November 1st is Yuan Zhizhi’s birthday.
In the early morning, the sky and the earth were covered in silver. Fine snow fell quietly on the eaves and courtyard of the Zhaixing Palace, making a slight "crunching" sound when stepped on.
Yuan Nan'an got up early as usual and practiced with a gun in the yard.
The silver spear flew and intertwined with the flying snow, and the sharp energy rolled in the cold wind.
Aze stood aside and watched quietly. When she put away her gun, he promptly handed her warm water and a hot towel with familiar and meticulous movements.
Yuan Qi Yu, however, huddled in the hall, curled up on a low couch, wrapped in a thick blanket, looking as if he had no interest in the snow.
Aze asked him why he didn't go out to play, Yuan Qiyu lazily pulled the blanket and said in a sullen tone:
“I don’t like snowy days.”
Yuan Zhizhi had no idea what day it was.
She has been full of energy these days, running around happily every day, sometimes chasing Xiaobai madly, sometimes pestering Yuan Nanan to learn how to wield swords and guns, full of energy.
Yuan Zhao also did not mention that today was her birthday.
She was living under someone else's roof and really didn't want to show off. He thought he would hold a proper one-year-old celebration for her after returning to Liangzhou or the capital.
Even Qingzhi, who is closest to her, didn't know that today was a special day.
These days, Duota rarely sets foot in the Star-Picking Palace.
He had just regained the throne and was busy rectifying the government, so he really had no time to spare.
The palace servants in the Zhaixing Palace were also very sensible. They served carefully and respectfully and never asked about unnecessary matters.
But Yuan Zhao could see that Duota loved Zhizhi.
She had seen the portraits he had painted himself - the little girl in the portraits had a bright smile and curved eyes, like a bright little moon.
The newly built swing in the yard is Zhizhi’s favorite place to play.
There were also goodies delivered by the palace servants every day, such as candies, snacks, and fluffy little boots...
Even something that Zhizhi mentioned casually was quietly delivered to him.
In the afternoon, Jin Wan personally led the palace servants into the Zhaixing Palace.
He held various delicacies in his hands, and behind him followed several young eunuchs carrying various brocade boxes.
The lid of the box opened slightly, revealing silks and satins, various jade ornaments, and even an exquisite gold bracelet inside.
Judging from the size of the circle, it was obviously prepared for Yuan Zhizhi.
Yuan Zhizhi was squatting in the yard playing in the snow. She was attracted by the scene and looked over. She blinked her dark eyes and asked curiously:
"What is it?"
Jin Wan looked at her with a smile and bowed respectfully to Yuan Zhao.
Then he squatted down, handed a gilded little rabbit in his hand to her palm, and said softly:
"The King specially ordered them to be prepared. Today is the little prince's birthday, and these are the birthday gifts the King gave to the little prince."
birthday?
Yuan Zhizhi was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Yuan Zhao, her little face full of questions, as if she had just realized what day it was.
Yuan Zhao was also slightly stunned. He didn't expect Duota to know this day.
She lowered her eyes to look at the birthday gifts placed on the stone table, her eyes were deep, and no one knew what she was thinking.
Jin Wan saw Yuan Zhao's deep thought and said with a smile,
"The King said that if Her Highness doesn't want to make it public, then so be it. But today is Her Highness' birthday after all, so we should still make her happy."
Zhizhi finally understood, hugged the little rabbit and laughed, pinched its ears and shook them.
"Porridge! Porridge!"
Her voice was soft and there was a hint of joy in her tone.
After saying this, she happily hugged the little rabbit and said to Yuan Nan'an and Yuan Qiyu excitedly,
"Let's pile up snow silver!"
Yuan Nan'an agreed readily, wrapped her up tightly, and led her to the yard.
Seeing this, Aze followed and lent a hand.
Yuan Qi Yu thought about it and trotted out.
Jin Wan watched Yuan Zhizhi leave with a smile, then took something out of the brocade box in the hands of the eunuch behind him and handed it to Qingzhi.
"Your Highness, this is specially brought to you by the king's order. It's snowing heavily today, and the king is worried that you might catch a cold."
Qingzhi opened it and saw a snow fox cloak with excellent fur color inside.
She handed it to Yuan Zhao, who touched the fur of the cloak, which was soft and warm to the touch.
Jin Wan added, "This cloak was made from a Tianshan snow fox hunted by the king himself. It is extremely rare."
Yuan Zhao took the cloak and covered his legs with it. He looked up at him and asked calmly, "Where is he?"
Jin Wan didn't expect Yuan Zhao to ask this question, and was stunned for a moment before saying,
"The king has been busy with court affairs these past few days, and only this morning did he take time off to go to the Tiantai Temple to offer sacrifices to the kings of all generations."
Yuan Zhao understood clearly that Xiaoyue City had just changed hands, and as the king, Duota must hold a sacrifice to consolidate his legitimate rule.
After Jin Wan handed over the things, he whispered, "Your Highness, the King said that he wants to have dinner at the Star-Picking Palace tonight and light a perpetual lamp for you..."
He didn't finish his words, and there was some hesitation, as if he was asking Yuan Zhao's opinion.
Yuan Zhao was slightly startled, his fingertips slowly stroking the teacup in his hand, without saying a word.
After a moment, she finally spoke.
"Let him come..."
Jin Wan heaved a sigh of relief when he got a positive answer, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
After saying this, he bowed respectfully and left with the palace maids.
The joyful laughter of several children could be heard outside the house. Yuan Zhao sat there, gently stroking the fox fur on his legs with his fingers.
Qingzhi was quietly packing up the things Jin Wan brought, her movements meticulous and careful, for fear of breaking anything.
She opened a few exquisite boxes, gently pushed them in front of Yuan Zhao, and said with a smile:
"Your Highness, these... must have been specially prepared for you."
Yuan Zhao looked up when he heard this.
Inside the box, the glittering gemstone headpieces are neatly arranged, emitting a faint and gorgeous luster.
The jade is emerald green, the oriental pearls are round and flawless, and the red and blue sapphires are pure in color.
Many of them were extremely rare items, even better than any rewards she had ever seen in the palace before.
On the side, there are jars of exquisite glass bottles filled with precious spices from the Western Regions.
Qingzhi took out a can and lit it lightly.
The fragrance slowly diffuses, quiet and elegant, very much like the cool fragrance of a pine forest after snow.
Yuan Zhao sat upright, his eyes fixed on the glittering gem, his fingertips still stroking the blanket, and he did not speak.
Duota had been sending these things to her continuously since the first day she arrived at the Star-Picking Palace.
She also said that she would not stay long, so it would be useless to give her these rare items.
If Duota had heard this in the past, he would have frowned and forced Yuan Zhao to accept it.
But now, he just smiled slightly, looking at her serious expression,
"As long as these things can make Zhao happy for a moment, then they are useful."
After a while, she withdrew her thoughts, a faint fragrance lingering around her nose, and she said to Qingzhi,
"Tell the kitchen to prepare something delicious for dinner."
Qingzhi smiled and responded when she heard this.
"Yes! Your Highness!"
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