Сhеng Jing gаzеd сoldly аt Маdаm Yuаn, remaining silent fоr а long while.
Мadam Yuаn соuldn’t hеlр but fеel a сhill in her heart. After steаdуing hersеlf for sоmе timе, shе manаgеd tо fоrсe а smile, readу tо lowеr her head аnd admit defеat. Yet bеfоrе shе соuld sрeak, Сhеng Jing said, “Тhеn dеcidе for уоurself!”
With that, hе strоde аway.
Thе maids and eldеrlу sеrvants in thе room tremblеd with fеаr, wishing theу соuld bесоme invisiblе.
Мadаm Yuan fеlt a suffoсating аngеr trаpреd in hеr сhest, unable tо rise or dissipate, hеr face flushеd with shame.
Мin Jia, whо livеd in the rеar courtyard, learned of this and secretly sneered.
Her mother-in-law was far too narrow-minded.
If she didn’t change this flaw, she would only invite more ridicule in the future.
Fortunately, Min Jia would soon be leaving.
Speaking of her ability to accompany Cheng Xu to Mianzhu, she had to thank the old madam. If not for her intervention, even if Min Jia had used the matter of heirs as an excuse, Madam Yuan would likely not have agreed so easily.
Thinking of Yun Ge’er’s first birthday celebration the next day, and how Old Madam Guo had always hoped for Yun Ge’er to grow up safe and sound, Min Jia pondered for a moment. She instructed her personal maid to open one of her dowry chests and take out a peachwood-carved peace plaque, which she placed in a box. The next day, when she went to Chaoyang Gate, she brought it along.
Though it was still early, Chaoyang Gate was already decorated with lanterns and banners, its doors open to receive guests.
Quite a few guests had arrived.
As she stepped out of her sedan chair, she encountered the eldest and third madams of the Yuan family.
She knew both madams. It was no surprise that the eldest madam represented the Yuan family in social engagements, but the third madam was an unexpected sight. Ever since the scandal of the third master of the Yuan family keeping a mistress outside broke out, the third madam had not ventured out for quite some time. Why would she attend Yun Ge’er’s first birthday celebration now?
Min Jia wondered inwardly but dared not show the slightest hint of surprise. Following behind Madam Yuan, she stepped forward with a warm smile to greet the two Yuan madams.
The two Yuan madams were Madam Yuan’s cousins-in-law, making them Min Jia’s maternal cousins-in-law.
With this familial connection, their conversation was naturally more intimate than with others.
The eldest Yuan madam said, “When will Jiashan leave the capital? His uncle wishes to host a farewell banquet for him at home. Tomorrow seems like a good day—how about tomorrow?”
Madam Yuan smiled and agreed, “That’s fine.” Just then, another sedan chair arrived.
A young woman in the bloom of her youth, wearing a pomegranate-red robe and a stone-blue horse-face skirt, was helped down by an elderly servant accompanying the sedan chair.
Min Jia found her unfamiliar. Madam Yuan and the eldest Yuan madam also looked puzzled, clearly not recognizing her. However, the third Yuan madam smiled and greeted the woman, “Madam Hong has also come—what a rare guest. It’s been four or five years since we last met, I believe.”
The woman stepped forward to pay her respects.
The third madam introduced the woman to Min Jia and the others, “This is the wife of the former Surveillance Commissioner of Zhejiang, Lord Hong. Lord Hong returned to the Censorate this April, so Madam Hong must have accompanied him back to the capital.”
Since they all moved in the circles of official families in the capital, it was essential to know who was who.
As soon as the third madam finished speaking, the other three understood who she was.
The daughter-in-law of the Vice Minister of War and Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Hong Xiu, and also the niece-in-law of Madam Hong of the second branch of Nine Prosperities Lane.
The second branch of Nine Prosperities Lane had separated from the main branch, yet someone from the Hong family had come to attend the first birthday celebration of Cheng Chi’s eldest son…
The eldest Yuan madam smiled and said, “Lord Hong and Young Lord Cheng are now colleagues, aren’t they?”Madam Hong quickly nodded and smiled, "Exactly. As soon as we returned to the capital, we heard about the first birthday celebration for Master Cheng's eldest son." She then asked Madam Yuan, "Has Third Master still not taken up an official post? I wonder what kind of position could possibly keep him settled?"
