Chapter 114

Chapter 114: A Sudden Enlightenment! During her evening bath, Gan Qiongying enjoyed the comfort of the steaming heat and warm water gliding over her skin, while Manyue wore a beaming smile the entire time. She looked like a complete weirdo. Gan Qiongying guessed that Manyue must have something to say, but she deliberately didn’t ask. She even pretended several times that she was about to inquire, making Manyue alternate between excitement and disappointment several times. In the end, Manyue couldn’t hold back and spoke up herself. “Princess, I heard from Tianjiao that…” Manyue said with a proud expression, deliberately pausing before continuing, “Consort returned late today because he was dining with members of the merchant guild. Phoenix Tower was bustling today, filled with merchants from all over the country.” Gan Qiongying was confused: “Is it some important festival?” Manyue smiled even more broadly, slowing her speech as if deliberately building suspense, her face full of expectation for praise. She kept Gan Qiongying in suspense until she was about to stand up from the bathtub and hit her. Finally, she said: “It’s Consort’s birthday!” “What?” How did she not know! Gan Qiongying instantly recalled the parts of the plot related to Lihua’s birthday. She remembered that when she first transmigrated, she had looked at his birth chart because she didn’t know Lihua’s name. His birth details were written there, but she couldn’t recall them now. Zhongli Zhengzhen and Lihua shared the same birthday, which was mentioned in the plot, but Gan Qiongying hadn’t memorized it… To her shame, among Wen Xueling’s five husbands in the plot, Gan Qiongying’s favorite was the “domineering prince,” Regent Sima Rui. Gan Qiongying also knew that although Sima Rui appeared cold and imposing, he actually had a sweet tooth and loved candied fruits. However, after truly getting to know Sima Rui, Gan Qiongying felt that all her previous fondness had been wasted. Manyue said: “Tianjiao mentioned that every year on Consort’s birthday, many members of the merchant guild travel from all over the country to celebrate. Originally, it was always held on the fourteenth day of the eighth month, and they would always book Phoenix Tower.” Manyue continued, “People thought they were celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, and few knew it was actually to celebrate Consort’s birthday. But this year, for some reason, Consort moved it earlier.” At this point, Manyue deliberately paused: “Princess, guess why Consort moved it earlier?” Gan Qiongying couldn’t figure out the reason and splashed water at Manyue. “Stop keeping me in suspense,” Gan Qiongying said fiercely. “Tell me quickly, or I’ll punish you by making you sleep with Tianjiao and share only one blanket.” “Princess, Princess, I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you,” Manyue dodged the splashes, looking very reluctant. Tianjiao was indeed soft and fragrant, but she snored! Sleeping with her was pure torture. Who would have thought that a soft, sweet young girl would snore at such a young age! Afraid that Gan Qiongying would really make her cuddle with Tianjiao, Manyue quickly said: “I heard from Tianjiao that Consort doesn’t have much time this Mid-Autumn Festival because he’s helping the Princess prepare gifts for the Mid-Autumn night banquet, including return gifts for the court officials.” “He also has to personally escort the Princess into the palace and has been busy with these matters for the past two days.” Gan Qiongying broke into a wide smile. Hearing that Lihua was doing all this for her made her incredibly happy, her heart feeling as if it were flowing with honey. But soon, her smile slowly faded, and she withdrew her hands into the bathtub. She told Manyue to wait outside while she dressed, but she remained motionless in the bathtub for a long time. Her body gradually sank until only her eyes were visible above the water. Her long hair spread out in the water, and she let out a deep sigh. Lihua gave her so much silver every month, handled all sorts of affairs for her, offered strategies to overcome countless difficulties, and even deliberately moved his own birthday celebration earlier—yet she had never given him anything in return. Gan Qiongying’s head sank as she ducked underwater, guilt instantly flooding her like the water in the bath barrel. Over the next two days, Gan Qiongying racked her brains constantly, trying to decide what gift to give Lihua. Lihua hadn’t told her about his birthday, but she couldn’t pretend not to know. As if possessed, she first grabbed Manyue and asked for suggestions, but Manyue mentioned things like embroidered pouches or handmade clothes that women would give to their sweethearts… Gan Qiongying simply didn’t know how to make any of those! Gan Qiongying also made a round through the storeroom but found nothing suitable. She didn’t want to give gold, silver, or jewels—Lihua had plenty of those. Even if she went out to buy priceless treasures, the money would still be what Lihua had given her. And if Lihua knew she’d spent all her money on a gift, he’d just give her more. Day and night, Gan Qiongying pondered, but she truly couldn’t think of any creative gift. It felt like anything she gave would just be borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha. Gan Qiongying even considered simply tying herself up with a bow and presenting herself to Lihua. But the last time she took the initiative to offer herself, she was firmly rejected—that push was clearly a refusal. Presumably, the God of Wealth was like her, not lustful, and only liked hugs. But hugs couldn’t count as a birthday gift. Still, if Lihua liked them, she could hug him every day. These two days, Gan Qiongying could hardly eat or drink, determined not to give up until she thought of something. Today, unable to hold back, she went out to wait for Lihua to return home, as his birthday was just one day away. Gan Qiongying couldn’t help but feel anxious. Holding a lantern, she stood in the courtyard, her toes tapping the ground incessantly. The wind in the yard seemed to have frozen. Usually, the courtyard felt spacious, but today it felt narrow and cramped. Gan Qiongying paced back and forth. Though early autumn was approaching, she broke into a light sweat. Watching the flickering candle flame, her heart grew restless. What on earth should she give him? A sound came from the gate. Knowing Lihua had returned, Gan Qiongying immediately lifted her skirt and ran toward the entrance. Lihua had just stepped down from the carriage. Seeing Gan Qiongying running toward him, his face immediately broke into a smile. Today, the guests at the banquet had come from afar, and he couldn’t refuse, so he drank a little wine. But he remembered he had to return to have dinner with Gan Qiongying, so he hadn’t eaten anything. His mood was exceptionally good, even somewhat exhilarated. When he was happy, his pace quickened, making his usually inconspicuous limp very noticeable at this moment. Gan Qiongying, holding the lantern, watched Lihua stumbling toward her with a limp. For some reason, her nose tingled with emotion. She threw the lantern aside and ran toward Lihua. The swaying lantern light in the courtyard merged their shadows together, intimate and inseparable. When the two finally stood face-to-face with smiles, Gan Qiongying saw Lihua stagger slightly before steadying himself and quickly reached out to support him. And in that instant, Gan Qiongying felt as if she had been struck on the head—a sudden clarity, an epiphany! She knew what gift would truly touch Lihua’s heart!