CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 357: FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (1)

Chai Tianlang wanted to play with Guoguo, following his mother and unwilling to follow the Eldest Young Master Chai.

"Come, Tianlang, sit with your sister." Sister-in-law Chai ignored the displeased Miss Chai and took her son to sit among the womenfolk.

According to tradition, uncles and aunts take precedence.

Everyone ushered Sister-in-law Chai to the top seat.

"Open the gift boxes and have a look," Sister-in-law Chai nodded to the maid.

Chuntao placed the four boxes on the table and opened them one by one.

The Great Princess and Second Princess craned their necks to see.

The village women observing also turned their attention over.

Displaying birthday gifts publicly is also a village custom.

Sister-in-law Chai brought four gift boxes, not fearing the crowd’s scrutiny.

Once the boxes were opened, everyone was surprised.

The reason everyone was so curious is that Chai Eying’s daughter was just her stepdaughter. For the stepdaughter’s first birthday, her maternal brother and sister-in-law didn’t have to come.

A stepdaughter isn’t biological, so giving gifts is optional.

If no gift was given, no one would say anything.

However, Sister-in-law Chai came, and she even brought generous gifts.

The four boxes contained two bolts of fabric for each season, two pairs of shoes for each season, two finely crafted winter cloaks, two small hats, and a pair of intricately carved silver bracelets.

People marveled at how numerous and exquisite the items were.

Miss Chai sneered inwardly, was it necessary? It’s just a stepdaughter.

When the stepdaughter grows up, it’s uncertain if she’ll acknowledge the stepmother!

The Great Princess and Li Yuzhu exchanged glances, both inwardly praised how thorough Sister-in-law Chai’s etiquette was!

These gifts were given as if to a biological niece.

Chai Eying held Guoguo’s little hand, "Guoguo, quickly thank your Aunt. Now your clothes and shoes for the year won’t need to be made by mom."

"Aunt," Guoguo grinned broadly.

Sister-in-law Chai was very pleased, "Guoguo is so sweet."

Lady Liu came over to inform everyone that they could start the feast.

Chai Eying laughed and said, "Everyone, take your seats, the dishes are being served."

Li Yuzhu and the three sisters, the Great Princess, and the Second Princess, carried the gifts everyone brought into Chai Eying’s house.

The birthday banquet gifts differ from wedding gifts.

For weddings, people give money directly as a contribution.

At birthday feasts, only gifts are given, no money is collected.

However, the host family still records what gifts each person brings.

Like the two ladies from the Liu family, Liu Da Niu and Mrs. Li Zheng, who have good relations with the Li family, would bring two pieces of fabric and a pair of shoes.

The fabric is a slightly better fine cloth.

Ordinary village families only bring a piece of linen fabric, and it’s often just one piece.

Some families give longevity noodles or longevity cakes.

Village families generally don’t have much money, and this is how gifts are usually given, the Li family doesn’t mind.

Guests are guests, and guests are treated with hospitality.

After piles of shoes and fabric were moved away, the tables were cleared, and dishes were served, bowl by bowl.

Earlier, those sitting or standing casually, chatting and laughing, found their places to sit.

As the feast was about to start, Li Yuzhu invited the Princess Consort Luling from the main residence in the back courtyard.

Princess Consort Luling was previously sitting in the North Courtyard Main House, chatting with Mrs. Li Zheng and several elderly women from the village.

When they arrived, everyone greeted them.

One table was for the Li family members, and two tables for the village women.

Miss Chai saw Princess Consort Luling coming and immediately greeted with a smile, "Mrs. Li."

Princess Consort Luling didn’t recognize her, seeing her well-dressed and sitting next to Chai Eying, unsure of how to address her, only smiled and nodded, "An uncommon guest, apologies for any lack of hospitality."

"Mother, this is my second sister," Chai Eying said calmly.

Having heard the Li Yuzhu sisters talk about Chai Eying’s family matters many times, Princess Consort Luling immediately recognized Miss Chai, her expression cooled, "So it’s Eying’s second sister, an uncommon guest indeed."

"Mother, this is my sister-in-law and nephew," Chai Eying continued, introducing Sister-in-law Chai and her son Chai Tianlang.

"Hello, Mrs. Li." Sister-in-law Chai stood up, smiling and greeting the Princess Consort Luling, then pulled her son from his chair, "Quickly greet Grandma Li."

Chai Tianlang was telling jokes with Guoguo when his mother suddenly pulled him, startling him, "Grandma Li." Unable to find her, he greeted anyway.

However, he faced Chai Eying, amusing Princess Consort Luling.

"Good, good, good child, sit down, sit down," Princess Consort Luling waved with a smile toward Chai Tianlang.

It turns out that Chai Eying’s sister-in-law also came. Since the sister-in-law is here, why should Miss Chai fight for the spotlight? Does she not understand her duties as an aunt?

