The night, as dark as ink, weighed heavily upon the Prime Minister's residence, shrouding it in a tranquil and profound atmosphere. The ancestral hall, a place that holds family memories and sorrow, seemed even more solemn and dignified under the shadow of night. Wisps of sandalwood rose in a lingering curl, intertwining and entwining in the air, exuding an ancient and solemn aroma that seemed to speak of the vicissitudes of time and the rise and fall of the family.

Prime Minister Su, the elder who usually held a commanding presence in the court, now knelt quietly before his mother's tablet, his posture remarkably hunched. In his hand, he clutched a fragment of a red plum blossom. Though broken, the red plum blossom on the fragment still exuded a subtle elegance and resilience, much like his longing for his late wife, a color that had never faded despite the erosion of time. The eternally burning lamp before the tablet flickered in the breeze, as if it might go out at any moment. The dim light flickered, casting a shadow that made the words "virtuous and virtuous woman" on the tablet seem otherworldly, imbued with an indescribable beauty and sorrow.

"I've let you down..." Su Xiang muttered to himself, his lips trembling slightly as he gazed at the tablet. His voice was deep and hoarse, as if it came from the depths of time, laden with endless regret and self-blame. Turbid tears flowed uncontrollably from his wrinkled cheeks, hitting the cold blue bricks drop by drop, leaving a small dark mark, a manifestation of his inner pain. "If I can't even identify the murderer, what kind of husband am I..." His words were filled with pain and helplessness, like a sharp knife, piercing his heart.

Su Jinli stood quietly at the entrance of the ancestral hall, holding Nianli in her arms. Her gaze, tender yet tinged with sadness, fell on her father's hunched back. His figure, so frail and helpless, reminded her of her own death in a past life, a scene of desolate indifference. Back then, she lay alone on her sickbed, devoid of family, no warm care, only endless pain and despair. Now, watching her father suffer so much, the resentment and grievance in her heart seemed to be blown away by a gentle breeze, leaving only a deep compassion and understanding.

"Dad," she whispered, her voice as gentle and warm as a spring breeze. Nianli, in her arms, was curiously shaking a golden chili pepper. In the candlelight, the chili pepper shone brightly, like a shining star. "If Mom knew you were so sad, she would definitely wipe away her tears again." Su Jinli's words seemed to have a magical power, gently touching the softest part of Su Xiang's heart.

Su Xiang turned around abruptly. Tear marks still clung to his aged face, gleaming in the candlelight. His eyes were filled with surprise and emotion, as if he couldn't believe his ears. "Li'er... Dad, all these years..." His voice choked with sobs, as if he had a thousand words to say but didn't know where to begin.

"Just buy more snacks for me and the kids from now on." Su Jinli smiled, a smile that held a hint of playfulness and tolerance. She gently placed Nianli on the ground, and the little girl immediately leaped into her grandfather's arms like a cheerful little rabbit, kicking her short legs. "Siyan wants osmanthus cake, and Nianli wants candied haws with chili!" Nianli's clear and melodious voice echoed through the ancestral hall like a silver bell, bringing a touch of lightness and joy to the oppressive atmosphere.

Just then, Young Marquis Su poked his head in from outside the doorway, holding aloft a freshly made wine jug, adorned with the signature red silk of Zuixianju. "Dad, this is Zuixianju's Champion Red wine in the west of the city. Have another drink and let's get over it!" The young man's voice was filled with energy and enthusiasm, as if to sweep away the gloom within the ancestral hall. He shook the jug, and the wine sloshed gently within, making a crisp sound that seemed to announce its richness and fragrance.

However, before he could finish his words, Su Jinli quickly grabbed his ear and said angrily, "You let Dad drink so much, do you want to kill him?" Young Marquis Su grimaced in pain and begged for mercy, "Sister, I was wrong, I was wrong!" Seeing his funny look, everyone couldn't help laughing.

"I'm fine." Su Xiang smiled, gently stroking Nian Li's little tummy. A long-lost smile appeared in his cloudy eyes. "Back then, your grandmother always said that life should be lively..." His eyes slowly swept over his children's faces, his eyes full of love and relief. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he pulled a silver note from his sleeve, held it high, and said with a smile, "Let's go to Zuixianju to book the whole place tomorrow. Order whatever you want!"

"Wow, that's great!" Si Yan exclaimed excitedly. He immediately pushed the abacus in front of his grandfather, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Grandpa, I want ten baskets of shrimp dumplings!" He looked so eager, as if ten baskets of shrimp dumplings were already in front of him.

Nian Li was not to be outdone. She raised the golden pepper in her hand high and said loudly, "I want fried pork with peppers too!" Her little face flushed red, as if she was announcing something extremely important.

Jiang Yan, watching the lively scene from the side, also had a gratified smile on his face. He silently pushed back the abacus and said softly, "Si Yan, eating too much will cause cavities." Si Yan stuck out her tongue and smiled sheepishly.

In this warm and joyful atmosphere, Su Jinli looked at her father and siblings, feeling a surge of emotion. Their family had once been shrouded in a shadow by their mother's passing, but now, after enduring countless setbacks and hardships, they had finally rediscovered the long-lost warmth and joy. All of this was inseparable from the mutual understanding and tolerance within the family.

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