Chapter 133: Competing to Offer Birthday Wishes
In the blink of an eye, it was Prince Zhao’s birthday.
Prince Zhao’s Mansion was even more lively than the Lantern Festival.
Almost all the high officials and nobles in the Capital City came to celebrate, and officials from other regions who couldn’t attend in person also sent representatives.
Even the Imperial Household sent many people, bearing many imperial gifts from the Emperor and Empress.
Gong Changan and a few other children were sandwiched among the adults, looking around, which broadened their horizons.
“How is it? Didn’t I tell you, if you want to see true wealth and status, you have to come here,” Qiao Ziyu whispered to Gong Changan, “It’s truly dazzling.”
“What’s so great about this?” Xu Mang scoffed, “When Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent inherits the throne, he might even become Emperor Emeritus in a hundred years!”
“Shut your mouth! How can you say such things?!” Qiao Ziyu quickly tried to cover his mouth.
“How am I speaking carelessly? Everyone knows this,” Xu Mang pushed his hand away, saying indignantly, “I just don’t like your timid and cautious demeanor.”
“Ziyu is doing it for your own good. These words truly cannot be spoken carelessly,” Gong Changan also admonished Xu Mang sternly, “Even if everyone knows, one must still be cautious. Otherwise, why be so timid and careful? Not to mention this, even between father and son, if the Crown Prince shows the slightest eagerness to succeed, the Emperor will regard him as a thorn in his side, according to the history books.”
Gong Changan was the most persuasive among the children. Even if Xu Mang didn’t listen to Qiao Ziyu, he still heeded Gong Changan’s words.
So he drooped his head and said, “I won’t say it then.”
“Good brother,” Gong Changan put an arm around him affectionately, “I know you’re a straightforward and honest person, so we naturally have no secrets between us and can say anything. But it’s crowded and there are many eyes and ears here. Brother Ziyu and I are reminding you to protect you.
When we make a good impression at the birthday banquet later, we’ll make sure the Capital City is shaken, and they’ll know of our existence.”
His words cheered Xu Mang up again, and he raised his face, saying, “That’s right! We haven’t been practicing for nothing these past few days.”
“Young sirs, don’t wander off. Follow me over here,” the butler of Duke Qiao’s Mansion hurried over and said to the young masters.
Then he led them to the back courtyard of Prince Zhao’s Mansion.
There was a large cuju field here, with stands on all sides.
It was now decorated with abundant flowers and many shade tents had been erected.
“Look, the valuable items placed in that pavilion should be there. Good heavens, there are so many,” Feng Tianzhu said, pointing to a pavilion not far away.
“My goodness, these things are probably worth tens of thousands of taels of silver,” Qiao Ziyu clicked his tongue, “I heard that several places this year, like ours, sent cuju teams!”
“We’re standing anyway, why not go down and stretch our muscles,” Gong Changan said.
He had already spotted Song Xiang in the crowd. Today, Song Xiang was wearing short-sleeved attire, and beside him were several people dressed similarly, standing with their hands on their hips under a willow tree, chatting. It looked like they were also going to perform the kick ball game to celebrate the birthday.
Prince Zhao loved cuju, to the point of obsession. He kept cuju experts in his own mansion and would watch people play cuju when he had free time. If he was in the mood, he would even join in himself.
The children, hopping and skipping, ran onto the cuju field. At first, they didn’t attract much attention, being mistaken for mischievous children.
However, Song Xiang still saw Gong Changan, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
He thought to himself, this little brat actually came today. It’s a pity that Ma Daguang failed to get rid of him last time.
Before long, Duke Qiao and others also accompanied Prince Zhao, and among the people following them, several were particularly conspicuous: the Kunlun slaves brought by Duke Qiao’s Mansion.
They were pitch black, with terrifyingly robust physiques, wearing embroidered sleeves and armbands. With every step they took, it seemed as if they would crush the square bricks beneath their feet.
“Oh my, look at these black iron towers, who dares to compete with them?! If you accidentally get kicked, you might spit blood!”
“Not necessarily. These people are too clumsy, and they’ll inevitably lack agility. Cuju requires skillful use of strength; it’s not about who is stronger or taller.”
Many people were discussing.
Prince Zhao heard this and laughed, “It seems my birthday this year will be more lively than in previous years. Pass down my decree: everyone who takes the field will be rewarded.”
Duke Qiao then said, “Your Highness, the people you brought are the most eye-catching. Why not let them go on the field first!”
“Your Highness, I didn’t just bring them,” Duke Qiao said, beckoning to his son.
Qiao Ziyu and the others quickly ran over and bowed to Prince Zhao.
“Heh, whose children are these?” Prince Zhao smiled, looking at the group of seven or eight-year-olds, “They are all so handsome and adorable.”
Duke Qiao introduced them one by one and said, “My son and his few young friends wish to present a birthday gift to Your Highness. Although it is a child’s trifle and not worthy of the grand occasion, I brought them because of their pure hearts.”
“Very good, very good, rare indeed,” Prince Zhao nodded while stroking his mustache, “How do they wish to present their gift?”
“Replying to Your Highness, we boys also love to play cuju, and we know Your Highness’s fondness for it, so we wish to take the field and show off our flower ball skills to amuse Your Highness and all the guests,” Gong Changan said, cupping his fists.
“You are a child of the Gong family,” Prince Zhao had already noticed Gong Changan among the many children, “Gong Er is truly blessed by heaven to have a child like you!”
“Your Highness is too kind, I always resemble my mother more,” Gong Changan, relying on his status as a child, spoke without reservation.
Everyone was amused by his words. Prince Zhao said, “Very good, you may go on the field. Don’t be nervous or restrained. You will all be rewarded later.”
In fact, including Prince Zhao, everyone felt that these children couldn’t possibly possess great skills. However, a child presenting a birthday gift was a auspicious event, and it would be good for them to warm up the field first.
Gong Changan and the others then took off their outer garments, revealing their short-sleeved attire underneath, and tightly covered their hair with embroidered headbands. They were all of uniform style and color, looking very spirited and cute.
Then, each holding a leather ball, they entered the field. They formed their positions and got ready. Gong Changan led the shout, and the group tossed the cuju ball up, caught it with their right leg, tossed it up again, and then juggled it with their heads.
“Oh my, these young gentlemen really have some skills,” someone from outside the field began to praise.
Following this, the children continuously changed their moves. Among them, Gong Changan’s skill was the greatest. The leather ball seemed to stick to him, moving with his twists and turns, tossing it up and down.
One moment it was an inverted hanging kick, the next a carp tail flick, and even front flips, back flips, and whip kicks – truly all-around excellent skills.
Let alone others, even Prince Zhao was mesmerized by the sight.
