NFBE Chapter 274 Blood-Red Birthday Banquet
Chapter 274 Blood-Red Birthday Banquet
The Marquis's residence was unusually lively today.
The main courtyard was filled with large red lanterns, hanging from the eaves all the way to the center of the courtyard.
Even the plum trees, their branches heavy with snow, were adorned with colorful ribbons and small lanterns.
Bright red silk was spread across the banquet tables, and maids moved among them, carrying fruits and snacks and arranging them neatly.
The servants of the Marquis's mansion were all busy.
Even the servants couldn't help but whisper among themselves: "The young mistress really dotes on young master Jue. This celebration is almost as grand as the old lady's birthday party."
At this time, Qinglan Courtyard was also decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, with paper-cut "Fu" characters, tassel lanterns, and red ribbons hanging there.
The atmosphere was lively and festive.
Inside the room, Xie Jue was being helped to get dressed by Qin Jiuwei.
Today he wore a red robe with gold trim on the collar and cuffs, and a carved jade pendant around his waist, which made his youthful face look even whiter and cuter.
Qin Jiuwei squatted down in front of him, carefully straightening his clothes, occasionally taking two steps back to look him up and down.
"You need to straighten the collar a bit more," Qin Jiuwei said as she started adjusting it.
Xie Jue was dressed up very quickly.
Xie Jue looked down at himself, then at Qin Jiuwei.
With her little head tilted back, she asked in a childish voice, "Mother, do I look pretty like this?"
Qin Jiuwei couldn't help but reach out and pinch his fair and tender cheeks, and laughed.
"Our Jue-ge is incredibly handsome, the best-looking one today!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Jue's eyes crinkled into two crescent moons with laughter, and she spun around in place with her short legs.
I was so happy.
Xie Jue skipped and hopped into the courtyard, sometimes pulling the maid's hand to ask if the red lantern was newly bought, and sometimes leaning over the table to stare at the flower basket.
Xie Yanli walked out of the main house, his gaze falling on Xie Jue who was running around.
Seeing his smiling eyes and cheerful demeanor, I could tell he was all smiles.
A slight smile appeared on Xie Yanli's usually cold face.
The front yard was already incredibly lively.
The guests arrived one after another, their faces full of excitement.
They didn't know Xie Jue, but they all knew Xie Yanli!
After the epidemic, Xie Yanli and Qin Jiuwei's reputation in the capital rose even higher than before.
They're not only coming, but they're also bringing the most valuable gifts!
As soon as Xie Jue arrived in the front yard, he was surrounded by people, and his ears were filled with compliments and praise.
"Young Master Jue is so handsome; he'll definitely grow up to be a heartthrob!"
"Young Master Jue is truly a man of noble bearing; he is destined for immense wealth and his future is limitless!"
This was the first time Xie Jue had been seen by so many people, and he was overjoyed.
Hehe, so many people are praising him!
They speak so beautifully, it must be heavenly music!
When Xie Jingchun saw Xie Jue's face beaming with laughter, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
Third brother, stop laughing, you're drooling.
Xie Jing silently turned his head away.
Didn't see it.
Lord Xie sat at the head of the table, holding a lacquered and gilded wooden box, and beckoned to him: "Jue'er, come to your grandfather."
Xie Jue happily ran over and took the box.
Although he was happy, he did not forget the rules. Only when Lord Xie gestured for him to open it did Xie Jue obediently open the box.
Inside the box is a set of exquisite children's martial arts training equipment. Although the small knife and sword are made of wood, the carving is exquisite, and the scabbard is engraved with auspicious cloud patterns, which is quite impressive.
"Grandpa had this set of equipment prepared long ago. You are still too young to practice with a wooden sword. When you grow up, Grandpa will give you the real thing."
Lord Xie said with a smile.
Qin Jiuwei watched from the side, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
Lord Xie was indeed not that concerned about Xie Jue.
Xie Jingchun loved martial arts, while Xie Jue had never liked it and was even somewhat resistant to it.
Sure enough, Xie Jue paused for a moment when he saw the gift.
He pursed his lips slightly, but quickly smiled again.
"Thank you, Grandfather!" he said, raising the small sword and brandishing it twice on the spot.
His childlike appearance made everyone laugh.
Qin Jiuwei's gaze softened even more as she looked at him.
Subsequently, both Madam Hou and Old Madam Xie presented Xie Jue with birthday gifts.
After the elders finished seeing them off, it was Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli's turn.
Qin Jiuwei took a carved brocade box from the maid, slowly squatted down, and looked Xie Jue in the eye.
The brocade box was opened, revealing a small and exquisite jade abacus.
The abacus's frame is carved from warm, lustrous bluish-white jade, while the beads are made of clear, translucent jadeite. The carving is exquisite, making it a rare and precious item.
Xie Jue's eyes lit up immediately upon seeing this little scheme.
This is his favorite gift tonight!
As expected, his mother understands him best! His favorite thing is math!
Seeing his expression, Qin Jiuwei's lips couldn't help but curve into a smile.
Xie Jue likes numbers and abacus calculation, so she guessed he would definitely like this too.
Xie Yanli then handed a red velvet box with gold trim to Xie Jue.
"This is a gift from your mother and me."
Xie Jue carefully opened the box.
Inside the box was a stack of papers; unfolding them revealed ten shop contracts.
"This... is all for me?" Xie Jue looked at Xie Yanli with disbelief, blinking her eyes.
Xie Yanli nodded slightly, and Xie Jue immediately exclaimed in surprise.
"Wow!" Xie Jue exclaimed, his eyes shining as he held the ten shop deeds. "I now own ten shops of my own!"
Seeing how happy he was, everyone's faces also lit up with joy.
But in a corner not far away, Xie Siyuan watched Xie Jue being fawned over like a star.
The jealousy and disgust in his eyes were almost overflowing.
Why do so many people like him? Why is everyone surrounding him?
why why why!
The resentment in Xie Siyuan's eyes was like a burning flame, growing stronger and stronger.
The crowd was in a chaotic uproar, and it was getting dark.
The flickering candlelight illuminated the joyful atmosphere of the guests, and laughter filled the room.
Longevity noodles were also served and placed in front of Xie Jue.
Everyone looked at him with smiles.
Qin Jiuwei said gently, "Jue-ge'er, if you eat this bowl of longevity noodles, you will live to be a hundred years old, be blessed with good fortune, have everything go smoothly, and live a peaceful and happy life."
Xie Jue nodded vigorously, her face flushed, and picked up a long noodle with her chopsticks, carefully blowing on it to cool it down.
Just as he was about to put the noodles in his mouth, the courtyard gate was suddenly kicked open.
A servant, covered in sweat, rushed in.
He stumbled and fell to his knees in front of the hall, his voice hoarse as he cried out, "My lord, something terrible has happened!"
"King Qi! King Qi has raised an army!"
"The imperial city is under siege! Chaos has broken out outside!"
The lively laughter came to an abrupt halt.
These words were like a thunderclap, leaving everyone stunned.