Reunion

As the old year departs amidst the crackling of firecrackers, sporadic firecracker sounds begin to echo Di'an City from the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) as night falls. By the time Hai (9-11 PM) approaches, these firecrackers have become almost continuous, their cacophony even subtly overshadowing the "blessings" bestowed upon the people by the emperor in the recent past.

The New Year's Eve in Di'an City was full of festive spirit. Although officials had to stay up all night for the imperial court, the common people did not.

After the reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, the residential alleys became lively. Neighbors and villagers knew each other well. Children ran around in twos and threes on the muddy roads in the dimly lit streets and alleys. The elders gathered together to chat about the past or play mahjong and other card games in the courtyard.

Outside these residential alleys, the commercial streets remained bustling, with wealthy families dressed in brocade robes strolling in groups through the temple fair market. Shouts, laughter, and the bright red lights illuminated the myriad lights of Di'an.

"Call out--"

Just before the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), at the height of the atmosphere, a loud screech suddenly resounded over Di'an.

It was a fireball, slowly climbing from the palace in the center of Di'an into the dark sky.

The people who witnessed this scene showed no panic. Instead, they all put down their work and stood watching the fireball slowly rising into the sky with anticipation and excitement.

Every year on New Year's Eve, the Ministry of Ministry of Rites, in conjunction with the Directorate of Ceremonial within the palace, would set off fireworks to celebrate the New Year. Although there was a bit of tension at the end of the year this year, it all happened in the imperial court and had nothing to do with the common people.

This festive flame rose to a height invisible to the naked eye of ordinary people, attracting widespread attention.

After a moment of silence,

"Bang--"

The fireball exploded precisely at 9 PM in the dark sky, and countless meteors trailing flames scattered in all directions with the explosion, only to explode again in mid-flight, transforming into a dazzling display of colors against the dark backdrop.

In an instant, dazzling seven-colored fireworks covered most of Di'an, illuminating the sky and the eyes of every Di'an citizen.

This is the Emperor's New Year's greeting to all the people of the world.

As the fireworks in the sky gradually faded and the crowds kneeling and bowing to the palace on the streets surged like a tide, Xu Yuan suddenly thought of the resignation letter his father had submitted tonight.

Two completely unrelated things were inexplicably linked together.

After a moment's thought, Xu Yuan gently shook his head.

The people's hearts are burning with righteous indignation, but unfortunately, the water that carries this boat in this world is not the people themselves.

Xu Yuan originally planned to have New Year's Eve dinner at home this year, but plans don't always go as expected. The Crown Prince suddenly visited the residence of the Left Vice Minister of Ministry of War, that is, the old man Wang Yuqian, saying that he wanted to see his "illegitimate son". He couldn't pretend to be the Crown Prince, so he had no choice but to put down his chopsticks and go to "greet" him. As a result, he stayed in the Vice Minister of Ministry of War's residence until 9 PM.

The matter that Crown Prince Li Yucheng discussed with him tonight was the same as last time—extending an olive branch to recruit him. However, the difference was that this recruitment was based on the framework of the Prime Minister's Estate's residence.

Because Wang Shicai's identity had already been incorporated into the Prime Minister's Mansion.

The Crown Prince Prince's private recruitment some time ago had already demonstrated Wang Shicai's abilities. With this endorsement, the old man Wang Yuqian had a perfectly legitimate reason to send him to the Prime Minister's Mansion, making it much easier for him to come and go from home.

This matter has caused a lot of trouble for that old man, Wang Yuqian.

His harem caught fire.

The legitimate sons of noble birth are still just getting by in some lowly government offices, so how could an illegitimate son be arranged by the master to enter the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion? Of course not.

The first, second, and third wives are all making a scene.

If it weren't for the Crown Prince being in the mansion on New Year's Eve, and those women trying to make things difficult for Xu Yuan, that old man Wang Yuqian would probably have wet his pants on the spot.

After all, according to the customs of the Great Yan, the younger generation is required to kowtow to the elders.

Watching these power struggles within the palace, Xu Yuan began to understand how harsh Li Zhaoyuan's environment must have been within the palace.

Wang Shicai, with his status as the head of the family Wang Yuqian, could be bullied like this, let alone the fact that people could die at any time within the red walls of the palace.

Getting back to the main point, Crown Prince Li Yucheng's visit to the high-ranking members of the Prime Minister Faction on Crown Prince Year's Eve is quite interesting. Last night, his intervention against Li Yunqing's actions was already a testament to his loyalty to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Tonight, even after the Prime Minister has submitted his resignation, his visit to the high-ranking members of the Prime Minister Faction shows, in a sense, that His Highness has fully stated his position. Once this storm has passed, this Crown Prince will be considered half an ally of the Prime Minister's Mansion, in a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Lost in thought about these trivial matters, a tentative voice softly reached Xu Yuan's ears:

"Third Young Master, it's truly an offense to have you make such a special trip during the New Year. And I'm afraid you'll find my three good-for-nothing wives laughable."

