After eating the food prepared by her aunt and taking some pastries, Su Wan left the Su family.

This time when she came back, she didn't say much to others and was very polite, but these things, this momentum, and the carriage that picked her up all told the Su family that Su Wan is different now.

No wonder she took such good care of her aunt.

Su's wife was actually a little jealous, but when she thought about her daughter's marriage, she was no longer envious. Her daughter would be getting married in the spring after the Chinese New Year.

Why envy these things? Su Wan entered the palace at the age of twelve, and she would have to be eighteen when she leaves the palace.

What good marriage can you hope for at this age?

Just because you look good now doesn’t mean you will be that good in the future.

But Su's wife already understood that no matter what, she had to be polite on the surface to avoid being troubled by Su Wan.

The second concubine of the Su family had a similar idea. Her daughter also wanted to marry well. Although she was jealous of these things now, they were not as important as her daughter's marriage.

It’s a pity that I didn’t treat Su Wan and the Third Aunt nicely earlier, otherwise I would have definitely benefited from it.

Master Su was only satisfied. Su Wan had just returned from the palace and the neighbors already knew about it. After all, such a beautiful carriage had never been seen in Chongnanfang before.

When they heard that the fourth daughter of the Su family, who worked as a palace maid, had returned, many people were curious. Wasn't it said that palace maids were not allowed to leave the palace?

The driver who came to pick her up also said, "Miss Su Wan is valued by the female official, so she was given a special favor."

Look, Su Wan is not an ordinary little palace maid!

The kind that is highly respected!

Su Wan ignored Mr. Su's expression. It was only a temporary solution to let her aunt stay in the Su family.

If Mr. Su wants to take advantage of his own fame, he has to think carefully about how to treat his aunt.

Seeing her aunt tearfully sending her away, Su Wan said, "Don't worry, I'll come out to see you when I have the chance in the future."

The aunt nodded, wiped her tears, and watched her daughter return to the palace.

When Su Wan was going back, she suddenly remembered that Yu Shu's restaurant was nearby, so she asked the driver to go around and take a look. There was an inscription on the name, "Lotus Pavilion", which sounded elegant, but the outside looked a bit shabby. The store was open on New Year's Eve this year, but not many people came in.

I heard someone inside shouting, "Business is bad, why are you still sitting here? Why don't you go out and solicit customers?!"

Su Wan took a look and asked the coachman to continue back to the palace without wasting time.

After all, Yu Shu cannot go back and has a bad relationship with her family, but she should be concerned about the situation at home. If she asks, then just mention it, if she doesn't ask, then forget it.

Not many people went out on New Year's Eve, and the carriage had a smooth journey, arriving at the Dong'an Gate of the Imperial Palace before noon.

When Su Wan returned to the Shangshenjian, the female official was a little surprised: "You're back so early?"

"Well, there's nothing going on at home." Su Wan urged, "Go home quickly. They should be waiting for you to eat."

The female official smiled, put away the things in front of the table, and then said: "There is nothing to do in the Shangshenjian today, you should go to the west kitchen, don't worry about it."

The female official was naturally not idle this morning. She did all the things that should be done in the next two days in advance, so Su Wan could have some free time.

The two didn't say much. Su Wan also knew that it was rare for her superior to take time out.

After all, it’s the New Year, and the younger children only have time to play, while the older ones have a lot of things to do.

Su Wan had just put away the things her aunt had given her when someone from the west kitchen came calling her. Deputy Prime Minister Li from the miscellaneous store also called her to have some snacks.

Most of the female officials in the Zaliku did not go home.

Most of the old maids and palace servants there are still unmarried. They are enjoying themselves in the palace together. I heard that it is quite lively there too.

Su Wan simply went over and picked up a few boxes of snacks before going to the west kitchen.

Why do I feel like the palace is my home and I can walk around it anytime, any day?

When Su Wan met guards and palace servants along the way, she shared some snacks with them to share the good cheer.

When they arrived at the west kitchen, they were still busy preparing meals for the palace servants of the West Outer Palace. Since Su Wan was here, she had to help out.

When the palace servants of the West Outer Palace saw this, they immediately wiped their eyes and deliberately said in shock: "Su Wan! Why are you back!"

"Su Wan will cook today!"

"Then I must eat more!"

