Silks, satins, antiques, calligraphy, paintings, precious medicinal herbs...
Box after box of gifts, dazzling the eyes.
But Qin Moyuan's gaze merely swept over these items before secretly observing the person beside him.
Li Yueshu had to admit, she was like Liu姥姥 entering the Grand View Garden—completely wide-eyed.
In her two lifetimes, she had never seen so many treasures!
As Li Yueshu stared curiously at the items, a voice suddenly spoke beside her, "I almost forgot, today is actually my birthday."
Li Yueshu: "..."
If you lowered your voice any further, I'd actually believe you forgot.
Cao Zhuang, standing by, was also startled by the sudden voice, his respectful smile almost faltering.
Qin Moyuan ignored him entirely. Seeing Li Yueshu glance his way, he quickly averted his gaze.
"Thank you, Eunuch Cao, for making the trip. Uncle Yan, move all these things to the storeroom," Qin Moyuan said calmly, gesturing with his hand.
"It is my duty, Your Highness," Cao Zhuang said cautiously, looking at him. "The gifts have been delivered. May this servant return to the palace to report?"
Qin Moyuan nodded. "Uncle Yan, see Eunuch Cao out."
Cao Zhuang bowed respectfully and was then led away by Uncle Yan.
Before leaving, he glanced back curiously at Li Yueshu before hurrying out of the prince's manor.
Li Yueshu had not said a word from beginning to end.
Only after the man left did she turn to Qin Moyuan. "Didn't you say you were going to receive an imperial decree?"
Qin Moyuan said, without a blush or a pant, "Cao Zhuang is the chief eunuch by the Emperor's side. I didn't expect him to just be delivering gifts, making Ah Shu come here for nothing."
He said it with such sincerity, yet Li Yueshu pouted, giving him a look that said, "Do you think I believe you?"
She directly rolled her eyes. "Then I'll get back to work."
With that, she turned and returned to Ru Mo Residence without a hint of hesitation.
Qin Moyuan's expression froze.
He finally realized, belatedly, that Ah Shu hadn't misunderstood, but rather, she simply didn't want to bother with him.
It felt like an arrow had pierced Qin Moyuan's heart.
He really did hate birthdays after all!
Qin Moyuan stopped going to Ru Mo Residence to seek attention, but his entire demeanor radiated a "I'm in a very bad mood, don't bother me" aura.
Even the usually clueless Xing He noticed that if he dared to cross him at this moment, his master would truly tear him apart.
Therefore, Xing He immediately took the matter he needed to report to Li Yueshu.
"Miss, the tutor His Highness previously arranged for the two young masters has arrived in Chongzhou. Would you like to meet him?"
Li Yueshu paused for a moment, then remembered.
Shen Yimin and Mo Lian had gone to the Imperial Academy to study, and the other three children couldn't be left behind.
Since they couldn't go to the Imperial Academy, Qin Moyuan had specifically found renowned tutors and invited them to the manor to teach.
To teach within the manor, one naturally had to put aside other matters, which was why the tutor had only arrived now.
Li Yueshu had always placed great importance on the education of children, so she naturally wanted to meet him.
She had intended to ask Qin Moyuan to join her, but he refused, claiming he had matters to attend to.
Li Yueshu: "???"
He had pestered her for half the day, and now he suddenly had business?
Li Yueshu pouted and, saying nothing more, took the two children to meet the tutor.
Meanwhile, Qin Moyuan sulked alone in his study, spending a lonely birthday.
"***!"
Listening to the sound of gongs striking past midnight outside, Qin Moyuan finally closed the book he hadn't flipped in an hour and sighed heavily.
Oh well, he hadn't celebrated his birthday in over twenty years, why should he care about this one.
Just thinking of how Ah Shu had meticulously prepared a birthday for "Shen Wei" made his heart ache.
Qin Moyuan angrily threw the book onto the table, not bothering to tidy the mess, and stood up.
Irritated!
Time to sleep!
"Creak—"
Qin Moyuan opened the study door and saw a petite figure holding a lantern, leaning against a nearby pillar.
The flickering candlelight in the lantern shone brightly in the night.
His study was filled with people, both openly and covertly. The only one who could appear here so silently was Ah Shu.
Seeing his stunned expression, Li Yueshu smiled faintly. "It's so cold outside, aren't you going to let me in for a bit?"
Qin Moyuan suddenly snapped back to reality. "Yes... quickly, come in."
He hurried over, took the lantern from Li Yueshu, and even pulled her cloak tighter.
After bringing her into the study, he quickly closed the door, blocking out the cold wind, and lit several more candles inside.
When he turned around after finishing, Li Yueshu was pouring herself a cup of hot tea to warm up.
Qin Moyuan quickly tidied the mess on his desk and asked, "Why isn't Ah Shu asleep so late?"
Ah Shu liked to keep things neat. He had only made his desk a mess today because he was in a bad mood, and of all days, Ah Shu had to come today!
Li Yueshu hadn't noticed the state of his desk and sat down on it. "I came specifically to find you."
Qin Moyuan was startled and forgot to tidy up. "Find me? What is Ah Shu looking for me for at this hour?"
Li Yueshu beckoned him over with a mysterious smile. "Come and sit here first."
A flicker of anticipation rose in Qin Moyuan's heart. He quickly put down what he was holding and scurried over. After sitting down, he stared expectantly at Li Yueshu.
His demeanor was strangely like a large dog seeking affection.
Li Yueshu suppressed the urge to reach out and then, with a wave of her hand, a small cake appeared on the table, with a single candle stuck in it.
Qin Moyuan stared blankly at the scene, seemingly unable to react for a long time.
What shocked him was not Li Yueshu's ability to conjure things out of thin air, but this cake that he had eaten countless times.
After a long while, he looked up at Li Yueshu, his mouth opening several times, but he couldn't utter a single word.
His reaction made Li Yueshu's heart tense.
Had she misunderstood? Did he arrange for people to "gossip" not because he wanted her to celebrate his birthday?
As Li Yueshu hesitated about how to speak, she heard Qin Moyuan say in a hoarse voice, "Midnight has passed, my birthday has passed, why is Ah Shu..."
Li Yueshu knew he would be confused, so she calmly explained, "Although I don't know why, I heard you never celebrate your birthday, so I ignored all your hints and implications."
Qin Moyuan guiltily touched his nose.
Li Yueshu smiled and took out a fire starter. "Birthdays should be happy occasions. Though it's just me accompanying you, don't think it's not lively enough."
She lit the candle. "Quick, make a wish!"
Looking at her smiling face illuminated by the candlelight, Qin Moyuan's eyes flickered with emotion.
The corners of his lips curved upwards. He clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.
He wished that Ah Shu would be safe and happy, year after year.
He wished that Ah Shu would have smooth sailing and endless good fortune.
He wished that every year on his birthday, Ah Shu would be with him.