Today is Ling Qingwan's birthday, and Qiao'er specially dressed her up more formally.
Several maids were busy in the yard. Hongshang was choosing clothes, while Luluo was preparing the sedan chair. If you didn't know, you would think it was some big day.
Looking at the woman with bright eyes and white teeth in the mirror, Ling Qingwan smiled, her lips turning bright red.
When she lived in the countryside, she was still a timid little girl. Her skin was sallow and her appearance was not as good as it is now. The six months in Tokyo really nourished her.
What remains unchanged is that Ling Qingwan is still as thin as ever, even thinner than when she first came to Tokyo City.
"Miss, it's okay." Qiao'er reminded Ling Qingwan.
Ling Qingwan collected her thoughts and looked carefully at herself in the dressing mirror.
“Will it be too bright?”
They are going to the general's residence for dinner later. Although it is her birthday, her grandfather is the elder and her mother is also there. She can't dress too pretty, which would be impolite.
"No, it's not. It's just that the young lady dresses too plainly on weekdays. I just put a little makeup on you, and you think it's gorgeous." Qiao'er said softly to Ling Qingwan.
After she finished speaking, she was afraid that Ling Qingwan would not believe what she said, so she turned around and asked Hong Shang.
"Yes, Miss, I think your makeup is just right now. It's neither plain nor vulgar, but also decent." Hong Chang agreed repeatedly.
Birthdays always have to be more special than usual every year. Moreover, she is having dinner with her grandparents, so dressing up can show that she has put in a lot of effort. Ling Qingwan thought so and it made sense.
The carriage was ready and parked at the gate of Ling's house. Ling Qing arrived at the general's house very quickly.
There was a table in the middle of the hall. When Ling Qingwan arrived, the chef had just brought out the dishes, all of which were her favorites.
At the table, Shen Chengzhou sat in the main seat, followed by Ling Shen, and then Ling Qingwan and Ling Xiao.
Today, they were talking about celebrating Ling Qingwan's birthday, but it was more like a family gathering together to have a reunion dinner. Looking at the people in front of him, Ling Qingwan couldn't help but feel grateful.
In her previous life, such a scene was like a dream to her. She didn't even dare to think about it. She didn't expect it to be so easy in this life.
While Ling Qingwan was expressing her feelings, she became more determined to protect her family.
"What big day is today? Why is the food so sumptuous?" Ling Xiao muttered to himself, looking quite confused.
"Master, didn't I tell you that today is the young lady's birthday?" Qingfeng noticed that Ling Xiao spoke abruptly and reminded him in a low voice.
He was already sitting at the table, but he didn't know that today was his sister's birthday. Not to mention what would happen if it got out, Ling Qingwan would be sad to hear it.
After Qingfeng finished speaking, he looked at Ling Qingwan cautiously.
Ling Qingwan looked calm, as if she didn't hear Ling Xiao's words. However, Shen Chengzhou was so angry that he glared at Ling Xiao fiercely.
These days Shen Chengzhou often took Ling Xiao to the martial arts arena for training, and Ling Xiao was most afraid of Shen Chengzhou. When he glared at him like that, Ling Xiao instantly sulked.
The family ate happily. Shen Chengzhou and Ling Shen talked about the naughty things Ling Xiao did when he was a child from time to time, which made Ling Qingwan laugh.
Except for Ling Xiao himself, his face would darken with every word Shen Chengzhou and Ling Shen said.
Although he can no longer remember these things, they really happened to him, so he is not the one who is embarrassed.
"No, it's her birthday. Why are you pointing fingers at me? Are you talking about her?" Ling Xiao couldn't help but complain.
"Do you think Wanwan is like you? She has been so naughty since she was a child, and she is still a worry even when she grows up." Shen Chengzhou gave Ling Xiao a displeased look.
"I think she is much better than me." Ling Xiao's face was full of dissatisfaction.
If Shen Chengzhou hadn't looked serious, he was afraid that he would be dragged to the martial arts arena again the next moment, and Ling Xiao would have to say a few more words.
After dinner, Ling Shen pulled Ling Qingwan aside.
"What's wrong, mother?" Ling Qingwan asked puzzledly.
Ling Shen looked mysterious, as if something was wrong.
Ling Shen took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, opened it, and inside it was a jade bracelet.
The bracelet is emerald green all over and exudes a bright luster, like water waves or cloud patterns. You can tell at a glance that this jade bracelet is made of top-grade jadeite.
"This isn't..." Ling Qingwan was shocked.
Ling Shen had always worn this jade bracelet, and in her previous life she wore it until the day she died, and she never took it off. Ling Qingwan only vaguely knew that this jade bracelet was given to her by Ling Shen's biological mother, her grandmother.
"Today is the first birthday your mother spends with you since you grew up. It's hard for you that you can't celebrate it at home." Ling Shen smiled bitterly.
As the saying goes, if you marry a chicken, you follow the chicken; if you marry a dog, you follow the dog. Ling Shen married into the Ling Mansion, and logically, the Ling Mansion was her real home. Today, Ling Qingwan's birthday should be hosted by the Ling Mansion.
Unexpectedly, there was no movement at the Ling Mansion, except for some movement in Ling Qingwan's yard.
Thinking of this, Ling Shen always felt that she had treated Ling Qingwan unfairly.
"This was your grandmother's favorite accessory when she was alive. She later gave it to me, and now I'm giving it to you as a birthday gift."
"No!" Ling Qingwan shook her head and immediately rejected Ling Shenshi. "I don't like people in the Ling Mansion. Being able to celebrate my birthday with you and my grandfather is the happiest thing for me. You shouldn't feel guilty. This jade bracelet was left to you by my grandmother. How can I accept it?"
Having said that, Ling Qingwan hurriedly urged Ling Shenshi to take the bracelet back and put it away.
"Your grandmother gave me this jade bracelet because I am her daughter and she loves me. I am giving it to you now because you are my daughter. What is wrong with accepting it?" Ling Shenshi refused to listen and stuffed the jade bracelet into Ling Qingwan's hand. "Keep it well. When you have children in the future, this jade bracelet will be passed down like this."
When Ling Shen suddenly mentioned the child, Ling Qingwan was stunned and her face turned red.
"Mom, my daughter hasn't even gotten married yet, why are you talking about having a baby already?"
Ling Shen giggled.
"There will always be a day in the future." She patted Ling Qingwan's palm. "Mother failed to protect you in the past, and you had to live a hard life outside. From now on, mother only wishes you peace and happiness."
Ling Shen's sincere wishes were accepted by Ling Qingwan.
After Shen Chengzhou finished his meal, he dragged Ling Xiao out for a while. After talking to Ling Shen, Ling Qingwan planned to go find Shen Chengzhou.
She had something else that she didn't have time to ask Shen Chengzhou.
As a result, just as Ling Qingwan passed the back garden, she saw Ling Xiao twisting his arm and sighing as he walked towards the martial arts arena.
"I just forgot Ling Qingwan's birthday. I can't even remember my own birthday. Is it necessary for the old man to punish me to hit the sandbag again?"
"Today is the young lady's birthday after all. Even if you can't remember, you don't have to mention it at the dinner table." Qingfeng explained kindly and advised Ling Xiao to be more cautious.
As soon as he finished speaking, Qingfeng looked up and saw Ling Qingwan standing not far away.
"I think the old man is biased! I..."