The days seemed to pass faster as winter approached. Since her wedding was approaching, Xiao Yao did not go to the hot springs this winter. She stayed at home to recuperate and make various preparations for her wedding.
Lin You originally planned to help Xiao Yao recover before continuing his travels, but after adopting Yun Yichen as his godson, he changed his mind and decided to wait until they were married before leaving Kyoto. Hearing that Xiao Yao had a hot spring and wouldn't be going there this year, he went there alone to enjoy it, and didn't return to Beijing until the end of the year.
He refused King Jing's invitation to celebrate the New Year at the palace. He wanted to stay at the Xiao family to experience the happy New Year scene of family reunion.
The Xiao family attached great importance to this New Year's celebration. Everyone knew that this was Xiao Yao's last New Year at home, so they tried to make it as lively and grand as possible. Xiao Yao also broke her habit of hiding in her room and refused to leave. She joined her brothers, younger brothers, and nephews in the activities of pasting blessing characters, hanging Spring Festival couplets, and even setting off firecrackers.
"Let's have a snowball fight together!" Xiao Yao suggested, looking at the crystal clear white snow in front of her.
Xiao Rui is in a group with Xiao Yu, Xiao Binghong, and Xiao Yuan; Xiao Jun is in a group with Xiao Yao, Xiao Qi, and Xiao Bingwen.
With Xiao Yao's shout of "start," the battle began. It soon turned into a chaotic melee, with snow covering everyone's heads, bodies, and even clothes. The children's laughter and joy in the courtyard quickly spread to Ninghe Hall and the other courtyards, and everyone came out to watch. Slowly, Xiao Lang, Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yang joined in, and eventually even Lin You and Xiao Jingyan joined in. The fight was so intense that it became impossible to distinguish friend from foe, and the scene was chaotic.
The old man and his sons stood aside, commenting and offering advice. With them directing the action, the scene became even more chaotic. Qin and Tong Mingyu, along with their daughters-in-law, chatted and laughed, cheering the children on. The group played until the reunion dinner.
Just as they were having a crazy snowball fight, the people from Prince Jing's Mansion who were delivering fireworks arrived. They also hoped that their daughter-in-law would have a happy last New Year at her parents' home, so they sent a lot of fireworks this year.
After the reunion dinner, Xiao Yao watched the fireworks with her family, forcing herself to sleep and staying up with everyone to celebrate the New Year...
After finishing various New Year activities, Xiao Yao locked herself in the room and painted her last "Playing in the Snow" picture at home.
It was seven days later that the painting was presented to everyone. As usual, the Xiao family began to look for their own images in the painting.
"Doctor Lin, you are here." Xiao Yuan exclaimed.
He was also in the Xiao family's family photo. Lin You squeezed into the crowd curiously. Wasn't the person wearing a brown cloak and watching with his arms folded himself?
For someone who has been traveling around for years and has almost never experienced the warmth of family, Xiao Yao and the Xiao family not only shocked him, but also moved him. It made him feel like he had found his family and was back home.
My goddaughter-in-law still has a conscience. It seems that it is right to prepare a special wedding gift for her.
The Lantern Festival was just a few days away, and Xiao Yuan suggested that they all go shopping and see the lanterns. Xiao Yao, who had never been out on the Lantern Festival before, was about to refuse, but then she remembered that this was the last time she would spend the holiday with her brothers and sisters, and she readily agreed.
"Grandpa, you should go too! Your granddaughter will accompany you to enjoy the lanterns."
The old man understood his granddaughter's thoughts. It's not that he didn't want to go. If he went, his grandchildren would only be busy taking care of him. How could they enjoy the lanterns to their heart's content?
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Jun are the planners of this event, Xiao Lang and Xiao Yi are responsible for dispatching the personnel. Since they have a sister who is the most beautiful woman in Kyoto, they have to make careful arrangements for the trip!
On the fifteenth day, Xiao Yao first wore a blue dress and a fur cape of the same color, but her brother and sister rejected it. Are you going to see the lanterns or do you want to cause chaos?
If you are not allowed to wear women's clothes, then wear men's clothes! Xiao Yao changed into a green robe of the same color as Xiao Jun. Unexpectedly, Xiao Rui also wore a green robe today. He looked at his cousin and then at himself, and had to rush Xiao Yao back to her room to change clothes.
"If you keep dawdling, the Lantern Festival will be over." Xiao Yu really couldn't stand these people. Was he not allowed to go out just because he was pretty? He said that he should not even wear a hood and let the people have a good look at the beauty of the Xiao family.
Tong Mingyu chose a purple dress and a black cape for her daughter. The large hood covered half of Xiao Yao's face. "Mom, you should have someone sew a cloth bag for your daughter's head and make two holes for her eyes. That way, at least I can still see the lanterns. What are you asking me to see with her dressed like this now?"
"I see you don't want to go anymore!" Tong Mingyu pinched her daughter's face with a smile, asking the naughty girl when she could behave like a grown-up girl.
On Kyoto's busiest streets, a variety of lanterns shone brightly, making the streets as bright as day. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month was also the favorite day for young ladies from official families, as they could walk freely on the streets without having to worry about so many rules.
