Chapter 364 The first birthday party is here!

In the following days, the eldest princess, Madam Mu, Qin Zhizhi, and Gu Yunfei began to get busy preparing for Gu Nian's first birthday party.

Originally, Gu Yunfei was a little pregnant, so a few people asked her to look after her, but Gu Yunfei couldn't sit still and wanted to participate in everything.

As Gu Nian's aunt, she was extremely enthusiastic. The eldest princess and the others were helpless but couldn't bear to stop her, so they just let her do what she wanted. Of course, they assigned her easy tasks.

With the thorough preparations of the Qin and Gu families, Gu Nian’s first birthday party finally arrived.

The Gu family sent out the invitation early, and the whole capital has been talking about the first birthday party of the young lady of the Gu family these days.

Gu Jinghuai was promoted this year, and Qin Zhizhi was also conferred the title of county lord.

The county lord not only grew high-yield crops, but also grew cotton, made cotton clothes, and gave them all to the soldiers in the northwest. Her righteousness is admirable.

The emperor praised her highly, and the county lady is now more famous than Gu Jinghuai.

The daughter she gave birth to, Gu Nian, naturally became the apple of the eye of the entire Gu family.

The relationship between the first and second branches of the Gu family has always been very good, and they are almost inseparable. There are even rumors that the person who saved the prince was the young lady.

The Gu family held a one-year-old party for the young lady this time, and the eldest princess took part in it personally, which shows how much the eldest princess values ​​Gu Nian.

The noble families in the capital who received the invitation did not dare to neglect it and prepared expensive gifts.

Mrs. Gu, who has always disliked crowds, specially had a picture of her hundreds of children and grandchildren painted, so that guests could see the whole picture at a glance when they entered through the gate.

She just wanted to show everyone that the Gu family would get better and better. The painting of hundreds of sons and grandchildren was done with delicate brushwork, and it really showed a lot of effort. The old lady was very satisfied.

The menu for the banquet was discussed by Qin Zhizhi and the imperial chef, who was specially sent by the Queen to help prepare for today's banquet.

The purpose is to bring honor to the Gu family and add color to Gu Nian’s first birthday party.

While the guests were not arriving yet, Qin Zhizhi felt a little worried and prepared to go to the kitchen.

"Mom, please take care of Nian Nian for me. I'll go to the kitchen." Qin Zhizhi said to her mother-in-law, Mrs. Mu.

"Zhizhi, don't worry, I will take good care of Nian Nian."

Mu never asked why Qin Zhizhi wanted to do something, nor did she stop her. Her daughter-in-law had her own reasons for doing things.

"Sister-in-law, I'll go with you!"

Gu Yunfei couldn't sit still any longer, so she stood up and followed Qin Zhizhi out the door.

"There are a lot of people at home today, so you must be careful. If you are tired, just rest and don't force yourself." Qin Zhizhi held Gu Yunfei's hand and reminded her.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I know." Gu Yunfei was very happy today.

Crossing the front yard, more than a dozen large stoves have been set up and the cooks are preparing ingredients. The delicacies from land and sea alone fill several warehouses.

Qin Zhizhi found the imperial chef and checked some dishes again. She also gave some instructions and encouragement to the cooks before leaving with Gu Yunfei.

In the front yard, the servants were doing their respective duties and making preparations in an orderly manner.

Qin Zhizhi also had servants lay out a red carpet in front of the gate. Maids dressed in brand new pink and blue clothes stood on both sides, each holding a bamboo basket filled with flower petals to welcome the guests.

Gu Jinghuai brought Gu Jingshu and Gu Yunlang to greet the guests at the door in person.

Originally, the two of them didn't have to welcome the guests, but since the eldest brother was there, there was no reason for them to do nothing!

"Mr. Wang, the Minister of Revenue, has arrived—"

"General Li has arrived——"

"The Grand Tutor has arrived—"

"Master Chen has arrived—"

.........

The calls of honor came one after another. Gu Jinghuai had a perfect smile on his face and bowed to thank every guest.

The servants in the mansion led the guests to their corresponding seats in an orderly manner.

The main hall of the Gu Mansion is used to entertain first and second rank officials, the East Flower Hall is for third rank officials and heads of aristocratic families, and the West Flower Hall is for female family members.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived—"

"The Second Prince has arrived—"

"Prince Yongshan has arrived—"

.......

Everyone who was chatting happily immediately stopped talking and looked towards the door.

Crown Prince Zhao Yan, wearing a golden crown and with a handsome face, walked in front, with the second prince following behind him.

Most of the guests in the main hall had arrived. When they saw the prince come in, everyone stood up and saluted.

Only after the prince sat down in the main seat did everyone dare to sit down.

Not long after, there was another commotion outside.

"The Emperor's gift has arrived—"

The eunuch walked in quickly holding a tray covered with yellow silk, and the young eunuchs following behind him each held various treasures in their hands.

Everyone in the main hall immediately knelt down. After the eunuch read out the imperial edict and the Gu family expressed their gratitude, everyone stood up.

It’s noon, the auspicious time has arrived.

A large rosewood table covered with red brocade had already been placed in the center of the main hall.

The eldest princess had the items prepared for the one-year-old celebration arranged neatly early in the morning.

There are the Four Treasures of the Study, the Four Books and Five Classics, official seals, abacus, copper coins, swords, medical books, jade ruyi, mutton-fat white jade... everything you can think of.

"Please, young lady—"

Qin Zhizhi personally carried Gu Nian, who was dressed in new clothes, and walked in slowly.

Gu Nian was wearing a bright red brocade jacket, and her delicate little face looked around curiously.

The guests were so touched by the cuteness that they exclaimed in praise. The prince took off the jade pendant from his waist which symbolized his status as a prince and put it into the ceremony of grasping the week of birth.

Everyone sighed, but the Gu family seemed to be used to it, which made everyone confused.

Qin Zhizhi placed her daughter on the table and coaxed her softly, "Niannian, take whatever you like. Don't just take anything you like!"

Gu Nian blinked, not quite understanding, but she remembered the word "like".

She was still not walking steadily, so she just leaned over and took the abacus first.

Gift crawled forward and took the small sword, then crawled towards the official seal and grabbed it without hesitation.

"Good!" Someone cheered first, and the whole room burst into applause.

"Able to do both civil and military work!"

"Wealthy and wealthy!"

"To be rich and powerful!"

.......

Auspicious words can be heard everywhere in the main hall.

Gu Jinghuai smiled and took a few items from his daughter.

According to the rules, the items caught today must be kept properly and returned to the children when they grow up.

He felt helpless that his daughter had caught so many things, but as long as his daughter was happy, he liked her no matter what she did.

After the one-year-old ceremony, the banquet officially begins.

The banquet was held in the main hall, with a total of 38 tables, each for eight people.

All the dishes today were specially prepared by the imperial chef, and everyone praised them highly after tasting them.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the atmosphere in the hall became more and more lively.

Suddenly, a melodious music came from outside the hall, and dancers in colorful clothes came in one after another, dancing to the music.

These dances were selected with the help of Gu Yunfei. They were very wonderful. After each song ended, thunderous applause broke out.

Everyone was still not satisfied with the show.

Of course, there is more than one good song and dance. The following songs and dances are more exciting than each other.

The banquet lasted until the afternoon.