Hongwu Year Four

Hongwu Year Four, Spring Festival.

Before dawn, the Yingtian Prefecture was already filled with the crackling sound of firecrackers.

Every household had red paper couplets on its door, children in new clothes chased and frolicked in the alleys, and the air was thick with the smell of sulfur and cooking smoke.

The palace was even more bustling.

Just after the hour of the Tiger, Zhu Yong got up.

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying attended to him, dressing him in a brand‑new crimson‑purple Wu Wang ceremonial robe, a jade sash at his waist, and a sable great cloak over it.

The sable cloak was a gift from his elder sister‑in‑law.

"Prince, today we first go to Kunning Palace to pay respects to the Empress, then to Qianqing Palace to pay respects to the Emperor," Xiao Zhu said while adjusting his collar.

"I know," Zhu Yong said innocently.

He had slept at Wu Wang Fu last night, and this morning he would first enter the palace to offer New Year greetings.

According to protocol, the princes must first pay respects to Empress Ma, then together go to see Zhu Yuanzhang.

After leaving the Wang Fu, Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng were already waiting at the gate.

Both were also in new clothes; seeing Zhu Yong emerge, they clasped their hands and said, "Prince, Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year! Come, let's enter the palace," Zhu Yong laughed.

Riding to East Hua Gate, they happened to meet Zhu Biao's carriage with Chang Wan.

"Elder brother, elder sister‑in‑law!" Zhu Yong dismounted with a flip.

Zhu Biao stepped down from the carriage, and Chang Wan followed.

The couple were both in court attire; Zhu Biao wore a bright‑yellow Crown Prince robe, Chang Wan an apricot‑yellow Crown Princess ceremonial dress, her head crowned with a pearl crown, looking dignified and graceful.

"Second brother, you arrived early," Zhu Biao laughed.

"I couldn't sleep, so I got up," Zhu Yong scratched his head.

Chang Wan smiled and handed over two red cloth packets, saying, "Second brother, these are the New Year money from your sister‑in‑law."

Zhu Yong was startled and said, "Elder sister‑in‑law, I'm also sixteen…"

"Sixteen is also a younger brother; take it for good luck," Chang Wan thrust it into his hand without further explanation.

Zhu Yong had to accept it, and thanked innocently.

The three entered the palace together, heading toward Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace already had a crowd gathered.

Empress Ma sat at the head of the main hall, dressed in a bright red phoenix robe, a nine‑phoenix crown on her head, smiling broadly.

Below her sat several consorts, and further down were the princesses.

Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, Zhu Su and other princes had arrived, standing properly in order.

When Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong entered, Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang instinctively drew back their necks, still remembering the incident last year when the Second Prince slapped their palms.

"Your servant pays respects to Mother Empress, wishing her a Happy New Year, longevity and health," Zhu Biao led the younger brothers to kneel and bow.

"Good, good, all rise, here, one red packet each," Empress Ma laughed.

A palace maid carried a tray forward, upon which a row of red cloth packets was laid.

The princes and princesses stepped forward in turn to receive the packets, uttering auspicious words.

When it was Zhu Yong's turn, Empress Ma deliberately gave him an extra one, saying, "Yong Er, this is what your father gave you."

Zhu Yong took it, and innocently said, "Thank you, Mother, thank you, Father."

After paying respects to Empress Ma, the group proceeded to Qianqing Palace.

In the main hall of Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang was already seated on the dragon throne.

Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and Li Wenzhong among the senior ministers were also present; according to protocol, on the Spring Festival, officials of the third rank or above in the capital must enter the palace for the New Year tribute.

"Your servant respectfully wishes Father Emperor a Happy New Year, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!" Zhu Biao led the younger brothers to kneel.

"We respectfully wish the Emperor a Happy New Year!" the ministers said in unison.

Zhu Yuanzhang, smiling broadly, said, "Alright, all rise; today is the New Year, no need for formalities."

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally resting on Zhu Yong, and said, "Yong Er, come here."

Zhu Yong stepped forward and said, "Father."

Zhu Yuanzhang drew a Jade Token from his sleeve and handed it to him, saying, "This is our New Year Gift; with this Jade Token you may enter the palace at any time to see us and your mother, without needing a formal summons."

A low murmur of amazement rose within the hall.

Being able to enter the palace at any time without a summons is a tremendous grace.

Besides Crown Prince Zhu Biao, even princes like Zhu Shuang did not have such privileges.

Zhu Yong took the Jade Token and innocently said, "Thank you, Father."

