Chapter 187: Zhizhi’s Birthday

Time flies.

The bok choy in the small vegetable garden is growing vigorously.

I observe the small seedlings every day, and then I personally go into the field to water them.

The little maids always chase after me, trying to persuade me that I should not be doing the work of servants.

I always lift a corner of my white skirt, letting them make a fuss behind me.

My beautiful shoes get stained with mud, and sweat flows from my smooth forehead.

Yet, I never grow tired of it.

Su Liumeng never tried to stop me.

To be able to see a trace of a smile on my face again, she felt nothing but joyful relief.

Every time the maids chased me, the Little Dumpling would also carry a small watering can, chirping and jumping beside me.

The spring breeze had not yet had the chance to blow across the land.

Zhizhi’s voice was very sweet, and listening to her brought me a happiness I had never felt before.

In late February.

The Su family once again welcomed a grand celebration.

This time, for Zhizhi’s birthday, many, many people were invited.

As the protagonist of the banquet.

Early in the morning, I dressed her in a fluffy princess dress. Every strand of hair was meticulously styled. Standing in the crowd, she looked very much like a beautiful porcelain doll.

Si Tongyu’s name had already spread throughout the entire world.

As the Su family’s true little princess, and being able to follow her maternal surname without anyone jumping out to criticize, it naturally added a layer of mystery to her biological mother.

The daughter of a noble family whom the Su family had married with such great fanfare back then.

What would she look like today?

This became the focus of curiosity for many people.

On the day of the banquet, I did not hold my daughter’s hand to welcome guests at the door.

Greeting guests would be beneath my status.

I waited in the back hall with my daughter.

Only when I met the heads of various families and elders of the sects would I lead my daughter over to offer a polite greeting.

The young woman’s face was as beautiful as a flower, an undying, city-toppling beauty.

The poise and grace of the birthday girl, Princess Zhizhi, became a topic of conversation that many people enjoyed discussing.

I looked at the small crystal crown on my daughter’s head and couldn’t help but reach out to pinch her chubby little face.

“In the blink of an eye, Baby has grown so big.”

She just turned 2 years old today, but her height was already no less than that of other 2-year-old babies.

It wouldn’t even take three or four years.

In another one or two years, I wouldn’t be able to carry her anymore.

Si Zhiruo pouted. “Zhizhi doesn’t want to grow up. I want to stay with Mama forever and be Mama’s good baby for a lifetime.”

“What silly things are you saying? Even if you grow up, you will still be Mama’s only baby.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

Si Zhiruo was all smiles, softly stretching out her arms in front of me.

She had only been walking on her own for a short while, and now she wanted to be held again.

“Mama, hug—” she coaxed in a soft voice.

Under the watchful eyes of others, I scooped my daughter into my arms and nodded to the people attending the banquet.

I led my daughter into the main hall of the banquet.

The noise and clamor silenced for a moment. I led my daughter to greet the guests one by one. If we encountered someone important, I would teach my daughter the visitor’s identity.

Zhizhi acted according to her mood. If she saw someone she liked, she would sweetly call out their name.

No matter who it was, everyone praised my daughter for being well-behaved and clever.

After all.

The story of the Su family’s little princess being able to fly through the air just a few months after birth had already spread through every street and alley.

This was an unheard-of event, enough to be recorded in the history books.

As for me, I originally had no qualification to enter the history books.

Now, I was being mentioned in passing along with Su Liumeng and Si Tongyu.

I didn’t know whether to be happy or worried.

I didn’t want to be anyone’s appendage.

I wished even more that when others mentioned me, they could speak of my name independently.

‘On my daughter’s happiest day, why am I thinking about so many unhappy things?’

I no longer wanted to force anything.

‘My heart has grown cold, and I no longer wish to fight.’

‘Let it be.’

Si Zhiruo lay on my shoulder, her small hand clutching my lapel. Her voice was soft, making me lean in to listen. “Zhizhi won’t forget.”

“Today is not just Zhizhi’s birthday; it is also Mama’s most painful day.”

I was stunned.

The process of giving birth to Zhizhi had not been smooth. It had lasted nearly 20 hours.

I had once fallen into a coma and even gave my final words on the spot.

If Su Liumeng hadn’t brought out the life-saving pill she kept for emergencies, it would have been absolutely impossible for me to walk out of the delivery room alive.

In a sense, Zhizhi’s words were not wrong.

I looked into my daughter’s watery eyes and replied seriously, “To Mama, today is only your birth, a day worth celebrating.”

“Why mention such unhappy things?”

Si Zhiruo buried her head even deeper.

I gently patted her back and explained to the guests who wore looks of concern.

She was just a little tired and wanted to sleep.

Children like to sleep; everyone could understand that.

Some people showed their concern, suggesting I take the little princess to the side hall to rest.

I followed their suggestion, finally managing to take the opportunity to briefly escape from the chaotic socializing.

Su Liumeng met my gaze from within the crowd.

She signaled with her eyes that she would handle everything here.

I smiled and nodded to her.

I didn’t care about anyone else.

Now that my daughter was uncomfortable, my heart was entirely on her, and I only cared about making her happy.

“Madam.”

A maid who was unaware of the situation walked over, wanting to take Zhizhi from my hands.

Sensing her intention, Si Zhiruo’s small body suddenly curled into a ball. she was very resistant to me handing her over.

“Go back to your work. This girl is shy around strangers and doesn’t like others holding her.”

Seeing the maid walk away, the little one finally relaxed.

I coaxed her, “Mama won’t give you to anyone else.”

“What would you like to eat? Do you want to try some pastries? The taste should be quite good.”

Si Zhiruo tilted her head in thought and let out a yawn at the same time.

I caught the lingering scent of milk in her hair, and the smile in my eyes deepened.

After a long while, Zhizhi replied, “Is it peach blossom crisps?”

“It’s not peach blossom crisps. Where would we find peach blossoms in this season?”

Si Zhiruo lowered her head in disappointment, her cute little face visibly crestfallen. “Then I won’t eat.”

Today’s banquet was missing many familiar faces.

The former Great Elder and many seniors of the Su family were at the boundary marker frontline.

Without these people whom I respected, I wanted to avoid socializing even more.

I was naturally a person who liked quiet and didn’t enjoy speaking with others.

At this moment, my daughter’s eyes suddenly lit up. Following her gaze, I saw a young woman standing elegantly at the corner. The breeze carried a familiar fragrance. The subtle scent was like a clear spring, making one’s mood subconsciously relax.

The young woman’s dress was pale pink but did not look gaudy. Her hair was casually gathered into two curves and pinned with a light blue hairpin. Her silent appearance was as graceful as a painting.

Her smile was gentle. Her gaze met mine at just the right moment before moving elsewhere.

Su Luo was already 17 years old this year, not far from her 18th birthday.

Recalling our very first meeting.

She had then been a young girl who had just reached her hair-pinning ceremony.