"Happy New Year! May all your wishes come true in the new year."
The two figures, Lingqi and Yihua, stood on either side, each with a pleasing smile on their face, bowing slightly as they spoke auspicious words.
Tianyun smiled faintly and handed the two red envelopes she had prepared to them, saying, "Thank you for serving me so diligently. Please continue to take care of me in the new year!"
"Thank you for the reward, Miss!"
The two little girls happily accepted the bulging red envelopes, their voices crisp and sweet.
Since the young lady's personality changed drastically, the two of them became the most envied head maids in the entire mansion. Not only were their tasks easy, but the young lady also treated them extremely well!
They all felt that being able to serve a girl was a stroke of good luck!
"Help me wash up, and then I need to pay my respects to my father and mother." The woman stretched lazily.
"yes."
※※※※
Tianyun was dressed in a festive crimson outfit.
The upper body is a peach-pink long-sleeved shawl with silver thread and star-shaped flowers, and the lower body is a cherry-red brocade skirt with embroidered patterns.
Lingqi squatted down, patted the wrinkles at the hem, and praised with a smile, "Such a vulgar color looks so good on you, young lady."
The woman's starry eyes crinkled with a smile. "Did you smear honey on your lips?"
"I don't have any more red envelopes to give you."
Lingqi gave a strange bow, saying, "You're too kind. Consider this a compliment to you, young lady."
Tianyun chuckled and asked her, "What is your brother doing?"
"Young Master went to Jinping Garden early this morning, saying he wanted to retrieve all the Tusu wine that was buried in the well last year," Yi Hua replied, handing her a damp white cloth.
Drinking Tusu wine is a custom of the New Year in Daliang.
Tusu wine contains several medicinal herbs, and you can smell a strong medicinal aroma as soon as you open the jar. People in the village believe that if they drink a few cups of Tusu wine at the reunion banquet, they will not be infected with the plague in the following year.
Tianyun didn't ask any more questions and went to the main house to pay his respects to Shangguan and his wife.
With a few quick words, sweet blessings flowed freely, making the two elders beam with joy. They received two large red envelopes and happily withdrew.
The streets of Suzaku were bustling with activity. Every few steps, there were braziers full of charcoal, with burning bamboo sections placed in the fire, creating a loud bang.
The sound of firecrackers continued incessantly, and the lively atmosphere lasted until evening.
——
The palace banquet is at a perfect time to begin our journey.
"Father, are you cold?" Tianyun looked at Old Master Shangguan's slightly trembling hands and said softly, "If you feel cold, you can put on an extra cloak when you get back to the manor before going to the palace."
Shangguan Ming swallowed hard, forcing himself to remain calm, and said, "Father is not cold."
Qin raised an eyebrow and bluntly exposed his statement, "Your father is just nervous."
After all, this was Shangguan Ming's first time attending the palace's annual banquet. He was naturally happy and excited to be able to participate in such a grand event, but he was also nervous and flustered.
As a lowly fourth-rank official, he had never even been to the Xuanzheng Hall, let alone attended the grand banquet in the imperial palace, which was reserved for officials of the third rank and above.
I'm really feeling uneasy and anxious.
Tianyun smiled and said, "It's just a banquet, not cannibalism, Father, don't panic."
The palace halls were indeed magnificent and grand, with ever-changing scenery at every turn.
The red silk ribbons, layer upon layer, cascade down like a red river, and dozens of white jade steps lead to a magnificent palace. The eaves are soaring and hidden in the clouds, and gilded beast-head censers are placed in the four corners of the palace, from which swirling smoke rises.
The men's and women's seats were set up opposite each other, and each table had several plates of fresh fruits and vegetables on a huanghuali wood table.
They arrived a bit early. Shangguan Ming held a low-ranking official position, so his seat was in the row closest to the door.
Tianyun found a seat and sat down. This seat was far from the emperor's main seat, and the light was dim and hard to see. If you didn't look carefully, you really couldn't tell that someone was sitting in that seat.