Yuan Bieyun had passed the imperial examination one term earlier than Cheng Chi. He had even been selected as a Junior Scholar Candidate and observed government affairs at the Ministry of Rites. However, before completing his three-year term as a Junior Scholar Candidate, he could no longer bear it and resigned to travel the world. Since the founding of the dynasty, he was the first to do so.
In the past, Madam Yuan would have felt awkward when others asked such questions. But as Yuan Bieyun caused trouble from time to time, she no longer took such matters to heart. She smiled and said, "He's like a child, who knows when he'll grow up."
This was hardly a good thing!
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group entered the second gate together.
Zhou Shaojin personally came to greet them and accompanied them to pay respects to Old Madam Guo first.
Old Madam Guo did not ask about Yuan Bieyun. Instead, she took Madam Yuan's hand and said, "You've been steady and composed since you were a child. If Bieyun hadn't married you, no one could have lived with him. You will have blessings in your later years."
Only then did Madam Yuan's eyes grow slightly moist. She replied, "I'll take your auspicious words to heart and wait for that day."
As they spoke, Madam Song arrived with her married eldest daughter, Miss Song.
Inevitably, there was another round of greetings.
By the time Min Jia left Tingxiang Courtyard, the sun was already high in the sky.
Taking advantage of the moment when Zhou Shaojin saw them off at the gate, Min Jia handed a small box containing a wooden plaque to Zhou Shaojin and smiled, "This is something I obtained from Lingyin Temple in the past. It has been blessed and I’d like to give it to Yun Ge'er to wear for fun."
Gifts for the first birthday celebration had long been sent from Xinglin Lane.
This could be considered Min Jia's personal gift to Yun Ge'er.
Since marrying into the family, Min Jia had always been cold and distant toward Zhou Shaojin. Zhou Shaojin couldn't understand why her attitude had suddenly changed. But since Min Jia was being friendly, Zhou Shaojin wouldn't stand on ceremony either.
She thanked Min Jia with a smile.
For some reason, Min Jia inexplicably felt relieved.
She smiled and caught up with Madam Yuan and the others.
Madam Yuan asked, "What were you talking about with Zhou-shi?"
Min Jia had no intention of elaborating and casually replied with a smile, "Yun Ge'er is one year old now, so I offered a few words of congratulations to Fourth Aunt."
As expected, Madam Yuan didn't press further.
They sat in the flower hall for a while, and soon it was almost full of people.
Madam Yuan sat nearby, chatting with those she usually interacted with closely.
Seeing Madam Qiu and Madam Xie helping Zhou Shaojin receive guests, Min Jia thought for a moment and followed them over.
With tasks to attend to, it seemed like the auspicious hour arrived in the blink of an eye—Yun Ge'er was about to perform the first birthday grasping ceremony in the main hall.
Nearly all the ladies and young mistresses seated in the flower hall followed along, though among the older generation from the study and Tingxiang Courtyard, only Old Madam Guo, Lady Pengcheng, and a few others attended.
In the main hall, a large desk was set up, covered with a crimson felt blanket and laden with items such as a fish-shaped pouch, peachwood swords, brushes, ink, inkstones, books from the various schools of thought... a dazzling array spread across the entire table.
Among the women, someone began recounting their own child's first birthday grab game experience: ...He grabbed a brush. Now that he's grown up, he isn't good at much else, but he excels at studying."
Everyone chimed in agreement.
Zhou Shaojin walked out, holding Yun Ge'er in her arms.The little one was dressed in festive bright red clothing, wearing a gleaming pure gold necklace with a longevity lock. His hair was jet-black and glossy, his skin fair and clean, and his large eyes sparkled like black grapes, with long, dense, upturned eyelashes resembling small fans. All the women in the room praised Yun Ge'er for his good looks.
This was the first time Yun Ge'er had seen so many people.
He shyly hid in Zhou Shaojin's arms, peeking out.
Zhou Shaojin gently patted his back and softly coaxed him, "It's alright, it's alright. Everyone sees that Yun Ge'er is both beautiful and well-behaved, so they all like you and are gathered around to look. In a moment, just go to that long table and pick something you like for Mother. Then Mother will take you to Grandmother for some delicious treats. Okay?"
