The 27th day of the tenth lunar month is Zhu Yunying's birthday, which is no small matter.

Officials were dispatched to inform Heaven and Earth and the ancestral temples. Zhu Yunying then slowly arrived at the Hall of Literary Glory to receive the worship of the palace officials before going to the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices to receive the congratulations of the officials.

The Imperial Music Bureau set up the Zhonghe Shaoyue music on the east and west sides of the hall. The Embroidered Uniform Guard displayed their ceremonial regalia and guards on the Danbi and Danchi steps, and set up Ming fans inside the hall...

When the drums sounded, officials of the third rank and above, dressed in court robes, waited outside the Meridian Gate. When the second drumbeat sounded, the left and right side gates opened, and civil and military officials, members of the imperial family, and nobles lined up to enter.

The drumming stopped at this point, and the ceremonial officials instructed the officiating officers to perform the five prostrations.

Zhu Yunying slowly rose; he was about to ascend the throne. The Imperial Seal Office carried the imperial seal forward, led by an official in charge of guiding the procession. The curtain was drawn back, and the seal was placed on the table.

After the civil and military officials bowed four times, Li Jinglong stepped forward and said, "Your subject, Duke Cao, on the occasion of His Majesty the Emperor's birthday, respectfully leads the civil and military officials in wishing him a long life."

Little Zhu was also in the imperial court at this time, with Shuangquan carefully following beside him.

As Li Jinglong knelt and chanted the hymn, Shuangquan quickly whispered a reminder, "Your Highness, please cup your hands and raise your forehead."

Little Zhu immediately lay down and shouted, "Long live!"

Actually, Xiao Zhu was a beat slow, but that didn't matter. No one paid any attention, and Li Jinglong was intentionally waiting for Xiao Zhu to get up before singing the etiquette.

Celebrating a birthday was a very particular affair. The timing of entering the palace and the music played were strictly regulated. Although the Ming Dynasty had only lasted a little over thirty years, many of these rules were initially disregarded. However, they gradually became stricter, and the Zhu family emperors became more sensitive to many matters.

Every move they make now seems to possess a slight regal air. Even a commoner like Zhu Yuanzhang is starting to pay attention to these things; rules should be continuously established and perfected at this time.

Just after the courtiers bowed four times, Zhu Yuanzhang strode into the Fengtian Hall, in a very good mood.

"Today is the Emperor's birthday, and we should celebrate it." Old Zhu smiled as he walked towards the steps of the palace, and waved to Little Zhu. "Crown Prince, come and help me. I am too old to walk up."

Little Zhu ran over happily and helped Old Zhu up the steps of the palace.

As Zhu Yunying sat on the dragon throne, he smiled and said to the young Zhu, "Crown Prince, come here and join your father in paying respects to the Retired Emperor."

Old Zhu sat there with a beaming smile, looking smug and self-satisfied. Little Zhu led his grandson to kowtow to Old Zhu, because Old Zhu was now Little Zhu's only blood relative. On the birthday of Emperor Zhu Yunying, they certainly couldn't forget their ancestors.

"Your Majesty, please rise." Old Zhu said with a smile, looking at Zhu Yunying and saying, "Today is your birthday, you are the most important person here."

Zhu Yunying smiled and stood up, turning to look at the steps below the palace, "Prince of Wu and Duke of Ying, you two should also pay your respects to the Emperor Emeritus."

Zhu Yunwen was Zhu Yunying's younger brother, and Feng Cheng was Zhu Yunying's brother-in-law; the two could now be considered Zhu Yunying's blood relatives. On Zhu Yunying's birthday, they were allowed to participate in the worship ceremony—an extra privilege and favor.

Old Zhu laughed heartily, looking at his children and grandchildren below, his mood truly quite pleasant. One could even say he was happier now than on his birthday.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Emperor Zhu looked at his children and grandchildren and slowly said, "Although there is a distinction between the emperor and the princes, they must observe the proper etiquette between ruler and subject in the court. For the emperor's position is the same as the position of the ancestors! The emperor stands beside me."

Dressed in his imperial robes, Zhu Yunying obediently stood up, and the old Zhu said, "All princes, offer your congratulations!"

This was a show of force, something Zhu's sons were already used to. They had actually paid homage to Zhu Yunying when he ascended the throne. But now, on Zhu Yunying's birthday, Zhu specifically came to make his uncles bow their heads again, to show the entire court that the imperial succession was orderly.

Even if Zhu Yunying's uncles were unwilling, they had no choice but to obediently bow their heads at this moment.

Of course, Zhu Yunwen and his younger brothers had no psychological barriers whatsoever. They simply got used to bowing to him; they truly got used to it.

After the members of the imperial clan finished their salutations, Emperor Zhu said, "Members of the imperial clan, please step down for now. The Empress is hosting a banquet in Kunning Palace. You may all go to the side hall; we will join you for the banquet later."

Even if the royal family members were unwilling, they had no choice but to leave obediently at this point.

At this moment, in Kunning Palace, Xu Miaoqing sat in the main seat, and Lian Qiongqiong said, "This concubine, Lian, respectfully comes to offer her congratulations to His Majesty the Emperor."

Zhu Yunying's concubines also bowed four times along with Lian Qiongqiong.

Zhu Xi's expression was serious. She then led the princesses forward, following the same etiquette as Lian Qiongqiong.

Outside the hall, the noblewomen were also lined up, with Lady Li, the wife of the Duke of Zhongshan, looking solemn. They were led into the hall by an attendant, where Lady Li and the other noblewomen all knelt.

"The wife and concubine of the Duke of Zhongshan, surnamed Li, and others offered their congratulations."

Xu Miaoqing, meticulous in her manner, said, "Let us celebrate Christmas together with Madam and the others!"

The etiquette in the imperial harem was actually more 'strict' than that in the previous dynasty. This was mainly because the two emperors, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yuanzhang, were sometimes not very disciplined, but there were quite a few who followed the rules in the Ming Dynasty's imperial harem.

Empress Ma, needless to say, was a true mother of the nation. After Empress Ma's passing, Consort Li and others who took over the management of the harem were exceptionally strict with etiquette, partly to avoid being criticized, and partly to demonstrate their own authority.

Previously, Lady Lü had also been in charge of the Eastern Palace. As the daughter of a civil official, she was "strict in upholding feminine virtues" and was very disciplined.

In fact, after all these years, it was only with the ascension of the new emperor Zhu Yunying that the Ming Dynasty once again welcomed an empress who would rule the world. Since Xu Miaoqing began to emphasize etiquette at this time, everyone naturally paid extra attention and dared not be careless in the slightest.

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