“Yes, it just so happens that it was the palace banquet a few nights before New Year’s Eve, and all the officials and their wives were to be there,” Shen Yan held her waist. “You just sit there and eat, you don’t need to worry about anything else.”
"Is it just a formality?"
"Okay, don't be nervous."
Shen Yan felt her waist trembling slightly and thought she was scared, so he raised his hand and gently patted her waist to comfort her.
Before he could clap his hands a few times, Meng Qingluan's laughter came from above.
He looked up and saw Meng Qingluan gesturing wildly, her face beaming with a smile like a flower, showing no sign of nervousness or fear whatsoever.
"I've never been to the palace before. The victory celebration banquet must be very interesting, right?"
Meng Qingluan asked excitedly, her two almond-shaped eyes bright and full of curiosity.
Chen Yan choked on his words.
He hesitated for a long time before finally finding his voice and replying dryly.
"Um."
Having received an affirmative answer, Meng Qingluan did not press the matter further. Instead, she pulled up the blanket and covered herself completely.
“Luanluan…”
Shen Yan was completely bewildered by her series of actions and called out to her.
Upon hearing his voice, Meng Qingluan immediately raised her index finger to her lips without opening her eyes.
"Shh! I'm going to get some beauty sleep these next few days so I can dominate at the celebration party and not embarrass you or me."
"..."
Should he say thank you?
Helpless, exhaustion and drowsiness swept over them, and the two of them fell into a deep sleep again.
…
The next day.
It is the Little New Year.
On the eve of this extraordinary event, the political situation in the previous dynasty was turbulent and unpredictable. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, who was riding high on his power, was discovered to be the mastermind behind a corruption case in the northern border.
Overnight, the Crown Prince's residence was raided.
After his years of glory were overthrown, the crown prince was ultimately imprisoned in the same residence where the former crown prince had been held under house arrest.
After the empress was deposed, the Grand Tutor was also forced to dismount.
In just one night, before the north wind had even blown away the last remaining branches, the princes' camps had undergone a complete upheaval.
The Crown Prince faction was in a state of fear and kept a low profile, so they could only secretly choose another prince to bet on.
Beneath the lively atmosphere lay a suppressed fear that could erupt at any moment.
In the residence of the Junior Minister.
Meng Qingluan sat cross-legged on the bed, a thick blanket covering her legs, and held two storybooks in her hands, flipping through them.
She was feeling bored when there was a knock on the door.
Meng Qingluan lifted her eyelids, and Yingbang, who was serving beside her, got up and walked to the main room, opening the door.
"Young Master Qing'an?"
"Is my sister inside?"
"Madam is here. Please wait a moment while I go and inform her."
"good."
"..."
Meng Qingluan heard the two people talking at the door. Before Yingbang could come in to announce her arrival, she sat up and shouted loudly.
"Let him in."
Dollar pushed open the door and stepped aside to make way.
Zhu Qing'an stomped the snow off her feet at the door, took off the cloak covering her head, and then went inside.
He stood not far from the bed and greeted us politely.
"elder sister."
"Hmm," Meng Qingluan tucked the storybook under her pillow. "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
Meng Qingluan thought he was feeling unwell, and her gaze unconsciously fell on his face to examine his complexion.
Zhu Qing'an's expression froze, and she lowered her head and gently shook her head.
"Nothing. I was just a little bored and thought since it's the Little New Year today, I wanted to find you, sister, and wish you a happy Little New Year."
Meng Qingluan smiled; she happened to have nothing else to do anyway.
Yingbang happened to bring over a chair with a soft cushion on it and placed it next to Meng Qingluan's bed.
"Sit down." Meng Qingluan pointed to a chair, then turned and ordered, "Bring a blanket."
"good."
Yingbang nodded and turned to get a blanket from the cabinet.
Zhu Qing'an sat upright in the chair and took out a package wrapped in oil paper from his sleeve.
After hesitating for a moment, he resolutely placed it on the small square table on the bed, quickly withdrew his hand, and sat back down.
Meng Qingluan put down the melon seeds she had just picked up, glanced at him curiously, and asked while unpacking the package.
"What's this?"
Candied plums.
Meng Qingluan opened the package and found a bag of candied plums, emitting a sweet and sour aroma.
Meng Qingluan really liked this kind of sweet and sour candied fruit. Without any hesitation, she picked one up, put it in her mouth, and asked.
"Didn't I buy it for you? Why didn't you eat it and instead gave it to me?"
“I ate, quite a lot,” Zhu Qingan explained. “But I was afraid my sister would want some, so I specially saved some to bring to her.”
Meng Qingluan clicked her tongue in admiration.
"Good boy."
Zhu Qing'an lowered his head shyly and smiled. Then he quietly raised his head, his gaze inadvertently falling on Meng Qingluan's face.
