Daoist Qiu looked surprised. "You're acquainted with Shen Mu?"
Song Wanchu smiled. "It's not really an acquaintance. Eight years ago, Yuhe was seriously ill. Doctor Shen was looking for a century-old ginseng but couldn't afford the three thousand taels. By chance, my aunt and I were also in the pharmacy. I used my lucky money to buy that ginseng and gave it to Doctor Shen. A few years later, when Doctor Shen was promoted to the head of the Imperial Medical Office, he asked Yuhe to pay me back. That's when Yuhe and I became friends. Doctor Shen values relationships and righteousness. He should remember this kindness."
"My Wanchu never mentions kindness unless it's absolutely necessary."
Liang Yuzhou said proudly, "Your Highness, Wanchu is doing this to help you."
Song Wanchu didn't dare to let the Crown Prince thank her and quickly added, "I'm also doing this for Yuhe. Young Master Wen loves her, and Yuhe cares about Young Master Wen. They shouldn't be sacrificed for the Princess Royal's power play."
"Look at my Wanchu. She's so magnanimous. I don't have any grand view of the situation. It's all thanks to Wanchu's teachings."
Song Wanchu suspected that no matter what she said, Liang Yuzhou would find a way to flatter her.
The plan to return to the capital after the New Year was thus set.
The Crown Prince was no fool. He had already sent his secret agents to the capital to spread the scandal about the Princess Royal's illicit relationship with Yu Jingnian among his officials.
If the Princess Royal wouldn't let him have a good New Year, he wouldn't let her have one either.
Yu Jingnian had been sentenced to twenty years in prison and was still in the Dali Temple. He was in Shi Jinglu's hands and was safe.
The Crown Prince also instructed several groups of his secret guards in the capital to protect Nanny Lin and Shen Yuhe.
On Chinese New Year's Eve, it snowed in Yunzhou, which was a rare occurrence.
The entire Chu family got up early to get busy.
They had to pay homage to their ancestors in the morning and prepare the New Year's Eve dinner in the afternoon.
The New Year's Eve dinner was served in Cihuiyuan.
Everyone took their seats in order. The Crown Prince, with the highest status, sat in the main seat, next to the eldest member of the Chu family, Old Lady Chu.
Daoist Qiu and Liang Yuzhou were honored guests and were also arranged to sit at the same table as the Crown Prince and Old Lady Chu.
Song Wanchu was originally a guest, but the Chu family had long regarded her as one of their own. She sat with Ning Shi, Chu Yueying, Chu Yuexi, and others.
Liang Yuzhou was not satisfied with this seating arrangement. What did it mean to make him sit with the person he used to hate the most?
Daoist Qiu didn't care about the seating, but he was not satisfied with the food.
The Chu family obviously regarded him as a proper Taoist priest. All the dishes in front of him and Liang Yuzhou were vegetarian.
Only let him eat vegetarian food during the New Year? This was killing him.
He had just become a monk, not trying to transcend the mortal world!
Daoist Qiu looked gloomy. Taking advantage of the noisy crowd, the Crown Prince leaned towards him and whispered, "Uncle San, I'd like to eat vegetarian food. Can we swap our wine and dishes?"
Liang Yuzhou just had to pour cold water on him. "Even if Your Highness were to offer yourself as a dish for him to eat, he wouldn't go back to the capital with you."
Yesterday, the Crown Prince had earnestly invited Daoist Qiu to return to the capital with him to eliminate the Princess Royal and her party.
If Yue Chenkong was an ace in his hand, then Daoist Qiu was an ace with a golden edge.
He was the Third Uncle of the Emperor. With his seniority and achievements, as long as he was willing to show up, the Princess Royal would be inferior in terms of seniority.
Daoist Qiu refused to go back. The Crown Prince lowered his stance and almost pleaded with him as a junior, explaining the pros and cons.
