Lan Jingtang knelt in the Lan family ancestral hall for a whole day and night, until his knees were swollen with fluid and as big as steamed buns, but he still couldn't figure it out.
Sanqi helped Lan Jingtang up and advised, "Young Master, why are you doing this? The Crown Prince's rise to power will only benefit us, not harm us."
Lan Jingtang remained silent.
“Young master, if you go along with the master a little, your life will be easier. Sanqi doesn’t want to see you in so much pain.”
Lan Jingtang raised his eyes: "Sanqi, let's go back."
Lan Jingtang didn't know how to untangle the knot. They could only take it one step at a time and see.
*
Life was peaceful for a while, and after the coldest days, the annual New Year arrived.
After the New Year, An Yuan'er will be 12 years old.
The girl before the bronze mirror wore a red gauze dress embroidered with white plum blossoms, covered by a light veil. The red was vibrant, but it couldn't compare to the girl's stunning beauty. Her gaze was pure as water, and her small, red lips were slightly pouting, carrying a hint of playfulness.
The woman in the mirror is truly stunningly beautiful.
In the new year, An Yuan'er dressed up in her finest clothes to welcome the arrival of the Spring Festival.
Guoguo brought water for Anyuan'er to wash up, symbolizing the washing away of the bad luck of the old year and welcoming the new year.
“Miss, Master has sent many letters, instructing you to return to the An residence on time after the New Year. The prince has finished his studies, and you no longer need to accompany him in his studies. According to the rules, you should return home.”
Actually, returning home also has another meaning: to let An Yuan'er return home to await marriage and learn some etiquette for girls.
An Yuan'er was nearing marriageable age. The An family was of good standing, and An Yuan'er was beautiful. There were many suitors coming to propose marriage.
Because An Yuan'er has been staying in Chenyang Palace, An Chaoli has no way to choose a place for his daughter. Everything can only be decided when An Yuan'er returns home.
Over the years, although An Yuan'er often came home, An Chaoli, as a father, always felt sorry for his beloved daughter and only hoped that she could be happy in the future.
"Guoguo, I know. You've said that so many times, I'm sick of hearing it."
Guoguo sighed helplessly, "Guoguo has said it so many times, but Miss has never taken it to heart."
An Yuan'er and Yi Chenli's relationship progressed rapidly. An Yuan'er accompanied Yi Chenli as he recovered his legs, and seeing his legs gradually get better, An Yuan'er was even happier than him.
The two shared a tacit understanding, both waiting for the day when Yi Chenli could truly stand up.
An Yuan'er didn't want to go back to the An family mansion. She had gotten used to life in Chenyang Palace and liked the people there. Going home would mean facing her difficult grandmother and her uncle's family with whom she had a bad relationship. She was somewhat resistant to this.
"Guoguo, it's the New Year, don't talk about unhappy things. Let's go put up the Spring Festival couplets." An Yuan'er once again avoided the question.
Although Chenyang Palace is not as lively as the outside, An Yuan'er would instruct the small kitchen to prepare a New Year's Eve dinner every year during festivals, and invite the eunuchs and maids to sit at the same table to eat.
Tonight is an exception; the New Year is all about getting together for a meal, it's the best time to have a lively and festive atmosphere.
Although Yi Chenli didn't like crowds, he still let An Yuan'er have her way every New Year, as long as she was happy.
At the dinner table, An Yuan'er added a piece of fish to Yi Chenli's plate and said with a smile, "Happy New Year, wishing you abundance, health and happiness every year, A-Li."
Yi Chenli also put a big chicken leg on An Yuan'er's plate: "Then I also wish Yuan Yuan'er all the best and that all her wishes come true."
Six years have passed; this is their sixth Lunar New Year together.
Yi Chenli had never imagined that someone could stay with him for so long...
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