Xu Yuan looked up and saw that the old man Wang Yuqian was carefully observing his expression.

Every family has its own troubles. Xu Yuan had read Wang Yuqian's information. Although this old man was backed by the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion, his three wives were all from prominent Aristocratic Clan in the Capital City, so it was a political marriage.

Those Aristocratic Clan climbed up to the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion through Wang Yuqian, and the Prime Minister's Mansion also controlled those Aristocratic Clan through Wang Yuqian. Therefore, although Wang Yuqian had a lot of influence in the Vice Minister's mansion, it was not a one-man show.

With a slight smile, Xu Yuan waved his hand gently and continued looking out the window.

"It's alright."

"Hehe."

Wang Yuqian gave an awkward laugh, but he didn't stop there, continuing cautiously to ask:

"Third Young Master, is the year-end season finally over?"

Well, it turns out that the old man was just trying to start a conversation.

After a moment of silence, Xu Yuan followed up on his opponent's attack:

"The Lunar New Year celebrations aren't truly over until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, why the rush?"

Wang Yuqian's heart tightened, and he rubbed his hands together.

"What about the New Year's banquet in the palace tomorrow, the first day of the lunar new year?"

Normally, Yucheng, as a high-ranking official of the Subordinate Third Rank, should be at the Ministry of Ministry of War on New Year's Eve to keep vigil for the country. However, today he submitted a petition for medical leave and returned home without waiting for the court's reply.

Wang Yuqian was not an isolated case; tonight, half of the second and third-rank officials in the court all claimed illness and returned home without permission.

As for why there has been no reply?

It wasn't because the procedure for requesting permission to be sick was complicated, but because the high-ranking official who approved the request submitted his resignation and went back to the inner courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion for the New Year.

However, Xu Yuan was somewhat hesitant about how to respond to this matter.

It's not a big deal for these high-ranking officials to request to return home on New Year's Eve; it's just a clear statement of their stance. However, if they don't attend the New Year's banquet, this stance will escalate, and the situation could easily get out of control.

The game for the brave belongs to...

With a soft chuckle, Xu Yuan's eyes curved into a smile as he said in a low voice:

"Minister Wang,"

"You are only claiming illness, not retiring from office."

Upon returning home tonight, Xu Yuan made no attempt to conceal his presence.

The carriage of the Vice Minister of Ministry of War stopped right in front of the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence, and Xu Yuan entered the residence through the side gate in a perfectly legitimate manner.

The Crown Prince needed "Wang Shicai" to relay his message tonight, and upon entering the gate, he saw a large succubus waiting for him behind the gate.

Lou Ji, as the leader of the Black Scale, was truly a lonely person, especially after she personally killed Granny Long that night, she even lost a friend she could talk to.

On this Lunar New Year's Eve, when everyone is reunited, she could only come to him, her younger brother.

However, after some teasing and banter, the succubus did not force him to stay by her side to spend the New Year's Eve. Instead, she took Xu Yuan to the inner courtyard gate, gave him a hug, and then quietly left.

After several twists and turns, Xu Yuan returned to the inner courtyard close to midnight.

Following the alleyway into the inner courtyard, Xu Yuan pushed open the main gate and stepped through, where he saw a warm and cozy scene, just like that of an ordinary family.

Outside, it was pitch black, but inside the main hall, the lights were still on, and three figures were each doing their own thing in the light.

Dressed in a festive red dress, Xu Xinyao lay half-reclined on the table, one hand supporting her fair cheek, her long, thick eyelashes drooping, looking somewhat drowsy.

Dora Yao also contributed greatly to the research on the body of the Emperor of Xien, and in addition to studying the Soul Ring that stores demons and ghosts, she probably hasn't had a rest for several days.

Feng Jiuxuan, still dressed in white, sat calmly to the side with his eyes closed, resting. On the table in front of him was the broken sword Clear Abyss.

Older father Xu Yinhe sat upright in the main seat, calmly reading a book with his eyes lowered. In front of him was a porcelain cup, from which steam was rising, and next to the cup was a chessboard with black and white pieces, but judging from the book in his hand, he had already stopped playing.

Xu Yuan's lips curled into a smile.

Even in the highest halls of power, there is still kinship.

Everyone's waiting for him.

As he slowly stepped forward, Xu Yuan extended his Spirit Sight to scan the chessboard, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Xu Yuan has a slight understanding of Go, but only to the point of being able to understand it.

