freenovelworld Chapter 442 Eldest Sister, Second Sister, shouldn't we show some appreciation during the New Ye
Chapter 442 Eldest Sister, Second Sister, shouldn't we show some appreciation during the New Ye
During the banquet, the flower hall was brightly lit and filled with a warm atmosphere.
Chu's father, Chu's mother, and Chu Chenyu also arrived.
The family sat around a large round table covered with an embroidered tablecloth, on which were laid out a variety of delicacies, steaming hot and fragrant.
Song Ruyan sat next to Doctor Qian, occasionally exchanging a few jokes with him, her eyes and brows radiating the sweetness of newlywed life.
Xuan-ge'er was also unusually excited today, his little face flushed. He sat next to Chu's mother and was fed a bite of his favorite food every now and then.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
Chu Chenyu put down her silver chopsticks, her bright eyes darting between Chu Ruohan and Chu Yueshu, a mischievous smile appearing on her face as usual.
He cleared his throat and said loudly, "Eldest sister, second sister, shouldn't we give them something during the New Year?"
Chu Ruohan was looking at Xuan Ge'er with a smile when she heard this. She looked up, glanced at him with amusement, and reached out to lightly pat the back of his outstretched hand.
"Hey, you're an official in the court now, receiving a salary, why are you still acting like a child, reaching out to ask your older sister for a red envelope?"
Chu Yueshu couldn't help but chuckle and chimed in, "That's right! Chenyu, you're a proper uncle now, have you given your nephew and niece a big red envelope yet?"
As she spoke, she gave Song Ruyan a meaningful look.
Song Ruyan blushed slightly at her words, but she laughed generously.
Chu Chenyu patted the purse at her waist with a smug look, making a few soft rustling sounds.
"Don't worry, it's all prepared, bulging and ready, I guarantee they'll be satisfied! But you, Second Sister..."
He changed the subject, looking at Chu Yueshu mischievously, "My red envelope can't be short this year, I've been looking forward to it all year!"
Chu Yueshu picked up her handkerchief to cover the smile on her lips, her eyes curving into crescents, and deliberately drew out her voice, "Oh? You've been waiting for a year? Then you'll have to keep waiting. Go ahead and dream about getting a red envelope from me!"
"Hey, Second Sister, you're so stingy!" Chu Chenyu complained, making everyone at the table laugh.
Chu's mother watched her children laughing and joking, and shook her head helplessly.
Gu Junze watched this scene with a smile, occasionally exchanging a few words with Chu's father in a low voice, his gaze occasionally falling tenderly on Chu Ruohan.
Yu Ling stood quietly to the side, refilling everyone's drinks. Hearing the laughter and commotion, she couldn't help but smile slightly.
But the smile hadn't fully bloomed before it quietly faded, and her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the door, as if she were expecting something, or perhaps avoiding something.
She quickly looked away and continued what she was doing, but her slightly pursed lips betrayed the turbulent thoughts churning within her.
Chu Ruohan saw all of this, sighed softly in her heart, but said nothing more.
Some knots, in the end, need to be untied by the people involved themselves.
As night deepened, the children had already been taken away to rest by their wet nurses. Chu Ruohan's family members also took their leave one by one, and Gu Junze personally escorted them to the gate of the mansion.
After seeing off the guests, Chu Ruohan returned to her room and saw Gu Junze standing by the window, gazing at the deep night outside, seemingly lost in thought.
She stepped forward, gently wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, and pressed her cheek against his broad back: "What are you thinking about?"
Gu Junze turned around, pulled her into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head. "It's nothing. I just feel that having you all here tonight is better than any grand banquet in the palace."
Chu Ruohan snuggled against him, "I know you must have your reasons. I just hope that after the New Year, all those worries can be put to rest."
She was referring to the remnants of Qingmo Valley, and also subtly implied Yuling's marriage.
Gu Junze hugged her tighter, a hint of seriousness flashing in his deep eyes. "I will. Have a peaceful New Year."
He didn't say much about palace affairs, nor did he explain why he didn't attend the palace banquet, but Chu Ruohan felt reassured from his firm tone.
Outside the window, a few scattered stars dotted the night sky, and the faint sound of firecrackers drifted from afar.
The night of New Year's Eve, after the hustle and bustle, gradually returned to tranquility...
Yu Ling walked alone on the winding path. The snow under the covered walkway had been cleared, but the grass and trees on both sides of the path were already covered with a layer of white.
Sometime during the day, fine snowflakes began to fall again, the icy snowflakes landing on her hair and shoulders, bringing a slight chill.
Turning past a cluster of wintersweet blossoms, their subtle fragrance wafting through the air, Yu Ling suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Not far away, beneath the moon gate, a familiar figure stood quietly, his indigo cotton robe appearing somewhat somber under the dim light.
Qin Fang seemed to have been waiting for a long time; a few snowflakes had fallen on his shoulders, making his figure appear even more lonely in the night.
Yu Ling's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively wanted to turn around and avoid it.
However, for some reason, the step that was about to be lifted felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and it could not be moved no matter what.
She stood frozen in place, watching Qin Fang slowly walk towards her.
"Miss Yuling."
He stopped a few steps away from her, his gaze calm, his face showing a hint of apology: "It's so late, I'm sorry to have disturbed you, young lady."
Yu Ling lowered her eyes, her fingers curling slightly, and said softly, "Is there something you need, Manager Qin?"
Qin Fang remained silent for a moment, as snowflakes silently drifted down between the two of them.
He said in a low voice, "Before, I acted rashly and without thinking things through, which caused you to ask me those questions, and added to your troubles."
He paused, his tone somewhat solemn, "Miss Yuling, you don't need to feel any guilt or be troubled by this."
Upon hearing this, Yu Ling suddenly raised her head, a surge of inexplicable anger rising within her.
She frowned, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and confusion: "Manager Qin, what do you mean by this? Are you using a feigned retreat as a tactic to advance?"
She felt as if he had seen through her feelings and gently pushed them away, a feeling that made her feel both wronged and somewhat annoyed.
These days she has been tossing and turning at night. Could it be that in his eyes it is just pointless trouble?
Seeing that she was angry, Qin Fang panicked for a moment and quickly explained, "No, Miss Yuling, you misunderstand. I had no such intention."
“I…I just don’t want to hold you back. I’m sure you’ve already been informed of my situation. I have responsibilities on my shoulders, and I really don’t want to burden you with the precious years of your life.”
Yu Ling stared at him intently, at the knot in his brows, at the guilt and struggle deep in his eyes.
The anger in my heart was gradually replaced by a sour feeling.
She understood his concerns and his good intentions. But at this moment, these "good intentions" felt so heavy to her.
"it is good."
Only one word.
After saying that, she stopped looking at Qin Fang, resolutely turned around, and walked quickly towards her residence without looking back, her steps treading through the thin snow.
Snowflakes landed on her hair, quickly melting and leaving a cool dampness, just like her current state of mind.
Qin Fang stood there, watching Yu Ling's figure gradually disappear into the night until it vanished around the corner of the covered walkway.
He reached out his hand, as if trying to hold onto something, but in the end he just let it fall limply, letting the snowflakes fall into his palm, bringing a chill.
A night breeze blew by, stirring up a few snowflakes, making the figure under the moon gate appear even more desolate.