There is a happy inn in the capital.

Having nothing to do in the afternoon, Li Shuchen went to the horse shop and bought a lot of hay for Wanbai. The shopkeeper sent a servant to deliver the hay, and the servant followed Li Shuchen there.

The stables in the backyard of the inn

Li Wanbai saw Li Shuchen: "Hey~"

Li Shuchen: "Oh, you missed me, huh?"

Li Shuchen filled the recess in front of Li Wanbai with hay.

He said, "You eat first, I'll go get you some other good food later."

Li Wanbai: "Hehe~"

Okay, it agrees. Wanbai is very happy when food is mentioned.

Li Shuchen went to the kitchen and got an apple and a carrot.

Cut the apple into chunks and the carrot into strips, and serve them on a tray.

Li Wanbai, with her sharp eyes, noticed that Li Shuchen had given it some treats, and started giggling.

Li Shuchen approached and offered Wanbai a piece of apple, which Wanbai ate quickly and chewed happily.

Li Shuchen handed it a carrot stick, which it ate, but it clearly didn't eat it as fast or with the same relish as an apple.

Okay, you know how to eat. Apples are much more expensive than carrots.

Her farm was full of carrots, but apples were expensive to buy.

Li Shuchen poured all the apple chunks and carrot strips into the groove.

Li Wanbai lowered her head and began to huff and puff as she ate the apple.

Li Shuchen stroked Wanbai's head and said, "Luckily, I don't like apples, so the ones I save from eating are enough for you."

Li Wanbai, while eating her apple, seemed to understand and responded to Li Shuchen, "Heh~ heh~~"

Wan Bai, having eaten her fill, lay on the ground basking in the afternoon sun.

Li Shuchen looked at it; it was living such a comfortable life. When could she be like Wanbai?

Li Shuchen fed Wanbai for several days in a row, making Wanbai plump and healthy with a shiny luster.

Standing there, she was so beautiful that everyone who saw her would compliment Wanbai on her beauty.

The day quickly arrived at June 8th, Gu Ziying's birthday. Li Shuchen, dressed in his finest attire, entered the Gu residence early, carrying gifts, and was led by a servant to Gu Ziying's room.

The Gu residence was so large that it confused Li Shuchen.

When Li Shuchen entered Gu Ziying's room, Gu Ziying was doing her makeup.

The lilac-colored (light purple) silk dress accentuated Ziying's delicate and elegant features.

Gu Ziying looked at Li Shuchen with delight and said, "Shuchen, you're here!"

Li Shuchen winked at Gu Ziying and replied, "Of course I have to come to your birthday celebration."

An Lan adorned Zi Ying's hair with gold hairpins, making Gu Zi Ying's head covered in gold hairpins. While it looked quite opulent, it didn't quite match her outfit; there were simply too many gold ornaments.

Li Shuchen asked, "Does Ziying have any other hair accessories?"

Gu Ziying asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Shuchen: "The hair accessory and clothes don't match well, making the head look top-heavy."

Gu Ziying looked at her jewelry box and replied, "I only have two light purple hairpins, they're too small and not suitable for today's occasion."

Li Shuchen's eyes lit up as he opened the box containing Gu Ziying's gift.

He said, "What about this set of jewelry I have?"

Gu Ziying couldn't look away after just one glance.

The purple gemstones are warm and lustrous, and large and small gemstones are set into a crown, with a large gemstone hanging on the forehead. The design is beautiful and substantial.

There was also a pair of amethyst earrings.

The quality is clearly derived from the same material as the hair ornament; it's a rare find.

Gu Ziying reached out and carefully touched it, murmuring, "So beautiful."

Li Shuchen: "An Lan, put this on your young lady."

A moment later, a graceful and gentle beauty appeared, her eyes like pools of clear water, her figure like distant mountains and lotus blossoms, a breathtaking sight.

Li Shuchen stared, her eyes wide with amazement. Beautiful, so beautiful!

She couldn't help but exclaim, "Ziying, this jewelry set suits you so well, it's practically tailor-made for you!"

Anlan exclaimed in amazement, "Miss is so beautiful!"

Gu Ziying smiled at Li Shuchen and said, "Thank you, Shuchen, I really like this gift."

Gu Ziying smiled, and Li Shuchen was captivated.

Li Shuchen waved his hand and replied, "It's my honor if Ziying likes it."

Li Shuchen then said earnestly, "Ziying, happy birthday."

Gu Ziying looked at Li Shuchen and smiled, "Same to you!"

A maidservant entered and asked, "Miss, the banquet is about to begin. Madam asked me to inquire whether you are finished dressing and grooming."

Gu Ziying replied, "Okay, coming right away."

He then took Li Shuchen's hand and said, "Let's go, Shuchen."

Li Shuchen: Okay

Li Shuchen followed Gu Ziying into a huge courtyard.

Many people, mostly young girls and young men.

She was like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden; she had never seen such things before. She knew about the coming-of-age ceremony for girls (at age 15).

It was a grand event, but is a birthday celebration really that big? She thought it was just a small gathering of family and friends for a meal.

Gu Ziying thoughtfully explained, "Because I broke off my engagement, my father needs to find me a new partner, so this birthday banquet invited many people."

Li Shuchen realized, it's about choosing a son-in-law!

First, there's a lotus viewing party; it's still early, so the banquet hasn't started yet.

Gu Ziying stunned everyone upon her appearance; she was so beautiful.

Lord Gu and Madam Gu were extremely satisfied.

Their daughter is so beautiful. It's the same headdress their daughter is wearing—I've never seen it before, I don't know where they got it; it's so tasteful.

Gu Ziying needed to greet each guest one by one.

After greeting Lord Gu and Madam Gu, Li Shuchen began to wander around aimlessly.

There were so many people, all high-ranking officials and dignitaries, none of whom Li Shuchen recognized.

Princess Changning: Li Shuchen

Li Shuchen looked up and saw that she recognized this person.

Li Shuchen greeted Princess Changning: "Long time no see, Princess Changning."

Princess Changning walked up to Li Shuchen and said, "It's been a while since we last met, and you didn't even come to visit me."

She's always busy, like a dog, when would she have time to play with you?

Li Shuchen: "Princess Changning can come to me."

Princess Changning: "Hmph"

Princess Changning then led Li Shuchen to a pavilion where they sat down. The pavilion was filled with female guests, who were drinking tea, eating snacks, and chatting.

After Princess Changning arrived, they stopped talking.

Li Shuchen asked, "What were you talking about? Keep talking."

A girl in a yellow dress glanced at Princess Changning and replied, "How can I win my husband's love?"

Li Shuchen also wanted to know the answer, so she asked, "Then how can I win my husband's love?"

The woman in the yellow dress said, "I cook porridge and make desserts for my husband, I understand him, obey him, and listen to him."

Li Shuchen spat out a sunflower seed shell: "Tsk, no good."

The woman in the yellow dress: "No? Then what brilliant idea do you have?"

Li Shuchen said, "Instead of spending time cooking porridge and snacks for him, why not use that time to improve yourself? Reading, makeup, anything that helps you improve yourself is fine."

If you blossom, butterflies will come.

If you are understanding towards him, he might just take advantage of you and make you work even harder.

If you give in to him, he might think you lack initiative, can't make decisions, and won't consult you on anything.

"If you listen to him, that's even worse. What if he tells you to die, and you go?"

The woman in yellow frowned and asked, "What if I can't win my husband's love?"

Li Shuchen countered, "Would you starve to death if you couldn't get his love?"