noffsinger Chapter 499: Birthday Crowd
Chapter 499: Birthday Crowd
Prince Yi Fengming's birthday is one month later than Yuan Qi's, which is on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival.
Zhou Chang didn't remember how Prince Yi celebrated his birthday last year. He only remembered that he was still upset about the emperor's sudden marriage granting.
In the blink of an eye, a year has passed. Prince Yi Fengming has completed his wedding with Yuan Qi and attended this year's palace New Year's Eve banquet together.
Moreover, Prince Yi had just given Yuan Qi an unforgettable birthday a month ago, so now Yuan Qi would naturally celebrate Prince Yi's birthday as well.
Zhou Chang thought about it and of course could not say what birthday gift he wanted most. In the end, Prince Yi's consciousness came out and he pretended to be "pretentious": "I have never celebrated birthdays specially. Don't be extravagant. It's just the New Year, the severe winter in the north has not passed, and the situation in the south is also unstable. It's better to keep a low profile on everything."
Having said that, Yuan Qi also nodded.
Since we want to keep a low profile, then we can just celebrate at home.
This morning, everyone in the palace was in high spirits. After receiving rewards from the princess, everyone changed into new clothes.
Not only that, Yuan Qi also invited opera troupes, music troupes, acrobatic troupes, singers, opera singers, storytellers, and all the kinds of people he could think of to come, and set up a stage in the front yard so that everyone in the mansion could watch. He also specially found the best restaurant and chef in the Yuan family to hold a buffet, but he only entertained people from Prince Yi's mansion.
As usual, Zhou Chang had the longevity noodles made by Mother Wang and the rice dumplings made by Aunt Jing in the morning.
Although Aunt Jing's right arm and right hand had mostly recovered, they were not as good as before. With Xinxian and Xinmu, she managed to make the dumplings.
Zhou Chang, relying on Prince Yi's memory, could tell that the glutinous rice balls tasted the same as before, and was touched. He ate the whole bowl of glutinous rice balls, including the soup.
Then he ate half a bowl of Wang Mama’s specialty, longevity noodles.
After eating these two things, I felt like I couldn’t eat anything else for the whole day.
Then, the stage performance began.
Zhou Chang, along with Yuan Qi, brought everyone in the mansion to watch plays, performances, acrobatics, and various folk performances. The New Year had not yet ended, but on this day, Prince Yi's mansion was even more lively than the previous New Year's Eve.
According to the custom in previous years, several people close to Prince Yi would wish him a happy birthday, and Feng Ming also took the opportunity to add another birthday red envelope on top of the New Year's red envelope.
There have been previous cases and this year is no exception.
While watching the show, Zhou Chang distributed the red envelopes prepared by Mr. Zhong to the servants in the mansion one by one.
After sending it out rounds, I felt so thirsty and my waist and knees were sore that I just sat down to rest, and then I realized that there was still one person missing.
"Where is Uncle Qiu?" Zhou Chang turned his head and asked the skinny monkey.
The skinny monkey pocketed the red envelope, and his originally festive face turned into a sad expression: "Your Highness, Uncle Qiu said in the morning that he would get up to congratulate you on your birthday, but suddenly he couldn't get up. He is still lying in bed now."
"How could this be?" Zhou Chang had always known that Uncle Qiu's condition was not getting better but was getting worse, but he had never thought it was so serious.
Half a month ago, on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Uncle Qiu was still able to show up and join everyone in wishing everyone a happy new year. He looked in good spirits at the time.
Doctor Meng once said that if Uncle Qiu could survive this deep winter, his condition would improve by the spring.
How come now that the Spring Festival has passed and within just half a month, my health condition has taken a sharp turn for the worse?
"Alas..." The skinny monkey just shook his head but couldn't say anything.
"How long has he been ill? Why didn't you tell me?" Zhou Chang said as he walked out. "I'll go take a look. Did you ask for a doctor?"
Yuan Qi, who was also standing nearby, also stood up and was about to go with them.
The thin monkey said, "Why not? Shopkeeper Fu and Doctor Meng were here today and have already seen him."
Aunt Jing also followed and said, "It's better for the prince not to go at this time. I think Qiu Chang should have taken medicine and is resting now."
"Why don't you let me go?" Zhou Chang always felt that Aunt Jing and Shouhou seemed to be avoiding the issue of Uncle Qiu.
Aunt Jing sighed, "Alas, it's not that we don't want the prince to go, but Qiu Chang usually doesn't let us mention his illness in front of the prince, always saying that there's no need to worry about such a small matter. Today is the prince's birthday, if we go to see him at this time, I'm afraid it will add to his burden."
"What burden?" Zhou Chang didn't care. He walked out of the middle hall and said, "Doctor Meng is here. I can ask him in person."
Aunt Jing and Shouhou looked at each other and stopped trying to stop him, but followed behind.
Zhou Chang turned around and pushed Yuan Qi back into his chair: "Don't go over there, lest Uncle Qiu really thinks it's a big deal. Just watch the show here. Otherwise, if you and I leave, I'm afraid they won't be able to sit here idly."
No outsiders were invited to Prince Yi's birthday today, and the only people watching the show around the stage were the palace guards and servants of Prince Yi's mansion.
"Okay, give my regards to Uncle Qiu for me." Yuan Qi didn't force him.
Zhou Chang turned around and took Aunt Jing and Skinny Monkey to Uncle Qiu's yard.
When we entered Uncle Qiu's main house in the courtyard, the wine jars that used to line the wall were no longer there. Instead, the whole room was filled with the bitter smell of medicine.
Uncle Qiu was lying on the bed with his eyes slightly closed, and it was unclear whether he was awake or asleep.
Li Fu and Doctor Meng were guarding nearby.
According to Doctor Meng, Uncle Qiu had just taken the medicine and was still in a daze, so he might not be very clear-headed.
Zhou Chang stood at the head of Uncle Qiu's bed and watched for a long time before Uncle Qiu slowly opened his eyes.
Uncle Qiu's eyes were cloudy for a long time, but he was able to force a smile after a long time. His voice was low and weak: "My Lord, you are here?"
"Uncle Qiu, how do you feel?" Hearing this call, Prince Yi couldn't help but pounce on him and hold Uncle Qiu's hand.
Uncle Qiu's face was pale and gray, his eyes were dull and difficult to focus, but he could still answer: "It's okay, it's okay, Your Majesty, don't worry. Today is Your Majesty's birthday, and I should have congratulated you..."
"Uncle Qiu, lie down..." Feng Ming quickly held down Uncle Qiu who wanted to get up but had no strength at all, "Do you want to eat something? Does your mouth feel bitter after taking the medicine? Do you want something sweet?"
Uncle Qiu licked his cracked lips, as if he was savoring something. After a while, he shook his head on the pillow: "No more, no more."
Feng Ming didn't get an answer, and felt sad for a moment. Countless past years in the palace came to his mind again.
Zhou Chang became a bystander, but he also felt the same way.
Although Uncle Qiu is not good at speaking, is usually dull and has difficulty walking, so he doesn't have much contact with others, but in Prince Yi's heart, he is an important family member like Aunt Tong Jing and Skinny Monkey.
When the skinny monkey standing behind him saw this scene, he couldn't help but say, "Hey, Your Majesty, if Uncle Qiu really wants to eat something right now, I think he really wants wine."