Chapter 579: Chapter 546: Uncle, I Want That Donkey (First Update)
The kitchen was bustling, but finally, the banquet started at 7:45 AM.
Most of the guests attending todayâs banquet were familiar with the Crown Princeâs face.
Zhao Xi didnât 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 come out for the feast?"
"I asked, but the teacher said he wouldnât come."
"Forget it, then." Wen Wan sighed, "Iâll ask someone to send him food later."
Due to his own reasons, Xu Dengke didnât like lively occasions. He was used to quietly staying in a room alone, reading and practicing calligraphy. Although his pace was extremely slow, his perseverance was commendable. In Wen Wanâs impression, he had never been discouraged or felt inferior because he couldnât 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 supremely talented.
Wen Wan once again deeply felt that her husbandâs vision was excellent.
Given Xu Dengkeâs disposition, many people, upon hearing his name, 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 Dengkeâs 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 same table.
Seeing Jinbao, Song Fang smiled and waved at him, "Little guy, come over here and let your aunt see if youâve 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 youâre still thinking about your auntâs?"
Jinbao pursed his lips, peeked out half his head, "Just one look."
After speaking, he immediately retracted his head.
Song Fang snorted lightly, "Just hide then, letâs see if you come out to eat later."
Jinbao hadnât 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 menâs side with his short legs.
Wen Wan sat down beside Granny Song, her gaze meeting Xu Jiaâs across the table, "Earlier, your Second Master seemed very anxious to find you, was it something 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 me to comfort the child."
The Second Langâs 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 heâs likely a bit introverted. This child is quite pitiable."
Xu Jia nodded along with a smile.
Meanwhile, Jinbao was sitting next to Song Wei. Tang Yong at the next table recognized him as the brother who was previously riding the mechanical beast. He couldnât eat and kept looking at Jinbao, appearing as if heâd cry if he didnât get the mechanical beast from Jinbao.
With the adults present, Jinbao mimicked his father and sat upright. While Song Wei chatted with the guests, he didnât forget to serve food to his sonâs 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 extremely aggrieved.
When Song Wei passed another serving, he noticed his son hadnât eaten. He followed Jinbaoâs gaze and saw it was Tang Yuanâs nephew.
A smile touched Song Weiâs eyes as he gently asked, "Whatâs 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 mechanical beast was initially proposed by Minister Song Sicheng. Naturally, the first finished product belonged to their family. Many children at todayâs banquet had seen the mechanical beast and loved it, but no one dared to publicly ask for it like Tang Yong did.
After all, this was the first improved mechanical beast. As a toy for children, it might not have much innate value, but its significance was extraordinary.
"Yongyong, donât make trouble."
His nephewâs 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 everyoneâs gaze, Song Wei remained calm and asked Tang Yong, "Then tell me why you want it. If you explain well, Uncle will give it to you, how about that?"
Tang Yongâs 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 arenât you speaking?"
Song Yuanbao looked at his younger brother and asked, "Jinbao, do you really plan to give him the mechanical beast?"
Jinbao lowered his head to drink soup.
Even though he was rather reluctant to part with the newly acquired mechanical beast, this child clearly knew how to play clever tricks; if he didnât give it to him, father would be in an awkward position.
Jinbao thought naively, grinned, "Little brother is so cute, and heâs even cuter riding the mechanical beast, so letâs 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 youâre 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 became 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 times today and couldnât 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 meet Song Weiâs gaze.
Song Wei said, "My wife asked me days ago to find some books for your Second Lady, intended as gifts for her postnatal confinement. The books are with me now, so instead of sending them over, why donât you take them for the Second Lady, Second Master?"
After saying this, Song Wei signaled to Song Yuanbao.
Song Yuanbao immediately 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, arenât you going to open it and see what books they are?"
Tang Yuan hesitated at first, but seeing the guestsâ curiosity, he reluctantly opened the box. The few guests close enough to see inside gasped in surprise.