On May 20th, Gu Yaoniang was very distressed.
This is her first birthday since arriving in Shuojing.
Gu Xingzhi and Qiao Niang both attached great importance to it, and the Gu family began preparations several days in advance.
Aside from the first few days after arriving in Shuojing, Yaoniang didn't have many opportunities to see Qiaoniang. More often than not, they wouldn't see each other for several days at a time.
The members of the Gu family were all busy with their own affairs, and they usually did not gather together for meals.
Gu Xingzhi and Qiaoniang specially set aside May 20th, and even asked Yaoniang if she had any close friends to invite to the Gu family to celebrate her birthday.
Actually, these are all happy things.
Gu Yaoniang was troubled because Gu Xingzhi had found her a martial arts instructor in addition to her original studies.
Master Wu's surname is Lin, and it is said that he is very skilled in building a solid foundation in martial arts.
That day at Jinyulou, Yaoniang encountered some local ruffians. Although she didn't suffer a major loss, it served as a warning to Gu Xingzhi.
He was initially looking for a bodyguard for Yaoniang, but the ability and character of such a bodyguard needed to be considered, so the matter was delayed.
I thought it would be fine for a few days, but I didn't expect that just after Qin Yuxiu's incident, I would encounter this kind of thing at Jinyulou.
Gu Xingzhi felt deeply ashamed.
Reliable guards are hard to find, so there's no rush. Adhering to the principle of self-reliance rather than relying on others, he found a martial arts instructor for Gu Yaoniang.
Gu Yaoniang will be nineteen years old today, long past the prime age for learning martial arts.
Gu Xingzhi didn't have any unrealistic fantasies about her. He only asked her to follow Master Lin to improve her health and learn one or two clever techniques to defeat enemies, which would be enough.
So, as the first step in improving her health, Master Wu led Yao Niang to practice horse stance in the courtyard.
It's not that Yao Niang is delicate.
Having never practiced martial arts before, and finding the horse stance quite strenuous on her legs, she swayed and trembled, prompting Master Lin to slap her several times with his pointer.
The joy of today's birthday has been somewhat diminished.
Yao Niang gritted her teeth and persevered while bargaining with her master.
Master Lin finally relented and agreed, but on the condition that Gu Yaoniang walk five quick laps around the Gu family courtyard.
Walking briskly is much better than standing in a horse stance, and Gu Yaoniang nodded in agreement.
Watching Yao Niang, supported by Bi Tao, walk away unsteadily until her figure gradually disappeared from sight, Qiao Niang muttered softly in an inconspicuous corridor: "Second Master, you really are something. Even if you're learning martial arts, one more day wouldn't make a difference. Why did you have to choose today for Master Lin's first visit?"
Gu Xingzhi touched his head guiltily.
He found Master Lin that day, and Master Lin said that he could start teaching at the manor as early as May 20th. He thought that it was better to do it sooner rather than later, so he made the decision decisively.
He knew that May 20th was Yao Niang's birthday, so he had given instructions to prepare a feast early on.
But can he say that when he was making the arrangements, even though he knew that both events were on May 20th, he didn't realize at all that they were on the same day?
He didn't do it on purpose!
Gu Xingzhi coughed lightly and said stubbornly, "Back then, when you wanted to practice martial arts, didn't you practice every day without rest? Did you ever care about your birthday?"
After saying that, he seemed to realize he had spoken out of turn and glanced cautiously at Qiaoniang.
Qiao Niang showed no sign of displeasure, only some disagreement: "I've been practicing martial arts for several months since my birthday, and I'm already used to getting up early for morning training. Yao Niang is only on her first day! How can you, as her uncle, not feel sorry for her at all!"
She seemed quite displeased with the man's carelessness, completely unaware that she had said something wrong.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Gu Xingzhi did not correct her mistake, and the two silently looked at the scenery in the courtyard.
The grass and trees were lush, and the cicadas chirped. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the two girls reappeared in the courtyard.
Yao Niang's legs should have felt much better now, and she can walk steadily without Bi Tao's help. If you don't look closely, she looks no different from usual.
Her forehead was covered in fine sweat, and she walked away again in a short while.
In the evening, guests arrived at the Gu family home one after another.
In truth, Gu Yaoniang didn't have many friends in Shuojing. She only sent birthday invitations to Princess Ruining, Wang Zhilan, and Xie Danqiu.
Yao Niang hesitated quite a bit before sending Xie Danqiu an invitation. With Qin Yuxiu's matter in the way, she felt somewhat uneasy facing Xie Danqiu.
However, when they first met, Xie Danqiu repeatedly told her that she must be invited to her birthday party. After much hesitation, Yao Niang still sent Xie Danqiu an invitation.
Xie Danqiu was the last to arrive today.
When she arrived at the Gu family, Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan were already there.
Princess Ruining, holding Yaoniang's hand, turned to the side and whispered, "The person I told you about who can make porcelain said you could give it a try and see if he can make what you want. I'll arrange for you two to meet another day, and you can talk to him yourselves."
Yao Niang thanked her repeatedly, and Princess Ruining waved to her.
Wang Zhilan sat politely beside the two, curiously observing the scenery of the Gu family home.
Xie Danqiu, still dressed in red, resembled a blazing fire as she strode into the flower hall.
Bitao trotted behind her, a little out of breath.
Seeing the three people sitting in the hall, she smiled triumphantly at Bitao: "See, I told you I wouldn't go to the wrong place!"
Xie Danqiu was holding a box in her arms, which was carved with exquisite and intricate patterns. Even just looking at the box, it was extremely valuable.
As soon as she saw Yao Niang, she shoved the box she was carrying into Yao Niang's arms, saying, "This is a birthday gift for you! Open it and take a look!"
Yao Niang was somewhat surprised. Opening the birthday gift in front of the giver was, frankly, extremely impolite.
Seeing that she seemed stunned, Wang Zhilan smiled and said, "Yaoniang, just open it and take a look! My cousin always wants people to open their gifts in front of her. She loves watching people unwrap their gifts. If you like it, she'll know whether she'll give you a gift again next time."
Yao Niang then picked up the box, placed it on the small table, and reached out to open it.
But after searching around, they couldn't find the lock on the box. The box was carved with intricate patterns, which appeared to be gardenia designs, with lush and verdant vines. The box seemed to be a single piece, and they couldn't find any opening at all.
She couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
Princess Ruining chuckled softly upon seeing this: "Ah Qiu, you're using this kind of box again."
Seeing that she couldn't figure out how to open it, Xie Danqiu exclaimed "Oh dear!" and was about to open the box herself.
Yao Niang was also anxious, so she used a little more force in her hand, but she didn't expect to press down on a flower carved on the box, causing the flower to sink in.
Yao Niang was afraid of breaking the box, so she quickly moved her hand away, but the lid of the box popped open by itself.
Xie Danqiu was pleasantly surprised to see that she had opened it herself: "Yaoniang! You are so smart! You are the second person to be able to open this kind of box by yourself without me teaching you!"
Yao Niang felt somewhat embarrassed. She couldn't really say she opened it herself; she had simply stumbled upon the mechanism of the box and opened it by accident.
She couldn't help but wonder who was the first person to open such a box.
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