The eldest grandson is stunned! How much money does this brother of mine have?

Within the Eastern Palace, Yuqing Palace.

The brazier burned brightly, dispelling the cold from outside the hall.

The hall was filled with joy.

Crown Princess Zhang held her eldest son Zhu Zhanji's hand tightly, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

"Good! Excellent!"

"My Ji'er, you accompanied your grandfather on this campaign. Although you didn't fight on the front lines, you handled military affairs from the sidelines, which is certainly valuable experience."

"Your grandfather praised your composure in front of all the civil and military officials. This mother is utterly pleased!"

Zhu Zhanji smiled, though his smile was a little forced.

He knew clearly that his minor contribution of "accompanying the emperor" was nothing compared to his second brother's feat of "single-handedly conquering Mobei."

"Mother, this was merely my duty as a son."

Zhu Zhanji's voice was gentle and humble.

He paused, then voiced the doubt in his heart: "By the way, Mother, where is Zhanjun?"

"Today, His Majesty the Emperor returns victorious, with officials welcoming him and the populace cheering. What a glorious scene it is."

"As the primary contributor to this victory, why is he nowhere to be seen?"

"That rascal!"

Mentioning Zhu Zhanjun, the Crown Princess's smile widened, tinged with more affection and helplessness.

She gestured in the air with her well-maintained hand, saying with a mix of exasperation and amusement, "He finds the crowds outside too noisy and boisterous."

"Before the army even entered the city gates, he slipped away from the procession by himself."

"He just sent word that he's going back to his residence for a good hot bath and a change of clean clothes, and will come over later to eat the prepared meal."

"This... what kind of behavior is this! It's simply outrageous!"

Zhu Zhanji's brows immediately furrowed into a deep frown.

"His Majesty is waiting outside the city with all the officials, under the gaze of thousands. He, the protagonist, flees the scene? If the censors find out, it will be another reprimand!"

"Alright, alright."

The Crown Princess waved her hand, interrupting her son's lecture.

"Don't you know his free-spirited nature?"

"Your grandfather indulges him, so you shouldn't worry yourself sick over it."

"Besides, I've already sent word to your grandfather. He only replied with three words: 'Let him be.'"

As she spoke, she pulled Zhu Zhanji to sit on a chair cushioned with thick brocade.

She then turned to her daughter-in-law, Imperial Grandson's Consort Hu Shanxiang, who stood quietly beside them, and gently instructed, "Shanxiang, tonight is a grand occasion."

"Your grandfather, your father, and several important ministers of the court will be coming to welcome your second brother home."

"This celebration banquet is no small matter. You must handle it with care, so as not to tarnish the prestige of our Eastern Palace, and certainly not to make your second brother feel wronged."

Upon hearing this, Hu Shanxiang immediately bowed, her posture respectful, and replied softly, "Yes, Mother. Your daughter-in-law understands."

"Your daughter-in-law has already made all the arrangements."

She then took a list, meticulously written on fine Xuan paper, from her sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"Mother, please take a look. This is the menu and schedule that your daughter-in-law has drafted, referencing the highest imperial standard, the 'Longevity Banquet.'"

"There are one hundred and eight dishes in total, including all sorts of delicacies from mountains and seas. The ingredients selected are the finest tribute items from various regions."

"During the banquet, your daughter-in-law has also arranged for the top musicians and dancers from the Music and Dance Bureau to perform and entertain, ensuring that grandfather, His Majesty, and all the esteemed guests will be pleased."

Hu Shanxiang's proposal was flawless and perfect in every way.

However, Crown Princess Zhang merely glanced at it casually before placing it aside with a lack of interest.

Without commenting, she instructed a supervising eunuch standing beside her, "Go and fetch that 'banquet proposal' that Zhanjun's residence sent a few days ago."

"Yes."

The eunuch responded and left. Soon, something completely different from all the official documents in the palace was presented.

It was a booklet, its cover made of a smooth, snow-white, and tough paper. On it were drawn various unheard-of strange patterns and characters in charcoal.

Without even looking, the Crown Princess handed this peculiar booklet to Zhu Zhanji and Hu Shanxiang, her eyes and brows revealing an undisguised amusement and curiosity.

"You two, take a look at this."

"This is the plan for tonight."

Zhu Zhanji and Hu Shanxiang accepted it with full curiosity.

Upon opening the first page, both of them froze, their eyes wide open.

"Outdoor... buffet cold meal?"

"Grand... colorful musical fireworks display?"

"A 'Twelve Periods' themed... Glass ice sculpture exhibition?"

"French golden baked escargots, deep-sea sashimi dragon boat, German crispy roast pork knuckle, Italian black truffle risotto..."

What in the world is all this written here?

He knew every single character, but put together, they were harder to understand than a heavenly book!

The proposal didn't just list these terms he couldn't comprehend; each was accompanied by incredibly exquisite and lifelike hand-drawn illustrations.

One picture showed guests holding pristine white porcelain plates, laughing and chatting in a brightly lit garden, freely selecting food from a long table, with no sense of hierarchy or status.

Another depicted a jet-black night sky, with countless colorful "fireworks" shooting upwards, blooming into words like "Long live Great Ming," "Prince Zheng is awesome," and various intricate, dazzling patterns.

A third picture showed enormous, crystal-clear ice blocks carved into dragons, phoenixes, qilin, and other mythical beasts. They even depicted Zhu Di and Zhu Zhanjun themselves, lifelike and vivid.