Chapter 171: Chapter 154, Celebrating New Year Alone_1
Yan Siyu had a hard time at the Yang Family, which left the Yan Family members feeling somewhat stifled, diluting the joy of the New Year.
Fortunately, on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, the third branch of the Wu Family gave birth to another boy. Seeing that the Yan Family had another addition, everyone finally cheered up again.
“Big brother, you should name the child!”
Yan Zhiqiang looked at Yan Zhiyuan with a silly smile on his face.
As the eldest brother is like a father, ever since their father had passed away, big brother had been the head of the Yan Family. Names for the children of their generation, like Yan Wenxiu, were all given by him.
Yan Zhigao was also beaming with joy. The more male offspring the Yan Family had, the more it meant that the family was flourishing and prospering.
“This little fellow is blessed. Let’s call him Wen Cheng! ‘Cheng’ as in ‘accomplishment.’ I hope that when he grows up, he will achieve great success!”
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhiqiang immediately burst into a big grin.
Inside, Madam Wu also revealed a contented smile.
Their third branch was the weakest in the family. The head of their branch was an honest man, not as slick and sociable as the second brother, only capable of helping out with some farm affairs.
Fortunately, she was able to give birth, adding three boys to the Yan Family, which allowed the head of their branch to stand a bit taller.
Just then, a maid walked in, carrying a food box: “Madam, your eldest daughter has sent you some food.”
In the delivery room, it was not proper for unmarried women to enter. Daohua handed the food box to the maid, instructed her with a few words, and left.
Hearing this, the corners of Madam Wu’s mouth immediately turned up: “It’s kind of the girl to go through the trouble. During my pregnancy, she sent various foods my way. This time, the delivery was smoother than the previous two, and I didn’t feel weak after giving birth to the child.”
The maid immediately laughed: “Indeed, I believe the eldest daughter was very worried about Madam and our seventh master.”
Madam Wu smiled: “Of course, it’s her brother, after all. Little Wen Cheng, you must grow up fast so that you can support your big sister in the future.”
The New Year’s Eve dinner was prepared very generously by Madam Li.
On New Year’s Eve, the whole family stayed in the old lady’s room, chatting and laughing joyfully.
Yan Zhigao watched the entire family’s harmonious scene with a smile, feeling very pleased.
This year had brought an unending stream of good fortunes to the family, starting with his promotion to Prefectural Governor, then the visit from the Little Prince, and now with another new member in the family. One good thing followed another, filling him with endless hope and anticipation.
Thinking of the winter wheat that had been sown, Yan Zhigao’s spirits lifted even more. If the yield of the winter wheat was as high as his younger brother had said, then his career would take another step forward.
With this thought, Yan Zhigao’s gaze shifted to his eldest daughter.
Seeing the radiant smile on his eldest daughter’s face, he couldn’t help but smile as well.
He now somewhat understood why others were so fond of his eldest daughter. Seeing her smile, people’s moods would uplift, as if her smile contained boundless hope.
On the second day of the New Year, families began their rounds of visiting relatives and friends.
Early in the morning, Zhou Jingwan came to the Yan Family with home-cooked food.
Daohua looked at her in surprise: “Why haven’t you gone to your uncle’s house?” Zhou Jingwan’s maternal family was in Jingzhou, which was adjacent to Xingzhou and not far away.
Zhou Jingwan: “Don’t you also stay at home?”
Daohua: “My uncle’s house is in the provincial capital, and if we went there, we wouldn’t be able to return the same day.” While speaking, she chuckled, “However, we will be going there in a few days.”
Zhou Jingwan lifted her head: “You are going to the provincial capital?”
Daohua nodded: “I have never been to my uncle’s house. Before the New Year, my eldest uncle wrote to invite me and my two brothers to stay for a few days and return after the Lantern Festival.”
“By the way, I heard that the Lantern Festival in the provincial capital is really lively, is that true?”
At the mention of the Lantern Festival in the provincial capital, Zhou Jingwan immediately became excited: “Yes, it’s very lively. The street lanterns are so beautiful, and there are flower cart parades and various acrobatic performances. Just talking about it makes me want to go.”
