My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 41 Birthday

“Spring rain makes the green shade lush, and spring returns when the rain stops. Flowers wither, and the oriole sings alone; grass grows, and swallows fly in pairs.”[1]

In late spring, April is a time of renewal and vibrant life. The weather is warming up, and the sun shines brightly.

In Qingyang County, the peach blossoms on the mountains have not yet faded, and people have changed into light clothes to go on spring outings and visit friends.

In the backyard of the county government office, Madam Ji was arranging for servants to prepare gifts to be sent to the capital. Magistrate Ji was sitting by the window with a book in his hand, glancing into the courtyard from time to time.

"Madam, some of the dried fruit and meat sent from the estate a few days ago could be sent to the capital," Magistrate Ji suggested.

Madam Ji continued working, then turned to Magistrate Ji and said coquettishly, "What's missing in the capital? Do you need us to send some dried fruit and meat?"

Magistrate Ji put down his book, walked into the courtyard, and took the cloth that Madam Ji had arranged: "It's available in the capital, it's available in the capital, we're the ones who are sending it."

Madam Ji said, "Why isn't the master reading? These things are being organized by the maids and servants."

Magistrate Ji picked up a stray strand of Madam Ji's hair: "Madam prepared a gift for the Ji family, and I will prepare one for the Zhou family. That's fair. Besides, how can I let Madam suffer?"

Madam Ji blushed slightly, pursed her lips, glared at Magistrate Ji, and did not reply.

The two returned to the house.

After sitting down, Magistrate Ji said, "The birthdays of the Sixth Prince and the Second Miss Li are approaching. Have the gifts been prepared?"

Madam Ji took a sip of water from the maid beside her, and upon hearing Magistrate Ji's words, handed over the register of items sent to the capital: "It's already in there. In the name of A Xun, a landscape painting of Moshan Academy was sent to the Sixth Prince, and a string of jade beads was sent to the Second Miss of the Li family."

Magistrate Ji took the booklet and looked at it carefully: "It's acceptable for the patrolman to give the Sixth Prince a landscape painting, but isn't it a bit inappropriate to give the Second Miss of the Li family a bracelet?"

“What’s wrong with that? Ah Xun and Miss Li are about the same age. We should make plans for this as soon as possible.” Madam Ji glared at Magistrate Ji.

It took Magistrate Ji a while to realize that Ah Xiu wanted to put Ah Xun and Miss Li together, and he was both amused and exasperated.

After dismissing the servants from inside, Magistrate Ji said with some helplessness, "Ah Xiu, Miss Li is only six years old now, seven by the traditional Chinese age reckoning, while Ah Xun is eleven this year. Isn't it too early now?"

“What do you know? We’ve watched Miss Li grow up. We know her inside and out. She got along well with Ah Xun in the capital. Moreover, if Ah Xun and Miss Li can get together and be on good terms with the Li family, it will be beneficial to the master, the Ji family, and the Zhou family in the future.” Seeing that Magistrate Ji didn’t understand her meaning, Madam Ji said with some grievance.

Magistrate Ji remained silent for a long time before taking Madam Ji's hand and saying, "Madam, you have great foresight. I admire you. With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?"

Madam Ji withdrew her hand and gave Magistrate Ji a big eye roll: "You know it is good that you know it. I did it all for the sake of the master, for Ah Xun, and for this family. The Li family is managed by Old Madam Li, and has a very high seniority in the capital. All the major families have to give her face. The Li family is also deeply trusted by His Majesty. However, the people in the Li family are too pedantic and do not get close to other families."

Magistrate Ji sighed helplessly: "This matter still depends on what Ah Xun and Miss Li think. Madam, you should let things take their course and not force things too much."

Madam Ji said, "Thank you for your advice, sir. It all depends on the children's opinion. Let's treat them like relatives. After all, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. Our residence in the capital is not far from the Li family's. This Miss Li and the Sixth Prince are also destined to be together, as they were born on the same day."

"What's so strange about that? There are so many children in the world, and babies are born every day. I know what you're thinking. Miss Li can only be Miss Li, and she has nothing to do with the rumors. After all, the Cui family, who smeared the Li family before, is no longer around." Magistrate Ji's words seemed to contain a sigh, a sense of apprehension, and a warning.

