Seeing my brother playfully celebrating his birthday

When Ji Xi, Li Yanzhang, and Zizheng entered, they saw palace maids setting out dishes, indicating that Li Xingyi had just prepared for his meal.

Upon seeing Li Xingyi, Ji Xi, Li Yanzhang, and Zizheng immediately bowed and said, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty the Empress."

Li Xingyi looked at them and said calmly, "No need for formalities, please get up."

After she finished speaking, she glanced at Qingyi.

Qingyi immediately understood and led people to bring seats. Li Yanzhang, Ji Xi, and Zizheng said, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."

After taking his seat, Li Yanzhang jokingly asked, "Your Majesty, have we disturbed your meal?"

Li Xingyi glanced at Li Yanzhang upon hearing his address, then calmly said to the palace servants, "You may all leave."

The crowd curtsied and withdrew, saying, "Yes."

Suddenly, only Li Xingyi, Li Yanzhang, and four others remained in Fengyi Palace.

Seeing that Li Xingyi did not ask Qianwu to leave, Li Yanzhang figured that she was trustworthy.

After the palace servants had all left, Li Xingyi calmly looked at Li Yanzhang and said, "Brother, you don't need to be like this. There are only a few of us left now, so there's no need to be so formal."

Li Yanzhang said, seemingly jokingly, "No, no, you are the Empress now."

Just as Li Xingyi was about to say something, Ji Xi said, "Your Majesty, etiquette must not be disregarded."

Li Xingyi looked at Li Yanzhang and said calmly, "You are my brother, everyone knows that. When it's just the two of us, you don't need to treat me like an empress. I am your sister."

Li Yanzhang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said, "Oh dear, Xingyi, you still take this so seriously. You can't joke around, hahahaha."

Li Xingyi listened quietly and looked at him.

Seeing this, Li Yanzhang immediately said, "Alright, of course I won't call you Empress when no one's around."

Li Xingyi continued to watch him quietly.

Upon seeing this, Ji Xi stood up and grabbed Li Yanzhang's ear, angrily saying, "Well, you dare to joke about the Empress! You even fooled me! Let's see how I deal with you!"

Li Yanzhang laughed and said, "Hahaha, who knew you would take it seriously?"

It's unclear whether Ji Xi is doing this for Li Xingyi's sake or for his own, as he's trying to teach Li Yanzhang a lesson.

Li Xingyi coughed lightly, indicating that they could stop, and Ji Xi then released his grip on Li Yanzhang's ear.

Li Yanzhang immediately ran to Li Xingyi and cried, "Xingyi, look at this! Ji Xi actually dared to beat up your own brother right in front of you!"

Li Xingyi ignored him and said to Ji Xi, "Young Master Ji, I would like to give you a gift as a token of my gratitude."

When Ji Xi heard Li Xingyi address him, he was momentarily dazed, recalling how Li Xingyi used to run towards him when he was young, calling out "Brother Ji!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yanzhang exclaimed in shock, "What?! I was the one who was bullied, and you're giving him a gift! I want one too!"

Ji Xi only came to his senses when he heard Li Yanzhang's voice. His eyes were full of desolation. He then bowed and said, "No need. Thank you, Your Majesty, but I cannot accept such a reward without having done anything for you."

Li Yanzhang understood his brother, so he quickly went over and put his arm around Ji Xi, saying, "Hey~ why not take it if it's free? Take a look at what the gift is first, and then decide whether you want it or not. If you don't want it, just give it to me!"

Before Ji Xi could say anything more, Qianwu and Qingyi had already brought the box to him.

Li Xingyi said calmly, "These are the jade pendant and the Crane and Deer Rejuvenation Pendant produced by Yuling Pavilion."

Li Yanzhang said, "Ah! It's the Jade Pavilion that only supplies jade to the royal family, but why are there two? They can't both be for Ji Xi, can they?"

Li Xingyi replied, "No, the other one is for you."

Qianwu and Qingyi opened the box, and in front of Li Yanzhang was a fresh and emerald green jade pendant.

Li Xingyi explained, "This is a jade pendant, representing the continuation of life and the inexhaustible vitality, symbolizing the beauty and wonder of nature."

"When I saw this jade pendant, I thought of my brother. He was indeed very lively."

Li Yanzhang said to Li Xingyi with delight, "My dear sister understands me best, thank you!"

He picked up the jade pendant as if it were a precious treasure, and upon closer inspection, he discovered that there was a character "彰" on the back of the pendant.

Qianwu explained, "This was carved by the craftsmen at the Empress's instruction, to indicate that it belongs to Young Master Yanzhang."

Li Yanzhang nodded and tied it around his waist. He looked up at Li Xingyi and said, "Since it is a gift from my sister, I should cherish it."

Seeing this, Qianwu stood back beside Li Xingyi.

