bookcurios Chapter 132 Birthday Ceremony
Chapter 132 Birthday Ceremony
Zhao Fangyu spent a very leisurely time at home. He slept until he woke up naturally, and after breakfast, Li Ge'er was brought to play by the nanny. He was very well behaved and hummed. He couldn't win the argument, but he didn't cry. At most, he would hold back a bag of tears in his eyes and squat with his back turned, humming.
The new tea shop was doing pretty well, the treasury was getting bigger and bigger, and the dowry was getting thicker and thicker. People from the Ministry of Rites came several times, but because Zhao Fangyu still had a lot of growth to go around, the size didn't count, so they first came to look at the styles and ceremonial items like the phoenix crown that could be prepared in advance.
The Second Prince was busy renovating his mansion at home. The Emperor probably couldn't bear to see Zhou Qinghe happy, so he threw him a tiring and exhausting job, asking him to be taken out of the Second Prince's mansion and sent to another place at full speed.
Zhou Qinghe left the capital in a hurry that night. Zhao Fangyu knew that people at that time would have been out of the city for a long time, so she did not give Zhou Qinghe some sachets, fan bags or other items like other girls would normally give to remind him of his parents.
Zhao Fangyu also felt that their relationship was not yet that deep, so he just pretended not to know and ate, drank and slept well at home.
However, ever since Zhou Qinghe left Beijing, there would be some strange little things on Zhao Fangyu's windowsill from time to time. The largest of them was no bigger than the size of a palm, and one could tell who had sent them without having to guess.
Sometimes it was a prototype clay doll the size of an egg, sometimes it was an exquisite Mahalakaya. The food for the mouth was also delivered, mostly some things to relieve boredom, and occasionally there were even some scripts that were not commonly seen in the capital.
Since these little things were delivered, the original letter intended to lure people has never appeared again. Zhao Fangyu guessed that it was quietly dealt with by Zhou Qinghe's people.
Being able to deliver the things to her away from the eyes and ears of the Royal Guards, it seems that this extremely dissolute Second Prince has not completely fallen.
It was not until Zhao Fangyu's birthday in autumn that he saw Zhou Qinghe again.
Zhao Fangyu’s birthday gift was not big, but he received a lot of gifts.
The eldest lady, Zhao Minshan, and even Concubine Song sent gifts, the Duke of Li's mansion sent some, and Meng Liu, who married to Sichuan, also sent some. Several young ladies and gentlemen in Longxi sent gifts one after another.
Especially Shisiniang, who also sent me a thick letter. When I opened it, I found that it talked about many interesting things that happened in Longxi, most of which were gossip.
"Happy birthday, and long-lasting honor and glory."
A male voice was heard, Zhao Fangyu quickly put away the letter, turned around and looked at Zhou Qinghe's gentle eyes.
Zhou Qinghe came to congratulate today, wearing a beige round-necked robe with a unicorn pattern and a sparkling glass hairpin on his head. His eyes were like stars, his eyebrows were like swords, and his porcelain-white skin was a little darker, making him less dissolute.
His body has become stronger and he looks a bit like a military commander.
Zhao Fangyu listened to his congratulations, smiled, bowed, and thanked him softly.
After Zhao Zhihuai and the other two had exchanged pleasantries, they took Zhou Qinghe to the men's seats, chatting and laughing. Zhou Qinghe wanted to say a few more words, but his brother was standing nearby, so he held back the questions he wanted to ask and followed Zhao Zhihuai to the men's seats.
Since the birthday party was not a big one and mostly attended by family members, we were never separated.
The female guests drank wine from the flowing stream, while the male guests smelled incense under the trees. In between, there was a huge sandalwood screen with twelve panels embroidered with Su cloth and featuring a landscape. The people could not be seen, but their voices could be heard.
The atmosphere was frozen for a moment due to Zhou Qinghe's arrival. Zhou Qinghe sat down with his hands in his pockets, standing next to Song Bai, very approachable.
