Unexpectedly, this wait turned into the New Year. So, Chen Wanfu decorated Fubaolou all over again. Not only were songs being sung in the hall on the first floor of Fubaolou, but the decorations were also exquisite.

Su Wanyan and Yu Nanqing were not in the same year, and Chen Wanfu had been managing Fubaolou well. At this moment, the restaurant was packed with customers.

Su Wanyan couldn't stand being stared at by everyone, so she patted Yu Nanqing urgently: "Hurry up and put me down!"

He kept his voice very low, as if afraid of being overheard by others.

Chen Wanfu, who was standing nearby, immediately lowered his head and looked down, unable to suppress a smile.

How could Yu Nanqing possibly put Su Wanyan down? He had indeed been through a lot today, so he tightened his grip on Su Wanyan.

Chen Wanfu, being perceptive, quickly said, "Your Highness, Your Majesty, Room Number One in the Heavenly Rank is always ready for you. Please come in quickly."

Without saying a word, Yu Nanqing carried Su Wanyan upstairs.

This action attracted a lot of attention, and for a moment the people watching the play in the hall stopped watching and couldn't help but start whispering among themselves: "Is that Prince Gong and Princess Gong?"

"Is that even a question? Judging from his appearance, he must have just come from the palace."

"Prince Gong is still the same as always, doting on His Highness the Princess Consort. Even for such a short walk, he's afraid of tiring her out."

"Hey, only a prince would dare to do this. What kind of behavior would an ordinary person have?"

"You yourself said that he was a prince, how could we ordinary people compare to him?"

"By the way, have you heard? The Princess Consort's disappearance a year ago was all part of the Prince's plan to deal with Donghai. Afterwards, the Princess Consort actually appeared in Donghai with the Dragon Flag Army, and the couple worked together to capture Donghai City Island!"

"So, according to you, the Princess Consort will also lead troops into battle?"

"Of course, otherwise why would Her Highness go to the East Sea? Perhaps our Her Highness is even more powerful than the Prince! Didn't you know about today's grand court audience? Her Highness the Princess was granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Consort due to her outstanding achievements."

"Oh, I know that. No wonder the Prince and the Princess are such a perfect match. Who else has the Princess's charisma?"

"Hey, in my opinion, when it comes to martial prowess, the prince is still more powerful."

In no time, not only did the story of Yu Nanqing carrying Su Wanyan to Fubaolou for a meal because he was afraid she would get tired spread throughout the capital, but rumors also spread that Su Wanyan could lead troops into battle and that her martial arts were superior to Yu Nanqing's.

Once the rumors spread, not only were the young ladies of the capital the envy of everyone, but even the young masters and noblemen of the capital could only look on in envy.

Su Wanyan had no idea what was happening outside.

Upon entering the top-tier room, Yu Nanqing gently placed Su Wanyan on the bed. Qiu Ye and Huang Ye tactfully closed the door and stood guard outside.

Su Wanyan pouted, looking displeased.

Yu Nanqing knew why she was upset, but he pretended not to see it, took off Su Wanyan's shoes and socks, and gently massaged Su Wanyan's feet.

This made Su Wanyan even more dissatisfied: "How can I be angry when you're like this?"

Yu Nanqing smiled brightly, "I knew Yan'er wouldn't really be angry with me."

Su Wanyan pouted and pulled her foot back: "You talk as if you're the one who controls me."

"Absolutely not," Yu Nanqing quickly explained, "It's just that Yan'er has never been angry with me."

He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, his eyes full of tenderness: "Yan'er is always exceptionally tolerant of me."

With such a handsome face so close, gazing at her so sincerely, his eyes seemingly unable to hold anyone else, it would be a lie to say that Su Wanyan wasn't moved. She dared not look any longer, for fear that she too would fall for him and be unable to extricate herself, so she slightly turned her eyes away.

Yu Nanqing is such a good person, it's impossible to get angry even if you want to.

Moreover, she was more ashamed than angry, not truly angry.

Su Wanyan leaned back and fell onto the bed: "Sigh, never mind, I'm really tired today."

As I lay down, I felt a sharp pain on the back of my head: "The hairpin is poking me."

Yu Nanqing leaned forward: "Yan'er, don't move, I'll take it off for you."

Su Wanyan rolled over: "I'll lie down so you can take some parts."

As she spoke, her little feet couldn't help but kick twice.

Not only were the gold hairpins and pearl ornaments on her head removed, but the heavy palace dress she wore also left her only in her undergarments.

Qiu Ye asked the shopkeeper for a set of simple clothes, and Su Wanyan felt much more relaxed after changing into them.

Chen Wanfu was still in charge of cooking. Since it was the first day of the Lunar New Year, a dish called "Bringing in Wealth and Treasure" was fried until golden brown, along with stewed mutton, mutton soup, and braised koi carp, which were also indispensable.

There are other snacks and stir-fries, but I won't go into detail. Every time Su Wanyan was almost finished eating, Chen Wanfu would cook one or two more dishes.

There was simply too much food served, so Su Wanyan invited Qiu Ye and Huang Ye to come in and eat with her, while Ming Yu and Xiao Bu didn't dare to, dutifully guarding the door.

With Yu Nanqing present, Qiu Ye and Huang Ye ate somewhat reservedly, and Su Wanyan kept serving them food.

Perhaps they were really hungry, and with Yu Nanqing as a backup, the whole table of food was quickly devoured by the group.

Before Su Wanyan put down her chopsticks, Qiu Ye and Huang Ye had already gotten up to serve her.

Su Wanyan had gotten used to them being like this.

Yu Nanqing looked at her with affection: "Are you still hungry?"

"I'm not hungry anymore." Su Wanyan said energetically, "Eating makes me feel energetic."

"I will need to visit the palace again tomorrow."

"..." Su Wanyan immediately wilted again: "Still going?"

"If Yan'er doesn't want to, I will send a letter back to the Empress Dowager tomorrow."

"I don't want to go." Su Wanyan leaned her head against Yu Nanqing. "I'm tired. I want to stay at home and have a proper New Year."

Although the palace was magnificent and had a variety of programs and activities, Su Wanyan felt out of place.

Since she felt out of place, she didn't want to force herself to conform.

"Mm," Yu Nanqing replied, "Okay."

"Who goes there?" Suddenly, Mingyu's voice rang out from outside the door.

Su Wanyan instantly became alert. Yu Nanqing slowly raised his eyes and heard a female voice outside the door: "I want to see your prince."

Su Wanyan was stunned for a moment, then looked at Yu Nanqing. That voice...

He spoke towards the door, "Let her in."

The door opened the next second, and a woman wearing a black cloak strode in. Su Wanyan and Yu Nanqing stood up together. Who dared to call herself "this palace" in front of them and disguise herself to leave the palace? Could it be Empress Dowager Xia Yunshang?

Sure enough, when the woman brushed off her cloak, revealing her true face, it was indeed Xia Yunshang.

Su Wanyan was so shocked that she couldn't speak. She stood there speechless for a long time before she reacted and gestured to Huang Ye and Qiu Ye.

The two immediately understood and retreated to close the door tightly.

Su Wanyan bowed first: "This humble woman greets the Empress Dowager. Long live the Empress Dowager."

Xia Yunshang smiled sarcastically upon seeing this: "Ha, what a thousand-year-old, what an empress dowager. Now that I am in the palace, I am not as well off as a palace maid or a eunuch."