For the twins' two-year-old birthday, everyone in the Gu Mansion attaches great importance to it. After all, this is the first time for them to be present in the capital, so most things have already been in prepared several months in advance.
Sun Shi asked the shop below to sew several sets of new clothes for the two children and Hu Rong, and specially invited two skilled craftsmen to carve two jade plaques and engrave the names of the twins.
Naturally, Hu Rong was not idle either, and hosted this banquet with her sister-in-law, so that she could learn the banquet regulations of the big family.
It seems to be a very simple task, as long as you order it, someone will do it, but in fact there are many ways to do it, and there is no room for mistakes.
The host must be aware of the guests' taboos, and even the cakes and fruits for the day's meal must be personally ordered and tasted ahead of time. Men and women eat different meals, thus the preparations must be diverse as well, and the chairs must be set according to rank and relationships to avoid mistakes.
Hu Rong has indeed gained a lot of experience with Sun Shi these few days. Suddenly, she remembered the banquet she held in the county before, which seemed a bit shabby now.
Mrs. Gu began to draft invitations herself, and had someone renovate the plum garden in the backyard, along with the two courtyards next to it, so they can to be used as wing rooms. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are very busy with this.
In the past, Mrs. Gu would leave this matter to the eldest daughter-in-law to handle without concern, but this time it was the first time the second son's two children made their debut in the capital, and it had to be done right, so she paid special attention to this banquet and personally took care of every detail.
This time, all the family members of the officials above the fifth rank in the capital will receive invitations.
Originally, with their family's status, it would be fine to invite people of the third grade or above, and the number of people could be reduced, but Mrs. Gu's had a tough attitude, and they had to let all the officials and family members of the capital see the second son's pair of dragon and phoenix twins, and see who would dare to say anything in the future.
The two children are growing up very well now, Sister Yan is really cute, she has shed her baby fat and her physique has slimmed down. The twins can even speak, walk, and run. Brother Heng's resemblance to Gu Wenxuan has grown stronger.
Every time Mrs. Gu saw this little grandson, she would love him even more.
After the winter solstice, the weather became colder and colder, but the family's thoughts are now on the two children. Every time Hu Rong discusses something with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she will tell Gu Wenxuan at night.
Gu Wenxuan was also very caring, and told her that there would be rewards and nobles coming from the palace that day, and asked them to prepare well.
A few days ago, when he was discussing things with Emperor Jianyuan, he said that he needed to take a day off for the first birthday ceremony for the children, and Emperor Jianyuan agreed without saying a word.
Not only will he give a reward, but he also said that the Crown Prince will go in person to deliver the congratulatory gift. The Crown Prince will personally congratulate him, and give enough dignity for his grand tutor.
In this way, the empress will also reward things.
Suddenly hearing that the Crown Prince was coming, Hu Rong was stunned for a moment, and then quickly told Mrs. Gu and Sun Shi. Both of them were stunned. Originally, they would have thought that there would be rewards in the palace, but they didn't expect the emperor would let the Crown Prince come. The Crown Prince is the future emperor, and upon reflection, they prepared everything with great care.
After all, this is the first time that a noble lord from the palace has come to their house, and the future emperor can't be neglect.
Especially Sun Shi, thinking that the Crown Prince is nine years old this year, and her daughter is also eight years old this year. The two children are similar in age, and they both have a connection with Gu Wenxuan, she became even more happier after thinking about this.
She originally thought that Gu Wenxuan would be a teacher for several princes in the palace now, and that he would be a Grand Tutor. It shouldn't be a big deal for her son to be a Crown Prince's companion, but who knew that Gu Wenyuan was unwilling to speak up, and even her sister-in-law couldn't go to Gu Wenxuan to talk about this matter. Now, this matter can only be put on hold, which is really annoying.
She could only rest her thoughts, but if her family can produce a princess, then she will be the queen's mother in the future, and she will be more honorable.
Sun Shi is paying more attention now, and she is also paying more attention to Sister Ru.
Her daughter must do well.
On the day of the two children's birthdays, the red plums in the plum garden in the backyard had already bloomed. There was a heavy snowfall just the day before yesterday, and as far as the eye could see, the red plums were in full bloom, like a sea of flowers.
Early in the morning, Hu Rong dressed the two children and told them not to be naughty and to listen to the wet nurse.
Gu Wenxuan had already gone to the front yard, the three of them, father and sons, were going to entertain male guests, while Mrs. Gu brought her two daughters-in-law to entertain female guests.
Sun Shi's mother came very early and brought a concubine daughter with her. Their family also had a title, but after Sun Shi's father passed away, few brothers in the family were promising, and the family gradually began to decline.
"This is your little sister Xue'er. This year she happens to turn fifteen, and I have brought her out today to show herself, so that she can be betrothed to others in the future." After exchanging greetings with Mrs. Gu for a while, Sun Shi's mother dragged her daughter aside to talk.
