Chapter 11
At this moment, Ning Shiyu was sitting on a large tree not far from the Ning residence.
Holding a jade flute, he bowed his head and played it.
His expression was focused, and his eyes could not see anything else.
The person and the sound of the flute seemed to blend into one, isolating themselves from everything around them.
The flute music was so mournful that even Mu Li and Zhuang Xing, who were usually aloof, couldn't help but tear up.
Just then, footsteps came from the intersection.
A petite figure, holding a lantern, walked towards them.
Mu Li and Zhuang Xing did not stop her. When she came to their side, Zhuang Xing said in a resentful tone, "You are always the last one to arrive every year."
Fu'er said with a grin, "I tripped and fell on the road just now, I..."
Before she could finish speaking, the flute music from the tree abruptly stopped.
The three of them immediately fell silent.
I know I have disturbed Ning Shiyu.
Seeing that his flute playing had stopped, Fu'er craned her neck and called out to Ning Shiyu in the tree, "Young master, I'm coming up."
Her response was Ning Shiyu's graceful and light landing.
The graceful curve of his cloak hem, combined with his handsome face, was captivating.
Fu'er was stunned by what she saw.
Ning Shiyu glanced at Fu'er's feet, put the jade flute into his bosom, and said reproachfully, "Didn't I tell you not to come along?"
"I say it every year, but why do people never listen?"
This was when Fu'er first arrived at the Ning residence, in an effort to please Ning Shiyu.
She then promised to spend New Year's Eve with Ning Shiyu every year.
As a child, he only cared about having something to eat. Later, when he grew up, he saw that Ning Shiyu was all alone with no parents, so he wanted to keep him company.
It's a habit I've had for years, and I can't change it even if I wanted to.
"Young master, tonight is New Year's Eve, please don't scold me anymore."
"I was wrong about the incense last time, please don't be angry with me, okay?"
Her eyebrows were curved, and her long eyelashes, weathered by time, trembled gently like two small fans.
The smile wasn't strong, but it was like the spring sunshine, warming Ning Shiyu's cold and lonely heart.
"He's getting increasingly glib and smooth-talking."
How's your leg?
When she arrived, she stumbled along, and Ning Shiyu immediately sensed something was wrong.
Fu'er shook her head and said, "It's nothing serious. I was walking too fast and tripped."
"It's a little numb, but it'll be fine after sitting for a while."
"Young master, I also brought you some delicious food."
After saying that, he took off the bundle from his shoulder, opened it, and took a look.
They brought not only wine, but also roast chicken and roast duck.
Ning Shiyu wasn't interested in any of that; he only accepted the pot of wine.
"Was it brewed by Aunt Wen?"
"Yes, my mother's Tusu wine is loved by everyone in my family."
“My dad gets drunk every New Year’s Eve.”
Fu'er's mother is not only a good cook, but also a brewer.
It's brewed quite well.
Even though Ning Shiyu didn't like drinking, he would occasionally accept a pot of wine.
As soon as the bundle was opened, a fragrant aroma wafted out, making Zhuang Xing's mouth water. He brushed Mu Li aside.
She stepped forward and said, "Fu'er, you're so kind to us. You knew the young master didn't like it, so you brought it for us specially."
Fu'er tore off two chicken legs and stuffed the rest into Zhuang Xing's hands.
"Young master, shall we climb the tree to watch the fireworks?"
"I want to see my house."
Ning Shiyu chuckled and said, "You can tell your family's identity from this?"
"I can see that I wrote my name on it."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhuang Xing and Mu Li burst out laughing.
Ning Shiyu smiled enigmatically, "Have you ever heard the story of 'covering one's ears while stealing a bell'?"
"Who taught you this stupid method?"
Fu'er lived in Xieqiao Lane, which was very close to Ning's residence.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to come alone.
Just as Fu'er was about to retort that no one had taught her and that she had come up with the idea herself, Ning Shiyu had already helped her leap onto the tree trunk.
In previous years, Fu'er climbed up by herself.
Perhaps seeing her fall this year, Ning Shiyu put his arm around her.
Zhuang Xing and Mu Li, standing under the tree, were still in astonishment, as they had not yet seen their young master hug anyone.
