Chapter 103: The First Birthday Celebration
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
As dawn broke, Madam Xu gently awakened Lu Chao Chao and dressed her in new clothes. Her hair was styled into two small buns, each adorned with a tiny bell, and she wore a bright red dress, making her look like a traditional New Year painting doll.
“Chao Chao is only one; there’s no need to open the ancestral hall yet. We can wait a few years to record her in the family genealogy,” Lu Yuan Ze said earnestly to Madam Xu.
Madam Xu’s eyes flickered slightly. Traditionally, Lu family children were recorded in the genealogy on their first birthday. Yet, she nodded indifferently, unconcerned about the genealogy.
“I’ve invited Lu Jing Huai’s family. That child is talented; befriending him could be beneficial. Since our Yan Shu is disabled, it’s prudent to establish connections with promising young men,” Lu Yuan Ze spoke, gauging Madam Xu’s reaction.
Madam Xu remained calm. “I’ll follow your lead, Husband. However, Lu Jing Huai’s family has a terrible reputation. You should protect your own reputation to avoid public disgrace,” she remarked.
Displeased, Lu Yuan Ze furrowed his brows and waved dismissively. “I understand.”
Lu Yuan Ze personally went to the gate to welcome Lu Jing Huai and, unexpectedly, even the Jiang family. Lu Yan Shu, seated in a wheelchair to greet guests, watched the Jiang family alight from their carriage with an indifferent expression.
“Marriage is destined by heaven. Yan Shu’s misfortune has nothing to do with the Jiang family,” Lu Yuan Ze said, welcoming everyone inside, angering Lu Yuan Xiao, who clenched his fists tightly.
“How could he disregard elder brother’s dignity like this?” Lu Yuan Xiao’s eyes reddened. Thankfully, elder brother’s leg was already healed. Otherwise, how painful it would have been?
“Keep the bigger picture in mind, Yuan Xiao. Don’t do anything rash.” Lu Yan Shu gripped the wheelchair’s armrests, his knuckles turning white, indicating his inner turmoil despite trying to calm his own younger brother.
Lu Jing Yao, awestruck by the Marquis’s mansion’s opulence, was filled with envy. Despite the Marquis’s wealth, her own family lived in poverty. How could she be content? How could Lu Chao Chao deserve this?
Lu Yuan Ze escorted Lu Jing Huai’s family into the main hall, already bustling with guests. Pei Jiao Jiao, seeing the grandeur, turned nearly red with envy, and watching Madam Xu receive compliments, she gritted her teeth in jealousy.
After Lu Jing Huai’s family paid their respects, Lu Yuan Ze led Lu Jing Huai to the outer courtyard, leaving Lu Jing Yao and Pei Jiao Jiao inside.
Pei Jiao Jiao then said, “This must be Sister Shi Yun? Sister Shi Yun is indeed graceful and dignified.”
Madam Xu’s face turned cold, her smile fading slightly. “Mrs. Pei, please do not falsely claim kinship. I am from the Xu family, a legitimate daughter. I dare not acknowledge random relatives.”
Pei Jiao Jiao’s face stiffened, a flash of resentment quickly hidden as she lowered her eyes, clenching her fists slightly. Shi Yun, what are you so proud of? The man you call your husband, he loves me!
Soft laughter filled the surroundings. A concubine, how could she compare to the legitimate wife? This Pei Jiao Jiao really had some nerve. A concubine comparing herself to the legitimate wife? Wasn’t that insulting?
The old lady’s brows furrowed in displeasure. “A guest is a guest. Shi Yun, don’t speak so harshly.” She affectionately took Pei Jiao Jiao’s hand, giving her some face.
“Old Madam, one might think Mrs. Pei is your daughter-in-law if they didn’t know better.”
“Besides, I am not wrong. The Xu family forbids their children from becoming concubines; it’s a disgraceful act,” Madam Xu Yun said, touching her temple, her expression full of noble pride.
“You old woman, don’t bully my mother! I’ll beat you, I’ll beat you!” Lu Jing Yao got in front of her mother, her gaze fierce like a wolf cub’s, glaring at Madam Xu.
The hall erupted in whispers.
“How can this child be so rude?”
“My goodness, this child doesn’t behave like a one-year-old.” Some ladies even stood up in displeasure.
“Bad parents raise bad children.” Someone openly rebuked.
As Lu Jing Yao opened her mouth to say more, Pei Jiao Jiao quickly covered it.
“My daughter Jing Yao is protective of her mother and can’t bear to see her troubled; it’s just a child’s filial piety.” Pei Jiao Jiao held her daughter’s hand tightly, hiding her behind herself, looking as if she was being wronged.