At this time, seeing someone coming again, Sun Shi quickly asked her mother to sit at the table, and went up to entertain them.
In less than an hour, almost all the invited families in the entire capital city came, with high-quality red charcoal burning inside the house, and distinguished individuals dressed in colorful attire chatting in groups. Everyone was also curious about what the dragon and phoenix twins looked like and when they would see them?
After a while, someone said that the Crown Prince had arrived, and the whole group was surprised, the people hurried forward to bow down.
The Crown Prince is the eldest son of the current emperor, and he was titled the Crown Prince when he was five years old.
"Sir, you don't need to be too polite." There are differences between monarchs and ministers, but respecting teachers is also a tradition. Seeing Gu Wenxuan knelt down, the Crown Prince quickly stepped forward to help Gu Wenxuan, and then asked everyone to stand up. After a while, the rewards from the palace came.
All the aristocrats present were envious. No one expected that a figure like Gu Wenxuan would appear in the Gu Mansion, which had been declining for years. This brought the Gu family into another heyday.
Sun Shi looked at her daughter at the side and kept winking at her, but sister Ru remained motionless, which made Sun Shi's face turn angry instantly. Gu Wenxuan just glanced at Sun Shi without saying anything.
Hearing that the Crown Prince wanted to see the two children, Sun Shi quickly pushed her daughter out.
Sister Ru remembered what Mammy taught, and took the Crown Prince respectfully with her. The banquet continued as usual.
Hu Rong and Mrs. Gu have been entertaining guests. Seeing that the guests are already seated, they prepared to have someone bring the twins over for everyone to see. This is what Mrs. Gu strongly requested.
But at this moment, they heard someone say that the Crown Prince has gone to see the two children. Hu Rong and Mrs. Gu said a few words and prepared to quickly go back to the house to see them. As the two children grew up, they became even more mischievous and did not listen to the nurse at all.
But at this moment, the young lady of the Tang family suddenly came over, and Hu Rong could only chat with her first, while praying in her heart that those two little children would be obedient this time.
Families of officials in the capital rarely give birth to dragon and phoenix twins, and the Crown Prince was also curious, so he wanted to come and have a look.
Seeing the two cute children sitting on the soft bed and playing with toys, he walked over directly, with Sister Ru was also behind. He observed the two children who were similar in appearance, especially this female child, she looked at him with round and big eyes, drooling, which was different from the imperial sister in the palace. The Crown Prince directly stepped forward to hug her with his hands.
The little girl saw Sister Ru behind the Crown Prince, and kept calling out 'sister'. Since Sister Ru started visiting, her relationship with the twins has become a lot closer. Suddenly, she was picked up by someone, so she struggled in his arms without saying a word.
The Crown Prince was stunned for a moment, Sister Ru came to her senses and quickly took Sister Yan away from the Crown Prince's arms. The little girl didn't seem to know that she had made a mistake, and even spit at the prince.
"Your Highness, forgive me, my little sister is just a baby, and she didn't intend to offend His Highness." Sister Ru immediately hugged Sister Yan and knelt down. At this moment, Sister Yan stood up suddenly, and she looked at the person in front of her. Without saying a word, she grabbed his hand and took a bite, saying that she could only reach here.
Brother Heng also struggled to get down, and the nurse on the side had already knelt down when the Crown Prince came in.
Seeing this, she was trembling all over. Sister Yan was just a two year old baby, and if the Crown Prince really pursues this matter, it will be people like herself who will be unlucky.
Bai Mama came back conveniently and knelt down when she entered the room. When she saw the scratches on the Crown Prince's face and red marks on his hands, she knew who did it without asking, she also had red marks on her body. She quickly hugged Brother Heng, and knelt down to apologize.
The little Crown Prince took a deep breath and didn't know what to say for a moment. He had never been scratched and bitten like this since he was young, but the one who bit him was a two-year-old baby and his teacher's daughter. He couldn't argue with her.
He didn't bother to say anything, so he turned around and went out immediately.
Sister Yan saw him leaving, she laughed a few times, and showed her toy to Sister Ru. Apart from her parents and elder brother, this elder sister was her favorite.
"Miss, it's getting late, why don't you hurry up and take the second lady and the second young master to the banquet ahead."
"Okay."
Sister Ru took her little sister by the hand. Nanny Bai led Brother Heng, and they walked forward.
Just now, when the Crown Prince's servant saw him come out, there was a scratch on his face and bite marks on his hand, he panicked immediately, before he could say anything, the little prince suddenly stopped and looked at him, and the servant understood instantly.
Back in the banquet hall, everyone was surprised to see the red marks on the Crown Prince's face, and asked questions quickly.
