While everyone was enjoying the dragon scale fruit, the servants began to read out the gifts given by the guests.
"Twenty bolts of cloth."
"One hundred taels of pearls."
"A pair of jade bracelets, a jade hairpin, and a pair of jadeite earrings."
"A thousand-year-old ginseng plant."
"..."
"..."
"..."
As everyone enjoyed the delicious food and listened to the servants' counts, the atmosphere of the banquet became exceptionally lively, and Nan Tianba and his wife were all smiles.
"Hanlin Academy scholar Xia Ziqian presents a piece of calligraphy and painting." When the servant announced the calligraphy and painting, the entire banquet fell silent for a moment.
"Oh?" Upon hearing that Xia Ziqian had gifted her a piece of calligraphy and painting, Jiang Zhirou became interested. "Young Master Xia, would you mind unfolding it and taking a look?"
"This painting was originally a gift to you, Madam. You may dispose of it as you see fit without consulting Ziqian," Xia Ziqian said calmly as he stood up from his seat.
His words made Jiang Zhirou like him even more.
After the servants unfurled the painting, everyone could see that it depicted orchids. The painting was exquisite; at a glance, one could feel the artistic conception conveyed by each stroke, giving one the urge to immerse oneself in it.
"What a beautiful painting!" Jiang Zhirou couldn't help but exclaim.
“Young Master Xia is very talented; this painting must have been done by you,” Jiang Zhirou affirmed.
"Madam Nan is as serene as a poem, with a kind and gentle heart, so Ziqian dared to paint her." Xia Ziqian bowed respectfully.
"Young Master Xia, please have a seat." Jiang Zhirou's smile widened. This young man was a good match for her Wusi.
Seeing Jiang Zhirou and Xia Ziqian's interaction, Xiao Mu had a guess in his mind. It seemed that this was the new lover of Nan Wusi that Ouyang Jiangli had mentioned. His expression suddenly turned fierce. How dare Xia Ziqian touch his woman? He really didn't know what he was getting himself into.
Xiao Yi, standing to the side, also looked thoughtful.
As the gift list continued to be read, Xiao Yi suddenly interrupted, "General Nan, Madam Nan, may I ask if you may first look at my congratulatory gift?"
“Of course.” Nan Tianba gestured to the servants to carry Prince Yi’s gift to the center.
Upon opening the bag, they discovered it contained an unopened flower.
"This flower was acquired by me by chance and is named Moonlit Beauty. I know that Lady Nan has always loved rare and exotic flowers and plants, so I would like everyone to witness it today and add another touch of color to Lady Nan's birthday celebration."
"This flower is even more peculiar, as it only blooms briefly at the hour of Hai (9-11 PM). Please be patient and wait."
It was almost 9 PM, and everyone in the courtyard held their breath, waiting for the moment the flowers would bloom. Nan Wusi was also extremely excited; she had never seen a night-blooming cereus in her two lifetimes, and today she actually had the opportunity to admire it.
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