Chapter 116

Chapter 116: The Birthday Gift

The carriage drew to a halt at the entrance of the Zeng residence. A young servant quickly fetched a small stool and placed it beneath the carriage step. A maidservant alighted first, then extended a hand to assist the young mistress from the carriage.

The young servant stole a quick glance, his face flushing crimson before he hastily lowered his head. Yet, the fleeting vision of beauty he had just witnessed replayed endlessly in his mind.

She was truly like a celestial being—the servant racked his brain, but this was the only description he could conjure.

Li Nianyao and Liu Wanqing smiled as they walked forward, catching up with Zeng Huiyan.

Today marked their maternal granduncle’s birthday, and after being confined to the residence for so long, Li Nianyao and Liu Wanqing were finally able to venture out, a prospect that filled them with no small excitement.

Zeng Huiyan, with an air of self-importance, tilted her chin and instructed her nieces, "Once we’re inside, you must congratulate your maternal grandaunt and offer auspicious wishes. We are all family here, so there’s no need for undue formality..."

With Dong Yuting absent, Zeng Huiyan reveled in her role as the lady of the house. Although Nanny Wang and Qiu He remained to keep an eye on her, they would not intervene unless she committed a grave error.

He Jinglin and Third Master paid even less heed to her, their hearts brimming with joy as they doted on their own daughter.

Over the past few days, Zeng Huiyan had grown increasingly complacent, dispensing advice to her nieces with effortless ease.

Zeng Huiyan chattered incessantly as they entered the Zeng residence, her monologue continuing even after they had passed through the moon gate.

Li Nianyao and Liu Wanqing exchanged a knowing glance, a shared expression of resignation on their faces.

Zeng Huiyan was not only indulging in the role of the lady of the house but also relishing her newfound authority as an elder, a combination that had already begun to grate on Li Nianyao and Liu Wanqing’s ears.

However, whenever Zeng Huiyan launched into an enthusiastic discourse, it was always best to remain silent—neither responding nor contradicting her—lest she become even more voluble.

Upon entering the main courtyard, Zeng Huiyan finally ceased her chatter, cheerfully greeting her uncle and aunt. He Jinglin and Third Master followed suit, then Li Nianyao and Liu Wanqing, and even the wet nurse, cradling the Fifth Young Lady, offered a respectful curtsy.

The youngest was always the most adored, and Madam Zeng’s first words were to ask the wet nurse to bring the Fifth Young Lady closer.

"Has she been given a name yet?" Madam Zeng held the Fifth Young Lady for a while before returning her to the wet nurse just as she began to fret.

Third Master, somewhat foolishly, replied, "Not yet."

He Jinglin smiled and added, "We were hoping to wait for Mother to return and name her, but we’ve given her a milk name for now—Zhen Zhen."

"Zhen, as in 'treasure'?"

"No, Aunt," Third Master clarified, "it’s Zhen as in 'the peach tree is young and elegant; its leaves are lush and thriving.' It symbolizes flourishing vitality and marital bliss."

Madam Zeng chuckled, removing the jade bracelet from her wrist and offering it to Zhen Zhen. "No matter which 'Zhen' it is, as long as it carries a good omen, I shall cherish it."

Zhen Zhen, being so young, was curious about her surroundings. Her tiny hands grasped the smooth, warm jade bracelet, her eyes fixed on it unblinkingly.

The wet nurse glanced back at He Jinglin, and upon receiving her silent assent, bowed with Zhen Zhen to thank Madam Zeng. She then instructed a maid to carefully pry open Zhen Zhen’s delicate little hands and temporarily put the bracelet away.

Despite still being in swaddling clothes, Zhen Zhen was already attended by two wet nurses and four maidservants. This time, they had brought one wet nurse and two maids, fearing any mishap that might befall Zhen Zhen.

Zhen Zhen’s hands were not strong enough, and there was a real possibility she might lose her grip on the bracelet, causing it to fall and break. Such an incident would inevitably be blamed on the servants attending her.

"Aunt, now that you have Zhen Zhen, have you forgotten all about us?" Zeng Huiyan feigned a complaint as she settled beside Madam Zeng, playfully tugging at her arm. In truth, she was deeply grateful to her aunt; without her matchmaking, she, a mere collateral member of the Zeng family, would never have married into the Li family.

Madam Zeng replied, "How could I? I am still awaiting the birthday gift you promised me."

