Chapter 539: Chapter 497, New Year’s Eve_1
On New Year’s Eve, the Yan Family was bustling with activity early in the morning, with everyone dressed in new clothes gathering in the old lady’s courtyard to eat sweet rice dumplings.
After breakfast, Yan Zhigao led some of the younger family members to write couplets. On the women’s side, Old Lady Yan was guiding everyone to paste paper-cut decorations and the character “Fu” for luck on the windows, chatting and laughing happily, creating an atmosphere filled with joy everywhere.
Daohua was filled with happiness as she watched her family enjoying themselves, but thoughts of Xiao Yeyang’s solitary figure occasionally dampened her spirits.
“Sister Yiyi, Uncle has finished writing the couplets. Shall we go get them and paste them up?”
Seeing Daohua sitting still, Xiujun approached with a smile and called her over.
Daohua smiled, “You and Yi Huan can go ahead with the pasting. I need to check on the progress of the meals in the kitchen.” Speaking, she stood up and left the courtyard.
Xiujun watched Daohua’s retreating back with confusion. Aunt had arranged the New Year’s Eve feast early in the morning, and Sister Yiyi didn’t need to keep an eye on it.
“Xiujun, what are you standing there for? Didn’t you see your fourth cousin pasting the couplets? Go help,” Yan Siyu motioned with her eyes.
Xiujun glanced at Yan Wenkai and, seeing the bright and sunny smile on his face, pressed her lips together and then walked over with a proper, faint smile.
Madam Li, who was joking with Old Lady Yan, raised her eyes to watch her niece walking towards her youngest son and her brows knitted almost imperceptibly.
Meanwhile, once Daohua entered the kitchen, she set up a separate stove and rolled up her sleeves to start cooking.
Wang Manman, assisting on the side, noticed that the dishes Daohua was preparing were all light and immediately realized they were for the Little Prince.
At noon, Daohua packed the prepared food into a lunch box and handed it to Wang Manman, “Have Brother Xiaoliu make a trip, tell him to hurry so the food doesn’t get cold.”
Wang Manman nodded, picked up the food box, and prepared to leave.
“Wait!” Daohua called out, “Also, tell Xiaoliu to inform Xiao Yeyang that my third brother, fourth brother, and I will come visit him after lunch.”
Wang Manman said with a smile, “This servant will remember.”
Daohua added, “Make sure to avoid people on the way, go on.”
After Wang Manman left, Daohua called a maid to bring the prepared rice cakes to the old lady’s courtyard.
…
Xiao Residence.
Defu silently cleared away the sweet soup that Xiao Yeyang had hardly touched and turned his gaze to his master, who stood at the door looking in the direction of the gate, feeling uneasy inside.
Today was New Year’s Eve, a time for family reunions, yet his master was spending it alone.
Sighing inwardly, Defu wondered whether Yan Siyu would be able to leave her home today? If she couldn’t come, his master would be deeply disappointed.
Approaching Xiao Yeyang, Defu inquired with a smile, “Master, the kitchen prepared today’s dishes according to the menu of previous years. Would you like to add or remove anything?”
Xiao Yeyang replied indifferently, “You handle it.” After a pause, he asked, “Has the black chicken soup been put on to stew?”
Defu nodded and replied with a smile, “The kitchen has been stewing it since early morning. I just passed by the kitchen and could smell its aroma from afar.”
The corners of Xiao Yeyang’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a hint of a smile. After a moment, he asked somewhat uncertainly, “Do you think… she will come?”
Defu paused for a moment, then carefully said, “Yan Siyu has always been reliable. If she said she’ll do something, she’ll certainly do it.”
Xiao Yeyang frowned, “But Madam Li is strict; she might not allow her to come out.”
Defu found himself at a loss for words.
It wasn’t just because it was New Year’s Eve—in ordinary times, daughters of large households weren’t often allowed to go out. Although Yan Siyu went out more often than others, every trip had to be reported to Madam Li, so he couldn’t be certain.
Just then, a servant from the gatehouse hurried in, “Master, a person named Qin Xiaoliu has come, saying that he has orders from the Third Master and Fourth Master Yan to deliver some food to you.”
