First-Birthday Choosing Ceremony, Nothing Can Compare

A life-saving pill, the legendary Anti-Poison Bead, a medicinal-wood doll, a blade-proof inner garment, half the resources of the Wang Clan, the Fuller Clan Divination Chart, the Yu Clan War Manual, the Zhai Clan Sacred Relic... Every single gift was extraordinary—no amount of money or power could guarantee you’d ever get one. Serena Feng was stunned at first, then grew numb. There was simply no way to refuse; once these gifts were offered, they would never be taken back.

"Honestly... Next year, I’m not inviting any of you." Serena was truly overwhelmed. These people were just too generous—any single gift Little Dumpling received today was a priceless treasure, impossible to find on the market.

Even Ethan Su Wenhang, who was still observing mourning and refused to enter the palace, sent a heavy gift from Sutton Manor. Serena felt both touched and a little bitter.

She’d gone herself to Sutton Manor to invite Ethan to the palace for Little Dumpling’s birthday, but he still wouldn’t come. He insisted his mourning would bring bad luck, even when she said she didn’t believe in such things. Serena finally had to let it go.

"Don’t be like that—there’s no way we can come up with gifts this good next year," Dr. Redwater and Dr. Marcus Guile protested first. "You think a life-saving pill is cabbage you can just pick up off the ground?"

"Exactly! My sect has existed for centuries, and we’ve only ever had one Anti-Poison Bead." The Valley Master clutched his heart, swearing he was only a tiny bit distressed.

"I can’t find a martial manual more advanced than this for Little Dumpling."

"And I certainly don’t have another half of the Wang Clan to give away."

Sean Xuan and William Wang Jinling joined in the fun; Dominic Zhai, Felix Fuller, and General Warren Yu all begged Serena for mercy, swearing they couldn’t possibly offer anything more precious than this year’s gifts. Serena decided to let them off the hook.

Serena couldn’t help but laugh. She didn’t argue anymore; after carefully storing all the gifts, it was time for the zhuazhou ceremony. Everyone moved to the East Hall, ready to see what Little Dumpling would do.

They were all dying to know—what would Little Dumpling choose?

The objects on the table were just like any ordinary family’s zhuazhou set—except for the Imperial Jade Seal, placed right in the middle, impossible to miss.

That’s right. Prince Nolan had put the symbol of imperial authority—the Jade Seal—front and center, daring Little Dumpling to grab it.

Talk about making a statement!

Everyone pretended not to see it, refusing to mention the Jade Seal, and urged Serena to set Little Dumpling down and let him make his choice...

With the Jade Seal so obvious, surely Little Dumpling would grab it, right?

Even Prince Nolan and William Wang Jinling were curious, staring at Little Dumpling along with everyone else, waiting for him to make his move.

This was exactly when Little Dumpling proved he was used to big occasions. Even with dozens of intense eyes fixed on him, he didn’t panic or freeze. He blinked at the crowd, then reached out to Serena: "Mama, hug..."

"Little Dumpling, pick one—pick one and Mama will hug you." Serena stood on the other side of the table, pointing at the objects to signal him to choose.

Little Dumpling tilted his head, studying Serena for a long moment. Once he was sure Mama meant it, he nodded obediently, clambered up onto the table with hands and feet—and then...

With everyone watching expectantly, Little Dumpling wobbled forward, stepping on things scattered across the table. More than once, people thought he’d fall, and several hands shot out, ready to catch him—only for him to steady himself after a couple of sways and keep going.

"This kid..." The Valley Master and the others had their hearts in their throats, breaking out in cold sweat each time.

"Hee hee..." Little Dumpling thought everyone was playing with him and laughed in delight.

"This child is far too mischievous. You’re in for trouble later." Dr. Marcus Guile didn’t miss the flash of slyness in Little Dumpling’s eyes.

So young, and already running circles around a hall full of adults—this kid was definitely not ordinary.

