Dan Jindou took out a silver note from his pocket, worth a full two hundred taels of silver, and said:

"Sir, your paintings are like divine inspiration, perfectly natural. This is exactly the kind of painting I have been searching for. Please accept this money."

Upon seeing this, Yu Jie quickly waved his hand and said, "These four paintings of gentlemen are works I created many years ago. If they were for sale, they would have been sold long ago."

Yesterday, I noticed that Shopkeeper Shan is a great lover of calligraphy and painting, especially the Four Gentlemen of Flowers. So I decided to frame my previous paintings and give them to him.

Since it's a gift, I certainly won't accept a single penny.

Seeing Yu Jie's resolute attitude, Shan Jindou knew he wouldn't accept the money, so he put away the silver note and said:

“Then I, Shan, will humbly accept your offer. Sir, you reside at Wufang Academy. I will visit you another day.”

After finishing his speech, Shan Jindou bowed deeply to Yu Jie, then picked up several paintings and turned to leave.

After Shan Jindou left, the elderly gentlemen began to set up a display and write couplets for sale.

Just as people were busy preparing for the New Year, Li Xue rushed back to the capital.

The whole family was overjoyed to see Li Xue return. Since Li Ru returned from the Kingdom of Jindian, the royal palace had been bustling with activity every day.

With only a few days left until the Lunar New Year, the Prince's Mansion was already brightly decorated, and everyone was beaming with joy.

Just a few days ago, the princess gave birth to a big, healthy boy, and the Fourth Prince became a grandfather.

Li Xue was overjoyed to be an aunt again and said, "I just became an aunt not long ago, and now I'm an aunt again as soon as I return to the capital. This year is truly full of happy events."

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince was overjoyed and said, "Xue'er means that Li Guang has a son."

"Yes, Li Guang's son is over six months old and his name is Li Nan. After the New Year, the three of them went back to the capital to visit relatives."

In addition, Brother Zhao also had a son, who was born two days earlier than Li Nan, and named Li Yue.

"That's wonderful! They all have children now. Tomorrow I will go to see the Emperor. He has become a grandfather, so I must make him happy."

"Father will have an audience with the Emperor tomorrow, and Xue'er wants to go too."

"Very well, then Xue'er will accompany me to see the Emperor tomorrow."

The New Year is just around the corner. Unless there are special circumstances, the morning court session has been suspended, but all government departments will be on holiday until the day before the New Year.

Early the next morning, the Fourth Prince dressed himself neatly and took Li Xue to the palace to meet the Emperor.

At this time, the emperor was handling official business in the imperial study when he learned that the Fourth Prince and Li Xue had come to see him, so he immediately summoned them.

"Xue'er is back. How did you catch Zhang Debang on your way back to Narcissus Village last time?"

I heard that Xue'er even stole the young lady's embroidered ball and almost became her live-in son-in-law. Tell me quickly what happened.

"Since His Majesty already knows about this, then Xue'er will tell His Majesty about it."

Next, Li Xue began to recount the detailed process of her journey back to Shuixian Village, passing through Pingyang County, starting with the pawning of the luminous pearl, searching for Zhang Debang, and finally capturing him. The emperor was deeply moved after listening to her story.

"You guys deserve a lot of credit for capturing Zhang Debang this time. You were very dedicated in handling this matter and didn't let go of any clues."

The capture of Zhang Debang this time is both a matter of fate and your strong sense of responsibility. It is thanks to you that the Great Northern Dynasty has achieved the current excellent situation.

I am very grateful to you. Over the years, you have traveled all over the country and made significant contributions to stabilizing the territory of the Great Northern Dynasty.

"I am old and can no longer travel. If it were a few years ago, I would have done what you all do, traveling around and seeing the magnificent landscapes of the Great Northern Dynasty."

Seeing that the Emperor was happy but also somewhat regretful, the Fourth Prince spoke up:

"There is one more thing that His Majesty will be very pleased to hear."

"Really? That must be a great thing. Tell me quickly, so I can hear it."

“A few months ago, Li Guang was blessed with a son in Narcissus Village. The Emperor has become a grandfather. Isn’t this a great joy?”

"Really? I've become a grandfather! That's wonderful! I really want to hug my grandson."

Seeing this, Li Xue laughed and said:

"Your Majesty need not be anxious. Li Guang said that after the New Year, the three of them will return to the capital. At that time, Your Majesty will not only be able to hold your grandson, but also see Meng Yaoyao, the young master of the Nanyi clan. She is Your Majesty's daughter-in-law."

"Great! I'll get to see Qing'er and his family of three. I need to think about what gift to give them."

The emperor was pleased and stood up, pacing back and forth in his study.

After pacing back and forth several times, the Emperor returned to the table and sat down, looking at Li Xue, and said:

"Xue'er deserves great credit for capturing Zhang Debang this time. Tell me what reward you need."

Seeing that the emperor was going to reward him, he smiled and said:

"Capturing Zhang Debang is eliminating a traitor for the country, and it is Xue'er's duty. Xue'er does not need any reward."

"Xue'er, don't rush to make a decision, think it over carefully."

Li Xue thought for a moment and then spoke:

"If the Emperor really wants to reward him, then build a marquis's mansion for Marquis Zhengyang in Narcissus Village."

Marquis Zhengyang owns a large number of properties, and everything he does is for the benefit of the people. He is very frugal and still lives with his mother in their ancestral home.

"Oh, I see. Then I will have the Ministry of Revenue allocate funds and arrange for skilled craftsmen to go to Narcissus Village to build the Marquis's mansion for Marquis Zhengyang."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Li Xue quickly expressed her gratitude.

"It seems that Marquis Zhengyang is a virtuous man. Qing'er and Xue'er asked for nothing for themselves, one to seek a title for him and the other to ask for a house for him. This will become a story that will be praised for all time." The emperor couldn't help but sigh.

After the Little New Year, the capital city begins to bustle with activity as every household prepares for the Spring Festival.

Li Xue, accompanied by several guards, arrived at the mansion that the emperor had bestowed upon Zhao Xian, intending to decorate it in preparation for the New Year.

There were four servants in the Hou residence. They were assigned by the government to guard and clean the residence.

Since the owner of the mansion has not yet moved in, the daily care is very simple.

When Zhao Xian and his companions visited the Hou residence last time, several servants recognized Li Xue and knew that she was a princess of the current dynasty.

Upon seeing the princess arrive with four guards, the servants quickly knelt down.

"Greetings, Princess."

"No need for formalities, please rise. The New Year is just around the corner, and the Marquis's residence needs to be decorated nicely."

After the New Year, the young prince will be staying at the Marquis's residence for a few days; you must all serve him diligently.

"Princess, rest assured, we will do our best to serve the young prince well."

Next, Li Xue, along with several guards and servants, began cleaning the Marquis's residence. However, due to the large number of houses in the mansion, it was difficult to clean them all at once.

Li Xue first cleaned the main house, while the side rooms were cleaned by several servants.