Jiang Shan felt helpless because his son was in such high demand.
Seeing that Fu Li and Cui Xiaoxiao were always following behind their son, Fu Qiyuan and Jiang Shan felt at ease letting him go.
When the emperor and empress arrived hand in hand, they were initially taken aback by the bustling scene in the hall.
But when they saw those usually serious ministers rolling up their sleeves, putting their arms around each other, and grinning from ear to ear, they also felt a different kind of sentiment.
When the courtiers kowtowed, their voices were three times louder than usual!
"My lords! Although today is my birthday banquet, there is no need for you to be too formal. Let us, ruler and subjects, enjoy ourselves together and take this opportunity to relax!"
With the emperor saying so, the atmosphere became even more harmonious.
The emperor's birthday banquet naturally followed a set procedure, and under the organization of the Ministry of Rites, every step was carried out meticulously.
When it was time to offer birthday greetings, people began to present gifts to the emperor according to their rank, along with a basketful of auspicious words.
This has nothing to do with the country; she can just observe it.
When it comes to sending birthday gifts, Grand Tutor Cheng will take care of everything at the Grand Tutor's mansion!
Grand Tutor Cheng was not stingy either, having prepared the gift well in advance: a simple painting.
Most people can guess that when Master Cheng makes a piece, it's always his original work, a true treasure.
But when the emperor opened the painting with a smile, his expression changed.
"Grand Tutor, this is not your original work!"
His tone was somewhat displeased, tinged with accusation.
After waiting for so many years, it's finally his turn to celebrate his birthday, but they won't even give him, the emperor, a genuine work of art.
Grand Tutor Cheng chuckled and said, “Your Majesty, this was painted by my grandson Jiao Xian. His painting is even better than mine! With such a masterpiece before me, I shouldn’t embarrass myself before Your Majesty!”
Everyone's expression changed drastically!
The emperor slightly furrowed his brows, his gaze lingering on the painting for a moment before he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Wonderful, wonderful! What a brilliant mind you have! Grand Tutor, I am very pleased with this gift!"
After the emperor finished speaking, his gaze fixed intently on Sanlang. If the timing weren't so inappropriate, he would have taken this junior brother to the imperial study to learn from him!
"Jiao Xian? Who is Jiao Xian? Why does that name sound so familiar?" Several office workers whispered among themselves.
"I feel like I've seen this name somewhere before... It's from a painting! The painting that the Grand Tutor gave us on the day he returned to the capital! Does it have Jiao Xian's name on it? Does it? Does it?"
"Yes, yes, I remember now too! It's the name hidden in the painting! I thought it was an unintentional act by the Grand Tutor, but it turns out those paintings weren't made by the Grand Tutor, but by his grandson!"
"The Grand Tutor's grandson, isn't that the younger brother of the Princess of Guyang... Over there! He is Jiao Xian! He is that child!"
Saburo, whose name was called out, turned pale.
Jiang Shan patted his hand reassuringly and said, "With your maternal grandfather here, there's nothing to worry about. You've already inherited your maternal grandfather's true teachings, and one day you'll have to face things like this. Stay calm."
Sanlang took a deep breath, looked at Jiao's mother beside him, and met her encouraging and gratified smile.
Saburo's heart gradually calmed down.
He stood up calmly, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said in a crisp voice, "This humble one, Jiao Xian, greets Your Excellency!"
Another gasp of surprise rippled through the room.
Such a brilliant and talented person is actually a child!
As expected, the student surpasses the master; this unknown Jiao family is about to rise to prominence!
The emperor chuckled and said, "Junior brother, you have truly surprised me! I only knew you were good at studying, but I didn't know you were even more talented in painting. What am I to do? You are a son of a unicorn! How should I reward you?"
Saburo replied without hesitation, "It's all thanks to my maternal grandfather's excellent teaching. I am unworthy, but thanks to my grandfather's meticulous guidance, I have been able to calm down and learn to paint. I didn't know this painting was to be presented as a birthday gift to His Majesty; it was too casual, and I am truly ashamed!"
The emperor laughed heartily, "It is precisely this spontaneity that is most precious! You were personally taught by the Grand Tutor; if you were too dogmatic, you would lose your natural talent. Excellent, excellent!"
Sanlang's face turned red, and he seemed a little flustered.
The emperor pondered for a moment, then said, "You are still young, so there is no rush. I will bestow rewards upon you after you have finished the imperial examinations!"
Saburo thanked him and quietly wiped his palms on his robe.
Somewhere in the main hall, the eldest grandson of the emperor, Li Huan, looked at Sanlang with envy and said to Jiang Huai, "Your uncle is amazing! Just as amazing as your mother!"
Jiang Huai turned to look at Sanlang and said in a childish voice, "I have many uncles! Seven! They are all very powerful!"
Li Yu said, "Besides your maternal uncle, my brother and I have only met your second and seventh uncles at the Holy Academy. What about your four other uncles?"
Jiang Huai counted on his fingers and said, "My eldest uncle and third uncle run logistics businesses outside. They earn a lot of money every year! My fourth uncle and fifth uncle are learning kung fu from Uncle An. They can break big rocks. They're so amazing. When they grow up, they can protect us!"
Wow, that's amazing!
The brothers Li Huan and Li Yu sighed with heartfelt admiration.
The crown prince glanced at Jiang Huai without showing any emotion, a strange light flashing in his eyes.
"But how do you have so many powerful uncles?" Li Yu asked with great envy, a question that even the Crown Prince seemed interested in.
Jiang Huai tilted his head and thought for a moment, then hesitated and said, "I found him, didn't I? I found Uncle Xiao Ba too!"
Can you still just pick up your uncle anywhere on the street?
Jiang Huai's irresponsible answer made Li Yu a little anxious, "How did you find them? My brother and I went to find a few uncles too!"
Jiang Huai struggled to recall what Jiang Shan had told him, picking out a few key points to summarize: "Except for my sixth uncle, who is my mother's younger brother, the other uncles didn't have parents. They were picked up on the street by my sixth uncle. Later, they became brothers, um, that's how it is, so I have many uncles!"
The two children didn't understand, but the prince roughly understood what was going on.
Jiao Xian met a group of orphans, took them back and became sworn brothers with them, and Jiang Huai suddenly had a group of uncles.
I can't possibly envy that!
Princes and grandsons of the emperor could not casually form sworn brotherhoods with others; being born into the royal family, they were destined never to have such a group of uncles.
Even if it's a sworn brotherhood, it won't work.
Seeing Li Huan's somewhat disappointed expression, his younger brother tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "How about we call him 'uncle' like Jiang Huai?"
"Nonsense!" the Crown Prince scolded lightly. "That's your imperial grandfather's junior brother. You can't mess up the seniority!"
If the emperor really wanted to keep calling him "Little Junior Brother," then the crown prince would have to call him "Little Martial Uncle"! And the two children would have to call him "Grandmaster Uncle"!
Oops, the generational order is a bit messed up!
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