With Mu Qing's secret help, the sweet potatoes in each village ripened before the New Year. In the fields, the people couldn't wait to dig up the sweet potatoes, and cheers rose and fell as they looked at the harvest. A few families who had run out of food sat on the ground with sweet potatoes in their hands, weeping with joy.
Soon it was the end of the year again. Mu Qing bid farewell to Old Master Bai and headed to the Mu residence. He hadn't been able to go back before Mu Qi passed the high school entrance exam, but he planned to go back for the New Year so that the family could have a reunion.
Prime Minister's Residence
Sima Qingqing directed the maids and servants in the mansion to decorate the place, with lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere, creating a festive atmosphere.
Si Dong led the waiter from Fangcao Pavilion over: "Madam, Fangcao Pavilion has delivered flowers. Where would you like to put them?"
Sima Qingqing: "It looks really good, and it smells nice too. Let's put it in the living room."
Si Dong: "Okay."
Sima Qingqing: "Xiao Qing should arrive in the capital in the next couple of days. Send someone to keep an eye on things at the dock. Mu Qi and I will pick him up there."
Si Dong: "Yes."
at the same time
Prince Fu's Mansion
Murong Yu: "Have all the corn seeds been stored?"
An Yi: "As the prince instructed, the crops have been dispersed and stored in various farms for pilot planting next spring."
Murong Yu: "Alright, you may leave."
An Yi: "Your Highness, Young Master Mu will be returning to the capital for the New Year this year, and he should be arriving in the next couple of days."
Murong Yu: "Send someone to keep an eye on him and inform me in advance so I can go to the dock to pick him up."
An Yi: "Yes."
Beijing Wharf
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, upon learning that the Bai family's cargo ship carrying Mu Qing would arrive that day, Murong Yu went to the dock early in the morning to wait for it.
It was snowing in the capital city that winter. Murong Yu stood at the dock, holding an umbrella and gazing at the distant water. Mu Qi and Sima Qingqing had gone there by carriage. When they arrived, they saw a tall and imposing figure holding an umbrella and waiting in the heavy snow. As the carriage drew closer, they recognized him as the Third Prince, Murong Yu. It was unclear how long he had been waiting.
Mu Qi got up, got off the carriage, walked to Murong Yu's side, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Murong Yu: "No need for formalities."
Mu Qi: "Is Your Highness also here to wait for someone?"
Murong Yu: "Hmm."
As the two were talking, Sima Qingqing's voice came from behind: "Look over there, it must be Xiaoqing's boat that has arrived."
The two looked up and saw a large ship slowly sailing toward the shore, which soon docked.
As soon as Mu Qing disembarked, she saw Murong Yu, who stood out in the crowd, and gave him a sweet smile. The two looked at each other across the crowd.
The boy, draped in a white cloak, smiled sweetly, like a ray of light illuminating Murong Yu's world and dispelling the chill of standing in the snow for half a day.
"Little brother, come here quickly." Upon hearing Mu Qi's voice, Mu Qing noticed Mu Qi and Sima Qingqing beside Murong Yu and blushed slightly with embarrassment.
Murong Yu, standing to the side, smiled slightly as he looked at the boy's embarrassed expression.
Since it was already past noon, the group decided to have lunch together at Fumanlou Restaurant. Murong Yu's gaze never left Mu Qing. Mu Qi and Sima Qingqing assumed that the two had formed a friendship during the floods in Jiangnan and were happy to see it happen. Everyone enjoyed the meal.
After the meal, Mu Qing followed Mu Qi and Sima Qingqing back to the Prime Minister's residence. Murong Yu watched the group leave until Mu Qing was completely out of sight before turning back to his own residence.
New Year's Eve arrived quickly.
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