Lunar New Year's eve.

After completing the routine ancestor worship ceremony and giving food to each minister as a token of the emperor's grace, Su Bi only set up a small family banquet in the palace.

When he returned to the palace, Ning Xihua, Prince Ning and Ning Yueyan were already waiting for him.

"Why are you here too?"

Bai Luoqiu covered his chest with his hands, looking extremely distressed.

"If the Empress hadn't invited me to the New Year's Eve family dinner, would His Majesty have almost forgotten that there is such a poor and helpless person like me?"

"If you feel lonely and helpless, I will also give you ten beautiful concubines so that you can have children around you and enjoy the happiness of family life as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Bai Luoqiu immediately begged for mercy, "Is it okay if I'm wrong? I was invited by the Empress, can't you give me some face?"

He had a bitter look on his face. He was just trying to put people in his uncle's backyard. What a shame!

Ning Xihua was also laughing as she listened from the side.

Although Su Bi was harsh in words, he looked very relaxed. It was obvious that he still approved of his uncle in his heart.

"Father-in-law."

Su Bi had met Prince Ning before, and he did not show any of the arrogance of an emperor. Instead, he still respected him as a younger generation as he did when he was the crown prince.

Prince Ning immediately declined the offer, but he was very pleased in his heart, and his face was full of joy.

After all, the more respect his son-in-law treats him, the more he values ​​his daughter.

Su Bi even exchanged pleasantries with Ning Yue in a familiar manner.

"How are you preparing?"

Ning Yueyan also bowed and replied, "Not bad, I will be ready to leave next year. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

The tone is respectful but also has a certain intimacy and casualness as if facing family members.

Ning Xihua was a little surprised. When did the boss become so familiar with her second brother?

Also, "Brother, are you going to take part in the imperial examination?"

Didn’t he always plan to go into business like his third uncle?

Ning Yueyan smiled and replied, "Yes, I want to try it next year."

Ning Xihua was a little puzzled. Her second brother had always been casual and had never thought of pursuing a career in politics before.

Ning Yueyan exchanged a knowing look with Su Bi, then turned around and joked with her,

"It's all thanks to my fifth sister. I also want to have a taste of what it's like to rise to the top. Unfortunately, the imperial examination is not a joke, otherwise I would like to ask my brother-in-law to help me get a backdoor."

What he said really showed that he didn't treat Su Bi as an outsider.

King Ning listened and slapped Ning Yueyan on the head, with some anger in his eyes. This kid is disrespectful. But in his heart, he also knew that he might have his own plans.

Ning Xihua rolled her eyes at him rudely. When the fourth brother was not around, the second brother would make fun of her.

If he really wanted to use a backdoor, he would not have participated in the imperial examination. With the relationship of Ning Wangfu, he could have donated a good official position, and Su Bi would definitely favor him.

Since he wanted to enter the government through the imperial examination, it must be that his intention was not just to enjoy the protection of his ancestors and gain a position.

Ning Xihua looked at Ning Yueyan and Su Bi thoughtfully.

Those who passed the imperial examinations were called disciples of the emperor, and it was well known that "only those who passed the imperial examinations could enter the Hanlin Academy, and only those who passed the Hanlin Academy could enter the inner cabinet." Her second brother must have great ambitions.

Ning Xihua sighed secretly.

She was not stupid. With a little thought, she knew why her second brother, who was devoted to business, would go to great lengths to pass the imperial examination and enter the government.

Unlike the Ning Palace's previous low profile, since her marriage to Su Bi, the entire Ning family seemed to have gone from trying to be restrained to showing off their edge.

In the past, among the younger generations of the Ning family, except for the eldest brother Ning Yueqing who was stationed in the northern border, the second brother Ning Yueyan was preparing to go into business, and the fourth brother Ning Yuehang who wanted to join the army was always tied to Yizhou.

Now, the second elder brother has taken the imperial examination with the intention of entering the inner court. The oppressed fourth elder brother has also been sent to the northern frontier to join the army. Upon hearing that the eldest elder brother, who has accumulated many years of military merit, is also preparing to ask for a title for the first time.

Because she became the empress, because she wanted to monopolize the harem, the Ning family would inevitably become the target of public criticism. If I don't want to be bullied, I have to be the only one to be slaughtered.

She thought of what Prince Ning had said about the beauty pageant before Su Bi and Bai Luoqiu came, and she was a little worried about what Ning Yueyan would say to her if Su Bi changed his mind in the future.

"Remember what I told you when you got married? Don't be afraid."

Don't be afraid of being let down, Ning's family is always behind you.

Now, everyone is working hard to protect her and the Ning family.

She is so lucky to have such relatives.

Ning Xihua's eyes were a little wet, but she pretended nothing happened and still smiled and said,

"Next time, second brother, if you want to go through the back door, come to me. I will not only open the door for you, but I will also lift the roof for you."

Although the words are exaggerated, the intention is not false.

Then she turned to Bai Luoqiu and said,

"Don't be offended, uncle. We are used to being poor."

Bai Luoqiu felt extremely comfortable when he was called uncle, as if all the setbacks he suffered from Su Bi were made up for.

"It's okay. You two have a good relationship. There's no need to be so particular among family members."

After saying this, he glanced at Su Bi sadly.

Unlike that little bastard who refuses to even call me uncle.

Moreover, he could see that the Ning family was really good to Ning Xihua from the bottom of their hearts, and Su Bi was probably planning to love the Ning family as well and support the Ning family wholeheartedly.