"It's okay, I accidentally got scratched by a branch just now." The Crown Prince tried hard to shrink his hand into his sleeve, never letting anyone know that he had been caught by a two year old baby, otherwise he would be too ashamed.
Gu Wenxuan was originally talking to the servant of the Ministry of Personnel, but upon hearing what was said, he looked over and saw the red mark on the little prince's face, which startled him. If others didn't know, how could he possibly not? This must be a masterpiece of his own little girl, and even he had several marks on his chest.
The Crown Prince said a few words to Gu Wenxuan, then excused himself, saying he was too busy with homework, and promptly went back. In the backyard, everyone saw the twins for the first time, and they all praised them for a while. The father's outstanding looks are well known, but the mother also possesses exquisite facial features. She is stunning just standing there.
Normally, they could go into the house to see the two children. Later, Mrs. Gu and Hu Rong considered that there were many people coming. If they all went in, apart from anything else, it would probably be unbearable for both children.
So when it's still a banquet, they took the opportunity to bring out the children to show them.
After seeing the children, the banquet was still held as usual. Although it was cold in winter, there were many people who went to appreciate plum blossoms and write poems.
After the banquet was successfully concluded, and after seeing off the last guest, Hu Rong went back to see the two children. Seeing that Nanny Bai was hesitant to speak, Hu Rong subconsciously looked at her little girl. Could it be that she had caused trouble again.
Bai Mama finally spoke about the matter, and Hu Rong's face turned pale at the moment. How could this little girl from her own family offend the Crown Prince? She looked at her little hand, and remembered that she had been busy with various things during this time, and even forgot to handle the little girl's nails.
Their little daughter is so spoiled by Gu Wenxuan and has no laws. If she decides on something, she must get it, otherwise she will keep crying. Hu Rong is the only one that can trim her nails.
Seeing the change in her mother's expression, the little girl stood on her tiptoes and was about to kiss her mother. Unexpectedly, Hu Rong refused to let her kiss, and turned around to ask someone to get the scissors.
At night, Hu Rong looked at her daughter who was still playing on the bed, and Gu Wenxuan, who was obedient to the little girl, she really didn't know what to say.
Gu Wenwen knew about it, but he comforted Hu Rong and said it was okay. The child was still young, so the Crown Prince definitely wouldn't care about it. He turned around and said that he should raise Sister Yan well, who knew that after a while, he brought the little girl and went crazy again.
Gu Wenxuan was lying on the bed and lifted the little girl up and down, and Brother Heng who was on the side also joined in. Gu Wenxuan then sat up again and played with the two children.
Hu Rong didn't know what to say anymore, so she turned around and went back to the house.
Not long after, Gu Wenxuan also came back. Seeing his wife on the bed, he hurried over to hug her and prepare to have some intimacy.
Recently, both of them have been extremely busy and don't have time to get intimate.
Hu Rong originally intended to refuse, but when she saw the familiar handsome face, she couldn't say anything and ended up following his lead.
Afterwards, the two embraced each other. Gu Wenxuan wrapped his fingers around Hu Rong's hair. Hu Rong was drowsy and wanted to say a few words, but she was too sleepy and fell asleep.
On the second day, Gu Wenxuan went to the upper study first. The Crown Prince came early in the morning and was practicing calligraphy. Seeing this scene, the corners of Gu Wenxuan's mouth slightly raised.
Although the little prince is not the smartest, he is the most studious and never slackens in his studies.
"I have offended Your Highness for my daughter's misconduct."
"Teacher, don't worry about it. The past is over. It's all right." The Crown Prince said quickly, touching his face unconsciously. It did fade a lot when he woke up in the morning, and fortunately, few people know about it.
At this time, several little princes arrived, Gu Wenxuan checked the time and saw it was time for class, so he picked up the books beside him and began teaching.
In winter, Hu Rong likes to eat hot pot the most. In the afternoon, she looked at the hot pot sent by the kitchen, the corners of Hu Rong's mouth slightly raised, and she asked the two nuns to take care of the children. She began to prepare to eat the hot pot. She likes to boil meat in the pot, but as soon as she put the meat slices into her mouth, she felt uncomfortable in her stomach. She quickly put it down and took a sip of the nearby tea.
There are various vegetables on the table, but for some reason she didn't have any appetite. Maybe she has been too tired lately.
Fortunately, the two nannies were not here at this time, otherwise the etiquette rules would have been broken.
In the evening, when Gu Wenxuan came back from the office, the two children had already fallen asleep, so he went directly to the main room.
His wife was making an inner coat for him, her expression was focused, and every move made him feel warm.
Gu Wenxuan took his steps lightly, walked slowly behind Hu Rong, and directly picked up the tea next to him and handed it to her.
Hu Rong put down the embroidery in her hand, took a sip of the tea.
The husband and wife walked to the bed hand in hand, and laughing endlessly.