New Year

In the end, no fight broke out in the kitchen.

After a chaotic argument, Xu Changge sighed and reluctantly handed over the cooking position to Xu Yuan and Xu Xinyao. He then leaned against the white wall with his arms crossed, watching the two of them with half-closed eyes as he acted as their supervisor.

He was genuinely worried, but this time the person he was worried about wasn't Xu Yuan.

Since he started living life on his own, this kid has been eating, drinking, and having fun every day in and around Di'an. Eating inevitably takes up a large part of that, and under his influence, his cooking skills are quite reliable.

Just as Xu Yuan didn't want Xu Xinyao to work in the kitchen, Xu Changge was truly worried about his Fourth Sister.

This girl really did blow up the kitchen before.

After taking over the cooking duties, Xu Yuan glanced at the stove briefly.

Various spices, neatly arranged in glass bottles, were displayed on the counter; the variety was even greater than that of seasonings produced under modern industrial conditions in my previous life.

Food is the most important thing for people. The territory of Great Yan is vast, and the cuisines it has nurtured are even more colorful and diverse.

Having not been to the kitchen for a long time, Xu Yuan was surprised to find that all the seasonings were so complete.

But then I thought about it and realized it made sense; this was the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Even if you don't use it, you should still keep some on hand, because you never know when the Prime Minister and his sons might want to try something new.

All the ingredients and seasonings in the inner kitchen were sent from the kitchen of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

After scanning the various spices, Xu Yuan's gaze settled on two plates of freshly cooked, still steaming hot dishes on the stove.

Both dishes are the most ordinary home-style dishes: one is pan-fried tofu, and the other is stir-fried meat. They are simple yet fragrant.

After staring at it for a moment, Xu Yuan chuckled and shook his head.

This time it wasn't mockery, because Xu Changge learned to cook so that the three little ones wouldn't starve.

Just as I was thinking this, Xu Xinyao's soft voice suddenly came from the side:

"Third Brother, when Xin Yao traveled through Peaceful Huai Willowkind Commandery, she ate a dish of Purple Orchid Fire Dragon Pepper. It tasted sour, spicy, and dry, and the Purple Orchid vines could be used to cook meat with a meat-like texture."

"."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow, glancing back at his Fourth Sister, only to see that she had already rolled up the sleeves of her red dress, revealing two flawless white forearms, a hint of eager anticipation in her smile:

"After Xin Yao ate it, she kept thinking about you, Third Brother, thinking you would definitely like it."

Speaking of this,

Xu Xinyao seemed to remember something, then turned back and smiled at the supervisor over there.

"Of course, you are too, big brother."

"."

The foreman, dressed in blue, gave a nonchalant snort.

Unlike Xu Changge, Xu Yuan, who was well-versed in culinary arts, had heard of this dish before and asked in a slightly puzzled voice:

"But I remember that the purple orchid vine, a spiritual vegetable, withers and dies two days after being picked. Surely the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence doesn't have any in stock?"

Xu Xinyao chuckled lightly, seemingly unconcerned, and said:

"I considered this on my way back to the capital. Purple orchid vine is cold in nature and belongs to the Xuan Shui family. Its medicinal properties are the same as those of phoenix tail vine, so it should be a good substitute. However, the spiritual energy inside it conflicts with fire dragon pepper, so I'll just add some dragon's laurel to harmonize it."

"."

Xu Yuan's eye twitched, and he coughed lightly:

"Xin Yao"

"Um?"

Xu Xinyao, her face showing eagerness, turned her gaze back, waved her hand, and said softly with a smile, "Third Brother, you don't need to worry. Although the dragon's saliva incense has abundant spiritual energy, after the medicinal properties are combined, it won't harm your current body."

"That's not what I'm worried about."

"Ah?"

Cooking isn't actually that complicated.

"."

Xu Xinyao blinked, then lowered her head slightly, looking somewhat dejected. But after a moment of silence, she raised her head again and tentatively asked:

"What about the Qifeng Jiuzhi Soup from Broad Huai Prefecture?"

Should we change the ingredients?

"Just a tiny change."

"."

Xu Yuan looked at Xu Changge standing to the side.

Xu Changge nodded slightly to him with a hint of solemnity.

"."

"."

"Bang!"

Xu Xinyao was thrown out of the kitchen by the two brothers.

After Xu Xinyao left dejectedly, everything in the kitchen went smoothly.

Because the New Year's Eve dinner had to be finished before midnight, Xu Yuan even got to experience what it was like to boss Wang around as his assistant.

Cooking is actually a very simple thing. Basically, you can make a dish a few times and it will be edible. There is no kitchen explosion like in anime and novels. But the Fourth Miss of a certain Prime Minister's Mansion always likes to treat cooking as alchemy.

Who the hell considers the medicinal properties of ingredients when seriously cooking?

The inner kitchen was blown up by Xu Xinyao in the same way. This incident alarmed many high-ranking officials in the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion, who thought that an assassin had sneaked into the inner courtyard. However, when a group of Origin Beginning Mortal Shedding arrived at the scene, they found that it was the Fourth Miss who had blown up the inner kitchen.