He couldn't help but sigh. Between people, one must treat each other with sincerity. If his father had understood this principle earlier, why wouldn't the Zhenguo Mansion be the same as the Ning family today?

Under Ning Xihua's lively atmosphere, this New Year's Eve family dinner was also very light and warm.

After three rounds of drinks, Prince Ning held Su Bi's hand and kept giving him instructions. Su Bi listened carefully without any impatience and even nodded in agreement.

Ning Yueyan was toasting with Bai Luoqiu, feeling that they had met too late. The two had similar personalities and chatted enthusiastically about everything under the sun.

Ning Xihua suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment when she saw this scene. It seemed that she had put together a good game.

Before she could show off, someone grabbed her hand under the table.

Su Bi listened to the old man's nagging seriously, while secretly grabbing her hand and kneading it gently.

She seemed to sense his mood at the moment, and she held his hand tightly and smiled.

As we bid farewell to the old and usher in the new, what could be better than holding your loved one's hand, listening to the elders' chatter, and having family members play around you?

This should be the life that Su Bi has always longed for, right?

A heart can be filled with subtle warmth and soft peace, and everything is ordinary and truly beautiful.

After the banquet, Prince Ning was drunk to the point of being unconscious. He held Su Bi's hand and burst into tears, sobbing and muttering that he should treat his daughter well. Ning Xihua covered her face and was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Bai Luoqiu and Ning Yueyan were also drunk, and they were holding each other's hands and making gestures.

Ning Xihua had no choice but to personally arrange for someone to send them all back, and specifically instructed the servants to wait until they were properly settled before returning.

After everyone left, the hall, which had been bustling just a moment ago, suddenly became deserted.

Ning Xihua sighed, and a trace of melancholy rose in her heart.

Her waist was held from behind, and Su Bi rested her chin on her shoulder.

"It's a new year soon, stop sighing."

Ning Xihua tilted her head to look at his profile. From this angle, she could clearly see a layer of fine hair on his face. He pursed his lips slightly, as if he saw her sighing and feeling melancholy.

Su Bi drank quite a bit tonight. Although there was nothing unusual on her face, her eyes were still a little dull and not as bright as usual.

At this moment, he just leaned on her, relying on her wholeheartedly, and was so well-behaved that it made people feel pity for him.

Ning Xihua couldn't help but reach out and touch his head, but saw that he seemed to have thought of something and suddenly became excited.

"Would you like to see the lights?"

Although she was a little confused, she still smiled and nodded when she saw his childlike expectant eyes.

Su Bi immediately took the cloak and tied it on her personally. She was afraid that she would be cold so she even put the hood on her. Then she took her hand and walked out.

Ning Xihua didn't ask him where he was going, and just let him lead her forward.

After leaving the hall, Su Bi gave some instructions to the eunuch, and soon the eunuch brought a good horse. Su Bi helped her get on the horse.

The two men and the horse galloped towards the palace gate.

Ning Xihua was a little surprised. Is she going to leave the palace?

Su Bi confirmed her guess with her actions.

They sped along and soon left the palace, passing through the main street of Jiqingfang, which was the busiest street during the day, and walked all the way to the city gate.

She was an average rider, and being led by Su Bi, she experienced the thrill of riding a horse on this winter night of New Year's Eve.

Nestled in his arms, with the sound of the hunting wind in my ears and a warm chest behind me.

Her whole body was safely protected under the cloak, but her heart was beating fast, and it was beating clearly and powerfully along with the sound of horse hooves.

She could even feel the same excitement and excitement from Su Bi behind her. At this moment, he was like a young boy, eager to surprise his beloved.

This was Su Bi whom she had never seen before. Her heart was beating fast and she cherished him very much.

It was almost midnight, and the bustling streets of the capital were already deserted. A soldier in charge of curfew heard the sound of horse hooves and was about to move forward, but was stopped by a guard who appeared out of nowhere behind him.

There were also people who were still awake and curiously opened the windows, wanting to see who was brave enough to ride a horse on the main street at midnight, but they only saw a figure on horseback.

When they arrived at the city gate, Su Bi reached out and carried Ning Xihua off the horse.

She looked up and saw Xuansi Gate.

One of the four main gates of the inner city, it faces Jiqingfang and the busiest market in the surrounding area.

Su Bi carried her up to the city gate tower.

"Look."

Ning Xihua took off his hood and looked in the direction of the sound, only then did he understand what Su Bi meant by "look at the light".

This is indeed the best place to appreciate the lights. As far as the eye can see, the bright lights that are kept burning all night long in every household are inlaid everywhere in an orderly manner. Some are winding like dragons, and some are scattered like stars.

Thousands of lights flicker, and thousands of homes are lit.

The entire capital city was at their feet, prosperous and peaceful.

Su Bi reached out and touched her cloak, and asked her,

“Does it look good?”

Ning Xihua turned around and looked at her own reflection in his eyes, smiling brightly.

"nice!"

How can it not be beautiful? The bright lights are not as bright as the stars in your eyes.

At this moment, the world is at her feet and her lover is by her side.

“Boom!”

"Bang!"

The sound of fireworks rang out and fireworks bloomed in the sky.

The old year goes away and the new year comes.

Su Bi held her shoulders and whispered in her ear,

"May you have a healthy and carefree new year."

Ning Xihua looked at the gentle smile on his face, then looked up at the fireworks in the sky and silently made a New Year wish.

I don't ask for eternity, but I ask for,

Morning and night, year after year.

(over)