Cheng Jing looked at Yuan Shi with cold eyes, not speaking for a long while.

Yuan Shi couldn’t help but feel a chill in her heart. After struggling to adjust her emotions for some time, she forced out a smile, preparing to bow her head and admit defeat. But before she could open her mouth, Cheng Jing had already said: “Then you decide for yourself!”

With that, he strode away.

The maids and servants attending in the room were all trembling, wishing they could become invisible.

Yuan Shi felt a surge of anger stuck in her chest—unable to swallow it down or release it. Her face flushed bright red with shame.

Living in the rear courtyard, Min Jia learned of this and secretly sneered.

This mother-in-law of hers was truly too petty.

If she didn’t change this fault, there would be more occasions for embarrassment in the future.

Fortunately, she would be leaving soon.

Speaking of being able to accompany Cheng Xu to Mianzhu, she had to thank Old Madam. If the elderly lady hadn’t spoken up, even if she had used the excuse of having descendants, Yuan Shi probably wouldn’t have agreed so easily.

Thinking that tomorrow was Yun Ge’er’s first birthday celebration, and that Old Madam Guo had always hoped Yun Ge’er would grow up safe and sound, Min Jia considered this and had her personal maid open her dowry trunks, taking out a peace talisman carved from peachwood to place in a box. The next day when going to Chaoyangmen, she brought it along.

Though it was still early, Chaoyangmen was already decorated with lanterns and streamers, its doors open to receive guests.

Quite a few guests had arrived.

When she descended from her sedan chair, she encountered the First Madam and Third Madam of the Yuan family.

She knew both madams. It wasn’t at all strange for First Madam to represent the Yuan family in social engagements, but Third Madam was unusual. Since the matter of Third Master Yuan keeping a mistress outside had become public, Third Madam hadn’t gone out for quite some time. Who knew why she would actually come to attend Yun Ge’er’s first birthday celebration this time?

Min Jia wondered about this in her heart but didn’t dare show any unusual reaction. Following behind Yuan Shi, she stepped forward with a smile to pay her respects to the two Yuan madams.

The two Yuan madams were Yuan Shi’s cousins by marriage, which made them Min Jia’s cousins by marriage as well.

With this family connection, their conversation was naturally warmer than with others.

First Madam Yuan said: “When is Jiashan leaving the capital? His uncle wants to host a farewell dinner for Jiashan at home. I think tomorrow would be a good day—how about tomorrow?”

Yuan Shi smiled and agreed. Just then, another sedan chair was carried over.

A young woman in her prime wearing a pomegranate-red vest and stone-blue horse-face skirt was helped down by the servant accompanying the sedan.

Min Jia found her unfamiliar, and Yuan Shi and First Madam Yuan were equally puzzled, clearly not recognizing her. However, Third Madam Yuan smiled and greeted the woman: “Madam Hong has also come—what a rare guest! Come to think of it, we haven’t seen each other in four or five years.”

The woman stepped forward to pay her respects.

Third Madam introduced the woman to Min Jia and the others: “This is the wife of former Zhejiang Circuit Investigating Censor Hong. In April, Master Hong returned to the Censorate. Madam Hong must have returned to the capital together with him.”

Since everyone needed to navigate the official households of the capital, they first had to figure out who was who.

As soon as Third Madam finished speaking, the other three knew who she was.

The daughter-in-law of Vice Minister of War and Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Hong Xiu—in other words, the niece-in-law of Second Madam Hong from Jiuru Lane.

The second branch of Jiuru Lane had separated from the main branch. Yet people from the Hong family were coming to attend Cheng Chi’s eldest son’s first birthday celebration…

First Madam Yuan smiled and said: “Master Hong and Young Master Cheng are colleagues now, aren’t they?”

Madam Hong quickly nodded with a smile: “Indeed. As soon as we returned to the capital, we heard that Master Cheng’s eldest son was having his first birthday celebration.” She then asked Third Madam Yuan: “Is Third Master still not in office? I wonder what kind of position could keep Third Master?”

