Imperial Doctor Li said, "That troupe is from Jiangnan, they have the skills to amuse with cat tricks and dog shows, and they even jump through fire hoops and break big stones on their chests. It’s all quite a spectacle."
"You’re taking to watch the fun?"
"Yeah,"
"But is it appropriate for soone of my standing?"
Imperial Doctor Li waved his hand, "Why wouldn’t it be? Though many important figures will attend today, I’m still an imperial doctor after all, and later I have to offer birthday blessings to the Prince."
Dong Huiying wasn’t particularly interested at first, but upon hearing Imperial Doctor Li ntion that many important figures would attend, her curiosity was piqued, and she imdiately agreed, "Alright, I’m quite curious too!"
Important figures? For the Prince’s birthday, those eligible to co today must have prominent status. If luck is on her side, she might even catch a glimpse of so people from the palace...
Dong Huiying, smiling, took Imperial Doctor Li’s arm, and they walked together towards the main courtyard.
The banquet hadn’t started yet. According to the customs in Dayuan, guests would usually arrive before lunchti, enjoy lunch, then listen to music and watch performances, with the festivities lasting till the evening.
In the evening, it would be necessary to gather for a drink, surrounded by nurous chattering guests...
Since Dong Huiying and Imperial Doctor Li arrived relatively early, it was sowhat dull at that mont.
Thinking it pointless to stand idly, the two grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and stood by the makeshift stage.
Seizing the mont, Dong Huiying brought up a topic, "I’ve always been curious, exactly how many children does Her Majesty the Empress have? Since I’ve been in the capital, I’ve heard about various princesses, but rarely about princes. In fact, not even a ntion of them."
Having mingled in the palace, Imperial Doctor Li knew this secret well: "As for this question... The ranking of the princes and princesses is separate. For example, there’s the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince, as well as the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess. Additionally... it’s quite rare for a prince from Yuan Palace to be granted a title; they usually get sent away for political marriages. So are even sent to other countries at a very young age, before they co of age; thus, their nas do not get much recognition."
"There were over twenty princes and more than ten princesses in the palace, but that was a long ti ago. Nowadays, there are very few left alive."
Imperial Doctor Li expressed with a sigh, and at that mont, after the two had cracked many sunflower seeds, guests began to arrive one after another.
Though Prince ng is a Leisurely Prince who doesn’t concern himself with much, in consideration of the royal family’s dignity, regardless of his actual power, those who should attend must show up, lest they be accused of disrespecting the royal family, which would be a serious matter.
Therefore, many ca to offer congratulations not for Prince ng’s sake per se, but in respect of Prince ng’s royal lineage.
Imperial Doctor Li was quite a respected figure himself, having once served as an Elder of Imperial dical, knowing quite a few familiar faces; many greeted him as they ca and went.
Soon people noticed that alongside Imperial Doctor Li was an old nun. Dong Huiying’s set of false teeth were impressively realistic; when she grinned, her perfect, snow-white teeth could make many young people self-conscious.
She smiled at everyone, modest yet courteous, prompting curiosity about her identity.
When Imperial Doctor Li praised her dical skill to no end, people recalled Prince ng’s peculiar illness and understood—the old nun was a doctor.
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