Chapter 385: Going to the Birthday Celebration

Chapter 385: Going to the Birthday Celebration

Wei Pozi quickly declined, "No, no, no, I’m just a simple old woman from the countryside. What’s the point of all that?"

Bai Xiaofeng, however, shared a look with her sisters-in-law, thinking that no matter what, they should throw a birthday celebration for their mother-in-law next year, even if it’s just inviting a couple of close friends.

Recently, Bai Xiaofeng had made friends with the ladies of two or three households in Wuyi Lane, and they had already started visiting each other regularly.

Wei Pozi looked at her daughters-in-law and spoke earnestly, "Alright, I know what you mean. But from now on, we must first focus on Huai Ge’er’s marriage. I’m just a country woman—birthdays or not, it doesn’t matter. The top priorities in our household are Huai Ge’er’s marriage and Liu Ge’er’s spring exam next year. These must go smoothly."

The daughters-in-law quickly agreed.

Li Chunhua had been ecstatic since yesterday when she learned that the Marquis of Jiangtai’s household had agreed to the marriage proposal.

Huai Ge’er was equally thrilled.

After returning from the military camp outside the city and hearing the good news, he couldn’t resist running several laps around the courtyard.

Now, Yujia considers Huai Ge’er’s marriage and Liu Ge’er’s spring exam equally important, and they’re preparing for them with great effort.

At the same time, in several places in the capital, some Yujia businesses have quietly taken over other merchants, gradually and inconspicuously growing stronger.

...

On the eve of the Dowager Marchioness Weibei’s birthday, a heavy snowfall blanketed the capital, lasting for most of the night and showing no signs of stopping, continuing until the morning.

Xingxing woke up early and was amazed to see the world outside covered in white.

This was the first snow they had seen since coming to the capital.

The heavy snow fell in the garden, covering everything in silver, quite different from the white-covered mountains and fields in the countryside.

The maid Shuang Que expressed concern, "Miss, today is the Dowager Marchioness Weibei’s birthday banquet. With such heavy snow, are we still going?"

Xingxing naturally wanted to go.

But her grandmother was old, and with such heavy snow, taking a carriage to the Marquis of Weibei’s estate for the celebration seemed risky...

Xingxing thought for a moment and said to Shuang Que, "Let the kitchen know I’ll skip breakfast this morning. I’ll go to Songhe Hall to have breakfast with my grandparents."

Shuang Que nodded, grabbing Xingxing’s cloak and hand warmer, wrapped her up tightly, and then held an umbrella to escort her to Songhe Hall.

Xingxing always woke up early. When she arrived at Songhe Hall, breakfast had just been served. Wei Pozi, seeing Xingxing bundled up, still expressed concern, "Oh dear, it’s gotten so cold—did you sleep well last night?"

Xingxing smiled slightly, "Grandma, the heated floors in my room kept me cozy, and you also had Shuang Que and the others put a hot water bottle in my bed. When I woke up, my pajamas were quite damp."

Wei Pozi affectionately pinched Xingxing’s nose and asked, "Why did you come to us so early instead of staying in your own room?"

"Hehe, I woke up to the heavy snow and thought I’d join you and grandpa for breakfast, and also ask if you’re still going to the Dowager Marchioness Weibei’s banquet?"

As she spoke, Xingxing had already taken off her cloak and handed it to Shuang Que, sitting down at the table with familiarity and already looking at the breakfast laid out.

Wei Pozi’s eyes sparkled with warmth, instructing the maid in the room to go to the kitchen and get a bowl of wontons, "...with beef tenderloin filling, and add some pepper when cooking the wontons. A hot bowl will warm you up."

Wei Pozi sat at the table and discussed the day’s arrangements with Xingxing, "I was just talking to your grandpa—the Dowager Marchioness Weibei has been so kind to our family. I must go to her birthday today... but it’s so cold, my dear, maybe you shouldn’t go. Just stay at home. The Dowager Marchioness Weibei is very kind; she won’t blame you."

Xingxing, however, shook her little head, "Grandma, I want to go. The Dowager Marchioness Weibei has been very good to me, and I can also check her pulse while I’m there."

What Xingxing didn’t say was that when she first met the Dowager Marchioness Weibei, she had told her that the accumulated toxins in her body were administered by someone close to her.

It seems there might even be someone within the Dowager Marchioness Weibei's family—someone who wants her dead.

During their last meeting, the Dowager Marchioness Weibei had somehow gotten hold of a pill that could severely weaken one's pulse in a short time. Clearly, the threat around her hadn’t been fully dealt with. Xingxing, naturally worried about her, decided to pay her a visit.

Seeing that Xingxing insisted on taking the Dowager Marchioness Weibei's pulse, Wei Pozi did not stop her, only saying, "...Alright, then I'll have Shuangque fetch you a new cloak later."

The small meat-filled wontons arrived quickly, and Xingxing enjoyed a warm breakfast with Wei Pozi and Yu Laotou before returning to her room to change into her visiting attire.

Xingxing wore a bright red, silver-trimmed fur-collared jacket that day. The bright red jacket, though simple in style, was beautifully embroidered with silver butterfly patterns, the handiwork of Bai Xiaofeng, who was exceptionally skilled in needlework.

Xingxing loved it, thinking the red color was festive and just right for the Dowager Marchioness Weibei's birthday.

When it was time to leave, Xingxing headed to the second gate to wait.

Li Chunhua was already there. Since the Dowager Marchioness Weibei had arranged such a favorable match for her son Huai Ge'er, she naturally wanted to go and express her gratitude in person.

Bai Xiaofeng, who usually loved to join in, didn’t go—she waved her hand and said, "Forget it, you all have official titles, so these noble banquets are no big deal for you. I’ll wait until Liu Ge’er gets me a phoenix crown and ceremonial robe before I go, or I’d feel like a fish out of water."

Su Rouer stayed at home to take care of Mian Ge'er, who had caught a slight cold, so she naturally didn't go either.

Ah Wu, who had never been fond of high-society events in the capital, decided to stay home and play with her son.

So, the Yujia family members attending the Dowager Marchioness Weibei’s birthday celebration were Wei Pozi, Li Chunhua, and Xingxing.

The men of the Yujia family, despite receiving many invitations, all chose to stay home.

Wei Pozi held a third-rank official title, and Li Chunhua held a fifth-rank title. Though these were not particularly significant in the capital, where the powerful were abundant, they at least ensured that their presence would not attract undue criticism.

With this in mind, Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua felt somewhat more confident.

A carriage slowly rolled out of the General of the Western Garrison’s residence, making its way to the Marquis of Weibei’s estate.