Yuan Bieyun had passed the imperial examination even earlier than Cheng Chi and had even been selected as a Hanlin compiler and observed government at the Ministry of Rites. However, before completing his three-year term as a compiler, he couldn’t resist resigning to travel the world. Since the founding of the current dynasty, he was still the first to do so.

Third Madam Yuan used to feel somewhat embarrassed when others asked about this, but as Yuan Bieyun caused incidents every few days, Third Madam Yuan no longer took it seriously. She smiled and said: “He’s like a child. Who knows when he’ll grow up.”

This wasn’t exactly something to be proud of!

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group entered through the second gate together.

Zhou Shaojin came personally to welcome them, accompanying them first to pay respects to Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo didn’t ask about Yuan Bieyun but held Third Madam Yuan’s hand and said: “You’ve been steady and composed since childhood. If Bieyun hadn’t married you, no one could get along with him. You’re blessed with future fortune.”

Only then did Third Madam Yuan’s eyes moisten slightly. She said: “I’ll take Old Madam’s auspicious words to heart and wait.”

As they were speaking, Madam Song arrived with her married eldest daughter.

Everyone naturally exchanged more pleasantries.

By the time Min Jia left Tingxiang Courtyard, the sun was already high in the sky.

She took advantage of Zhou Shaojin seeing them out to hand her the box containing the wooden talisman, smiling: “I obtained this from Lingyin Temple in the past. It’s been blessed—a gift for Yun Ge’er to wear and play with.”

The Xinglin Alley household had already sent over first birthday gifts earlier.

This was Min Jia’s personal gift to Yun Ge’er.

Since marrying in, Min Jia had always been cold and distant toward Zhou Shaojin. Zhou Shaojin couldn’t understand why she would suddenly change her attitude. But since Min Jia was being friendly, Zhou Shaojin wouldn’t stand on ceremony either.

She smiled and thanked Min Jia.

For some reason, Min Jia inexplicably felt relieved.

She smiled and caught up with Yuan Shi and the others.

Yuan Shi asked: “What were you saying to Zhou Shi?”

Min Jia had no intention of saying much to her and smiled evasively: “Yun Ge’er has reached his first birthday. I congratulated Fourth Sister-in-law a few times.”

Yuan Shi indeed didn’t ask further.

They sat in the flower hall for a while, and it was nearly full.

Yuan Shi sat to the side chatting with people she usually associated with closely.

Seeing Qiu Shi bringing Xie Shi to help Zhou Shaojin receive guests, Min Jia thought about it and followed over as well.

With something to do, it seemed like in the blink of an eye the auspicious hour arrived—Yun Ge’er was about to perform his grasping ceremony in the main hall.

Nearly all the madams and ladies sitting in the flower hall followed over. From the study and Tingxiang Courtyard, only a few elders like Old Madam Guo and Madam Pengcheng came.

The main hall had a large desk covered with bright scarlet felt, displaying fish-shaped badges, peachwood swords, writing brushes and inkstones, books of various philosophical schools… A dazzling array filling the entire table.

Among the ladies, some began discussing their own children’s grasping ceremonies: “…grabbed a brush. Now grown up, nothing else worked out, but studies well.”

Everyone chimed in agreement.

Zhou Shaojin walked out holding Yun Ge’er.

The small child wore festive bright red clothing with a gleaming gold collar and longevity lock. His hair was dark and lustrous, his skin fair and clean, with large eyes like dark grapes, and long, dense, upturned eyelashes like little fans. All the ladies in the room praised how handsome Yun Ge’er was.

This was Yun Ge’er’s first time seeing so many people.

He shyly hid in Zhou Shaojin’s arms, peeking out.

Zhou Shaojin gently stroked his back, coaxing him softly: “It’s alright. It’s alright. Everyone sees that Yun Ge’er is beautiful and well-behaved. They all like you very much, that’s why they’re gathered around to look at you. In a moment, you just need to go to that long table and pick something you like to give to Mama. Then Mama will take you to find Grandmother for delicious treats. Alright?”

Whether Yun Ge’er understood or not, he nodded. His bright eyes shifted to the items displayed on the desk.