"I wonder who he takes after, being so mischievous." Serena Feng shook her head. Little Dumpling wasn’t just naughty; he was bossy too. Whenever he was around, Serena had no choice but to hold him. If anyone tried to compete for her attention, he’d fight them, and if he lost, he’d play the victim. Whatever it took, Little Dumpling would find a way to keep Serena’s attention all to himself.

Faced with his cunning little son, Prince Nolan was both pained and delighted.

Little Dumpling kept wobbling forward. When he finally stopped in front of the Jade Seal, everyone thought he’d grab it—only to watch him plop his bottom right on top of it. Then, to everyone’s shock, he twisted his hips and hopped right over what was, to him, a massive obstacle.

"Did your son just sit on the Jade Seal?" General Warren Yu rubbed his eyes, sure he hadn’t misseen.

"The world is already beneath my son’s backside—so what’s wrong with sitting on the Jade Seal?" Prince Nolan was fiercely protective. Even though he was annoyed Little Dumpling hadn’t chosen the seal, he wouldn’t let anyone criticize his son.

"I didn’t say anything." General Warren Yu wisely shut his mouth, not wanting to stir up trouble.

After crossing the Jade Seal, Little Dumpling stopped teasing the crowd and headed straight for Serena Feng.

"Is he not picking anything?"

"No, he’s picking Serena." William Wang Jinling had barely finished speaking when Little Dumpling, still three steps away from Serena, suddenly stopped and lunged forward...

"You rascal." Serena knew full well her son was doing it on purpose, but she couldn’t bear to watch him fall, so she rushed up and caught him.

Just as he’d hoped, he landed in his mother’s soft arms, giggling nonstop and clinging to Serena, refusing to let go. In his sweet baby voice, he insisted, "Mama, Little Dumpling wants Mama."

"Hopeless." Prince Nolan snorted, stepped forward, and shoved the Jade Seal into Little Dumpling’s arms. "Let go of your mother and take this."

"No!" Little Dumpling took one look at his cold-faced father and the icy stone he’d just sat on, and his expression turned just as sour as Prince Nolan’s.

He wanted nothing to do with his father’s cold, hard things—they were just unpleasant to look at.

"Take it." Prince Nolan kept trying to shove the Jade Seal into his arms, but Little Dumpling refused, twisting away and clinging to Serena with hands and feet. "No, no... Mama, Little Dumpling’s!"

Little Dumpling nestled in Serena’s arms, shooting a triumphant look at his father: Mama was his, and no one else could have her.

Prince Nolan stared at Little Dumpling, silently signaling for him to come down. Little Dumpling wasn’t intimidated at all—he lifted his chin and glared right back.

The two—one big, one small—ignored the watching crowd and launched straight into a father-son standoff, neither willing to back down.

Here we go again!

Serena shook her head, exasperated. "Can you two argue later? Let’s clear the table—it’s getting late, and the food should be served." This whole zhuazhou thing was a mistake. What a farce.

"No clearing!"

"Hungry!" Little Dumpling chimed in.

Father and son spoke in perfect sync—one hard and stern, the other soft and sweet. Anyone listening would melt.

This rascal really knew how to use his cuteness to his advantage.

Prince Nolan withdrew his gaze, face expressionless. "He hasn’t picked anything yet. The choosing ceremony isn’t finished."

Little Dumpling seemed to understand, clutching Serena’s collar tightly. "Mama, Mama, Little Dumpling wants Mama."

"Your mother is mine. Pick something else."

"No! Mama is Little Dumpling’s."

Father and son locked eyes again, neither budging an inch...

The emperor, childish? Arguing so earnestly with his own toddler—was this really the ruthless, decisive ruler they all knew?

Felix Fuller, Dominic Zhai, and the others watched in amazement; William Wang Jinling and Sean Xuan just sipped their tea, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle.

Across the land, only his son could push Prince Nolan this far. You couldn’t miss a show like this...