Chapter 103: First Birthday Grabbing Ceremony

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.

The celebration for Lu Chao Chao’s first birthday had begun.

Early in the morning, Madam Xu had woken Chao Chao and dressed her in new clothes. Her hair was styled into two small buns adorned with little bells, and she wore a bright red dress. She looked like a doll from a New Year’s painting, sitting adorably under the gaze of the household.

“Chao Chao is only a year old; we can forgo opening the ancestral hall for her, don’t you think? We’ll wait until she’s older and steadier,” suggested Lu Yuan Ze, looking seriously at Madam Xu.

Madam Xu’s eyes flickered but betrayed no emotion. Traditionally, every Lu family child’s name was added to the genealogy on their first birthday.

“Alright,” she agreed nonchalantly, showing little interest in such formalities.

“I’ve invited Lu Jing Huai’s family,” Lu Yuan Ze continued. “That boy is quite talented, and it would do us no harm to maintain ties with him. Yan Shu is disabled, so fostering connections with accomplished young men is always beneficial.” His tone was earnest, but his eyes discreetly observed Madam Xu’s expression.

Her expression remained indifferent.

“I follow your lead, my lord,” she said. “However…” She hesitated briefly before continuing. “The reputation of Lu Jing Huai’s family is dreadful. Marquis, you must guard your own reputation and avoid becoming the target of disdain.”

Lu Yuan Ze frowned, clearly displeased by her words. Waving his hand irritably, he replied, “I know.”

Even so, Lu Yuan Ze personally went to the gate to welcome Lu Jing Huai’s family—and surprisingly, also the Jiang family.

Seated in his wheelchair, Lu Yan Shu greeted the guests. His expression barely changed when he saw the Jiang family step out of their carriage.

“Marriages are predestined by fate,” Lu Yuan Ze said to the crowd. “Yan Shu’s misfortune is no fault of the Jiang family.”

Lu Yuan Xiao’s hands clenched into fists, and his eyes reddened with suppressed anger.

“How could he disregard our elder brother’s dignity like this?” he whispered fiercely. “Thankfully, Brother’s legs have already been healed. Otherwise, how unbearable would this be?”

“Consider the bigger picture,” Lu Yan Shu responded, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the armrest of his wheelchair. Despite his calm tone, his turmoil was evident.

Meanwhile, Lu Jing Yao’s eyes widened in astonishment at the Marquis’s household’s lavishness. The opulence before her contrasted starkly with the poverty her own family endured. Her chest burned with jealousy.

[Why does Lu Chao Chao deserve all this?] she thought bitterly. [Why should I resign myself to less?]

Inside the main hall, many guests were already seated. Pei Jiao Jiao’s gaze roamed over the Marquis’s grand residence, her eyes gleaming with envy. She bit her lip in frustration at the sight of Madam Xu being flattered by the guests.

When Lu Jing Huai’s family entered and paid their respects, Lu Yuan Ze led him to the outer courtyard, leaving only Pei Jiao Jiao and Lu Jing Yao behind.

Pei Jiao Jiao greeted Madam Xu with a seemingly warm smile. “You must be Shi Yun. What a dignified and elegant hostess you are.”

Shi Yun’s expression cooled.

“Please refrain from making unfounded familial connections, Madam Pei. I am a legitimate daughter of the Xu family. We do not entertain such associations lightly.” Her words were sharp and unyielding.

Pei Jiao Jiao’s smile froze, and a flash of hatred appeared in her eyes before she quickly composed herself. Her fists clenched at her sides.

[Shi Yun, what are you so smug about? Your husband’s heart belongs to me!]

The room filled with faint laughter as Shi Yun’s cutting remarks found approval among the guests.

An Old Madam—the matriarch of the family—broke the tension by speaking harshly to Shi Yun. “Today is a joyous occasion. Mind your sharp tongue, Shi Yun.” She then turned warmly to Pei Jiao Jiao, clearly trying to save face for her.

