Chapter 222: A Lively Birthday
When Xingnong stepped out of her room, everyone in the family was already awake. Xinghui had just returned from fetching water, Xingqing was washing vegetables, and Madam Gu and Shen Ruoxi were busy in the kitchen.
In the courtyard, Xingqing and Xinghui saw Xingnong come out and happily said in unison, “Sister, happy birthday!”
Xingqing: “Sister, I have a present for you!”
Xinghui put down the bucket: “Me too!”
The dragon and phoenix twins then rushed back to their rooms, each wishing to be the first to present their birthday gift.
Soon, they both ran out with their gifts.
“Sister, this is for you!”
Xingqing’s birthday present was a pair of deerskin boots she had made herself.
Xingqing knew that Xingnong was afraid of the cold, especially in her hands and feet. When they used to sleep together, Xingnong’s feet were always icy cold.
When she was in the capital, she saw the maids preparing deerskin boots for Princess Changle, saying they would keep her warm even in the snow. She bought a pair for Xingnong when she was in the capital, and now this pair was made by her after she had learned how to make them.
Xinghui’s birthday present was a white rabbit fur scarf he bought with the silver he earned from copying books. From now on, when his sister went out wearing it, she wouldn’t be afraid of the cold.
Xingnong smiled and accepted their gifts. “Thank you.”
At this moment, Shen Ruoxi came out of the kitchen holding a bowl of longevity noodles and said with a smile, “Xingnong, you’re up? Just in time, have a bowl of longevity noodles first.”
Shen Ruoxi was a good cook. The noodles she made were especially chewy, much better than those made by Madam Gu.
In the past, as long as Shen Ruoxi was mentally well, she would cook a bowl of longevity noodles for Xingnong every New Year’s Eve. However, in the past, it was plain noodles with little broth. Now, the broth was chicken soup simmered overnight, with shrimp, mushrooms, shredded meat, and a poached egg.
Much richer!
At this time, Madam Gu also came in holding a tray with rice cakes, dumplings, and other festive foods.
Xinghui quickly went to get bowls and chopsticks.
Just as the family was about to have breakfast, the Jin Kingdom Emperor and Shen Hanyu walked in carrying a food box.
They were followed by Shen Nan and Shen Dong, who were pushing a cart full of things.
The Jin Kingdom Emperor said with a beaming smile, “Xingnong, I made you a bowl of longevity noodles! Happy birthday!”
Then the Jin Kingdom Emperor pointed to the things on the cart pushed by Shen Dong, “Those are your birthday presents.”
Shen Hanyu: “Sister Xingnong, I made you a birthday bun, and those are your birthday presents.”
Shen Hanyu also pointed to the cart pushed by Shen Nan.
Xingnong looked over. The two carts were piled high with wooden boxes, and she didn’t know what they were.
This was too much! Although she liked it, her grandmother would lose sleep again!
Xingnong: “You already sent a lot of New Year’s gifts, there’s no need for birthday presents.”
Shen Ruoxi nodded: “Yes, this is too much!”
He sent so much, it would make her, who only made a bowl of longevity noodles, look like she didn’t love her daughter!
Madam Gu waved her hand: “Master Shen, you’re too kind to send so many New Year’s gifts. A bowl of longevity noodles is enough! Take back all the things on the cart!”
No good deed goes unpunished.
The Jin Kingdom Emperor waved his hand: “New Year’s gifts are New Year’s gifts, birthday gifts are birthday gifts! They’re just ordinary things, a token of my appreciation. There’s a bit more this year, but there won’t be in the future! I’ve always wanted a daughter, and I liked Xingnong at first sight. I hope to have a daughter like her in the future, so I’m making up for the past eighteen years of birthday gifts!”
These words were a hint to Madam Gu.
