Zi Yuan looked at her mistress with a complex expression. "Are you trying to protect His Highness, Prince Yu?"
Although her mistress was cooperating with Prince Yu, she still didn't trust him, as he was a prince. He was a brother to Ye Jingcheng, who had personally tried to murder her mistress in the past.
Su Yun Mo narrowed her eyes dangerously. "I just suddenly find the Empress displeasing and want to pull her from the position of Empress!" Although Mei Fei had died without proof, she absolutely refused to believe that the Empress had nothing to do with the matter!
"Mo Mo?" Su Si Yuan poked his head in from the doorway, grinning playfully. "Haven't you finished eating yet? Hurry up and eat, then come to the front hall after." He drew out the last word.
Su Yun Mo felt her hair stand on end. "What is it?"
"You'll know when you come," Su Si Yuan said with a mysterious smile, closing the door and leaving.
Su Yun Mo sighed and collected her thoughts. What was going on now?
Zi Yuan's eyes flickered. "Mistress, I also have something to attend to, so I won't be serving you anymore."
Su Yun Mo frowned, feeling that they had been acting strange these past two days, but she didn't ask further, letting Zi Yuan go. After Zi Yuan left, Su Yun Mo went to the medicine furnace after eating. The herbs in the Glazed Lock were growing rapidly. Except for medicinal herbs like Ganoderma that required years to mature, ordinary herbs had to be harvested and replanted every two to three days. Meanwhile, the front hall grew impatient and sent servants to urge her again. Only then did she put down what she was doing and go over.
Inside the hall.
Red celebratory characters were pasted on the walls, and a long table over five meters long was filled with snacks and pastries. Maids and servants stood in two rows, with Zi Yuan and Lu Luo leading their respective teams. The three elder brothers were unusually dressed in embroidered robes, their hair tied up high, looking very formal.
As soon as Su Yun Mo entered the room.
The servants shouted in unison, "Congratulations to the young lady on your birthday, wishing you health and prosperity!"
Su Yun Mo was stunned. Her three elder brothers stepped forward. "Mo Mo, happy birthday." They extended their hands from behind, each holding a gift. Su Si Yuan had made a slingshot. Su Si Qi had carved a jade pendant with the character 'Mo' on it. Su Si Zhuo had a handwritten copy of a Buddhist scripture. They were very much in character.
Su Yun Mo looked at the gifts they presented, her eyes welling up with tears. It turned out today was her birthday. Unknowingly, she had spent over five months in the manor, half a year since her last birthday at the Marquis's residence. Half a year, six months, over a hundred and eighty days. She hadn't thought anyone would celebrate her birthday for her.
Lu Luo and Zi Yuan stepped forward and also presented their gifts. A sachet and a sword hilt pendant. "Young lady/Mistress, we wish you peace and prosperity in the future." Lu Luo smiled sheepishly. "Young lady, my monthly wages are not much. This is what I saved up from one month's earnings. I hope you don't mind." Zi Yuan said nothing, knowing her mistress would understand her intentions. For a swordsman, their sword was their life. By giving Su Yun Mo the sword hilt pendant, she was entrusting the string that held her life to her.
A warm current flowed through Su Yun Mo. "Thank you all." Thank you for your sincerity. This time, she would definitely protect this happiness well. Absolutely!
Su Si Zhuo walked up and patted Su Yun Mo's head. "Little one, remember what big brother told you that day. We are all your strong shields." Su Yun Mo nodded heavily. "Thank you, big brother!"
Su Si Qi said, "Alright, let the birthday girl change into some clothes first. She can't attend the banquet looking so messy." Zi Yuan and Lu Luo stepped forward and took Su Yun Mo to the back hall. A festive dress and a set of jewelry had already been prepared inside. The maids swarmed in, stripping Su Yun Mo of her clothes, bathing her, cleaning her up, and then dressing her. It took a whole morning until lunchtime to finish.
Most of the guests had arrived. Zhou Wan You was in the front courtyard entertaining guests while the children gathered to play. Zhou Wan You had intended not to make the birthday banquet too grand, just warm and cozy.
"Sister Qing sent word a few days ago that she won't be back for the New Year, so I've prepared two gifts for Mo Mo," Su Xia Yue said. She was now living with her uncle's family. Her demeanor was more confident than before, no longer speaking without looking up. Although she hadn't attended school, she had a sharp business mind, and her uncle Su had plans for her to take over Xiang Ge Restaurant in the future. The three elder brothers from the General's manor would also gradually withdraw from school. Su Si Zhuo was already ten years old and would be eleven after the New Year. A man was capped at fifteen, and in a few more years, Su Si Zhuo would come of age. He couldn't spend all his time in school before then. His parents had already paved the way for him. Su Yun Mo was still young and naturally focused on eating, drinking, and playing, but when the adults sat together, their conversations inevitably involved the children. However, Su Qing Tian had not appeared, and no one knew what he was doing.
As the banquet was about to begin, he returned from outside the manor, carrying a cage. It was pink. "Little one, look at the gift Daddy got for you. Do you like it?" Inside the cage were six fox-mice, a pair of fox-mice with their four pups. The four pups were one larger than the other: Grape, Strawberry, Little Peach, and Apple. The mother mouse was delicate and beautiful, a little larger than a teacup. The father mouse had a large belly, about the size of a watermelon. The family of six was in perfect order, much like the family in the General's manor. Su Yun Mo didn't particularly like small animals, but she couldn't help but be touched. She had made an excuse about wanting a pet last time, and she didn't expect her father to remember.
"Although this gift is good, it feels like something is missing?" Uncle Zhou Zi Yu said, his words laced with teasing. Everyone then looked at the cage. Grape, Strawberry, Little Peach, Apple, teacup, and watermelon. Something was indeed missing.
"I know!" Xie Hong Fei raised his hand, and together with Su Si Yuan, they lifted Su Yun Mo and placed her beside the cage. Su Yun Mo squatted down, resting her chin on her hands. The fox-mouse family and Su Yun Mo tilted their heads simultaneously. Eight pairs of bright eyes looked at everyone helplessly, their expressions almost identical. xxs1
Everyone burst into laughter. Now it was complete!
"The manor is so lively today, it seems I've arrived at just the right time. I only hope General Su won't consider me an unwelcome guest," a clear male voice came from outside the door. A dark glint flashed in Su Yun Mo's eyes. Liu Zhe, the butler of the General's manor, entered from outside. "General, His Highness Prince Lian has arrived." As soon as he finished speaking, a figure in blue brocade robes entered from outside. Everyone turned to look. Ye Jing Cheng exuded noble bearing, his features clear and sharp, his cold and noble demeanor reaching its peak. A gentle smile on his face added a touch of maturity and steadiness.
"Prince Lian's arrival, I, this general, have failed to welcome you properly. May I ask what brings Your Highness here today?" Su Qing Tian stepped forward to greet the guest. Ye Jing Cheng's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Su Yun Mo. "I heard it is your esteemed daughter's birthday today. I have met her a few times and consider it fate, so I have come to offer my congratulations." Su Yun Mo saw a hint of amusement in his eyes, and her fingers suddenly tightened. The last time he came to congratulate her on her birthday, he was wearing the same clothes!