The kitchen was bustling, but finally, the banquet started at 7:45 AM.
Most of the guests attending today’s banquet were familiar with the Crown Prince’s face.
Zhao Xi didn’t want to stay long; after handing over his gift, he left with Eunuch Sanbao through the back door before the banquet began.
The male and female guests were separated, and Wen Wan put away the jade pendant of unknown origin in a box, instructed the nurse and Yun Cai to stay at Qingteng Residence to take care of Qi Bao, and then she brought Jinbao out to entertain the guests.
On the way, Wen Wan asked Jinbao, "Where is the teacher?"
Jinbao replied, "The teacher is in the room."
"Did you ask him to co out for the feast?"
"I asked, but the teacher said he wouldn’t co."
"Forget it, then." Wen Wan sighed, "I’ll ask soone to send him food later."
Due to his own reasons, Xu Dengke didn’t like lively occasions. He was used to quietly staying in a room alone, reading and practicing calligraphy. Although his pace was extrely slow, his perseverance was comndable. In Wen Wan’s impression, he had never been discouraged or felt inferior because he couldn’t keep up with others in speech or actions.
Wen Wan had seen his writings, which were profound, fluid, and precisely worded.
It was no exaggeration to say he was suprely talented.
Wen Wan once again deeply felt that her husband’s vision was excellent.
Given Xu Dengke’s disposition, many people, upon hearing his na, would feel the urge to avoid him. Yet Song Wei chose to do the opposite and hired him to educate Jinbao.
The introductory readings were not difficult, and many principles were also explained to Jinbao by Song Wei and Wen Wan. The little guy understood, but inherently lacked Xu Dengke’s persistent perseverance and determination.
The arrival of Xu Dengke had an imperceptible yet significant influence on Jinbao.
Mother and son soon arrived at the banquet.
There were too many people, so they used the Eight Immortals Table, and Song Fang sat with Xu Jia, Granny Song, and Aunt Xie at the sa table.
Seeing Jinbao, Song Fang smiled and waved at him, "Little guy, co over here and let your aunt see if you’ve grown taller again."
Jinbao hid behind Wen Wan, "No red envelope, no show."
Song Fang was amused, "You little money-grubber, how many red envelopes have you received today, and you’re still thinking about your aunt’s?"
Jinbao pursed his lips, peeked out half his head, "Just one look."
After speaking, he imdiately retracted his head.
Song Fang snorted lightly, "Just hide then, let’s see if you co out to eat later."
Jinbao hadn’t planned on eating there anyway. He peeked his head out again, made a funny face at Song Fang, made a mocking noise, and ran over to the n’s side with his short legs.
Wen Wan sat down beside Granny Song, her gaze eting Xu Jia’s across the table, "Earlier, your Second Master seed very anxious to find you, was it sothing urgent?"
Xu Jia shook her head and replied with a light laugh, "Our little nephew rarely encounters such a lively occasion and felt a bit shy. Second Master asked to comfort the child."
The Second Lang’s wife suddenly realized, "No wonder I heard the little one crying earlier; turns out he was shy."
Wen Wan said, "He lost his father at a young age, and his birth mother has been away often, so he’s likely a bit introverted. This child is quite pitiable."
Xu Jia nodded along with a smile.
anwhile, Jinbao was sitting next to Song Wei. Tang Yong at the next table recognized him as the brother who was previously riding the chanical beast. He couldn’t eat and kept looking at Jinbao, appearing as if he’d cry if he didn’t get the chanical beast from Jinbao.
With the adults present, Jinbao mimicked his father and sat upright. While Song Wei chatted with the guests, he didn’t forget to serve food to his son’s small hands.
Jinbao ate with great enthusiasm. By chance, when he looked up, he saw Tang Yong at the neighboring table with teary eyes, and he paused in surprise.
Tang Yong pursed his lips, looking extrely aggrieved.
When Song Wei passed another serving, he noticed his son hadn’t eaten. He followed Jinbao’s gaze and saw it was Tang Yuan’s nephew.
A smile touched Song Wei’s eyes as he gently asked, "What’s wrong?"
Tang Yong directly requested, "Uncle, I want that donkey from earlier."
Upon hearing this, all the guests stopped talking and turned to look at Song Wei.
Everyone knew that the suggestion to improve the chanical beast was initially proposed by Minister Song Sicheng. Naturally, the first finished product belonged to their family. Many children at today’s banquet had seen the chanical beast and loved it, but no one dared to publicly ask for it like Tang Yong did.
After all, this was the first improved chanical beast. As a toy for children, it might not have much innate value, but its significance was extraordinary.
"Yongyong, don’t make trouble."
His nephew’s sudden action left Tang Yuan very embarrassed, and he secretly gave Tang Yong a look, gesturing for him to turn around and eat.
Tang Yong sniffled, left his seat, walked over to Song Wei, tugged on his sleeve, and spoke with a teary voice, "Uncle, I want that donkey."
Silence fell over the scene once more.
Facing everyone’s gaze, Song Wei remained calm and asked Tang Yong, "Then tell why you want it. If you explain well, Uncle will give it to you, how about that?"
Tang Yong’s eyes lit up, "Really?"
Then he timidly looked at Jinbao, his pale little face appearing even more wronged.
That weak, pitiful, and helpless look was learned perfectly from his mother.
Jinbao swallowed his food and looked at Tang Yong, "Why aren’t you speaking?"
Song Yuanbao looked at his younger brother and asked, "Jinbao, do you really plan to give him the chanical beast?"
Jinbao lowered his head to drink soup.
Even though he was rather reluctant to part with the newly acquired chanical beast, this child clearly knew how to play clever tricks; if he didn’t give it to him, father would be in an awkward position.
Jinbao thought naively, grinned, "Little brother is so cute, and he’s even cuter riding the chanical beast, so let’s give it to him."
Song Wei maintained his usual gentle tone and said to Tang Yong, "Since the little brother has agreed to give it to you, then you should first go back and eat your dinner. After you’re full, Uncle will have it packed up so you can take it back, okay?"
"Okay." Tang Yong was overjoyed.
As the situation unfolded, the differing levels of etiquette and upbringing between the children of the two families beca evident, and the guests started discussing it while occasionally glancing at Tang Yuan.
With his grip on the chopsticks tightening repeatedly, Tang Yuan had lost face several tis today and couldn’t lift his head anymore.
"Second Young Master Tang," Song Wei called to him calmly, with a voice neither hurried nor slow.
Tang Yuan turned to et Song Wei’s gaze.
Song Wei said, "My wife asked days ago to find so books for your Second Lady, intended as gifts for her postnatal confinent. The books are with now, so instead of sending them over, why don’t you take them for the Second Lady, Second Master?"
After saying this, Song Wei signaled to Song Yuanbao.
Song Yuanbao imdiately left the table and returned shortly with a red lacquered box with dark patterns, handing it to Tang Yuan.
Tang Yuan accepted it, awkwardly expressing his thanks.
A guest nearby teased, "Second Young Master Tang, aren’t you going to open it and see what books they are?"
Tang Yuan hesitated at first, but seeing the guests’ curiosity, he reluctantly opened the box. The few guests close enough to see inside gasped in surprise.
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