The emperor's birthday is a day of universal celebration.

In the morning, the emperor would receive the homage of all officials in the Taiji Hall. At noon, a banquet would be held in the palace to entertain imperial relatives, officials, and the families of officials of the third rank and above.

Before the banquet began, the highly anticipated gift-giving session naturally followed.

At this time of year, everyone, whether in the inner palace or the imperial court, racks their brains to find a birthday gift that will impress the emperor.

In previous years, the emperor might have been somewhat interested in receiving gifts, wanting to see if anyone could please him.

But this year, he has already received the best gift.

No matter how precious the gifts from these people are, they can't compare to the bowl of longevity noodles he ate that morning, made by the children themselves.

So this part was rather boring for him.

After the gift-giving ceremony finally ended, the banquet began. The prime minister, on behalf of all the officials, stepped forward to toast the emperor and offer his birthday wishes.

The emperor had been holding back for a long time; this was the moment he had been waiting for.

After the Prime Minister finished reading the birthday wishes, he casually remarked, "I remember the Prime Minister also celebrated his birthday not long ago, didn't he?"

Prime Minister Wang was somewhat puzzled as to why the emperor suddenly asked this question, but he still smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, this old minister did indeed celebrate my birthday at the beginning of last month."

"Time waits for no one, and the Prime Minister has reached the age of fifty!" the Emperor sighed.

Prime Minister Wang was even more confused.

Does His Majesty find him too old?

"Although I am over fifty years old, I am still willing to serve Your Majesty with all my heart!" Prime Minister Wang hurriedly expressed his loyalty.

"I remember, the Prime Minister's grandson is already studying at the Imperial Academy, isn't he?" the Emperor asked affectionately.

Prime Minister Wang's old face was so stiff from smiling.

What exactly is Your Majesty trying to say by suddenly rambling on about so many random things?

"Your Majesty, thank you for your concern. My grandchildren have indeed all started their education."

"It seems the Prime Minister has a large family of children and grandchildren!" the Emperor guided the conversation step by step.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessing!" Prime Minister Wang hurriedly flattered.

"When the Prime Minister celebrated his birthday, he must have eaten longevity noodles made by his children and grandchildren, right?" the Emperor asked with a smile.

Prime Minister Wang: ?

He looked up at the emperor, puzzled.

"The Prime Minister has a large family of children and grandchildren, yet he didn't get to eat longevity noodles made by his children and grandchildren on his birthday?" the Emperor asked in surprise.

Prime Minister Wang: ......

Seeing the emperor's barely concealed smug expression, Prime Minister Wang vaguely guessed why the emperor had gone through all this trouble.

He just couldn't quite believe it.

After all, the princes and princesses were only ten years old at the oldest. They were precious and elegant, and they knew how to make longevity noodles.

That seems impossible, doesn't it?

"This morning, the Crown Prince, along with all his brothers and sisters, personally cooked a bowl of longevity noodles for me. He also said that in ordinary families, children would cook a bowl of longevity noodles for their parents on their birthdays, wishing them a long and healthy life. And the Prime Minister, you have many children and grandchildren. You didn't get to eat longevity noodles? No way, no way?"

Seeing the emperor's smug face, Prime Minister Wang's face darkened.

If he weren't the emperor, Prime Minister Wang would definitely have splashed the wine in his cup all over his face.

In the main hall, it wasn't just Prime Minister Wang whose face instantly darkened.

However, some quick-witted individuals immediately began praising the princes and princesses, especially the crown prince, extolling their filial piety and the emperor's good fortune.

Praises poured in from all sides, one after another.

The emperor's sense of satisfaction reached its peak amidst the praise of his ministers.

This was a birthday banquet that left a deep impression on both the emperor and his officials.

The emperor became a baby-showing fanatic, and whenever an official came forward to offer a toast and wish him a happy birthday, he would boast about it.

Throughout the entire banquet, the emperor's smile never faded.

The courtiers smiled on the surface, but only they knew what they were really feeling.

As the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Xie Shaoling also attended the palace banquet, and his seat was very close to the emperor.

Because of his relationship with the emperor, he did not take the initiative to offer a toast and offend him. However, he could not help being close to the emperor. Whenever the emperor showed off his child, even if he did not want to listen, the sound would automatically get into his ears.

Moreover, on several occasions when the emperor boasted to his ministers, he was referring to his position.

The emperor must really want to show off to him in front of him, so he is even less likely to give the emperor that opportunity!

His back still aches slightly!

After the palace banquet ended and he returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, he happened to run into Xie Chang'an and his men going out. Xie Chang'an acted as if he didn't even see his father.

You really shouldn't compare yourself to others, because it's just asking for trouble!

As Xie Chang'an passed by him, Xie Shaoling suddenly reached out, trying to grab his collar and lift him up.

But Xie Chang'an seemed to have eyes in the top of his head, and with a flash, he made Xie Chang'an's hands miss their mark.

"Did you drink too much at the palace banquet? What's wrong with you all of a sudden?" Xie Chang'an asked with disdain after distancing himself from his father.

Xie Shaoling put his hands behind his back with some regret, "I didn't drink too much, I was just traumatized!"

"Is the Emperor making things difficult for you again?" Xie Chang'an frowned.

"No, he's in a good mood today and doesn't have time to make things difficult for me," Xie Shaoling said sourly.

"What triggered you?" Xie Chang'an asked, puzzled.

"Today is His Majesty's birthday. His Highness the Crown Prince, along with all the princes and princesses, personally cooked a bowl of longevity noodles for His Majesty. Little Chang'an, look at His Highness the Crown Prince. Although he is of noble birth, he is still willing to cook for his father to please him. And look at you? I have been back from the northern frontier for so long, and I haven't even had a cup of tea with you. Don't you feel ashamed?" Xie Shaoling asked with an exaggerated expression, mimicking Xi Shi clutching her heart.

Xie Chang'an: ......

He knew Ye Jingchen wouldn't waste two days in the Eastern Palace's small kitchen for no reason; it was indeed to please the emperor.

He was truly a master at winning people's hearts; if he wanted to please someone, probably no one could resist!

Xie Chang'an thought for a moment, then took out a small bamboo tube about the width of a finger from his sleeve, pulled out a piece of silk from the tube, and handed it to Xie Shaoling, "Take a look at this, perhaps it will make you feel a little better."

Xie Shaoling unfolded the silk cloth, which was covered with dense writing.

He skimmed through the information written on the silk cloth, but instead of feeling better as Xie Chang'an had said, his expression grew increasingly serious.

"What are you planning to do?" he asked Xie Chang'an.

"The storytellers in the capital need to come up with new tales," Xie Chang'an said.

"You want to spread this word first?" Xie Shaoling frowned.

"This is clearly a trap, and I don't want a fool to ruin my plans," Xie Chang'an said in a deep voice.

"Tomorrow, find an opportunity to inform His Highness the Crown Prince about this matter and ask for his opinion." Xie Shaoling returned the silk cloth to Xie Chang'an.

Xie Chang'an hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

In dealing with powerful families, their goals were indeed aligned.

Ye Jingchen always considers things from a unique perspective; informing him in advance might yield unexpected results.