Emperor, why are you bleeding from the nose?

Night fell, and the lanterns were lit.

The rear garden of the Eastern Palace had completely transformed.

What was once a serene imperial garden had been converted into a massive, open-air banquet hall, brilliantly illuminated.

Hundreds of uniquely designed palace lanterns lit up the entire garden as if it were day.

A long table, dozens of meters in length, was covered with a white tablecloth and laden with a dazzling array of exotic delicacies never before seen.

Whole roasted sheep, sizzling with fat, piles of fiery red shrimp, and huge wooden tubs filled with fragrant spicy crayfish, alongside various delicate, colorful pastries.

The most eye-catching feature was the twelve zodiac ice sculptures carved from massive blocks of Glass, positioned in the center of the banquet area.

The ice sculptures were hollowed out and filled with luminous night-shining pearls, making the entire display crystal clear and shimmering with light.

Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, along with Zhang Fu, Xue Lu, and other key generals, stood at the garden entrance, gazing at the scene before them. They were all dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time.

"This... this is the victory banquet that young Zhanjun cooked up?"

Zhu Di pointed at the palace maids and eunuchs, carrying plates and freely mingling, serving themselves, as well as some soldiers granted special permission to attend, his eye twitching.

Where was the semblance of rules and decorum for a royal banquet?

It was just like a marketplace!

"Father, you've arrived!"

Zhu Zhanjun approached with a smile, holding a glass filled with a pale yellow liquid.

"Come, come, try my special 'Beer,' paired with the 'Barbecue' over there. The taste is incredible!"

Without further ado, he thrust the glass into Zhu Di's hand.

Zhu Di sniffed it with skepticism, and a peculiar aroma of malt filled his nostrils.

He took a sip, just like his grandson, and the cool liquid, with its abundant bubbles, slid down his throat, sending an unprecedented sense of exhilaration through his body.

"Delicious!"

Zhu Di's eyes lit up.

"Father, Eldest Brother, General Zhang, don't just stand there, try some too!"

Zhu Zhanjun called out to Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji.

"This is called a 'Buffet.' Take whatever you want, don't be shy!"

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji exchanged a look, seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

They had never attended such a "down-to-earth" banquet in their lives.

But seeing Zhu Di already enthusiastically holding a plate, enthusiastically devouring a plate of "Garlic Roasted Oysters" under the guidance of a young eunuch, they could only brace themselves and follow suit.

"Grandfather, try this one."

Zhu Zhanjun, as if presenting a treasure, brought over a bowl made of Glass, filled with a milky white substance emitting wisps of cold air.

"This is called 'Ice Cream.' It's made from milk, it's cool and refreshing, sweet but not greasy."

Zhu Di scooped a spoonful with a small jade spoon and put it in his mouth. The sweet, smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture caused his usually stern face to relax.

"Mmm! Delicious!"

"Much better than the Cheese from the Imperial Kitchen!"

"Zhanjun, do you have any more of this?"

"Send some to Grandmother too!"

"Yes, yes, plenty!"

The entire banquet proceeded in such a relaxed, novel, and even somewhat chaotic atmosphere.

The usually stern generals, egged on by Zhu Zhanjun, let go of their inhibitions, rolled up their sleeves, ate heartily, drank heartily, and were thoroughly happy.

Only Zhu Zhanji remained somewhat out of place.

He stood in a corner with a glass of juice, watching the lively scene before him, his heart filled with emotion.

He had to admit that the things his second brother had created were indeed novel and interesting, and they did help people relax.

But was this kind of revelry, which completely abandoned etiquette and rules, truly good?

As his thoughts swirled, suddenly, a sharp whistle echoed through the night sky!

"Whoosh--Boom!"

A large firework exploded in the sky, forming a brilliant peony pattern.

Immediately after, hundreds and thousands of fireworks were launched one after another, dyeing the entire night sky in color.

"Long live Great Ming!"

"Prince Zheng is invincible!"

Giant firework characters appeared one by one in the night sky, causing the soldiers below to erupt in thunderous cheers.

Zhu Di looked at the title belonging to his grandson in the night sky, then at the soldiers below whose morale was soaring because of Zhu Zhanjun, his eyes filled with complexity.

He raised his wine cup and downed it in one gulp, unsure whether he felt joy or sorrow.

Halfway through the banquet, Zhu Zhanjun excused himself to change his clothes and slipped away to a secluded corner of the garden.

A young palace maid with a delicate appearance and a graceful figure was already waiting there.

Upon seeing Zhu Zhanjun, a blush spread across her face, and she quickly lowered her head, handing him a warm hot water bottle.

"Your Highness, the wind is strong at night, and you just drank cold wine. Warm your hands."

This palace maid, named Wan'er, was specially sent by the Crown Princess to look after Zhu Zhanjun. She was thoughtful and diligent.

"You're so considerate."

Zhu Zhanjun took the hot water bottle and praised her casually.

Wan'er's face turned even redder, and she buried her head lower, her voice as faint as a mosquito's: "This is what this servant should do."

Zhu Zhanjun smiled at her shy demeanor and didn't say anything further.