Defu’s face lit up with joy, even more excited than Xiao Yeyang, and quickly asked, “Where is the person?”
Gatehouse: “He’s still standing at the gate.”
Defu: “Quick, bring him here.” Looking at Xiao Yeyang, he added, “Master, allow me to personally bring the person over.”
Xiao Yeyang nodded expressionlessly.
Seeing the hint of joy in his master’s eyes, Defu’s smile grew wider as he hurried out of the courtyard.
Soon, Qin Xiaoliu was brought over.
“Your servant pays respects to the Little Prince, wishing the Little Prince a happy New Year.”
Xiao Yeyang motioned for Qin Xiaoliu to rise, looking at the food box in his hands.
Qin Xiaoliu hurriedly said, “These are personally made by our miss, as soon as she finished them, she ordered me to deliver them to you.”
Defu took the food box, felt its warmth with his hands, and laughed, “Master, it’s still hot.”
Xiao Yeyang’s mouth curved up into a smile, “Hmm, I will eat it.”
Qin Xiaoliu smiled again, “Our miss also said that after she has lunch, she will come over to play with you, along with Third Master and Fourth Master.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang looked up at the sky, the smile on his face so irrepressible that for a long time, he could only clench his fist to cover his mouth before finally saying, “I got it.” Then, he glanced at Defu.
Immediately, Defu pulled out a piece of silver from his pocket and handed it to Qin Xiaoliu, “This is the master’s reward for you.”
Qin Xiaoliu quickly expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Little Prince, for the reward.”
Xiao Yeyang nodded and turned to enter the room, “Defu, see him out.”
“Yes!”
Defu set the food box on the table, then led Qin Xiaoliu out. When he returned, he saw his master already laid out the dishes from the food box and had started eating.
“The dishes made by Miss Yan are delicious, I could smell them from afar.”
Xiao Yeyang gave him a sideways glance, a smile on his face, “Are you a dog?”
Defu laughed ‘hehe’ nonstop.
Xiao Yeyang said, “Alright, the food prepared by the kitchen today, apart from the black chicken soup, the rest is rewarded to you all. Go eat, I don’t need you here anymore.”
Defu immediately thanked his master with a loud voice, “Thank you for the reward, master, we are in for a treat today.”
…
Yan Residence.
The Yan Family was also seated at the table. This year, with Yan Siyu and her two sons around, the old lady was extremely happy, and her smile never left her face.
Looking at the children gathered around her, looking at the table full of sumptuous dishes, Madam Yan’s eyes became a little misty.
She could never have dreamed of such a day.
With children and grandchildren around, her family thriving.
Daohua noticed the old lady’s emotion and immediately poured her a cup of wine, “Grandmother, I wish you a happy New Year and evermore youthfulness.”
Madam Yan cheerfully picked up the cup, “Seeing how sensible and well-behaved you all are, I need to live for many more years. I’ll drink to that.”
Once Daohua started, the younger members of the family began to take turns toasting to her.
Yan Zhigao and Madam Li watched with smiles and did not stop them; the old lady and the children were drinking fruit wine, which was not intoxicating.
This meal was a lengthy one, and because Daohua had something on her mind, she didn’t eat much. When lunch was over, she occasionally glanced at Yan Wenkai and Wentao.
Yan Wentao noticed Daohua’s glances and tugged at Yan Wenkai, who in turn tugged at Yan Wenxiu.
Yan Wenxiu immediately said with a smile, “Big sister, didn’t you say you wanted to see that unique book on agriculture in my study? I found it yesterday. Go take a look.”
Madam Yan chuckled, “Why look at books during the New Year’s celebrations?”
Daohua stood up, “Grandmother, I want to see it, I’ve been thinking about that book for a long time.” Then, looking at Yan Wenxiu, “Big brother, where did you put it? I want to see it now.”
Yan Wenxiu replied, “Wentao and Wenkai know where it is, let them accompany you.”
Daohua smiled, “Okay, we’ll be back soon.”
Watching the trio leave, Madam Yan smiled and shook her head, then continued to chat with her sons and daughters.