"Why are you back? Is the chef okay?"

The palace maids in the West Outer Palace were naturally familiar with Su Wan and spoke to her warmly.

However, several stewards were not there. I guess they all had families and went home to celebrate the New Year.

But the palace servants who stayed here were more comfortable. Wouldn't they be happier when their superiors were not at home?

During the New Year, there is a rich meal, and tonight there are dumplings to eat and fine wine to drink. This is also one of the few days when the palace people at the lower level can have a good time without being punished.

Su Wan greeted everyone with a smile. Yu Shu and the others were not polite either, but they did not let Su Wan do any work that was too tiring. They called her over to eat, so how could she keep helping?

After seeing off the last wave of palace servants from the West Outer Palace who came to eat, it was time for the palace servants in the West Kitchen to eat.

Although Su Wan had eaten at home, she still tasted a little bit. However, she knew what was going on and did not mention going home.

None of the palace people here can go home, so there is no point in her bringing this up.

The snacks that Su Wan brought were very popular and served as a snack for everyone.

After dinner, when there were fewer people around, Xiaoyue, who had obviously been holding back for a long time, asked, "Are you going home today?"

Only Yu Shu, Xiao Yue, Chun Xiang and Su Wan are here at this moment.

The four of them used to be roommates, so naturally they have a good relationship.

Xiaoyue was still somewhat rational and did not say it in front of others.

Su Wan paused, but thinking that she was always well-informed, she let it go for the time being and said with a smile: "The commander happened to be here on official business, so he asked me to go back and take a look."

Su Wan deliberately spoke in a light-hearted manner so as not to make everyone feel too uncomfortable.

But being able to go home for the New Year, not to mention Xiaoyue Chunxiang, even Yu Shu was a little envious, but it only lasted for a moment and they quickly calmed down.

What's so good about going back to her home?

Su Wan also has an aunt, but she has nothing.

Thinking of this, Yu Shu was the fastest to recover her expression: "That's great, how is your aunt at home, is she healthy? She must be very happy to see you."

Chunxiang also looked at her eagerly, obviously wanting to hear Su Wan say more. Although they couldn't go back, it was okay to listen to Su Wan.

Su Wan smiled: "Well, Auntie didn't expect me to come back. She was surprised and happy, and even cried."

Xiaoyue felt uncomfortable watching this.

They were all young palace maids who came in from the same batch, and were all sent to such a remote place as the West Kitchen.

If Su Wan was the same as Nan Cheng’s deputy niece Li Rongrong from the beginning, she wouldn’t think it was a big deal, but it was obvious that their starting points were different.

This is so uncomfortable.

It’s okay at other times, even during the winter festival.

Why can I go home?

During the Chinese New Year, even the senior palace maids and the left and right officials were not allowed to return home.

But Su Wan can.

The chief of the Imperial Kitchen was too partial to her.

But what else could she do? She didn't have Su Wan's skills, and it was well known.

But she just wouldn't give in.

Su Wan had already noticed that Xiaoyue was not right, so she just stared at her, hoping that she didn't have any confused thoughts.

Su Wan smiled and changed the subject. She watched Chunxiang and Xiaoyue go back to work, and then she heard Yu Shu say, "I remember your house is not far from my restaurant. Have you heard any news?"

Hearing this, Su Wan asked back: "Do you miss them?"

Yu Shu immediately shook her head: "No, I didn't think about it."

After that, Yu Shu added: "Actually, I'm very scared."

Now that she had started, she was not afraid to continue talking. However, the more she talked, the more Su Wan felt that Yu Shu had taken on too much.

Yu Shu was indeed afraid. What she was afraid of was not that her relationship with her family would be bad, but that after she was promoted to a senior palace maid, there would be more and more troubles at home.

When she was just a little palace maid, her usefulness was not high. But once people knew that she was a senior palace maid, she would be doomed.

In the future, troubles that cannot be explained will come to you.

Yu Shu was asking for information because she wanted to know the current situation of Lianhua Pavilion. The worse the situation was, the easier it would be for trouble to come.

After listening to this, Su Wan felt relieved and said, "Just as you thought, the business of Lotus Pavilion is indeed not good. It is still open today, but there are few customers."

There are basically two situations for restaurants that are still open on New Year’s Eve.

