On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Zhao Shu and Sun Yun, along with a large entourage and two cartloads of New Year's gifts, left the imperial palace.
She went to the Luo residence first, but was told that Luo Hu had been invited to the Huo residence. So she had the gifts removed and then went to the Huo residence.
Upon arriving at the Huo residence, they encountered Huo Guxian about to leave. When young Huo Guxian saw Zhao Shu, his eyes lit up, and he ran over, almost slipping in his haste. "Xian wishes all my sisters a Happy New Year, and hopes that you will be safe and sound throughout the four seasons and grow more and more beautiful."
This line must have been taught to her by Huo Baichuan. Zhao Shu and Sun Yun exchanged a smile, took a red envelope from the maid and handed it to him, casually pinching his cheek, "Happy New Year, Xian'er, may you become smarter and smarter."
Huo Guxian smiled shyly and bowed from afar, saying, "Thank you, sisters. I must go to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, so I will not accompany you any longer. Please forgive me."
Having not seen this little adult for many days, seeing him again felt incredibly heartwarming. The adorable little Huo Guxian seems to have grown a bit taller, but his eyebrows and eyes still retain the look of a cute little boy, making him incredibly adorable.
However, Zhao Shu asked in confusion, "Why did you go to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager alone? Where are Aunt and Mr. Huo?"
"My second uncle has arrived in the capital. He said a friend is coming, and my aunt is having the maids clean the house to welcome the guest. Mr. and Mr. Luo are enjoying wine, so I must go and pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Farewell." He bowed and got into the carriage.
“On the second day of the first lunar month, the Emperor will not hold court until after the 20th. Mr. Huo has come to the capital so early. I’m afraid something is going on.” Sun Yun has recently become extra attentive to politics and is extremely sensitive. Whenever something slightly unusual happens, he can make a lot of connections.
Zhao Shu smiled and said, "It must be." Actually, she guessed that Huo Baichuan probably already knew about Song Tianhe's situation. Every time she faced the Huo family, she felt incredibly weak, which made her feel anything but happy. However, what she didn't know was that the Empress Dowager had deliberately leaked the information about the Song family, otherwise Huo Baichuan wouldn't have been able to find out.
"Princess, Miss Sun, please come with me." Magpie came out to greet us personally, her face beaming with joy. Compared to before, she seemed to have become much more cheerful.
“New Year, new look. Sister Magpie is smiling so happily, it’s clear that she’s in high spirits because of this happy occasion,” Zhao Shu said. As they spoke, the two of them followed Magpie into the Huo residence.
Behind them, Xin Chou and other second-class maids, along with the servants of the Huo family, finished their New Year's greetings. Chu Chun, Luo Luo, and the others followed behind the two to Xi Yan Courtyard, but they did not see Huo Danlan.
A maidservant came in from the courtyard and bowed, saying, "This servant greets the Princess and Miss Sun. May the Princess be well. Miss Sun is washing up. Please have some tea and wait a moment."
Before Zhao Shu and Sun Yun could speak, Magpie explained, "It must be because you personally swept the courtyard that it got dusty. Princess, Miss Sun, please come with me."
Zhao Shu was even more suspicious. Who was this friend? Song Tianhe? How could Huo Danlan value him so much?
Magpie brewed tea for the two of them, then curtsied and said she was going to visit Huo Danlan before leaving, leaving Zhao Shu and Sun Yun looking at each other in bewilderment. Zhao Shu used to be very favored by Huo Danlan, but now she had to wait?
Sun Yuntou leaned towards Zhao Shu and lowered his voice, saying, "Could the person coming be Aunt's sweetheart?"
Zhao Shu glared at her, and Sun Yun chuckled, then said, "I used to think that your father was the one my aunt was in love with."
Zhao Shu: ...She gave a forced smile, but the joy in her eyes seemed to overflow. "To be honest, I think Auntie is an excellent mother."
"What are you whispering about?" At this moment, Huo Danlan came in carrying a food box. Her beautiful eyes were full of smiles, and her steps were much lighter. She looked as light as a fairy descending from heaven.
Zhao Shu and Sun Yun stood up and bowed to her, saying, "We wish Aunt a Happy New Year and all the best, as well as good health and longevity."
The ugly old woman followed behind Huo Danlan, carrying a tray with two red envelopes on it. Huo Danlan turned around, took the red envelopes, and handed them to Zhao Shu and Sun Yun respectively, saying, "My two little beauties, grow up safely and quickly."
Zhao Shu and Sun Yun exchanged another glance. The words they used today were different from usual, so it seemed that their aunt's mood was indeed different.
After accepting the red envelope, Zhao Shu took Huo Danlan's hand and said coquettishly, "Auntie, Xian'er said you were cleaning the yard to welcome a friend. I wonder who this friend is? Does A-Jun know him?"
Huo Danlan smiled and poked her forehead, saying affectionately, "You don't know him, but when you arrive, he will let you come and see him. But you haven't seen your teacher yet? Go see your teacher quickly."
Zhao Shu shook her head, still holding Huo Danlan's hand, "Auntie, I am a doctor now."
Upon hearing this, Huo Danlan understood, but shook her head. "I'm much better now, are you relieved? Go and pay your respects to your teacher first. If you don't go soon, Mr. Luo might get angry with your aunt."
Zhao Shu guessed that she was probably worried about Sun Yun, so she didn't say anything more and said to Sun Yun, "Ah Yun, I'm going to wish my teacher a Happy New Year. Do you want to come with me?"
"I won't go. I'll stay here and talk with my aunt. You go quickly."
Zhao Shu did not insist, so she lifted her skirt and followed the magpie to the Yanzhu Courtyard of the Huo residence. Upon entering the courtyard, she heard Luo Hu and Xiao Xingyuan talking.
Luo Hu said, "If you keep backing down, the opportunity will be lost."
“Useless.” That was Xiao Xingyuan’s voice.
The courtyard wasn't large. Upon entering, one could see two people sitting in the courtyard, one to the south and the other to the north. Luo Hu had a seven-stringed zither in front of him, while Xiao Xingyuan held a flute. Xiao Xingyuan looked melancholy, while Luo Hu appeared leisurely and carefree.
"The student is wishing his teacher a Happy New Year..." Before he could finish speaking, Luo Hu interrupted him, saying, "Don't say things like 'generations of fame and countless students.' I have only taken you as my disciple in this life. Instead of nice words, let's have a pot of wine."
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