Chapter 412: A Spear Technique! (2/2)
Luo Qi had already prepared noodle soup, and after Li Muyang and Li s.h.i.+nian each had a bowl. Under the guidance of Luo Qi, they were brought to the main hall of the Lu residence.
Today was Lu Xingkong's birthday. Lu Xingkong also moved out of the plum garden, and gathered together with the family in the main hall of the Lu residence to greet the coming guests.
By the time the trio came to the front courtyard, a few long queues were already lined up across the courtyard.
Headed by Lu Qingming and Gongsun Yu, was a line of sons and nephews, and the grandchildren, led by Lu Tianyu, were in another line. Standing in another line were tall and burly military officers who had worked for Lu Xingkong for many years. The stewards and servants were also divided among the three rows. Those that did not lined up, also were not allowed to the birthday celebration.
Lu Tianyu was in the front of the line of grandchildren, followed by a number of juniors of the Lu family. Lu Lin, who they met yesterday, was also present, and greeted Li Muyang and Li s.h.i.+nian with a smile and nod.
Li Muyang and Li s.h.i.+nian were aware of their ident.i.ty, and very considerately stood at the back of the last row. Luo Qi went to the side where Gongsun Yu and the females in the family were. Gongsun Yu was extremely busy today, there were a number of things that needed her to take care of.
Pa pa pa——
Under the escort of a group of old brothers, Lu Xingkong stepped into the main hall in a silk robe.
He had just sat down in the main hall, when Lu Qingming and Gongsun Yu went forward together, bowed down before him, and pressed their forehead against the floor.
“Father may your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern seas and your life as long as the long lasting Southern mountains.”
“Get up.” Lu Xingkong reached out with both his hands.
Lu Qingming and Gongsun Yu got up at the same time. Then, Gongsun Yu took a tray from the little servant standing next to her and respectfully presented over with both hands. “For Father's 60th birthday, I specially ordered people from the north to hunt two fire fox to make a winter coat for Father——Father hope you don't mind the ugly needlework, please accept Xiaoyu's little gift.”
Lu Xingkong reached out to receive the tray, and gently stroked the st.i.tches on the winter, emotions surging unceasingly within him.
How many years? How many years had he not received clothes sewn by his daughter-in-law? How many years had Gongsun Yu not said auspicious words to her father-in-law?
Ever since that matter happened, their relations.h.i.+p had fallen to freezing point, and for the past many years, Gongsun Yu had hated him as a father-in-law, also hated their Lu family——
He lifted her head up to look at Gongsun Yu and uttered in a low voice, “Good child, good child——all these years, it really has been difficult for you.”
“Father——” Gongsun Yu's voice started to quiver, as her eyes reddened with tears. She turned around to find Li Muyang, in that sea of people, she also did not know where Li Muyang had went.
Li Muyang had returned safe and sound, and was present for Father's 60th birthday, so Gongsun Yu was willing to untie the knot in her heart and present such a warm gift.
“Good child.” Lu Xingkong sighed and said, “It is our Lu family who wronged you.”
“Father, it is a great day today, why say this?” Lu Qingming interrupted.
“Yes, a great day.” Lu Xingkong burst out in a hearty laugh, looking at his son and daughter-in-law. “You two are really thoughtful.”
The two stepped back and stood behind Lu Xingkong, as other descendants of the Lu family came up to pay their respects and offer their birthday gifts.
By the time the uncles had finished presenting their gifts, it was the turn of the group of Generals who could also be called uncles.
Each and every one of these people were like wolves and tigers, and their voices were like a powerful, reverberating sound of thunder. One after another, they went up and kowtowed to Lu Xingkong. The gifts presented were varied, and included wine, meat, swords and weapons.
Lu Xingkong had a deep friends.h.i.+p with every one of them. After exchanging greetings he accepted theirs gift one after another.
By the time these military officers had kowtowed and wished Lu Xingkong a happy birthday, Lu Tianyu was the first to rush over. He 'plopped' on his knees, and banged his forehead against the ground three times, looked up, his forehead slightly red, and said in a loud and clear voice: “Grandchild Lu Tianyu wish Grandfather is continued to be respected by the world for your contribution.”
Lu Tianyu rose from the ground and took a delicate jade box from the little servant beside him, presenting it over with both hands. “Grandfather, this is grandson's birthday gift to you.”
“Thank you, my dear grandson.” Lu Xingkong received the box with a smiling face and was to about to set it aside for now.
“Grandfather, open it and see if you like the gift I gave you.” said Lu Tianyu, grinning.
Lu Xingkong glanced at Lu Tianyu. “What? You want to show the treasure in public today?”
“Tht is Grandson's little gift to you.” Lu Tianyu said with a smile.
