Xia Miaoyuan looked at the signature of the painting, which read "Gao Cheng". Her eyes immediately lit up.
【Gao Cheng! Painter Gao Cheng! 】
[That’s the famous painter in the book! ]
[The author sets him up as a famous artist whose paintings are worth a fortune. High-ranking officials, nobles, and royal relatives are all proud to receive Gao Cheng's paintings.]
[When nobles exchange gifts, if they give Gao Cheng's paintings, it is more valuable than any other gold, stone, or jade.]
Daddy was so thoughtful in preparing a birthday gift for Grandma this time!
Kezun had lived in the northern border for a long time and was not familiar with the reputation of Gao Cheng in the Central Plains. At first, he did not realize the value of this painting, but after seeing the reactions of the guests below and hearing Xia Miaoyuan's voice, his heart skipped a beat.
"Isn't this painting too valuable?" Ke Zun asked.
The Queen smiled and said, "Mother, you may not know that Gao Cheng is a famous artist in the Central Plains, and a single painting of his is worth a fortune."
"If you want to ask for his paintings, not only must you pay enough money, but you must also catch his eye."
Upon hearing this, Ke Zun became even more excited.
"This is too expensive!"
Unexpectedly, Xia Zhengqi said, "Mother-in-law, I have also prepared a house in the capital for you as a birthday gift!"
"This house will be reserved for you and your father-in-law to live in when you come to the capital."
[Oh my god, what is Emperor Daddy up to this time? This birthday gift is way too much and too expensive!]
[Daddy is truly the epitome of a good son-in-law! ]
Xia Miaoyuan's heart was already surging with excitement.
Xia Zhengqi listened to his daughter's thoughts, feeling happy and proud.
However, when he lowered his eyes, a barely perceptible cunning glint flashed in them.
This time, he presented Ke Zun with a big gift in public not only out of filial piety, but also because of a little calculation on Xia Zhengqi's part.
Kezun's eyes were deep and his face was filled with emotion.
"Your Majesty, this... I can't bear it anymore!"
[The Emperor's birthday gift was way too extravagant this time. It was a hundred times more expensive than in previous years, and even Grandmother was shocked.]
Seeing this, Xia Zhengqi stepped forward, stretched out his hands, shook Kezun's hands, and said respectfully: "Kezun, you are the queen's mother, and my mother-in-law."
"People often say that a son-in-law is half a son. Although we are in the royal family, I think this saying is also true."
"So, feel free to accept these birthday gifts."
At this moment, the guests in the hall were completely dumbfounded, staring blankly at Xia Zhengqi above.
Some people showed panic expressions on their faces and then started talking anxiously.
The man with the goatee said, "Oh, who the hell is making up this nonsense? They insisted that Kezun was a hostage. Now that the Emperor has shown such respect for her, he's even given her such a generous birthday gift! She's clearly a guest of honor."
The fat man agreed: "That's right! The birthday gifts are priceless, how could they possibly want to take over the Xiao family!"
The old man sighed, "Alas, it's useless for you to say all this now. The most pressing issue now is, what should I do with the birthday gift? The birthday gift I prepared is just a fool's gift!"
The man with the goatee lamented, "Me too. What if the Emperor finds out about this gift?!"
The fat man said, "I hope we won't present the gift in public later, so we can save some face."
The problems of the three men with goatees are not isolated cases.
Most of the guests present had heard the rumors about Ke Zun and the Xiao family. Some believed them to be true, so they just picked up some worthless things as birthday gifts.
At this time, these people were terrified.
Xia Miaoyuan glanced at the guests below with strange expressions and fell into deep thought.
[How do I feel? What tricks is Daddy playing this time? ]
Xia Zhengqi glanced at the guests below and said, "Next, please step forward one by one and present your birthday gifts to Mr. Ke!"
As soon as the words fell, chaos broke out below.
"What should I do? What should I do? I'm actually presenting a gift in public. This gift is really not presentable!"
"This...this...when I present this gift, I won't offend the Queen or the Emperor!"
The guests who had prepared cheap gifts to fool the guests were extremely nervous.
For a moment, the guests were pushing each other, wanting others to present gifts first.
Those who have great wisdom in their hearts, do not believe in rumors, and do things according to the rules and regulations without trying to cheat, are as steady as a rock at this moment.
Because they did not tamper with the birthday gifts, they prepared them carefully according to the status of the queen's mother.
Xia Miaoyuan observed the guests' strange behavior, and the doubts in his mind seemed to become clearer.
【I think I know what Dad wants to do. 】
After some tugging below, the tribute finally began.
There is no doubt that those guests with a clear conscience came up first with birthday gifts.
"Prince Jin sent me a jade headpiece!"
"Lord Han gave me a copy of the Buddhist scriptures he had copied himself! And a string of Buddhist beads consecrated by Fuyuan Temple!"
"Lord Yan gave me a set of glass lamps!"
The guests came forward one by one and presented the birthday gifts they had prepared for Kezun in person.
Immediately afterwards, a special person will receive and inspect it, and the documents will be recorded on the spot.
The young eunuch shouted out the birthday gifts from the guests at the top of his voice.
The birthday gifts sent by those guests with a clear conscience may be very valuable, such as Lord Yan, Prince Jin, etc. Even if their families are not rich and cannot afford expensive gifts, they will prepare birthday gifts carefully, such as Lord Han Qingbo.
Whether they are valuable or made with care, they are all very impressive.
When the tribute reached the second half, the content shouted by the young eunuch began to become magical.
"Grand Tutor Jiang sent me a fake ancient painting!"
[Wow, this is ridiculous! You actually gave a fake to my grandmother?]
[Even if you look down on my grandmother, you can't fool me like this!]
Grand Tutor Jiang was extremely embarrassed. He lowered his head and explained, "Your Majesty, I was deceived!"
"I am stupid and have poor eyesight, so I was deceived by the painting seller!"
Xia Zhengqi stroked his beard and said calmly, "Well, I'll trust you this time. You have seven days to produce the genuine product and give it to Ke Zun."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" Grand Tutor Jiang kowtowed hurriedly.
"The Duke of Protectorate will give you a necklace of yellow pearls for every fifty years you are born!"
[Oh my god! This is too much!]
[Lord Protector of the Country, did you bring your wife's discarded pearl necklace?]
[Do you think my grandmother is a rag collector? ]
The following guests were all similar, either fakes or worthless items.
Xia Zhengqi stared at these guests who were playing tricks at the birthday ceremony, lost in thought.
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