Their plan was to keep this matter a secret from Regent Sima Rui, so that everyone would be safe and everyone would be happy.

The old shopkeeper was indeed afraid of Gan Qiongying, so he stopped hiding anything from her and taught her all sorts of techniques, methods for measuring leg weakness, how to correct twisted areas, and how to make shoes.

Gan Qiongying only learned the technique of strapping today, but she also knew that just learning how to strap was not enough. She had to go home to measure Li Hua's legs, get accurate data, know exactly how much his two legs differed, and even where the uneven parts of his feet were and where his feet were putting pressure on the ground, in order to make special shoes.

Having only learned the basics, Gan Qiongying couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "You have such skills. Do you know how many heroes in this world have been crippled on the battlefield? Your methods can help them stand up again, and even help them use their crippled limbs. Do you know how much of an impact that would have? You were actually imprisoned in a clothing shop by the Regent. Are you really willing to accept that?"

The old shopkeeper's eyes were already red, but he took a deep breath and in the end said nothing, only shaking his head.

He is too old now; his former ambitions have long been buried by time, and all that remains is a life of mere survival.

He couldn't escape the shadow of the regent, and without anyone's protection, he couldn't use his skills to help anyone.

Moreover, he had a wife and children. Although the regent allowed him to send his wife and children out of Yindu, they were always under his supervision.

Not everyone can realize their ambitions; there are many more people in this world whose aspirations remain unfulfilled.

Gan Qiongying did not try to persuade him further. Although she valued talent, it was not easy to poach the Regent's people. Gan Qiongying could not tolerate any disloyal people around her.

After agreeing with the old shopkeeper that neither of them would tell anyone about it, Gan Qiongying returned to the princess's residence and locked herself in her room to practice bandaging.

However, before Li Hua returned that evening, she put all the bindings away and greeted him with a smile, as if she had been at home all day.

Li Hua has been dining and drinking with members of the Chamber of Commerce from various places for the past two days, and he is slightly tipsy tonight. People always reveal some true feelings after drinking.

Li Hua saw Gan Qiongying waiting for him at the door. After getting off the carriage, he walked towards Gan Qiongying expectantly and hugged her tightly in his arms.

Although they were separated by mountains and seas, Li Hua always felt that the home he longed for but could not have, the family that others were born with and that he envied so much, was now his.

“I should be back a little earlier tomorrow, and I’ll bring some of Phoenix Restaurant’s signature dishes. Let’s have a good drink together,” Li Hua said, reaching out to touch Gan Qiongying’s face. “I want to drink with you.”

He still didn't mention his own birthday. In fact, Li Hua didn't care about his birthday and even wanted to avoid it.

Because he was someone who was abandoned at birth, he didn't understand what was there to celebrate on this day.

The reason why Li Hua has gathered with the Chamber of Commerce members on her birthday for so many years is that initially, it was not to celebrate her own birthday, but to get everything sorted out the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival so that the members of the Chamber of Commerce could go back to their families in harmony and happiness to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

However, there were many people around him, and some of them were very observant and discovered that his birthday was August 14th.

So, in order to flatter him, the business owners of those chambers of commerce began to celebrate his birthday on August 14th every year. This day was also the day when the chambers of commerce summarized their year-end and exchanged rice and grain prices from various regions.

Li Hua moved the date of the gathering forward this year because he didn't care about his own birthday at all. Knowing that Gan Qiongying was eager to enter the palace and missed the emperor every day, Li Hua quietly took care of everything for her and put her needs first.

He also wanted to drink with Gan Qiongying, not to humbly and quietly celebrate his birthday.

It was because during the days he met with people from chambers of commerce in various places, he was always infected by their emotions. They all had their own families, and they were about to go back to reunite with their families, bringing with them the profits from the first half of the year, making it as lively as the New Year.

For Li Hua, the Mid-Autumn Festival and family reunion are more important.

Gan Qiongying was destined to enter the palace for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Although Li Hua was also among those invited, they would sit far apart on the day of the palace banquet and would not be able to talk intimately. Therefore, Li Hua planned to make the night of the 14th of August the Mid-Autumn Festival for the two of them.

Gan Qiongying naturally agreed, but she didn't know what Li Hua was thinking. She only assumed that Li Hua would tell her his birthday the next night.

The two returned to their room sweetly and had dinner together. After washing up that night, they lay in bed. Li Hua had already closed his eyes and was ready to sleep. He was really tired that day. Various quotes from different places had been presented to him. Li Hua didn't have a photographic memory; he had to memorize them one by one and then make adjustments based on the situation in the second half of the year.

He also had to consider the disasters in various places and, within the scope of making money, offer the lowest possible prices to the affected areas.

The truly righteous are often the lowly merchants, despised by the elites. These are the people who contribute the most to disaster-stricken areas each year. Conversely, it's the high-ranking royalty, officials, and nobles who, with a few words, consider themselves saviors of the world.

Using your brain too much will tire your body out. Li Hua was almost asleep when he suddenly felt Gan Qiongying unbuttoning his pants.

Li Hua quickly opened his eyes, pressed down on Gan Qiongying's hand, his ears turned red in an instant, and his eyes were full of embarrassment when he looked at Gan Qiongying.

He wanted to ask "What are you doing?" but couldn't say anything. He even stopped breathing. Holding Gan Qiongying's hand, he felt like he was suffocating himself.

Gan Qiongying, however, remained calm and said to Li Hua, "Let go and let me see your legs."

"It's going to rain these next few days, let me check if your wound is red."

Li Hua felt ashamed for her momentary misunderstanding, but if it was just about looking at his legs, why did she have to unzip his pants?

Li Hua looked at Gan Qiongying questioningly.

Gan Qiongying immediately understood what he meant, but she had already prepared her explanation.

He said in a serious tone, "I asked the doctor carefully today, and he said that your condition, with the injury on your calf that has been there for so long, may affect your thigh."

"I'll take a good look at you. When you're not home tomorrow, I'll discuss with the physician how to change your dressings or think of other methods, like acupuncture, to at least stop your leg injury from spreading to your thigh."

Gan Qiongying was talking nonsense, but she spoke so seriously that even Li Hua, who knew her injuries perfectly well, began to doubt herself.

Gan Qiongying was very persistent, and Li Hua eventually let go of her hand.