FBC -Chapter 296 The First-Birthday “Zhuazhou” Ceremony

Far away in Bianjing, the political winds were shifting unpredictably.

But in the Southern Frontier, life was vibrant and full of energy—peaceful, prosperous, and flourishing.

In the blink of an eye, their pair of twins had reached their first birthday.

Today, the Prince of Yong’s Manor was holding the traditional zhuāzhōu ceremony for the twins.

From early morning, the entire manor was bustling.

The Mu Residence was festively decorated—bright lanterns and colorful banners everywhere, even livelier than the New Year.

Gu Hua, her mother, and the Old Madam had been busy since dawn, preparing a large soft couch in the main hall.

On the couch was laid out a dazzling array of objects for the ceremony.

A small sword—an essential item for any military family.

A jade seal—symbolizing an auspicious future in officialdom.

An ancient scroll, along with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—representing knowledge and wisdom.

There were also a tiny abacus, a scale, a ruler, a measuring cup, gold and silver ingots, a bow and arrow, a flute, a rattle drum, a small wooden horse, and other toys.

Gu Hua ordered that everyone in the residence stop their work and come observe.

Little Mu Chen and Mu Xi were the entire manor’s precious treasures; everyone was thrilled to see what they would choose.

The two chubby babies were carried onto the couch by their nursemaids. When they saw the pile of items, they immediately became excited.

The servants began whispering guesses, even privately placing wagers with silver. Since it was a joyous occasion, Gu Hua let them play.

The Old Madam and Wang Linyi both watched with loving, eager expressions.

Wang Linyi, a little nervous, held the Old Madam’s hand and whispered, “In-law, what do you think Yuan-Yuan and Tuan-Tuan will pick?”

Yuan-Yuan was elder sister Mu Chen’s nickname; Tuan-Tuan was younger brother Mu Xi’s.

The Old Madam smiled mysteriously. “What do you think?”

Wang Linyi considered. “I think Yuan-Yuan will pick the gold ingot. She always smiles when she sees shiny things.”

Then she glanced at the boy, who was smiling quietly at the heap of items but made no hurry to reach out. “And Tuan-Tuan… he’s so gentle. Whenever he hears his mother recite poetry, he listens quietly. Might he choose the writing tools?”

The Old Madam chuckled. “We’ll see soon enough.”

Gu Hua and Mu Junyan watched with wide eyes. Gu Hua nervously clutched his sleeve.

Mu Junyan gently patted her hand. “Don’t be nervous. Whatever they choose, it is their destiny.”

Gu Hua nodded, though her eyes remained worried. “I know, but I can’t help feeling anxious. Their first grab… it’s a meaningful omen after all.”

The twins wore matching red brocade outfits embroidered with qilin, with tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes.

Yuan-Yuan’s chubby little face was so full of smiles her eyes nearly vanished. She crawled all over the pile of items, picking them up curiously. Each time she grabbed or tossed something aside, the surrounding servants gasped and whooped, as if they were the ones choosing.

Gu Hua felt helpless.

Had she known the servants would be more excited than she was, she wouldn’t have let them bet.

Tuan-Tuan, on the other hand, was as calm and gentle as always. He quietly watched the noisy crowd, then glanced at his sister scrambling around.

His tiny expression seemed to say he was watching a mischievous child—and he, meanwhile, was the composed ruler surveying the land.

Gu Hua blinked in surprise.

“Ziyuan, why is it that Yuan-Yuan is usually the fierce one, yet Tuan-Tuan looks like he’s the elder brother?”

Mu Junyan laughed. “Because the two of them are refined fragments of our combined brilliance.”

Gu Hua rolled her eyes. “You praise two clueless cabbage-babies as if they’re fallen immortals.”

“That’s quite possible.”

Mu Junyan burst into hearty laughter.

Suddenly someone exclaimed, “Eh? Why did Little Miss stop?”

Yuan-Yuan, apparently tired from crawling, plopped down with a thump. Even her smile had worn out, leaving only her big eyes scanning the items like a tiny general inspecting her territory.

After looking around, she boldly pushed aside the abacus blocking the small sword.

Without hesitation, she stretched out a pudgy hand and grabbed the sword hilt, lifting it triumphantly.

“Ma… ma…”

Gu Hua’s eyes widened. “She—she actually grabbed the sword?!”

But Yuan-Yuan wasn’t done. She reached determinedly toward the bow that was a bit farther away.

Mu Junyan bent down with a smiling squint. “Yuan-Yuan, you want the bow?”

Yuan-Yuan grinned at him. “Bow… bow…”

“If you call me dad, I’ll get it for you.”

He had been heartbroken for months—Yuan-Yuan never called him “Dad,” only laughed at him.

But just as he finished speaking, Yuan-Yuan immediately stopped smiling, turned her head away, pushed aside his handsome face, and simply crawled over herself to grab the bow.

She triumphantly waved the sword in one hand and the bow in the other.

Mu Junyan deflated even more, giving Gu Hua—who was laughing so hard she was shaking—a wounded look.

“Isn’t a daughter supposed to favor her father?”

Gu Hua patted his head with a smile. “It’s fine. She loves both her parents.”

Mu Junyan was instantly consoled and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Mm.”

But no one was paying attention to their affection now—Wang Linyi was worried sick.

“Oh dear, Yuan-Yuan is a girl. Why is she so fond of weapons?”

The Old Madam cackled. “Looks like our manor will produce a true Mu-family female general.”

Yuan-Yuan seemed to understand and waved her sword and bow excitedly, squealing in delight, as if announcing that she would roam the world with weapons in hand.

Wang Linyi laughed helplessly. “She really does look like she’s destined to wander the world!”

The Old Madam nodded with satisfaction. “She has spirit. She’s a true Mu.”

Everyone then turned to look at Tuan-Tuan.

He raised his little face, smiling gently, and reached out calmly. In his soft palm lay a jade seal.

A collective gasp rose. “The young master chose the seal!”

Gu Hua was stunned. “When did he take that? I didn’t even see!”

Tuan-Tuan calmly retracted his hand and clasped his other hand over it, as if everything was within his grasp.

The crowd was amazed.

Wang Linyi was thrilled. “Tuan-Tuan is so calm—such composure at such a young age!”

The Old Madam was ecstatic. “Indeed—great potential!”

Mu Junyan smiled at Gu Hua. “Looks like our boy might have a future in officialdom.”

Gu Hua laughed softly. “Whether it’s wandering the martial world or serving as an official, as long as they are safe and happy, that’s enough.”

The servants cheered or groaned depending on whether they had won their bets.

Gu Hua smiled. “Those who lost—put it on my tab.”

The crowd burst into delighted applause.

People chatted excitedly. Yuan-Yuan waved her sword and bow like she was ready to roam the world.

Tuan-Tuan quietly examined his seal with serious concentration.

The lively ceremony ended with a feast for the entire residence.

At sunset, the two little ones, exhausted from playing, fell asleep in their own small beds.

Gu Hua leaned against Mu Junyan, gazing fondly at the twins.

“If only life could always be like this.”

Mu Junyan wrapped an arm around her waist. “It will be.”

Gu Hua lifted her head. “A letter came from the capital, didn’t it?”

She had seen Chi Yan appear earlier to speak with Mu Junyan, and his expression had darkened.

The moment Chi Yan appeared, Gu Hua knew it had to be serious news.