September 18th, the 30th year of Hongwu, was the emperor's birthday, one of the most important holidays for the Ming Dynasty.

Especially since this was the emperor's 70th birthday, it naturally had a different meaning. Not only did the civil and military officials attach great importance to it, but the people of Yingtian Prefecture also made some preparations.

It's a pity that the birthday celebration seems to be relatively low-key now. The court did not give a lot of rewards, and Yingtian Prefecture did not decorate with lanterns everywhere. However, some lantern festivals were arranged, which can be regarded as a way of celebration.

The emperor was very frugal, so he would not spend money lavishly. The crown prince was also stingy and would not tie silk on trees.

To show off the Ming Dynasty's wealth, etc., there are other ways to do it, rather than preparing some special external "wealth".

Zhu Yunxun got up early, and found that Xu Miaojin had already changed into the crown and robes, "You got up early."

Xu Miaojin smiled and said, "I have many clothes and my hair needs to be combed and washed, so I should get up early so as not to miss important things."

In fact, Xu Miaojin didn't need to get up so early, because she didn't need to go to Fengtian Hall to pay respects. She would just wait in the side hall and then leave with Zhu Wenyao in her arms.

Her main task was to entertain the female family members, etc. Those ladies of honor would not enter the palace so early and had to wait until the morning court was over.

Zhu Yunhuan lazily got up and began to wash, then put on the crown with the help of a group of maids. He certainly couldn't wear ordinary clothes today, not even court clothes, so he naturally needed to wear the crown.

Zhu Yunhuan asked casually, "Have the imperial uncles stood up yet?"

Zhang Fusheng quickly replied, "Your Highness, I have already told you that the princes are all up, and it is time to set off for Fengtian Gate."

No one dared to be lazy when Zhu Yuanzhang celebrated his birthday. This was especially true for Zhu Ying and other princes who had not yet been enfeoffed. They had to be active in celebrating the birthday, otherwise being labeled as unfilial would be enough to make them have no future.

While Zhu Yunhuan and Xu Miaojin were busy dressing and eating breakfast, civil and military officials had already entered the palace.

The entire palace was brightly lit at this moment. Normally, the emperor was reluctant to light too many lights, but today he certainly couldn't save.

Outside the Meridian Gate, soldiers in armor lined up with flags and banners. This was not surprising, as there should have been more grand ceremonies.

Looking from afar, the five chariots of the emperor, namely the Jade Chariot, the Golden Chariot, the Elephant Chariot, the Leather Chariot and the Wooden Chariot, were even arranged directly outside the Fengtian Gate. These chariots only appear during major ceremonies and are not used at other times.

The so-called royal majesty is obviously not just something said casually. It is also arranged from all aspects. This is also an extremely special place. A series of royal majesties must also be reflected.

Lan Yu smiled happily and said to Chang Sheng, "The five chariots have been taken out. This is definitely the ceremony of ascending to the throne."

Chang Sheng also whispered, "I didn't look at the memorial case, it was just a grand court ceremony. Uncle, let's not talk about it, those civil servants are watching again."

Lan Yu then looked fiercely at the queue of civil servants. The faces of those civil servants were solemn and they did not dare to talk to each other.

Then he looked to the side and Lan Yu was immediately happy. The former Minister of Rites Ren Hengtai was busy writing at this moment. This minister is now a censor.

The censors naturally had to monitor whether the officials behaved improperly when they lined up before the court session. Any whispers had to be recorded.

Xu Huizu couldn't help but cough and reminded Chang Sheng and Lan Yu. Usually, many people would chat with each other before going to court, but today was different and they still needed to be more solemn.

Normally, as long as the nobles did not make too much trouble, many people would turn a blind eye. Even if the censors recorded it and handed it over to the crown prince, basically there would be no punishment, and everyone knew it.

If the civil servants dared to talk too much, Chang Sheng, Lan Yu and others would stare at them with even more ferocious expressions. Even if Xu Huizu, Fu Youde and others were strict with themselves and would not whisper to each other, they would still stare at the civil servants with gloomy faces when the noble group put pressure on them.

But it’s not possible today. I can’t help the Duke of Liang and the Duke of Kai today. I have to keep a close eye on them. No noble can be disrespectful to them.

Lan Yu and Chang Sheng were suddenly happy, but they kept a low profile. Although they were extremely excited, they knew that such occasions needed to be taken seriously and there should be absolutely no room for provocation, otherwise the Crown Prince would definitely be dissatisfied.

Zhu Yunhuan first arrived at the Fengtian Hall and carefully inspected the hall.

Don’t go to the Huagai Palace for now. Wait until the court meeting is over. Old Zhu is not in a hurry to accept the visits of some inner court deacons.

