Chapter 59: Celebrating the New Year

Ma Xun knew very well that once he entered the palace, leaving would not be an easy task.

With the Minor New Year already here, the Spring Festival was only a few days away. Being alone outside would be lonely, so he might as well stay in the palace!

Besides, there were still lessons to attend, learning the series of rituals for the imperial court audience—these were far from mere empty formalities.

The New Year's Day court audience was one of the most important grand ceremonies. This was a major official event, and any mistake in etiquette could very well lead to impeachment.

Zhu Shuang asked with intense curiosity, "Uncle, regarding the enfeoffment of the princes, what kind of princely rank will I receive?"

Ma Xun asked with great puzzlement, "It has come to this, shouldn't they have told you already?"

Zhu Gang chimed in first, "It hasn't been finalized yet. Eldest Brother said he would enfeoff Second Brother as the Prince of Qin and me as the Prince of Jin. Uncle, isn't the title of Prince of Qin too prestigious?"

Zhu Di hurriedly spoke up, "Uncle, I am the Prince of Yan, and Fifth Brother is the Prince of Wu."

Zhu Gang added again, "How can Fifth Brother be enfeoffed as the Prince of Wu? That was Father's former princely title."

A princely title also reflected one's status. Generally speaking, these titles originated from the state names of the Spring and Autumn period. Traditionally, the titles of Qin, Jin, Qi, and Chu were considered the most noble because the states they represented were the most powerful during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

After the Tang dynasty, the title of Prince of Qin became even more special. Meanwhile, the traditionally regarded 'Prince of Wu' held immense prominence in the Great Ming, as it was Zhu Yuanzhang's former princely title.

Ma Xun smiled and said, "The Second Brother is the eldest among all the imperial clansmen, so it is only natural for him to be enfeoffed as the Prince of Qin. Both your father and your crown prince brother hold high expectations for you. It doesn't matter if the Fifth Brother is enfeoffed as the Prince of Wu; after all, you are favored."

Zhu Di said with a pitiful expression, "Uncle, why was I specifically enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan? The Prince of Qi and the Prince of Chu are both more prestigious than the Prince of Yan. If we count further down, there are also the Prince of Lu, the Prince of Zhao, the Prince of Wei, and the Prince of Liang who are superior to the Prince of Yan!"

He could accept the princely titles of his Second and Third Brothers, and the Fifth Brother's title was not something he could contend for. But the Sixth Brother was the Prince of Chu and the Seventh Brother was the Prince of Qi, which made Zhu Di extremely unhappy, as a princely title represented status!

"You love the military and enjoy warfare, so naturally, you must be sent to a critical location." Ma Xun smiled to comfort him. "I think the Prince of Yan is quite good. Just hearing it sounds like you are going to the north to fight battles against others."

Zhu Di beamed with joy. If he was truly going to be sent to fight battles, then being the Prince of Yan was fine by him.

Zhu Shuang said mysteriously, "Uncle, our eldest nephew is already the Prince of Jingjiang, yet he is the only one who is a commandery prince."

Zhu Tiezhu had now been renamed Zhu Shouqian, who was the son of Zhu Zheng. He was the first Prince of Jingjiang of the Great Ming and the most special imperial prince in the dynasty.

When enfeoffing princes in the Ming dynasty, all princely domains regarded their founding prince as the primary ancestor.

However, the Prince of Jingjiang was an exception, regarding the Prince of Nanchang, Zhu Xinglong, as the primary ancestor, Zhu Zheng as the second generation, and the first Prince of Jingjiang, Zhu Shouqian, as the third generation.

Imperial sons enfeoffed as grand princes were bestowed with golden seals and golden albums. The sons of grand princes, aside from the heir to the title, were enfeoffed as commandery princes, receiving gold-plated silver seals and silver albums.

Therefore, although Zhu Shouqian was enfeoffed as a prince through his status as a grand-nephew, his primary ancestor was Zhu Yuanzhang's eldest brother, making his status unique. He was also granted a golden album and a golden seal.

Furthermore, his crown, garments, chariot regalia, and court ceremonial etiquettes were largely identical to those of a grand prince, and the number of his officials and guards also fell within the scale of a grand prince's estate.

Although he was a commandery prince, his rights and treatment were identical to those of a grand prince.

Zhu Su suddenly spoke up like he was presenting a treasure, "Uncle, Father wants to enfeoff you as the Prince of Xu, saying that you saved Mother and the Crown Prince."

Ma Xun hurriedly blocked this unbridled nephew's mouth. "I can only become the Prince of Xu after I die. As long as your uncle is alive, I can only be the Duke of Xu, understand?"

A somewhat bewildered Zhu Su nodded blankly, but Zhu Shuang couldn't help glancing at Ma Xun. His uncle had grown much bolder; in the past, whenever such topics were brought up, he would definitely have stayed far away.

