EBE Chapter 494 First Birthday Gift
Chapter 494 First Birthday Gift
Yi'an Courtyard.
While still ill, Madam Xie frowned almost imperceptibly when she learned that Qin Jiuwei had given birth to a daughter.
"Is it really a daughter?"
Zhang Mama bowed her head and replied, "Yes, Madam. The young mistress and her daughter are safe and sound."
Madam Xie did not speak again.
She didn't dislike her granddaughter, but she couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Since Xie Siyuan passed away, the Xie family has had no direct descendants!
I was hoping to have another son this time, so that it would be more secure to carry on the family line...
She sighed and said, "Whether it's a boy or a girl, they are all Yanli's flesh and blood. Take good care of them."
Lord Xie remained somewhat silent upon hearing this.
Both elders were very disappointed.
But nobody cared about them.
Inside Qinglan Courtyard.
Qin Jiuwei had just given birth and was still recuperating.
Xie Yanli stayed by his bedside day and night, never leaving his side, taking meticulous care of him.
Several children were also circling around the baby in the swaddling clothes.
The evening of the second day after Xie Yun was born.
The charcoal stove inside the room emitted a warm and fragrant aroma, and Qin Jiuwei leaned against the couch to rest.
Xie Yun had been soothed to sleep by her wet nurse and was lying peacefully on the small couch, her cheeks soft and her breathing gentle.
At this moment, a servant rushed in and said, "Young Master, the gatekeeper just reported that a man dressed as a monk stopped at the entrance of the Marquis's residence for a quarter of an hour."
He didn't say anything, just handed over a wooden box and left.
Xie Yanli's brow twitched, and he already had some guesses in his mind.
He took the palm-sized ebony box, which was heavy and carved with lotus patterns.
Inside the box lay a small, smooth jade pendant, its surface pure white and its texture as warm and lustrous as cream.
The front is engraved with a whole circle of fine scriptures.
Only a tiny character "蕴" is engraved on the back.
The jade pendant was strung with a thin red thread and faintly exuded a sandalwood scent.
Xie Yanli recognized that it came from Jingxin Temple.
The person who delivered it, needless to say, was Gao Qiyuan.
He paused for a moment, then his gaze softened.
He walked to the small couch, looked down at his sleeping little daughter, and said softly, "This is a gift from your grandfather."
He crouched down and gently wrapped the red thread around Xie Yun's delicate wrist.
He moved very gently, afraid of waking her.
As the jade pendant was placed on the baby's wrist, its coolness pressed against the infant's wrist, Xie Yun suddenly opened her eyes.
She twisted her body and looked at him with her round eyes.
Suddenly he grinned.
She seems to really like this little jade pendant.
Xie Yanli's heart stirred, his eyes softened, and he gently tapped her little nose with his hand.
The child is growing up very fast.
The centennial celebration is just around the corner.
That day, the Marquis's mansion was brightly decorated, and from early morning, guests and their carriages arrived in an endless stream.
Red satin hung high, and gold silk curtains were used as curtains. The front and back of Qinglan Courtyard were filled with colorful spring flowers, hydrangeas and ribbons. Even the eaves were decorated with auspicious hundred-child ornaments and colorful silks, exuding joy and nobility.
Xie Yanli invited all the powerful and influential people in the capital, and almost every important official in the court was present.
Before noon, Gao Yunzhi also drove Gao Wanzhi into the mansion.
Gao Wanzhi was already four years old, wearing a little dress embroidered with peony branches and a golden bell hairpin in her hair.
Standing beside her mother, she had a charmingly innocent yet dignified air about her.
Qin Jiuwei personally went to the front hall to greet them, and smiled when she saw them.
Gao Yunzhi was wearing a pomegranate red brocade robe with phoenix patterns today. "You have a daughter, how could I not come? Not only did I come, but I also brought a lot of things."
Behind her, her maidservants presented her with more than ten brocade boxes, all of which contained top-quality and precious items.
A Hetian white jade bracelet, a small phoenix crown made for the palace, a set of exquisitely embroidered full moon gold lock, a protective jade ring and a red gold waist bell.
All of these were carefully prepared congratulatory gifts for Xie Yun, and those who saw them couldn't help but whisper in amazement.
"This is far too precious," Qin Jiuwei said softly, turning to look at her soft, cuddly little daughter in her arms. "Yun'er is blessed."
Xie Yun seemed to have heard her name, and gently twisted her body, peeking out.
He met Gao Wanzhi's gaze, a smile appearing in his eyes.
Gao Wanzhi smiled sweetly at her.
The most important part of a 100-year-old's celebration is the "grasping ceremony" (a traditional Chinese custom where
Qinglan Courtyard had made all the necessary preparations well in advance. The hall was covered with brocade cushions and soft carpets, and a dazzling array of items for the baby's first birthday celebration were displayed on the table.
Abacus, silver ingots, bamboo slips, writing brush and ink, pharmacopoeia, jade pendants, small mirrors, small gongs and drums... everything was available, representing almost all trades and hopes in the world.
Xie Yanli, dressed in casual clothes, sat in the main seat.
Qin Jiuwei sat on the soft couch, holding Xie Yun in her arms.
Xie Jing, Xie Jingchun, and Xie Jue, who were already unable to contain themselves, gathered around the table.
"I bet my sister will grab the book," Xie Jing said casually.
"She can handle silver ingots!" Xie Jingchun said confidently. "With such a beautiful younger sister, she'll definitely be in charge of the household in the future."
"No way!" Xie Jue's eyes sparkled. "She'll definitely grab the sugar figurine... wait, there aren't any sugar figurines here, so she'll grab the bell!"
Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this.
Qin Jiuwei lowered her head and gently teased Xie Yun. The little girl was already one year old, her eyebrows and eyes were beginning to form, and a few strands of soft hair hung down in front of her forehead.
Her face was fair and delicate, and she was wearing a newly made embroidered dress.
Her cuffs were trimmed with fine gold thread, and her eyes were dark and bright. She pointed at the table with a babbling sound.
Finally, the ceremony began.
Everyone stepped back, the drums sounded softly, and the wet nurse gently placed Xie Yun in the center of the soft blanket.
As soon as she landed, she swayed a little before settling down.
The little girl first gestured around in all directions, showing that she was very curious about these things.
Xie Yanli and Qin Jiuwei also stared intently at her.
They also wanted to know what Xie Yun would be interested in.
Xie Yun crawled a small step, then suddenly her eyes lit up, and she lunged forward with her little hand.
Everyone immediately held their breath.
The next moment, she grabbed a small wooden sword without hesitation!
The wooden sword was originally just for decoration and was placed in the corner.
But she seemed determined, grabbed it tightly, and waved it enthusiastically.
Her soft little arms held the small sword, which swayed in the air.