Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 226: The Queen Mother's Birthday
Today is the third day of the eleventh month, the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and Emperor Hongzhi has issued a general amnesty.

The palace was filled with joy. Duke Yingguo Zhang Mao, his son-in-law Xinning Earl Tan You, the Earl of Changning, the Marquis of Shouning, the Earl of Jianchang and other dignitaries in Beijing gathered in Renshou Palace.

Emperor Hongzhi, Empress Zhang, and Crown Prince Zhu Houzhao arrived at the Renshou Palace hand in hand.

The Empress Dowager, Mrs. Zhou, the oldest girl, arrived last.

Renshou Palace was filled with joy.

Zhu Houzhao smiled and asked the two Zhang brothers, "Uncles, what do you plan to give to Grandma today?"

Zhang Heling thought to himself, would you like to wish her a long life?
I wish she would die soon.

As everyone knows, the Zhang family and the Zhou family have always been at odds with each other, but of course they cannot show it on the surface.

Zhang Heling smiled and said, "This gift I gave you is really amazing. What's the matter? Nephew, you want to cram at the last minute? You haven't decided what to give yet, have you?"

Zhu Houzhao said confidently: "Excuse me, my gift is also amazing!"

"What?"

Zhang Yanling asked curiously.

Zhu Houzhao said: "It doesn't matter if I tell you, what I sent is a birthday cake!"

I lost it!

Isn't that a repeat of ours?

We also gave away big cakes!

Zhang Yanling was about to say something, but was stopped by his elder brother Zhang Heling, who said to Zhu Houzhao indifferently: "Pastry, not bad, it's OK."

Zhang Yanling pulled Zhang Heling aside and whispered, "Brother, this is not good. Aren't we repeating ourselves?"

"We are also sending cakes, and we will present gifts later. He is the prince, so he will give gifts first. If we send cakes later, it will seem insincere."

Zhang Heling snorted and said, "I don't even want to give that old man a gift. If it weren't for my sister asking us to prepare it carefully, would I have sent a cake over?"

"But you are right. If we send more cakes, it will seem insincere and Sister will definitely scold us."

Zhang Yanling asked hurriedly: "What should we do?"

Zhang Heling rolled his eyes, a plan came to his mind, and he said lightly, "Simple."

He put his hands behind his back, smiled and came to Empress Zhang and Zhu Houzhao, and flattered Empress Zhang, "Sister, I heard that our eldest nephew prepared this gift carefully today!"

Empress Zhang asked, "So?"

Zhang Heling smiled and said, "Sister, the more valuable the gift is, the more it should be presented last. This will make the old man happy."

"That's what a grand finale is all about."

"Why don't we let our brothers present the gifts first, and then let the eldest nephew present the gift last?"

Empress Zhang thought this made sense, but after a second thought, she gently scolded him, "You are just kidding!"

"There is a strict order for offering gifts, how can there be any chaos?"

Zhang Heling said, "It's easy. Let my eldest nephew go out and wait for me to present my gift. Then he can come in and present his gift last, right?"

Before Empress Zhang could speak, Zhu Houzhao said, "What my uncle said makes sense!"

"That's right! I have to be the last one to appear, otherwise I won't deserve this great gift!"

Zhang Heling felt sad in his heart, this kid is really easy to fool, he actually believes this?

Sorry, uncle has let you down. Soon, the eunuchs began to sing the eulogy, with Emperor Hongzhi and Empress Zhang taking the lead in presenting gifts, followed by Prince Xing Zhu Youlang.

It was originally Zhu Houzhao's turn, but he was not there. The atmosphere was a little awkward for a moment, but the progress could not be put on hold. After all, with so many princes and vassals present, everyone seemed to have gotten used to Zhu Houzhao's unreliability.

Emperor Hongzhi's mouth was twisted with anger. Although no one else cared, Emperor Hongzhi couldn't help but care. Such a big thing happened, but that guy actually ran away. What would the old lady think?
The old lady and the Zhang family didn't get along well in the first place. Now doesn't she feel that the Zhang family is bullying her?
When it was the Zhang brothers' turn to present gifts, Zhang Heling said calmly, "I wish the Empress Dowager a long life. We, the Zhang brothers, would like to present a piece of homemade cake to you, please have a taste."

Of course, these pastries were not made by them themselves, but were bought from outside. How could they have the time to make them?
It doesn’t matter. The main thing is to express a thoughtful thought. Having this thought is enough.

Zhou smiled and said, "You are thoughtful."

"Let's share a taste."

Everyone took the Zhang brothers' cakes and tasted them, calling them shameless in their hearts, but they did not dare to say it out loud.

This is clearly the latest pastry from Qingxiangju on Chengqingfang Street. What do you mean you made it yourself? Do you have any shame?
Although everyone was complaining, no one would say it out loud. Even Earl Changning, who had fought with the Zhang brothers, did not say it out loud, thus ruining the atmosphere of today's birthday party.

Zhu Houzhao finally arrived late and said to the Empress Dowager with a smile: "Grandson wishes you a long life. Grandson presents you with a birthday cake. Old lady, this cake was made by grandson himself."

Everyone looked at Zhu Houzhao with strange expressions.

Both Emperor Hongzhi and Empress Zhang looked somewhat embarrassed.

Empress Zhang glared at the Zhang brothers fiercely, wishing she could slap the two bastards in the face! The two brothers lowered their heads and pretended not to see.

He is your nephew! How dare you play tricks on him?
What's the point of having Hou Zhao be the last to appear? Bullshit!
The gifts you presented overlapped, and you couldn't afford to lose face, so you let Zhu Houzhao present the last gift.

Now that you all say the same thing, what does the old lady think of our Zhang family?
We don't put our hearts into our gifts, do we? Even the words we say are the same?
Emperor Hongzhi's face twitched slightly, and he helped to explain: "I discussed it with his uncles. They are all made by hand. Although there is nothing new, it is thoughtful."

Grand Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and nodded, saying, "It's enough that your intention is there. I don't need anything."

Zhu Houzhao scratched his head: "What do you mean? Uncle also made his own cakes? We didn't discuss this."

Emperor Hongzhi: “…”

Queen Mother Zhou: “…”

I gave you a way out, but you don't know how to take it? Why are you so stupid?
So many people are watching here, aren't you making a fool of yourself?

Zhu Houzhao said: "Old lady, please take a look and try it. I guarantee you have never eaten it before!"

"Someone, bring the birthday cakes over!"

Four eunuchs came over carrying a huge wooden tray, which made people marvel at the sight. What kind of pastry required four people to carry it?

And covered with a layer of cloth?

"Open it!" Zhu Houzhao said.

When the cake was opened, there were a few big cream characters written on it: "Long live the emperor! May the Ming Dynasty prosper!"

Seeing that words could actually be written on the pastries, everyone couldn't help but be amazed.

This is much more attentive than what the Zhang brothers did.

Moreover, this pastry seems to have never appeared on the market before.

When Emperor Hongzhi saw these eight words, he couldn't help but smile and said, "It's a little thoughtful."

The Zhang brothers gasped. This pastry seemed to be more impressive than the one we offered!
But it’s definitely not as delicious as ours!

Zhu Houzhao said: "Grandma, please try it, it is delicious."

Zhu Houzhao cut a piece for Zhou. Zhou smiled, took a bite of the cream, and then... she was stunned!
(End of this chapter)