Ma Xun instantly developed a headache. "You boys, hurry up and figure out how I should submit a memorial. The enfeoffment of the princes concerns your future!"

Zhu Shuang and the others looked at one another, completely clueless about these matters. When it came to military campaigns and warfare, Zhu Shuang and his brothers could offer endless suggestions and devise strategies.

However, matters like petitioning for the enfeoffment of the princes far exceeded their capabilities.

Li Jinglong ran over happily, shouting, "Great-Uncle."

Ma Xun quickly turned around, smiling as he stood up and said, "Brother-in-law."

Looking at the children before him, Li Zhen smiled and said, "With all of them here, you won't be able to settle your mind to write memorials anyway. There's no need to worry; the Empress has definitely prepared everything for you."

Ma Xun thought that made sense, but still said, "In case she forgets in all the busyness, and I am unprepared, it won't be good."

Li Zhen found it hard to persuade him further. Ma Xun's personality was simply this cautious and steady; having such a temperament at such a young age was truly rare!

Zhu Yuanzhang arrived with Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao. "Brother-in-law, younger brother, things have been busy these past two days. It's not that I'm putting on airs."

Ma Xiuying also added, "Brother-in-law, Chongba should have brought us over personally. It's just that he has been too busy, and he wanted the whole family to have a New Year's meal together, which is why we troubled you to come over."

Li Zhen smiled and said, "There's no need to say such things. You are busy; I understand it all in my heart."

Zhu Su, who never had a filter on his mouth, suddenly asked, "Mother, why did Uncle say that he can only be enfeoffed as a prince after his death?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely surprised. "Who told you that?"

Zhu Su immediately replied, "Uncle said it."

Looking somewhat embarrassed, Ma Xun said to Zhu Su, "This child has too loose a tongue; from now on, I can't tell him anything."

"Younger brother even knows about these things?" Zhu Yuanzhang teased. "It's the New Year, so we shouldn't speak of inauspicious things. Among all these nephews of yours, only Biao'er can keep a secret."

Ma Xiuying also joked, "In front of so many children, what secrets could there be? Being posthumously elevated to a princely title for three generations—isn't this only right and proper?"

Ma Xun could only say, "I was just teasing the children. Even if there is a posthumous elevation, it would be for our fathers and ancestors; how could it ever be me?"

"Then you just need to do your job well, and in the future, you will be posthumously granted the title of a prince." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and said, "I don't have the final say on this matter; we have to ask your nephew."

Zhu Biao joined in the banter, saying, "The title of Prince of Xu was originally meant for Uncle anyway, meaning Uncle has always prioritized the bigger picture and shown consideration. Otherwise, with the enfeoffment of the princes and peerages right before us, it would have been difficult to handle."

Ma Xiuying smiled at this as well. She was happiest that Ma Xun understood the greater good.

In the future, her maiden family's ancestral incense would have a continuation, and the Zhu family would not make things difficult for them. The position of a Duke was, in her eyes, the very best position.

Amidst the chatter, a young boy walked timidly into the hall. "Imperial Grandfather, Imperial Grandmother."

"Tiezhu," Zhu Biao called out with a smile. "Come over quickly and pay your respects to your Great-Uncle."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "If he doesn't follow suit and address him properly, our family's Tiezhu will achieve great things in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy. This roomful of people were his own kin—relatives bound by blood and ties so deep that even if their bones were broken, their tendons remained connected.

After a harmonious and joyful family reunion dinner, Ma Xun and Li Zhen took Li Jinglong back to their courtyard, while Zhu Shouqian was sent back to his mother's side.

As soon as night fell, Ma Xun went to sleep early to make some preparations for the first court audience of his life.

"Lord Imperial Uncle."

"Lord Imperial Uncle."

Ma Xun sat up abruptly and asked, "Has the time come?"

A eunuch holding a set of garments said, "Lord Imperial Uncle, it is time to attend the court audience."

Ma Xun hurriedly got out of bed and asked, "Where is the Eldest Brother-in-law? Has he gotten up yet?"

While helping Ma Xun dress, the eunuch replied, "The Marquis went to the Huagai Hall long ago. Whenever it is New Year's Day, the Winter Solstice, or His Majesty's birthday, His Majesty holds court in the Huagai Hall to receive the kowtows and salutations of the inner court officials."

Ma Xun was somewhat annoyed. "Then why didn't anyone wake me?"

The eunuch ingratiatingly said, "His Majesty issued an edict saying that Lord Imperial Uncle is young and fond of sleep, so there was no need to wake up early. Lord Imperial Uncle, someone will lead you to the Fengtian Gate shortly."

Ma Xun hurriedly washed up, hastily ate some breakfast, and set off holding his *hu* tablet in both hands.

He still held a memorial in his hand; he would still need to petition for the enfeoffment of the princes shortly.