Chapter 400: Birthday Presents

Different from the others, the various countries emissaries have been in the great hall since the beginning. Letting them spectate the entire process wasnt necessarily not a way to show off ones might.

After Jing Wan and them said their congratulations, they just took their seats. Qian Chen Hall, as the place where the court sessions were held, its layout, compared to other places, differed to some extent. The east and west side both had wide enough s.p.a.ce. Of course, even so, to be able to enter and immediately sit, it was still just a portion of people. Even if there was more s.p.a.ce, if ones status is not high enough, then theres still no place for one to stand.

Richly decorated carved pillars erect within the hall, and at this very moment, orderly seats were arranged in between, ten rectangular tables, three each to the east and west, and two each to the north and south. The tabletop was relatively low, and after taking ones seat, it was no different from sitting while kneeling. This can be considered quite the challenge towards ones etiquette. Arranging this kind of seat, how was it not necessarily for the sake of seeing certain countries make a fool of themselves.

The princes needed to present the birthday presents one by one. Thus, everyone all took their seats first.

Qi Yuan didnt have a crown prince. Kang Qinw.a.n.g was both the di-born and the eldest, so the princes presenting their presents, starting from him, there was nothing to criticize.

Speaking of which, because the Empresss health was lacking, Kang Qinw.a.n.g has been relatively low-key recently, for the most part, no longer acting impulsive and disregarding the consequences, conscientiously working, not standing out as much as possible, and the entire faction all very rarely caused trouble for the other factions. It was more than enough to see just how important the Empress was for the entire faction.

The Empress didnt have the energy, so the birthday present this time was prepared by Kang Qinw.a.n.g himself. Of course, although its said to be prepared by himself, in reality, it was still the outcome of gathering various opinions. However, the Empress had been informed about that present in advance. Although she didnt see the actual thing, but after hearing the description, the Empress for once praised Kang Qinw.a.n.g.

Although between this pair of mother and son, there was also quite the barrier, in fact, Kang Qinw.a.n.g was even aware that he was just a p.a.w.n in his own mothers hand, but in the end, they didnt thoroughly fall out. After all, they both needed one another. At present, there was no room for internal dispute. Unanimously fighting against the outside was the most crucial right now. As such, for Kang Qinw.a.n.g to be able to obtain his own mothers affirmation, he still couldnt help but feel happy inside.

A half a person tall chest got carefully lifted in. After opening, a blue and white porcelain jar

[1]

that was as tall as the chest was extracted from between the soft padding.

The porcelain jar as a whole didnt appear that prominent, but under careful examination, one would discover that this thing definitely wasnt simple. Its body was thick, the inside fully glazed, white base with blue calligraphy, the calligraphy each having its own uniqueness, but it was all the same character(longevity). The characters size curved and stretched along the jars shape, both structured and natural, charming and elegant. The characters form had circles, squares, and triangles, further having it drawn into the shape of an immortal peach, or having the upper half of the (longevity) character formed into little mountains, the meaning nothing more than just having longevity comparable to the southern mountains. There were also ones with winding and complicated lines, meaning living a long and continuous life.

(T/N: Below are examples of how the character can be written in different ways. A lot of it is actually ancient script thats not used in modern times anymore.)

Imperial father, this is a Ten Thousand Longevity Vessel

[2]

. Along the top of the mouth, theres two circles of longevity patterns, each circle having seventy-seven characters. Along the side of the mouth, and along the outside of round foot

[3]

, each circle has forty-eight characters. On the body of the vessel, theres seventy-five vertical columns and a hundred and thirty horizontal rows, summing up to exactly ten thousand characters. Long live the Emperor for tens of thousands of years.

(T/N: My brain crashed multiple times trying to translate this line, but I added the numbers to double check and it does add up to ten thousand. Also I happened to find this exact vessel, its an actual historic artifact.)

As the heavenly Emperor, receiving this kind of present on ones birthday, without a doubt, greatly improved ones mood, brightly smiling as he praised a few words. Then, looking again at the expressions of the various emissaries, either amazed, or astonished, or envying, his mood couldnt help but improve more.

One has to know, firing such a large piece of porcelain required an extremely high level of skill, such bright and beautiful blue and white color required the highest quality material, and such varied and elaborate forms of the character (longevity) further required having deep knowledge in the written language. Furthermore, such extraordinary planning further manifest his sons reverence towards him. Regardless of what, it all very much gave him face.

