New Year's Eve is approaching, and every household in the capital is decorating with lights and lanterns in preparation for the New Year, making the city very lively.
A dinner was held in the palace, and the old lady, Mrs. Song and Xiao Yujian had to attend, so a New Year's Eve dinner was prepared at noon, and Rong Bowen and his son were invited to come to the Anchang Marquis' Mansion for a reunion.
The day before, the palace sent rewards to the two mansions, including chicken, fish, meat, eggs, a whole sheep, fresh vegetables and fruits, and several pots of flowers grown in the greenhouse to embellish the atmosphere.
So many rewards demonstrate the emperor's attention to the two governments and his care for the families of meritorious officials.
There were quite a few rewards, but there was no mention of Mo'er. It seemed that he was really left to Linlang and Amu, and was not allowed to return to the palace. He was allowed to spend the New Year here.
Mo'er seemed to have gotten used to it. There was no sadness on her face. She happily followed Xiao Yujian and Rong Yi with a smile on her face.
Linlang knew he was still sad, so when she gave Mo'er new clothes, she comforted him gently, "It's not safe in the palace right now. The emperor must have kept you here for your own good. Don't worry, he will take you back home to reunite with us sooner or later. In this world, there are no parents who don't love their children."
Mo'er said sensibly, "Sister, I know in my heart that it's safest here. I'm just a nobody in the palace anyway, no one loves me, and I'm even hated by my mother and the crown prince. I'm very happy here, really."
He didn't want to live his life trying to please them. Everyone here truly loved him, and he liked that very much. He would rather this place really be his home.
Linlang smiled and said, "As long as you are happy, you can always treat the place where we are as your home."
Mo'er nodded obediently and reached out to hold Linlang's hand. "Sister, I'm actually still a little sad. They all forgot about me. If it weren't for you, Father wouldn't have noticed me."
"Then I figured it out. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Maybe it's just that my mother and my brother the Crown Prince don't like them. But what's my fault? I don't have a choice."
"You and my brother have taught me a lot. I won't cater to anyone in the future. I want to be myself." Mo'er said firmly, "I will listen to you, hide my shortcomings, and grow up well."
Linlang said with relief, "That's absolutely right. Your mission now is to grow up safely and learn skills well. Don't worry about anything else."
"Okay, I've got that." It's like walking on thin ice in the palace. Mo'er prefers the freedom and safety outside. He is still young, and it will take a lot of time for him to grow up and become stronger.
He could see that his cousin Amu disliked the prince and that there was a grudge between them. He secretly vowed to learn his skills well and help his cousin Amu and the others when the time came, so that no one could bully them.
Mo'er looked at Linlang's bulging belly tenderly and said, "When your nephew is born, I will help you take care of the child."
Linlang couldn't help but smile, "Okay, I'll leave him to you from now on."
Mo'er patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, sister. I will definitely take good care of him."
When Moer felt the baby's fetal movement for the first time, he was very shocked. He didn't expect the baby to be so strong and felt his power deeply.
He will definitely be a naughty boy when he is born. How can he not help take care of him?
Seeing Mo'er so cheerful, Linlang was completely relieved. They had always taken meticulous care of Mo'er, fearing he would feel lost and sad. Although he was young, he was very sensitive due to his family background. A child like this must be taken care of with great care, otherwise he might go astray.
They never thought about what would happen to Mo'er in the future, they just hoped that he would grow up well and become a successful person.
Seeing that there was no change in his mentality and other aspects, and that he was not dwelling on the trivial matters, Linlang and Amu felt relieved.
Today was a family reunion day, and the men of the Anchang Marquisate were all at the border, experiencing war. The old lady and Mrs. Song were deeply concerned about the people at the border, so Linlang and Amu could only take care of everything to ease their worries.
In previous years, the old lady and the Song family would adjust their mindset, but today is different. Success or failure depends on this battle, and the whole country is concerned. How can they calm down and have a good New Year?
This year, it’s really the New Year.
Fortunately, with Linlang and the others around, the Anchang Marquis Mansion didn't feel so deserted and there was a bit of a New Year atmosphere.
The reunion dinner at noon was very sumptuous. The old lady took out the fine wine that she had collected for many years and said, "The old marquis doesn't like anything else but drinking. I have many kinds of wine stored in the wine cellar, but it's a pity that he rarely comes back, so these wines have been stored for many years."
"It's a rare occasion for us to be together today. I brought out a jar. How about you try it? If it's not enough, come get more."
Song and Linlang looked at each other. The old lady had really changed a lot now, and she was completely different from before. Maybe it was because of her age, what she had experienced with Gu Yuanfang, and the efforts made by Linlang after her return, the family was very harmonious together.
Ah Mu held the wine jar and said, "Thank you, grandma. This wine is really delicious."
Rong Bowen smelled the aroma of the wine and took a sip intoxicatedly. "I knew it was good wine the moment I smelled it. I'm so lucky to have such a good time today. Thank you for letting the old lady spend money."
"It's a waste to leave the wine sitting there. It should be given to people who understand wine." The old lady warmly entertained, "Don't be polite, just treat it like your own home. Don't be so formal."
There weren't many people, only one table was set up, and everyone sat together chatting and playing guessing games, which was lively. Firecrackers were lit, and the reunion dinner began.
Mo'er offered everyone a glass of tea instead of wine. Xiao Yujian reached out and touched his stomach, "Good boy, you haven't eaten yet and your stomach is already swelling."
"Just a little water." Rong Yi asked him to sit down and eat, not just drink water. He could hear the water sloshing when he walked.
Mo'er, with his bulging belly, made everyone laugh. Mo'er laughed along with them. He was willing to drink a few more bowls of tea to make everyone happy.
After dinner, the whole family gathered together to play Landlord, guess riddles and tell jokes. It was almost time. Linlang and Amu sent the old lady, Song and Xiao Yujian out, and then took Mo'er back to the Rong family.
In the carriage, Linlang snuggled in Amu's arms and sighed, "How fast a year has passed."
Looking back on this year, so many things happened, and I never expected to come to the capital so early.
"This has been the most fulfilling and meaningful year of my life. I met the person I love most, and it gave me a new lease on life." Amu gathered Linlang's cloak. "Next year will be even better. I will work harder. Our family has a new member."
The little guy in my belly seemed to sense something and kicked under the big hand, as if saying, work hard and give me a happy and stable home.
Linlang gently placed her hand on Amu's big hand, "Yes, next year will be better. My son also agrees with us."
They both thought of the people in Beiguan at the same time. For Jingchao, the men and soldiers of Anchang Marquis' Mansion were fighting bloody battles.
Snowflakes are falling from the sky, a sign of a good harvest. They will return safely and triumphantly.
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