Chapter 3: The First Birthday Ceremony

Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, Beigong Qiyi had already reached his first birthday.

On this day, which marked the traditional ceremony of choosing one's future, he was fed early in the morning. Afterward, a maid carefully wiped his entire body with a cloth soaked in water infused with flower petals. Surrounded by a flock of young girls in pink attire, he was dressed in a red jacket embroidered with silver-threaded cranes, a garment sewn by Helian Jia herself, and matching cotton trousers. Around his neck hung a golden longevity lock, and the faint red mark on his forehead had grown into a vivid vermilion mole, making his lips appear even redder, his teeth whiter, and his skin snowy pale—like a celestial child descended to earth.

Carried by maids to the "Moon-Grasp Pavilion," he saw a large square table made of fragrant brown wood, its surface covered with a brocade cloth patterned with emerald bamboo. The maids were laying out an array of items: brushes, ink, paper, scrolls of paintings, as well as rouge, combs, gold coins, account books, food, and more.

Helian Jia had been busy in the pavilion since early morning. Seeing her son arrive, she hurried forward to take Beigong Qiyi from the maid’s arms, gently grasping his tiny fist and smiling, “Qiyi, do you miss your mother?” Beigong Qiyi felt somewhat helpless—clearly they had just been together moments ago—yet could only stare with his bright black eyes and nod.

Helian Jia’s smile deepened as she planted soft kisses on Beigong Qiyi’s pink cheeks. Just then, someone announced from outside, “Madam, the Master has arrived.” Helian Jia quickly embraced Beigong Qiyi and went to greet him. The light pearl-beaded curtain was lifted by the maids, and Beigong Li entered, clad in a brocade robe, followed by Beigong Juechen in deep green attire.

Beigong Li took Beigong Qiyi from Helian Jia’s arms, laughing, “He’s heavier now.” Beigong Qiyi glanced at him once, then shifted his gaze to Beigong Juechen, whose small face remained taut. When Beigong Juechen saw Beigong Qiyi looking at him, he merely nodded, his face still devoid of any smile.

Beigong Qiyi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—such an attractive beauty must not grow up to be expressionless!

Beigong Li, noticing Beigong Qiyi’s lack of attention, was not angered. He simply smiled and gently pinched the soft, dough-like cheek, which made Beigong Qiyi turn his head in annoyance and pout. Only then did Beigong Li place him on the large table and softly laugh, “Let’s begin.”

Seated atop the table, surrounded by a crowd of maids who watched anxiously lest he tumble, Beigong Qiyi gazed at the dazzling assortment of items but made no move. After a while, Helian Jia urged, “Qiyi, choose something.”

Only then did Beigong Qiyi crawl over and casually pick up a strangely shaped box. Turning around, he waved his lotus-root-like arms at Beigong Juechen, who pursed his lips and approached.

Beigong Qiyi stuffed the box into Beigong Juechen’s arms, then opened his short arms wide and hugged both brother and box together, babbling, “Brother… brother…” It was his first time speaking—neither calling for his mother nor father, but for his brother. At that moment, Beigong Juechen felt a sudden warmth in his heart and stared at him in a daze.

Beigong Li and Helian Jia hurried over, seeing Beigong Qiyi clinging tightly to Beigong Juechen. They laughed and grumbled, “This little ingrate only remembers his brother.” Beigong Li bent down to play with the longevity lock around his neck and said, “Call me father.” Beigong Qiyi glanced at him, pouted, and reluctantly called out, “Father…” Then he turned to Helian Jia and said, “Mother…” Helian Jia’s eyes instantly grew red, and she stroked his head, smiling through tears, “Yes, my good son.”

Beigong Li patted Helian Jia’s shoulder, then retrieved the box Beigong Qiyi had just chosen from Beigong Juechen’s arms, raising his brows, “Ah, Qiyi will surely become a master of crafting charms one day.” Beigong Qiyi seemed utterly uninterested in the object, only pulling himself upright by Beigong Juechen’s hair, tugging downwards. Beigong Juechen had no choice but to lower his head. Beigong Qiyi grinned, then, in a fit of pique, kissed Beigong Juechen’s cheek with a loud smack.

Instantly, two rosy blushes appeared on Beigong Juechen’s fair, jade-like cheeks, as if painted with rouge, lending vivid color to his usually expressionless face. Seeing this, Beigong Qiyi exclaimed, “Brother… beautiful… beautiful…” Beigong Juechen’s face grew redder. Beigong Li, meanwhile, squeezed Beigong Qiyi’s cheek and laughed heartily, “This boy already knows beauty from ugliness.” He bent down, bringing his face close to Beigong Qiyi’s, and asked, “Good son, do you think your father is handsome?”