Madam Zeng and the other women gathered nearby smiled. "How could Mother forget you? Knowing you were coming, she sent someone early this morning to the East Market to buy fresh perch to prepare your favorite gold-minced jade perch."

Zeng Huiyan smirked with satisfaction. "Aunt treats me so well, so I must also bring her joy. Zhu Er!"

Madam Zeng then watched as the maidservant beside Zeng Huiyan presented an object covered with a red cloth. Zeng Huiyan lifted the cloth, revealing a lifelike jade Guanyin statue.

The jade was exceptionally translucent, a uniform oily green hue without a single blemish.

Madam Zeng was also stunned. "This is far too precious."

Seeing everyone’s astonishment, Zeng Huiyan secretly gloated, though she demurely stated, "Since Aunt’s birthday couldn’t be grandly celebrated, I simply wished to bring her happiness."

The Emperor was overwhelmed with troubles from the border regions, so those beneath him naturally had to tread carefully, and grand events like banquets were largely curtailed. This time, for Madam Zeng’s birthday, only close family members were invited.

Madam Zeng, ever cautious, quickly signaled Zeng Huiyan to cease speaking and waved for someone to carry the jade Guanyin into her chambers.

Regardless, the feeling of being valued was undeniably pleasant, and she could no longer admonish Zeng Huiyan, lest her good intentions be misconstrued.

Elder Zeng beckoned Third Master over. "Has your elder sister sent word back?"

Third Master shook his head. "Not yet. Judging by the time, the letter is likely still en route."

Elder Zeng’s brow furrowed with worry. "The outside world is not peaceful." With unrest brewing in the border regions, he felt that no place outside the capital was truly safe.

Third Master, a rather simple-minded man, scratched his head. "Mother is in Danzhou, not some other perilous place. She should be fine."

The Li family in Danzhou were, to put it mildly, the local power brokers.

Elder Zeng was about to speak further when a young servant burst in from outside. "Master, Elder Zeng..."

The servant’s flustered demeanor caused Elder Zeng to frown in displeasure.

Master Zeng sternly inquired, "What is it? What has happened?"

The young servant, startled by Elder Zeng’s gaze, struggled to compose himself. "Reporting to Master, the Qin... the Qin family has sent a gift..."

The room had already fallen silent due to the servant’s abrupt entrance, and his words were heard clearly by everyone present.

Elder Zeng’s frown deepened, as if etched onto his face. "It’s merely a gift. Why such a commotion? Bring it here."

The young servant rose and hurried out, returning moments later, cradling a box.

Elder Zeng impatiently asked, "Where is the person who delivered the gift? Why didn’t you bring them in?"

The young servant said pitifully, "I told him to come in, but he left after setting down the birthday gift."

Although this birthday celebration was not grand, close aristocratic families still sent their felicitations. The Qin family was Princess Wulie’s maternal kin, and due to various factors, their relationship with the Zeng family was strained. Their sending a gift was indeed surprising.

The long wooden box was black, treated with tung oil, giving it the appearance of being coated in amber—smooth and lustrous.

Based on its shape, everyone speculated it was likely an indoor ornament, perhaps a plum vase or a tall vase.

The young servant held the wooden box aloft, and Steward Ban stepped forward to receive it. As he opened the box and saw the birthday gift inside, he froze on the spot, not even hearing Elder Zeng call out to him.

"Steward Ban, why are you standing there? What’s inside?" Third Master, unable to wait, strode over.

A bronze short sword lay prominently within.

Zeng Huiyan impatiently asked, "Third Brother, what is it?"

The short sword measured about fifteen inches. Third Master picked it up and examined it carefully. Engraved on the front were the characters for "household," and on the back, "eternal peace." Taken together, it seemed a birthday gift with auspicious meaning. However, a distinct scratch marred the characters for "eternal peace," and the sword tip bore faint crimson stains, giving the short sword a distinctly ominous aura.

Zeng Huiyan’s pupils constricted, and she shrieked in alarm, "Who would send such a birthday gift!"

The Qin family was not some impoverished household; even if they were sending a gift, such a grave error would be unthinkable. The characters for "eternal peace" being broken by a scratch clearly implied household discord—it was undeniably intentional!

Elder Zeng’s beard bristled with fury. He gripped the table tightly, veins bulging like tree roots on the back of his hand. "Throw it out immediately!"