So, Lu Xingkong opened the jade box and housed inside was a dazzling bright pearl.
“Thus is?” Lu Xingkong asked. “
“Grandfather, this is a turtle pearl, also known as the longevity pearl. It can only be obtained from thousand year old Xuan turtles. It is very effective. If you use it when bathing it has the effect of strengthening the body and drive away evil.” Lu Tianyu explained with a smug face. Evidently it was a very difficult for him to get the turtle pearl as a birthday gift.
The crowd murmured compliments about Lu Tianyu's gift.
“Young Master Tianyu is indeed a good boy—”
“Turtle pearl is an incredibly rare treasure in the world, I heard that not every single turtle has such a pearl, only Xuan turtles that eat rainbow clams have such turtle pearls—”
“This gift from Young master Tianyu is really special and valuable—”
“I really like this gift, I will carry it with me all the time” Lu Xingkong set down the jade box and said, smiling.
Lu Tianyu beamed: “As long as Grandfather likes it. Tianyu once again wish Grandfather lives a long and healthy life, and reaches the Dragon slayer realm soon.”
Lu Xingkong laughed. Evidently he really liked the birthday wish.
After Lu Tianyu went down, the other grandchildren went up to kowtow, offer birthday congratulations, and present their prepared gifts.
When it was Li s.h.i.+nian's turn, she bowed respectfully before Lu Xingkong, kowtowed three times, and then took out a painting scroll and presented it with both hands: “Grandfather, s.h.i.+nian has no valuable items but I wanted to give you a birthday present, I thought about it over and over again, it really gave me a headache.”
The corners of Li s.h.i.+nian's mouth were curved upwards in a smile, “Then I thought, although I have no valuable things, but I have someone around me who does. So I begged and begged, and finally my brother drew a picture for me, and now I will present my brother's 'Viewing snow in the West garden painting' to Grandfather Lu as a birthday present. I hope Grandfather Lu likes it.”
Lu Xingkong looked at the lively and energetic Li s.h.i.+nian, reached out to her head, before he received the 'Viewing snow in the West garden painting'. He unfolded the scroll and carefully studied the painting for a long while, before he complimented: “Good painting. The composition is careful, and the colours are bold. Through the contrast, the West Garden is brought out vividly. He really lives up to the name of the talented youngster thought highly of by the double walls of painting and calligraphy Gu Huangwu.”
Lu Xingkong pa.s.sed it around to the elders next to him, saying: “I am very happy with this 'Viewing snow in the West garden painting'. Although it is my own backyard, but in the hands of Muyang there is another artistic conception. It's almost as if I had never seen the subject of the painting before. I'll hang this picture in my study, it will help me relieve fatigue when I'm tired.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.” Li s.h.i.+nian beamed. Li Muyang's painting being liked by the old grandfather Lu made her happier than her being liked.
“Silly child, you gave me a present, why did you thank me? I should have thanked you.” Lu Xingkong stated, smiling.
He reached out and pulled Li s.h.i.+nian up from the ground, “Good child, what a good child.”
Li s.h.i.+nian stepped back. It was the turn of Li Muyang to come forward to kowtow and offer birthday congratulations.
Li Muyang was deeply grateful to the Lu family for taking care of his parents and sister, and was also sincerely fond of Grandfather Lu. He bowed down and kowtowed sincerely, and then lifted up his head to say in a clear voice: “I wish Grandfather stay as dazzling as the Sun and moon, and never age like spring and autumn.”
“Hahaha, Muyang, this birthday congratulation is a bit sloppy. The divine continent is vast, how many people can be as dazzling as the sun and moon, and never age like spring and autumn?”
Li Muyang, with a smiling expression, answered: “Then I wish Grandfather is happy everyday, and all your wishes come true.”
“Well, that's more grounded. I like it.” Lu Xingkong burst into a hearty laughter, looking at his talented grandchild. filled him with extreme satisfaction.
Li Muyang presented up a wooden box with both hands, “Grandfather, this is my birthday gift for you, please accept my small token.”
Lu Xingkong received the wooden box, which felt as heavy as though he was holding the sun and moon in his hands.
It was a gift from his own grandson, a gift from his eldest grandson——
His mind was suddenly inundated with a mult.i.tude of feelings.
“Grandfather, I know that Muyang is good at the way of painting, could there be another painting in this box?” Someone behind him said.
Lu Tianyu's eyes were also fixed curiously on the box: “Grandfather, open it and see?”
“If it's a painting, then it's the same as Miss s.h.i.+nian's——”
“It's a spear technique.” Li Muyang stated.
“——”
The room fell utterly quiet, and then all of a sudden loud laughter broke out in the room.
Someone was going to give Lu Xingkong a spear technique as a gift?
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