Reborn Lady - Chapter 380
Emperor Yongping’s sixtieth birthday was very grand; in the capital, fireworks were set off for three consecutive days.
A few days later, Emperor Yongping called the five brothers to the Imperial Study and distributed the five “Hunting Painting” copied by the court painter to his sons respectively.
The paintings were exactly the same as Wei Luo’s painting, and Emperor Yongping inscribed on the side: “Family and everything prosper”.
After giving them the paintings, Emperor Yongping looked at his five sons. He still remembered how his sons were when they were young, whether mischievous, calm or indifferent.
In the blink of an eye, the Fifth Son, Wei Jing, was also twenty-nine years old and would soon reach his thirties.
“I hope that after I’m gone, you will still have fun together like in the painting,” Emperor Yongping said, his voice heavy with emotion.
The Crown Prince immediately said, “Father is in the prime of life; why bother to say such sad words?”
Wei Xuan also said, “Let’s go hunt together next spring.”
Emperor Yongping smiled and asked his sons to retreat.
After Wei Luo returned home, he hung the painting in the study.
Yin Hui came over to look at the painting. Before Wei Luo prepared the birthday gift, he showed her four paintings, but the one that was actually given was not shown to her. During the birthday celebration, Emperor Yongping and his sons watched the festivities lively, and it was difficult for her, as a daughter-in-law, to squeeze in, so she did not get a chance to see exactly what Wei Luo painted.
Now the painting was in front of her. Although it was not the one painted by Wei Luo himself, the one copied by the court painter could basically be mistaken for his work.
“Did you paint this smile, or did the painter in the palace change it?” Yin Hui teased Wei Luo seriously as she took a closer look at him in the painting.
Wei Luo patted her head affectionately, and his gaze lingered on the painting.
In fact, what he wanted to paint the most was the scene of learning archery when he was young, with his father personally teaching him. However, he realized that such a painting might inadvertently create divisions among the brothers, so he opted for this painting of them hunting together instead.
He didn’t expect his father to like it so much, to the extent of making copies of it for his brothers. Yet, he couldn’t anticipate what his brothers would make of it.
“This painting turned out quite well,” Yin Hui said, hugging his arm as they both gazed at the painting. “When I was young, I used to envy families with many brothers and sisters. It seemed so lively and fun.”
Yin Wen was too absorbed in boyish pursuits to play with her, Yin Rong was always bothering her by trying to take her things, and as for Yin Lang, he was just a lonely little boy stuck in his own world.
Yin Hui had never witnessed firsthand how the five brothers interacted with each other when they were young, but she had seen her own nephews grow up. Despite occasional quarrels and fights, there were also heartwarming moments of bonding among them.
Wei Luo understood that she was trying to comfort him.
After giving the painting, Wei Luo tried not to dwell too much on the matter. However, with the intricate dynamics among the royal brothers, Wei Luo remained committed to following his father’s teachings, uncertain about how they would treat him.
In the Chu Mansion, Ji Xianxian was also examining the painting brought back by Wei Yan.
She taunted Wei Yan mercilessly, “The Third Master looks cold, yet he seems quite adept at caring for others. Look at how stylishly you’re portrayed.”
Indeed, when Wei Yan was young, he had the suaveness portrayed in the painting, but since his arrival in Jinling, he had put on some weight, a fact Ji Xianxian had never failed to criticize over the years. However, Wei Yan had grown accustomed to her words and remained unfazed. He sat beside Ji Xianxian, embracing her, and remarked while looking at the painting, “To be honest, the Third Brother hides his talents quite well. He must have been clumsy in his youth, given the criticisms he received from our father during painting lessons.”
Ji Xianxian replied, “Concubine Shun’s background is humble, and the Third Master wouldn’t dare to compete with me. It’s only natural for you to steal the spotlight.”
Wei Yan retorted, “Then why does he dare to show off now?”
Ji Xianxian explained, “He has earned renown countless times on the battlefield, gaining fame and recognition. It’s only fitting for him to step into the limelight. Moreover, it was our father’s sixtieth birthday celebration, so whoever had a skill showcased it willingly.”
These words cut deeply into Wei Yan.
When it came to calligraphy and painting, Ji Xianxian knew that Xu Qingwan and Wang Junfang surpassed her, and she couldn’t compete with Yin Hui either. Determined not to be outdone, Ji Xianxian poured her efforts into improving herself, even teaching a parrot to speak. It was her dedication that ensured the parrot’s fluency. Ji Xianxian knew that her father-in-law must have noticed her diligence in teaching the parrot every day. On the day of the birthday celebration, her father-in-law smiled with evident satisfaction at her, while his smile for Wei Yan seemed more perfunctory.
Wei Yan let out a disdainful snort.
Ji Xianxian understood Wei Yan’s intentions, but she felt that Wei Yang’s position as Crown Prince was as secure as Mount Tai, rendering the younger brothers insignificant.
“This matter is settled. If you have so much free time, perhaps you should focus on arranging our daughter’s marriage,” Ji Xianxian remarked.
Wei Yan looked at her and replied, “You’re the one preparing the wedding banquet, so why should I worry?.”
“What if she is wronged?”
Wei Yan snorted, “If he dares to bully Ah Zhuang, I’ll personally go and break his legs.”
Ji Xianxian replied, “Zhao Ling is tall and strong, can you really beat him? Moreover, he likes our daughter. What I’m worried about is her mother-in-law. Throughout history, there have been few mother-in-laws who are easy to get along with.”
Wei Zhuang’s fiancé was Zhao Ling, the son of the Eldest Princess.
Perhaps because the Eldest Princess’s residence was too close to the Chu Mansion, the children often met. At some point, Zhao Ling and Wei Zhuang seemed to have developed feelings for each other.
Ji Xianxian neither liked the Eldest Princess nor thought highly of the declining Zhao family. However, she had no choice but to agree to the marriage proposal between Wei Zhuang and Zhao Ling, as Zhao Ling had also sent the Eldest Princess to propose marriage.
Ji Xianxian loved her daughter dearly and couldn’t afford to offend the Eldest Princess too much, so she reluctantly agreed to the marriage.
“If my sister herself proposed the marriage, how could she let Ah Zhuang suffer?” Wei Yan felt that his wife had become too accustomed to thinking of mother-in-laws as wicked, assuming all mother-in-laws were bad.
Ji Xianxian understood her husband’s meaning from his expression and pinched him hard.
Wei Yan leaned in, embracing her, and said, “Alright, alright, the children will have their own blessings. You worry too much, and you’ll end up with wrinkles.”
Wei Zhuang and Zhao Ling’s wedding banquet was scheduled for the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Yin Hui presented Wei Zhuang with a hairpin, similar to the one she gave to Wei Mei, both adorned with gold. However, Wei Zhuang’s hairpin was inset with sapphires.
Ji Xianxian teased her, “You have so many precious stones, you’ve outshone even her own mother.”
Yin Hui chuckled, “I don’t have many. But since I love my nieces, I’m willing to empty my pockets for them.”
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Capc
they sure love to keep their dna within the family