“Young Master He, are you awake?”
In the early morning, Jinping knocked on He Xiuyuan’s door and called out in a soft voice.
He Xiuyuan opened the door upon hearing the sound.
Seeing He Xiuyuan open the door, Jinping immediately brought him hot water.
When she saw He Xiuyuan insist on washing up himself, she obediently stood to the side.
“Young Master He, you still need to accompany the Old Master later for the first birthday celebration of his cousin’s son, which is why you couldn’t rest longer today,” Jinping explained softly from the side.
He Xiuyuan nodded at her words. “No matter, I did promise Old Song yesterday.”
After he finished washing up, Jinping brought him a bowl of congee and some side dishes. After He Xiuyuan finished eating, she led him to the main hall.
At this moment, Song Yongsui was already prepared. Seeing He Xiuyuan arrive, he immediately waved him over. “You’re here! Let’s go together then!”
“Many other scholars will be attending today, so you can make some acquaintances there.”
He Xiuyuan nodded at his words and followed Song Yongsui out the door.
Although there was some distance to Song Yongsui’s cousin’s place, Song Yongsui did not use a carriage. Instead, he took He Xiuyuan to admire the prosperity of Chang’an along the way.
The hawkers’ cries on the street were incessant, and from time to time, foreign merchants could be seen shouting their wares.
Even on a nearby main street, one could see women of exotic charm, dancing barefoot on drums.
As their small, delicate white feet lightly tapped the drum surface, rhythmic drumbeats continuously sounded, while the women, with silk scarves covering their faces, danced to the drum’s rhythm.
It must be said, this dance was truly excellent.
And the exposed slender waist of the dancing woman caused many onlookers to exclaim repeatedly.
Such exotic women, and the attire of the women here in Great Zhao, formed an extremely strong contrast.
Besides that, there were also some burly men dressed in animal skins, with most of their bodies exposed, loudly hawking their wares on the streets.
Such liveliness, it truly lived up to Chang’an City’s reputation.
He Xiuyuan had not come to this street yesterday, so he had not seen this side of Chang’an.
Song Yongsui, noticing He Xiuyuan’s expression, smiled and said, “How is it? Chang’an is prosperous, isn’t it? If you work hard and pass the Juren examination, you’ll have a chance to stay in Chang’an in the future.”
He Xiuyuan was already a scholar at his age. If he worked harder, he still had a chance to pass the Juren examination.
For some unknown reason, He Xiuyuan suddenly lost his drive and was unwilling to even take the imperial examinations.
He Xiuyuan listened to Song Yongsui’s words and knew that the other party was thinking of him, but he truly had no intention of taking the imperial examinations again.
Before He Xiuyuan could speak, Song Sijun, who was beside him, spoke first. “Father, if someone doesn’t want to do something, don’t force them.”
Song Yongsui smiled at her words, then changed the subject and pointed to an acrobatics performance nearby for He Xiuyuan to see.
As the group walked and explored, it was already noon when they arrived at their destination.
Fortunately, Song Yongsui had experienced such matters many times, so he timed it precisely. When the few of them arrived, the first birthday celebration had not yet begun.
“Old Song, you’re a bit late, aren’t you? This is your cousin. Coming so late, you’ll have to penalize yourself with three cups later!”
As soon as He Xiuyuan and the others entered the manor, someone immediately greeted Song Yongsui.
Song Yongsui smiled and nodded in agreement, then smoothly pulled He Xiuyuan over and introduced him to everyone.
This way, He Xiuyuan would not feel too isolated in this unfamiliar environment.
Seeing this, He Xiuyuan also smiled and greeted each person present.
Song Sijun, meanwhile, walked towards the backyard, seeing that the other female relatives had gone there.
Many people came to this first birthday celebration at the manor, including many female relatives, and these female relatives should all be in the backyard now.
As long as she went, she would naturally see them all.
And these female relatives were all her relatives, so she would naturally appear very composed when she went.
As for He Xiuyuan, after greeting the people in front of him, Song Yongsui was then pulled away.
Before the child’s first birthday celebration, the child needed to be bathed and dressed in clean clothes, and then taken to worship the ancestors, informing them that the child had completed one full year, hoping to receive their protection.
Song Yongsui also needed to be present during the ancestor worship.
He Xiuyuan was not a member of the Song family, so he did not need to go to that place.
However, before Song Yongsui left, he arranged for He Xiuyuan to rest in a nearby pavilion, where the scholars who had come today were all gathered.
When He Xiuyuan went over, the scholars present all nodded in greeting to him.
Although they did not know He Xiuyuan, they knew he was an invited guest.
He Xiuyuan had not waited long when, a moment later, a servant came to invite him.
The young master was about to begin his first birthday celebration, and the master of the manor invited everyone to observe.
A moment later.
He Xiuyuan and a group of guests arrived at the main hall.
The main hall had already been arranged; it was originally very spacious and did not feel crowded even with numerous guests.
The Song family also showed great respect to scholars like He Xiuyuan, arranging their seats very close to the front.
A red carpet was laid on the ground, and various items were already placed upon it.
Pens, books, seals, abacuses, coins, rulers, swords, and other items were all present.
After everyone had arrived, the male child, who had been bathed and dressed in new clothes, was brought in.
The boy was extremely well-behaved, with chubby baby cheeks, and his dark, bright eyes seemed very spirited. His small mouth was constantly smiling, looking very happy.
The surrounding guests, upon seeing the boy, couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a handsome child!”
“Child, it’s time for your first birthday celebration. Look at the things on the ground, and pick up whatever you like.”
After the host brought the boy forward, he said something to the child, then placed the child on the ground.
He then stepped back, quietly waiting for the child to pick something up.
The child, at this moment, was lying on the ground, looking left and right, seemingly not very pleased.
After shaking his head and looking around for a moment, the child suddenly looked up and gazed at his parents.
The host immediately spoke, “Quickly, look at the things on the ground, and pick up whatever you like.”
This time, the child seemed to understand the words.
After looking around with his spirited eyes, his dark, bright eyes suddenly locked onto He Xiuyuan, and then he joyfully crawled towards He Xiuyuan.
The little fellow moved quickly, using both his hands and feet to crawl with great speed.
