This way, the Empress Dowager’s delight in this gift would naturally diminish a notch.
"Eldest Brother has put in thought." Mu Chengqian also nodded in satisfaction.
Upon hearing this, the Eldest Prince, though feeling it was somewhat lacking, was quite content with the outcome. Among all the princes and princesses, his ginsengfruit was undoubtedly the most substantial.
He then sat back down contentedly.
"Third Brother, your turn." Mu Chengqian looked towards the Third Princess’s family.
"Father, Grandmother has always liked small animals, so I have prepared a spiritual pet for her."
The Third Princess stood up and, as if by magic, produced a small pure white cat.
"Wishing Grandmother health and longevity, and all things as desired."
"Oh? This seems like a Spiritual Illusion Cat?" the Empress Dowager exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, Grandmother." The Third Princess immediately stepped forward and handed the Spiritual Illusion Cat to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager held the Spiritual Illusion Cat in her arms, unable to resist stroking it several times.
"Meow meow meow!" The Spiritual Illusion Cat was extremely docile, even nudging the Empress Dowager’s palm with its small head.
This made the Empress Dowager beam with delight.
"My little tiger passed before me, I’ve always wanted to keep one more, you’ve put in thought, Little Cheng, I really like it." The Empress Dowager looked at the Third Princess with affectionate eyes.
"As long as you like it, Grandmother." Seeing the Empress Dowager this pleased, the Third Princess Mu Wucheng was also very happy.
Without needing the Emperor to speak, the Fourth Prince Mu Wuhao stood up: "Grandmother, wishing you a double blessing of fortune and longevity, endless joy."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Fourth Prince took an item from the Storage Ring.
Instantly, a radiant glow emanated from the item, enveloping the surroundings.
It eventually covered an area of twenty meters in diameter.
"Grandmother, this is Blood Coral, a naturally formed exotic treasure. It can emit a warm glow, unaffected by cold and heat, and constant exposure to this glow extends longevity and gradually enhances Qi Blood Power." The Fourth Prince said with a smile.
"You’ve put thought into it, Little Hao, Grandmother likes it a lot, place it in my palace." The Empress Dowager was extremely pleased with this Blood Coral as well.
The Fourth Prince immediately sat back down.
"Sixth brother." The Emperor turned his gaze to the Sixth Prince Mu Wuyu.
"Grandson wishes Grandmother the lushness of pine and cypress, ever youthful; the longevity of the Southern Mountain, endlessly enduring."
In the next moment, the Sixth Prince produced a painting and unfurled it.
"Presumably, all the worldly exotic treasures do not catch Grandmother’s eye, so Grandson did not prepare such mundane treasures."
"This is a portrait of Grandmother in her youth, painted by Grandson himself. Hoping Grandmother will like it."
On the painting was a woman in a long white dress, stunningly beautiful beyond measure.
Her eyes were like autumn waters, glancing radiantly, her face like jade cream, gentle and charming.
It seemed as if the woman might step out from the painting, captivating all who looked upon her.
"This...this is the scene of my first entry into the palace, Little Six, how...how did you paint this?"
The Empress Dowager handed the Spiritual Illusion Cat to the Empress and then stood up.
Seeing this, the Sixth Prince promptly stepped forward and handed the painting to the Empress Dowager.
"Grandmother, for years I’ve been searching for portraits of you in your youth but to no avail. Finally, I found the painting officer who used to paint portraits of palace women."
"Grandmother’s unparalleled beauty remained unforgettable for the painting officer, even at the ripe old age of ninety."
"With the officer’s description, Grandson painted personally, enchanted by Grandmother’s unmatched beauty, deeming her the most beautiful woman of all."
Everyone also saw the young Empress Dowager’s visage on the painting.
Indeed, she was incredibly beautiful, comparable even to Zhao Yanran.
It’s only a painting, the real person must be even more beautiful than depicted.
"Good, good, good, Little Six, you’ve put your heart into it, and Grandmother loves it." The Empress Dowager looked at the Sixth Prince with affection, even reaching out to stroke his head.
No longer referring to herself as the Empress Dowager, she addressed herself simply as Grandmother.
This sight caused the Eldest Prince and Fourth Prince to blink in surprise, Little Six truly lived up to his name.
"It seems Little Six really put thought into it." Mu Chengqian also smiled warmly at the Sixth Prince.
Seeing the painting, he too reminisced about his youth, recalling his mother’s unparalleled beauty and the many memories of those days, feeling quite gratified.
The Sixth Prince immediately sat back down with a smile.
"Little Seven, it’s your turn."
The Seventh Princess Mu Wuxia remained unchanged by the wonderful gifts from her brothers and sisters before her.
She stood up, smiling: "Wishing Grandmother health and longevity, double increase in fortune and wisdom, endless joy."
"The birthday gift I’ve prepared for Grandmother isn’t any treasure, just a longevity peach I’ve personally made, it’s quite delicious, I’ve tried it many times."
The Seventh Princess immediately took out a plate, upon which lay a fist-sized, exquisitely beautiful peach.
Of course, it wasn’t a real peach, it just looked like one; in reality, it was a type of pastry.
"Ah, my Little Seven actually went into the kitchen to make pastries for Mother?" The Empress exclaimed in astonishment.
"Hmm? My Little Seven made it? Aren’t you only skilled with weapons? Truly a great surprise for Grandmother."
"Bring it here, bring it here, I must personally taste it." The Empress Dowager beckoned urgently to Mu Wuxia.
Little Seven could be described as the family’s darling, loved not only by the Empress, Mu Chengqian but also deeply by the Empress Dowager.
The Seventh Princess Mu Wuxia immediately stepped forward and then used her Qi Blood Power to separate a small piece of the longevity peach.
The Empress Dowager immediately took it, placing it in her mouth, chewing gently.
"Hmm, it tastes wonderful, you’ve surely surprised me, put it down." The Empress Dowager also stroked Little Seven’s head.
"Yes, Grandmother." Mu Wuxia immediately placed the longevity peach on the table before her.
As Mu Wuxia sat down, it was now the turn of the Eighth Prince.