Chapter 149: Sentimental

The atmosphere at the dinner table was harmonious. Even Noble Consort Shu put aside her usual overbearing arrogance, unwilling to ruin the mood on such a joyous and reunited holiday, and joined the others in chatting, laughing, and bantering.

After the reunion dinner, the Emperor and the Empress supported the smiling Grand Empress Dowager, one on each side, as they walked into the side chamber. Everyone followed, sitting around the hearth to enjoy post-meal desserts, crack melon seeds, sip tea, and chat.

This marked the beginning of keeping vigil into the New Year.

The Emperor began bestowing the character for "Fortune" (Fu).

Eunuch Fan presented a piece of imperial silk stamped with golden auspicious clouds and dragons, spreading it across the desk, and the Emperor picked up his brush to write the character.

Receiving the blessing from the Son of Heaven was a supreme honor, which would be followed by a gift of roasted venison, symbolizing "double blessings and complete prosperity."

Apart from the Empress, Noble Consort Shu, and a few newly favored imperial concubines, those granted the "Fortune" character this year were the Crown Prince and Guli.

The Crown Prince and Guli were fraternal twins, and ever since their birth, the Emperor had bestowed the "Fortune" character upon them every single year without fail. Everyone had grown accustomed to it; only the sharp glint and mockery in Noble Consort Shu's eyes were concealed without a trace.

Once the characters were bestowed, the customary activities began: guessing lantern riddles, paper-cutting, pasting couplets, and playing card games. Whoever cut paper the best, guessed the most riddles, or won the most silver in cards would receive a reward from the Emperor, so naturally, everyone threw themselves into the games with great enthusiasm.

The Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress did not compete for these prizes, but they watched from the side with great relish.

The atmosphere was lively and joyous, with no one left idle—except for Guli this year.

In the past, she had always been one of the most enthusiastic participants, endlessly amused by the festivities, but this year she had grown sentimental.

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, Guli quietly slipped out from the inner chamber. Facing the dark, freezing night where the early snow had yet to melt, she blew a breath of warm air into her palms.

*Ah,* Guli raised her head, gazing wistfully at the sky, feeling quite sentimental.

There were only two hours left until the New Year.

Lie Chang'an must be keeping vigil in his own residence as well, accompanying his grandmother. Tonight, his grandmother would certainly cook him a bowl of his favorite noodles. He must be very happy, sitting by the dim candlelight, basking in the warm charcoal fire, talking late into the night with his grandmother in their small cottage, and reminiscing about the days when they depended on each other in his childhood.

Whenever Guli pictured this scene, she found it exceptionally warm.

Without the turbulence, undercurrents, and hypocritical formalities inside, what remained was the most unpretentious, sincere, simple, warm, precious, and beautiful kind of happiness.

Guli sighed, thinking she really shouldn't be dwelling on him, and turned to head back inside. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a sneaky figure slipping past the corner of the wall.

Guli's lovely eyes narrowed, and she called out, "Little Jizi!"

Oh, dear heavens.

Hearing that voice, Little Jizi's legs shook. His figure stiffened, and he slapped his forehead, wanting to cry without tears.

Oh, dear heavens, why did he really run into this little ancestor?

The Crown Prince had just instructed him inside the room to be careful when he went out so the Princess wouldn't spot him, and yet as soon as he came out, he ran right into her.

Seeing Little Jizi cowering and acting shifty, Guli knew something fishy must be going on. She walked up to him briskly and demanded, "Speak, why are you here? What are you up to?"

Little Jizi wore a mournful face, lifted his head, and whimpered aggrievedly, "Princess, this servant’s stomach was just acting up, so I wanted to go relieve myself."

"Save it."

Guli didn't buy his act for a second. Little Jizi had always been exceptionally slippery while serving by her Crown Prince brother's side. "Out with it, what is this really about? If you don't tell me, I'm going to go tell His Majesty."

With that, she made a show of turning around and walking toward the room.