Yun Duoduo frowned as she looked at Tan Biao.

[This gift-giving is a family matter of the royal family; what right do you, a mere minister, have to interfere?]

[You ridiculous brat, what good does it do you to scheme against me, the princess? It's truly infuriating.]

If this person isn't eliminated, he'll become a menace sooner or later.

Yun Duoduo clenched her little fists tightly as she stared at Tan Biao, pondering how to get rid of him.

Moreover, he harmed so many young girls in their prime; he deserves to die.

“Yes!” Several of Tan Biao’s accomplices chimed in.

"If you ask me, Lord Tan, this little princess is still young. Why are you arguing with a child?"

"Lord Tan, don't be so stingy. The princess bumped into you earlier, but it wasn't intentional. This gift-giving is supposed to be a joyous occasion. Lord Tan, please sit back down and have a drink!"

Some ministers chimed in, while others offered words of advice.

Yun Duoduo straightened her back, raised her head and looked at Tan Biao, saying, "Lord Tan, do you perhaps think that this grain is unimportant, something that can't be presented in public?"

"That's not what I meant..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yun Duoduo shouted, "Who cares what you mean? This princess is presenting a gift here, and I haven't finished speaking yet. Who gave you the right to interrupt?!"

"You are being disrespectful to me, the princess! I am presenting gifts to my father and grandmother. For Lord Tan to interrupt me is an act of contempt for imperial authority!"

"You..." Tan Biao's two small mustaches twitched, and he pointed at Yun Duoduo, too angry to speak.

"Father, Grandmother, Duoduo believes that food is the most precious thing."

"Today is New Year's Eve, and my granddaughter made this longevity cake for my great-grandmother."

After saying that, Yun Duoduo opened the food box and, with A Xiang's help, slowly took out a six-layered round longevity cake.

This half-person-high longevity cake was divided into six layers. On the outermost edge of the sixth layer, a circle of pink longevity peaches was neatly arranged. The peaches were lifelike in shape and their pink color was very cute and pleasing. Each peach had two green leaves at the bottom.

On the outermost side of the fifth floor, neatly arranged are golden ingots. The ingots are plump and cute, making one want to take a few and put them in their pocket.

Above that are placed gourds, lotus flowers, red dates, and other foods symbolizing good fortune and auspiciousness.

The six-layered longevity cake has the largest tray at the bottom sixth layer, and the layers gradually become smaller as you move upwards, giving the whole cake a very layered look.

At the very top, there is a huge, lifelike immortal celebrating longevity, holding two plaques in his hands, each inscribed with one of the eight characters: "May your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain."

Around the outer edge of the longevity cake where the immortal resided, a lifelike golden phoenix circled, its appearance seemingly conveying a phoenix cry.

Everyone stared intently at the half-person-high birthday cake, stunned, and then began pointing at it and whispering among themselves.

"What beautiful pastries!"

"The princess just said that this is longevity cake? I've never seen it before!"

"Is this food? Can everything on it be eaten?"

"It seems so. That gold ingot doesn't look real either; it's probably made of flour."

Yun Yibo, who had just been worried about Yun Duoduo, was now stunned.

These longevity cakes look so beautiful, and there seems to be a faint sweet fragrance in the air.

Jin Jinzhi was somewhat surprised; he had never seen this before.

He looked at the longevity cake, then at Yun Duoduo, and couldn't help but wonder, "Did she make this?"

This little girl always seems to bring him surprises.

Sun Huohuo grinned. They had been cooped up in the kitchen for the past few days, preparing this dish. He looked at the reactions of everyone present with a hint of smugness.

The cloud-shaped birthday cake amazed everyone present.

Even Yun Beiye, who had conquered all directions, and Yun Beiming, who had traveled to various countries, were amazed.

He looked at Yun Duoduo with some doubt and asked to confirm, "Duoduo, are all the things on this edible?"

Yun Beiye's question voiced what everyone present was thinking. It wouldn't be surprising if some gourds and gold ingots were placed there, but the gourds, gold ingots, and lotus flowers looked so round and plump that they didn't seem like real objects; they looked more like steamed buns or something similar.

But if it's made of flour, how come it has so many colors?

They should all be pure white, right?

"Father, this longevity cake is made of flour, and the gold ingots, gourds, lotus flowers and other decorations on it are also made of flour. As for the color, I used the juice from crabapple, shepherd's purse and other fruits and vegetables."

I see!

Everyone was amazed; it was all food, and the Ninth Princess truly had a pair of skillful hands!

"Okay, okay, do these peaches and gourds have any special meaning?"

Yun Beiye looked at Yun Duoduo with a smile, and glanced smugly at the ministers in the room who had grandchildren.

Look at my daughter!

"In reply to Father Emperor, the ninety-nine peaches symbolize that Grandmother will enjoy good health, longevity, and a long life of a hundred years."

"The gold ingot symbolizes the prosperity of Nanyang and the peaceful and happy lives of its people."

"The yellow gourd symbolizes both good fortune and prosperity, while the immortals and phoenixes represent auspicious omens from Nanyang, wishing for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and national peace and prosperity!" Yun Duoduo explained the meaning behind each of the foods on the longevity cake. As she spoke, her tone became more impassioned, and the ministers present were deeply moved by her words.

Yun Duoduo smiled to herself. Longevity cakes are quite common in modern times. However, most of the cakes used to celebrate the birthdays of the elderly are made without added sugar. The peaches and immortal figures on top are made of various colored creams, and there are ready-made molds, which makes them a little easier to make.

In ancient Nanyang, where there was neither cream nor molds, it took her a great deal of effort to make this enormous birthday cake.

However, judging from everyone's reactions, she knew that she had given the right gift today.

"Good, good! May Nanyang enjoy favorable weather and abundant harvests, and prosper!"

"Duoduo, this longevity cake is the best gift I have ever received! Reward her!"

The Empress Dowager was very excited, her face flushed. She was old and very concerned about the future of Nanyang.

The longevity cake has a very auspicious meaning, which is exactly what Yun Beiye and the Empress Dowager wanted.

"Good, good!" The Empress Dowager clapped her hands happily.

Seeing the old lady so happy, Yun Duoduo felt joyful too. When it comes to celebrating an old lady's birthday, the most important thing is to be happy.

"I'm glad Grandmother is happy!" Yun Duoduo looked at the Empress Dowager with delight, her eyes also filled with joy.

"Yes, Duoduo is so thoughtful!"

"Someone come here and distribute these longevity peaches to everyone present, so that they may all share in this joy!"

The Empress Dowager instructed the palace maids and eunuchs to distribute the longevity peaches, gold ingots, and other treats on top of the longevity cake. Then, she cut each layer of the longevity cake and distributed it to everyone present.

The ministers were overjoyed to hear this, exclaiming, "Oh dear, we can also share in this good fortune!"

"you do not say!"

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless happiness and longevity!"

"May Your Majesty enjoy good health and live long life!"