sbdcsierra Chapter 505 Birthday Celebration
Chapter 505 Birthday Celebration
The banquet was held on the spacious grounds in the front yard. Male and female guests sat on either side, without any screens separating them, but with a passage left in the middle for easy movement.
Each table was filled with sumptuous cold dishes and fine wines, exuding an enticing aroma.
At the front of the banquet, there were two gorgeous chairs, which were specially prepared for the two birthday celebrants. Everyone was looking forward to the arrival of Duke Zheng and the old lady so that the birthday ceremony could begin.
In the front yard, because today is Madam Zheng’s 60th birthday, the highly respected Tutor He was specially invited to preside over the birthday ceremony.
This news surprised all the male guests present, because everyone knew that Tutor He rarely attended such occasions, especially private banquets like this one, and he only attended palace banquets occasionally.
However, when Master He appeared on the stage, everyone couldn't help but widen their eyes and their jaws almost dropped.
They really couldn't imagine that Mr. He, who never gave face to others easily and was now elderly, would come in person to serve as the master of ceremonies and preside over this grand birthday ceremony.
Everyone began to speculate, could it be that there is an unknown close relationship between the Duke's Mansion and the Grand Tutor's Mansion?
For a moment, all kinds of questions came to mind, but no one could give a definite answer.
As Master He took the stage, his profound knowledge and eloquence were immediately on display. He spoke eloquently, quoted many classic quotes and congratulatory speeches, and won rounds of applause from the guests present.
Just as Tutor He finished his congratulations and invited the birthday boy to take a seat, there was suddenly a loud noise coming from the gate of the courtyard.
Everyone turned their heads and saw two teams of imperial guards marching into the courtyard in neat steps, standing on both sides. Then, a sharp voice rang out: "The Emperor has arrived!"
Hearing this voice, all the guests stood up one after another, and were even more shocked. They all thought, the Duke's Mansion is very important, even the Emperor gave him face and came to attend the birthday banquet, so Tutor He's matter is even smaller.
Duke Zheng also led his family to the gate to welcome the emperor. At the gate, the emperor walked in in plain clothes with great dignity, followed by eunuchs such as Mu Gonggong.
Everyone in the courtyard knelt down and saluted: "Your humble servants (officials, ministers, and daughters) pay their respects to His Majesty. Long live the emperor!"
Emperor Yongshun said with a smile: "Quickly stand up! I am here to have a birthday banquet today, please don't be restrained, hahahaha!"
After expressing their gratitude, everyone stood up. Duke Zheng came forward and led Emperor Yongshun to sit at the main table.
Emperor Yongshun looked at the lively scene around him and asked happily, "Am I late? Has the banquet started yet?"
Duke Zheng replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, not yet. Imperial Tutor He has just finished his congratulatory speech and has not yet started his birthday greetings."
Emperor Yongshun nodded to show his satisfaction, then looked around and asked in confusion: "Well, why don't I see Sisi girl?"
After hearing this, Duke Zheng looked around hurriedly for Zheng Sisi, but found nothing.
He had no choice but to explain to Emperor Yongshun: "He was here just now, but I don't know when he ran away. Maybe he went to the kitchen to arrange for the dishes to be served."
Hearing that Zheng Sisi might have gone to the kitchen, Emperor Yongshun couldn't help but feel a little happy. He thought to himself that he had come at the right time this time.
As long as Sisi is in the kitchen, there will be delicious food at the banquet. Thinking of this, he couldn't help laughing, and said to Zheng Laoguogong: "Don't look for her, let her go."
After hearing this, Duke Zheng Lao felt a little strange, but he still obeyed the order and stopped looking for someone.
After the emperor took his seat, he told everyone to sit down. Then the guests took their seats one after another and the birthday ceremony officially began.
This birthday celebration ceremony is conducted in order of family seniority and age. First comes the Zheng eldest brother and his wife, then the second, third, and fourth sons, and then the grandchildren, also arranged in order of age.
When paying birthday tributes, one needs to kowtow to the birthday person and present birthday gifts. The value of these gifts is not important, but they are meant to express respect and blessings to the elders, and are also a token of one’s heart.
At this time, Zheng Sisi and Sheng Zhen were busy assembling a birthday cake with a few maids.
They had quietly slipped out long before the guests entered the banquet hall. Zheng Sisi carefully moved the cake out of the yard and then meticulously assembled it in the side hall of the banquet hall.
The three-tier cake was supported by a wooden stand, much like modern cake stands, just with a different material. Once the cake was assembled, several maids nearby were stunned, but while the single-tier cake looked great, the three-tier cake was even more eye-catching.
Sheng Zhen was also very surprised when he saw it: "Sisi, you must also make a beautiful cake for me on my birthday."