When Xu Yuan and Xu Changge returned to the main hall with the New Year's Eve dinner, Xu Xinyao was looking down with her head sullen and her red dress sash hanging loosely. When she saw the two of them coming, she immediately pouted slightly, somewhat dissatisfied.

However, the girl's gentle nature prevented her from throwing a tantrum. She quickly stepped forward to help her two brothers arrange the various fragrant dishes on the table in the main hall.

Without any words or ceremony, after the family members were all seated, the five of them naturally started eating. There were no rules in the inner courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion, and the concepts of not speaking while eating or sleeping were simply nonexistent.

Although the atmosphere of this New Year's Eve dinner was gentle, it was still eaten quite quietly, completely lacking the lively atmosphere of a typical family celebrating the New Year.

There's no way around it; there are only five people at the table, three of whom are aloof and arrogant. It would be a miracle if it were lively at all.

Oh, this old man shouldn't be counted; he's just a man of few words. After asking the three siblings a few simple questions, he fell silent.

To liven up the atmosphere, Xu Yuan suggested that the whole family have a drink.

After a slight hesitation, Xu Yinhe, who usually only drank fragrant tea, made an exception and agreed. Meanwhile, his maternal uncle Feng Jiuxuan, silently took out the Hundred-Year Phantom Sword Brew from his Sumeru Ring.

The Illusion Sword Wine is so precious that even Xu Yuan had never tasted it. It is said that long-term consumption can allow one to comprehend sword intent while in a dazed state.

After drinking two glasses, Xu Yuan noticed a problem.

He was already feeling a little dizzy, and Xu Xinyao's face was flushed and her eyes were glazed over, but the three taciturn guys opposite him continued to eat as usual.

These three people have such high cultivation levels that they can't get drunk at all.

Throughout the meal, only Xu Yuan and Xu Xinyao, the brother and sister, talked the whole time until Xu Xinyao, feeling a little dizzy, casually mentioned some funny things from her childhood, which finally opened up the conversation in the hall.

She said that Xu Yuan was bullying her.

It was also said that Xu Changge beat Xu Yuan too badly every time.

Xu Changge calmly replied that it was Xu Yuan's due.

In a semi-dazed state, Xu Yuan declared that Xu Changge was trash who couldn't even beat someone up.

Xu Changge gave a soft "oh" with a meaningful look in his eyes.

Xu Yuan continued to boast that his maternal uncle Feng Jiuxuan, had given him a truly brutal beating, and that he was now trembling at the sight of his uncle.

Feng Jiuxuan replied indifferently that he wouldn't let anyone die, as he knew how to control his strength.

Xu Yinhe stood to the side, smiling silently.

Amidst the festivities, a burst of fireworks rose quietly from the depths of the palace, transforming into a dazzling display of colors in the sky above Di'an. Only then did the five people in the room realize that midnight had passed, and they were welcoming the New Year together.

The forty-sixth year of the Jiajing ended, and the forty-seventh year of the Jiajing began.

The family ate their rare New Year's Eve dinner for a long time, drinking two jars of Hundred-Year Phantom Sword Brew Feng Jiuxuan. It wasn't until Xu Xinyao, the Fourth Sister with the weakest cultivation, drank so much that she collapsed to the ground, only to be caught by Xu Changge in a flash, that she finally stopped.

It started snowing again outside, and the snowflakes fell silently to earth along with the New Year's fireworks in Di'an. The stone path and withered grass outside the main hall of the inner courtyard were also gradually covered with a layer of white snow.

After Xu Xinyao was helped back to her room by Xu Changge, Feng Jiuxuan got up, said "I'm leaving," and disappeared. In an instant, the once lively hall was left with only Xu Yinhe, who was sitting in the main seat and sipping fine wine, and Xu Yuan, who was completely drunk.

Before long, Xu Changge returned, glancing with a hint of helplessness at his third brother sprawled on the table and chairs, before speaking to his father in the main seat with a smile:

"Father, Xin Yao has been very tired lately. She falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow. She should be able to get a good rest tonight."

The snow fell silently outside. Xu Yinhe glanced at his eldest son, paused for a moment, and then uttered three words in a low voice:

"Thanks for your hard work."

Xu Yinhe knew he wasn't a good father. After Qian'er passed away, Xu Changge, the eldest brother, was basically in charge of the affairs of the three children in the manor. The only fatherly duty he fulfilled was to take a little time out of his busy schedule to stay in the manor and have a simple meal with the children.

However, as the children in the family grow up and their cultivation deepens, such time becomes less and less frequent.

Xu Changge chuckled and shook his head upon hearing this, offering no reply.

"I'll also send Changtian back to rest."

As he spoke, he bent down and reached out to grab Xu Yuan's arm, intending to lift him up. However, the moment Xu Changge touched Xu Yuan, he pushed him away.

"."

Xu Yuan rubbed his sleepy, drunken eyes and struggled to sit up. He noticed the fireworks in the sky had subsided. Looking around, he asked in a hoarse voice, tinged with confusion:

"Where are my maternal uncle and Xin Yao?"

