Chapter 442: Big Sister, Second Sister, It’s Chinese New Year, Shouldn’t We Show Some Appreciation?

At dinner time, the flower hall was brightly lit and filled with warmth.

Chu's father, Chu's mother, and Chu Chenyu have also arrived.

The family sat around a large round table covered with an embroidered tablecloth. The table was filled with all kinds of delicious food, steaming hot and fragrant.

Song Ruyan sat next to Doctor Qian, chatting and laughing with him from time to time, her eyes and brows filled with the sweetness of a newlywed couple.

Xuan Ge'er was also particularly excited today, his little face flushed. He sat next to Chu's mother and was fed his favorite dishes from time to time.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Chu Chenyu put down the silver chopsticks in his hand, and his bright eyes moved between Chu Ruohan and Chu Yueshu, with his usual mischievous smile on his face.

He cleared his throat and said loudly, "Big sister, second sister, it's New Year's Day, shouldn't we show some appreciation?"

Chu Ruohan was looking at Xuan Ge'er with a smile. Hearing this, she raised her eyes, glanced at him with amusement, stretched out her hand, and patted the back of his outstretched hand lightly.

"Hey, I'm telling you. You're an official in the court, earning a salary. Why are you still like a kid, asking for a red envelope from my sister?"

Chu Yueshu couldn't help laughing and said, "That's right! Chenyu, you're a real uncle now. Did you give your nephew and niece a big red envelope?"

As she spoke, she gave Song Ruyan a meaningful look.

Song Ruyan's cheeks turned slightly red after what she said, but she also smiled generously.

Chu Chenyu proudly patted the pouch on his waist, making a few small noises.

"Don't worry, I've already prepared everything. It's packed full, and I guarantee they'll be satisfied! But you, second sister..."

He changed the subject and looked at Chu Yueshu mischievously, "My red envelope must not be less this year. I've been looking forward to it for a whole year!"

Chu Yueshu took up her handkerchief to hide the smile on her lips, her eyes curved into crescents, and she deliberately stretched out her voice and said, "Oh? You've been waiting for a year? Then you'll have to keep waiting. Get a red envelope from me and dream of good things!"

"Hey, second sister, you are too stingy!" Chu Chenyu yelled in pretended dissatisfaction, causing everyone at the table to laugh.

Mother Chu looked at her children laughing and shaking her head helplessly.

Gu Junze watched the scene with a smile on his face the whole time, occasionally talking in a low voice with Chu's father, his eyes falling gently on Chu Ruohan from time to time.

Yuling stood quietly by, pouring drinks for everyone. Hearing the laughter, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.

But before the smile could fully unfold, it quietly disappeared, and his eyes unconsciously drifted towards the door, as if he was expecting something, but also as if he was avoiding something.

She quickly looked away and continued with her hand movements, but her slightly pursed lips betrayed the thoughts surging in her heart.

Chu Ruohan saw all this, sighed softly in her heart, but didn't say much.

Some knots ultimately need to be untied by the parties themselves.

As the night deepened, the children had already been taken away by their nurses to rest. Chu Ruohan's family members also left one after another, and Gu Junze personally escorted them to the gate of the mansion one by one.

After seeing off the guests, Chu Ruohan returned to the room and saw Gu Junze standing in front of the window, looking at the dark night outside, wondering what he was thinking.

She walked forward, gently put her arms around his waist from behind, and rested her cheek on his broad back: "What are you thinking about?"

Gu Junze turned around, took her into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head. "It's nothing, I just feel that having you here tonight is better than any banquet in the palace."

Chu Ruohan nuzzled into his arms, "I know you must have some considerations. I just hope that after this New Year, all those troubles can be resolved."

She was referring to the remnants of Qingmo Valley, and also implicitly included Yuling's marriage.

Gu Junze hugged her tighter, a solemn look flashing in his deep eyes, "I will. Have a peaceful New Year."

He didn't say much about what was happening in the palace, nor did he explain why he didn't go to the palace banquet, but Chu Ruohan felt reassured from his firm tone.

Outside the window, there are a few sparse stars in the night sky, and the sound of scattered firecrackers can be faintly heard in the distance.

The night of New Year's Eve, after the hustle and bustle, gradually returned to tranquility...

Yuling walked alone on the winding path. The snow under the corridor had been cleared, but the grass and trees on both sides of the path were already covered with a layer of white.

At some point, fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky again. The cold snow foam landed on her hair and shoulders, bringing a hint of chill.

As she passed a bunch of wintersweets, a faint fragrance wafted in the air, but Yuling suddenly stopped.

Not far away, under the moon cave gate, a familiar figure stood quietly, his indigo cotton robe looking a little dull under the dim light.

Qin Fang seemed to have been waiting for a long time. Some snowflakes fell on his shoulders, and his figure looked even more lonely in the night.

Yuling's heart skipped a beat and she subconsciously wanted to turn around and avoid him.

However, for some reason, the foot that he wanted to lift seemed to weigh a thousand pounds and he couldn't move it at all.

She just stood there frozen, watching Qin Fang slowly walk towards her.

"Miss Yuling."

He walked a few steps in front of her and stopped, his eyes calm and his face apologetic. "It's so late, and I'm still disturbing the young lady. It's my fault."

Yuling lowered her eyes, curled her fingers slightly, and whispered, "Is there anything wrong, Manager Qin?"

Qin Fang was silent for a moment, and snowflakes fell silently between them.

He whispered, "Before, it was my rashness and lack of consideration that caused Madam... to ask you that question, causing you so much trouble."

He paused, his tone somewhat serious, "Miss Yuling, you don't have to feel any psychological burden, and you don't have to feel embarrassed about this."

Upon hearing this, Yuling suddenly raised her head, and an inexplicable anger suddenly rose in her heart.

She frowned, her eyes filled with a hint of anger and confusion. "Manager Qin, what do you mean by this? Retreating to advance?"

She felt as if her feelings were seen through by him, but were gently pushed away by him. This feeling made her feel aggrieved and a little angry.

She has been tossing and turning these days. Does he think that this is just unnecessary trouble?

Seeing her angry, Qin Fang's face flashed with panic, and he quickly explained: "No, Miss Yuling, you misunderstood, I absolutely did not mean that."

"I... I just don't want to delay you. Madam must have already informed you of my situation. I still have responsibilities on my shoulders, and I really don't want to delay the girl's prime years."

Yuling looked at him steadily, seeing the depression between his brows, seeing the guilt and struggle deep in his eyes.

The anger in my heart was gradually replaced by a sour feeling.

She understood his concerns and his good intentions, but this "good intention" felt so heavy on her at the moment.

"good."

Just one word.

After saying that, she stopped looking at Qin Fang, turned around resolutely, stepped on the thin snow, and walked quickly towards her residence without looking back.

Snowflakes fell on her hair and quickly melted, leaving behind a cool and wet feeling, just like her mood at the moment.

Qin Fang stood there, watching Yuling's back as she walked further and further away in the night until she disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

He stretched out his hand, as if trying to hold on to something, but in the end he just let it drop weakly, letting the snowflakes fall into his palm, bringing a chill.

The night wind blew, rolling up a few pieces of snow foam, making the figure under the moon cave door look even more desolate.