novelaction Chapter 709 The Emperor's Joy!
Chapter 709 The Emperor's Joy!
The palace banquet began soon afterward, and all the seats were naturally arranged in advance by the palace servants.
Arrangements have already been made according to the ranks, status, and other details of all the gentlemen, ladies, and young women.
Mu Xin Nuan naturally sat down with the other princesses and consorts again.
The difference is that there is an extra seat next to Mu Xin Nuan, which is specially prepared for Duanmu Zonghua.
After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.
The Emperor suddenly spoke up, "Princess Chang Le, come here and bring little Zonghua over so I can have a good look at him again."
This was a banquet for almost a hundred people, so lively, with singing and dancing that never stopped, but little Zonghua didn't cry or make a fuss. Instead, he watched with great interest, which was really unbelievable.
Anyone who knows the rules would not bring a child under six years old into the palace.
However, Duanmu Zonghua is different. He is the heir of the Prince of Changle and the Emperor's youngest grandson. Moreover, he has only met the Emperor since birth, so he is naturally different from ordinary children.
Mu Xin Nuan nodded, picked up Zong Hua, and slowly walked towards the Empress.
As women, they naturally sat on the left. The Empress was already on the Emperor's left, so they did the same.
Mu Xin Nuan placed the child next to the dragon table, and then slowly let go of her hand.
The Empress and the Emperor were both taken aback. They hadn't expected that the child, who was not even nine months old, would stand there so steadily, without crying or making a fuss even after his mother let go of him.
The Emperor was overjoyed, "Excellent! He is indeed my good grandson. Princess Chang Le, you have taught Zong Hua very well."
"Thank you, Father."
After watching the child stand there for a while, just as she was about to pick him up, Zonghua suddenly turned his head to look at her, then blinked and said, "Mommy, hug me. Hug me."
The pronunciation of these words was extremely accurate.
The hall was already very quiet because of the emperor's words, so a child's voice sounded even clearer at this moment.
Mu Xin Nuan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Zong Hua wants his mother to hug him?"
Zonghua actually understood and even nodded.
However, because he was standing, the nodding motion caused him to sway slightly, but thankfully he didn't fall.
"Then look in front of you, who is this?"
Mu Xin Nuan naturally didn't dare to point directly at the Emperor and Empress, so she simply pointed lightly at the Empress's dress.
Xiao Zonghua looked around, blinked, and raised his round head slightly. He saw the Empress smiling at him, "My dear grandson, come to your grandmother."
Xiao Zonghua looked down at his feet again, seemingly wanting to move them, but then he hesitated when he saw the distance between them.
In fact, he was only three or four steps away from the Empress, but those three or four steps were an insurmountable chasm for little Zonghua, who couldn't walk yet.
Shaking his head, Xiao Zonghua indicated that he dared not go over there.
His adorable appearance once again drew another round of laughter from the Emperor. "Good, my good grandson, haha, so cute."
Seeing that it was enough, Mu Xin Nuan stopped teasing him, gently picked him up, and put him down just a small step away from the Empress, then took two steps back herself.
The female official beside the Empress wanted to step forward and give the child to the Empress, but Mu Xin Nuan stopped her.
The emperor, upon seeing this, also became somewhat nervous.
The Emperor is quite old, and I never imagined that he would get so nervous about a child today.
Although it's only a step away, it's extremely difficult for a small child to cross.
The fact that they could remain calm and composed in such a setting already demonstrates the grandeur of their royal offspring. With Mu Xin Nuan's current actions, there's no fear that the child might suddenly start crying.
The Empress looked at him with a smile, then, as if remembering something, picked up a small piece of pastry from the table. "Mmm, it smells delicious, my dear grandson, would you like to try some?"
Xiao Zonghua's eyes lit up as soon as he saw the snacks.
He smacked his lips twice, as if he had made a great decision, and then with lightning speed, he lunged at the Empress.
Although it's just one step, for a nine-month-old baby, it's something only a child prodigy could do.
Zonghua took a step forward and immediately grabbed the Empress's leg. He raised his head, steadied himself, and stretched one hand high, trying to snatch the pastry from the Empress's hand.
Upon seeing this, the Emperor could no longer contain himself. "Haha, little Zonghua, you're truly remarkable! You've taken your first step in life for a piece of pastry. Good! Haha!"
The Empress lifted the child onto her lap and watched him eat heartily. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this child is only nine months old. It's already quite an achievement that he can stand steadily. Now he can even take another step. He's simply a little prodigy."
"Hmm, not bad! The name Zonghua, thinking about it, really suits him. It wasn't for nothing that I issued the decree to make him the heir apparent so early. He can crawl in six months, so it's not impossible that he can walk in nine months."
As the Emperor spoke, he looked at Mu Xin Nuan and said, "Princess Chang Le, this child is intelligent. You must teach him well when you return, and you must not neglect him."
"Yes, Father."
Mu Xin Nuan stood there, but she could clearly feel an extremely scorching gaze directed at her. Although she didn't know who it was, the feeling was like having thorns in her back, and it was quite uncomfortable.
The Crown Princess smiled and said, "The Prince of Chang Le is indeed very intelligent. He can speak and stand up so early. Your wife has certainly made a great contribution."
These words made everyone feel rather uncomfortable.
Especially the Mu family, why did they feel that the Crown Princess's words sounded like she was praising a wet nurse?
Duanmu Chuze frowned slightly in displeasure. “What my elder sister-in-law says is true. Anuan’s contribution is naturally the greatest. She is my wife and Zonghua’s mother. My husband and I personally took care of this child’s daily life, and finally experienced what people often say: ‘You don’t know the kindness of your parents until you raise a child yourself.’”
Mu Chang'an nodded, "Your Highness is quite right. This is the common practice among the common people. Generally, mothers raise their children themselves. Firstly, they don't have the money to hire someone, and secondly, they believe that only in this way can the child grow up to be close to his or her parents."
Mu Xin Nuan smiled faintly and remained silent.
The Empress, however, was quite moved. "The point isn't whether they've raised the child so well. The point is that they are both first-time parents, yet they have the patience to personally take care of the child. Especially the fourth prince, I always thought you were a free spirit, but I never imagined that one day you would personally hold a child and read to him. I really can't believe it."
The Emperor was slightly surprised. "You've been reading to such a young child?"
Aunt Fang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, before the Princess Consort gave birth, the Prince would spend half an hour reading with her every day, and also listen to music. That's why the young prince doesn't feel timid at all at such a banquet."