Chapter 120: Celebrating Jun’er’s Birthday

Ye Chutang looked at Shuang’er, whose expression was anxious, and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Miss, the madam knows you plan to take young master out, and she has contacted the Kong family.”

Shuang’er suddenly understood.

No matter what happens to Ye Chutang in the future, Kong Ru would be completely ruined.

And her selling contract was in Ye Chutang’s hands; she had to show her loyalty and get the contract back.

Ye Chutang knew that Kong Ru was finally going to make a move against her.

“Understood, good work.”

Shuang’er kneeled down immediately, “Miss, how can I get the selling contract back?”

“Wait until Ye Anling’s wedding is over, and I will tell you then.”

Shuang’er knew that Ye Chutang kept her word and happily kowtowed.

“Thank you, Miss.”

She had thought that after betraying Ye Chutang several times, she would never escape her status as a servant, but now there was a turn of events.

Ye Chutang gave Shuang’er a mocking glance and yawned.

“If there’s more news from Kong Ru, notify me immediately.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Go ahead, don’t come back unless necessary.”

Shuang’er didn’t want to remain in Ningchu Courtyard as a servant, so she happily went to Wenbo Courtyard to be Ye Anzhi’s plaything.

Ye Chutang took a nap and woke up when the sun was already high.

As she came out of her room, she saw Jun’er, dressed in new clothes, his hair neatly bound with a white jade hairpin, and a bright smile on his face, though she wasn’t sure how long he had been waiting.

“Jun’er, have you been waiting for long? Why didn’t you wake me?”

Jun’er walked up and took Ye Chutang’s hand, affectionately saying, “Big sister, you’ve worked hard, I’m willing to wait.”

“Then wait a little longer.”

Ye Chutang went back to her room, took out the Four Treasures of the Study she had bought yesterday, and handed them to Jun’er.

“Happy birthday!”

Before Jun’er could take them, he bowed deeply to Ye Chutang.

“Big sister, please accept a bow from your younger brother!”

Ye Chutang felt a bit like she was raising a child as Jun’er made such a formal gesture.

“Alright, I accept your bow. When you’re in better health, I’ll send you to Huating Academy to study.”

The academy, which many people dreamed of entering, seemed as easy to her as buying a house in a school district.

“Thank you, big sister.”

Jun’er felt that in this life, all his good luck had been used to meet his kind and intelligent big sister.

He wasn’t afraid of his identity being exposed and abandoned; he was only afraid of losing his big sister.

Ye Chutang helped Jun’er up, “There’s no need for such formalities between family.”

She then handed him the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and put a red envelope on top.

“May you be safe and sound throughout the years.”

After Jun’er thanked her again, he asked, “Big sister, if we weren’t family, would you have still saved me?”

“I saved you not because we are siblings, but because you haven’t done anything wrong, and I just happened to be able to save you.”

It’s often said that blood ties are thicker than water and that family bonds can’t be severed.

But to her, in large families with many people, familial relationships were the most unreliable.

For example, her—surrounded by wolves!

After hearing Ye Chutang’s answer, Jun’er felt relieved.

He smiled and said, “Big sister, when we return to the manor after the outing, I have something to tell you.”

Big sister had once said that sincerity was a powerful weapon.

He wanted to tell her about his background.

Whatever the consequences, he would bear them.

Ye Chutang smiled and patted Jun’er’s head, the corner of her mouth lifting in a pleasant arc.

“Place the birthday gifts properly and come out for breakfast.”

“Yes, big sister.”

Le’er quickly said, “I’ll make longevity noodles.”

Ye Chutang called everyone to the kitchen for breakfast.

The breakfast, made by Shan’er and Le’er, was quite abundant, with a whole cake placed in the center of the table.

As soon as Jun’er arrived, Shan’er and Jin Zhi presented him with birthday gifts.

Shan’er gave a pair of shoes she had made by hand, and Jin Zhi gave a pouch embroidered with gold and silver threads.