Zhao Minshan quickly stood up, gave up the main seat and wanted to invite the second prince to sit down. Zhou Qinghe shook his head and said no while taking the initiative to sit next to Song Bai. He had a very clear understanding of his identity.
He would even chat with Song Bai about some trivial matters that had nothing to do with court affairs.
"You're welcome. I'm here to join in the fun. Don't let me make you feel awkward."
Zhao Minshan and Zhao Zhihuai hurriedly tried to smooth things over. There were jokes coming from the female guests' seats. Zhou Qinghe's smile widened and he even took the initiative to urge everyone to eat.
Zhao Fangjin openly winked at Zhao Fangyu. Mei Xunyin and the eldest lady looked at Zhao Fangyu, whose face was slightly blushing, with gentle eyes and brows as if they were looking at their own child.
Zhao Fangyu could naturally hear the noise coming from the side. A blush appeared on her cheek and her crystal clear eyes glanced at the small plate floating in the stream. She seemed to be concentrating on eating the food.
Zhao Fangjin came close to Zhao Fangyu, leaned over to her ear, and whispered teasingly: "Happy birthday~honor~noble~long~"
Zhao Fangyu: "...Sister, wait for me to celebrate your birthday."
Zhao Fangjin burst out laughing. When had they ever seen Zhao Fangyu so embarrassed and angry? One by one, they all laughed. Li Geer heard the noise and came over humming and looking at the laughing people in a baby voice.
"Mom, what are you laughing at?"
Mei Xunyin picked up a piece of cheese from the banquet and asked Li Ge'er to take it back to Zhao Zhihuai. She did not answer. After Li Ge'er got the cheese, he was no longer curious and happily took the cheese back.
At the birthday banquet, separated by a screen, the men's seats began to drink, and Zhou Qinghe's voice gradually became louder. Zhou Qinghe seemed to like Li Ge'er particularly, and even held him in his arms and teased him constantly, and personally took a silver basket to feed him soft cheese.
After Zhao Fangyu was teased twice, everyone began to wish her well one after another.
"I wish my fourth sister happiness every year and all the best."
"I wish Fourth Sister peace and happiness, may she be more beautiful than the flowers every day."
"I wish my fourth sister more joy, peace, a smooth journey, and success in everything."
"I wish Yu'er a smooth and easy life..."
……
In the evening, Zhao Fangyu opened the birthday gift sent by Zhou Qinghe.
The six-layer makeup box was opened, revealing a set of thirty-six pieces of glazed feather crown and head ornaments.
It looks like it is a set with the glass hairpin he is wearing on his head today.
Chunshao's eyes almost popped out of her head. It was because the headgear Zhou Qinghe gave her was so beautiful.
It was so beautiful that she couldn't even speak.
Chun Shao and Zhao Fangyu had seen countless beautiful and luxurious headgear, but this was the first time they had seen such a headgear.
Colored glaze was introduced from foreign countries and its production is extremely rare. With such fine craftsmanship, the colored glaze can almost be pulled into thin threads...
It is green with a slight bluish tint, the color is not strong but light, and it is obviously made of colored glaze, yet it is as smooth and flowing as mica, and crystal clear.
When colored glass is fired, many bubbles are produced. Such clear and transparent colored glass is good enough to be used as offerings!
Then decorate it with long light green feathers...
The set of headgear Zhou Qinghe gave was probably a rare item not even available in the palace.
"Girl... this is so beautiful..."
After a long time, Chunshao, who was used to seeing good things, slowly uttered these words.
Zhao Fangyu thought so too, it’s really nice.
Zhao Fangyu raised his hand and gently touched the fluff on the crest, a light touch, as soft as a cloud.
An unconscious smile appeared on his lips.
This is also generous.
That’s great, she likes generous people.
For example, the eldest lady, and for example, Zhou Qinghe at this time.
She picked out a few small hairpins from the glazed feather crown and put them into the makeup box for daily dressing, and sealed the rest and put them in the warehouse.
Zhou Qinghe was half drunk, his face flushed. Seeing Xuanbi coming back, he asked, "Does she like it?"