“There are always some squabbles among the prominent families in the capital, but it’s rare to see families like the Cui and Li families openly displaying their grudges. Even ordinary people would try to hide it. The Li family held a banquet to celebrate the Cui family’s misfortune, but unexpectedly, they were affected by the clash and gave birth to Miss Li the Second. When I saw her, she looked like a tiny little kitten,” Madam Ji said with lingering fear.

“Madam, please don’t mention this matter again,” said Magistrate Ji. “The Sixth Prince and Miss Li’s birthdays are on Xiaoman, which is not many days away. I will instruct Ji Wu to set off as soon as possible and make sure to deliver them before their birthdays.”

"I'm telling you this at home," Madam Ji said, not noticing the rest of Magistrate Ji's words. Seeing his expression and voice growing softer, she finally pouted and said, "I know."

At the Lin residence, Granny Liao was also preparing gifts.

"Last time, Young Master Ji and his entourage brought quite a few things when they came to our residence. What do you think of these gifts as a return gift, Young Master?"

Do children in this day and age have to be so particular about social interactions? Lin Ziping didn't understand, but he expressed his respect.

Looking at the items in the gift box, which were all common and ordinary things like writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, he thought there shouldn't be any problems and nodded, saying, "I think it's very good that Granny prepared these things. If Uncle doesn't want anything else, you can have Zhuzi send them over."

"Master has already seen them. These are the return gifts. I will have Zhu Zi and Shun Zi deliver them to the various residences in a little while. Young Master, you don't need to worry," said Granny Liao.

Lin Ziping nodded. Since he didn't understand it, professional matters should be handled by professionals. He would follow Liao Mama's arrangements. After all, Liao Mama, as a retired employee of the palace, must have a firm grasp on interpersonal relationships.

In the past, Granny Liao would immediately implement the plan after consulting her, but she didn't do so today.

Lin Ziping looked at her in confusion: "Granny, what's wrong?"

"Young Master, Xiaoman (the 8th solar term) is almost here," said Granny Liao with a smile.

What is Xiaoman? What does it have to do with me?

Seeing that Lin Ziping's expression was indifferent, Granny Liao continued, "That day is the young master's birthday. What does the young master want?"

The original owner's birthday is coming soon!

For my birthday present, I want to go home, but I don't know if that's possible ╥﹏╥...

Lin Ziping didn't know what the original owner of this body liked, so he shook his head.

Seeing this, Granny Liao sighed: "In previous years, the master was never present for the young master's birthday. I'll go ask Steward Tao in a bit whether the master will be with the young master this year. The young master can also invite his classmates who came to the mansion recently to celebrate his birthday together."

Lin Ziping didn't feel anything about Lin Zhonghe not celebrating his birthday with him. He hadn't celebrated his birthday properly for many years. Firstly, he found it troublesome; secondly, he was too busy, and by the time he remembered his birthday, many days had already passed; and thirdly, he still felt like a baby. But wouldn't celebrating his birthday remind him that he was getting old? These days, his birthday wasn't really his own. Whether he celebrated it or not, he would have to do it every day, so it made no difference.

Seeing that Granny Liao was still waiting for his reply, Lin Ziping said, "There's no need to invite my classmates. Granny, please ask my uncle for me. If he's busy, please cook me an egg on my birthday."

Granny Liao looked somewhat distressed, but said nothing more. She bowed to Lin Ziping and took her leave.

April 13th, Sunny, Lesser Fullness of Grain

Lin Zhong and Butler Tao left early; they had no day off today and went to school as usual.

Early in the morning, Granny Liao made a bowl of longevity noodles for Lin Ziping and, at Lin Ziping's request, boiled an egg.

April 13th, Lesser Fullness (Xiaoman), sunny weather.

Lin Zhong and Butler Tao left home a few days ago and haven't returned. Today is just another ordinary day, and they didn't have a day off either.

After finishing the longevity noodles prepared by Granny Liao and taking an egg, Lin Ziping went out and headed towards the academy.

After climbing the long steps of Moshan Academy, Lin Ziping turned around and saw the sun rising. He said to the original owner of the body in his heart: Lin Ziping, happy sixth birthday!