Chapter 351 Xiao Qingxi Returns to the Prince's Mansion

The next day was New Year's Eve.

The Prince Ning's Mansion was brightly decorated and filled with a joyous atmosphere.

Early in the morning, Shen Wantang instructed the head steward to distribute red envelopes to all the servants, along with snacks from Zuixianlou and fabrics from Jinxiuge.

Throughout the day, people came to Wutong Garden to express their gratitude in an endless stream.

It wasn't until evening that Wutong Garden quieted down.

Shen Wantang changed into a festive pomegranate red moon-flower dress, and went to the main courtyard for New Year's Eve dinner with her maids and nannies.

She arrived shortly after, Prince Ning and Princess Ning also arrived.

A while later, Xiao Qingyuan arrived. He didn't come alone; he brought Chu Yanluo and Huayi with him.

When Prince Ning saw that he had actually brought the two of them along, his face darkened. No matter what the festival was, he would never bring his concubines to eat with Princess Ning, lest his wife be unhappy.

His son, however, had no such awareness whatsoever, and he immediately wanted to scold Xiao Qingyuan.

But before he could speak, Princess Ning pressed his hand down: "It's the New Year, we should all be more friendly. Everyone's here, we can start eating."

Prince Ning barely suppressed his anger: "Listen to the madam, let's eat!"

As he spoke, he took out a large red envelope and handed it to Shen Wantang: "Tang'er, since you married into the family, you have been managing the household affairs and keeping everything in order. I heard from the head steward that this year's surplus has doubled compared to previous years. This is all thanks to you. Here, this red envelope was specially prepared for you."

Shen Wantang accepted the gift with both hands, and thanked him with a smile: "Thank you, Father. I wish you a peaceful, joyful, and auspicious New Year!"

Princess Ning also took out a red envelope and handed it to Shen Wantang. She looked at Shen Wantang with a loving expression: "Tang'er, you've worked hard these days. Here, this is for you from your mother. Take it."

Shen Wantang accepted the heavy red envelope and said with a smile, "Thank you, Mother. I wish you a happy and healthy New Year, and all the best!"

Princess Ning chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, sit down quickly, eat, and drink."

Shen Wantang readily sat down, and after Prince Ning and Princess Ning started eating, she also began to eat.

Xiao Qingyuan, standing to the side, had a livid face: "Father, Mother, I used to receive a red envelope every year, why not this year? Why does Shen Wantang receive one, but I don't?"

Prince Ning gave him a cold look, wanting to scold him, but he was mindful of his wife's feelings and afraid that an argument would prevent her from having a good New Year, so he swallowed his words.

Princess Ning said unhurriedly, "I noticed that you didn't care about these things in previous years. If we gave them to you, you would just give them away casually. So we didn't prepare any for you this year. You've always looked down on gold and silver and worldly things, so I suppose you don't care about these things, right?"

Xiao Qingyuan said in a low voice, "How can a New Year's red envelope be treated the same as ordinary gold and silver? I just want to bring good luck."

"A harmonious and peaceful home, and filial and sensible children, is the greatest good fortune."

As Princess Ning spoke, she noticed a dish that tasted quite good, so she instructed the maid who was serving the dishes: "This Rouge Goose Breast is delicious, let the Crown Princess try it."

The maid then picked up a piece of goose breast with rouge and placed it on the plate in front of Shen Wantang.

Shen Wantang ate it and couldn't help but nod: "It's really delicious!"

After that, the three of them ate separately without saying another word.

The rule of not speaking while eating is naturally also in the Ning Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Qingyuan felt stifled and upset at being ignored. He had originally planned to bring Chu Yanluo and Huayi to the New Year's Eve dinner, but there was no room for them at all, and there were only four sets of bowls and chopsticks.

Seeing Chu Yanluo and Huayi standing aside watching them eat, he felt very bad.

He glared angrily at Shen Wantang, thinking she was deliberately trying to embarrass Chu Yanluo and Huayi. What difference would it make if they added two more sets of bowls and chopsticks and two more stools? Anyway, there was so much seaweed on the table that they couldn't possibly finish it all.

Shen Wantang was completely oblivious to Xiao Qingyuan's angry gaze; she was enjoying a sumptuous meal.

The New Year's Eve dinner is the highlight. She personally selects the dishes and oversees the quality of the food, so every dish she makes is naturally to her liking.

Just as they were eating, a cry suddenly came from outside: "Father, Mother, Huo Yunzhou is a liar! You must stand up for your daughter!"

The room was immediately filled with shock, and everyone looked in astonishment at the doorway.

The next moment, Xiao Qingxi ran in crying.

Princess Ning was startled and quickly stood up: "Xi'er, what's wrong? Why are you back at your husband's house instead of celebrating the New Year? What happened?"

Xiao Qingxi originally wanted to complain, but as soon as she saw Xiao Qingyuan, she rushed up and grabbed his collar: "Xiao Qingyuan, how dare you betray me!! I'm severing our sibling relationship, and don't even think about me telling you any secrets again!"

Xiao Qingyuan vaguely guessed the reason, but pretended not to know anything and said with a forced smile, "Qingxi, what nonsense are you talking about during the New Year? When did I betray you?"

"You still dare to deny it?!"

Xiao Qingxi's eyes were swollen like peaches. She was furious, and her voice was exceptionally sharp: "Huo Yunzhou has already admitted that you told him I was pregnant! You were also the one who gave him the idea to pretend to give up taking a concubine and coax me back! You were also the one who taught him to keep Lin Rouxin as a mistress!"

Xiao Qingyuan was furious. He shouted, "I didn't! I only told him you were pregnant. I didn't teach him to pretend to take a concubine, much less keep a mistress! Huo Yunzhou is inhuman! This was clearly his own idea, yet he's trying to pin the blame on me! And you actually believed him?!"

Xiao Qingxi burst into tears: "It really was you! It really was you who told him I was pregnant! Xiao Qingyuan, you conspired with Huo Yunzhou to harm your own sister, you're not human!"

Princess Ning was also incredulous: "Qingyuan, did you really tell Huo Yunzhou that your sister was pregnant? Didn't you promise your sister that you would never reveal her pregnancy? How could you go back on your word? How could you leak the secret without telling your sister?"

Xiao Qingyuan stammered for a long time before finally saying, "I'm doing this for Qingxi's own good. What good does it do her to argue with Huo Yunzhou every day? Do you really expect her to divorce Huo Yunzhou while pregnant?"

Prince Ning angrily rebuked him: "Stop making excuses for me! If you truly care about your sister, you should side with her without questioning the reasons!"

Xiao Qingyuan quickly said, "I only said it because I was on Qingxi's side! I thought that if I told her about her pregnancy, Huo Yunzhou would definitely give up on taking a concubine. I never expected him to come up with such a terrible idea of ​​pretending to give up taking a concubine while actually keeping a mistress!"

"Besides, taking a concubine isn't really a big deal. Why did Qingxi have to make such a fuss that it couldn't be resolved?"

"Neither her father nor her mother can control her. She's completely unruly and spoiled by her family. Even during the New Year, she comes back to cause trouble and won't let up. I don't think it's any wonder Huo Yunzhou wants to take a concubine. What man can stand her?"