Chapter 148: A Happy Ending For All

As for Yu Yang, the Crown Prince ultimately arranged a private residence outside the palace for her to stay in, and even hired several servants to look after her daily needs.

At first, Yu Yang was reluctant. She wanted nothing to do with the Crown Prince, and besides, staying at the Lie Estate made it much easier for her to achieve her own goals sooner. However, he was the Crown Prince after all, and his commands left no room for debate. Unable to withstand his persistence, Yu Yang had no choice but to agree.

The Crown Prince found her reluctant and unwilling expression somewhat exasperating, but seeing her dare not speak her anger simply because he was the Crown Prince, leaving her only able to suppress her grievances in secret, she looked utterly adorable. Secretly, the Crown Prince was overjoyed.

Regardless, she had obediently moved into the residence he arranged. Moreover, if she could remain in the capital from now on, he would always find it convenient to come and visit her. In time, he refused to believe she would not fall for him.

The Crown Prince was in exceptionally high spirits.

Although Yu Yang was annoyed by the Crown Prince’s domineering arrangement, she had finally reunited with the sweetheart she had been separated from for so long, and a lingering sweetness still filled her heart.

As for Guli and Lie Changan, they were already brimming with satisfaction and sweetness from their time spent together today, and their joy was naturally beyond words.

With everyone spending time in their own separate ways today, all four of them were thoroughly content.

After Guli returned to the palace with the Crown Prince, she spent the entire journey blushing as she recalled what had just happened. Her eyes were filled with autumn water, and her rosy face bore a charming shyness that seemed to speak without words, prompting the Crown Prince to jokingly mutter that a grown daughter could not be kept at home.

A few days after returning to the palace, it began to snow.

This first snow fell continuously for three full days and nights without stopping, finally clearing up on the morning of the third day. The red walls and green tiles of the entire imperial palace were blanketed in pristine white snow, and as far as the eye could see, it possessed a striking and captivating beauty.

Guli loved snowy days. Cuddling indoors during the winter beside a warm charcoal fire, holding a steaming handwarmer while watching the snowflakes fill the sky outside—that possessed a uniquely wonderful flavor.

Of course, she did not care for throwing snowball fights or building snowmen. No matter how mischievous she had been as a child, she never liked playing with those; she simply felt that the icy snowballs hitting her body brought a bone-chilling cold that penetrated the skin and was truly unbearable.

She loved snowy days, yet she was afraid of the cold.

Naturally, the Emperor and her Crown Prince brother both liked the snow, for after all, "a timely snow promises a bountiful year." From this heavy snowfall, one could foresee what a flourishing and fruitful harvest the coming year would bring.

Once the snow stopped, New Year's Eve was fast approaching.

With the arrival of the new year, the palace was naturally adorned with lanterns and colorful streamers, bustling with lively preparations to joyfully welcome the spring.

On New Year's Eve, the custom of staying up late to welcome the new year was observed everywhere.

In past years, the imperial concubines would gather in the Empress Dowager’s Yannian Palace to keep watch through the night alongside the Emperor, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager. Bustling and lively as they gathered together, cracking melon seeds and teasing one another with laughter, while young princes and princesses romped and ran about nearby, it was a rare moment devoid of the usual jealousy and sharp rivalry, creating an atmosphere of harmonious joy.

In previous years, Guli was naturally among them, staying by the side of the Empress and the Empress Dowager, cutting paper, painting lanterns, or joining her Crown Prince brother in guessing lantern riddles around their imperial father. She always managed to find endless new sources of amusement, enjoying a joyful and fulfilling time without a hint of boredom.

This year, things were bound to be the same.

Just like her Crown Prince brother, she would accompany her imperial father, her imperial mother, and her imperial grandmother in the Yannian Palace to welcome the new year.

Yet this year, her mood was completely different from all the years before.

On New Year's Eve, everyone gathered in the Yannian Palace for the reunion dinner, with imperial concubines, young princes, and young princesses seated together, filling the entire Yannian Palace to the brim with lively chatter and noise.