Moreover, she's a young woman.
Back in his childhood, Fu'er, with his thick skin, often tried to hold his master's hand.
The two people under the tree ate, while the two people in the tree watched the dazzling fireworks.
After watching for a long time, Fu'er still didn't see any fireworks from her family.
She had no choice but to give up, and suddenly realized why the three men had been making fun of her.
Ning Shiyu held the wine pot, occasionally taking a sip of wine.
Listening to Fu'er talk about everyday matters, she kept nagging on and on.
"Tonight, our family cooked ten dishes, including fish, chicken, and mutton."
"This mutton and fish were a gift from my uncle. His fish shop is doing very well this year."
"However, I was in too much of a hurry just now and didn't get to eat a single bite of mutton."
"I don't know, will there be any left when we go back?"
Lamb was in short supply, and ordinary people like Fu'er couldn't buy it or afford it.
This mutton was also given to her mother by her uncle.
Once Fu'er arrived, she started talking non-stop, and Ning Shiyu's mood was no longer as gloomy as before. He listened attentively to Fu'er as she talked about topics that he would never have been interested in before.
I could tell she was very disappointed because she didn't get to eat mutton.
Yet a warm feeling welled up in my heart again.
He joked, "It would be so much better if we had mutton at home. Why come here in this freezing weather?"
"Isn't this just asking for trouble?"
Without hesitation, Fu'er replied, "Thinking of how lonely and desolate it is for you here, I had to come, no matter how cold it is."
"You can't get mutton at home, but you can have plenty here, young master."
Ning Shuyu's heartstrings twitched, and her gaze shifted from the night sky to Fu'er.
Her eyes gazed at the night sky, shimmering with light.
Ning Shiyu suddenly felt that if she were always by his side, then the New Year's Eve in the future would not be so difficult to endure.
Fu'er ate chicken while swinging her legs.
Ning Shiyu couldn't drink much, so Fu'er took the wine pot and drank by herself.
He smiled slightly, took out a bulging purse from his pocket, and stuffed it into Fu'er's hand, as if he had prepared it in advance.
Fu'er was overjoyed, "Young master, I've made you angry so much this year, and I still get New Year's money?"
Ning Shiyu leaned lazily against a thick branch, saying, "It's good that you know you always make me angry."
Fu'er chuckled and said, "Young master, you are very magnanimous. I will definitely try not to upset you this year."
Fu'er received a generous amount of New Year's money, which she weighed and found was more than last year.
In a good mood, I started rambling on about my hopes for the coming year.
Before long, the pot of wine was empty.
Ning Shiyu noticed that she had stopped watching the fireworks and was just staring blankly at him.
She tilted her head and leaned it against his shoulder.
Ning Shiyu's body stiffened, his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and his ears felt hot.
His gaze slowly shifted to Fu'er's increasingly beautiful face.
Then my gaze lingered on her bright red lips.
The sound of Zhuang Xing and Mu Li talking under the tree instantly brought him to his senses, and he dared not look any longer.
Knowing that Fu'er was drunk, he didn't push her away.
Afraid she would fall, he hesitated for a moment and pulled her closer to him.
After the fireworks subsided, they took her down from the tree and sent Zhuang Xing back to the Luo family to deliver a message to her parents.
Afterwards, he helped Fu'er back to the Ning residence.
When they took her back to her room, Fu'er was exposed to the cold wind all the way, which made her more awake.
Remembering her cousin's reminder, while Ning Shiyu was covering her with a blanket...
He leaned in and gave Ning Shiyu a quick kiss on the cheek.
She didn't dare look at his expression anymore and pretended to fall asleep.
After a long while, she heard Ning Shiyu leave.
The Eastern Palace.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the Crown Princess went to see Empress Cui early in the morning and wept.
“Aunt, the Crown Prince has been staying at Consort Sun’s place these past few days, and hasn’t even come to my room on the first day of the month.”
"I don't want to be the Crown Princess anymore."
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess had been married for less than half a year, and he had already disregarded the ancestral rules of sharing a room with her on the first and fifteenth of each month.
Ever since he went to great lengths to marry his beloved Consort Sun, he has lost all interest in even the most perfunctory manners.
