Xiao Nanhui's 20th birthday was an ordinary day.
The Qinghuai Marquis's residence was sparsely populated, with only a few faces present, so it wasn't a bustling place. However, the old steward had ordered the kitchen staff to prepare Xiao Nanhui's favorite spicy wide noodles early in the morning, and waited for her to get up before delivering them. Traditionally, the general would present a gift after the noodles were served. During wartime, these gifts were delivered from the barracks, otherwise, they would be delivered in the courtyard of the mansion.
Xiao Nanhui's birthday falls on the ninth day of the fourth lunar month, when the camellias in Quecheng are in full bloom. After receiving gifts in the courtyard, Xiao Nanhui would talk about the golden camellias in full bloom at Yongye Temple south of the city, inviting the general to join him in admiring them. The general would then instruct the steward to prepare a carriage and mention returning home for dinner in the evening.
The general wasn't a heavy drinker, but tonight's meal always required wine. He'd order a jar of Lihuabai, but Xiao Nanhui would quietly order Yunyexian instead. Yunyexian's rich flavor made it harder to get drunk, but the general would still get drunk every year. Once drunk, he'd pull Xiao Nanhui aside and chat in the moonlight until Xiao Nanhui ordered the steward to escort him downstairs, and that was the end of the day.
Xiao Nanhui opened his eyes, and the curtain with twined branch patterns above his head seemed to have become much more lively, revealing a sense of restlessness.
Since she came to Qinghuaihou Mansion fourteen years ago, she has celebrated her birthday like this every year.
After more than ten years, she still looks forward to this day.
When the day ends, she will start a new countdown, looking forward to the arrival of this day next year.
If possible, she hopes that the years will continue like this.
Xiao Nanhui took a deep breath, lifted the quilt and climbed out of bed.
The girl named Shrike never gets up so early. She won't get up until noon. There are not many maids and servants in the house, so she washes and changes clothes by herself. She has been used to it for so many years.
This year's spring seemed to have come earlier than in previous years. The weather was so warm that it made people drowsy. Xiao Nanhui slurped his noodles contentedly, glancing towards the door from time to time, wondering why he hadn't seen Dujuan yet.
Dujuan is Xiao Zhun's maid. Her temperament is much better than Shrike's. She knows all the big and small things in the mansion and can be considered half a manager.
Usually at this time, Dujuan would come to her with gifts.
Xiao Nanhui was distracted and choked on the chili pepper in his throat. He started coughing and grabbed the teapot beside him and took a few gulps of water. Through his tearful eyes, he saw a shadow walking towards him from a distance, but it was not a woman's figure.
The old steward, Chen Si, walked quickly over from the other end of the courtyard, bowed hastily, and whispered, "The Marquis sent word that the emperor had summoned you early this morning and told you not to wait. He also said that matters in the camp were closed for the day, so you didn't need to go and could make your own arrangements."
One unnecessary thing after another, Xiao Nanhui suppressed the cough in his throat and swallowed his doubts back into his stomach.
"Thank you, Uncle Chen. I'll go to Yanfu Street after dinner. If my adoptive father comes back, please send someone to call me."
Chen Si nodded and left. Xiao Nanhui stared at the half bowl of noodles that was still steaming in front of him and suddenly lost his appetite.
Her favorite scene this year did not follow the script.
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