The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

The Emperor's birthday banquet ended amidst a dazzling display of fireworks.

Wanyue, along with the other princes and princesses, presented their birthday gifts.

She prepared a sutra she had personally copied and a painting depicting the hundred longevity symbols.

The Emperor thought back to last year's birthday when she gave him a perfunctory book as a gift, and he felt somewhat gratified after seeing this year's birthday present.

He examined the handwriting and confirmed that it was indeed written by her personally.

After delivering the birthday gifts, Wanyue walked to the position of Consort Hua. She whispered a word to her mother and then left with her personal maid.

The emperor caught a glimpse of her leaving out of the corner of his eye and became somewhat curious.

In the Moonflower Palace, the Emperor and Consort Hua had just arrived at the palace gate when they found that it was pitch black all around and the palace gate seemed to be closed.

Seeing this, Green Willow smiled and walked forward, clapping her hands towards the door.

Then he turned around and gestured to the Emperor and Consort Hua to invite them in.

The Emperor looked at Consort Hua with a puzzled expression, and Consort Hua shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either.

Seeing this, the Emperor had no choice but to take Consort Hua's hand, gently push open the palace gate, and go inside.

After the palace gates were opened, the palace was completely dark inside.

However, there was a path lit by candles on the ground that led to the entrance of the main hall.

The Emperor realized that it seemed to be a surprise from Wanyue, and he pulled Consort Hua along, quickening his pace.

The Emperor stopped at the entrance of the main hall, took a breath, and then pulled Consort Hua inside.

As soon as I entered, flower petals began to fall from above.

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!

Wanyue carried a tray with candles in it to the Emperor.

He laughed and shouted loudly, "Your subject wishes Father Emperor a happy birthday!"

Consort Hua had long since released the Emperor's hand. She stood aside, quietly watching the father and daughter.

In the darkness, the emperor looked at her smiling face, which was made exceptionally rosy by the candlelight. Her smile was particularly joyful as she held a bowl of something she didn't know and offered herself a blessing.

The softest part of his heart seemed to be gently touched.

He was about to take the things from Wanyue's hands when Wanyue stopped him, saying, "Father, you haven't made a wish or blown out the candles yet."

The emperor was somewhat puzzled.

Wanyue patiently explained, "Sister Cao'er taught me all of this. She told me it's called a sense of ritual."

"On your birthday, close your eyes and make a wish while facing this candle. After you make your wish, blow out the candle and your wish will come true."

The emperor listened with fondness as he whispered his explanation in his ear, then shook his head with a smile. He cooperated by first closing his eyes and making a wish, and then blowing out the candles.

During the brief darkness, the palace staff had already lit the candles in the palace.

The room immediately lit up, and the Emperor was able to see what Wanyue was holding.

The surface is colorful and vibrant, with very attractive colors.

Wanyue placed the luxurious double-skin milk she had prepared on the table, then pulled her father and mother to sit down around the round table.

"Father, please try this. It's a dish I made myself, called double-skin milk."

"All the ingredients on this are edible; Sister Cao'er taught me all of this."

"Actually, this is also a birthday gift I prepared for you."

"Sister Cao'er asked me what Father Emperor liked to eat, and I said Father Emperor liked to eat sweets."

"She taught me how to make this, saying it's delicious and makes you look beautiful too."

"I started preparing the taro balls and tapioca pearls yesterday."

"If Father doesn't believe me, he can ask Mother."

The Emperor was somewhat moved. He looked at Consort Hua, who nodded.

"Yes, even I, her own mother, have never tasted any food made by her own hands," Consort Hua said coquettishly, her voice tinged with jealousy.

The Emperor tugged at Consort Hua's hand, scooped up a spoonful, and fed it to her lips.

"Shall Shuhua try some first?"

Consort Hua shook her head. "This was prepared for you by the child. Try it first."

"Mother, I'll make one for you too when it's your birthday!"

"Then Mother will be waiting."

"Yes!!" Wanyue nodded solemnly.

She looked at the Emperor expectantly, wanting to see his expression after he tasted it.

The Emperor hadn't had high expectations; he didn't believe that Wanyue's hands, which had never been used to housework, could make delicious food.

But he decided that no matter how good or bad it was, he would say it was delicious. However, looking at the big bowl of double-skin milk pudding, he was a little troubled. If it didn't taste good, he would have to find an excuse not to finish it.

But as soon as he put the spoon in his mouth, the expected strange taste did not appear; instead, it tasted very sweet.

He took a bite; it was soft and bouncy, a texture he had never tasted before.

It was surprisingly delicious.

He couldn't resist scooping up another large spoonful, and this time Wanyue specifically instructed him to scoop the double-skin milk at the bottom.

This time, besides the sweet taste, he also tasted the flavor of milk. Milk is for drinking, so how could it be eaten like steamed egg custard?

Moreover, it melts in your mouth, and with its soft and bouncy texture, it tastes exceptionally delicious.

Especially since he had just drunk quite a bit of alcohol, his stomach felt empty and uncomfortable, but after eating this, his stomach felt much better.

He nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good!"

He said "good" three times in a row.

Wanyue had been paying close attention to the Emperor's expression, and of course she hadn't missed his change from initial trepidation to eventual surprise and joy.

She said with some pride, "I already told you, it's delicious."

"Father doesn't even know who taught me, how could it not taste good?"

The Emperor was pleasantly surprised. He really liked this thing called double-skin milk. "Wanyue really impressed me tonight."

"This is the happiest birthday I've ever had, and the gift you gave me is exactly what I wanted."

Wanyue handed a spoon to her mother, saying, "Mother, you should try some too."

She took a spoon and started eating.

She deliberately used a large bowl to put more ingredients on top of the double-skin milk pudding.

This bowl is just the right amount for the three of them.

Consort Hua thought the Emperor was just saying that to coax Wanyue, so she took a small sip and put it in her mouth.

Like the Emperor, her expression changed from disbelief to surprise and joy.

She nodded. "It really is delicious. The sweet flavor with a hint of milk is quite unique."

"However, I'm becoming more and more curious about that Sister Grass you mentioned."

"She can teach you; I'm really looking forward to seeing her cooking skills."

When Wanyue heard her mother praise Shen Cao, she smiled and said, "Mother, I'm not bragging, but Sister Cao'er's cooking skills can be considered the best in the Great Xia Kingdom, even better than the imperial chefs in the palace."

The Emperor and Consort Hua exchanged a smile, thinking there was no need to say such things.

Wan Yue could tell from their expressions that they didn't believe her, and she snorted angrily, "Hmph, you'll find out when the time comes."

"Just don't be too surprised when the time comes."

"Okay!" The two coaxed Wanyue until she finished the bowl of double-skin milk that they had been worried she wouldn't be able to finish.

A cold wind was blowing outside, but the house was warm and cozy.