New Year's Eve finally arrived amid Murong Shu's great anticipation.

This year is the busiest year for the Mu family since Murong Shu was born. In previous years, the Mu family was immersed in inexplicable sadness during the Chinese New Year. When they thought about Murong Shu being alone outside and not knowing whether he could successfully survive the life-and-death crisis, the whole family lost their mood to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and even the youngest Mu Siyu was obedient and did not dare to make a fuss.

But this year is different. Murong Shu returned safely and the whole family is looking forward to the New Year. Even Mrs. Mu, who was always sick in previous years, is in high spirits this year.

Murong Shu even pulled Liu Ruyan, his mother, and his second aunt to get ready early.

According to the rules, every New Year's Eve the emperor would entertain officials of the third rank and above at a banquet in the palace, and they could bring their families and children. When Murong Shu heard Song Wei talk about this, she directly refused. She didn't want to go to a banquet where she couldn't even eat enough and had to attend social events.

This year, her daughter finally came back. Song Wei didn't want to go to the palace, but as a lady of a certain rank, she had to go. Finally, the Mu family discussed it and decided that Mu Shi, Mu Si, Mu Sishu, Mu Siqing, and Song Wei would go to the palace banquet, while Rong Qing would stay at home with Liu Ruyan and Murong Shu to preside over the situation.

In previous years, Madam Mu was in poor health and seldom attended palace banquets. This year, her health has improved, but her precious granddaughter didn't go, so she didn't want to go either.

Before leaving, Murong Shu emphasized, "Father, Second Uncle, Big Brother, Second Brother, eat less at the palace banquet and save some space for the family banquet. We will wait for you to come back and have the reunion dinner. I will cook for you myself!"

When Mousse heard that his niece wanted to cook, he immediately started to make requests, "Shu'er, don't forget to make braised pork for Uncle, Uncle wants to have a bite."

"Don't order our Shu'er around. You should eat whatever Shu'er cooks. How dare you make demands? Go to the palace banquet right away. There's everything there. Mother is getting a headache just looking at you."

Before Murong Shu could say anything, Mousse was scolded by Old Madam Mu. Mousse didn't dare to talk back and could only smile along.

"Grandma, Shu'er was originally planning to make this dish for you tonight. How about we let Second Uncle have two pieces?" When Murong Shu acted coquettishly, Madam Mu naturally had no resistance.

"Then grandma will listen to Shu'er, but don't get tired. There are so many people in the kitchen, let them do any work and you just give them instructions from the side." Old Madam Mu was afraid that her granddaughter would get tired, so she told Murong Shu to just watch from the side.

"Don't worry, grandma. Shu'er knows that it's rare for everyone in our house to be so complete this year, and my eldest brother has even married a sister-in-law. Shu'er is very happy to prepare a New Year's Eve dinner for everyone. Let's all go to grandma's yard later to make dumplings, okay?"

"Grandma's darling is right. It's rare that grandma is in good health this year. We don't have to go to grandma's yard later. Let's go to the kitchen together." Old Madam Mu suddenly remembered the poor days when she and her husband went through together when they were young. She and her husband would prepare for New Year's Eve every year. Now that her husband is gone, she still misses him.

"That's great. We'll go call mother after we're ready. She and nanny can go back and rest for a while." Rong Qing was very happy to hear that the old lady was also coming, but he was also worried that she would be tired.

"Yes, grandma, let's go back to the yard and rest first. It's still early. Our reunion dinner will be after the palace banquet." Liu Ruyan also persuaded the old lady to go back and rest.

"Madam, please take grandma back to rest first."

"Don't worry, Miss Fifth, I will take the old lady back to have some rest. Let's go back to the yard first and come back later." The old lady's personal nanny supported the old lady and persuaded her to leave.

"Grandma will be back soon. You guys go ahead and do your work. Also, don't delay Shu'er and the others. Go to Gong Yan quickly. The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back." The old lady was preparing to go back herself, and at the same time, she did not forget to urge a few people who were going to Gong Yan to set off.

"Shu'er, we're leaving first. Don't forget your second uncle's braised pork." Moussi didn't forget to call out to his little niece even after he had walked far away.

"Shu'er, you have to do more later, otherwise I'm afraid my second uncle won't be able to grab it." Liu Ruyan looked at the expressions of others and seemed to be looking forward to it as well.

"Shu'er, don't pay attention to your second uncle. Just follow your original menu." Rong Qing said to Murong Shu with a smile. The braised pork was just an excuse. Even if Shu'er made boiled vegetables today, her husband would praise them for being delicious.

"Second Aunt, let's add this dish tonight. We can't let Second Uncle down." Rong Qing is the one in charge today. Although Murong Shu can also be the head of the family, he still has to tell Second Aunt.

"Okay, okay, let's add it, otherwise I'll become the bad guy between you uncle and nephew." Rong Qing teased Murong Shu with a smile, mainly because if she didn't agree, her husband would definitely make trouble with her at night.

"Second aunt, sister-in-law, let's go prepare first." Murong Shu took Rong Qing and Liu Ruyan's arm and walked towards the kitchen.

In the palace.

Old Madam Wen came with her daughters-in-law and nieces-in-law early in the morning. This time, even Second Madam Wen, who had not been out for a long time, came along.

The Queen was extremely happy today. In previous years, the family would be reunited only at this time. The Wen family would usually stay until the end of Gong Yan's stay, so the whole family would go out every year.

"Where are mother, father and brothers?" The queen felt a little uncomfortable when she saw that only her mother and sisters-in-law came, and she didn't see her brothers.

"As for them, they were called away by the Emperor on the way here. They should come with the Emperor soon. Don't worry. Her Majesty has asked someone to bring the little prince to us. We miss him so much after not seeing him for a long time." Madam Wen first answered the Queen's question, and then expressed her mother-in-law's thoughts.

"I have asked the palace maids to bring the little prince. Mother and sisters-in-law, please wait a moment." The queen knew that her mother and sisters-in-law loved the little prince, so she gave instructions early on to bring the little prince to her when he woke up.

Not long after, the little prince who had just woken up was brought over. Everyone gathered around him. The little guy was chubby and very cute, and his fair and tender skin made people want to poke him a few times.

"Mother, look, the little prince is fatter than last time, and he seems to recognize me!" Madam Wen is pregnant now and has no resistance to children.

"And it's cute again. Look, it even smiled at me!" Uncle Wen's daughter-in-law said in surprise.

"It was small before, but children grow up so fast."

......

A group of people surrounded the little prince, and the more they looked at him, the better they felt that other people's children were.

While everyone was looking after the child, the Queen pulled Madam Wen aside and asked quietly, "Sister-in-law, will Miss Mu come today? I have prepared a gift for her."

"According to the rules, he will come. When your third brother comes, your sister-in-law will ask him for you." Madam Wen felt that Murong Shu should come, but she was not sure.

"Thank you, sister-in-law. A few days ago, my third brother came to me and asked for a beautiful cloak. I guess it's for Miss Mu." The queen was still sharing secrets with Madam Wen as if she was before she got married.

"So it was the third brother who sent Miss Mu off. The third brother is really caring." The aunt and sister-in-law shared little secrets in a low voice, and the atmosphere in the whole hall was very harmonious.