Red lanterns were everywhere in the palace, and there were even lantern mountains piled up in the shape of giant turtles. The palace maids and eunuchs coming and going were all dressed in new clothes, creating a scene of New Year's celebration.

"Let's set off fireworks!" Little Zhu shouted as he ran ahead. "Hurry up, Wang Daban, why aren't you delivering the imperial decree?"

Wang Chengen looked troubled; it was only afternoon. Normally, setting off fireworks and firecrackers should wait until dark. But considering that the imperial decree was issued by the Crown Prince, how could Wang Chengen dare say anything?

“Let’s set off some fireworks, just a few.” Zhu Yunying couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Otherwise, you might get beaten up during the New Year, and we might get scolded too.”

There was nothing he could do; Little Zhu's backer was simply too powerful, and Zhu Yunying could only avoid his sharp edge, daring not to go against him at all.

Wang Chengen was naturally overjoyed and prepared to set off fireworks. With the emperor's decree in effect, everything was easy to discuss.

Old Zhu was in a good mood, probably because he saw his children and grandchildren gathered together. Although not everyone came, almost everyone who could come did, which made Old Zhu quite gratified.

"Fifth Brother," Old Zhu turned around and said, "come over here and see what kind of state our Fifth Brother is in now."

Zhu Su was slightly embarrassed, probably because his father, the Emperor, showed him no respect whatsoever. Even though he was almost forty years old, he could only be a dutiful son in front of Old Zhu.

"We've heard that you're working on a letter," Old Zhu said to Zhu Su with great satisfaction. "Our son has really made something of himself now, he can do something now, instead of just running around all day."

Zhu Su was a little embarrassed and said, "Father, I did some foolish things when I was young and ignorant. It would be embarrassing for me to say such things now. We have a son and a grandson. I hope Father can give us some face."

Old Zhu was in a great mood and said to Zhu Su, "You've done something shameful, why are you afraid of people talking about it?"

After saying this, Old Zhu looked at Zhu Shangbing and the others, "Shangbing, Jixi, Zhaohui, come here, we're going to test you."

These three princes inherited the titles of Prince of Qin, Prince of Jin, and Prince of Lu, and were the second-generation princes of the Ming Dynasty. Naturally, this meant that Emperor Zhu would pay some attention to these grandsons.

Zhu Yunying couldn't help but laugh, trying to smooth things over for his cousins, "Grandpa, it's almost New Year's, why are you testing them at this time! If they do well, they can have a good New Year, but if they don't, they'll probably lose interest, and you won't be happy either."

Old Zhu thought it made sense and said with a smile, "Alright, whether these kids turn out well or not, we'll test them later. Whether they succeed or not, they're all your brothers, and it's your turn as the older brother to take care of and teach them."

Zhu Shangbing and the others breathed a sigh of relief. They were all grandsons of the Hongwu Emperor, and some were even princes of the Ming Dynasty, but they were still very afraid in front of the Hongwu Emperor. Old Zhu had a stern face, and their calves were trembling.

These people also greatly admired and envied their cousin. It seemed that only their cousin dared to speak so frankly in front of their grandfather. Come to think of it, it appeared that their grandfather only ever truly favored this one cousin.

"Nobody's going to study this New Year!" Little Zhu suddenly ran back and rushed to Old Zhu. "If we have to recite, we won't be able to enjoy the New Year! We're on holiday, everyone's on holiday!"

Old Zhu laughed and picked up little Zhu, saying, "You good-for-nothing little thing, you become a scoundrel in front of us as soon as you hear about the exam?"

Zhu Yunwen, standing not far away, kept his head down. He was worried that his grandfather, the Emperor, would test his cousins ​​and then him as well. That's why he called for help; he figured only his nephew, the Crown Prince, would dare to say anything at this point.

Little Zhu immediately hugged Old Zhu's neck and acted coquettishly. Old Zhu, of course, was not angry and still enjoyed the intimacy of his great-grandson.

"You're just like your Fifth Prince and your good-for-nothing uncle." Old Zhu said helplessly, pressing his face against Little Zhu's. "Your imperial grandfather and your father were both fond of reading, but you're just as unruly."

'Bang'

Fireworks suddenly went off in the distance, and Little Zhu immediately perked up, dragging Old Zhu to watch them. Fireworks can be set off during the day too; they just aren't as dazzling or spectacular as at night, but they're still a lot of fun!

7017k