Chapter 104: The Lavish Birthday Gift (Special Release)

Ling’er Liu felt a surge of doubt in her heart—something was off! Why did Baili Hai seem so alert, so keenly perceptive? This was far from the demeanor of an ordinary person. Could it be that Baili Hai had been concealing something all along? If so, that would be truly terrifying!

The palace was several times livelier than when Ling’er Liu had last entered. Lanterns and banners adorned every corner, bathing the halls in joyous festivity. Crowds surged, laughter echoed everywhere. Palace maids and eunuchs moved in well-ordered groups, their passage resembling drifting clouds in the sky—colorful and graceful.

After escorting the Empress Dowager back to the Phoenix Perch Palace in the western wing, the eunuch invited the first delegates from various states forward to offer their birthday wishes. Ministers from the Eastern Chu Kingdom and their attendants were guided to their seats, where exquisite pastries were arranged on marble tables. Dancers performed elegantly, their movements growing ever more spirited in harmony with the musicians. Palace maids, fluttering like butterflies among flowers, poured fine wine at each table.

It was still early—some time remained before the auspicious hour for the Empress Dowager’s birthday. The celebration had not yet officially begun, so guests chatted amiably; the atmosphere was harmonious, with both hosts and visitors in high spirits.

Ling’er Liu spotted her father, Ruofeng Liu, seated with his wife Tan Cai’er. Whispering something into Baili Xian’s ear, Baili Xian’s expression stiffened. “Princess, this isn’t appropriate. Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday—you shouldn’t cause any trouble.”

“Relax, don’t worry. I’ll just explain it to the Empress Dowager, all right?” Before Baili Xian could object, she strode over to the Empress Dowager. “Mother, it’s been so long since I’ve seen Father. I’d like to go sit with him for a while, if that’s permitted?”

Chu Meier smiled. “Go ahead.” Ling’er Liu turned, casting a triumphant glance at Baili Xian as if to say, “See? I told you it would be fine—even the Empress Dowager has agreed!”

She made her way to her father’s table, called out to him, and hesitated before addressing Tan Cai’er with a conflicted look, finally managing, “Aunt Tan!”

Ruofeng Liu was mildly surprised to see his beloved daughter at his table. “Ling’er, why aren’t you accompanying Prince Xian? What brings you here?”

“Father!” Ling’er Liu cooed affectionately. “I missed you—don’t tell me you don’t miss me! Or is it that, now you have Aunt Tan with you, you no longer need your daughter? Boohoo, poor Ling’er, abandoned by her own father!”

Several nearby tables turned to look, and two tables even began whispering among themselves, “Who would have thought? General Ruofeng Liu always seemed so proper, but he’s just like the rest of us—gets a wife and forgets his daughter!”

“Shh, keep your voice down. What if he hears? If I could marry a princess too, I’d probably act the same way. Men, you know how it is!” The last remark was particularly laden with meaning.

Ruofeng Liu’s cultured face flushed instantly, the veins on his neck standing out—whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. He sighed in defeat, looking at Ling’er Liu. “Alright, you win. Come and sit. But once the celebration begins, you must return to Prince Xian.”

“I knew Father still loves me!” Ling’er Liu walked over, but instead of sitting beside Ruofeng Liu or Tan Cai’er, she settled herself right between them—an oversized third wheel, as one might say in modern parlance.

If she’d been dealing with a typical stepmother, a scene would have ensued. But Tan Cai’er, gentle by nature, took no offense; she smiled and gently took Ling’er Liu’s hand. “Ling’er, the little one you brought last time—why didn’t you bring her today?”

Ling’er Liu was momentarily stunned, then realized Tan Cai’er meant Xiao Shuangshuang. Remembering the awkward incident with Baili Xian last time, her cheeks reddened. “Aunt, you mean Xiao Shuangshuang? Prince Xian said today wasn’t suitable for her to come, so we left her at home. You know, if she gets hungry, there’s no wet nurse here.”

On hearing this, Tan Cai’er’s face took on a look of embarrassment. Xiao Shuangshuang was delightful in every way, except for her reluctance to wean, which was rather troublesome. Last time, the child had insisted on milk from her, putting Tan Cai’er in a very awkward position.

Ling’er Liu’s hand was clasped in Tan Cai’er’s when suddenly, Ling’er Liu sensed something odd in Tan Cai’er’s pulse. She was about to investigate more closely when a proclamation rang out, “The Fourth Prince of Southern Man has arrived!”

All conversation ceased as everyone looked toward the entrance. A single figure entered, and even before he arrived, a wild, formidable aura swept through the hall. Ruofeng Liu murmured, “Du Gu Tianqing of Southern Man—unmatched in the world, a warrior who could stand against ten thousand.”

So the Fourth Prince of Southern Man was Du Gu Tianqing, the kingdom’s mighty General of Cavalry. Ling’er Liu sized him up. He appeared just over twenty, his features sharply chiseled, eyes like bronze bells, brimming with spirit.

What was most astonishing was that, on the Empress Dowager’s birthday, he wore silver armor, accentuating his tall, imposing stature—so intimidating that, had it not been announced he was here to offer birthday wishes, one might have suspected him of coming to disrupt the celebration.

He carried a golden chest as large as himself; one glance at it was enough to know that this gift would be extraordinary. Ling’er Liu mused that Southern Man was truly generous—what a lavish birthday tribute!