At that moment, Yan Ze entered from outside. He first bowed to Shi Buyu. “I wish Miss Shi a joyful birthday.”

“No need for such formality,” Shi Buyu replied, feeling mischievous the moment she saw Yan Ze. “You’ve already wished me a happy birthday—where’s the gift? Don’t tell me you came unprepared?”

“…Of course I’ve prepared something. I’ll bring it shortly,” Yan Ze said, already thinking about what would be suitable to give. At the same time, he raised the item in his hands above his head. “The doorman delivered this invitation. Please take a look, Young Master.”

Yan Shian was puzzled. All their acquaintances knew today was his fiancée’s birthday—no one sensible would come to disturb them. So why an invitation?

Noticing that Uncle Ze didn’t come any closer and just stood there, he sensed something was off. He walked over to receive the invitation and, upon seeing the sender’s name, his expression cleared. Turning around, he said, “I need to step out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

Shi Buyu didn’t mind. She waved her hand casually and started setting up a Go board to play a round with Shi Xu—they hadn’t yet had a match.

With this rare opportunity to be alone together, Shi Xu asked while placing a stone, “Are you doing well here?”

“No need to worry about me. I may be greedy for food, but I’m not foolish,” Shi Buyu replied as she placed a piece lightly. “And there’s no need to feel guilty. As a child, I didn’t understand, but now I do—I know the Shi family never abandoned me.”

They exchanged moves swiftly. Shi Buyu continued, “Because I knew you all never cast me away, I held no resentment in my heart. That’s what allowed me to develop my skills and eventually rescue the Shi family from its prison. Old White-Beard always said that everything in the world is destined. I used to scoff at that, but after everything I’ve been through… I’m starting to believe it. If it’s destiny, then this is the path meant for us. As for the future…”

She placed another stone. “We’ll see when it comes.”

Shi Xu looked up. The girl who had been joking and playful a moment ago was now calm and serious—like an entirely different person. But she had always been this way: mischievous most of the time, but never frivolous when it mattered.

“Recently, the ten branch members listed have all returned. Now, the Shi sons and retainers spend most of each day in training. Even the study of tactics hasn’t been neglected,” Shi Xu said. “Just remember us. If you ever need us, use us. We’re all Shi family—there’s no reason for you to face danger alone.”

“You really think I’m such a noble person?” Shi Buyu laughed. “If there’s even the slightest use for you, I won’t hesitate. Train well—you’ll definitely come in handy.”

Hearing that promise, Shi Xu said no more, nor did he ask about her and Yan Shian’s plans.

Just as the board began to unfold into an interesting game, a voice came from the entrance:
“Little Twelve, why aren’t you out here welcoming your big brother?”

Shi Buyu, who had just been all grown-up and composed, suddenly jumped up. Then realizing how silly that looked, she snorted and sat back down. “You think I’ll come just because you said so?”

“Then I guess I’ll just keep all these gifts for myself.”

Gifts? A whole pile?

Shi Buyu turned around—whoa! A whole row of servants, at least a dozen, each holding a bundle!

She quickly sprang up and ran to the door, still trying to act tough. “Alright, alright, I’ll forgive you for being late—because you brought so many gifts.”

“They’re not all from me,” Cheng Junyu said with a grin as he revealed the surprise. “Our teacher wrote early letters to the senior brothers. All their birthday gifts ended up with me to bring to you. Just like every year, you get two people’s share. Here—your letter.”

Shi Buyu stopped in her tracks halfway through his words. She should be happy… yet she felt a bit sad.

Cheng Junyu stepped forward, placed the letter in her hand, and gave her nose a gentle squeeze. “Happy birthday, Little Twelve.”

Shi Buyu held the letter—it was thin again.

She didn’t want to open it yet. Pressing it to her chest, she started counting the gifts. She counted twice—twelve items. But she only had eleven brothers. Even if her eldest brother always sent the second brother’s share too, it should’ve been eleven total.

Cheng Junyu saw her preparing to count a third time and chuckled. “Dummy, the extra one’s from our teacher.”

Oh. Right. In past years, she’d always celebrated her birthday with Old White-Beard. They only received gifts and never gave any. She’d forgotten they weren’t together this year.

“Put them in the covered corridor,” she instructed.

Shi Buyu led the way back, moved the Go board aside, and cleared space for the gifts—large and small, they piled up into a little mountain.

Shi Xu bowed to Cheng Junyu. He had seen him before at the old master’s place and had heard of his reputation in the capital, though they had never met in person.

Cheng Junyu returned the greeting. “It’s been years since we last saw each other—you’ve grown much steadier.”

Shi Xu gave a bitter smile. After surviving such a catastrophe—one foot already in the underworld—how could he not?

“After hardship comes peace,” Cheng Junyu said, patting his arm like a true brother. The gesture warmed Shi Xu.

Meanwhile, Shi Buyu had already started opening the gifts—there was a warm inkstone, a brush made of some unknown material, a vaguely human-shaped ginseng root, and even a piece of wood that gave off a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Shi Buyu was thrilled. She planned to keep them all safe and show them to White-Beard later… and then bury them.

One small bundle from White-Beard made her especially curious. Inside was a seal—clearly an old one, with traces of red cinnabar still on it.

She tried to identify the characters, but couldn’t make them out. She didn’t dwell on it. The item itself didn’t matter—what mattered was that the person who gave it had remembered her.

Finally, she opened the letter.

As always, it contained just one sentence:
“Little Twelve, time to receive your gifts!”

Before and after that line, the paper was filled with messy black smudges.

Shi Buyu ground her teeth. “Eldest Brother, I swear—he definitely dipped his beard in ink to do this!”

Cheng Junyu leaned over to glance, stifling a laugh. “You really do know our teacher best.”

“Just wait till I get back!” Shi Buyu muttered through clenched teeth. Yet looking at that one line, she could almost see the old man grinning as he did it—probably sneaking a candy into his mouth at the same time, forgetting that his beard was dripping ink, letting it stain his entire chest.

Normally, he’d save a candy for her too… Shi Buyu’s heart clenched. She hadn’t eaten a single piece of candy today. She wondered if that old man had lost another tooth to his sneaky sweet tooth. He didn’t have many left.

No, this won’t do, Shi Buyu thought fiercely. She’d have to write to Third Brother and tell him exactly where the old man kept his candy stashes. No way she’d let him eat more than her! She had to eat more than him! She’d ask Yan Shian to secretly buy some and sneak them into the study—then they could dodge Auntie’s watchful eyes.

Having fought a silent battle in her heart, Shi Buyu folded the letter carefully and tucked it away. Looking at the mountain of gifts again, her joy returned.

She would definitely still be in the capital next year—one more round of birthday gifts! And when the time came for her to leave, she’d need a very big carriage to take them all with her.