Chapter 9 Full Moon Banquet
Logically speaking, Zhao You and Shu'er were only born to a concubine of Prince Yong's mansion. Even if they were of noble status, their full moon celebration should not have been so grand.
But who could blame them when they were the first pair of twins born in the Qing Dynasty since its founding? Everyone could clearly see the unusual celestial phenomenon that day, and even the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was alarmed. After several days of calculations, they concluded that it was an auspicious omen!
This child was born into the Yongqin Prince's Mansion, a place with few heirs, and received the honor of being personally named by the Emperor on the full moon celebration.
This is almost like stacking buffs.
With all these factors combined, it's hard to imagine it not being lively.
No matter how lively the front yard is, it has nothing to do with the Jade Hall.
Lu Yingfeng finished her postpartum confinement today and wore a bright lotus-colored palace dress. She hadn't dressed up properly for many days, and today Xuexin helped her tie her hair up, making her features even more striking and beautiful.
But at this moment, her beautiful eyes were filled with worry as she looked at the two little ones in the wet nurse's arms.
"Is everything ready? Have all the items been checked? There can't be any mishaps when we get to the front hall!"
Seeing Lü Yingfeng asking questions repeatedly, Xuexin put down what she was holding and came over to comfort her, saying, "Don't worry, Gege, everything has been checked. Everything we were supposed to prepare is there, and the wet nurses know the rules."
Lu Yingfeng nodded reluctantly, but her face showed no sign of relaxation. Seeing that the Fujin had sent someone to urge her, she finally calmed down and told the two wet nurses to follow Jianqiu to the front hall.
This was Zhao You's first time leaving the hospital in a month. Overwhelmed by the novelty, he craned his neck and clung to his wet nurse's shoulder, peering out the door.
The wet nurse was used to his curious nature, so she held him upright with her arms folded together to give him a better view.
At this time, Jianqiu had not yet styled her hair into the fan-shaped hairstyle she had adopted after entering the palace. Presumably, she was no longer a senior palace maid serving the Empress and did not need to display such an imposing presence. Today, she simply wore a regular braided bun, adorned with a plain silver hairpin, the short tassels of which swayed gently as she walked.
Zhao You stared at the pendant, lost in thought. "Should we complete the palace intrigue mission now?"
There weren't many people on the road, and the system didn't make any demands. All I had to do was point at Jianqiu and cry out loud; that would be considered framing her.
Jianqiu walked obediently ahead, but she always felt a direct gaze on her back. She turned around, stopped, and looked back.
Just as they were wondering who was being so unruly, their eyes met Zhao You's somewhat dazed gaze.
Jianqiu paused, watching Zhao You's body almost protrude from his wet nurse's arms, staring straight at her... head?
She instinctively raised her hand to touch her hair bun, feeling a cool sensation. She immediately realized that the swaying hairpin must have attracted the child's attention.
For some reason, she looked at the little prince, dressed in festive clothes, with his rosy cheeks and a look of infatuation on his face, and without thinking, she reached out her hand to the wet nurse.
"Little prince likes this hair ornament. Let me hold it so I can see it more clearly and it won't fall in your arms."
The two wet nurses looked at each other, they were actually extremely worried. Before leaving, Princess Lü had repeatedly instructed them not to let the little princess and prince out of their sight.
But... Jianqiu is the head palace maid by the Fujin's side, and besides, the princess and prince still need to be handed over at the banquet.
After thinking it over, the wet nurse carefully handed Zhao You over, helped Jianqiu hold the child securely, and the group walked into the hall.
Zhao You only realized what was happening after he felt himself suspended in mid-air. Before he could understand what was going on, he found himself in a stranger's arms.
Unlike the milky scent of a wet nurse, this embrace was filled with the aroma of fruit, making Zhao You's mouth water instantly; he hadn't eaten fruit in a long time.
So the princes, wives, and ministers who came to the banquet in the palace saw the Fifth Prince being carried by the head maid of the Fourth Prince's wife. The Fifth Prince, not shy at all, grabbed the collar of the clothes and looked around with his big, round eyes.
Yi Xiu raised an eyebrow as she looked at Zhao You in Jian Qiu's arms.
After exchanging greetings and bows, Jianqiu carried the Fifth Prince, followed by the wet nurse carrying Shu'er, and walked up to Prince Yong.
Yinzhen's usually icy face was now beaming with joy, as if he couldn't wait to bring the two children to his brothers and show them to them that these were twins from his Prince Yong's residence! A lucky omen for the Prince Yong's residence!
Especially the eighth prince who had plotted against him a few days ago, now he hated the ugly palace maid Yinzhen even more.
This matter angered the Emperor, and if it weren't for the timely arrival of the twins, it would have taken him quite some time to extricate himself from this predicament.
Just then, a report came from outside that someone from the palace had arrived.
The hall fell silent immediately, but Yinzhen, as if he had known all along, led everyone forward to receive them.
The visitor was Li Dequan, the chief eunuch of Emperor Kangxi. The emperor had specially sent him to attend the full moon banquet, which showed how much he loved the twins.
He strode in, holding a piece of bright yellow silk paper, and greeted the princes with a polite smile.
"His Majesty knows that today is the full moon celebration for the prince and princess in the palace, which is a joyous occasion that has not been celebrated for a long time. His Majesty is happy and has specially instructed that the names be bestowed while everyone is here today, to bring good fortune to the prince and princess."
Regardless of her inner thoughts, Yixiu happily thanked the prince and his companion. This wasn't just to give face to the two children; it was something that would bring honor to the entire Yong Prince's Mansion.
Li Dequan opened the silk paper and began to read aloud: "...I am very pleased. Today, the Fifth Prince of the Yongqin Prince's Mansion is named Hongzhao, and the First Princess of the Prince's Mansion is named Hongjin."
The crowd gasped in disbelief.
The name Hongzhao is acceptable. The character Zhao is indeed good, as it originally means brightness, which also matches the extraordinary phenomenon of bright sunshine when Hongzhao was born.
But a princess is named Hongjin! This is unusual! A princess is listed in the same generation as a prince; there has never been such an honor in previous dynasties.
Yinzhen knew that his children's names would certainly be good, but he never expected them to be so exceptionally auspicious, and he was momentarily stunned.
Li Dequan had anticipated this outcome and explained with a smile, "His Majesty said that such a noble princess should have a destiny like that of a prince. Therefore, the character 'Hong' was chosen as the first character in her name, and the character 'Jin' was chosen by Consort De, meaning beautiful and noble."
Yinzhen nodded knowingly, and said with great emotion, "Thank you for your trouble, Father and Mother."
Li Dequan smiled and said he would definitely convey these words to His Majesty. He then mentioned that there were many matters to attend to in the palace and left hastily after finishing his business here.
"Fourth Brother! Over here!" A clear, youthful voice rang out. Yinzhen turned around and saw his seventeenth brother waving at him with a scroll in his hand.
Yixiu also saw this and said, "Your Highness, please go ahead. I will arrange the banquet."
Yinzhen patted her shoulder, nodded in relief, and turned to walk towards the corner.
Yixiu, accompanied by two lucky dolls, gracefully moved among her sisters-in-law, introducing them to everyone with a cheerful air. Those present were all shrewd and, seeing this, they gave her face and gathered around to watch.
"Those who know him would think he's a son born of a concubine, but those who don't would think he's your legitimate son, seeing how happy the Second Princess is." A sharp, indifferent voice rang out, instantly shattering the atmosphere.
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