allonlinenovel Chapter 316 Catch the week
Chapter 316 Catch the week
Chapter 316 The First Birthday Ceremony
Time is like a mischievous child, its rhythm unpredictable. Sometimes it moves incredibly slowly, like a snail crawling; other times, it rushes by like lightning, catching you completely off guard.
Before they knew it, the three adorable children had already celebrated their first birthdays. This time, their parents didn't hold a grand banquet as usual, but instead chose the tranquil city of Yuncheng to hold a simple and heartwarming "first birthday celebration" for the children.
Yuncheng, a place far from the hustle and bustle, is devoid of the extravagance and turmoil of the palace, only tranquility and peace. Although Gu Mochen is busy in the palace during the day, handling heavy political affairs, he quietly leaves the palace at night and returns to Yuncheng to spend quality time with his family.
Without the entanglements of concubines, Gu Mochen's whereabouts remained virtually unknown. He lived like an ordinary father, cherishing every moment with his children. The Emperor Emeritus, the Eldest Princess, the Medicine King, Grandpa Lu, and Grand Tutor Wu, among others, paid no attention to Gu Mochen's daytime outings. They believed he had his own plans and naturally wouldn't inquire about his whereabouts.
Ye Qingchen and the children demonstrated an astonishing ability to keep the secret, protecting it like an impregnable fortress. Time flies, and now the eldest child is over 7 years old, while the two children from the second child are both over 4. These three little protagonists of today, innocent and adorable little ones, are like seedlings growing strong in spring, full of vitality and energy. They have long since learned to run and play freely on the ground, showing their lively and active nature.
The traditional "first birthday celebration" (抓周), while carrying people's hopes for a child's future, seems to have gradually lost some of its appeal for these three little ones. After all, they are now more interested in exploring the world around them, chasing after all sorts of new and exciting things; play is the main theme of their lives. They are already quite sensible, running and jumping, and speaking fluently. In comparison, perhaps performing the "first birthday celebration" when they were a month old, when they were still in a stage of innocent ignorance, would have yielded a more accurate result.
However, while the traditional custom of "grasping the baby's head" might not be particularly appealing to most people, it held special significance for Ye Qingchen. It was not merely a traditional ceremony, but also a prayer and blessing for the child's future. Therefore, Ye Qingchen decided to take the ceremony seriously, meticulously preparing every detail to ensure its smooth execution and to leave the children with an unforgettable memory.
Ye Qingchen went to great lengths to ensure the ceremony was perfect. She meticulously planned every detail and prepared a variety of items with unique meanings, arranging them neatly on the table.
These items are diverse and cover all aspects of life, including books symbolizing knowledge, writing brushes and ink representing culture and art, abacuses and coins symbolizing wealth, and toys full of childlike fun. Each item carries a different profession and life path, as if silently telling the infinite possibilities of the future.
By this time, Chao'er, Youyou, Qianqian, Chenchen, and Xixi had gradually grown up and become more sensible. Like little adults, they sat quietly to the side, gazing at the items on the table, trying to see what the three younger children liked.
Gu Wenwei and Gu Wenting, the two slightly older children, displayed a maturity and composure beyond their years compared to their peers. They stood quietly to the side, like two steadfast mountains, silently observing everything around them. Their gazes were sharp and profound, as if they could see through every detail.
Occasionally, they would exchange a few words in hushed tones, their voices soft and gentle, like the rustling of leaves in a breeze. Their conversations were brief and concise, yet full of tacit understanding and camaraderie, making one marvel at the deep emotional bond between them.
Both Gu Wenwei and Gu Wenting have grown considerably taller, their figures becoming increasingly upright, straight as poplars. Gu Wenwei, in particular, has developed an even stronger love for plants, as if they were an integral part of his life.
Amazingly, Gu Wenwei possessed a magical ability: he could instantly transform a bare tree into a profusion of vibrant, colorful blossoms. These flowers, as dazzling as stars in the night sky, adorned the entire tree like a beautiful painting. Each flower bloomed with such exquisite beauty, as if telling a story of the miracle and wonder of life.
Meanwhile, Gu Wenting seemed to have a special connection with animals. He stood a short distance away, gently whistling; the clear, melodious sound seemed to possess a magical power, transcending the barriers of time and space to establish a unique bond with the animals. Soon, a flock of birds was attracted to him, singing merrily beside him, as if adding vitality and energy to this special moment. Their melodious songs, like celestial music, were captivating, enchanting all who heard them and allowing them to forget all their worries and fatigue.
The two children stood aside, watching their younger siblings' first birthday celebration with great interest, their faces beaming with innocent smiles.
The first birthday celebration has officially begun! The three little ones excitedly dashed towards the table like three little rabbits.
Gu Wenshuo's child had the sharpest eyes; he immediately spotted the set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Then, he toddled over with his short legs, stretched out his chubby little hand, and "whoosh!" grabbed the brush. Hey, look at his smug little face! He seemed like a great calligrapher already! However, the little guy clearly wasn't very good with the brush yet. He waved it around excitedly, splashing ink everywhere like a shower of petals, making everyone around him burst into laughter.
Then look at Gu Wenyi's child; he seems particularly interested in that abacus. He stands in front of it, his little hands fiddling with the beads, his focused expression even more serious than an adult's!
Gu Wen'an's child, on the other hand, was captivated by the small, exquisite jade pendant. He carefully picked it up, turning it over and over in his palm, reluctant to put it down.
Gu Mochen stood to the side, watching the children's innocent, lively, and adorable faces, his heart filled with joy. He knew that no matter what path the children chose in the future, they would grow up healthy and happy in the warm atmosphere of Yuncheng. And he would always protect this happy little family, ensuring that this peace and beauty would last forever.
Ye Qingchen didn't care what the child liked, because she no longer had the desire to make money or the desire for power. But she did hope for the unification of the continent, so that the countries would be free from war and live in peace forever.