Tonight, Luo Qinghan wore a deep-black, wide-sleeved robe. This color gave off a very cold feeling, yet it matched his temperament perfectly.
He was like the finest jade—cold, elegant, beautiful, and extremely attractive.
When he appeared in Fengqi Garden, he immediately drew the attention of the entire venue.
Everyone bowed to salute him one after another.
“Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Empress Qin disliked bustling noise, so tonight’s birthday banquet was held very simply, and those who came were all family members.
Luo Qinghan said indifferently, “No need for formalities.”
Very soon, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress arrived.
The moment the three major figures arrived on the scene, the atmosphere instantly became quiet. All those who were chatting with each other just now shut their mouths and saluted to ask after their health in a neat and orderly manner.
The Emperor resided in the main seat, with the Empress Dowager on his right and the Empress on his left.
The Crown Prince’s seat was at the first position on the left, right next to the Empress.
Xiao Xixi quietly sneaked a glance at the Empress.
This Empress Qin was also a rarely-seen beauty, but her brows and eyes were too aloof and cold, and her thin lips were pursed into a straight line. Even at her own birthday banquet, there was still not a trace of a smile on her face, making her look very difficult to approach.
Xiao Xixi thought to herself, she finally knew why Luo Qinghan always had a poker face.
As it turned out, he learned it from Empress Qin.
In contrast, the Empress Dowager appeared much more genial, smiling warmly, and her gaze toward the juniors always carried an affectionate and loving feeling.
The Emperor was forty years old this year, with a tall and straight figure and handsome looks. Compared to his sons’ youthful vigor, his body possessed more of a mature charm settled by time.
It had to be said that the looks of this entire family were exceptionally high, no wonder the descendants they produced were also very good-looking.
This was the innate advantage brought by genes!
After everyone took their seats, tonight’s birthday banquet officially began.
The princes began to present their birthday gifts one by one.
In previous years, the first person to present a gift was always the Eldest Prince, Luo Yechen. But now that Luo Qinghan had become the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince’s status was honorable, this wonderful task of being the first to step forward naturally fell upon him.
He stood up and spoke a paragraph of blessings.
Because it was spoken in Classical Chinese, it made Xiao Xixi’s head spin, completely failing to figure out what exactly he had said.
The congratulatory gift Luo Qinghan presented was a landscape painting.
This painting came from the hands of a famous master.
Most importantly, the person who painted this landscape was Empress Qin’s maternal great-grandfather, and this painting was moreover her maternal great-grandfather’s final masterpiece before his death.
When Empress Qin saw this painting, her originally cold gaze underwent a slight change.
Her maternal great-grandfather was a very famous calligrapher and painter in the Dasheng Dynasty who had left behind many works, but this final masterpiece had always been lost out in the world and could not be found no matter what. She had not expected Luo Qinghan to present it in front of her.
Presumably, he had spent a great deal of effort to find this painting.
Empress Qin personally took the painting and looked at it carefully over and over again.
“You have spent much effort.”
Luo Qinghan bowed and retreated back to his original position.
Just as he sat down, the Eldest Prince, Luo Yechen, could not wait to stand up and step forward to present his gift.
Compared to Luo Qinghan’s reserved restraint, Luo Yechen appeared much more robust and straightforward.
He said a sentence wishing Imperial Mother a life as long as the Southern Mountains, and then with a wave of his hand, he had people carry up a glittering golden Buddha statue.
That was a Buddha statue crafted from pure gold, roughly as tall as a person.
When it was carried up, the entire Fengqi Garden was illuminated by the golden light.
Xiao Xixi felt as if she could smell the fragrance of money.
This Eldest Prince was indeed wealthy!
Luo Yechen stood on the spot with his chest out and his head held high, looking high-spirited.
He thoroughly enjoyed this feeling of being the center of attention.