PFC Chapter 42 Jia Hu's Birthday
Chapter 42 Jia Hu's Birthday
Time flew by amidst everyone's busy schedules. The younger generation was busy attending classes, the older generation was busy striving for advancement, and the elders were adept at navigating the complexities of court politics.
Jia Hu hadn't gotten out of bed yet when Zhang Shi gently called him. Still half asleep, Jia Hu looked at the sky and, seeing it was still early, asked:
Why did Mother wake me up so early today?
Looking at her son's adorable little face, Zhang said:
"You've been so busy with the days that you've lost track of time. Today is your birthday, so you must get up early to kowtow to your grandparents."
Jia Hu was stunned. He had forgotten that it was his birthday. No one had ever celebrated his birthday before. He was also busy making a living, so he gradually stopped looking forward to this day and felt that it was no different from any other day.
Looking at her dazed son, Zhang pinched his cheek and continued to have the maids change Jia Hu's clothes. When Jia Hu woke up, he was dressed up as a large red envelope. He tugged at his clothes and said to Zhang with difficulty:
"Mother, do I really have to dress so...so festively?"
As she looked with a beaming smile at her handsome and adorable son, Zhang said with certainty:
“It’s fine on ordinary days, but today is your birthday, so we have to dress up for good luck. Your grandmother had it prepared a long time ago.”
Jia Hu felt that although it was for good luck, it was going too far. Look at the bright red dress with various auspicious patterns embroidered with gold and silver threads, and the gold pendants and jade gourds on it.
He was practically a walking jewelry display case, jingling and tinkling with every step he took. He was afraid of attracting unwanted attention by going out in public.
Seeing his pouting and reluctant expression, Zhang quickly urged him on.
"Quickly, go and kowtow first."
But then Jia Hu turned around, knelt down, and kowtowed several times.
"A son's birthday is a mother's day of suffering; today, we should kowtow to our mother more often."
Zhang was so moved by her son's unexpected gesture that she almost cried. Remembering it was a joyous occasion, she quickly dabbed at her eyes and said:
“My son has become sensible, and I feel very comforted.”
Jia Hu, seeing Zhang Shi moved to tears, quickly tried to comfort her, but:
"I will be good to my mother in the future."
Zhang smiled and stroked Jia Hu's hair, saying:
"I believe my son is capable!"
After saying this, Jia Hu walked towards Rongxi Hall. After Jia Daishan recovered from his injuries, he moved back to his original residence. Lixiang Courtyard became the residence and school place for Jia Zhu, Jia Zhen, and the other two.
When Jia Hu arrived at Rongxi Hall, Grandmother Jia and Jia Daishan knew he was coming and had already gotten up. When he entered the room, Grandmother Jia was overjoyed.
He knelt down earnestly and kowtowed several times to Jia Daishan and his mother.
Jia Daishan handed him a large red envelope. As soon as Jia Hu received it, he sensed its thickness and knew it contained a considerable amount of money. He smiled brightly and said to Jia Daishan, "
Thank you, Grandfather!
Then, Grandmother Jia handed over a large red envelope. Before Jia Hu could speak, she hugged him tightly and said happily to Jia Daishan:
"Look how handsome our Hu'er is. I wonder how many girls he'll charm when he grows up."
Jia Daishan smiled and nodded in agreement. He could tell from his grandson's young age that he only knew how to praise the good qualities of his father and mother.
The head maid and the old woman beside him also praised it.
"I think Young Master Hu is a lucky man. Look how handsome he is, he's so likable."
This made my mother even happier, and she hugged Jia Hu like her own darling. Jia Hu's face turned as red as his clothes. This was the first time in his two lives that he had been surrounded by so many people praising him.
After everyone had finished celebrating, Grandmother Jia said:
"Today is your birthday, you should go and kowtow to your mother a few times."
Jia Hu said:
"I already kowtowed when my mother came to wake me up today."
Grandmother Jia said happily to Jia Daishan:
"Look, he's only been in school for a short time, and our Brother Hu is already so polite."
Jia Daishan also praised, "Not bad."
It was just a child's birthday, so there wasn't a big celebration. We simply had a banquet for relatives and invited a theatrical performance, making it a lively affair.
Jia Hu had no memory of anyone celebrating his birthday, so he was unusually happy today and had a blast with Jia Zhu and the others.
Jia Daihua smiled at Jia Daishan and said:
"Look, Hu'er usually acts like a little adult, and I often worry that he overthinks things. But today, he's been playing around and is even more mischievous than those two boys."
Jia Daishan watched the children playing and stroked his beard with a smile, saying:
"Why should children be treated like this? If we have to worry about such young children, what are we old folks supposed to do?"
Jia Hu was happy all day long. In the evening, Jia Zhen and Jia Zhu refused to leave and insisted on sleeping with him. The three of them then looked at the gifts Jia Hu had received that day.
The grandfather gave Jia Hu a small bow made of the finest materials, saying that it was given to him by his great-grandfather when he first began learning martial arts. He was giving it to Jia Hu not because he expected him to have great martial arts skills, but only because he wished him good health from now on.