Huo Jin used a clever escape tactic, but still wasted a lot of time, and his face was very sour when he returned to the city.

Han Ling and the others waited at the city gate and handed over the sandalwood box he had arranged. "Lord Eunuch, isn't this excessive caution a bit much?"

Huo Jin took the box and shook his head. "You don't understand. Better safe than sorry."

When the emperor is being stupid, he's as stupid as a pig, but when he's clever occasionally, he's also incredibly unpleasant to watch.

For example, his godfather's case really caught people off guard.

He could gamble and take risks with others, but not with Yuan'er.

The reason he staged this whole thing today was to take advantage of the New Year to formally meet the Chu family. Yuan'er is about to give birth, and this ceremony is a must.

Chu Yuan knew he was coming and had told her about it very seriously beforehand. So, although she didn't care much about it, she still asked her mother to arrange an extra seat for her.

Chu's mother had prepared a sumptuous and fragrant New Year's Eve dinner. Hearing this, she glanced at the heavily pregnant Chu Yuan and asked, "Save a seat? Who wants to come?"

Before Chu Yuan could speak, her eyes narrowed with a smile, "Could it be Master Sheng?"

"Mother, why are you still thinking about Master Sheng? Haven't I already said that there's no way we can be together!" Chu Yuan was speechless.

Upon hearing this, Chu's mother pursed her lips and said, "You, you are just so stubborn, exactly the same as when you entered the palace. You must have suffered a lot over the years."

Now that you are carrying that wretched child, has he come to see you?

Even so, you're still not giving up, insisting on giving birth to this child. You'll regret it later!

Chu's mother has said this countless times over the past few months, and Chu Yuan is so tired of hearing it.

However, she knew that the wicked child she spoke of would send money to Chu Yuan, and wasn't truly devoid of human compassion. Seeing that Chu Yuan didn't like hearing it, she stopped talking.

After Chu Yuan left, Chu's mother muttered to Chu's father, "Did you hear that? She said someone was coming. Who is it? Could it be that wretched child?"

Father Chu frowned, his hand stopping as he picked vegetables. "My wretched child, my wretched child, what if he doesn't have a name?"

Alright, he is, after all, the father of the child in Yuan'er's womb. Even if he's not good enough, it's still better than Yuan'er raising the child on her own without any clear understanding of the situation.

"If he really comes later, don't say anything unpleasant!"

"I understand." Mother Chu said helplessly, thinking that the father and daughter must have already discussed this matter.

Chu Yuan did occasionally mention Huo Jin to her father, mainly saying that his background was rather pitiful, his father was unknown, his mother died early, and the adoptive father he finally recognized also died.

After hearing this, Chu's father let out a long sigh, "Yuan'er, everyone in this world has their own difficulties. It's hard for us to judge the right or wrong of others, but we should just ask that we have a clear conscience."

As evening fell, the wind howled, and several red lanterns hung in the Chu family compound. The soft red candlelight gave a warm feeling, especially the two or three figures reflected in the gate, intimate and natural, laughing and chatting.

This gave Huo Jin, who was climbing the wall, a feeling of being in another world.

In the end, he glanced at it a few times and retreated without saying a word.

He walked back to the main entrance, tucked the sandalwood box under his arm with one hand, and with the other hand, hesitantly, slowly, yet firmly knocked.

Those in the main hall nearby heard this and put down their chopsticks, asking, "Who is it?"

Chu Yuan's heart was pounding quite fast at that moment.

Could he really be coming?

Are you that bold?

"Who is it? Coming, coming." Chu's mother got up to open the door. As soon as she left, Chu Xu followed closely behind, muttering, "Do you even need to ask? It must be Brother Sheng. He's all alone in the capital, with no relatives or friends. Who else will he spend the New Year with if not us?"

Yesterday, Chu's mother invited Sheng Kuan to spend the New Year at the Chu family home, but he declined.

Sheng Kuan has been acting strangely lately. He never explains the misunderstanding with Chu Yuan in front of outsiders. Even if someone points at him and says that the child in Chu Yuan's belly is his, he won't say a word. He will even laugh and say, "Okay, okay, I'll give you red eggs after the child is born."

After this happened a few times, everyone lost interest in even gossiping about it.

The door opened, and the mother and son were stunned to see a man outside, his face covered by a cloak and covered in snow.

"You...you are..." Chu's mother opened her mouth wide, but after stammering for a long time, she still couldn't say Huo Jin's name.

Chu Xu was calmer than her, but looked wary. "Why are you here again? Are you going to smash up our house again?"

Huo Jin removed his cloak, grinned, and his stunning features spoke volumes.

Even the pristine white snow behind him couldn't compare in the slightest.

"Huo Jin..." Chu Yuan stood in the courtyard and called out uncertainly.

Chu's mother and Chu Xu subconsciously stepped aside, and Chu Yuan came out, her eyes meeting those of the man at the door.

For a moment, the falling snowflakes seemed to stand still, and the sky and earth merged into the same color, bubbling with a drowning pink.

Huo Jin looked at her; she was voluptuous and beautiful, with a calm and serene expression. Even after half a month apart, she was still as beautiful as ever.

He simply raised the sandalwood box above his head, knelt on one knee, and said earnestly and devoutly, "Uncle and Aunt, I have come to offer my sincere regards."

Chu Yuan was first taken aback, then burst into laughter.

Why is this guy suddenly so serious, and even kneeling down?

Didn't you see how scared her mother was? Her eyes almost popped out of her head.

As Chu's father, who was a beat behind, walked out of the main hall, his face was also filled with disbelief.

Chu Xu rubbed her eyes and asked suspiciously, "Sister, pinch me quickly, am I hallucinating?"

Chu Yuan burst out laughing and tugged at Huo Jin's arm, "What are you doing? Don't make this so sentimental, get up."

Huo Jin broke free from her hand. "No, if Uncle and Aunt don't accept my sincerity, I will kneel here and not get up today!"

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