Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 177 The Imperial Banquet for a 2-Year-Old

The wheels of time turned slowly, and before they knew it, Jiang You'an, who had once been a baby in the Xijing Kingdom's palace, was already two years old.

That morning, golden sunlight, like silken threads, filtered through layers of palace gauze, gently illuminating Jiang You'an's bedchamber. On the carved bed, Jiang You'an lay curled up, his face buried in the soft brocade quilt, his breathing even and soft. His long eyelashes trembled slightly with each breath, a healthy blush graced his rosy cheeks, and a faint smile seemed to linger at the corners of his mouth, as if he were having a sweet dream.

The wet nurse approached quietly, a gentle smile on her face, and softly called out, "Little Prince, it's time to get up." Jiang You'an stirred and slowly opened his eyes, his large, dark eyes still showing the dazed look of someone just waking up. He rubbed his eyes, saw the wet nurse, and then broke into a bright smile, calling out in a clear voice, "Nanny."

His wet nurse was charmed by his smile and couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch his little face, saying, "Little prince, today is your birthday. His Majesty and the Empress must have been waiting to see you for a long time."

Jiang Youan nodded, seemingly understanding, and sat up with the help of his wet nurse. Today, he wore a brand-new brocade robe, embroidered with exquisite cloud patterns and auspicious beast designs in gold thread, making him even more adorable and lively. Jiang Youan swung his little legs, and after getting dressed, he couldn't wait to climb off the bed and walk unsteadily out of the palace.

The courtyard outside the palace was already bustling with activity. Palace servants came and went, their faces beaming with joy. The flowers in the flowerbeds were in full bloom, red, yellow, and pink, a riot of colors, swaying gently in the breeze, as if they too were celebrating Jiang You'an's birthday.

As soon as Jiang Youan stepped out of the palace, he saw Jia Xiaoyan standing in the center of the courtyard, smiling at him. Today, Jia Xiaoyan was dressed in a light pink gown, her clothes flowing gracefully, like a fairy descending to earth. She opened her arms and said, "Youan, come quickly to your mother."

Jiang Youan's eyes lit up, and he giggled as he stumbled towards Jia Xiaoyan. Jia Xiaoyan caught him steadily, hugged him in her arms, kissed his little face, and said, "My darling Youan, you're two years old now, another year older."

Jiang Youan hugged Jia Xiaoyan's neck and said happily, "Mommy, hug me."

At this moment, Jiang Liushen also walked over. He was dressed in a black brocade robe with a gold belt around his waist, exuding a commanding presence. Jiang Liushen walked to Jiang...

He reached out and patted You'an's head, his face full of affection: "Happy birthday, You'an. Daddy hopes you grow up healthy and happy."

Jiang Youan looked at Jiang Liushen with joy in his big eyes and reached out his little hands for a hug. Jiang Liushen smiled and took him from Jia Xiaoyan's arms, lifting him high in the air. Jiang Youan excitedly shouted "Ah ah!" and his clear, melodious laughter echoed in the courtyard.

Afterwards, the family headed into the palace to prepare for Jiang Youan's birthday banquet. The palace was decorated extravagantly, with red ribbons and colorful lanterns hanging all around, and the tables laden with sumptuous food and exquisite pastries. Jiang Youan was placed on a small chair next to the head of the table, and he looked around curiously, his little eyes darting around.

The palace maids brought out dish after dish, and Jiang Youan's mouth watered as he looked at the brightly colored food. Jia Xiaoyan picked up a piece of pastry and brought it to Jiang Youan's lips, saying, "Youan, try this, it's delicious."

Jiang Youan opened his small mouth, took a bite of the pastry, and his eyes immediately lit up. He mumbled, "Delicious, delicious."

Jiang Liushen couldn't help but smile as he looked at his son's satisfied expression. He picked up some food and fed it to Jiang Youan, saying, "Eat more, grow up quickly."

Halfway through the birthday banquet, a group of musicians and dancers in gorgeous costumes suddenly entered. The musicians sat down and began playing cheerful music, while the dancers swayed gracefully to the rhythm. Jiang Youan was captivated by the lively scene, watching intently, his little hands waving to the beat.

As the song ended, Jiang Youan clapped his hands excitedly and shouted, "Great! Great!"

Jia Xiaoyan asked him with a smile, "You'an, do you like it?"

Jiang Youan nodded vigorously and said, "I like it, I want to see more."

So the musicians began playing another piece, and the dancers continued their dance. Jiang Youan watched, mesmerized, occasionally letting out a gasp of amazement.

After the birthday banquet, Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan took Jiang Youan to the Imperial Garden. Many colorful lanterns floated on the lake, swaying gracefully in the shimmering water. On the grassy shore, some small toys were laid out, specially prepared for Jiang Youan by the palace servants.

Upon seeing the toys, Jiang Youan immediately broke free from Jiang Liushen's hand and ran over. He picked up a small wooden horse and happily exclaimed, "Little horse, little horse!"

Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan watched their son playing, exchanged a smile, their hearts filled with happiness. Jia Xiaoyan leaned on Jiang Liushen's shoulder and said, "Time flies so fast. You'an is already two years old. Watching him grow up day by day makes me really happy."

Jiang Liushen nodded and said, "Yes, You'an is our precious treasure. We hope he will have a peaceful and smooth life in the future."

When Jiang Youan got tired of playing, he ran back to Jia Xiaoyan, hugged her leg, and said, "Mommy, hug me."

Jia Xiaoyan picked him up, and Jiang Youan nestled in her arms, his eyes gradually closing, seemingly sleepy. Jia Xiaoyan gently coaxed him, "Youan, be good, go to sleep."

Jiang Liushen looked at his wife and child, a gentle smile on his face. He reached out and gently stroked Jiang Youan's head, silently making a wish that the child could grow up carefree under their care and have a bright future.

