Chapter 494 - 493: The First Birthday Ceremony (Monthly Pass 90+)

Chapter 494: Chapter 493: The First Birthday Ceremony (Monthly Pass 90+)

Du Yunluo leaned against Mrs. Zhen and whispered, "I wonder what he’ll grasp?"

"When you were little, you grasped a pen. Your father was just about to praise you, but then you turned around and grasped a piece of ginger candy," Mrs. Zhen replied softly.

This tale had been told to Du Yunluo countless times since she was a child, and each time she heard it, she wanted to playfully ask for mercy, not to mention the ginger candy. She had grasped a pen first, after all, which wasn’t embarrassing.

Then she looked at Brother Yan, who pushed himself up on his hands, stood up with his backside in the air, and wobbled a few steps on the large table, his round eyes looking down at the table top.

Suddenly, Brother Yan bent down and reached forward with his hand.

Brother Yan grasped the tiger talisman.

It was carved from wood to resemble a tiger talisman, small enough for Brother Yan to hold onto comfortably.

As soon as Brother Yan grasped the tiger talisman, his other hand was about to reach elsewhere, but Mu Lianxiao scooped him up in his arms.

"It seems our Brother Yan aspires to lead troops as a great general," Mu Lianxiao chuckled, kissing his son on the cheek.

Having been interrupted, Brother Yan wasn’t upset. He turned around and left a trail of drool on Mu Lianxiao’s face.

Coming from a military family, grasping a tiger talisman naturally earned a chorus of praises.

Madam Wu was also pleased and asked Mu Lianxiao to bring Brother Yan over to her.

After Brother Yan completed the grasping ceremony, the in-laws did not disperse immediately, instead gathering in groups of three or five to chat.

Du Yunlo tugged at Mu Lianxiao’s sleeve and quietly asked, "Brother Yan wanted to grasp more, why did you interrupt him? I saw he was reaching for the gun."

Mu Lianxiao burst into laughter, glanced up and down at Du Yunluo, and pointed at his ear, "I heard it."

Heard it?

Du Yunluo was slightly stunned, quickly realizing what had happened.

He had good hearing and overheard her conversation with Mrs. Zhen.

"Quit while you’re ahead. Who knows what Brother Yan might grasp next," Mu Lianxiao smirked, his eyes crinkled.

Du Yunluo’s neck warmed up instantly; if not for being in public, she would have loved to give him a good kick.

What’s wrong with grasping candy?

She loved sweets, so what?

Even if Brother Yan learned from her and grasped candy, would it be forbidden for a great general to love sweets?

Du Yunluo pursed her lips, glaring at Mu Lianxiao, who was smiling even wider.

Over here, the two spoke in hushed tones, while there, Gui Family’s voice rang out.

"Mrs. Kang, what did Sister Ying and Brother Hui grasp during the ceremony?" Gui Family asked, smiling.

The Flower Hall was bustling, but Gui Family’s voice was quite loud, catching everyone’s attention, and they stopped talking, turning to look at Zhuang Ke.

The clan’s eldest mistress was speaking with Madam Wu. Hearing this, she nearly jumped from her chair.

She had reprimanded Gui Family before, thinking she would be more restrained. Yet, here she was causing trouble again for Zhuang Ke.

They had come from outside the pass; who knew if the grasping ceremony was a custom there?

But regardless, why the need for this?

Zhuang Ke quietly looked at Gui Family, saying, "Third Aunt Hu, I didn’t hold a grasping ceremony for my children outside the pass."

Gui Family chuckled, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Oh, look at me, I forgot. Different places have different customs. We have this tradition where every child must participate; you don’t have it there...

However, now that you’ve returned to the capital, future meals, clothes, and lifestyle will follow capital customs.

Children are young, so adjusting is not difficult. You can add two governesses to ensure they speak and act properly.

Mrs. Kang, are you getting used to life in the capital?

If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask your sisters-in-law. They’re raised in the capital and know everything that needs knowing."

Zhuang Ke showed no expression. The clan’s eldest mistress almost spat out her sip of water.

Not only demeaning, but also trying to sow discord among sisters-in-law. How had she never noticed this daughter-in-law had such a sharp tongue?

And what did they mean by "capital customs"?

Besides those blue eyes of hers, where did Zhuang Ke lack capital customs in speech and behavior?

Even her two sisters-in-law might not compare!

The clan’s eldest mistress coughed heavily, glaring angrily at Gui Family.

Seeing her mother-in-law angry, Gui Family decided to quit while ahead.

Zhuang Ke didn’t care to deal with Gui Family, calmly saying a few "Thanks for the advice, Aunt," completely ignoring Gui Family.

On the other side, Mu Liankang frowned and was about to speak. Zhuang Ke turned her eyes, her azure eyes held a shallow smile, stopping Mu Liankang.

Mrs. Xu saw this and softly told Mu Liankang, "Today is Brother Yan’s ceremony, no need to bother with such nonsense. Everyone here sees clearly and knows the difference between right and wrong. When the imperial decree arrives, who will gossip about your wife?"

Zhuang Ke, having sidestepped the issue, let the matter pass.

Mrs.Jiang Deng quietly observed Zhuang Ke, then whispered to Jiang Yunuan, "Is that your eldest sister-in-law? Those eyes, hmm, they have a strange vibe, definitely not a proper person."

Jiang Yunuan lowered her eyes, tugged on Mrs.Jiang Deng’s sleeve, and shook her head, "Sister, don’t be silly. She’s a legitimate member of the royal family."

"Royal family..." Mrs.Jiang Deng covered her mouth before shouting out. She eyed Zhuang Ke, then turned her head, eyes wide as she spoke to Jiang Yunuan, "Barbarian royal family?"

Jiang Yunuan didn’t want to elaborate.

The Flower Hall dispersed.

Mrs.Jiang Fang and Mrs.Jiang Deng followed Jiang Yunuan back to Shangxin Courtyard.

Once the servants were dismissed, Mrs.Jiang Fang spoke coldly to Jiang Yunuan, "Look, people with the eldest legitimate grandson are so glamorous. Did Sister Niang’s hundred-day or grasping ceremony ever have such commotion?

Told you to put some effort into having a son!

Now your younger brother-in-law is gone, and it’s delayed again!

You say yourself, your husband came back last winter, right? Now it’s two, three months already. Even a ironwood tree should bloom by now. Really, no ability!

After we pass the mourning period, just count it yourself. I, at least, had sons and daughters continually; your two sisters were capable, just you, just you!"

Mrs.Jiang Fang grew angrier as she spoke, reaching to poke Jiang Yunuan’s forehead.

Mrs.Jiang Deng felt anxious, observing.

It was one thing if her husband wasn’t home usually, but today not only was he home, but many in-laws were present. If Mrs.Jiang Fang scolded Jiang Yunuan to tears, how would her husband take it? If rumors spread, how would the in-laws view her?

"Anuan, you mentioned that your eldest sister-in-law is royal?" Mrs.Jiang Deng quickly changed the topic.

Mrs.Jiang Fang paused her actions, "What royal family? Just those blue eyes can make her royal family?"

Jiang Yunuan shrunk her neck, saying, "She’s the daughter of the late Emperor’s Fifth Prince, Prince Shun."

Mrs.Jiang Deng gasped.

"What?" Mrs.Jiang Fang sneered, "She’s lying? ⅇ

Prince Shun left the capital how many years ago? Oh, he went outside the pass and had a daughter there. Will anyone believe such a tale?

If she were Prince Shun’s daughter, why isn’t her surname Li?

Or is her blue-eyed barbarian mother’s surname Zhuang?

Ha! You must be joking!"