Mental exhaustion was a constant companion, eroding her will and leaving her feeling utterly drained.

On the other hand, dealing with Cheng Haoyu's matter was like getting caught in a tangled mess of complex and complicated issues.

Numerous thorny problems and complicated, trivial matters came crashing down on her like a tidal wave, one after another, leaving her overwhelmed and unable to manage everything.

After all, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, and with her help, the Cheng family has gradually recovered its strength, making them difficult to deal with now.

Under such circumstances, when Ye Yunyao happened to see Prince Jinrui Zhao Qin Qianluo and Prime Minister Su so loving and sweet, inseparable, like a divine couple.

A surge of envy welled up in my heart.

It is a deep longing for tender love, like a traveler who has been wandering alone in the darkness for a long time and has experienced countless hardships.

Suddenly, I saw lights twinkling with warm light in the distance, and my heart was filled with boundless longing and anticipation.

However, this feeling of envy was merely a fleeting thought in her mind.

After all, there are still many pressing problems to be solved and countless matters to be dealt with.

Therefore, she could only bury this envy deep in her heart and turn it into motivation to move forward.

Time is like a gently flowing spring, rushing forward quietly and steadily in the riverbed of years, almost imperceptibly.

The days flow by quietly, like pages turning in a book, one after another, slipping away unnoticed.

Unbeknownst to many, the New Year's Day Festival, a grand festival that carries endless traditions and hopes, shines like a brilliant star in people's hearts.

With light yet dignified steps, it drew ever closer amidst the eager gazes of the crowd.

However, for Feng Qingyun, these days were like being trapped in a foggy maze, filled with helplessness and confusion.

She was like a determined explorer, with unwavering faith, searching day and night for the reason why the protection mechanism had disappeared.

Her consciousness, like fine spider silk, darted through every possible corner, leaving no clue unchecked.

It's as if they are persistently searching for that precious pearl of truth in a vast ocean of knowledge.

She meticulously examined every detail and analyzed every possible factor, from subtle changes in space to minute fluctuations in her own system, leaving nothing out.

No matter how hard she tried, the truth hidden behind the scenes remained like a phantom concealed behind layers of fog.

It seemed so close, yet so far away; no matter how hard she tried, she could not reach it even a fraction of the way.

Furthermore, during this long search, there was absolutely no sign that she was about to level up.

Everything seemed to have reached a stalemate, leaving her feeling frustrated and confused.

Under Qin Qianluo's patient and gentle comfort day after day, Feng Qingyun's heart, which was originally as taut as a bowstring, began to search persistently.

Finally, with the passage of time, I gradually relaxed.

She began to realize that perhaps she should temporarily let go of this obsession and look at everything from a different perspective.

After all, in the entire year since the self-protection mechanism disappeared, Qin Qianluo relied on her extraordinary wisdom to hone her martial arts skills through countless trials.

With companions as perceptive and loyal as Yao Guang, always vigilant and protective, and with the help of those as insightful and experienced as An Yue, she has never been harmed by others.

This fact was like a heavy reassurance, gradually calming Feng Qingyun's heart, which had been hanging in her throat.

This also caused Su Jinyun's heart to become as tense as a frightened bird after her self-protection mechanism disappeared.

Gradually, things settled down, like a ship that had weathered a storm finally finding a peaceful harbor.

At this special time when the New Year's Day festival is approaching, Qin Shouzhen and the retired emperor are still unable to return to the capital.

Therefore, on this year's New Year's Day, only the three siblings, Qin Qianluo and her brother, and their respective families gathered together at the Duke's mansion.

In addition, there are the children of Qin Jiyuan and Qin Qianyu, who, like flowers blooming in spring, bring vitality and life to the Duke's mansion.

And the two children that Qin Qianluo rescued out of compassion—their presence added a unique warmth and stories to this family.

Meanwhile, Ling Xue and the others chose to spend the New Year's Day together in the space.

The space was decorated in vibrant colors, shimmering with light.

The walls of each villa are adorned with exquisite colored lights, like strings of twinkling stars illuminating the entire space.

Various auspicious decorations hang from the ceiling, swaying gently in the wind, as if conveying beautiful blessings.

The crowd was filled with laughter and joy, as if they were in a secluded paradise of happiness.

Everyone worked together to prepare the delicious food, and the air was filled with the aroma of various foods, creating a wonderful symphony.

Inside the Duke's mansion, night fell slowly like a huge black silk ribbon, enveloping the entire residence.

As dusk settled, the lanterns, like twinkling stars, adorned the Duke's mansion with a warm and romantic ambiance. Everyone gathered together to celebrate the New Year.