bookcurios Chapter 1389 The show is about to begin (195 million votes plus more)
Chapter 1389 The show is about to begin (195 million votes plus more)
The good show... is about to begin.
Prince Jin was looking forward to seeing how muddy the waters would become with Concubine Kang's risky move.
At this moment, Li Changde's clear and long voice came from outside the hall, instantly drowning out all greetings and whispers.
"His Majesty has arrived --!!!"
"The Imperial Concubine has arrived!!"
Everyone in the hall, regardless of status, stood up in unison, brushed their sleeves and adjusted their hats, bowed their heads respectfully towards the hall door, and knelt down: "Welcome Your Majesty, Long live Your Majesty!"
"Welcome Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine, may Her Majesty live in peace and happiness!"
Nangong Xuanyu, wearing his usual dragon robe, walked into the hall with Shen Zhinian.
Today was not her home court, so Shen Zhinian didn't wear court attire, but a simple yet elegant palace dress. She looked dignified and majestic.
What is even more eye-catching is that between the two of them is the fourth prince Nangong Chengyou.
The Fourth Prince, nearly one year and nine months old, was much more robust than the Fifth Prince. He wore a small, formal dress. He had a sturdy figure and a pair of large eyes that curiously surveyed the people in the hall.
He was held by his father and mother, walking steadily with his short legs. He was not at all nervous, with a fearlessness that came from being pampered.
As soon as the emperor and his concubine, along with the lively and lovely fourth prince, appeared, they instantly became the undisputed focus of the entire audience.
The attention that was originally focused on the fifth prince was involuntarily shifted to the fourth prince.
Nangong Xuanyu sat in the main seat and Shen Zhinian sat next to him.
The fourth prince was held in the hand of his wet nurse and looked around curiously.
The emperor glanced around and said in a steady voice, "Stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone thanked him in unison and then stood up and returned to their seats in order.
Prince Jin stood up as everyone else did, his eyes seemingly inadvertently sweeping over Shen Zhinian who was sitting next to the emperor.
She didn't wear heavy makeup today, but her face was still incredibly charming under the illumination of the palace lanterns, and her whole demeanor was calm and graceful.
The twisted fire in the depths of Prince Jin's eyes flickered quietly, but was perfectly suppressed by him under a gentle appearance.
Such a beautiful and intelligent woman deserves to be conquered and crushed by him!
The ceremonial officer stepped forward, took a deep breath and said, "The auspicious time has arrived—"
"The Fifth Prince's first birthday ceremony begins—!"
The hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes fell on today's protagonist.
Two palace maids in neat palace attire came forward with a silver basin filled with warm water and a soft white towel. After kneeling and bowing, they carefully began to wipe the hands and face of the fifth prince.
The water temperature is just right and the movements are gentle and delicate.
Concubine Kang took a step forward and leaned over slightly, looking at the Fifth Prince who was in Chu'er's arms, obediently allowing herself to be manipulated.
She stretched out her hand, her fingers gently brushing against the Fifth Prince's soft hair. Her voice was gentle, yet hinted at a hint of tension: "May the clear spring water wash away all dust and dirt from you; may your body and mind be clear, may you live a long and healthy life!"
While Concubine Kang was reciting auspicious words, her eyes involuntarily quickly swept over Caiju who was standing beside her, her heart beating like a drum.
After the palace maids finished wiping the fifth prince, they quickly changed him into the auspicious clothes for the prince's first birthday that had been prepared in the morning.
Only the legitimate son can wear bright yellow, and the fifth prince's auspicious clothes are apricot yellow.
The robe is embroidered with an exquisite pattern of a young dragon playing with a pearl in gold thread, which not only shows nobility but also distinguishes it from the bright yellow dragon robes worn by emperors and princes.
He wore tiger-head shoes and a small brocade hat with three round oriental pearls on the top, which was exactly the rank that a prince's son should have as a concubine.
The newly dressed Fifth Prince was held securely in Chu'er's arms, his small body wrapped in gorgeous clothes. Although still frail, he exuded the nobility of a royal child.
However, upon closer inspection, his originally rosy face seemed to be flushed with an abnormal blush...
Chu'er followed the etiquette, holding the fifth prince steadily in her arms, and walked slowly to the long table covered with red satin.
She carefully adjusted her posture so that the Fifth Prince in her arms was facing the dazzling array of items on the table, which had different meanings.
The distance was neither too far nor too close, just enough for him to stretch out his small arms and touch it.
The items on the table were all carefully prepared by the Imperial Household Department, made of precious materials and exquisite workmanship.
They were all scaled-down versions, with rounded corners to ensure they wouldn't hurt the Fifth Prince's delicate skin. They had all been carefully wiped with clean water beforehand, leaving them looking as smooth as new.
Under the category of civil affairs, a small, lustrous white jade seal, a miniature red sandalwood brush, a rolled-up rice paper scroll, and a thread-bound copy of the Four Books and Five Classics lie quietly, symbolizing the profound knowledge one will possess in the future, should one hold power.
The martial arts section displays a small gilded bow and arrow, a gorgeously decorated miniature waist knife, and an exquisite horse whip, symbolizing the advocacy of military preparation and the protection of the country.
Symbols of noble status include translucent jade ruyi, bright red coral branches, round oriental pearls, and shimmering gemstones of various colors. They pray for wealth, health, and a stable status.
Representing a rich life are small silver ingot-shaped gold ingots, soft and smooth silk materials, and a small and exquisite abacus.
In addition, there are some objects with special meanings, such as a small jade Buddha with a kind face and a string of ebony prayer beads, which express the wish of praying for blessings and eliminating disasters.
All the objects sparkled under the candlelight, attracting the attention of everyone in the hall.
The ladies of the clan all looked on with curiosity and anticipation on their faces, whispering to each other, wondering what the Fifth Prince would grab first, in order to predict his future interests and destiny.
Under normal circumstances, Concubine Kang would have held her breath and watched this scene with great anticipation.
This is the first important ceremony in the life of the child she raised with great effort!
However, at this moment, Concubine Kang's mind was not here at all.
Her gaze fell on the Fifth Prince's small face. The abnormal blush seemed to deepen. His eyes, once dark and clear, also looked a little dull, not as bright as usual.
Concubine Kang's heart was beating wildly in her chest, and her hands, hidden under her wide sleeves, were trembling slightly...
At this moment, she had no time to care about what the Fifth Prince would catch.
Every moment of waiting was torture for Concubine Yu Kang...
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze swept across the exquisite objects on the table, then turned to look at the Fourth Prince who was being led by the wet nurse, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
He tilted his head slightly and whispered to Shen Zhinian beside him, recalling, "I remember when Ah Xu was celebrating his first birthday, he didn't even look at anything else but grabbed a travelogue and held it tightly in his arms, refusing to let go."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhinian's eyebrows curved slightly, revealing a faint smile. His eyes also fell on the Fourth Prince's lively little face, and his voice was gentle: "Your Majesty remembers it very well."
"Ah Xu has been a little different since he was young."
Nangong Xuanyu couldn't help but feel curious: "I wonder what the Fifth Prince will catch today?"
Shen Zhinian looked at the thin figure in front of the long table and said with a smile: "Your Majesty will know soon."