The Princess Consort of Luling liked Miss Chai even less.

Miss Chai frequently tried to curry favor with the Princess Consort of Luling by speaking to her, but the Princess Consort remained indifferent, while she was very enthusiastic towards the sister-in-law.

Among the women, aside from the sharp voices of Chai Tianlang and Guoguo, everyone else spoke calmly. On the men’s side, however, it was boisterous with shouting and finger-guessing games, very lively indeed.

Li Jing couldn’t bear the noise and shouted that he wanted to find Chai Eying.

Li Xingmao had no choice but to bring him over.

Li Jing, seeing Chai Tianlang, joyfully shouted, "Brother!"

The two children, only a few months apart, hugged as soon as they met, as close as real brothers.

This surprised and moved the Princess Consort of Luling.

Li Jing had no playmates here, so to have a friend like this was quite rare.

Chai Eying said, "When I took Jingjing to the county, we stayed overnight at my sister-in-law’s house, and these two kids hit it off."

The Princess Consort of Luling laughed, "They’re about the same age, they have much to talk about. Let them get along well."

The sister-in-law also hoped her son would have a playmate, encouraging him to speak more with Li Jing.

The two little boys were engrossed in their conversation, completely forgetting about Guoguo.

Guoguo snorted lightly, rolled her eyes, and went to listen to the women talking.

After the banquet, it was time for the most lively part of the birthday celebration—the zhuazhou ritual.

Li Xing’an and Second Young Master Li Xingsheng put two dining tables together, covered them with clean cloth, and placed some everyday items on top.

There was an abacus, a writing brush, a rouge box, a sewing kit, a book, toys, and even Second Young Master Li’s bow and arrow, which he also placed on the table.

Not to be outdone, Li Xing’an placed a sheathed dagger there and put it within easy reach of Guoguo.

The Princess Consort of Luling glared angrily at her sons, "How can you place men’s weapons in a girl’s zhuazhou? Do you want Guoguo to become a general when she grows up?"

Both of them replied at once, "If Guoguo wants to, we’d be willing to help her become a general!"

The Princess Consort of Luling grew even angrier, "If you want to become a general, you go ahead, but don’t spoil a perfectly good little girl."

Li Xingmao comforted, "Mother, it’s not that serious. The zhuazhou ritual is just for fun. Even the third brother picked the rouge box during his zhuazhou, and he didn’t end up playing with rouge later on."

Li Jing’s eyes widened, "Third Uncle, you picked rouge during your zhuazhou? Did you want to be a girl?"

Li Xing’an, "..."

The guests watching all laughed kindly.

Li Xing’an, with a troubled expression, "Nonsense, I picked the book. I couldn’t lift it, and accidentally swept the rouge box onto the floor. I just picked it up. I’m a manly man, why would I pick a rouge box? It was your second uncle who picked it, your father remembered wrong."

"Is it true, Second Uncle? Did you pick a rouge box?" Li Jing asked Second Young Master Li Xingsheng.

"Absolutely not!" Li Xingsheng vehemently denied.

Li Xing’an let out a cold chuckle.

"Second Uncle, so what did you pick?" Li Jing asked curiously.

How could Second Young Master remember what he picked? All he knew were the stories told by the old servants at the Prince Mansion, who said he picked the rouge box.

Such slanderous nonsense was outrageous!

"How could I remember?" Second Young Master Li Xingsheng shook his head.

"Alright, alright, stop arguing, let’s see what Guoguo wants to pick?" The Prince Luling gestured for everyone to quiet down.

Chai Eying, carrying Guoguo, had already walked around the table once, with Guoguo’s hands tightly clasped in front of her, yet to decide what to pick.

Many people laughed and teased her loudly.

"Pick this, it’s fun."

"That one, that color is pretty."

"This one has lots of beads, makes lots of noise, it’s the most fun."

"Pick this, be an official in the future."

Someone objected, "But the court doesn’t appoint female officials."

"Maybe the court will appoint female officials in the future? By the time Guoguo grows up, it’ll be twenty years later."

"Hahaha, that makes sense."

"Guoguo, which one do you like? Mama will get it for you." Chai Eying pointed at the items on the table.

Guoguo remained focused, said nothing, her gaze sweeping over the pile of items.

The Great Princess pointed at the sewing kit, "Guoguo, pick this, this box is pretty."

That was her sewing kit, and she hoped Guoguo would follow in her footsteps and learn embroidery.

The Second Princess said, "That box is too big for Guoguo to hold, better pick this, this little stick is easy to grab."

That was the Second Princess’s rolling pin.

The Great Princess sneered, "What? Second Sister, you want Guoguo to learn cooking from you?"

"What’s wrong with being a cook? You can make whatever you want to eat." the Second Princess retorted.