Xu Changge frowned slightly as he looked at the young man's drunken state, and patiently replied:

"The New Year's Eve dinner is over. Xin Yao is drunk, and her maternal uncle has returned to the Sword Pavilion."

"I see."

Xu Yuan tapped his dizzy head, feeling the world spinning around him. He instinctively tried to use his internal energy to sober up, but Xu Changge interrupted him, calmly reminding him:

"In your current state, you're prone to Qi Deviation when practicing your internal energy."

Xu Yuan glanced at Xu Changge and smiled contemptuously:

"Xu Changge, who do you think you are? I can still use my internal energy even when I'm on the verge of death, so leave me alone."

He's acting crazy again while drunk.

This posture reminded Xu Changge of some unpleasant memories from the past, but considering that it was just the beginning of the New Year and the other person was drunk, he suppressed his emotions and said softly:

"Alright, I know you're great, but you can rest now."

"No, I... I still have something to ask Father."

"."

Xu Changge glanced at Xu Yinhe was in the main seat.

Xu Yinhe paused for a moment, then nodded.

Xu Changge sighed softly and told him to be careful.

Watching Xu Changge's figure disappear into the shadows of the snowy night, Xu Yuan began to circulate his internal energy to sober up.

The effects of the Hundred-Year Phantom Sword Brew penetrate deep into the Will Soul. Xu Yuan circulated the Blood Origin Heart-Fall Technique several times before he could slightly alleviate the intoxication. If he were to get up now, he would probably still fall flat on his face.

"Whatever it is, we can talk about it tomorrow morning."

Xu Yinhe's voice came quietly, unhurriedly. "Go back and get some sleep now. Your maternal uncle's Illusory Sword Brew might help you comprehend some of his sword intent."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan slowly opened his eyes. The world was still spinning around him. He rubbed his temples and said:

"I probably can't use my uncle's sword intent; we're not on the same path."

"." Feng Jiuxuan.

Xu Yinhe gently shook his head upon hearing this:

"It seems neither of you brothers intends to inherit his swordsmanship, what a pity."

Aside from blacking out, most people remain relatively conscious when drunk, but their temperament and boldness increase significantly.

With his remaining consciousness, Xu Yuan carefully considered his words, looked at his father opposite him, and asked softly:

"Father, are you going to the New Year's banquet tomorrow?"

Xu Yinhe sipped the fine wine in his cup, sensing Feng Jiuxuan's sword intent, and answered calmly:

"The answer to this question does not actually depend on the father."

Xu Yuan blurted out subconsciously:

"That old emperor?"

Xu Yinhe remained silent upon hearing this.

The hall was silent, and the wind and snow were swirling.

After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan asked with slight concern:

"Father, what if—and I mean just what if—the royal family doesn't compromise?"

Xu Yinhe put down his wine glass and asked softly in return:

"Changtian, do you think this is possible?"

Xu Yuan chuckled softly, then shook his head and said:

"I think it's unlikely. I was just asking in case, because if we lose the position of Prime Minister, our stance will change."

The position of Prime Minister is a symbol of status and a source of power, but this old man doesn't need any of that.

Nowadays, the position of Prime Minister is more of a symbol representing his stance on the court. Once the emperor actually allows him to retire, this connection will be severed, and the Prime Minister's Estate will directly become the Xu Family of the Capital City.

At that time, the Xu Family of the Capital City will suffer painful blows due to the disappearance of the righteousness of the court. Various high-ranking officials in the court will fall from power one after another. The power center of Di'an City will most likely be purged by the royal family in a very short time, and all kinds of high-ranking officials will be replaced by members of the Imperial Faction.

However, this was limited to Di'an City.

The Prime Minister's Mansion's residence has penetrated every aspect of the Great Yan. In many prefectures and counties, people will obey imperial decrees but not orders, and at that time, the imperial power may not extend to the prefectures.

Take, for example, Xu Yinhe's hometown Jingjiang Prefecture.

What's even more critical is that if the royal family really dares to do this, it would be tantamount to pushing the "Xu Family of the Capital City" towards the sect.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan smiled gently:

"Indeed, you've been following the emperor's lead for so long, you need to show some boundaries, otherwise these people will keep pushing their luck."

As he spoke,

Xu Yuan paused for a moment, then asked softly:

"But Father, you should know that's not what I meant?"

Xu Yinhe frowned slightly:

"What?"

Xu Yuan paused for a moment, rubbed his hands together, and tentatively asked:

"If the royal family doesn't compromise, do you have a backup plan? A backup plan, after all, you've come this far, and the emperor's days are numbered, aren't they?"

"Changtian, you're drunk."

Xu Yinhe didn't answer, but stood up from his seat. "Get some rest, don't keep thinking about these distant things."

Seeing this, Xu Yuan sighed inwardly.

It seems that the old man was unwilling to tell him about the plan because he wanted to avoid such a situation from happening.

"Oh, right, Changtian."

Xu Yinhe stopped abruptly at the entrance of the hall and said softly:

"Ran Jianli's disciple has been lingering at the inner courtyard gate for almost half an hour."