Li Yanzhang turned to look at Ji Xi and saw a white jade pendant lying quietly in the box in front of Ji Xi. The pendant was engraved with cranes, deer and pine trees. This was the Crane and Deer Rejuvenating Pendant.

Li Xingyi also explained: "The deer is a homophone for 'prosperity' and 'land,' and the crane is a homophone for 'harmony,' hence the meaning of 'six harmonies' in spring (six harmonies refers to heaven and earth and the east, west, south, and north), and also has the meaning of wealth, honor, and longevity."

"I wished Young Master Ji a life of wealth and longevity, hence this gift. I wonder if Young Master Ji is satisfied?"

Ji Xi's eyes flickered slightly.

Do you wish me a life of wealth and longevity? But don't I also wish you the same? If accepting this gift can relieve your worries about me, why not accept it?

He picked up the jade pendant, bowed to Li Xingyi, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am very satisfied."

Li Xingyi nodded and said calmly, "Yes, there are also words engraved on the back of Young Master Ji's jade pendant."

Ji Xi turned the jade pendant around, and sure enough, the character "Xi" was engraved on the back of the pendant.

Qingyi said, "Young Master, this was specially ordered by Her Majesty. These two jade pendants are newly made and engraved with different words."

Ji Xi asked, puzzled, "Why make a new one? Wouldn't it be more time-saving and labor-saving to just take a finished one and carve the words on it?"

Qianwu explained, "Because the ones in the palace are all for the royal family, and the ones that Your Highness is giving to the two young masters should naturally be newly made to show that this is a special gift for the two young masters."

After hearing this, Ji Xi looked at the jade pendant in his hand and rubbed it, his eyes filled with an unfathomable depth.

Li Yanzhang smiled and said, "Xingyi has put in a lot of effort. Your brother and Ji Xi will definitely treat them well."

Li Xingyi looked at them but did not answer.

As early as a month ago, Li Xingyi had already started having jade pendants made because it was Li Yanzhang's birthday this month, and she wanted to give him a different gift. Ji Xi wanted to tell him that she was doing well and hoped that he could find his own happiness soon.

Li Yanzhang suddenly realized something and asked, "Xingyi, why did you suddenly send us something? Today isn't a big day, and this is newly made. What a coincidence!"

Li Xingyi said calmly, "Your birthday."

Li Yanzhang was taken aback for a moment, then said, "What?"

Seeing this, Li Xingyi calmly said, "This month is your birthday, this is a gift for you."

Li Yanzhang suddenly realized: "Ah! I forgot, but isn't it still a few days away? And..."

He glanced at Ji Xi.

Since this is his own birthday gift, why give it to Ji Xi?

After hearing this, Ji Xi understood Li Xingyi's meaning and suddenly fell silent.

Li Xingyi did not answer Li Yanzhang's next question, but said, "Brother, you know that I am not in a position to leave the palace now. Moreover, His Majesty has only been on the throne for a few months and the selection of concubines is imminent. I am afraid I will not be able to attend your birthday banquet. I was looking for an opportunity to summon you, but since you have come today, I will give you the chance."

Li Yanzhang was worried that Li Xingyi wouldn't know how to handle the talent show, so he asked, "I see. What are your thoughts on the talent show?"

Li Xingyi calmly said, "It's alright. His Majesty bestowed Qianwu upon me, so she must be someone who is very familiar with palace rules. She will guide me, so brother need not worry."

Qianwu stood beside Li Xingyi, seemingly lost in thought.

Upon hearing this, Li Yanzhang and Ji Xi glanced at Qian Wu without realizing it; they understood the meaning behind it—it was simply to tell them that Qian Wu was Qi Dou's spy.

Li Xingyi asked, "By the way, brother, is there something you need today?"

Li Yanzhang looked at Li Xingyi and said, "Ah, it was Father who sent me. He wanted me to see how you were doing. Father and Mother were worried that you were being bullied, after all, once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea..."

Ji Xi agreed, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty, you must be extremely careful..."

Li Xingyi replied, "I understand. Don't worry, I'm fine."

She then looked at Li Yanzhang and asked, "How are Father and Mother doing?"

Li Yanzhang said, "They are doing well, but they are very worried about you."

Li Xingyi said calmly, "Brother, please tell Father and Mother that His Majesty treats me very well. I will be fine in the palace, so please tell them not to worry."

Li Yanzhang could only reply, "Okay, I will pass it on to them."

At this moment, Li Yanzhang suddenly remembered what the two palace maids had said and asked, "Xingyi, do you know that Princess Huimin is coming back this month?"

Li Xingyi nodded and said, "Qianwu has already told me that she will arrive in Chang'an in a few days."

Ji Xi asked with some concern, "I've heard that Princess Huimin is a bit willful and capricious. I wonder if you can handle her? After all, her mother is Empress Dowager Shi."