It's a perfect spot to slack off.
Even so, many high-ranking officials and their sons were captivated by her enchanting beauty, which made them frequently turn their gazes in her direction.
Fortunately, Xiao Ziwu had not yet arrived, otherwise he would have unleashed his icy aura once again.
Old Master Shangguan bowed and greeted each of the ministers who had arrived, not daring to be the slightest bit ambiguous.
Tianyun, feeling utterly bored, propped her chin on her hand and popped a snake fruit into her red lips.
At this moment, the vermilion gate opened wide, and more people entered—
Tianyun shifted his gaze and saw that it was Prime Minister Mu Chengye, who was leading his wife and daughter into the hall, with Mu Yaozhi raising her chin and following behind him.
Everyone quickly stood up and bowed, not daring to show the slightest disrespect to this popular prime minister.
Mu Chengye remained calm, only nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
The ministers were all in their places, but Shangguan Ming, standing in the middle of the hall, became particularly conspicuous. He was extremely respectful and bowed to everyone else.
Mu Chengye did not go to his seat, but instead walked up to him first and said something with a half-smile.
"Shangguan Siye has received His Majesty's great favor, so please don't... use this favor to cause trouble."
Shangguan Ming replied in a trembling voice, "This humble official dares not!"
His bent-over body was lifted up by two large hands. Shangguan Ming looked over in astonishment and saw Xiao Ziwu standing tall and elegant.
The man met Mu Chengye's gaze with neither servility nor arrogance. "In terms of the Emperor's favor, who can compare to the Left Prime Minister, who holds such a high position? I hope you will not forget this favor."
The word "ungrateful" was emphasized very heavily.
Mu Chengye smiled enigmatically, remaining calm and composed, and said, "Your Highness, I will remember your teachings." With that, he walked to his seat in the third row.
Since Xiao Ziyan was unable to attend, the seat that Prince Qi stepped down from belonged to Prince Xiao Ziwu, but now it was occupied by Mu Chengye.
But no one dared to say anything.
Xiao Ziwu didn't care. He withdrew his gaze and said to Shangguan Ming, who was covered in cold sweat, "Lord Shangguan, please return to your seat."
Shangguan Ming said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Yu Shanlai, who was sitting upright on the women's side, had a bright look in her eyes and couldn't help but glance at Xiao Ziwu a few more times.
When did Xiao Ziwu become so courageous?
Even when facing someone with such a powerful aura as Mu Chengye, she remained neither humble nor arrogant.
He's far more charming than Xiao Ziyan, who's adept at feigning the image of a refined gentleman! How come she never noticed before that Xiao Ziwu was so elegant, noble, and aloof?
Looking at the man who stood tall and straight like a pine tree, Yu Shanlai couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow in her heart.
Xiao Ziwu sat down quietly, ignoring the various gazes cast around him, and searched for Guaibao's shadow among the women's seats.
The dream he had that night shook his soul, and he endured the shame for several days without daring to see her, which almost drove him crazy!
He missed her more and more.
Tianyun's location was too remote. Xiao Ziwu glanced around and then looked behind the door before finally noticing that she was sitting in the corner.
Yu Shanlai's cheeks were flushed, and when Xiao Ziwu's indifferent gaze swept over her, she revealed her most beautiful 45-degree profile. Coupled with her shy blush, she looked delicate and adorable.
Unfortunately, the man's gaze didn't pause for a moment, sweeping straight past her and heading back.
When Yu Shanlai looked back at him, suppressing her shyness, she found that his gaze was fixed on the side of the door, his eyes deep and gentle.
Under the dim light, a girl with red lips and fair skin was eating fruit. She seemed to be sour because she was covering her lips and closing her eyes slightly.
Yu Shanlai was heartbroken to discover that the man's thin lips curved slightly, and the tenderness in his eyes grew even more intense and doting...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