Daohua: “Then let’s go together!”
Zhou Jingwan shook her head, her face falling, “I can’t this year, a senior member of the Zhou Family is celebrating their birthday and we all have to go pay our respects. It just so happens to clash with the Lantern Festival.”
Daohua showed a look of pity, then smiled and said, “If we can’t go watch the lanterns together this year, then we’ll just go next year. After all, there will be plenty of opportunities.”
Zhou Jingwan smiled too, “Right, did your family hear? Governor Guo did not return to Zhongzhou this year.”
Daohua was stunned for a moment, “Doesn’t that mean, Xiao Yeyang spent the New Year alone?”
Zhou Jingwan nodded, speaking softly, “I heard from my brother that the Dong Family wanted to invite the Little Prince to their home for the New Year, but he declined.”
“Sometimes I think, despite the Imperial Family’s children basking in endless glory on the outside, they are actually quite pitiable. Take the Little Prince, for instance, while other families are together in reunion, he’s all by himself in the palace, cold and lonely, how solitary he must feel!”
Hearing this, Daohua also felt a pang of sympathy.
Zhou Jingwan looked up at Daohua, “You get along so well with the Little Prince, why don’t you invite him to your house as a guest?”
Daohua pondered for a moment, then shook her head, “Better not.”
Zhou Jingwan was surprised, “Why not?”
Daohua: “Think about it. Usually, when Xiao Yeyang comes to our house, it’s of his own volition, giving us face; but now during the New Year period, if we go invite him and he sees how harmonious and joyous our family is, won’t it just highlight how even more solitary and lonely he is?”
With Xiao Yeyang’s character, he would certainly not like to expose his vulnerabilities in front of others.
Zhou Jingwan nodded, “That’s true, no wonder my grandfather and brother didn’t mention inviting the Little Prince to our house as a guest.”
Afterward, the two of them started talking about other things.
After Zhou Jingwan left, Daohua thought about Xiao Yeyang alone in the palace.
…
Li Xingnian arrived on the fifth day of the New Year, staying overnight with the Yan Family. The next day, he took Daohua, Yan Wenxiu, and Yan Wentao and set sail to the provincial capital.
“You girl, why are you still carrying a food container?”
When boarding the ship, Li Xingnian noticed that Daohua and her maid each carried a food container, which made him somewhat bemused, “What, are you afraid your uncle won’t prepare food for you?”
Daohua smiled and shook her head, “Not at all, I know that uncle and aunt will have all the delicious and fun things ready for us at home. This is… for someone else.”
Li Xingnian raised an eyebrow, “For whom?”
Daohua set down the food container, then looked at Li Xingnian, “We’re passing by Wuhua Mountain on our way to the provincial capital by boat, and I thought we might as well visit the Little Prince.”
Upon hearing this, Li Xingnian’s breathing quickened, “What did you say, go… visit the Little Prince?”
This was the first time Yan Wenxiu and Yan Wenkai had heard Daohua mention this plan.
Immediately, Yan Wenxiu said, “Big sister, the Little Prince resides in the palace, and one isn’t allowed to enter the palace grounds without permission.”
Daohua smiled nonchalantly and patted the purse at her waist, “Don’t worry, I have the jade pendant the Little Prince gave me, I’m sure I can get in.”
Seeing that Daohua even brought the jade pendant given by the Little Prince, Yan Wenxiu fell silent.
Yan Wenkai curiously asked, “Big sister, why bother going to see the Little Prince?” As he spoke, he reached out to open the food container, but Daohua stopped him.
Daohua: “The Little Prince’s uncle didn’t return to Zhongzhou, and he’s all alone in the palace for the New Year. What’s wrong with paying him a visit?”
“Why didn’t you say something about it sooner?” Yan Wenxiu quickly said.
Daohua: “What’s the use of saying it? After all, he wouldn’t come to our house.”
On the side, Li Xingnian watched the three siblings discuss Xiao Yeyang with such natural familiarity and was deeply moved.
How long had it been, that his sister’s family had become so close with the Little Prince?