Chapter 509 The Imperial Birthday Festival
The capital city is exceptionally dazzling at night.
It was someone's wedding, and fireworks were blooming continuously in the dark sky, attracting countless people to stop and watch.
He Xiao walked quietly down the street and unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the He family mansion. He had spent the first five years of his life here. After that, he was sent to learn martial arts and was only brought back to eat with the family during festivals. His elder brother was the favored eldest son of the He family, so he was the second son of the He family, who was practically invisible.
He stood at the door for a long time. The two guards looked at him strangely and were about to come over to ask him something when the vermilion gate suddenly opened and a group of people walked out.
He Xiao quickly stepped aside, standing next to the stone lion to block his view.
He looked and saw three people. The one in the middle was his biological mother who gave birth to him and raised him. She was still the same as a year ago, with not a single wrinkle on her face, as if the "death" of her biological son had not affected her at all.
Standing to his mother's left was his half-brother, who was even more dashing and handsome, with a sharp glint in his eyes.
The young woman on the right was his former love. They were deeply in love, but in the end, she chose to marry his elder brother as his second wife.
Now that she's the eldest daughter-in-law of the He family, is she happy?
"Alright, you two go and come back soon."
Madam He stood at the door, smiling as she saw He Ling and her eldest daughter-in-law onto the carriage.
After the carriage had gone far away, she suddenly turned around and looked behind the stone lion. She walked over step by step and suddenly clutched her collar.
She turned to the maids and servants behind her and said, "It seems my earring has fallen off. You should all turn around and look for it."
The maids and servants hurriedly retraced their steps to find the earrings.
Madam He quickened her pace and grabbed the person who was about to leave: "Xiao'er, is that you?"
The man turned around, revealing a completely unfamiliar face: "Madam has mistaken you for someone else."
Madam He didn't recognize the face before her, but she recognized the familiar voice, and tears immediately streamed down her face: "Xiao'er, you're alive! You're really alive! That's wonderful, wonderful... Come, come with me to the other courtyard first, and tell me everything that has happened this past year..."
He Xiao pulled his hand away, a cryptic smile playing on his lips: "Now that you've confirmed I'm He Xiao, why won't you let me go home?"
“Xiao’er, you…” Madam He’s eyes were brimming with tears, “You are a traitor as recognized by the court. If you go home and are discovered, the He family will be accused of harboring a traitor… The past doesn’t matter anymore, as long as you are alive. I can have someone arrange a new identity for you… Your father and elder brother would be so happy to know you are still alive!”
He Xiao's expression turned cold: "Did you really never suspect He Ling? I ended up in this situation because of him..."
"Xiao'er!" Madam He said sternly, "How can you still doubt your elder brother? When you were convicted by the court, it was your elder brother who ran around for you. Later, when you fled, it was your elder brother who arranged for people to protect you secretly... Your elder brother has really done nothing wrong for you. How can you always judge a gentleman with such a petty mind?"
He Xiao had no desire to say anything more. He smiled softly and said, "Mother, just consider me dead."
He suddenly knelt down, kowtowed three times, then stood up, turned and left resolutely.
"Xiao'er..."
Madam He covered her mouth and burst into tears.
The weather is getting colder and colder, especially in Beijing, which is located in the north. It starts snowing as soon as November begins.
After witnessing the prosperity of the capital, Cheng Zhao and Shen Zheng rented another courtyard to live in and began to devote themselves to their studies.
When a person is engrossed in doing something, time flies by. Before you know it, it's December 12th, the 40th birthday of the current emperor, which is also the once-every-ten-year Emperor's Birthday Festival.
From early that morning, the atmosphere in the capital was quite different. Every household was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the streets were bustling with activity.
The palace gates were bustling with activity. Any official of the fifth rank or above could enter the palace to participate in the Emperor's birthday celebration, and could even bring their families. Starting early in the morning, traffic jams would form at the palace gates. Carriages had to stop at the palace gates and register one by one before they could enter.
A banquet had been prepared long ago in the Imperial Garden. All the palace maids and eunuchs had worked diligently for a long time to create this magnificent feast.
After all the officials and concubines had arrived, the birthday celebrant finally arrived late. As Eunuch Ming announced the arrival of the Emperor, everyone stood up and knelt down to pay their respects.
"My beloved ministers, rise." The emperor raised his hand, sat down on the dragon throne, and laughed loudly, "This year, most regions of my Great Yu Dynasty have enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests, the national treasury is full, and the country is peaceful and prosperous. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have dared to hold such a grand birthday banquet."
The officials below bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people, and Heaven also cherishes life. This is a blessing for the people of our Great Yu Dynasty."
Immediately afterwards, a group of people followed suit and flattered him.
The Empress smiled and said, "Let's not talk about that anymore. Please sit down and have your meal. You should all try the appetizers carefully today."
Consort Lin, standing nearby, graciously inquired, "May I ask Your Majesty, is there anything unusual about these pastries... Hmm, they're quite delicious. It seems these pastries aren't on the Imperial Kitchen's menu."
After tasting it, the people below were amazed. This pastry was completely different from any pastry they had ever eaten before. It was very delicious. Even those who were not used to it flattered the Empress. For a time, praise was endless.
The Empress then said, "These are wine-flavored bean paste and goat milk cream puffs. These two desserts were presented by the people of Sui'an. His Majesty liked them very much, so he asked the Imperial Kitchen to make more so that all of you could enjoy them together."
Almost everyone present knew about the people of Sui'an.
Officials naturally yearn for promotion every day, but looking at the entire Dayu Dynasty, the only person who has been promoted so quickly is probably this man from Sui'an.
"The people of Sui'an are so intelligent and kind-hearted, even their pastries are so exquisite." The Emperor put down his chopsticks. "I heard from Eunuch Ming that the food in the Sui'an family tastes exceptionally different, even surpassing that of the Imperial Kitchen... It seems that the Sui'an family also keeps wolves, and those wolves are even intelligent?"
Grandpa Ming lowered his head and said, "The people of Sui'an have raised two wolves. They usually look as docile as dogs, but as soon as strangers approach, they immediately reveal their wild wolf nature. And the chickens, ducks and geese in their homes also seem to have become spirits... The people of Sui'an may have the art of animal control."
The Empress smiled and said, "Now that you mention it, I'd like to visit Sui An's home."
Since the topic of Sui'an people had come up, Grand Tutor Lin stood up and said, "For Your Majesty's birthday this year, Sui'an people have also presented a birthday gift. I know that the thinking of Sui'an people is always different from that of ordinary people, so I imagine this birthday gift must be quite extraordinary. I am very curious, Your Majesty, why don't you take a look at it in public?"
He received a letter from Sui'an people, knowing that this birthday gift was extraordinary. Such an extraordinary gift should naturally be displayed in front of everyone, so that when the Emperor promotes Sui'an people again, those old stubborn people will not try every means to obstruct it.
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