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The assembly rose and knelt once more in welcome.
"May His Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"
The Emperor entered, accompanied by a retinue of ministers. The ministers then bowed towards the Empress seated above.
"May Her Majesty the Empress live for a thousand years, a thousand times a thousand years!"
The Emperor took the primary seat and smiled. "All of you, rise. Today is the Wanshou Festival, there is no need for excessive ceremony!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Su Li stood up. She saw that diagonally opposite her sat the Crown Prince and his wife, as well as Jun Hui. There were empty seats on either side of Jun Hui, which should be for the Third Prince, Jun Ce, and the Seventh Prince, Jun Mo.
Jun Hui looked over, a flash of astonishment in his eyes.
Su Li quickly lowered her head.
The Emperor looked at Su Li, who was beside Consort De, and asked in surprise, "This is?"
Su Li rose again and said, "Your Majesty, this humble servant girl is Su Li."
The Emperor was surprised. "Changning?"
Su Li nodded slightly. "This humble servant girl's face has healed."
The Emperor laughed heartily. "Good, good, good! You may sit."
That Old Seventh truly has good judgment.
Su Li curtsied and sat down again.
The several princes opposite her showed surprise on their faces.
The Crown Prince sighed inwardly.Ā No wonder Old Seventh went to propose marriage.
He then didn't dwell on it further, lowering his head to attend to the pregnant Crown Princess.
Jun Ce secretly lamented his Seventh Brother's good fortune.Ā No wonder he was moved.
Jun Hui stared fixedly at the woman opposite him.
Her raven hair was like lacquer, her skin like jade, her eyes like pools of water. With every frown and smile, her beautiful eyes overflowed with brilliance, like a magnolia bud about to bloom ā beautiful but not delicate, stunning but not vulgar.
Sheā¦ actually possessed such a city-toppling appearance!
If he had known earlierā¦
At this moment, Jun Ce and Jun Mo entered from outside the hall, followed by Wei Yuanling and Ji Huaizhou.
After paying their respects, the group took their seats.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the Crown Prince rose, raised his cup towards the Emperor above, and said, "Imperial Father, today is your joyous birthday. Your son invited Master Yang Qing of Jing County to guide him, and personally crafted a wolf-hair brush. Your son only wishes for a peaceful world, for Imperial Father's dragon body to be healthy and strong, and for your brush to command the rivers and mountains!"
The Emperor laughed heartily. "Good, good, good! Yi'er, you are thoughtful!" After speaking, he raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.
Following this, an attendant brought forward a box. Inside the box lay an exquisite wolf-hair brush.
The Emperor took it and seemed to examine it.
"Hmm? The area above the tip of this brush is different from others."
Jun Yi smiled. "Imperial Father has sharp eyes. The inkstone in Imperial Father's study has a small chip. That was from when your son was mischievous in his youth, and caused it when roughhousing with Seventh Brother in the imperial study."
The Emperor chuckled. "Hahaha, I remember. It was Old Seventh who damaged it, and you, his Imperial Brother, had to take the blame for him." With that, he shot a sidelong glance at Jun Mo.
The Empress and Consort De both laughed.
Jun Mo also rubbed his nose in embarrassment.
Jun Yi smiled and continued, "Yes, Imperial Father is frugal. Although that inkstone has a chip, Imperial Father never replaced it. Therefore, the area above the tip of this brush is different from others. Your son asked Head Eunuch Lin to help measure the size of the chip, and this brush, when placed upon it, fits perfectly with the inkstone's chip."
The Crown Prince being so thoughtful naturally pleased the Emperor.
Watching the Crown Prince's health improve day by day, and with the Crown Princess pregnant, he felt content.
The heir to the throne represented the hope and future of a nation.
Everything was developing in a good direction, and the smiles on the faces of the Emperor and Empress above did not cease.
"You are very thoughtful. Little Linzi, take this brush to Our imperial study. We shall use this one from now on!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Head Eunuch Lin accepted the brush and carefully carried it out.
Su Li secretly praised the Crown Prince for this well-chosen birthday gift.
Firstly, it demonstrated his sincerity. The Emperor, being the Son of Heaven, had seen everything imaginable, but a birthday gift personally made by the Crown Prince showed genuine effort.
Secondly, it highlighted the Emperor's diligence and frugality in governing the nation ā an inkstone used for so many years, not even replaced when damaged.
Thirdly, it demonstrated brotherly affection and respect. Whenever the Emperor used this brush, he would recall the Crown Prince taking the blame for his younger brother, showing the Crown Prince's pure and good character, worthy of great responsibility.
