Crackling! The sound of firecrackers brings in the new year!

Big red lanterns were hung high, and the soft red light bathed the three main halls in a festive atmosphere. Today, people like to be frugal, so apart from the three main halls, only the places where the concubines of the former dynasty lived had lanterns hung and red stickers

There are couplets and the word "Fu" on the door. The other places are just cleaned to welcome the New Year.

Of course, some of these include the big changes a few years ago, which left the remaining personnel in the palace in a daze and not in the mood to do anything. Otherwise, even with frugality, there are still many ways to make things prosperous.

There are many ways for the emperor to celebrate the Spring Festival. He can have a banquet with his ministers, invite important members of the court to spend the Spring Festival, or he can set off fireworks, watch lanterns, sing a big show, hold a Spring Festival party, etc. However, Zhu Youxiao did not adopt either of these.

He just held a family banquet in Jiaotai Hall, one of the three main halls.

Zhu Youxiao had no father, no mother, no wife and no children. Therefore, except for a few younger brothers and sisters, almost all the attendees at the banquet were his elders. Several of his father Zhu Changluo's chosen servants, such as Dong Li, and some leftovers from his grandfather Wanli

Concubines, such as Concubine Zheng.

The reason why this family banquet was held was to calm the hearts of the people in the palace. The shocking coup three months ago and the subsequent raids on the palace frightened the harem staff. They were in a panic and didn't know how much they had eaten.

Although there was no personal danger, people were frightened and haggard. Some of them even fell ill from the fright and almost died.

Therefore, this family banquet was still necessary. Moreover, he, who was secretly known as a stingy person in private, had a rare moment of prosperity and gave red envelopes of two taels of silver to the remaining thousand palace maids and eunuchs.

They had a pretty good Spring Festival.

In the main hall of Jiaotai Hall, a huge round table is placed, next to it is a row of high-backed chairs. At this moment, all the seats are full of people, only the top seat is still empty, and that is Zhu You

School seats.

This round table was specially requested by Zhu Youxiao. For a family banquet, we should be so close and equal. It would be really unkind to be aloof at this time.

The table is now filled with tableware, but the turntable in the center is empty. The dishes have not been served yet. Everyone is sitting quietly, waiting for the emperor's arrival. On the left side of the large round table are the Wanli concubines headed by Concubine Zheng.

, on the right are the concubines of Taichang headed by Dong Li.

The two positions below Dong Li are not other concubines, but two young boys. One is Zhu Youjian, the only younger brother of Zhu Youxiao, and the other is the daughter of Xi Li, the eighth daughter of the emperor Zhu Huiti.

After Li's death, Zhu Youxiao pointed out that both of them were raised by Dong Li, who was always kind and gentle to others. As a result, Dong Li's status in the palace increased.

It stands to reason that this kind of harem family banquet should be hosted by the queen, and the emperor usually does not participate. However, Zhu Youxiao has just ascended the throne and has been busy with political affairs, and all the ministers are withered. No one mentioned this matter.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao had no choice but to go into battle in person to appease the people of the harem.

After waiting for a short time, Zhu Youxiao came in a hurry. He had just finished discussing business with Wang Wenyan. Almost all businesses in the world closed for the Spring Festival, but there was only one kind of people who did not close for the New Year, and that was businessmen. To be precise, they were businessmen.

Businessmen who make money during the New Year will not go out of business.

The business atmosphere in the capital is strong. Under such circumstances, many shops on the streets have just closed their doors until now. Under Zhu Youxiao's instructions, the Tiangong store integrated by Wang Wenyan also opened today, under the guise of the Chinese New Year.

, Tiangong Company used a trick that would be used in later generations - discounts, and released a large number of goods obtained from house raids. Taking advantage of this most prosperous time, it launched a brand name and let the people of the capital remember it immediately.

Wang Wenyan came here to report to Zhu Youxiao just now. After that, Zhu Youxiao originally wanted to ask Wang Wenyan to accompany him. As the most important member of the imperial family, Wang Wenyan had to deal with the court. Now, let's get to know each other first. That's not enough.

Wang Wenyan refused on the grounds that his wife and children had just arrived in the capital and needed his company.

"This guy really shows his intentions!" Thinking back to Wang Wenyan's vague words just now, Zhu Youxiao shook his head in a funny way. Although he didn't value this form, if his men wanted to do this, he wouldn't stop him, so he couldn't hurt him.

To win other people's hearts.

With a chill all over his body, Zhu Youxiao entered the warm Jiaotai Hall. The earth dragon emitting rolling heat dispelled the chill on his body and made him feel comfortable. After throwing the sable cloak he was wearing to the serving maid, he stood there.

Sit down in your seat.

"Cheng'en, let's serve the food!" Zhu Youxiao looked around and saw that everyone was here, so he ordered the food to be served. In fact, he didn't know how many people were attending the banquet tonight, but if there were no vacancies in the chairs, then

The instructions are all in place. Wang Chengen is very careful in this kind of thing. There are as many people as there are chairs arranged.

"Twenty-three." After a quick glance, Zhu Youxiao had a rough idea of ​​the number of people attending the meeting. His three sisters, one brother, and other concubines. Here are the people who are relatively high-status in the harem.

, these can also be said to be his relatives in this world.

The maids waiting behind them took turns serving food like butterflies in flowers. Although they were no longer young, their postures were very good-looking and had a charm that had been accumulated over time. Those maids of this age who can stay are the ones who can stay.