Shen Hanyu also said, “That’s right, I’ve prepared eighteen years’ worth of gifts, there won’t be so many next year! Besides, if it weren’t for Sister Xingnong, how could my Welcome Inn be making so much money! These things aren’t worth much silver, Auntie, please don’t refuse.”
The Jin Kingdom Emperor signaled with his eyes for Shen Dong and Shen Nan to immediately carry the things inside.
✿✿✿
Madam Gu still wanted to refuse, but at this time, Village Chief Gu and his family arrived, followed by the villagers one by one.
Before they arrived, their voices were heard: “Xingnong, Uncle Gu brought you longevity noodles!”
“Xingnong, aren’t you afraid of the cold? Auntie made you a mattress with rabbit fur, you can put it on your bed to sleep on.”
“Xingnong, Auntie made you a dress, come and try it on!”
“Xingnong, Auntie made you a pair of shoes!”
“Xingnong,”
The villagers of Peach Blossom Village were very enthusiastic. Seventeen households, not a single one missing, all came over.
Everyone was holding something in their hands, either clothes, shoes, socks, or various kinds of food.
Soon, Xingnong’s room was filled with all kinds of birthday presents.
The tables in the house were filled with all kinds of food.
Peach Blossom Village was a refugee village, and the villagers’ ancestral homes were from all over the country. Many of the foods had local characteristics.
So, this New Year’s Eve, the villagers all spent it at Xingnong’s house!
Xingnong had a very lively birthday.
~
The New Year’s Eve in Peach Blossom Village was very lively, and the palace was no exception.
Victorious reports from the border arrived in the capital one after another at the fastest speed. The Chu Emperor was overjoyed and his smile never left his face during the palace banquet.
However, in this world, there is always joy and sorrow. While the Emperor smiled all night, Noble Consort Liang, the Second Prince, and Prime Minister Liang were forcing smiles throughout the evening.
Prime Minister Liang was especially troubled. During this war, he had tampered with the grain and fodder supplies and the marching routes, but Chu Tiankuo had foiled all his plans. He didn’t know if he had left any loopholes.
In addition, Old General Xie had colluded with the Zhao army and led eighty thousand Chu troops into the Snow Mountain. Originally, Chu Tiankuo and his army were supposed to be trapped and die in the Snow Mountain, and General Xie would have achieved great merit!
But it didn’t happen!
Chu Tiankuo actually broke the formation of the Snow Mountain and marched north with unstoppable momentum. With fifty thousand troops, he directly captured several cities, even the notoriously impregnable Jiangdu City and Qi Xiong Mountain Range!
This way, the retreat of General Xie’s army was equivalent to disobeying military orders, tantamount to treason!
Finally, the palace banquet ended, and it was already dark when he left the palace.
When he returned to his residence, he went straight to his son’s room, but was stopped by the steward who was waiting for him: “Master, Old General Xie sent a secret letter.”
Prime Minister Liang took it, opened it, and glanced at it under the light of the lanterns hanging in the corridor.
His pupils suddenly constricted!
The Crown Prince had found the Heart-Protecting Herb in Qi Xiong Mountain!
Although Divine Doctor Zhao had arrived, he frankly admitted that the Four Divine Pills, due to being stored for too long, had lost most of their potency. The Heart-Protecting Pill had even become slightly moldy and could definitely not awaken Liang Liyuan.
Unless they could find the lost Heart-Protecting Herb, he could refine a new Heart-Protecting Pill to save him. Otherwise, he could only use medicine to keep him alive, but he would never wake up.
Prime Minister Liang strode towards the courtyard where Divine Doctor Zhao was staying.
Divine Doctor Zhao was reading medical books.
The reason he came to Chu this time was to obtain the Soul-Soothing Herb from Chu Tiankuo. However, he was worried that if he approached Chu Tiankuo directly, he would suspect that the efficacy of those Divine Pills was compromised. So he wanted Prime Minister Liang to intervene.
But by the time he arrived, Chu Tiankuo had already gone to war.
He could only wait for his return.