Beigong Qiyi pushed Beigong Li’s face aside with his little hand, muttering, “No, not handsome… brother is handsome…” Beigong Li shook his head, turning to Helian Jia who watched their play with a gentle smile, “Is this boy out to get me?” Helian Jia gave him a sidelong glance and snorted, “You should spend more time with him.” Beigong Li coughed awkwardly and instructed the servants to clear the table.

Helian Jia picked up Beigong Qiyi and said to Beigong Li, “I’ve had longevity noodles prepared. Have a bowl before you get busy.” Beigong Li waved his hand, took Beigong Qiyi from her arms, and lifted him high above his head, “I’m not busy today; I’ll spend it with you and Qiyi.”

He carried Beigong Qiyi into the warm western chamber. Soon, a maid brought in a table set with bowls of longevity noodles and several delicate side dishes. Beigong Li sat cross-legged on the couch, placed Beigong Qiyi on his lap, and picked up a crystal-clear noodle to feed him.

Having eaten earlier, Beigong Qiyi was not hungry and only took a few bites before turning his head away. Helian Jia wiped the crumbs from his mouth and had the table removed, then placed Beigong Qiyi on the warm couch. At that moment, Beigong Juechen entered. Beigong Qiyi, upon spotting him, grinned and crawled toward him. Helian Jia, fearing he might fall, quickly picked him up and placed him in Beigong Juechen’s arms, laughing, “This child loves his brother more than his parents.”

Beigong Qiyi didn’t know why he felt this way—perhaps it was because, in his previous life, he had only his elder brother. Thus, he felt especially close to this youth who always wore a solemn expression.

Though only nine years old, Beigong Juechen had trained in martial arts since childhood, giving him strong arms. He held Beigong Qiyi securely and effortlessly. Beigong Qiyi clung to his collar and murmured, “Go outside… play…” Beigong Juechen glanced at him, then looked to Beigong Li and Helian Jia, “Father, Mother…”

Beigong Li waved his hand, “Very well, take him out to play.” Helian Jia wrapped a little cape around Beigong Qiyi and reminded, “Be careful.” Beigong Juechen nodded and carried Beigong Qiyi out of the Moon-Grasp Pavilion.

Helian Jia watched the brothers leave, then turned to Beigong Li, “I never expected these two to be so close. Juechen is exceptionally talented in martial arts, but he’s always been emotionally distant…” She sighed, “I just hope that when they grow up, even if they’re not as affectionate as now, they won’t end up harming each other.” Beigong Li frowned thoughtfully at her words.

Beigong Juechen carried Beigong Qiyi through lush groves and blooming flowers, streams of clear water rushing from deep within the woods, flowing through stone crevices. Marble terraces, jade chambers, carved railings, long bridges spanning the waves, red towers and green pavilions stood in grandeur.

They walked for nearly half an incense stick’s time. Beigong Qiyi lay quietly in his brother’s arms, lulled by the faint fragrance emanating from him, growing sleepy. Beigong Juechen watched the little one nestled against him, almost asleep, and, seeing the sun shining overhead, reached out to shade his head.

After a while, they arrived at a lake. The water was clear and pure, lotus blossoms in full bloom. A pavilion stood at its center, connected to the shore by a winding white stone path. Beigong Juechen carried Beigong Qiyi into the pavilion, where the shade revived him. He gazed at the tranquil white lotuses in the lake and reached out, “Want, want.”

He didn’t truly desire the lotuses; he wanted to see what the young boy would look like framed by their blooms.

Beigong Juechen frowned, set Beigong Qiyi on a nearby wisteria couch, then leaped onto the lake. Beigong Qiyi sat upright, watching intently. The young boy moved lightly over the water, landing steadily on a broad lotus leaf, which only stirred slightly and then settled without a ripple.

Beigong Juechen, in his dark green robe, pale as jade, seemed to blend with the sea of lotus flowers.

Beigong Qiyi’s dark, shining eyes did not blink, as if wanting to imprint this extraordinary youth into his memory.

Beigong Juechen picked two lotuses and handed them to Beigong Qiyi, who only played with them briefly before tossing them aside, then crawled back into his brother’s arms. Beigong Juechen lay on the couch with Beigong Qiyi sprawled across his chest, staring at him with bright, ink-black eyes. Beigong Juechen’s lips curved into a gentle smile. Beigong Qiyi stared in awe, then grabbed his brother’s face and puckered his lips for another loud kiss—this time, landing on the young boy’s vivid red lips.

Beigong Juechen was startled, then ruffled his short hair and whispered, “You mustn’t kiss recklessly.” Beigong Qiyi only giggled and called him brother, while the scent of lotus drifted from the lake, and a cool breeze blew, refreshing and pleasant.

Beigong Qiyi never imagined that after today, he would not see Beigong Juechen again for nine years.