After his advancement, Paul barely had enough energy left to get some food, take a bath, and drag himself to bed before falling into a deep slumber.
His ladies didn't mind, since this was already progress, from his usual unconscious state after breaking through a stage.
The next morning, however, he had to answer many questions, mainly about advancing both his powers at once.
Additionally, Nia and Lia, who wanted to break through to the Muscle and Tendon Refining stage, sought advice on achieving a perfect breakthrough, as it seemed to aid in future cultivation.
Paul gave them all the advice he could and reminded them that if it turned out too difficult, then they should settle for normal advancement, since it was way better than failing.
Both ladies nodded and went back to their gate duty.
The rest of the ladies went to cultivate, since no one wanted to be left behind.
-You know what day it is tomorrow?
Anna asked as soon as they were alone.
-I know, but I was unable to find any place that makes birthday cakes so far.
Paul smiled sadly.
The next day was Natalie's birthday and coming-of-age ceremony.
-Then you're in luck, because it turns out that Granny Su can bake, and I already asked her to make a cake for the occasion.
Anna smiled.
She started to call Jing Su, Granny Su, some time ago, and the older woman had nothing against it.
-That's good.
Paul also smiled.
This was a huge weight off his shoulders, since he wanted to make Natalie's birthday a special day for the girl, especially since it was her fifteenth birthday.
-Did you find a good gift for her?
Anna asked, since she already knew that everyone else had one prepared, and everyone knew that he had a problem in this regard.
-I did.
Paul nodded, surprising her.
-But you will need to wait till tomorrow to see it.
He added, before she could ask him to show her the gift.
Their conversation was interrupted by Nia.
-Paul, there is a servant from the Province lord's mansion, asking for you.
She said.
-I'll be right there.
He answered.
-Did my uncle return while I was in seclusion?
Paul asked.
-Not to my knowledge, but they should be here soon, considering that they were supposed to stay only a day or two longer in the capital.
Anna answered.
A moment later, Paul met the servant in the garden.
-Greetings, young master.
The servant girl bowed slightly.
-My mistress sent me to ask if you could visit her today, to discuss an important matter.
-Tell my aunt that I'll visit her this afternoon.
Paul answered.
He had no idea what was going on, but Liu Lili would not send a servant without a good reason.
-As you wish, young master.
The girl bowed again and left.
-What's this about?
Irine asked, approaching from the other part of the garden, where she was cultivating just now.
-I have no clue, but I'll know in the afternoon.
Paul smiled.
-You know that Natalie's birthday is tomorrow, and she won't forgive you so easily if you're not there.
She reminded him.
-I know, and I'm not going to miss her birthday.
Paul assured her.
Knowing Natalie for this long, he was sure that he would not hear the end of it if he dared to be absent on her important day.
Not to mention the rest of the ladies who would want to skin him alive if he dared to skip her birthday.
A few hours later, Paul went to visit his aunt and find out what was going on.
-You see, I received a message from Xiao Han, and he's coming back.
Liu Lili started to explain the situation after they sat down with some tea.
-The problem is that he will arrive tomorrow morning, and it is customary to hold a welcome-back banquet the night after the return, but it would collide with Natalie's birthday and coming-of-age ceremony.
So I want to combine both celebrations into one.
That way, no one would need to choose between the two.
She didn't have to explain that most people would have to choose the province lord's welcoming party.
Especially since the city lord was returning as well.
-Do you think that Natalie would agree to this?
She asked, hoping that this would indeed be the case since she also liked the girl and wanted to be present on her important day.
-I'd have to ask her about it.
In the end, it is her birthday.
Paul answered, not sure if the girl would agree or not.
On one hand, it would require her to share her celebration with the province lord, but on the other hand, he was sure that she would want everyone she knew and liked to attend her birthday banquet as well.
Taking everything into consideration, it would be a win-win solution, but it was not his decision to make.
-Then please do so as soon as possible, since it would require some adjustments to the banquet.
Paul nodded and went to look for the girl.
With no better idea, he decided to simply explain the situation to her.
-If that's the case, then let's do it this way.
She said, after thinking about it for a moment.
Natalie now understood that if she wanted to be selfish, then her birthday would be a bit lonely, since Xiao Su, Liu Lili, who she treated as an aunt, and everyone else would have to skip her birthday in favor of Xiao Han's and Luo Feng's welcoming banquet.
Even Paul would need to be present there as the Province lord's nephew.
So it was better to share the event and have all the people close to her present.
In the end, the celebration itself was not that important to her, it was the people who were present there that mattered to her.