After hearing my inner thoughts, the ancestors in the Dream of the Red Chamber went berserk.

Time flies, and soon it was November, Jia Daishan's birthday.

Jia Daishan said it wasn't his birthday and he didn't want to celebrate it too much.

However, Grandmother Jia suggested that although it wasn't a full birthday celebration, they should still have one. Several incidents had occurred in the household, and it wouldn't do to remain secluded all the time. Outsiders might think something was wrong and the Jia family was trying to keep a low profile, but doing so would only make them a laughingstock. Besides, it was a birthday celebration, not some extravagant affair; they should invite relatives over for a gathering.

Jia Daishan agreed with this reasoning and nodded in agreement.

Since both Zhang and Wang were pregnant, all the arrangements were made by Grandmother Jia and Jia Min together.

On that day, the Rongguo Mansion was packed with guests. Everyone knew that the Rongguo Mansion had become even more prestigious. After such a grand occasion, both the Rongguo Mansion and the Ningguo Mansion closed their doors.

You said that if Duke Rong was supposed to be recuperating from his injuries, he would be attending court normally now, yet he still doesn't go out to socialize. Even if he wanted to make friends, he couldn't get a chance to visit. But now, seeing that Duke Rong is celebrating his birthday, everyone has come.

Jia She, Jia Zheng, and Jia Jing were all greeting guests at the main gate.

People passing by always felt that these three people had changed, but no one could quite put their finger on what it was.

Today, the two people in charge of registering gifts at Rongguo Mansion had sore hands from writing so many notes.

Today, almost all the four kings, eight dukes, and twelve marquises have arrived. Even those who couldn't attend sent gifts. Not to mention the princes who had even the slightest connection to the Rongguo Mansion, who openly sent various gifts but also discreetly sent theirs. What's even more surprising is that the Emperor himself sent congratulatory gifts, making those who wanted to make connections feel that their trip was worthwhile. Who says the Rongguo Mansion is not what it used to be? It seems that as long as the Emperor is alive, the Jia family will remain unapproachable.

Since both Zhang and Wang were pregnant, they only received the female relatives in the courtyard.

As soon as Jia Hu and his two grandsons arrived, they were dressed up in adorable little outfits, all predominantly light blue. In the morning, when Grandmother Jia saw them, she held each one and admired them. She remarked that the clothes she had ordered were indeed excellent; the light blue suited her three little grandsons very well. She added with a smile that she had also prepared many other colors for them to change into according to their preferences.

Their task today is to act as mascots, being called over by various elders to meet people they don't even know. All they have to do is be well-behaved and obedient.

Jia Hu was a little nervous; he had never seen anything like this before, and there were just too many people.

Fortunately, all I had to do was wait for my elders to summon me. Today, the Jia family had hosted two grand operas, one for the women and one for the men. Jia Zhu and Jia Zhen were getting restless and wanted to go see the opera, but soon someone from Grandmother Jia's side came to call them to greet the guests.

Upon arriving, Jia Hu was dazzled by the room's decorations. Each lady, strikingly beautiful, was vying for attention. The older women were more dignified, while the younger ladies and young women displayed their extravagance, adorned with countless headdresses and accessories, their very fabrics shimmering. Entering the room felt like stepping into a celestial paradise.

Jia Hu was led around to meet this princess, that county princess, that lady, and that sister.

Jia Hu tried hard to remember people but found he couldn't remember many at all, let alone his two younger brothers. Although the process of recognizing people was painful, the gifts he brought out were substantial. Jia Hu, Jia Zhu, and Jia Zhen exchanged bewildered glances; those people had been so full of praise, their words so eloquent that the three of them were practically unrecognizable.

Xiao Jiazhu rubbed her face vigorously.

"Brother, does my face look ugly?"

He was so cute when he was little. When he pretended to be serious and bowed, the ladies and wives loved him so much that they would all pinch his little face. He felt that his face was being pinched so much that it didn't look good anymore.