Over the years, the Emperor had been resentful because Daoist Qiu had forged an imperial edict and told a huge lie. He had left gracefully when the Emperor needed him the most.
The Crown Prince was confident that he could persuade the Emperor to reconcile with his uncle.
Daoist Qiu stared at the Crown Prince's dishes, his eyes shining. "Let's swap first!"
Xiao Anzi quickly and respectfully swapped their wine and dishes.
The Crown Prince sneered. He didn't expect to impress Daoist Qiu with such a small favor.
He had once been the God of War of the Great Zhou and the regent appointed by the Emperor's grandfather. He didn't even care about the great power that was within his reach.
How could he be easily touched by a few requests from himself?
Liang Yuzhou listened intently. From the women's table not far away came the pleasant laughter of women.
Wanchu's voice was among them, clear and charming, making his heart itch.
He was extremely jealous of whoever was sitting next to Wanchu.
Song Wanchu looked towards the door several times. It was almost time to start the meal, but why was her elder brother's seat still empty?
The escort mission to transport the coffin to Qingzhou was long over, and he had already returned to Yunzhou. But since they parted ways at the post station, Song Wanchu hadn't seen him even once.
Her elder brother's whereabouts were becoming more and more mysterious.
Just as she was worried, a maid came to Song Wanchu's side and whispered, "The servant of Young Master Shi asked me to tell you, Miss, that Young Master Shi has other arrangements tonight and won't have the New Year's Eve dinner with everyone. Old Lady and Master already know. Don't worry, Miss."
Song Wanchu suddenly realized and laughed to herself. "How could I forget? Brother must want to be with Yaoguang."
More anxious than Song Wanchu was Chu Yueying.
She had been staring at the courtyard gate, nervous and expectant. Her little hands kept grabbing and letting go of the skirt.
The wine and dishes were almost ready. They were just waiting for Old Lady Chu's order to set off the firecrackers and start the meal.
But the seat next to Old Lady Chu was still empty.
The sweet anticipation in Chu Yueying's heart slowly turned into a bitter disappointment.
Cousin, doesn't he want to come?
"Why hasn't Shi Minglang come yet? He's not the kind of person who likes to be late," the Crown Prince said curiously. He glanced at the empty seat and then told Xiao Anzi, "Send a few people to the government office to urge him. Tell him it's my order. It's Chinese New Year's Eve tonight. No matter how dedicated he is to his work, he can take a break for one night. Everyone is looking forward to his coming."
He had promised Shi Minglang that he would act as a matchmaker for him.
Tonight was a time for the whole family to reunite, the perfect opportunity.
Shi Minglang had remained extremely calm when he and Liang Yuzhou were in a life-and-death battle.
His words had been eye-opening and had awakened him. Otherwise, he might have really caused a great disaster.
Shi Minglang was his loyal friend for life. He deserved a happy marriage!
The auspicious time had arrived. Old Lady Chu asked the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, do you think we should start the meal first or wait for Minglang?"
The Crown Prince smiled. "We can't miss the auspicious time. Let's set off the firecrackers and start the meal. When Shi Minglang comes, let him punish himself with three cups of wine first!"
The festive firecrackers sounded, and the colorful fireworks rose into the sky. The entire Chu family courtyard was illuminated as bright as day, as if surrounded by wealth and prosperity.
Chu Yueying ate without tasting the food. Everyone was laughing, but only she quietly had red eyes.
As soon as the fireworks of the Chu family faded, more magnificent fireworks bloomed one after another in the nearby night sky.
Everyone's attention was drawn to them.
The fireworks were colorful. First, there was the rich red, then the mysterious and noble purple, the elegant blue, and the lively yellow, making people dazzled.
"Wow!" Everyone suddenly exclaimed.
Dozens of fireworks like signal flares shot straight into the sky. When they bloomed in the night sky, they formed a blooming rose, as bright as fire, as if it had life and was blooming gorgeously.
The night sky of the entire Yunzhou seemed to be dyed red.