Either the business is extremely good and popular, and it never closes all year round. This is the best in Kyoto.

Either the business is very bad, so you can try to run your business while most stores are closed, hoping you can find a bargain.

Yu Shu's Lotus Pavilion obviously belongs to the latter category.

A store in this situation might find out that Yu Shu is going to be a head maid and come to cause trouble.

The mere fact that people were using Yu Shu's reputation to solicit business was enough to make her feel uncomfortable.

This will definitely happen. People with no bottom line will do anything.

Su Wan comforted him, "Don't be afraid, you are in the West Kitchen, in the Imperial Kitchen, nothing will happen to you."

Yu Shu took a deep breath and said, "Even if I really become a palace maid after the New Year, I must keep it a secret if possible."

"We'll figure out the rest slowly,"

Although Yu Shu did not come up with an idea immediately, Su Wan clearly found that she was different from before.

I didn’t know what to do before, but now after careful consideration, I have the courage to resist.

It may be a small step, but it is indeed difficult for her.

Su Wan teased her, "I'm in the Imperial Kitchen now. Let's ask Aunt Yonglan, the head of the Imperial Kitchen, to go scare them. Maybe it will work. Let them not cause trouble for you."

Yu Shu also smiled: "Okay, I will definitely come to you when the time comes, and we will both ask Aunt Yonglan for mercy."

The two chatted and laughed for a while, and Yu Shu reminded Su Wan: "Xiao Yue has been mysterious recently. The Right Master said before that she likes to pry into things and let her know her limits, so she feels uncomfortable."

"You've been keeping a straight face for more than a month, but you didn't care."

"Nothing. I miss home and my family during the Chinese New Year, that's for sure." Su Wan smiled, "I won't argue with her."

Yu Shu couldn't help laughing again. Su Wan was very young, but she spoke like a little adult.

After a while, Yu Shu also had to help clean up. That's how it is in the kitchen. You have to be busy during meal time and you have to be busy after meal time.

But this time, Su Wan was not allowed to get involved. She was just allowed to walk around and wait for the dumplings to be made.

Su Wan originally wanted to go in, but after looking at Xiaoyue inside, she decided to go to the small kitchen as she hadn't been there for a long time.

The small kitchen is the same as before, and many things have not been moved. I guess after I left, the small kitchen was sealed up and no longer used. But new couplets have been placed here, and it looks brand new.

Not far from the small kitchen, there is another familiar place, Guandi Temple.

Su Wan was too lazy to go in since they would meet again soon anyway.

While walking here, Su Wan looked at the Guandi Temple and then at Xiting further west. No wonder Xie Pei was so familiar with this place, as this was where he grew up.

It's just that this place is too big and he is alone.

Su Wan touched the gift list in her sleeve and thought of the letter written by Xie Pei, in which she was specifically reminded to thank her for leaving half a pound of sausage.

It seemed like he was exposing the truth, but also like he was trying to be subtle so that she wouldn't be fooled.

Su Wan burned the letter directly, as it would be inappropriate to leave the thing with her.

Although it is a bit cautious to do so, it is definitely right to be cautious!

Back in the big kitchen, they had already started making dumplings.

Today is Chinese New Year. We eat dumplings stuffed with pork and cabbage, and then stir-fry some other dishes in the evening for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

When you are full, you won’t miss home. This sentence can be said to the disaster victims, or to the palace maids detained in the palace.

After wrapping dumplings in great excitement, Su Wan felt like she had been eating all day. Her superior took some shrimp dumplings and left them at the Shangshenjian. When she got home, she ate the food made by her aunt. At noon, she went to the miscellaneous warehouse first, and then ate something in the west kitchen.

The West Kitchen knew that she would go back to the Imperial Kitchen early, so they cooked pork and cabbage dumplings for her in advance. Fortunately, she didn't eat much of these dumplings.

I have to save room for Tom Yum Goong hotpot at night.

As soon as the Chinese New Year began, she started eating.

I have to eat five meals a day.

If I keep eating like this, I’m afraid I’ll really get fat.

Finally, Su Wan took the dumplings made by the West Kitchen back to the Imperial Kitchen. She walked slowly on the way, not because she was digesting the food, but because it was rare to be so leisurely in the palace.