Moreover, he had absolutely no interest in his Crown Princess. Apart from the few days of their wedding when his mother forced him to, he was unwilling to touch her otherwise.
The Crown Princess is the youngest legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Cui. She is usually pampered by her parents in her own residence.
How could I stand such treatment?
Empress Cui tried to persuade her for a long time, but fortunately the Crown Princess cared about her cousin and finally calmed down.
As soon as the Crown Princess left, the Empress ordered that the Crown Prince, who had come to visit his father, be summoned from the Taiji Hall.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince realized it was about matters concerning his own household.
He immediately retorted with dissatisfaction, "Mother, are you going to interfere in my affairs in the backyard as well?"
"Your father's health is deteriorating day by day, yet you show no concern whatsoever."
"Back then, Father Emperor defied all opposition to make you Empress. Have you forgotten all of that?"
Because of his filial piety towards his father, the Crown Prince's conflicts with his mother have deepened over the years.
Cui was unwilling to discuss her relationship with the Emperor and immediately interrupted, "This is a matter between me and your father, and you have no need to concern yourself with it."
The crown prince refused to give up, saying, "That is my father, and I cannot remain indifferent like this."
Not wanting the mother and son to grow increasingly estranged, Cui had to suppress her temper and gently persuade them.
“Hong’er, your mother has not neglected your father, but there are too many things to do in the harem, and we cannot just focus on him alone.”
"As you requested, the Empress Dowager has also made you take Consort Sun as a concubine. You must treat Rou'er better."
"She is your legal wife, and your uncle will be indispensable to your future success..."
Upon hearing Cui mention Prime Minister Cui, the Crown Prince finally erupted, "Enough! Can you please stop mentioning him?"
"My Li family's empire..."
Lady Cui looked terrified and slapped the Crown Prince before he could finish speaking.
After a moment, the crown prince finally calmed down.
Seeing the handprint on his face, the Empress felt heartbroken and wanted to reach out to check the injury on his face.
The crown prince, however, kept his distance and sneered, "Mother, I am a truly pathetic crown prince; I can't make any decisions."
"What is the significance of this title of Crown Prince?"
After saying this, he strode out of Weiyang Palace.
The Empress's face was cold as she said in a deep voice, "From now on, the Crown Prince is not allowed to visit the Emperor without my permission."
His two trusted confidants immediately agreed.
After the Empress's anger subsided, Granny Lian said, "Your Majesty, the old lady of the Ning family has arrived and has been waiting in the guest room for a long time."
"If Your Highness does not wish to see him, this servant will go and send him away immediately."
The Empress, considering her plan, took a couple of sips of ginseng tea and said, "Summon them."
*
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, You Cuicui went to Fu'er's house to wish her aunt a Happy New Year.
Now that her status in the Wan family is different, the gifts she gives are naturally much more valuable.
Master Wan promised that if she gave birth to a son, he would make her his legal wife.
After chatting with the Wen family for a while, You Cuicui pulled Fu'er into her room.
"How is it? Can you try it as I said?"
Fu'er blushed and nodded, saying, "On New Year's Eve, I first leaned on his shoulder, and then I secretly kissed him."
"The next day, he didn't punish me, and acted as if nothing had happened."
You Cuicui smiled and said, "Then there is hope. It seems he doesn't reject you."
Fu'er looked excited and asked innocently, "Then when can I climb into bed?"
"What's the rush? Your master isn't like most men who are lustful."
Yu Cuicui had some experience in winning the favor of Master Wan, who spent his days indulging in brothels, and eventually taking him home.
"Now you need to be even more reserved. You can't climb into bed with him anymore. Wait for him to take the initiative to want you."
Fu'er was quite discouraged upon hearing this, "Young Master won't take me on his own initiative, he already has Yunyou."
You Cuicui, however, worriedly said, "Just because you are the one who stays by his side every New Year's Eve, not Yunyou, you still have a chance."
"If you want him to give you the house willingly, you have to think long-term."
“Your master has everything, and he’s incredibly proud. If he knew you were only sleeping with him for the sake of the house…”
Even if he returns to Chang'an, he won't let you have your way.
"You have to make him willingly give you the house for it to last."
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