Xue Zining returned to Zhaoyuan Palace. The once dark sleeping quarters were instantly illuminated.
She saw Hua Yunjin, who had been recuperating at the residence, holding a bowl of noodles and coming before her. He said word by word, solemnly, "Your Majesty, happy birthday!"
"Your Majesty, happy birthday!" Xue Yan, Hua Yunxuan, and others, each holding a candle, approached her and said.
Since her rebirth, she had dreaded her birthdays, as they reminded her of the day she died in her previous life.
But now, she was no longer afraid because so many people were with her.
"Thank you!" she said, her voice choked with emotion.
"Your Majesty, please eat your noodles." Hua Yunjin placed the bowl of noodles before her.
"Alright." She nodded.
As she picked up the noodles, Hua Yunjin said softly, "May Your Majesty have this day every year, and every year today."
She looked up and saw Hua Yunjin smiling at her, his handsome face beaming with happiness.
"Yunjin, I hope to spend every year today, every year now, with you."
Hua Yunjin's heart trembled. He smiled, "I will try my best."
"I don't want 'try my best.' I want your company next year too."
The maiden's gaze was bright, even more dazzling than the stars in the night sky outside.
Just as Hua Yunjin thought his smile couldn't be maintained, the maiden lowered her head and began eating the noodles.
"Your Majesty, I will accompany you..."
"Yunjin, call me Ah Ning." The maiden raised her eyes, her clear, bright gaze filled with anticipation.
He opened his mouth and finally said, "A... Ah Ning..."
"From now on, when it's just you and me, you'll call me Ah Ning."
"Alright," Hua Yunjin replied.
The maiden smiled, her smile brighter than the morning sun.
Hua Yunjin lowered his gaze. Such a radiant Majesty made it difficult for him to make up his mind.
"I'm very happy today on my birthday. Yunjin, thank you." The maiden put down the empty bowl and smiled at Hua Yunjin.
"Ah Ning, get some rest early!" Hua Yunjin stood up.
The maiden also stood up. She looked at the young man's face, slightly flushed in the candlelight, and said slowly, "Yunjin, thank you for your company. I'm very fortunate to have met you."
The young man paused, then looked up at the maiden. Her eyes were clear and gentle, radiating warmth.
He smiled, "As am I."
To have met such a radiant you in my life is enough for this lifetime.
After leaving Zhaoyuan Palace, Hua Yunjin's legs gave out, and he knelt on the ground.
Hua Yunxuan, who followed him out, looked astonished and quickly went forward to help Hua Yunjin up. He asked in surprise, "Brother, what's wrong?"
"Help me walk. Don't let His Majesty see," Hua Yunjin said word by word through gritted teeth.
Although Hua Yunxuan didn't understand why Hua Yunjin said that, he followed his instructions and helped him to a secluded spot.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, and Hua Yunjin slumped down, his face so pale it was almost transparent.
"Brother, you..."
After spitting out blood, Hua Yunjin felt much better. He looked at Hua Yunxuan and smiled, "I'm fine."
"Fine? You're spitting blood and you call that fine? No, I'm going to tell His Majesty..."
As Hua Yunxuan spoke, he got up to leave. Hua Yunjin grabbed him and shook his head, "No..."
"Brother, illness needs treatment to be cured. If you don't treat it..."
Hua Yunjin interrupted him, "It can't be cured."
Hua Yunxuan was stunned. "How is that possible? With so many imperial physicians in the palace, how can it not be cured?"
He didn't believe it.
"This is an illness from birth," Hua Yunjin said word by word, looking at him.
Hua Yunxuan was startled and then suddenly looked up, asking, "The Hua family curse."
When Hua Yunxuan heard these words again, he chuckled with much helplessness. "You know?"
Hua Yunxuan nodded. "Yes, grandfather mentioned it when I was young."
In every generation of the Hua family, there would be a child with extraordinary talent who would lead the Hua family to glory, until they reached the center of imperial power.
However, their bodies could not withstand this gift from heaven. They suffered from illness, pain, and short lifespans, making every gifted member of the Hua family endure unimaginable suffering.
"Brother," Hua Yunxuan had not expected that the gifted one of this generation would be Hua Yunjin.
But it was understandable, after all, Hua Yunjin, at such a young age, was already the head of the hundred officials.
"My body has reached its limit," Hua Yunjin said, not concealing his condition.
Hua Yunxuan frowned, "Brother..."
"Yunxuan, I hope you can take care of His Majesty in my stead. It's very difficult for her alone."
Hua Yunxuan was taken aback. "Brother, you will get better."
Hua Yunjin looked up at the stars in the night sky. He... had reached his limit.
"Yunxuan, you should go back. His Majesty will become suspicious if I stay out too long," Hua Yunjin stood up.
It was as if the weakness he had shown moments ago was just an illusion.
Hua Yunxuan knew that no matter what he said, his brother wouldn't listen, so he could only say, "Brother, take good care of yourself. There will surely be a way."
"Go back!" Hua Yunjin said.
Hua Yunxuan left.
Hua Yunjin gazed into the distance, seemingly lost in thought. After a long while, he sighed softly.
Heaven, grant me a little more time, at least let me witness her decisive actions at the banquet.
Upon returning to the Hua residence, a servant came up to him. "Sir, the Old Madam requests your presence."
Hua Yunjin nodded. "Go and tell the Old Madam that I will be there after I change my clothes."
Hua Yunjin changed his clothes and went to the room of Madam Hua, the Old Madam. Seeing the Clan Head of the Hua family there, his expression immediately darkened.
"What are you doing here? I said I don't welcome you."
The Clan Head of the Hua family sneered, "You don't welcome me, and I don't want to come either."
When would he want to come? If not for the kindness he had received and the trust placed in him, he wouldn't have come.
Hua Yunjin heard this and gave a cold laugh. "If you don't want to come, why are you sitting here?"
The Clan Head of the Hua family was speechless.
"Yunjin, you must not speak to the Clan Head like that." Madam Hua, who had been silent, spoke.
Hua Yunjin was slightly stunned. "Mother..."
"The Clan Head has come today to tell Mother some good news."
Hua Yunjin hadn't noticed it earlier, but now he saw that Madam Hua's face was filled with joy.
He had never seen his mother look so happy before.
"What news?" Hua Yunjin asked.
Madam Hua said, "Do you still remember your Brother Jing?"
Hua Yunjin was taken aback. "There's news of Brother Jing?"
Madam Hua nodded. "Yes, the Clan Head said he found Brother Jing."
Brother Jing was someone Mother had saved when she was still in the Hua family of Binzhou, while out on an excursion. He had been on the verge of death.
Brother Jing stayed at their home for five years, and then one day, he left without a word.
Because of this, Madam Hua was very sad.
He, however, thought Brother Jing simply had his own matters to attend to.
Because every year, he would receive silver coins one morning.
It was this money that supported him to come to the capital and participate in the imperial examinations.
Without Brother Jing's money, he would never have been able to reach the capital.
When Mother took him in, his father had just passed away, and the family was in decline.
"Where is Brother Jing now?" He wanted to see Brother Jing.