Jia Hu couldn't help but chuckle and touched Jia Zhu's cheek.

"Little Pearl is still the cutest."

The three of them had just caught their breath when they were brought to the male guests' side again. While the female guests were being gently pinched on the cheeks, the male guests were much more relaxed.

Many of those present were military officers. They would come over, have their arms and legs massaged, ask them to demonstrate a horse stance or something, and then praise them as young talents.

The civil officials were much more refined; they would often recite a poem or ask a question, and they would receive much praise in return. After going around in circles, the three children were exhausted, and no amount of gifts could make up for the damage caused by being forced to perform in public.

When it was time to eat, they were finally not served a table for the adults, but a separate table was set up for the young masters who had come. As the host, Jia Hu only needed to politely lead everyone in eating, drinking, and playing together.

He tried hard to identify any key figures. But after looking around, aside from a few mentioned in the book who later succeeded their fathers, no major characters appeared. It seemed the younger ones hadn't been brought out.

Jia Hu told himself to be patient, because according to the book, the main storyline had not yet begun and the main quest had not yet been created.

As the guests gradually dispersed in the afternoon, Jia Hu and his two companions saw them off at the door, bidding a reluctant farewell to the children they had just met and inviting each other to visit their homes next time. Just when Jia Hu thought this tiring yet fulfilling day was coming to an end, Zhang sent someone to summon him again.

Upon arriving at Zhang's courtyard, Zhang was talking to a tall, beautiful, and amiable woman.

Seeing Jia Hu approach, Zhang said with a smile:

"Hu'er, come here and quickly pay your respects to your aunt."

Jia Hu was taken aback. So this was the aunt he didn't remember?

Jia Hu obediently went to greet them.

Madam Sun hugged Jia Hu tightly, overjoyed, and said:

“Our Hu Ge is getting more and more handsome.”

Then he took out another exquisite jade unicorn and said:

"This was blessed by a master. I've always wanted to give it to you, but I never had the chance. Today I can finally give it to you in person." Jia Hu looked up at Zhang Shi, who smiled and said:

"You should accept this from your aunt."

Madam Sun sighed with emotion, "I think our Hu'er is a natural-born child, inheriting all the good qualities of you and your brother-in-law. He's already so handsome and extraordinary at such a young age; who knows what he'll be like when he grows up."

Zhang covered her mouth and laughed, "Sister-in-law, please stop praising him. If you keep praising him, he'll fly away."

Jia Hu covered his face, somewhat embarrassed.

Sun laughed heartily and said, "It's rare to see you twice a year. Since you've seen me today, you must give me a good kiss, so that my nephew won't disown me as his aunt later."

Jia Hu quickly said he wouldn't, and that he would remember.

This made Mrs. Sun and Mrs. Zhang laugh heartily.

After laughing, Zhang said, "Sister-in-law, you still love teasing children."

Mrs. Sun picked up her handkerchief and dabbed at the corner of her eye:

"I remember when I first came to the Zhang family, you were such a young child, always imitating your father and older brother, with a serious little face, you were so adorable."

Zhang also recalled her earlier coquettish remark:

"Sister-in-law, you also said that you used to always lead me astray."

"A girl can only stay at home for a few years at most, so she should relax as much as possible. Why follow so many rules?"

After hearing this, Zhang sighed deeply. Her mother had passed away early, and her father had never remarried, as he was always busy with official duties. Although her father and brothers doted on her, they were still men. It was her eldest sister-in-law who had taken care of her since she entered the family, and she felt that her sister-in-law treated her no differently than her mother.

Sun said lovingly:

“I asked my family for the two old women who took care of me when I had children. I originally wanted to give them to them, but I heard that the palace had bestowed the title of ‘Sacred Hand Nurse’, so I didn’t bring them with me.”

Upon hearing this, Jia Hu immediately thought of double insurance.

Zhang laughed and said:

"My sister-in-law still loves me the most. Why are you reluctant to part with me now?"