Though they weren’t expensive, they were heartfelt gifts.

“Young master, the gifts are humble, please don’t mind,” they said.

Jun’er happily accepted them, “I really like them, thank you.”

Afterward, he placed the gifts in a side room to avoid them getting greasy from the food.

When he returned to the dining room, Le’er brought over the longevity noodles.

The broth-cooked noodles were topped with cabbage and an egg, symbolizing wealth and completeness.

“Young master, you must finish it all.”

The bowl wasn’t very large, but for Jun’er, it wasn’t much.

He didn’t eat yet and looked at Ye Chutang, “Big sister, when do we eat the round cakes you made?”

“After we finish breakfast, we’ll have them as dessert.”

Hearing this, Jun’er began eating the longevity noodles.

Ye Chutang asked Shan’er to put away the sponge cake and let everyone eat breakfast first.

Once everyone had started eating, the table was cleared, and the cake was placed back on the table.

“Jun’er, close your eyes and silently make a wish related to yourself.”

If lighting candles wasn’t a tradition with sacrificial meaning, she would have loved to stick five of them in.

Jun’er didn’t quite understand but followed her instructions.

“I wish to grow up quickly and protect big sister.”

Ye Chutang had Jun’er cut the cake, one piece for each person.

Though it was delicious, it lacked the richness of cream, so it was still a little lacking in flavor.

But for those who had never tasted cake, they liked it a lot.

After eating, Ye Chutang looked at Jun’er, “It’s getting late, we should set off.”

Le’er quickly asked, “Miss, who do you want to serve you personally?”

“It’s just Jun’er and me going out. You all stay behind.”

There would be dangers outside today, and the more people, the heavier the burden.

“Yes, Miss.”

Le’er took out Jun’er’s birthday gift and handed it to him.

“Young master, I hope you enjoy yourself.”

Her gift was a jade Guanyin pendant, not of high quality, but it had cost her quite a bit.

Guanyin represented both official status and the hope of overcoming difficulties.

Jun’er immediately hung it around his neck, his eyes curving into crescent moons, “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

With that, he and Ye Chutang left the house.

The weather was cloudy, with the sun appearing intermittently—perfect for going out.

As the siblings left, four tall and strong guards followed behind them.

“Miss, young master, the streets are crowded. The master has asked us to protect your safety.”

Ye Chutang nodded.

“If Jun’er and I encounter danger, protect him. I can take care of myself.”

“As you wish, Miss.”

Ye Chutang led Jun’er to the carriage, instructing the driver, “Take us to the bustling market.”

Jun’er, excited for his first outing, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm.

“Big sister, where are we going?”

Ye Chutang didn’t answer directly but asked, “Is there anything you want to eat or do?”

“I’ll follow big sister’s arrangements.”

“Then I’ll first take you to experience the hustle and bustle of the market, and later we’ll go boating on Wei Lake.”

Jun’er’s eyes sparkled, almost as if they held stars.

“Good, big sister. If after boating the time is still early, may I visit Huating Academy?”

Ye Chutang smiled and agreed, “Of course, today you are the birthday star, and you can go anywhere you like.”

She had another goal in going to Huating Academy.

She planned to meet with Song Jinyu and openly tell him that she wasn’t interested in marrying into the Song family.

The Song family was a family of scholars, focused on propriety, and wasn’t suited for her.

The carriage rocked as it left the officials’ residential area in the West City and stopped at the entrance to the main street.

The driver, Chen Zhong, lifted the curtain and said, “Miss, young master, we’ve arrived.”

Ye Chutang got out of the carriage and carried Jun’er down as well.

She told Chen Zhong, “You don’t need to follow, wait for us at the end of the street.”

“Understood, Miss.”

Once the carriage left, Ye Chutang led Jun’er into the bustling market.

As they walked, she chatted with him about the lively street scene, while also keeping an eye out for anything unusual.

Before long, she noticed someone following them.