Chapter 129 Baozi's Birthday (Part 2)

When we got back to Tongmeng Pavilion, Baozi was already asleep in my arms. Even in his sleep, he was still holding his spoils in his arms.

Rouge rushed forward, ready to take Baozi, who was covered in his spoils, but Baozi turned into a little octopus and hugged me tightly, and I couldn't bear to wake him up.

"Madam Pei, I've made some sweet soup," Rouge smiled, pursed her lips, and turned to bring the soup over. "Would you like some?"

"Yes! Yes!" Baozi mumbled hurriedly, his eyes still closed, sniffing like a puppy.

Rouge and I both laughed.

"Madam Huan, Lord Hua requests an audience," a maidservant announced from the side.

"Uncle Hua?!" Baozi was the first to rush out of the room, blocking Hua Yingxiong at the door.

"Hug me..." Baozi tilted his head back and stretched out his chubby little hands.

Hua Yingxiong stepped forward, picked him up, and spun him around. Baozi laughed happily.

"Uncle Hua, today Chong'er..."

"It's your birthday," Hua Yingxiong said with a smile, pinching Baozi's nose. "I've come here of my own accord, haven't I?" He handed Baozi a small box he was carrying. "Happy birthday."

"What is it?" Baozi stared at the box curiously.

Hua Yingxiong walked in carrying steamed buns and placed the box on the table.

"A birthday cake?" I opened it and was slightly taken aback.

It's a very simple birthday cake, but it looks very sweet. It even has the words "Happy Birthday" written in simplified Chinese on it. I wonder how he made it.

"Wow, so beautiful!" Rouge couldn't help but exclaim. "What is this?"

Baozi had already pounced forward, ready to devour the food.

Seeing Baozi's face covered in white hair from eating so much, I shook my head and laughed as I went with Rouge to sort through Baozi's spoils.

“Madam Pei, you are such a good mother,” Rouge said with a smile as she sat on the edge of the bed.

Upon hearing this, I was slightly taken aback. I, who am usually thick-skinned and invulnerable, actually blushed slightly. I turned my head to look at Rouge, "Really?"

Rouge nodded and smiled, "The way Madam looks at Baozi makes Rouge think that Madam is a good mother."

I looked down and smiled. "No one taught me how to do it, and I'm worried that I'm not doing it well enough."

After tidying up for a while, I returned to the front hall, only to hear Hua Yingxiong's voice coming from there.

"Don't mention Chong'er in front of Mom anymore," Hua Yingxiong's voice said.

"Why?" Baozi asked, his mouth full of food, his words muffled.

"Because Mom will be sad," Hua Yingxiong said with a smile.

I was slightly taken aback.

"Young master, please come in and have a seat," Rouge's voice suddenly rang out.

I turned around and saw Zhao'er. Yan Zhi still called him "Young Master" as she always did at Chunfeng Tower.

“Sister.” Zhao’er stepped forward.

The boy with clear features gradually shed his childishness; two years of military service had tanned his once fair skin to a wheatish hue. Whether Cao Cao did it intentionally or not, ever since Zhao'er was incorporated into his army, she rarely had time to cling to me all day, and of course, she missed out on participating in my escape plans, which repeatedly failed along the way.

"Uncle!" Baozi, with his sharp ears, rushed out of the door like a whirlwind.

Zhao'er smiled and bent down, handing a small wooden sword to Baozi, "This is for you."

Baozi's eyes lit up, and she reached out her little hand to take it, puffing out her little chest and striking a majestic pose.

"My little uncle is the best!" Baozi quickly flattered.

Zhao'er smiled and patted Baozi's little head.

Leaning against the corridor, I looked at Zhao'er. He seemed to have grown much taller. Baozi was running around in the yard, playing the hero, holding a small wooden sword.

"Is fighting a war tough?"

"Zhao'er is fine," Zhao'er lowered her head slightly, then looked at me again, "Sister, I will definitely take you away."

His voice was soft, but his expression was incredibly serious, carrying an undeniable certainty.

Looking at Zhao'er, I was slightly lost in thought. Zhao'er seemed to have changed a lot. He was no longer the blindly impulsive child. He had learned to plan a lot. Every time he went to war, he honed himself to be more like a man.

I reached out and ruffled his hair, then smiled and pulled him inside. "It's been so long since we ate together. Why don't you stay for a meal?"