Whether Yun Ge'er understood or not, he nodded, his bright gaze shifting to the items arranged on the desk.
Zhou Shaojin carefully placed the child on the long table.
Cheng Chi entered with the male guests who had come to observe the ceremony.
Yun Ge'er grinned and called out "Daddy" to Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi walked over, affectionately patted his head, and said, "Pick something you like for Daddy."
Yun Ge'er became happy, giggling as he unsteadily walked to the center of the desk, then plopped down and sat. After looking around for a while, he picked up a fish-shaped pouch.
Lady Pengcheng chuckled and said, "Our Yun Ge'er will surely become a high-ranking official in the future."
Before her words had even faded, Yun Ge'er grabbed a peachwood sword nearby.
Madam Song laughed, "Oh my, he's both literary and martial!"
Old Madam Guo simply smiled.
But Yun Ge'er dropped the fish pouch and peachwood sword, grabbing an abacus not far away.
The abacus represented merchants.
At this, everyone's expressions became somewhat restrained.
Zhou Shaojin, however, didn't mind.
Madam Fan Liu said that when she was young, she had grabbed a brush, yet she hadn't become particularly scholarly.
Just as Zhou Shaojin was about to step forward to touch Yun Ge'er, he dropped the abacus and grabbed the ink stick wrapped in bright red gold thread in front of him.
The atmosphere in the hall shifted.
Someone chimed in cheerfully, "Good, good, our Yun Ge'er will be a scholar in the future."
At this point, picking up the child would end the Zhua Zhou ceremony, and this would be the final omen.
So everyone breathed a sigh of relief!
Zhou Shaojin smiled slightly, preparing to pick up Yun Ge'er.
But Yun Ge'er dropped the gold thread, nimbly crawled to the side, and grabbed a bunch of scallions.
Scallions symbolize intelligence.
Everyone was stunned.
Yun Ge'er promptly stuffed the scallions into his mouth.
Caught off guard, Zhou Shaojin couldn't stop him in time.
Yun Ge'er, stung by the spiciness, burst into loud wails.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly picked up her son, cleaning the scallions from his mouth while soothing him, "Don't cry, don't cry! Spit it out quickly. Mother will get you honey water right away." In her heart, she complained: although placing scallions was her own idea, she hadn't told them to use real scallions—she had asked them to find the small jade scallion from her dowry chest...
Yun Ge'er cried loudly, clutching the scallions tightly, unwilling to let go.
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to let him hold them.
Seeing this, the master of ceremonies quickly laughed and said, "Our birthday boy grabbed scallions today, which means our Yun Ge'er is very clever and will excel at anything he does in the future!"
This interpretation was quite acceptable.
Cheng Chi smiled and invited everyone to the flower hall or front courtyard for the meal.Zhou Shaojin took Yun Ge'er back to the room to drink honey water and seized the opportunity to lecture him: "From now on, you mustn't just put anything in your mouth without looking, understand?"
Yun Ge'er nodded, his big eyes brimming with tears.
Zhou Shaojin felt her heart melt at the sight.
She fetched the honey water and fed it to Yun Ge'er, soothing his emotions.
Someone leaned against the doorframe and clapped.
Zhou Shaojin looked up and saw Jiying standing against the light, wearing a stone-blue robe printed with silver-white phoenix-tail floral patterns, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her crimson lips resembled blooming pomegranate flowers.
"Jiying, what brings you here!" Zhou Shaojin jumped up, holding the child as she stood.
"I came to attend Yun Ge'er's first birthday celebration!" Jiying said with a laugh, lazily stepping inside. She gazed at Yun Ge'er with a smile and said, "Young Master Yun, well done! I was afraid you'd be like your father when he was little—grabbing a fish pouch and ending up passing the imperial examinations as a dual-ranked scholar."
Yun Ge'er stared at the unfamiliar Jiying, puzzled, and called out "Daddy" toward the space behind her.
"Cheng Zichuan?!" Jiying's face paled in alarm. She leaped up and hid behind Zhou Shaojin.
Outside the door, the wind rustled through the green bamboo—there was no sign of Cheng Chi.
Everyone burst into laughter.
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Dear readers, today's update.
o(n_n)o~
OpenNovel