Zhaoyang couldn't wait to open the brocade box, inside was a beautiful gold hairpin inlaid with white jade and plum blossoms.
The white jade is carved into plum blossom petals, with gemstones inlaid in the middle, and the shape is exquisite.
Zhaoyang's heart was pounding, and the corners of his lips couldn't be suppressed and kept rising. She put the hairpin on herself and said with a smile, "I like this hairpin very much."
Yan Yunting rarely gave her gifts.
Zhaoyang carefully preserved every gift he gave her.
Yan Yunting looked at her bright smile and his eyes flickered involuntarily. Then he bowed and returned to the area where the men were seated.
...
At the end of the seat, Shen Wei took in everything in silence.
Bah, scumbag.
He clearly has feelings for Zhao Yang, but he can't let go of Tan Tai Rou in his heart. He is a two-timing scumbag.
Just as Shen Wei was silently complaining about Yan Yunting in her heart, a gentle voice came to her ears: “Madam Shen?”
The voice was gentle, Shen Wei looked up and saw Sun Qingmei, whom she hadn't seen for a long time. After the hunting trip to Dongshan, Shen Wei and the wife of the Marquis of Zhennan never met again.
Sun Qingmei was as gentle and dignified as ever.
“Madam Shen, I see that you don’t look very well, are you sick?” Sun Qingmei asked softly.
Shen Wei stood up and replied, "Maybe it's because I got up early in the morning and didn't get enough sleep. Thank you for your concern, Madam Sun."
Sun Qingmei looked at Shen Wei's slightly pale face, still feeling uneasy.
Just as Sun Qingmei was about to ask in detail, the eunuch from the princess's mansion announced loudly, "The queen has arrived!"
The Queen is here!
Sun Qingmei had no choice but to quickly walk back to her seat and greet everyone.
The Queen Mother holds a high status and is also the biological mother of Princess Zhaoyang. Shen Wei bowed her head as she saluted until the footsteps stopped at the main seat, and a majestic voice came: "Everyone, please stand up."
Everyone took their seats.
Chen Wei sat obediently at the very end and drank some citrate water to calm herself. The Empress sitting on the main seat had her hair in a high bun and had an extraordinary and graceful temperament. Her eyebrows and eyes were quite similar to those of Princess Zhaoyang.
Shen Wei secretly took a deep breath, feeling a little nervous. She attended Princess Zhaoyang's birthday banquet mainly because she wanted to meet the Queen.
She needs to accomplish a small goal through the honorable Queen.
The queen's voice, dignified yet gentle, came from the main seat: "Today is Zhaoyang's birthday. It is a good day, so please celebrate the occasion. Everyone, please drink and eat, and don't be restrained."
Zhaoyang sat obediently beside the queen with a smile in his eyes.
The ritual music began and the singing rang out.
The Prince of Yan and the Crown Prince were busy dealing with war affairs on the border and could not come to Zhaoyang's birthday party in person. However, they specially arranged for the Jiaofangsi to perform Zhaoyang's favorite songs "Spring with Golden Branches and Jade Leaves" and "Spring in the Apricot Garden" live.
The stringed and wind music was beautiful and Zhaoyang listened with great interest.
The ceremony and music ended, and it was time to present gifts to the princess. The daughter of the Prime Minister's family gave Zhaoyang a fine guqin; Sun Qingmei, the wife of the Marquis of Zhennan, gave Zhaoyang a top-quality Shu embroidery.
The two daughters raised by the Crown Princess, each holding a beautiful agate bracelet in their hands, ran to Zhaoyang.
The Crown Princess's daughter said sweetly, "Aunt Zhaoyang, this is the bracelet that Wan'er and Sister Nanzhi made together. Wear it on you."
Li Nanzhi tilted her head and said, "I wish Auntie will always be beautiful, more beautiful than the flowers in spring."
The two little girls were well-behaved and clever. Zhaoyang put on two agate bracelets, took two desserts from the food plate, and said with a smile: "Wan'er and Nanzhi must also always look good."
The little girl blushed and returned to the Crown Princess with the snacks in her hand.
The Queen watched with satisfaction. The Crown Princess brought up her two children well, they are polite and not afraid of big occasions.
Unfortunately...
The prince was weak and could no longer make a woman pregnant. If the Crown Princess could give birth to a boy, she would definitely be able to raise the child well.
The crown prince's time is running out, and the Prince of Yan is destined to inherit the throne.
But the Queen thought of the Prince of Yan's only few sons - the princess's two sons were overwhelmed; the concubine Liu Qiao'er's son was born with congenital deficiencies and could not walk at the age of almost two; and the remaining sons of concubines had not received the princess's instruction and were all as timid as mice.
Not a single one is successful!
Unfortunately, there was no new pregnancy in the Queen's house. A while ago, a concubine became pregnant with a groom's child, which almost made the Prince of Yan a laughing stock in the capital.
The queen rubbed her temples, feeling a headache.
After the daughter raised by the Crown Princess gave her gifts, it was the turn of the Princess of Yan. Aunt Liu, who was beside the princess, presented her with an exquisite brocade box carved with a phoenix.
The brocade box was opened, revealing a clear Hetian jade carved Ruyi.
It is white and flawless, and of great value.
Zhaoyang didn't like gold, silver and jade, but out of courtesy, he smiled and said, "The jade ruyi is very good. Thank you for the gift, second sister-in-law."
The princess breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "As long as Your Highness likes it."
The princess has been busy with her children's studies recently, and she also has to worship Buddha and burn incense. Last night, I asked Madam Liu to go to the storehouse and pick out an expensive gift as a birthday present for the princess.
Zhaoyang and the princess both thought it was okay. There were several elderly officials and their families present, all with slightly surprised expressions, but no one spoke out.
When the queen on the main throne saw the jade ruyi, her face instantly turned pale.
The queen glanced at the princess imperceptibly and clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand. This Tan Tai Shu Ya, definitely didn't take Zhao Yang's birthday seriously, and actually chose this jade ruyi...
The gifts given by the wives of other officials were carefully selected and full of sincerity. Only the Princess of Yan was perfunctory!
The queen couldn't lose her temper in public and had to suppress her anger.
After Princess Yan presented her gifts, it was Prince Heng's turn. Prince Heng waved his hand lazily, and the servant beside him brought up a large box filled with Yanjing's popular storybooks.
Prince Heng has always been carefree and free, and he dared to joke even in such an occasion. He gently shook the white jade fan in his hand and said lazily: "Zhaoyang, Third Brother will give you some interesting storybooks. If you don't like them, Third Brother will give you a few actors with decent appearances one day, and they will perform for you in the Princess's Mansion every day."
The queen's face turned cold.
Yan Yunting, who was sitting in the men's area, frowned slightly. King Heng can both say it and do it.
Prince Heng was able to do such a ridiculous thing as sending a few male actors to Zhaoyang. Even if the emperor knew, he would only give a verbal reprimand and would not investigate further.
The emperor was always very tolerant towards Prince Heng. He gave Prince Heng military power and allowed Prince Heng to form cliques.
Zhaoyang knew his third brother's temper, so he was not angry. He still had a sweet smile on his face: "The storybook is very good. Zhaoyang can read it for a while to kill time in his spare time. It's also very good. Thank you, third brother."
Prince Heng smiled and suddenly changed the subject: "Zhaoyang, I heard that there was a concubine in the second brother's house who saved you. She was also at the birthday banquet today. I wonder if the concubine has prepared any birthday gifts for Zhaoyang?"
Shen Wei, who is drinking water: ...
When you stay at home, troubles will come from the sky.
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