The little boy wore a light blue brocade robe embroidered with several adorable deer, which made him even more cute and clever. His hair was carefully combed and tied up with a blue ribbon, and his big, dark eyes sparkled with curiosity and intelligence.

Jiang Youan would squat by the flowerbed, carefully observing the flowers, and then chase after the butterflies, giggling as he went. Jia Xiaoyan followed quietly behind him with a smile, her eyes full of doting affection.

Suddenly, Jiang Youan's gaze was drawn to a small pond not far away. Lotus leaves were just beginning to emerge from the water, and several red goldfish swam freely. Jiang Youan quickly walked to the edge of the pond, squatted down, and reached out his small hand to try and catch the goldfish, but they were too agile, swimming away each time just as his hand was about to touch them.

Jia Xiaoyan stepped forward, squatted down beside him, and said, "You'an, goldfish swim very fast in the water, we can't catch them."

Jiang Youan turned his head and looked at Jia Xiaoyan, his big eyes full of doubt, and asked, "Then how can I catch a goldfish, Mother?"

Jia Xiaoyan thought for a moment and said, "Maybe we can use a fishing net to catch them, but we'll just look at the goldfish. They're happier living in the water."

Jiang Youan nodded as if he understood, then looked back at the pond. He tilted his head, seemingly deep in thought. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, he stood up, ran to the nearby bushes, and returned a moment later with a long branch in his hand.

Seeing his actions, Jia Xiaoyan asked with some confusion, "You'an, what are you doing with that tree branch?"

Jiang Youan smiled smugly and said, "Mom, I want to use a branch to drive the goldfish into a corner so they can't escape."

Upon hearing this, Jia Xiaoyan was taken aback. She hadn't expected that little Jiang Youan could come up with such a solution. Although it might not succeed, her spirit of thinking and trying surprised her.

Jiang Youan dipped a branch into the pond and began gently stirring the water, trying to shoo the goldfish to a corner. The goldfish seemed to sense the danger and began to dart about, but a few were still managed to be driven into a corner. Jiang Youan excitedly exclaimed, "Mommy, look! I'm almost there!"

Although Jiang Youan ultimately failed to catch the goldfish, his small action gave Jia Xiaoyan a deeper understanding of his intelligence.

A few days later, Jiang Liushen was handling official business in his study when Jiang Youan started making a fuss about wanting to go find his father. Jia Xiaoyan then brought him to the study.

The study was filled with various books and writing implements. Jiang Liushen sat at his desk, looking at a memorial to the throne, his brows slightly furrowed. Jiang Youan broke free...

Jia Xiaoyan reached out to Jiang Liushen and asked, "Father, what are you looking at?"

Jiang Liushen looked up, saw Jiang Youan, and smiled, saying, "Father is reviewing memorials and handling important national affairs."

Jiang Youan looked curiously at the memorial on the table. He naturally didn't recognize the dense characters on it, but he still picked up a brush and scribbled on a piece of paper next to him, saying, "Father is handling important national affairs, and Youan wants to help too."

Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan were amused by his words. Jiang Liushen said, "Okay, when You'an grows up, he will help his father handle national affairs."

At this moment, Jiang Liushen's gaze returned to the memorial. He sighed slightly and said, "Recently, several cities have suffered from drought, resulting in poor harvests and difficult lives for the people."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Youan stopped writing and asked, "Father, what is a drought?"

Jiang Liushen patiently explained, "A drought is when it doesn't rain for a long time, the land becomes very dry, crops don't grow well, there's no food to eat, and people go hungry."

Jiang Youan frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Then why don't we just bring them food?"

Jiang Liushen smiled and patted his head, saying, "You'an is so kind, but sending food can only solve the problem temporarily. We also need to find a way to ensure the land has enough water so that the crops can grow well."

Jiang Youan tilted his head, his eyes darting around, and said, "Then we can dig a well. If there's water in the well, we can irrigate the crops."

Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Although Jiang Youan's idea might not be so simple in practice, it was already quite remarkable for a three-year-old child to come up with such a solution.

Jiang Liushen said, "You'an is really smart. Digging a well is indeed a good idea. Father will have the ministers discuss it carefully."

Jiang Youan laughed happily upon hearing this and continued drawing on the paper.

As time went by, Jiang Youan grew up, and his intelligence was demonstrated in more and more things.

Once, a foreign envoy arrived at the palace, bringing some novel gadgets, including a complex mechanical device, similar to a jigsaw puzzle, which could only be opened by rotating the parts in a specific order. The envoy deliberately displayed it in front of everyone, wanting to test the people of Xijing Kingdom.

Jiang Youan watched curiously from the side. The envoy tried several times but failed to open it, and the other ministers looked at each other, at a loss.

Jiang Youan looked at the mechanical device, his eyes gleaming. He stepped forward and said, "Let me try it."

The envoy looked at Jiang Youan and said with a smile, "Little prince, this is not easy. Don't cry if you can't open it."

Jiang Youan smiled confidently and remained silent. He carefully observed the components of the mechanical device and discovered some patterns. He began to slowly rotate the components, thinking as he did so.

Everyone around him watched him quietly, and Jia Xiaoyan and Jiang Liushen were also a little nervous.

After a while, there was a "click" sound, and the mechanical device opened. The envoy opened his mouth in surprise, and the other ministers also exclaimed in admiration.

Jiang Youan laughed happily and said, "I've opened it!"

The envoy gave a thumbs up and said, "The young prince is indeed exceptionally intelligent; he is truly admirable."

Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan stepped forward and embraced Jiang Youan, their hearts filled with pride.

In the royal palace of Xijing Kingdom, Jiang Youan shone like a bright star, his intelligence gradually blossoming like a ray of light.