The treasure table was to the east of the imperial throne, and the incense table was to the south of the red steps. The Jiaofangsi set up Zhonghe Shao music in the east and west of the palace, and the Jinyiwei set up the procession and ceremonial guards on the red steps and the red terrace, and set up bright fans in the palace.

All of this is carried out strictly in accordance with rules and regulations, and the relevant government offices implement them very strictly without any negligence.

Zhu Yunhuan nodded with satisfaction and then walked towards the side hall.

Old Zhu was dressed in a royal robe and asked with a smile, "Is everything ready outside?"

Zhu Yunxun smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, it's ready. It seems that there will be no problem. I will go outside the Meridian Gate in a while. I should not be late. Wen Yao can still take a nap for another quarter of an hour."

Old Zhu said angrily and amusedly, "Normally he would wake up at this time, but today he didn't. He slept late last night, probably because he knew he was going to be the crown prince, so he was so happy that he didn't sleep and tossed and turned until late at night!"

Xu Miaojin and Concubine Guo Ning were both laughing beside them, because these words were obviously meant for Zhu Yunhuan to hear.

Zhu Yunhuan cried out that he was wronged, saying, "I have been fasting for three days, and I slept soundly last night. Miao Jin had dressed in the morning, and I got up just then. I must have slept soundly, otherwise I wouldn't be sleeping soundly while everyone in the East Palace was busy."

Old Zhu had a different interpretation, "Then it seems that Wen Yao is really your son. He was so happy that he couldn't sleep at night, and now he can't get up either. Fortunately, you understand things and know that important things cannot be delayed."

Zhu Yunxun, who was teased, didn't know what to say. He was indeed quite happy and quite excited last night. Fortunately, he had prepared for all this in advance, so he didn't toss and turn and was not so excited that he couldn't fall asleep.

Zhu Yunhuan turned and walked out of the side hall, heading straight for the Meridian Gate. He still needed to check there, and only when everything was foolproof and fully prepared could people feel at ease, which was also one of his characteristics.

Sometimes many things don’t need to be particularly strict, but not today. I can’t compromise at all and must strive for perfection.

Zhu Yunhuan, who was heading straight for the Meridian Gate, had an extremely serious expression on his face. Zhu Ying and several other princes naturally did not dare to be careless, and they all stood in awe in their crowns and robes. Including his two younger brothers, Zhu Yunhuan and Zhu Yunxi, who were now standing in line in an orderly manner.

After receiving the inspection list from Ren Hengtai, many civil and military officials stood up in awe. It seemed that the Crown Prince had come here specifically to correct the ceremony.

Lan Yu and Chang Sheng lowered their heads and dared not move. They knew what they had done. They did not make a big fuss, but if you really want to be serious, you can criticize them.

Even Xu Huizu became a little cautious, because coughing in the queue was also a matter of impoliteness.

Zhu Yunhuan came to the queue of nobles, glared at Chang Sheng and Lan Yu fiercely, then walked back and carefully checked the court robes, tablets, and seals of each noble.

It was OK. Even some nobles who seemed rough and scornful of formalities would not be lazy at this time. They did everything perfectly, without missing anything, and without leaving any room for impeachment. If a major mistake really occurred in such an occasion, it would not be as simple as a salary deduction. They would not be beheaded, but they would be likely to be bullied by the grandson of the emperor, or even have their titles inherited smoothly.

Zhu Yunhuan was satisfied, and then he returned to the head of the class and stood still. All the civil and military officials as well as the royal family and relatives behaved very seriously and patiently throughout the whole process.

The guards and officials in charge of etiquette were also patient, waiting for the crown prince's nod.

After Zhu Yunhuan nodded, the sound of whips was heard. After four whips, Zhu Yunhuan led all the officials towards the Fengtian Hall to the sound of ritual music.

Zhu Yunhuan led all the officials into the hall. Everyone knew where they should stand, and without any whispering, the queue was quickly formed.

The music changed again, and then Old Zhu slowly walked out of the side hall and ascended the dragon throne.

According to procedure, all officials began to pay homage, but Zhu Yuanzhang spoke first, "It is rare for a person to live to be seventy. I lost my parents in childhood, my wife in middle age, and my grandchildren and sons in old age. It is really a great misfortune."

All the officials immediately knelt down, and they didn't dare to say anything at this time. If they really said anything, it would be the greatest disrespect to the emperor. Who dared to say anything about the emperor's sufferings?

Old Zhu continued, "Fortunately, the Crown Prince is filial, so I can enjoy my old age in peace. In the past year or two, I have been ill from time to time, and I was afraid that my time would not last long. Fortunately, the great-grandson is by my side, so I can have some strength."

