At this moment, Su Xin had already brought her water to wash her face.

Last night, those sounds did indeed frighten her.

The voice sounded very real, and seemed to be coming from near the Imperial Hospital.

Ning Yin took a deep breath to calm herself down before getting up to wash her face and then opening the window.

Sunlight shone on her face, revealing the fine hairs on her fair skin.

The snow outside was thick and heavy, icicles hung from the eaves, and a few red plum blossoms parted the white snow, releasing a faint fragrance.

Ning Yin briefly forgot about what happened last night, remembering that today was New Year's Eve and the Imperial Hospital would have a three-day holiday.

She then thought of having Suxin and Granny Zhang cook a New Year's Eve dinner together.

Yesterday, Xiao Xuan told me that he would come to see me later.

She decided to prepare some for Xiao Xuan as well, so they could eat together later.

Ning Yin was still somewhat moved when she thought that Xiao Xuan had even abandoned his business outside the palace for her sake.

It's the New Year, and I don't have anything to give him, so I'll just cook him a New Year's Eve dinner.

Thinking it over, Ningyin stuffed some silver into the red envelopes that Judge Chen had given out to everyone yesterday, intending to give one to Suxin and one to Granny Zhang.

As evening approached, Bai Meng arrived.

The three of them, master and servant, were making dumplings when they noticed Bai Meng hiding outside watching.

He had no relatives or friends in the palace. Ningyin could tell that he also wanted to come in and make dumplings together, so she waved to Bai Meng.

"Bai Meng, come in too..."

Bai Meng was overjoyed, quickly exclaimed "Eh!", lifted his robes, and stepped inside.

Meanwhile, the palace maids and eunuchs in the Hall of Preserving Harmony were also busy.

The palace banquet will begin in two hours. The emperor, empress dowager, crown prince Xiao Xuan, all the princes, Princess Chongning, the ladies of the palace, and powerful ministers and noble ladies will all attend.

Right now, Yang Shuhuan is choosing the jewelry and headdress she will wear to the palace banquet later.

Shen Jia lay on the bed sighing. She had specially brought the same headdress that she had bought for the palace banquet, just like the one worn by the princess last time.

He thought that if the princess saw him, she would definitely have a better impression of him.

Perhaps it could even bring me closer to the princess. If I could become the princess, her future would be much better.

Shen Jia grew angrier the more she thought about it, watching Yang Shuhuan fiddling with things in front of the dressing mirror.

She was filled with resentment; she hated that her indifference yesterday had prevented her from attending the palace banquet.

"Jia'er, I see that your headdress is very exquisite. Could you lend it to your sister to wear? You can't go anyway."

Shen Jia turned her head and saw that Yang Shuhuan was holding the same style as the princess, and couldn't help but think to herself.