The game of chess on the table did not seem to be played by the old man himself, because the black pieces were completely slaughtering the white pieces. White was attacked right from the start, and within a hundred moves, the black pieces had already killed off the white group of stones. There were not even two groups of stones left alive on the entire board. It was so bloody that it was unbearable to watch.

"Puff"

A soft laugh spread through the quiet courtyard. Just as Xu Yuan was wondering if Xu Changge, that arrogant king, had been slaughtered, Feng Jiuxuan, who was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly glanced at him, his eyes calm.

"." Xu Yuan.

"." Feng Jiuxuan.

A moment of silence,

Xu Yinhe, seated at the head of the table, slowly put down the dossier in his hand, raised his eyes to look at the three men in the courtyard, and said:

"You're all back, what are you still doing standing in the yard?"

"."

Xu Yuan blinked once, then continued walking into the house.

Today is Chinese New Year, you, as the maternal uncle, can't beat him up over such a trivial matter.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan suddenly understood, and with a knowing chuckle, he asked:

"Father, you're holding back a bit when you play this game. Look how badly the black pieces have taken down the white pieces. Your skill level is really poor. Next time you're bored, I'll play a game with you."

"."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yinhe paused for a moment, then glanced at Feng Jiuxuan beside him with a slight Wan'er.

Seeing this, Feng Jiuxuan's thin lips curled into a faint smile as he softly said:

"It's almost midnight. If you stay any later, the family's New Year's Eve dinner can wait until next year."

In the previous generation, it was from 11 PM to 1 AM, but in the Great Yan, it was the dividing line of a day.

Upon entering the main hall, the girl who had been dozing off at the desk raised her eyes and said with a smile:

"Third Brother, you're back."

Xu Yuan passed by her, casually ruffled her long, smooth hair, then sat down beside her and asked in a low voice:

"Xu Chang. Ah, where is my elder brother?"

He returned and didn't see Xu Changge. Normally, a father wouldn't arrange for his family members to go out on missions on New Year's Eve.

Xu Xinyao blinked, her eyes sparkling with surprise as she glanced at the empty seat beside her. She blinked again, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"My older brother was just here."

Xu Yuan reacted quickly upon hearing this, subconsciously glancing towards the kitchen:

"Heh, it probably sensed I was coming back and went to cook early, hmm. I'll go check on the kitchen."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan stood up again before he had even warmed his seat.

Seeing this, Xu Xinyao also stood up and said with a smile:

"Then Xin Yao will go and help too."

"Come on, do you want to blow up the kitchen?"

"Xin Yao also learned some cooking skills while traveling."

"That's fine then. We have two saints in our family, one of whom Origin Beginning. The stuff you make shouldn't kill anyone."

"Brother! What are you saying!" Xu Xinyao said with a hint of anger.

As she spoke, Xu Xinyao skipped and hopped after Xu Yuan, chatting and laughing as they left the main hall.

After a brief period of liveliness, the warmly lit main hall returned to silence.

"."

Watching the two children's departing figures, Xu Yinhe's deep eyes held a loving smile, but this smile only lasted for a moment before fading away.

Originally, today would have been even more lively.

"Since you've chosen this path, keep going."

A calm voice came from the side, Xu Yinhe glanced at Feng Jiuxuan in response.

Feng Jiuxuan lowered his eyes to look at the broken sword in front of him, his voice very soft:

"Qian'er is dead, Chang'an is dead, even for their sake, you Xu Yinhe, must finish this journey."

Xu Yinhe's response was very calm:

"I just don't want this room to become any more deserted."

"Then let's do everything to the extreme."

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that."

Xu Yinhe finished speaking, he asked in a low voice:

"Aren't you going to check on your old man in the Black Prison tonight?"

"."

After a moment of silence, Feng Jiuxuan gently shook his head:

"Why bother seeing him? Family ties are meaningless to him anyway."

Xu Yinhe gave Feng Jiuxuan a deep look:

"People change when they lose everything."

"."

Feng Jiuxuan lowered his eyes, pondered for a moment, and before he could speak, a commotion of chickens and dogs came from the inner kitchen.

"Get out! Who let you in?"

"Hey, I'm here to help out."

"Did I say I needed help? Changtian, don't make me repeat myself."

"Third Brother, eldest brother, please stop arguing."

"Tsk, Xu Changge, are you out of your mind? It's New Year's Day, try touching me and see if Father beats you up. If Father doesn't, your maternal uncle will."

"Oh?"

"Hey! Wait a minute, Xu Changge, put the knife down first."

"."

"."

Hearing the commotion coming from the other side, the two middle-aged men in the hall exchanged a glance, both seeing a Wan'er smile in each other's eyes.