The old lady’s eyes reddened with pity. She coughed lightly, her throat sore for some reason these past few days.
“Enough, today is a joyous occasion. As a mother, don’t trouble the child,” the old lady said, giving Madam Xu a glance before beckoning Lu Jing Yao over, seating her lovingly beside her.
The auspicious hour had not yet arrived, but countless gifts were already being sent to the Marquis’s mansion.
“Gifts from the Protectorate Duke.”
“Gifts from the Minister of Revenue.”
“Gifts from the Assistant Minister of Revenue.”
“Gifts from the Grand Princess.”
“Gifts from the Dowager…”
A long stream of gifts flowed continuously from the gate into the mansion, causing Lu Yuan Ze’s expression to shift from dazed to ecstatic. He then stood tall, full of pride.
Lu Chao Chao was only one year old; these gifts were obviously not for her. What status could she have?
Madam Xu, a woman who rarely left her home, couldn’t have connections with so many court officials. These gifts must have been sent out of regard for him!
Overwhelmed with joy, Lu Yuan Ze stepped forward to thank each sender.
What is the Xu family compared to this? Now, the Xu family is merely a second-rank official. It is nothing like when Royal Tutor Xu was in office.
Lu Jing Yao was already panting with jealousy; clearly, all this should have been hers, it should have been hers!
The one who isn’t loved is the mistress. Her mother and the Marquis are meant to be together, it’s Xu who is in their way!
The first birthday procedures were very elaborate, but due to the cold weather, they didn’t want to trouble the child too much, so they simplified the ceremony as much as possible.
In front of the offering table, they performed rituals to bless the child with safety. They then brought a bath basin and, under Lu Chao Chao’s embarrassed gaze, undressed her completely.
Originally, a senior family member, the old lady, was supposed to bathe the child, symbolizing the washing away of all illness. But Lu Jing Yao, with tear-filled eyes, held onto the old lady’s hand, and the old lady refused on the spot.
Madam Xu almost lost her temper.
Fortunately, the esteemed grand princess, with her high status, personally held Lu Chao Chao and bathed her.
Originally, the crown prince and the king intended to attend, but fearing Lu Yuan Ze might get suspicious, they refrained.
[Ah, my dignity is gone! How embarrassing! Does a child’s face not count as a face? Quick, close your eyes, quick!] Lu Chao Chao thought, her face lifeless as she entered the bath basin. As a last ditch effort, she tried to suck in her little belly, panicking, unable to hide it.
With so many people watching her bath, it was terrifying. Thankfully, it was just a formality, and soon she was dressed again.
A dot of cinnabar was placed on Lu Chao Chao’s forehead, symbolizing enlightenment.
“It’s time for the selection ceremony, hurry, hurry, the selection ceremony.”
The pregnant grand princess, due in eight months, had Lu Zheng Yue personally carry Lu Chao Chao to the table.
“Time for the selection ceremony.”
On the table were a ball, a sword, a brush, ink, paper, inkstone, jade, jewelry, and gold ingots.
Back then, Lu Jing Yao had grabbed a book, earning Pei Jiao Jiao considerable pride.
But now… the grand princess, smiling, took something from her pocket, “Today, I’ll add an item for you, to join in the fun.”
She placed a ring on the table.
The ring looked ordinary, plain, and unremarkable, unnoticed by anyone.
“Chao Chao, pick what you like,” people urged with smiles.
Lu Chao Chao, swaying with each step, squatted by the gold ingots and hesitated. [No, if I take the gold, I’ll have to give it to mother. Don’t like the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. They’re unlucky. The ball is too tiring.]
Madam Xu almost laughed out loud.
After looking around, Chao Chao eventually reached out and grabbed the ordinary-looking thumb ring. The crowd secretly sighed in disappointment, thinking the ring to be useless.
Lu Jing Yao smiled triumphantly, and Pei Jiao Jiao straightened her back with pride, as if stepping on Lu Chao Chao.
“Lack of ambition,” the old lady said indifferently.
Suddenly, someone exclaimed in surprise, “Why does this thumb ring look like the king’s?”
At these words, everyone
froze. The old lady’s face turned red with embarrassment.
The grand princess, still smiling, replied, “Chao Chao is fated with the king.”
How long the princess gonna be pregnant??
Chao Chao was 1yr old n bless the princess on her 1-2mth age then after 3mth the princess was grant a twins so she should be due by now
dont overthink it. the author is the type that writes whatever that comes to her mind at the moment
I do not like the old lady she is just the worst grandmother