His gaze moved slowly, finally settling on Meng Qingluan's eyes, then her nose, then her lips, then her slightly throbbing neck, and finally, settling on her heart.
Meng Qingluan ate two candied fruits, but before she could even start an awkward conversation, the door was hurriedly pushed open.
Dollar ran like a gust of wind, carrying a white object in its hand, straight into the house.
"Madam, look!"
Mei Yuan smiled and spread his hands, excitedly showing Meng Qingluan what he held in his hand.
Seeing that her cheeks were red from the cold, her nose was shiny, and her eyes were smiling like crescent moons, she looked expectant and offered it out as if presenting a treasure.
Meng Qingluan looked down and couldn't help but break down in her composure.
Zhu Qing'an also cast a glance, a hint of disdain flashing across her eyes before turning into calm.
Yingbang frowned and said reproachfully.
"You've been so irritable all day. What are you carrying around? Take it out of here."
Seeing that no one was surprised, Dollar looked down and exclaimed, "Oh dear!"
"I...I clearly made a snow rabbit, but I didn't expect it to melt because I kept it for too long."
Meng Qingluan: "..."
How small this snow rabbit must be.
Yingbang covered her forehead and sternly ordered her to get out of there with her snow rabbit.
The US dollar hadn't expected this, and could only carefully apologize to Meng Qingluan.
"Madam, I'm so sorry, I didn't expect this to happen. I'll throw it out right away and mop the floor clean."
"Alright, it's not your fault. You wanted to surprise me, right?"
Meng Qingluan shrugged indifferently.
The US dollar nodded weakly.
Meng Qingluan's curiosity was piqued by her words.
It snowed in the capital, but the snow in the courtyard had already been cleared away by the servants.
Where did you find the snow? Was there a lot?
The mention of money immediately sparked his interest in having fun, completely changing his previous submissive demeanor.
"In the backyard! There's a lot of snow piled up there, enough to make several big snowmen. But I was afraid it would be too big to carry back, so I just made a little bunny."
Unexpectedly, it melted into snow water.
Seeing the US dollar brought back painful memories, and my mood plummeted again.
Meng Qingluan clapped her hands and waved her hand.
"Don't be sad. How about I go to the backyard and sculpt a giant rabbit for you myself? Consider it my New Year's gift to you."
The dollar immediately rose, its eyes gleaming.
"Is it really possible, Madam?"
"Dollar, come here."
Meng Qingluan beckoned to her, and the dollar obediently walked up to her.
Meng Qingluan immediately reached out and gently pinched the soft flesh on both sides of her cheeks, bringing her face close to hers.
"When have I ever lied to you, my lady?" Meng Qingluan stared straight at her, then blew on her. "Hmm? Speak."
The US dollar was no match for such a show of force, and was already caught off guard by Meng Qingluan's sudden approach.
Meng Qingluan blew another breath, lifting the bangs on her forehead. Her face felt hot, and her head was spinning. She answered haltingly.
"No... I haven't lied."
Upon seeing this scene, Zhu Qing'an couldn't help but furrow his handsome brows and unconsciously stood up.
After taking two steps, reason returned, and he retreated.
Meng Qingluan smiled with satisfaction, then released her grip and began to gently massage again.
"That's good then. Go and prepare clothes and gloves for me."
Zhu Qing'an stepped forward and spoke up, offering quiet advice.
"Sister, it's cold outside, it's not good to build a snowman."
Meng Qingluan originally wanted to refute directly.
On second thought, I realized that if I'm feeling unwell, I'll make him feel unwell too.
Even if I don't consider myself, I should at least consider Zhu Qing'an.
Meng Qingluan immediately put on a pitiful expression, got out of bed, and moved closer to Zhu Qingan.
"Don't worry. I'll definitely keep warm. I'll only go out for a little while, build a snowman, and then come back, okay? We'll have ginger soup together then, and everything will be fine."
"..."
Seeing that he didn't speak, Meng Qingluan started using the self-inflicted injury tactic again.
"I'm practically moldy from staying indoors all the time, and I've practically turned my storybooks into toilet paper. You're my best An'an, so please agree!"
"..."
Zhu Qing'an kept her eyes down and remained silent.
Helpless, Meng Qingluan prepared to take off her shoes and lie back down on the bed.
"Really?"
Zhu Qing'an suddenly raised her head, her amber eyes gleaming as she cautiously probed.
"What do you mean, really?"
Meng Qingluan didn't react for a moment.
After saying so much, which one is he asking about that's true?
Zhu Qing'an's cheeks flushed slightly, she seemed a little anxious, and her voice rose a little.
"Just now... you said we'd go out and have fun together, and then come back together for ginger soup..."
After saying that, he quickly looked away.
But their ears perked up, eagerly awaiting a reply.
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