Looking towards the inner palace, the lights were on, and I guess they were also celebrating the New Year there.

But the eldest prince is accompanied by Concubine Jiang, and I heard that the saint will also be there.

The second prince was accompanied by Concubine Chu.

Only the last Third Prince is still out on business, which is also miserable.

Maybe it's not that bad for him, after all, he knows what he wants.

As expected, Su Wan stepped into the courtyard of the Shangshenjian residence. The female officials here had all gone home, so Xie Pei could wait for her in the courtyard openly.

Su Wan looked at the sky. It wasn’t even dark yet, and he was coming already?

This is too arrogant.

Su Wan had a lot of things in her hands and had been busy eating all day.

But since I missed the evening, I didn’t eat much. Otherwise, with Su Wan’s small appetite, she would have been full.

The two did not leave in a hurry, but rested in the yard for a while.

Xie Pei was very curious about Su Wan's current residence and subconsciously took a few more glances at it.

When it gradually darkened, Xie Pei took Su Wan on a carriage and left from the south gate of Dong'anmen quietly.

Today is New Year's Eve, and a lot of red envelopes have been given out along the way, creating a festive atmosphere.

After leaving the palace, Su Wan lifted the curtain to see that the clothes she was wearing today were not the usual clothes of a little palace maid, but the honey lotus-colored winter clothes made by her aunt herself, which made Su Wan look a little older.

Yes, it’s only thirteen after the new year, and her birthday is coming soon.

Xie Pei did not say anything, nor did he mention the letter or why he was able to come out so easily.

What are you saying?

It’s better to have a good meal!

The two of them obviously had the same idea.

But when leaving from the south gate of Dong'an Gate, Su Wan looked in the direction of Chengtian Gate, where the lights were bright. According to ancestral system, palace officials and many soldiers would set out from Chengtian Gate, dressed as generals and door gods, and start to drive away evil spirits from the palace. When they had walked through the entire Kyoto, the ceremony would be over.

It is also an old custom of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, and can also be considered a performance activity.

She heard that the second prince was in charge this time, and it seemed that the activity had already begun.

But Xie Pei shouldn't mind such a small matter. They have known each other for such a long time, and he has never been really angry.

When we arrived at the streets near Chunzhuo Tower, although it was New Year's Eve, it was very lively. There was an endless stream of guests, most of whom were out with their families. There was no curfew during the Spring Festival, so the people of Kyoto could come out and play at any time.

Everyone on the street was wearing new clothes and had smiles on their faces.

Their destination, Chunzhuo Tower, is lively but not noisy, and has a bit of Nanyang style.

The name is also interesting. It is said that the four seasons in Nanyang are like spring, so it is simply called Chunzhuolou. If you think about it carefully, you will know what kind of specialty restaurant it is.

Su Wan and her friends entered through the main entrance and were then taken to a private room on the second floor.

This private room is a great place where you can enjoy the garden scenery and listen to Southeast Asian music.

Even Su Wan was somewhat impressed.

The restaurants in Kyoto are too generous. With less than three hundred taels in her hand, can she really open a restaurant in Kyoto?

I'm afraid I'm dreaming.

When the Tom Yum Goong fruit arrived, Su Wan was also refreshed. Although it was a little different from what she had eaten in later generations, it was generally similar.

The hot and sour shrimp pot is surrounded by a lot of seafood, and the colors are bright and lovely.

The pot is already boiling, and the thick white soup looks delicious.

After everyone left, Xie Pei asked, "Let's eat?"

Although there was not much talk between the two, there was obviously some tacit understanding between them.

Why talk so much nonsense? Given the relationship between two people, there is no need to be polite.

Su Wan's heart was completely relieved. Xie Pei was the Third Prince and also a good friend who ate delicious food together in Guandi Temple. He didn't seem to have changed at all!

When they were halfway through eating the pot, they saw fireworks going off at Chengtian Gate, attracting everyone to watch.

Su Wan looked at the steaming pot, then looked at her good friends around her, her aunt from the Su family, and her friends in the palace.

This year's New Year was surprisingly quite lively.

Xie Pei looked at her and smiled, and finally said: "The pot is really that delicious."

Su Wan nodded heavily: "Yes, it's really delicious."

Fireworks exploded in the sky, and both of them were about to grow one year older.

The new year is coming soon.