Free Web NovelChapter 1165: Extra Story 1: First Birthday Banquet (Part 1)
On this day, the breeze was gentle and the sun warm.
The clouds in the sky floated in wisps, making the sky even more azure.
The entrance of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion was bustling, with guests coming and going.
Today was the first birthday of Shangguan Feng, son of Su Chong, grandson of Marquis Dongxiang, and great-grandson of Old Duke Chong.
There were many guests, but none carried invitations.
This time, Marquis Dongxiang did not widely distribute invitations, he simply mentioned at the court, "In a couple of days, it’s my grandson’s first birthday banquet. If you officials have time, why not come to Duke Chong’s Mansion for some fun?"
Marquis Dongxiang had been in the Capital for a while, hosting only a few banquets: one with widely sent invitations that no one attended, another that forced the entire court, even the Emperor, to attend.
Marquis Dongxiang was not one to force people, but at that time, he needed the grand occasion and couldn’t avoid being a bit overbearing.
Now, it’s just his grandson’s first birthday banquet; he’s happy if people attend, and it’s okay if they don’t.
Given his and Old Duke Chong’s status, who would ignore an invitation?
Even if lying on a sickbed, someone would come along for support.
Just a casual remark, and almost the entire court came.
The main kitchen was extremely busy.
Too many people came, so chefs from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and Imperial Chef from the Beauty Pavilion were called in, otherwise, half the people would be left watching while the other half ate.
Marquis Dongxiang’s waist was pinched swollen.
The banquet was arranged by the Duchess of Chong and Mrs. Tang who planned for just eight tables, thinking a child’s first birthday wouldn’t be a grand event.
Who knew Marquis Dongxiang’s casual remark would require at least sixteen tables?
Guests arrived to congratulate, and the food wasn’t prepared in time; scrambling at the last moment, isn’t that embarrassing?
The arrangements were originally well made, now they need to pull in Madam Shen and others to greet guests, allowing her to have time to arrange maids and servants.
On the artificial mountain in the backyard.
Young Master Su and others were eating sugar figures, their feet swinging chaotically.
With so many people, Mrs. Tang worried they’d create chaos, sending them to the backyard to play.
Young Master Su was not happy.
What mess could they possibly cause?
They didn’t know many people, and being so steady and composed, causing trouble was impossible.
But when their mother got busy, she had no patience, so they could only obey.
With so many guests around, isn’t it embarrassing to be strung out in a row?
But while the front yard was lively, the backyard was dull and uninteresting.
They loved being part of the excitement the most.
Young Master Su bit into a sugar figure and asked, "What did you pick up when you were little?" freeweɓnøvel.com
The Ninth Prince replied, "I asked the old nanny in the palace, she said I picked a book."
"I picked an abacus," Young Master Zhao said.
"I picked a book," Young Master Shen said.
After answering, they asked Young Master Su, "What did you pick?"
Young Master Su gazed at the sky with melancholy, "I asked my parents, they said they don’t remember what I picked."
"Mrs. Jiang said I didn’t have a first birthday banquet at all, my dad was busy robbing on that day, didn’t care about me."
"..."
Looking at Huwa’s lively first birthday banquet while his dad was too busy robbing to care for his, his heart couldn’t help but feel desolate.
He really wanted to know what he picked too.
After finishing the sugar figure, Young Master Su clamped the stick in his mouth, lying flat and feeling utterly relaxed.
The quieter it was, the sharper the sounds around became.
Crickets chirped happily.
The sound crisp and clear, evidently showing strong fighting ability.
Young Master Su grew up in Qingyun Mountain, spending much time catching crickets for fun.
He sat up and jumped off the artificial mountain, following the sound to catch crickets.
The Ninth Prince and Young Master Shen helped him.
Four people against one cricket, impossible for it to escape even with wings.
In front of the gate of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
The soft sedan chair stopped, Su Jin stepped out.
Unable to hold it, she leaned against the stone lion and vomited.
Xingxing looked at her, "Miss, are you alright?"
Xie Jingchen was somewhat scared.
Su Jin felt dizzy, only seeing the sky spinning as Mrs. Tang approached saying, "You’re pregnant, why not stay at the Prince Mansion for proper prenatal care?"
Su Jin shook her head, "Mom, I’m fine."
"I’m tired of sitting in the carriage, wanted to try the sedan chair, who knew it was even bumpier."
The bumping made her insides flip upside down.
Mrs. Tang chided, "It’s not like you haven’t sat in a sedan chair before."
Su Jin was about to say she hadn’t sat in one, then vaguely remembered her wedding when she sat in a sedan chair.
But that time she had fainted herself, completely forgetting the bumps.
Xie Jingchen supported Su Jin into the mansion, Yuanyuan wasn’t brought along; both the Prince and Princess Consort were attending too.
As soon as he entered the mansion and people saw Xie Jingchen, they couldn’t help but want to laugh.
