On New Year's Eve, the General's Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and a joyful atmosphere filled the air, making everyone feel happy.
Meng Zhelan has been in high spirits lately, having just experienced a happy event. She originally thought she would live a plain and uneventful life, but unexpectedly, she is getting married in March.
Although marrying a prince was not what she most desired deep down, that man was, after all, the one she loved deeply, and being with him was enough.
She sighed softly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, then slowly walked to the window, gazing quietly at the bustling scene outside, her thoughts drifting away.
"Xiao Xi, I wonder when you and Young Master Qin will finally have a happy ending? You still present yourself as a man to the outside world. How long will this continue?" She turned her head and looked at Li Xi, who was deep in thought, and couldn't help but feel worried.
Li Xi didn't seem to be affected by her words, and simply replied, "It's alright, let nature take its course."
Just then, Ling'er arrived.
Now she has found a good match; after the imperial examination next year, Tang Jieyuan will come to propose marriage.
Moreover, this Tang Jieyuan was a member of the Tang family, one of the eight great families, and was exceptionally talented and of noble character.
Meng Zhelan was quite pleased that Ling'er had found such a good match.
She looked at Meng Zhelan and Li Xi and said softly, "Don't worry too much, things will always turn out for the best."
Meng Zhelan was slightly taken aback, then smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, we must all believe that the future will be better. Don't you think so, Xiaoxi?"
"It will be alright, everything will only get better." Li Xi smiled enigmatically, her gaze deep.
“Oh, right, Zelan,” Ling’er suddenly remembered something and said excitedly, “I heard that there will be a grand banquet in the palace tonight, and all the princes and nobles will be attending. As the future princess, you should be invited, right?”
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhelan blushed slightly and said softly, "Yes, I have already received the invitation."
Since Meng Zhelan needed to enter the palace for a banquet at Shenshi (3-5 PM), Hongying suggested that everyone gather at the General's Mansion at noon to share a warm reunion meal.
After handing the secret letter to Li Xi, Chen Quan hurriedly left, because he could spend the Spring Festival with his family at his residence this year.
The night before, Li Xi visited him late at night and entrusted him with investigating a crucial matter.
After the joyful reunion dinner, everyone dispersed.
Li Xi instructed Li Yi to take good care of his maternal grandmother and the others, then claimed that she had to return to the camp for inspection and left.
The snow fell silently on New Year's Eve.
Snowflakes fluttered down, like feathers falling from the sky, light and pure.
Along the streets, red lanterns swayed gently in the cold wind, reflecting off the white snow piled up on the ground. The red and white colors intertwined to create a unique warmth and peace for the festival.
Every household's windows are adorned with festive paper-cut decorations, colorful and varied in shape, as if one could see the busy and joyful scenes inside through the thin paper.
The kitchen was filled with delicious aromas as the adults busied themselves preparing the New Year's Eve dinner. The symphony of pots and pans clattered together with the sound of snow falling outside the window, creating the most beautiful melody of the New Year's Eve.
The children played excitedly in the snow, building snowmen and having snowball fights. Their laughter was crisp and melodious, like the warmest winter sun, melting away the surrounding chill.
Occasionally, one or two mischievous children would secretly make a snowball and launch a sudden "attack" when the adults weren't looking, eliciting laughter and scolding.
Night fell silently like a thick black curtain, and the dazzling fireworks, like a group of joyful elves, bloomed freely in the deep night sky.
The colorful light, like dazzling ribbons, intertwined and danced wildly, reflecting off the pure white snow on the ground, as if it were a radiant pearl sprinkled down from the heavens, so beautiful that it seemed otherworldly.
Li Xi rode his horse leisurely around the bustling yet tranquil night.
The horses' hooves crunched softly on the snow, like a beautiful melody played by nature.
Finally, she leisurely arrived at the gate of Qingque.
The soldiers guarding the city are vigilantly watching every corner of the city.
When they suddenly saw a strange figure appear abruptly in front of them, their hearts tightened, and they immediately straightened their backs like statues, a barely perceptible hint of tension flashing in their eyes.
"Halt! The city gates are closed. What are you doing here?" the leading soldier shouted sternly.
Li Xi pulled on the reins, and the horse obediently came to a slow stop.
She carefully took out a token from her bosom. The soldiers stared at it, and when they saw the clear inscription on the token, their faces instantly turned to terror. They then knelt down without hesitation and respectfully said, "General..."
"You've all been working so hard here on New Year's Eve. I've brought some good wine and meat to reward you all." - Li Xi
"General, this is unacceptable, this is unacceptable!" The leading soldier's face turned red, and he hurriedly waved his hands in refusal.
"What's wrong with that? Day after day, year after year, you serve the country and the people, rain or shine, silently guarding this city and protecting the peace of millions of people."
"New Year's Eve is a time for families to reunite and enjoy each other's company, but you are here making selfless contributions. I understand this great cause better than anyone else, and I respect it more than anyone else." Li Xi sighed slightly, a barely perceptible hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.
As she spoke, she slowly walked into the simple yet warm duty room. "Those who are on duty should continue to do so. There is plenty of good wine and food. There is no need to rush. You can savor it slowly after your shift. Taking a few sips of warm wine now is just right to warm your body and dispel the chill of this late night."
"Thank you very much, General," said Wu Yong, the city gate captain, respectfully, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.
After a few cups of warm wine, the soldiers returning from their shifts gradually developed a rosy complexion, and their initial fatigue seemed to melt away somewhat with the warmth.
They sat around the brazier, their conversations and laughter mingling with the occasional sound of firecrackers from outside, creating a unique scene for New Year's Eve.
"General Li, aren't you going home to reunite with your family?" the city gate captain asked him with some doubt.
Li Xi gently shook her head, put down her empty wine glass, and said, "I already had New Year's Eve dinner with my family at noon. Since I have some free time now, I thought I'd come over and visit you all."
Upon hearing this, a hint of panic flashed in Captain Wu Yong's eyes. He quickly refilled Li Xi's wine cup and said with a smile, "So that's how it is. It is truly an honor for this humble officer to be remembered by the General! Come, let this humble officer toast the General again."
With that, Wu Yong raised his glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
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