Zhao'er nodded, still obedient.

After lunch, Zhao'er had some business to attend to in the army, so she left early.

After sweeping through the surrounding area, Baozi decided to leave the mansion to poison the immortal.

Banxian's body grew weaker day by day, so I dragged Hua Yingxiong along to go with me, thinking it would be good to get a physical check-up while we were at it.

Once outside the mansion, the four unwavering, stern-faced guards followed closely behind.

These four men were directly under Cao Cao's command, and they automatically ignored the orders of the second person. In order to retain my right to leave the mansion, I had no choice but to endure such an inhumane and unequal treaty.

As soon as Hua Yingxiong's carriage stopped, Baozi eagerly jumped off and disappeared in a flash.

"Xiao Mao! Xiao Mao! I'm here..." Baozi shouted as he rushed in.

This isn't my first time visiting Guo Jia's residence. It remains as tranquil as ever; here, it's as if even time itself can stand still...

If things really come to a standstill... it might not be such a bad thing.

"Baozi will grow up healthy, right?" After getting off the carriage, I looked at Hua Yingxiong and suddenly spoke softly. I was anxious and just wanted to seek a guarantee.

Hua Yingxiong stared at me for a long time, then suddenly raised his hand and smacked me hard on the forehead. "What nonsense are you thinking about?"

"Can I trust you?" I blinked. "A quack doctor."

"You dare doubt my professional competence?" Hua Yingxiong narrowed his eyes dangerously as he glanced at me.

I rubbed my forehead and grinned.

"Xiao Mao... Today is my birthday!" As soon as I entered the yard, I saw Baozi squatting on the ground, looking at Xiao Mao.

Poor Xiao Mao looked completely innocent.

"You stingy little devil!" Baozi made a face at Xiao Mao and pulled a radish out of his pocket. "Eat this."

Little Mao opened his mouth and started eating with a "crunch crunch" sound.

"Cough cough..." Guo Jia coughed lightly as he walked out of the room.

"Half-Immortal..." Baozi pounced forward, tilting his little head up and calling out sweetly.

Guo Jia laughed, "Baozi is so well-behaved."

"It's Chong'er's birthday today!" Baozi blinked his eyes, smiling sweetly like an angel, repeating what he had said no less than a hundred and eight times today...

I've thought about it... and now the whole of Xuchang knows it's this young master's birthday...

"Oh, I see," Guo Jia said with a smile, bending down to pick up the steamed buns, then coughed lightly, "They're so heavy..."

"That's right!" Baozi proudly tilted his head back. "Dad said that a three-year-old is a man!"

"Dad?" Guo Jia raised an eyebrow slightly.

“It’s Daddy…” Baozi snuggled against Guo Jia affectionately.

"Hehe," Guo Jia laughed, "Alright, three-year-old man, what gift do you want?"

"I want the Half-Immortal to celebrate Chong'er's birthday with him every year!" Baozi tilted his head, looked at Guo Jia, and suddenly said.

I was stunned. Even Baozi could sense that the immortal's body was getting weaker day by day?

Guo Jia pinched Baozi's little nose and smiled, "Okay."

“Guo Fengxiao, a born genius!” Baozi blinked. “Father said that a wise ruler will always have a famous scholar to help him. One day, Chong’er will also have his own strategist.”

Seeing Baozi's unusually serious expression, I felt a little flustered.

I don't want my son to be a wise ruler; I just want him to grow up healthy.

Guo Jia laughed, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Hmm, with Chong'er being so clever, he'll surely have his own strategist."

Baozi then smiled, her big eyes narrowed.

I looked at Guo Jia; he seemed to have grown even thinner.

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Author's Note:

Thank you everyone for pointing out the errors. My sense of time is indeed a bit fuzzy; it's hard to believe Baozi has suddenly turned eight. Also, Baozi was born on the battlefield of the Battle of Guandu in the fifth year of Jian'an (200 AD), so her birthday at that time is now considered three. Thank you all for giving Baozi extra time; Baozi will be grateful to all the older sisters… *flying pounce*, giving Baozi a sweet kiss. *smack*…

Regarding the origin of the steamed buns, it's understandable since Baozi's mother is a time traveler. However, since some readers don't understand, I've already explained the reason in the previous text. Anyway, thank you everyone for pointing out the errors; everything is for making my story more complete. :)