There is something unusual about it.

Every glass of wine was filled, even the princes and princesses who were underage. This was the first time for this banquet in the palace. They looked at the wine glasses in front of them, a little stunned and at a loss. Many people

In fact, this is the first time to participate in such a serious banquet, and I have no experience at all.

The faint sound of silk and bamboo came from behind the screen, adding an elegance and uniqueness to the dinner. Looking at their dazed looks, Zhu Youxiao smiled and stood up first with a wine glass. The first one to respond was Concubine Zheng.

, she has participated in countless banquets, big and small, how could she not know the etiquette, but this was hosted by the emperor himself, how could she, a neglected imperial concubine, take over for others.

Seeing Concubine Zheng's appearance, the others also raised their glasses and stood up in the same manner. The one who reacted the slowest was the eighth daughter of the emperor, Zhu Huiti. She had a dull look on her face. Dong Li pulled her, and she

Only then did he react, raised his glass in panic and stood up.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at it, didn't care, and continued to smile and said, "This is the first Spring Festival since I ascended the throne. Before that, many bad things happened because of my ascending the throne. If any of the elders have been wronged, I am here.

Why don't you accompany me?" After saying that, he bowed.

Everyone was a little panicked. They didn't expect the strong and iron-blooded young emperor to say such warm words. They didn't know what to say for a while, but the experienced Concubine Zheng started to speak. She covered her mouth and smiled and said, "Your Majesty said something serious. As your Majesty,

The Son of Heaven, the Lord of all peoples, should put state affairs first, and don’t worry about minor matters such as my concubine’s body.”

"Yes, yes!" followed by a chorus of agreement.

Concubine Zheng's beautiful words made Zhu Youxiao look slightly sideways. She was indeed a woman who accompanied Wanli all the way, and she was quite capable. As for the others, judging from their blank expressions, none of them understood the meaning behind her words.

"That being the case, let's all drink this cup and let it go. I hope that in the coming year, the country will be healthy, the country will be strong, the people will be happy, and all the elders will also be in good health." After saying a few more auspicious words, Zhu Youxiao raised his head.

, drink all the wine in the cup.

Seeing this, the others also drank up one after another. Even those who didn't know how to drink were forced to drink at this moment. The emperor's face must be given.

"Sit down." After a glass of wine, Zhu Youxiao sat down, and others also sat down. After entering and leaving, the atmosphere in the room became a little more relaxed. Although it was still quiet, it was no longer as formal as before.

Especially Concubine Zheng, she used her talents as a dancer, witty words, and lively atmosphere to make the dinner a real event. Zhu Youxiao also smiled and spoke softly, portraying an image of a kind brother and respectful to his juniors.

.

Although his performance was indeed a bit artificial, his attitude really calmed the panic of these orphans and widowed mothers, and their uneasy emotions were swept away.

However, there were two places that were not harmonious in the scene, Zhu Youjian and Zhu Huiti. Two young boys, one was taciturn and the other was stunned, as if what happened in front of them had nothing to do with them.

Ever since the night of the coup, the two of them had been like this. Zhu Youjian was doused with blood. The terrifying and pungent smell of blood left an unforgettable impression on him. He has become silent since then.

When I got down, I was no longer as lively and active as before.

The same is true for Zhu Huiti. He was like this after his mother was killed in front of him. Apart from eating, drinking and defecating, he just immersed himself in his own world and ignored the outside world. This was something that the imperial doctor had treated before.

The situation is more serious.

Glancing at his few remaining brothers and sisters, Zhu Youxiao suddenly smiled and said, "They are not young anymore, and the wealthy families outside have begun to read, read and understand.

The emperor was naturally the center of attention when he spoke. All the women and children looked at him, but what he said made their hearts move. Reading and literacy? What does the emperor mean by this?

"As a descendant of the royal family, even if you don't have to travel hard to be rich for a lifetime, you still have to be ignorant and reckless. I think that after the year, the fifth sister, the sixth sister, the eighth sister, and the fifth brother will all move to Ciqing Palace.

, let’s go out to study together. It’s time for such a grown-up person to live on his own, and he can’t always rely on his mother’s side.”

Zhu Youxiao's words shocked everyone present. It was okay for Zhu Youjian to study. The others were all girls, so they were studying together. As for the only son living alone, they didn't have any objections. It was only right for the prince to live alone.

"I will obey the emperor's holy orders." Dong Li and another woman bowed and accepted the order. The emperor's order must be accepted no matter how absurd it is, not to mention it is just reading, and it is good for girls to read.

"Yes." Zhu Youxiao nodded, and then began to say some comforting words. Generally speaking, the country is in a difficult situation now, and the palace expenses have to be reduced to save money. I hope the elders will not blame him. And so on.

After talking a lot, it still had some effect. At least the old men from the previous dynasty were closer to him, and they were no longer as cautious and fearful as before.

At this time, the capital of the Ming Dynasty was also quiet. Except for the watchmen and the city defense soldiers patrolling the streets, everyone else was reunited with their relatives at home, eating New Year's Eve dinner and saying auspicious words. Even if it was

The people in the Prison Prison also had a good meal.

The entire land of China is peaceful. Rich or poor, people go home to celebrate the New Year. This is also the case in this era. Regardless of whether they are rich or poor, they all stay at home and celebrate the New Year with lights on.
Chapter completed!