PFC Chapter 150 Mother's Old Friend
Chapter 150 Mother's Old Friend
Lu Lingxi was feeling drowsy under the spring sun when Su Zhou, who was standing next to him, spoke again: "Looks like it! Really looks like it!"
Lu Lingxi was puzzled: Like? Like what? No one was talking at this moment, but Mrs. Su was still able to find a topic. I admire her very much.
Thinking this in his heart, Lu Lingxi turned his head and looked at Su Zhoushi and asked directly: "What does it look like?"
Unexpectedly, these three words made Su Zhou's eyes moist. She raised her hand to wipe the corners of her eyes, her voice choking a little: "You and your mother are really alike. The Crown Princess doesn't know yet, right? Your mother and I are close friends. When your mother was pregnant with you, she even said that she wanted you to recognize me as your godmother. But your mother left in a hurry, and your father is not in Kyoto all year round, so it's not easy for me to visit you casually, so we don't visit each other much."
Hearing that Su Zhou was an old friend of his mother, Lu Lingxi became interested. Why didn't his father mention that his mother had such a close friend when he told him about her past? Out of curiosity, Lu Lingxi started chatting with Su Zhou.
"Mrs. Su, how much do I resemble my mother?"
"As for their looks, they are not 100% similar, but at least 90% similar. Their personalities are very similar. They are polite and distant to strangers, and look elegant and quiet. But they laugh and joke around with acquaintances without paying attention to etiquette."
Lu Lingxi thought: This character is similar to what Daddy said, but as for the appearance, I have seen the portrait of my mother in Daddy's study, and it seems that I don't look that much like him. Daddy also said that I look more like him. However, since Mrs. Su mentioned her old friendship with my mother, I guess she will talk about the purpose of her visit today. I will just listen quietly.
Then Su Zhou continued, "I still remember that when I was young, Minjun and I would sneak out of the house to catch fish by the river and to rob bird nests on the mountain. Childhood is always happy and short. Later, I got married early and Minjun was burdened with household affairs, so we had less time to meet. But every time we met, we never felt strange. It always felt like we had endless topics to talk about..."
Later, Su Zhou talked to Lu Lingxi a lot, all about her and Lu Lingxi's mother Liu Minjun. Then a maid came and said, "The banquet has begun. Please go to the main hall to eat!"
Su Zhou was shocked to realize that she was the only one talking, and she did not give the Crown Princess a chance to talk to her, so she apologized, "I am sorry to bother you, Your Majesty, and disturb your peace. I just saw your face and thought of our old friends, and forgot my feelings for a moment. I hope you will not be offended."
Lu Lingxi smiled and said, "How could that be? Madam Su has a deep friendship with my mother. She is half a concubine to me, an elder. I have never seen my mother since I was a child. I am very happy to hear about her from you. Madam Su, please tell me more after lunch."
Su Zhou nodded: "I don't dare to be called an elder, but Your Majesty, I am very grateful that you don't mind me talking too much."
They were all polite words. Lu Lingxi just smiled and didn't say anything else. Then he stood up and went to the main hall.
A screen separates the seats for men and women in the middle of the main hall. Neither can see the person opposite them, but can hear their voices.
In the middle of the main hall were placed luxurious benches and a long table, which should be the seats for Emperor Nan Zheng and Empress Gu, so that guests on both sides could see them.
After reaching the door, maids came to lead the noble ladies and ladies to the arranged seats. Chunhong, Liulu, and Yunhong were already waiting to serve Monk Lu Lingxi and his concubine. The maids of others also stood and waited obediently.
Before the banquet started, Emperor Nan Zheng and Empress Gu took their seats. After they took their seats, everyone stood up and saluted.
Then, Prince of Qi Nan Jingye came to the table with the eldest grandson of the emperor. Of course, the eldest grandson was held by his wet nurse.
Lu Lingxi saw the little child, who was clean and white, wearing a tiger-head hat and shoes, and wrapped in a red swaddling cloth embroidered with gold patterns. Because she was far away and the nurse was holding her arms, she couldn't see what the pattern was embroidered on.
Speaking of which, Lu Lingxi's current status is quite noble, so he should be able to get a front seat, but today Queen Gu and members of Queen Gu's mother's family are here, they are all elders, so Lu Lingxi's seat was moved to the back and he couldn't sit at the main table.
Gu Yan'er should have been present today. She was the cousin of the King of Qi and the elder sister of the Princess of Qi. She should have had a seat at the table, but she didn't come today. It was probably because of the embarrassment of breaking off the engagement, and her own wedding was approaching, so she had to prepare well at home.
Lu Lingxi, the female family member from the Prime Minister's Mansion, only knew Madam Qin. The young woman sitting on the left of Madam Qin, in gorgeous clothes, at the main seat at the table, was probably the mother of today's other protagonist, the eldest grandson of the legitimate emperor - Princess Qi, Gu Ying'er. On the left of Princess Qi was her biological mother, Madam Liu from the Prime Minister's Mansion.
I have to say that the Princess of Qi and Madam Liu look alike, and their temperaments are similar, both of them are charming, and Madam Qin looks a bit old-fashioned sitting next to them. I didn't expect that Prime Minister Gu, who looks gentle and noble, is also vulgar in private, and likes delicate and clingy people like most men.
While Lu Lingxi was thinking, Nan Jingye cleared his throat and said loudly, "First of all, thank you all for coming to my humble home and attending my son's full moon banquet. My son is young and cannot speak, so I, as his father, would like to thank you all on his behalf."
When Lu Lingxi heard this, he wanted to applaud reflexively, but when he saw that no one else was moving, he put his hand down again.
No one paid attention to Lu Lingxi's little action. Nan Jingye continued, "As the ancients said, only when you raise a child can you understand the kindness of your parents. During the month of taking care of Hong'er, I deeply understand how difficult it is to raise a child. I also understand that my father and mother have given so much to me. No matter how much I say here today, it is not enough to express my gratitude to you."
After saying this, he bowed deeply to Emperor Nan Zheng and Queen Gu who were sitting on the main seat.
Then Nan Jingye gave another speech, and all that remained in Lu Lingxi's ears was "Aba~Aba~Aba~"
Finally it was over. Queen Gu stood up, took the eldest grandson from the wet nurse, and walked out of the hall.
Lu Lingxi asked Concubine Shang in confusion: "What is this for? Why did the Queen Mother leave? She doesn't want to eat at the banquet?"
Concubine Shang explained in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "The Queen Mother will be back soon. She just took the eldest grandson of the Emperor outside for a symbolic walk. This is an indispensable part of the full moon banquet. It means taking the child out to see the world. When he grows up, he will see more of the world and be brave and responsible."
As soon as Concubine Shang finished explaining, she heard Queen Gu yelling something outside. This time, before Lu Lingxi could ask, she explained, "This is the nursery rhyme that Queen Mother is singing to the eldest grandson of the emperor."
Lu Lingxi nodded to show that he understood.
After Empress Gu finished praying for blessings, she returned and handed the eldest grandson of the emperor to the nurse. She was particularly happy and said to Emperor Nan Zheng: "Hong'er has gained a lot of weight since the last time he entered the palace. He is growing very well."
The Southern Emperor also said happily: "Great, great! Rewards, the wet nurse and the palace maids who serve me will all be rewarded!"
The nurse and the palace maids knelt down to express their gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Your Majesty!"
At this point all the ceremonies are over and the feast can begin.