Qi Yuans various silk fabrics and porcelain wares have always been favored by the other countries, and it was probably just Former Wei that was capable of competing with Qi Yuans craftsmans.h.i.+p. However, judging from the somewhat unsightly complexions of the few from Former Wei, one practically can conclude that this porcelains level of craftsmans.h.i.+p, perhaps even Former Wei was unable achieve.

My son has heart, quickly rise. Reward.

Kang Qinw.a.n.g got up, Thanks imperial father. His inner delight practically couldnt be concealed. During this period of time, hed continuously been suppressed, watching certain people jump around in front of him. Now, he was finally able to raise his brows and snort. His line of sight intentionally or otherwise swept over his younger brothers, carrying a faint provocation.

In reality, there really werent many among the various princes that maintained a calm expression. Even their consort mothers all started to worry along with, secretly hating on the inside. They probably never thought that Li Hong Yi would bring out such a treasure that was full of auspicious meaning. One has to know, in past years, the things Li Hong Yi sent out have always emphasized on being steady, neither standing out, nor making a mistake, yet how come this year he just used up all his thoughts?

Quite a few peoples thoughts spun around and immediately just figured out the key within. With the Jiangnan matter in front, it was precisely Kang Qinw.a.n.g that suffered the most disastrous losses, and afterwards, with the Empress falling heavily ill, this faction of theirs was like as if losing its main pillar. Under this kind of circ.u.mstance, naturally it was needing to think of ways to win back the emperors favor, so its no wonder for there to be such a meticulously clever item.

Next, it was the third prince Rui Qinw.a.n.g, Li Hong Mings turn. Comparatively speaking, he was actually very calm, seemingly unconcerned towards the Ten Thousand Longevity Vessel, and seemingly also possessing exceptional confidence towards his own thing. As such, it inevitably made certain peoples complexion worsen yet again.

Li Hong Yi took his seat, and Li Hong Ming got up. Their line of sight converged in midair, one calmly smiling, one smugly smiling. In that instant, their eyes exchanged several blows.

Li Hong Ming bowed and then clapped his hands. His present also got lifted in, seemingly a cage, the outside covered in red silk. Everyone was bewildered inside. From the looks of it, this should be a living creature?

Li Hong Ming didnt keep everyone in suspense either, directly having the red silk lifted. Seeing the thing inside, quite a few people all inhaled a cold breath.

That was a white tortoise, roughly the size of a millstone. Tortoises have always symbolized longevity. This kind of white tortoise was further a rarity among rarities, an auspicious sign. Its no wonder Rui Qinw.a.n.g was this calm and composed. Since one Ten Thousand Longevity Vessel can be made, then certainly a second can be made as well, but this auspicious sign wasnt the same. One may not necessarily be able to encounter one in a thousand years.

Wis.h.i.+ng imperial father boundless longevity. Li Hong Ming neither heavily nor lightly spoke, his bearing increasingly calm.

This present surpa.s.sed Li Hong Yis, and this speech and conduct, from the looks of it, also further surpa.s.sed. Quite a few officials all couldnt help but nod, inwardly praising.

Good Le Cheng Emperors smile was increasingly obvious, Reward! Although his words were few, his mannerism already explained everything.

This time, Li Hong Yis complexion also turned green along with the others, his fist tightly clenching, ruthlessly cursing Li Hong Ming on the inside. However, he was also glad that hed gone first.

The only one feeling strange inside was probably just Jing Wan, a sickly tortoise

Gong Qinw.a.n.g, unfortunately, wasnt that lucky. Recently, because Shu Consort Qin was in charge of the phoenix seal, he can be said to have been very lively. However, now, with the two in front, his thing just appeared insignificant.

Sure enough, what Gong Qinw.a.n.g prepared was a hundred longevity embroidered screen. Although it was a doubled-sided embroidery, and under normal circ.u.mstances, it was also pretty good, but now, heheh..

[1] Blue and white porcelain, or blue flower porcelain, is a very specific and traditional style of porcelain ware. Ive added picture examples below.

[2] (zun) in this context is referring to an ancient wine vessel. Below are examples of its shape.

[3] Round foot is the technical term for the base of the vessel. Its the literal translation of .

T/N: Finally reached chapter 400, only 200+ more chapters until the end. TBH I really want to finish by the end of this year, but Im at the mercy of the authors word count.