With the Emperor and Empress satisfied, Consort Yun secretly glanced at Jun Hui.
Jun Hui's expression was unreadable, a faint smile on his face as he watched.
After the Crown Prince presented his gift, it was the Third Prince, Jun Ce's turn.
He stood up and said with a smile, "Imperial Father, your son congratulates Imperial Father on your boundless longevity and wishes you sacred health. This is your son's birthday gift."
The Emperor smiled curiously. "What is it?"
Jun Ce personally opened the box. Inside lay a jade xiao, entirely verdant green. The xiao was not long, appearing exquisite and nimble.
"Imperial Father, your son remembers that Imperial Father knows how to play the xiao; you even taught us when your son was young. These past few years, Imperial Father has been busy with state affairs, and it has been a long time since I've seen Imperial Father play. This jade xiao was also crafted by your son personally, even the tassel on it was tied by your son. I now present it to Imperial Father."
The Emperor took the jade xiao, stroking it repeatedly.
He had indeed been so busy daily that he had abandoned many hobbies. He immediately picked up the jade xiao and played a short melody.
Jun Ce took the xiao from his own waist and played in accompaniment.
When the music stopped, everyone in the hall applauded.
"Third Son, you are thoughtful. We like this xiao very much!"
Saying this, he directly hung it on his own belt.
Jun Hui's expression stiffened slightly. Last year, for Imperial Father's birthday, everyone competed to see whose gift was more valuable.
This year, he had gritted his teeth and spent a huge sum to have a blood coral transported from the East Sea early on, thinking he could take the lead.
Unexpectedly, it was as if the Crown Prince and Jun Ce had colluded, both presenting items they had made themselves.
Moreover, the Crown Prince had just subtly praised Imperial Father's frugality.
He could already imagine Imperial Father's expression upon seeing his birthday gift.
But if he didn't present it, wouldn't it be even more embarrassing?
After Jun Ce returned to his seat, all eyes turned to him (Jun Hui).
The Empress smiled and asked, "The Sixth Prince has always been the most filial. Your birthday gift must surely be even more thoughtful than those of your two imperial brothers."
Jun Hui's face was stiff, caught in a dilemma. Just then, Consort Yun spoke up proudly.
"Him? He told this consort long ago that he had prepared a birthday gift for His Majesty well in advance. Quickly, bring it up."
Her proud and cheerful tone made it impossible for Jun Hui to stop her in time.
Two burly soldiers from outside the hall strenuously carried in a large chest.
The Emperor asked curiously, "What is this? It seems very heavy. Quickly, open it and let Us see."
The soldiers stepped forward and opened the chest.
Jun Hui dared not look at the Emperor's face.
The laughter in the grand hall froze for a moment.
Only the Emperor's dry voice was heard from above: "Thoughtful. Take it away."
Consort Yun's face flushed red with embarrassment, secretly blaming Jun Hui.
How much money must this have cost! And all that effort for nothing.
Looking at the Crown Prince's and Jun Ce's gifts, which couldn't compare to even a fraction of this blood coral's value, yet the Emperor looked as if he adored them.
After the coral was carried away, Jun Mo rose.
"Imperial Father, your son does not possess the clever ingenuity of his several imperial brothers. When I went south for disaster relief this time, I encountered a sea merchant in Yunshui City and obtained a treasure from him, which is quite suitable for Imperial Father."
Hearing that it wasn't personally made, Jun Hui quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Jun Mo took out a brocade box from his bosom.
An imperial attendant took the box and presented it to the Emperor.
The Emperor opened it and looked, asking curiously, "What is this? It looks like a mirror."
Jun Mo had someone bring a book and presented it.
"Imperial Father, please look at these words through this 'mirror'."
The Emperor, skeptical but curious, did as instructed and exclaimed in amazement, "Truly magical! The words have become larger!"
Jun Mo smiled. "That merchant said this is called a magnifying glass. Imperial Father handles official duties, and after a long time, it's inevitable for your eyes to feel strained. With this item, it should be somewhat easier."
The Emperor laughed heartily. "Interesting! This item is very good."
The Emperor, holding the magnifying glass, couldn't put it down and tried it on the book again, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening with his smile.
His sons had all grown up; they knew to care for his dragon body.
After the princes had presented their birthday gifts, the Emperor waved his hand grandly.
Instantly, a troupe of beautiful women entered from outside the hall. For a time, sleeves fluttered within the hall, bells and chimes sounded, and melodious music filled the air.
Only then did the palace banquet officially begin.