Xu Huizu's ears pricked up, and the nobles who were close to Prince Zhongshan's Palace were also listening attentively. They knew that the emperor's great-grandson was favored, but they still wanted to see him favored even more.

Old Zhu continued, "The Crown Prince, the Great Grandson is almost one year old. Go and bring him here. I'm afraid I won't be able to wait until he's older to celebrate in the palace."

Zhu Yunhuan immediately kowtowed and said, "Sun Chen obeys the imperial edict!"

Of course, there are some unreasonable aspects in Mr. Zhu's arrangement, after all, Zhu Wenyao is too young.

But no one could find too many problems, because on Zhu's birthday, all the royal family members in the capital who were not particularly young would naturally come to congratulate him.

Although Zhu Wenyao was originally considered "very young", his identity was different. He was almost one year old, not just one month old.

Concubine Guo Ning was standing at the entrance of the side hall. When she saw Zhu Yunhuan, she immediately smiled and handed Zhu Wenyao over. Fortunately, the father-son relationship had been cultivated a few days ago. Although Zhu Wenyao was a little unhappy, he did not cry.

The brave Zhu Wenyao looked around curiously, and was not afraid of the civil and military officials in the hall. Instead, he was more concerned about Old Zhu sitting on the dragon chair, twisting in Zhu Yunhuan's arms and reaching out for a hug.

"Ancestor."

"Zuzu."

The child would speak as soon as he was anxious. Zhu Wenyao, who usually only knew single words, has grown up and can even use double words to call people.

Zhu Yunhuan comforted him softly, and Old Zhu smiled and said, "Officials, please pay your respects."

Zhu Yunhuan immediately came forward with the child in his arms, "I, the Crown Prince Zhu Yunhuan, kowtow to you. I am honored to meet you on the birthday of the Emperor, and I would like to lead the civil and military officials to wish you a long life."

All the officials knelt down at this time, and Zhu Yunhuan said, "The mountains cheered."

All the officials bowed their hands to their foreheads and shouted in unison, "Long live the emperor."

Zhu Yunhuan kowtowed again, "The mountain roars."

All officials shouted again, "Long live the emperor."

Zhu Yunhuan spoke again, "The mountain cheers."

All the officials responded loudly, "Long live!"

Old Zhu nodded in satisfaction, but did not ask the officials to stand up. "Let the great-grandson of the emperor kowtow to me and congratulate me on my birthday."

Zhu Yunhuan carried the child to the front of the train again, and gently put Zhu Wenyao on the ground, and the little fat baby lay on the ground.

Zhu Yunhuan gently grasped Zhu Wenyao's little hand and helped to congratulate him, "Great-grandson Zhu Wenyao, congratulate your great-grandfather, the Emperor, long live the emperor!"

A smile appeared on Old Zhu's face. He was very satisfied with Zhu Wenyao's performance.

The child was making a lot of noise, lying on the ground and kicking his legs. Just now, all the officials shouted "Long live the emperor" three times in unison, but the child was not afraid. Instead, he smiled in a baby voice and kept looking around.

Courageous and curious, this is the great-grandson that Old Zhu thinks has the most promising future.

After the ceremony, according to the previous agreement, Xu Miaojin was to take Zhu Wenyao away. But Old Zhu refused to admit his mistake and just asked all the officials to stand up.

Zhu Yunhuan kept winking at him, but Old Zhu pretended not to see it. Others could not see what expression Zhu Yunhuan, who was standing at the head of the class, had. The grandfather and grandson knew what they were communicating.

Zhu Yunhuan was too lazy to complain. It was obvious that Zhu favored Zhu Wenyao. For such an important occasion, Zhu Wenyao had to be present. And since the young great-grandson was mentioned in the edict of succession, the young great-grandson had to be present.

The most important thing is that Zhu Wenyao didn't cry or make a fuss, so let him continue to stay.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Emperor Hongwu wished to appoint a successor across generations.

Xu Huizu and the others were extremely excited. The emperor's preference for the little prince was obvious to all. It was said that the emperor favored the former crown prince, but now the little prince was no less favored. Even the eldest grandson of the emperor back then, His Majesty did not favor him so much.

If you think about it this way, among the four generations of the royal family, the current crown prince is the least favored, and it is only in recent years that his status has been improved.

Old Zhu held the large jade tablet in both hands and said, "I have often thought about this since I got old. The succession of the throne has always been a major event. The Crown Prince is wise and intelligent, and can shoulder the responsibility of the country."

Everyone is more serious now, and the highlight is coming.

Many people were speculating what would happen at the Christmas court meeting, or when the emperor would mention the succession of the throne. After all, the signals were becoming more and more obvious, and people in Yingtian Prefecture were talking about it.

And now it seems that the moment has finally come. The emperor may now officially announce this matter. (End of this chapter)