Having bestowed the gift, Zhu Yuanzhang rose and said, "Let's go to Fengtian Hall; the officials are still waiting."

Outside Fengtian Hall, the Civil and Military Officials had already lined up according to rank, awaiting.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang emerge, they shouted in unison, "We respectfully wish the Emperor a Happy New Year, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!"

The sound reverberated through the clouds.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood on the high platform before the hall, gazing at the sea of dark‑crowded people below, feeling reflective.

Four years ago, he had just ascended the throne, and the world was still unsettled.

Now the Northern Yuan has retreated to Mobei, Great Ming's borders are stable, and the people live in peace and prosperity.

All this is a realm won by the soldiers' lives.

"All ministers, stand down; today is Hongwu Year Four, Spring Festival. I wish to encourage us all, to work diligently so that the Ming Empire remains everlasting and the people enjoy peace and prosperity!" Zhu Yuanzhang declared loudly.

"We will faithfully follow the holy edict!"

The New Year tribute ceremony lasted half an hour.

After it ended, Zhu Yuanzhang held a banquet in Jinshen Hall, entertaining the ministers.

The Banquet had over a hundred tables, with mountain delicacies, sea delicacies, fine Wine and exquisite dishes.

Zhu Yong sat to Zhu Biao's left, burying his head in his food.

He had a huge appetite, and empty bowls quickly piled up before him.

The Zhu Shuang beside him whispered to Zhu Gang, "Second Prince's appetite could support the five of us."

Zhu Gang nodded, "No wonder his strength is so great."

Zhu Di came over, admiringly looking at Zhu Yong and said, "Second Prince, when can you teach me that drum‑jar golden hammer of yours?"

Zhu Yong looked up and said naively, "Fifth Prince, you can't lift it; it's six hundred jin."

Zhu Di, dissatisfied, called out again, "I can't lift it now; when I grow up…"

He said the same last time.

"Even when I grow up I still can't lift it; this hammer, only I in the world can wield it," Zhu Yong said frankly.

Since Zhu Yong returned, these little guys often thought about trying out Zhu Yong's two hammers in the future, but after training in martial arts for so long, they still couldn't lift them.

Zhu Di instantly wilted.

Halfway through the Banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang rose, raised his cup and said, "Esteemed ministers, today we are joyous; I have an announcement."

The hall fell silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong and said, "Prince Wu Zhu Yong, you are sixteen now, it's time to marry; we have issued an edict that after the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month, a grand marriage will be held for Prince Wu and Guanyin Nu."

The ministers together said, "Congratulations, Prince Wu!"

Zhu Yong stood up, naively clasped his hands in greeting.

Guanyin Nu sat beside Empress Ma, her face flushed with shame, lowering her head and daring not to look at anyone.

Chang Yuchun laughed loudly, "Good! Our nephew is also getting married; then I'll definitely drink a few more cups!"

Xu Da also laughed, "Prince Wu's marriage is a great joy for the court."

The Banquet continued until the Wei Hour.

After the Banquet was dismissed, Zhu Yong returned to Wu Wang Fu.

He drank a lot of Wine; although his constitution wouldn't make him drunk, he was still slightly tipsy.

Hu Bo came forward and said, "Prince, you're back; the hot water is ready, please bathe and change clothes first."

"Fine." Zhu Yong nodded.

After bathing and changing, he sat alone in the study.

Outside the window, firecrackers sounded again, night had fallen, and the myriad lights of Yingtian Fu illuminated the city.

Zhu Yong closed his eyes and silently thought, "System, check in."

【Ding! Check‑in successful! Congratulations, host, you have obtained an improved Spinning Wheel Blueprint!】

A complex Blueprint appeared in his mind, depicting a never‑before‑seen Spinning Wheel structure.

Beside the Blueprint there was textual explanation, detailing how this Spinning Wheel uses Gear transmission to increase spinning efficiency, more than three times faster than existing Spinning Wheels.

Zhu Yong opened his eyes and scratched his head.

Spinning Wheel...

Not only does he not understand it now, even in his past life he didn't understand this thing.

However, although he doesn't understand, his past‑life memory vaguely knows that the textile industry seems quite important.

Yet the Blueprint is too complex; he can't comprehend it.

"Forget it, I'll show Mother tomorrow," Zhu Yong muttered to himself.

He memorized the Blueprint's contents, preparing to draw it tomorrow.

After all, Empress Ma often weaves cloth, so she surely knows more than he does.