Chapter 232: Chapter 232 Birthday Family Banquet
How old is she, how could she possibly join them at the table to eat these things?
Then, footsteps were heard outside the door, different from the ones Lin Wanyi usually heard.
"Your Majesty, Miss Lin, the Fourth Prince has arrived."
Lin Wanyi was startled, but the Emperor smiled and said.
"Let Fourth Prince Uncle come in."
"Yes."
Dong Yuzhong personally lifted the curtain and brought the Fourth Prince in.
This was the second time Lin Wanyi met the Fourth Prince, the first time was during the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.
However, at that time, she was just a minor concubine.
She could only observe from a distance and thus hadn’t seen the Fourth Prince clearly.
But that resonant voice was etched in her memory.
"This old minister greets Your Majesty and greets Miss Lin."
The Fourth Prince being a senior and a legitimate Prince, this little noble like Lin Wanyi was insignificant in his presence.
Naturally, she needed to properly return the courtesy.
So she half-bowed and said.
"Greetings to the Fourth Prince."
Both were the Emperor’s closest and most trusted, hence this opportunity was chosen to let them meet.
Before coming, after learning that Lin Wanyi was Lin Xingzhi’s own sister,
the Fourth Prince felt a bit more affection for her through association.
His gaze toward Lin Wanyi was filled with kindness.
He then took out a small embroidered box and said to Lin Wanyi.
"This old minister didn’t know it was the noble’s birthday today, so I didn’t prepare a lavish gift. Inside the box is a clay flute. I’ve heard He Song play the flute before, and thought the noble might be skilled in music too, so I specially brought it."
The Fourth Prince’s intentions were indeed good, just that the gift of the clay flute was entirely useless.
Because when it comes to musical instruments, Lin Wanyi knew almost nothing.
She could appreciate music, but not play it.
She smiled gently and said.
"I very much like the Fourth Prince’s gift, but I am not versed in music, and must disappoint the Fourth Prince’s kind intentions."
Not versed in music?
This surprised the Fourth Prince somewhat.
He always thought the women in the harem were all adept at playing and singing, skilled in music and painting.
Especially since Lin Wanyi was born into the Prime Minister’s Mansion, he assumed she would be outstanding in these areas.
Yet, she actually wasn’t.
This made him a bit embarrassed too.
However, while others might awkwardly smile, the Fourth Prince awkwardly laughed heartily.
His laughter amused everyone present.
"This old minister should have enquired better beforehand, it was my oversight. I’ll certainly send a proper gift next time. I hope the noble won’t mind."
"What the Fourth Prince said, I am not happy about."
Being straightforward people, after a brief exchange, they all sat down together.
The Second Prince and the Second Princess in Nanny Ji’s arms also came forward at this moment and said to the seated Lin Wanyi.
"Your child congratulates Lady Lin on her joyous birthday and presents a Hundred Blessings scroll to wish Lady Lin peace, smoothness, and prosperity."
Having said that, he took the scroll, already framed, from Nanny Du’s hands.
Although the calligraphy wasn’t very powerful and the strokes weren’t very smooth,
it showed the Second Prince’s thoughtfulness and sincerity.
To personally prepare such a gift was indeed commendable.
Thus, Lin Wanyi liked it very much.
Holding it in her hands, she cherished it and then said.
"The Second Prince is very considerate, Lady Lin loves it."
The interaction between Lin Wanyi and the Second Prince was already very natural.
So their conversation wasn’t filled with formalities.
The Second Prince knew Lin Wanyi genuinely liked it, and Lin Wanyi knew the Second Prince was genuinely thoughtful.
They exchanged smiles, everything understood without words.
The Second Princess in Nanny Ji’s arms also seemed eager to express herself.
And threw herself forward towards her.
Coincidentally, she ended up planting a smacking kiss on Lin Wanyi’s cheek, leaving a trail of saliva.
The soft, sticky touch made Lin Wanyi laugh.
This was perhaps the most unique gift she had received.
She took the Second Princess from Nanny Ji’s hands, playing with her as she said.
"Little clever one!"
The Second Princess seemed to understand this and giggled again.
Though no teeth were visible, the cloth on her chest was now half wet.
As they sat around the table, several people began to eat with chopsticks.
The Emperor initially thought, with the Fourth Prince there, if Lin Wanyi might feel uncomfortable.
Who knew the two would seem like old acquaintances, chatting on and on.
It was him sitting in between that felt a bit in the way, leading to a very enjoyable meal.
After finishing the longevity noodles, the birthday celebration was considered complete.
Everyone dispersed, leaving only Lin Wanyi and the Emperor in the main room.
The Emperor held the clay flute given by the Fourth Prince and said with some pride.
"As a child, I had quite an interest in music."
Oh?
Lin Wanyi quickly caught a glimpse of small pride in the Emperor’s eyes.
She then said.
"Didn’t Your Majesty say before you would give me a birthday gift? How about playing a tune for me?"
This request was really simple.
Just a tune, the Emperor could certainly play it.
But on second thought, for the supreme ruler of Da Wei to play a tune for her birthday,
it seemed infinitely honorable.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow and looked at her asking.
"That simple?"
"Yes, that simple."
"If that’s the case, then I shall oblige you."
With that, he picked up the clay flute, adjusted it slightly, and began to play.
The Emperor’s breath was even and long, deeply expressing the clay flute’s wailing sound.
This instrument was often used by the military to express homesickness, carrying an inherent sense of deep melancholy.
The court was usually filled with opulent music, so this sound was rare.
The sound penetrated through the entire Ruiyang Pavilion, not only immersing Lin Wanyi.
All the guards and palace attendants were also enchanted by it.
After the piece ended, the lingering taste was endless.
Lin Wanyi looked at the Emperor with newfound admiration.
She never knew there were such surprising aspects to the Emperor, it was indeed quite unexpected.
Seeming to have noticed her thoughts,
the Emperor explained.
"Father was skilled in music and taught me much, but... I haven’t practiced since, it’s somewhat rusty."
Such skill, yet he called it rusty.
Lin Wanyi thought the Emperor was being overly modest.
But seeing the faint nostalgia in his eyes, she didn’t say much further.
She stepped forward and leaned against the Emperor’s embrace.
Then she softly said.
"Thanks to Your Majesty for the gift, I very much liked it."
The Emperor held her tighter, quietly enjoying this moment of warmth.
Seizing the moment while the Emperor napped, Lin Wanyi got up and went to the side room.
Xia An handed the greaseproof bag in her hand to Lin Wanyi, and then smiled, saying.
"This was just sent by the eldest young master, who specially went to BaBao Building to buy it. It’s Miss’s favorite lotus leaf chicken, please try it."
Even though she was already full, Lin Wanyi couldn’t help but pick up a piece directly.
When it was in her mouth, it was warm and soft.
Not much different from freshly baked.
"Brother too, running so many miles inside and outside the city, what’s the need!"