Zhou Shaojin carefully placed the child on the long table.

Cheng Chi entered with the male guests who had come to observe the ceremony.

Yun Ge’er grinned and called out “Papa” to Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi walked over and affectionately patted his head, saying: “Pick something you like and give it to Papa.”

Yun Ge’er became excited, giggling. He walked somewhat unsteadily to the center of the desk, then sat down with a plop. After looking left and right for a long while, he picked up the fish-shaped badge.

Madam Pengcheng laughed heartily: “Our Yun Ge’er will definitely be a high official in the future.”

But before her words had finished, Yun Ge’er grabbed the peachwood sword beside him.

Madam Song laughed: “Oh my, accomplished in both civil and military arts!”

Old Madam Guo just kept smiling.

But Yun Ge’er dropped the fish badge and peachwood sword in his hands to grab an abacus nearby.

The abacus represented merchants.

Now everyone’s expressions became somewhat suppressed.

Zhou Shaojin felt it didn’t matter.

Fan Liu Shi had said she grabbed a brush when young, yet she hadn’t gained much learning either.

Just as Zhou Shaojin was about to step forward to pick up Yun Ge’er, he dropped the abacus and grabbed an ink stick wrapped in bright red gold silk thread in front of him.

The atmosphere in the main hall changed.

Someone chimed in: “Good, good. Our Yun Ge’er will be a scholar in the future.”

Taking the child up at this moment would end the grasping ceremony, making this the final prediction.

That’s why everyone breathed a sigh of relief!

Zhou Shaojin smiled and prepared to pick up Yun Ge’er.

But Yun Ge’er dropped the gold thread and agilely grabbed to the side, picking up a stalk of green onion.

Green onion represented cleverness.

Everyone was stunned.

Yun Ge’er had already stuffed the onion into his mouth.

Caught completely off guard, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t stop him at all.

The spiciness made Yun Ge’er burst into loud wails.

Zhou Shaojin hurriedly picked up her son, helping to clear the onion from his mouth while coaxing him: “Don’t cry, don’t cry! Spit it out quickly. Mama will get you honey water right away.” In her heart, though, she complained that while placing an onion was her own idea, she hadn’t wanted them to use a real onion—she’d meant for them to find the jade onion from her dowry trunks…

Yun Ge’er cried loudly, clutching the onion tightly and refusing to let go.

Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to let him hold it.

Seeing this, the ceremony master quickly smiled and said: “Our birthday boy grabbed the onion today, which means our Yun Ge’er is very clever and will do well at everything in the future!”

This interpretation wasn’t bad at all.

Cheng Chi smiled and invited everyone to the flower hall or front courtyard for the banquet.

Zhou Shaojin took Yun Ge’er back to their room to drink honey water, taking the opportunity to lecture him: “From now on, you can’t just grab things and stuff them in your mouth without looking, understand?”

Yun Ge’er nodded, his large eyes brimming with tears.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart melted at the sight.

She took the honey water to feed Yun Ge’er and comfort his emotions.

Someone leaned against the doorway, clapping.

Zhou Shaojin looked up to see Ji Ying standing backlit in a stone-blue vest printed with silver-white phoenix-tail circular patterns, a half-smile on her face, her bright red lips like blooming pomegranate flowers.

“Ji Ying, how did you get here!” Zhou Shaojin jumped up, standing with her child in her arms.

“I came to attend Yun Ge’er’s first birthday celebration!” Ji Ying smiled, lazily walking in. Looking at Yun Ge’er with a beaming smile, she said: “Young Master Yun, well done! I was so afraid you’d grab a fish badge like your father did when he was little and end up taking the dual-list imperial examination.”

Yun Ge’er looked at the unfamiliar Ji Ying and confusedly called out “Papa” toward the space behind her.

“Cheng Zichuan?!” Ji Ying’s face paled as she leaped up and hid behind Zhou Shaojin.

Outside the door, wind rustled the green bamboo—there was no sign of Cheng Chi anywhere.

Everyone burst into laughter.