Shi Yun’s lips curved in an icy smile. “One might almost mistake Madam Pei for your daughter-in-law, Old Madam. Besides, my words weren’t wrong. The Xu family would never permit its daughters to become concubines. Such disgrace is unthinkable.”

Pei Jiao Jiao’s daughter, Lu Jing Yao, stepped forward protectively. Her fierce glare was like a wolf cub’s as she shouted, “Old woman, don’t bully my mother! I’ll hit you! I’ll hit you!”

The room erupted in murmurs.

“What an unruly child!” one guest whispered.

“How can a child’s behavior be this appalling?” remarked another, standing indignantly.

“Like mother, like daughter,” another guest said openly, their disdain clear.

Pei Jiao Jiao hastily clamped a hand over Lu Jing Yao’s mouth. “She is only defending her mother out of filial piety. Please forgive her innocent outburst.” She pulled her daughter behind her protectively, adopting a pitiful demeanor.

The Old Madam’s eyes reddened with tears, clearly moved by Pei Jiao Jiao’s act. She coughed lightly and said, “Let us not make this child’s filial piety a point of contention. Shi Yun, let it go. Today is a day of celebration.”

At that moment, gifts began to pour into the Marquis’s residence:

“A gift from the Protectorate Duke’s Manor!”
“A gift from the Minister of Revenue!”
“A gift from the Eldest Princess!”
“A gift from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager!”

One by one, the gifts were announced, each more opulent than the last. Lu Yuan Ze’s face transitioned from shock to uncontrollable joy as he personally thanked the messengers.

[These gifts couldn’t possibly be for Chao Chao. She’s just a one-year-old child. And Shi Yun? A housebound woman has no such connections. These must all be for me, a testament to the esteem my colleagues hold for me!]

His heart swelled with pride. [The Xu family is only second-rank now. They’re nothing compared to what they were under the Grand Tutor Xu.]

Meanwhile, Lu Jing Yao seethed with envy. [All of this should have been mine!]

The grabbing ceremony—a crucial part of the first birthday’s rituals—began soon after. However, given the cold weather, the ceremony was simplified to spare the child unnecessary discomfort.

Originally, the family’s Old Madam was supposed to bathe Chao Chao to symbolize washing away past misfortunes. But Lu Jing Yao clung tearfully to the Old Madam’s hand, persuading her to refuse.

Shi Yun’s face darkened, but before she could react, the Eldest Princess stepped in. With her esteemed status, she personally bathed Chao Chao, ensuring the ritual’s sanctity.

[This is humiliating! My dignity has been trampled! Why must everyone watch me bathe?] Chao Chao fumed inwardly as she was placed in the basin. [Don’t they know how embarrassing this is?]

After the bath, Chao Chao’s forehead was dotted with cinnabar, symbolizing enlightenment. She was then placed on a table surrounded by symbolic objects: a ball, swords, writing tools, inkstones, and jewelry.

The Eldest Princess took out an ordinary-looking thumb ring and added it to the collection. “Let’s see what catches your eye, little one,” she said warmly.

Chao Chao toddled unsteadily across the table. She paused by a gold ingot, her eyes lighting up. [No, if I take this, I’ll have to give it to Mother!]

To everyone’s surprise, she reached out and picked up the unremarkable thumb ring instead. Murmurs of disappointment spread through the crowd.

“A thumb ring? What’s so special about that?” someone remarked.

Lu Jing Yao smirked, and Pei Jiao Jiao straightened her back proudly, as if Lu Chao Chao’s choice validated their superiority.

“No ambition whatsoever,” the Old Madam muttered.

Suddenly, someone gasped. “Wait! Isn’t that thumb ring… a token of the Emperor?”

The room fell into stunned silence.

The Old Madam’s face turned crimson, but the Eldest Princess smiled serenely. “It seems Chao Chao is fated to share a special bond with His Majesty.”

[Would you like a new father, Chao Chao?] her teasing gaze seemed to say.

[Story Wiki]

[Table of Content]

[Previous Chapter]

[Next Chapter]