It started with the emperor, and then the princes presented birthday gifts to the Queen Mother. After that, it was the turn of the prince and the princes to present birthday gifts.
The emperor first ordered someone to deliver the birthday gift he had prepared. He smiled and said to the Queen Mother: "Your Majesty, this is the luminous pearl brought as tribute from the west. I ordered someone to cast the luminous pearl into the lamp. From now on, you can use it as this
You are a light, a light that will never go out. Just like in my heart, you will always be a bright light that never goes out."
The Queen Mother couldn't help but laugh and said: "The emperor's words really made the Ai family very happy. The emperor is interested."
The emperor ordered people to display the ever-light lantern made of luminous pearls and then ordered them to be taken away.
Afterwards, the princes began to show off the birthday gifts they had prepared one by one.
The Queen Mother had a kind face from beginning to end, and she didn't show that she liked or disliked her very much. In short, she felt very indifferent.
Soon, the birthday gifts for the prince were finished, and then came the prince and other princes.
The first person to come up and offer a gift was naturally the prince, who presented a jade Guanyin.
"The Queen Mother, my grandson hired a skilled craftsman to carve this jade Guanyin for half a year. It has been sent to the Huguo Temple for consecration." When the prince told the origin of the jade Guanyin, the queen mother was very happy.
"The prince is interested." The queen mother nodded, "This jade Guanyin has outstanding craftsmanship and is lifelike. It is indeed one of ten thousand."
What the second prince Murong Xian gave was not a lot of expensive things, but a whole box of handwritten books.
"Empress Dowager, my grandson did not prepare those expensive birthday gifts. He just spent half a year copying some of your favorite books. My grandson knows that you love reading, so he only presented this box of handwritten books to you. I wish you the best, Queen Mother.
Every year has its present day. Every year has its present day."
Murong Xian ordered people to bring up two large boxes. Once the boxes were opened, they were all filled with books and various manuscripts.
The palace attendant took two of the books and brought them to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother flipped through a few pages, her eyes shining with approval.
She closed the book and said to Murong Xian with a smile: "Second Prince, you have taken the trouble. The words are good and the book is good. The Ai family likes it very much."
If the Queen Mother likes him, he will naturally be happy.
Then, all the princes also presented birthday gifts.
There are antiques, silk and satin, porcelain and jade, agate crystal, etc. The birthday gifts are so dazzling that people are overwhelmed.
The last person to present a gift was Murong Xiu. He was specially placed at the end and planned to make his final appearance.
"Only the Third Prince is left without a gift. The further you get to the back, the harder it will be to be astonishing."
"But His Highness is so smart, maybe he has some ingenuity!"
"I see how well-prepared the Third Highness is. He must have prepared gifts a long time ago."
Everyone was talking a lot, and amidst everyone's expectations, Murong Xiu came on stage.
Murong Xiu first saluted the Queen Mother, and then said: "The Queen Mother, my grandson did not prepare so many novel birthday gifts. He just expressed his feelings."
His voice paused, and someone brought a tray over there, and the tray was covered with a red silk cloth.
Murong Xiu said: "My grandson has prepared two paintings for the Queen Mother, please appreciate them."
The Queen Mother nodded and said: "Is the Third Prince also very interested in calligraphy and painting? Let's show it to the Ai family. No matter what, the Third Prince is always dedicated."
Murong Xiu opened the silk cloth on the tray, took out one of the red scroll paintings, and presented it respectfully with both hands.
The palace attendant took the painting and handed it to the Queen Mother, where she unfolded the painting.
This is a picture of longevity.
"This is a painting made of silk. My grandson hired more than a dozen skilled embroiderers to make it. After it was completed, it was framed and became the painting of longevity." Murong Xiu patiently explained to the Queen Mother,
"All the characters for longevity are written in different ways. May you be blessed and live long. This is also my grandson's blessing to the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother smiled, nodded and said, "The Third Prince is indeed interested, and the Ai family likes it very much."
The palace man put the painting away, put it back on the tray, and went to get the second painting.
"This second painting... was acquired by my grandson by chance. It is a posthumous work by a famous painter of the time. The Queen Mother will know it as soon as she sees it." Murong Xiu Mingren opened it.
The Queen Mother's eyes fell on the painting and watched as the painting was unfolded. When the content in the painting was revealed, the Queen Mother's expression paused.
Murong Xiu only thought that the Queen Mother was too moved and continued: "This painting is called "Colorful Phoenix Playing with Butterflies". The painting style is elegant and touching. It is also the legacy of the painter Wang Yun. It is really a masterpiece."
"Wang Yun?" The emperor glanced at the signature of the painting and felt that the name was indeed familiar. After thinking about it carefully, he remembered it and said hurriedly, "Oh yes, Mr. Wang, when the late emperor was in power, Mr. Wang
I once served as the Minister of Rites, but later resigned, and there is no news about him anymore. I remember that Mr. Wang’s painting skills are really superb. Is this painting... actually a posthumous work? "
Murong Xiu nodded and said: "Yes, Father, Mr. Wang only served as an official for a few months before resigning and returning to his hometown. After that, he did not paint many paintings. This painting is the only one."
"That's it." The emperor nodded, "The woman in this painting is really beautiful, the colorful phoenix playing with the butterfly, what a colorful phoenix playing with the butterfly..."
The Queen Mother glanced at Murong Xiu with complicated eyes, moved her lips, but said nothing.
She didn't know what Murong Xiu was thinking, but she didn't want to expose Murong Xiu to his face. After all, there were so many people here, and she didn't want to hurt Murong Xiu's face. She already had the real painting in her hand, and when she looked at this fake one, she just felt
It's a bit off-putting. Who is so bold as to imitate this painting? It's really abominable!
Murong Xiu took a careful look at the Queen Mother and felt that the Queen Mother's reaction was different from what he imagined.
In the original work, when the Queen Mother saw this painting, she obviously couldn't control her emotions and shed tears. But now... the Queen Mother is too calm, right?
"Okay, please step back!" The Queen Mother waved her hands lightly, seeming a little tired.
Murong Xiu paused for a moment, but he had no choice but to bow his hands and retreat first.
As for the painting, it was also taken away, but the Queen Mother was already affected by the fake, and even looked a little unhappy.
Jiang You saw the change in the Queen Mother's expression, she had expected it.
In the eyes of the Queen Mother, Wang Yun is the only one, and Wang Yun's posthumous painting is even more unique. Especially, the person painted in the painting "Colorful Phoenix Playing with Butterflies" is her, and it is even more precious to her. But it is so precious.
If so, someone dared to bring a fake product to offer to her. This is an insult to her!
Jiang You lowered her head to drink tea, covering up the coldness on her lips.
On the other side, a palace official came to Murong Xiu and whispered to Murong Xiu. Murong Xiu's expression immediately changed!