The young ladies all went out together to visit the lantern festival, so how could there be no young men and young masters who came out to join in the fun and hunt for beauties! The streets became extremely crowded. Xiao Yao didn't pay much attention to the lanterns, she only saw countless figures swaying back and forth. Xiao Jun held his sister's hand tightly, afraid that she would be swept away. Xiao Yuan, dressed in a gentleman's uniform, did not need anyone to watch over him. He was busy looking at the lanterns and looking for snacks, having a great time.
After walking down half the street and collecting many little things, Xiao Yao actually didn't want to go any further. There were only lanterns, people, and food here, and it was hard to find anything else, so what if she walked for a long time?
"Who's that in front? I can't see their face clearly!" Mu Fengwu gently nudged Yun Yichen. No wonder this guy took the initiative to invite him and Kong Xuzhe out today. It turned out there was something fishy going on. After seeing Xiao Yao's look, he couldn't help but laugh again. How could she enjoy the lanterns dressed like this?
Yun Yichen wasn't paying attention to this matter. His eyes were fixed on Xiao Jun and Xiao Yao's clasped hands. Even if you're siblings, you should still be more discreet! Your legitimate fiancé is here, and you still don't let go!
In fact, Yun Yichen really wronged Xiao Yao. The street was so crowded, how could she dare to let go! Besides, it was Xiao Jun who held her hand and refused to let go. What could a blind person do? Did he have any choice?
Xiao Yi followed his brother-in-law's gaze and knew what he meant: "You two come here." After a group of men surrounded Xiao Yao, Xiao Yi helped his sister take off her hood.
Before he could say anything, Xiao Yao started complaining, "I'm going to have a nightmare when I go home tonight. A headless female corpse, embroidered shoes, and ghosts floating around."
No one understood what she meant, and Yun Yichen and others looked at the Xiao brothers and sisters to ask.
"My sister means that she could only see other people's feet the whole night and nothing else." Xiao Yuan said as he walked over and put his arms around Xiao Yao's waist, insisting on feeding her the snacks he had just bought. The two of them looked like a playboy teasing a decent girl, which made Mu Fengwu and Kong Xuzhe raise their eyebrows, finding it quite interesting.
Yun Yichen's face immediately darkened. These people were really going too far! He was still here, and if he wasn't there, who knew what more outrageous things they would do?
Mu Fengwu turned around and chuckled for a moment before saying seriously, "Your sister-in-law and Ruonan are in the restaurant not far ahead. Ask Achen to send someone to take you there right now."
"I'm not going."
“No need for that!”
Very good, both of them are quite brave. Yun Yichen squinted his eyes and looked at his cousin and fiancée. Other girls were well behaved when shopping, but these two were just about to hug each other in the street. They didn't look like ladies from noble families at all.
Mu Fengwu didn't expect his proposal to be rejected, and couldn't help asking, "Why?"
"I haven't walked around enough, so I won't go." Xiao Yuan was pulled aside by Xiao Rui. He was afraid that if he was slow, his sister would be slapped away by his cousin.
"I..." I really want to go home. My feet hurt and my eyes are tired. I have to stay mentally tense all the time for fear of getting separated from my family. This is not enjoyment at all; it's pure torture.
After sulking for a while, Yun Yichen asked the two people: "You're not going, right?!"
"Yes, we won't go." My brothers are all here. Does my cousin dare to beat me up?
After ignoring Xiao Yuan as air, Yun Yichen just stared at Xiao Yao. If she dared to refute her fiancé in public, he would make another note of her and settle the matter with her after they got married.
Not to mention that the two of them are engaged now, even if they have nothing to do with each other, Xiao Yao knows that she has to give men enough face in public, so she looked as if she didn't hear what he meant and lowered her head without preparing to speak.
"You two can continue to walk around here alone while protecting your cousin! Junior sister, come with me, so you don't have to wear a hat."
Follow him, where to?
The Lantern Festival is also called the Shangyuan Festival. Many unmarried men and women travel together on this day. What's more, Yun Yichen and Xiao Yao are still married, so it is reasonable for them to watch the lanterns together.
Xiao Yi knew his sister was more familiar with the princess and princesses of Prince Jing's mansion, and that her relationship with Yun Yichen was just a casual one, a casual exchange of greetings. It was perfectly normal for Yun Yichen to make such a request, and he shouldn't refuse. But looking at his sister, who looked completely bewildered and hadn't figured out the situation, he felt like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth, and he couldn't bear to let go.
"Why is Second Brother still worried about me?" Yun Yichen was already a little unhappy. He silently decided in his heart that if Xiao Yi dared to refuse today, he would not let them see Xiao Yao for half a year.
Under Yun Yichen's murderous gaze, Xiao Yi steeled himself and persuaded his sister: "You and Prince Yun go for a walk. Second brother is nearby. Meet at the restaurant in half an hour and I'll pick you up and take you home together."
No, I don’t want to go to the lantern festival with Yun Yichen alone!
"I suddenly remembered that I have something to ask Ruonan. Second brother, please take me to the restaurant!" Compared to other places, the restaurant is safer. Of course, it would be there.
Would Yun Yichen allow her to escape? They finally met, and with a good reason, how could he miss it? "Come here, I'll take you to see the lights."
Xiao Yao really wanted to try fainting, but she didn't have the courage. She was sure that if she did that, even if Yun Yichen let her go today, he would never let her go in the future.
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