PNB Chapter 209 Gifts
Chapter 209 Gifts
Despite this pleasant episode, the banquet continued, but the gifts sent by Shen Jingyu and the Ninth Princess were still placed on one side of the courtyard for people to appreciate.
Interested guests would still stop in front of the screen from time to time and discuss in groups of three or four.
Qin Xuerong's face was almost blooming with smiles, and there was an indescribable look between her brows, as if Shen Jingyu's return finally made her feel proud.
In less than an hour, both the guests and the hosts were enjoying themselves and the banquet was cleared away.
Because there were some subsequent activities, Zhang had the tea table replaced and restocked with wine, drinks, and fruits.
Qin Xuerong said in a gentle voice: "It's the old lady's birthday banquet, so we should show our filial piety. I hope mother won't despise us."
After saying that, Qin Xuerong knelt down with Shen Jingchuan. As the eldest son, Shen Jingchuan presented the gift first.
"I wish you a long and healthy life. I have specially prepared an ebony cane for you. I hope you will not dislike it."
Having said that, Shen Jingchuan presented the gift.
At first glance, a glowing ebony cane appeared in front of everyone. The armrests of the cane were inlaid with green jade and made into the shape of Pisces, which looked mysterious and noble.
Obviously, this gift was quite to her liking. Old Madam Shen smiled and accepted it: "My son, you are thoughtful. You hold an important position. You should do your best for His Majesty, the court, and the people in the future. As long as you are in your position, you must live up to the official uniform you wear."
"Follow my mother's instructions."
Then, Qin Xuerong presented a rather exquisite jade ruyi, Shen Jingzhou from the second house presented a jade pillow, and Zhang presented a head covering.
After receiving Madam Shen's instructions, several people responded respectfully.
Afterwards, Shen Jingchuan and her husband came forward and presented a Buddhist scripture. Shen Jingqin's eyes slightly reddened: "My daughter cannot always be with my mother, but I still hope that she will live a long and healthy life. Therefore, I recite scriptures and pray day and night, and copied a copy of the Medicine Buddha Sutra, hoping to keep my mother at peace."
Old Madam Shen's eyes were also red. She helped her up and said softly, "You are already a mother. You should respect your husband and be filial to your parents-in-law. You don't have to worry too much about me as your mother."
After Shen Jingqin stood up, Qin Xuerong said in a gentle voice: "My aunt agrees with my sister's idea. When my sister Yi returned from the Jade Buddha Temple that day, she also copied a Buddhist scripture and gave it to mother."
Hearing this, Shen Jingqin became interested: "Oh?"
Qin Xuerong said again: "What's rare is that Sister Yi is so young, not only is her filial piety commendable, but she has also learned to write beautiful calligraphy."
Shen Jingqin smiled and said, "Then I will definitely appreciate it when I get back."
After a few pleasantries, it was the children's turn to present their gifts.
The first person to present a gift was Shen Jing'an. Shen Shuyi raised her eyes and looked at her second brother whom she hadn't seen for many days. She could tell that he had not been having a good time recently.
Although he was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe, his hair was tied up high, and his face was full of energy.
But if you look closely, you can see two patches of gray under his eyes, a lot of bloodshot under his eyes, and he looks thinner than before.
In fact, Shen Jingan has indeed had a rough time these days.
Although the Chai family relented and Chai Bin did not make things too difficult for him, Chai Bin was originally a member of the Third Prince's party. In addition, Shen Shuhan had offended the Third Prince before. During his time in the academy, he was often bullied in both open and covert ways.
Not only that, other people also ridiculed his original remarks, saying that he was just talking nonsense. Why did he make two different excuses when it came to his own sister? Not only did Shen Jingzhen not commit suicide to prove her innocence, but she also built a nunnery at home.
All these things made his life quite miserable these days.
"I really don't know what to give you, so I can only carve a small seal myself. I hope you like it."
As he spoke, Shen Jing'an opened the box, and a white jade seal the size of a palm appeared before everyone's eyes.
Shen Shuyi had no idea what the words were engraved on the seal, but he had to admit that Qin Xuerong was very thoughtful.
First, he used such a grand ceremony to highlight Shen Jingyu, which made the old lady smile from ear to ear. Then, he asked Shen Jingan, the most respected grandson of the Shen family, to follow the old man Shen's interest and carve a seal with his own hands.
That’s right, when Mr. Shen was alive, his greatest hobby was engraving.
Shen Shuyi had a deep impression that when she was young, the first person taught by the old man was her brother Shen Shuhan.
Although my brother was young, he learned everything seriously and did things in a methodical manner, which made him quite popular with the old man. At that time, Old Man Shen always held him in his arms and taught him how to engrave.
They found it novel, and the old man didn't stop them. He often watched them make trouble with a smile.
She didn't know how Shen Jing'an learned back then, but this operation now successfully reminded Old Madam Shen of the past and she was deeply moved.
This is similar to Shen Shuyi reminding his uncle to send a birthday gift to the Queen Mother. In other words, what is being sent is not a gift but friendship.
Obviously, on such an important day, Shen Jing'an still remembered Mr. Shen. This was undoubtedly a great comfort to Mrs. Shen, and it was also a manifestation of his loyalty and friendship.
Next, it was Shen Jinglin, Shen Qingcheng and a few other boys, and then it was Shen Shuyi and his group's turn.
Shen Shuyi walked up to Old Madam Shen with the painting box in his hand, looking calm and gentle, saying, "May Grandmother be blessed with a life as bright as the East Sea, and may she be prosperous forever. May she live forever, never grow old, and enjoy a new life in her seventies, and may she be happy forever."
Madam Shen also smiled with satisfaction and said, "Okay, get up quickly."
Qin Xuerong said in a gentle voice: "From the looks of it, it seems that what Sister Yi gave me is a painting."
Shen Jingchuan also looked at Shen Shuyi with interest. After all, Shen Shuyi had given him so many surprises since she returned home. He only knew that she had the best calligraphy and her ability to check accounts was even better than that of the daughter of the Lou family. He didn't know that she was also good at painting.
He is a derelict in his duty as a father.
"To answer mother's question, it is indeed a painting." Shen Shuyi smiled with her red lips slightly opened, which made the onlookers around her lose their minds for a moment.
The girl has almond eyes, a delicate nose, red lips, white teeth, eyes like stars, and a face as white as porcelain. Although not as dignified and gorgeous as Shen Jingyu's, she is like a white sunflower in the night. There is a sense of alienation and coldness between her brows. At this moment, she stands among the crowd leisurely, making people feel indescribably cold and clear, with a penetrating insight into the world in her ethereal expression.
From a distance, she didn't seem inferior to Shen Jingyu at all. On the contrary, her unique temperament made the bustling and noisy banquet quiet down.
Shen Shuyi handed the painting to Aunt Qiulian who was standing beside her, and Qiulian unfolded it in public with a maid.
Old Madam Shen, Qin Xuerong, and Shen Jingchuan all stood up and walked forward to take a look.
What comes into view is a large area of bright and lush peonies in full bloom, creating a lively feeling of a cluster of flowers. An old lady who looks quite like Madam Shen, with a gold and jade headband on her head and a cane in her hand, has kind eyes, and sits in the midst of splendor with a warm smile.
Two cranes were leisurely and contentedly playing in the reflection of a red sun not far away. An immortal was holding a peach in his hand with his back to the crowd, seemingly congratulating Madam Shen on her birthday.