December 29th.
The capital city of the Southern Di Kingdom.
The weather was cold, and heavy snow was falling.
The palace was filled with joy. The palace maids and eunuchs were busy, and although they were very tired, they were happy and genuinely pleased.
Ah! The Southern Di royal palace hasn't been this lively in a long time.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and the Emperor has issued an invitation to all civil and military officials and their families to come to the palace to celebrate New Year's Eve together.
In previous years, the palace was very quiet at this time.
Apart from a few more red lanterns hanging in the palace where the Emperor and the Crown Prince lived, there was no other festive atmosphere to be seen.
People in the palace didn't even dare to speak loudly, for fear that they might accidentally stir up the emperor's sad memories.
It wasn't that the emperor was bloodthirsty, nor that he treated them harshly.
Instead, ever since the Empress was captured ten years ago, the Emperor's hair turned white overnight from grief. He sent troops everywhere to search for the Empress, but to no avail. Overwhelmed with sorrow, he damaged his health, and as time went by, the Emperor's body became increasingly weak.
They were worried about the emperor's health; if things continued like this, how could his body withstand it?
Fortunately, this year is different.
His Highness the Crown Prince not only found their princess, but also brought the Western Zhou into the territory of the Southern Di. This is truly a double blessing!
Finally, a look of joy appeared on the Emperor's face.
Moreover, they heard from the rumors that the princess had taken the crown prince to search for the empress. Given the princess's great abilities, finding the empress should not be difficult.
It is believed that before long, the Empress, whom the Emperor has been longing for, will be able to return to the palace, and the family will be reunited.
o(＊＾▽＾＊)o?
The Imperial Study.
The Southern Di Emperor, Nangong Hanmo, sat on a miniature dragon throne, his handsome and aloof face seemingly covered with a layer of ice.
His deep, melancholy eyes stared unblinkingly at the gyrfalcon on the shelf, grooming itself.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and his deep, magnetic, cool voice asked again, "Zizai, when exactly will Wuyou and Changle be able to return?"
This vast palace is truly too desolate.
Zizai paused, rolled his eyes at Nangong Hanmo, and quickly turned his body around, presenting his backside to him.
A blatant and undisguised disdain.
Ha, man, he must have been a gossip in his past life. He's asked that question so many times, his poor ears must be calloused from hearing it so many times.
I'm so annoyed!
If it weren't unable to speak, it would have given this man a good scolding: "Why are you such a troublesome man?"
"Hehe!" Nangong Hanmo looked at Zizai's shiny, chubby back and smiled helplessly.
This little guy is so cold-hearted.
He was pampered with good food and drink, and his little body grew increasingly plump, but his temper also grew stronger.
I wonder who it takes after to have such a bold and reckless nature?
"Son, I've ordered some beef jerky to be roasted for you. Would you like some?"
Zizai's sharp eyes lit up instantly, revealing his gluttonous nature.
But to maintain its composure, it first pretended to think, then slowly turned around to look at Nangong Hanmo, nodding its little head arrogantly.
Nangong Hanmo chuckled, saying with a wicked grin, "Little one, I'm the one who rules this palace. You have to please me before I'll reward you with food, otherwise... forget it!"
"Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp..."
Zizai's eyes widened, and it started barking wildly in a fit of rage. Its furious expression clearly showed that it was cursing fiercely.
Nangong Hanmo smiled, showing no displeasure.
“Zizai, I am your master’s father. If your master finds out that you have insulted me so fiercely, you will definitely be punished.”
Upon hearing this, Zizai stopped speaking abruptly.
It gave an unhappy snort and turned its little head to the side, indicating that out of sight, out of mind, but it did feel a little guilty.
It's true that Master and Worry-Free Master love it very much.
However, as a pet gyrfalcon, it knew it could not be disrespectful or arrogant because of its privileged status.
The reason it could treat its master's father so arrogantly was because its master's father needed its help. As a result, its tail started to wag. Over time, it became so spoiled that it forgot its place and lost sight of its own status.
Alright! It has now been reduced to its original state and can only lie low for now.
Nangong Hanmo smiled and beckoned to Zizai with his well-defined knuckles, "Come here, let me touch you."
Zizai: ...Touching you is so annoying, it's not a furry animal, it's a gyrfalcon, the king of the skies.
Even though Zizai was thinking to itself, it could only flap its wings and fly to the desk because of Nangong Hanmo's status.
Nangong Hanmo finally got to touch Zizai's soft, white fur. He felt that one hand was not enough, so he simply put aside his imperial dignity and used both hands to touch it.
His cold face seemed to thaw at this moment, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.
In the space.
Yueyu sighed, "Weiwei, Wuyou, I told you! Your father is a plush toy fanatic, but he's so stubborn and refuses to admit it. Look at the satisfied look on his face, it's unbearable to look at."
Sheng Lingwei and Nangong Zichen exchanged a glance, then smiled without saying a word.
Anyway, all four of them are plush toy lovers.
Yue Jiao and Old Madam Jing sat side by side on the recliners, looking at Yue Yuqian with a mocking expression.
"Qianqian, don't waste time. Grandmother knows you're eager to meet your grandson-in-law. Why don't you three go out of the space to meet him? We'll stay out of the way for now."
Madam Jing chimed in, "Yes, yes, Weiwei's mother, it's getting late. You should go out and reunite with the Emperor to ease your longing!"
Upon hearing this, Yueyu Qian's cheeks instantly turned bright red.
Even though her two children are already so old, she can count the time she spends with Nangong Hanmo on one hand.
When it comes to love, she's as shy as a young girl and can't stand the teasing from her two elders.
Yueyuqian hurriedly looked at her sweet little daughter, "Weiwei, let's go out now and give your father a surprise."
Sheng Lingwei nodded with a smile, "Okay!"
In the blink of an eye, the family of three appeared in the Imperial Study, and Nangong Hanmo immediately sensed their presence.
His eyes were cold and sharp, a long sword in his hand, and he looked up.
"……Bang!"
Nangong Hanmo's pupils dilated in shock, his body trembled uncontrollably, and the long sword in his hand fell straight to the ground with a crisp sound.
After a long while, he asked cautiously, his lips trembling, "Qianqian... is that you?"
Yueyuqian's nose tingled, her eyes reddened, and she nodded with tears in her eyes, "Nangong Hanmo, it's me, I'm back."
Nangong Hanmo was overjoyed, and his eyes shone with unprecedented excitement.
It's her, it's her, it's definitely her!
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