Boom, boom, clang-
The dragon and lion dance procession passed the head of Skywater Bridge. Madam Zhang and Pei Luo, along with Yang Chao, Chen Biao, and the others, stood by the street in new clothes, cheerfully watching the festivities.
Inside Duke Ye's residence, not far from the Pei Family mansion, bright red lanterns hung everywhere too. Every corner along the river was brilliantly lit, but the interior seemed a little deserted. Only a few maids responsible for cleaning and upkeep gathered to chat:
"Why hasn't Young Master Ye come back yet..."
"He got such a huge residence, only to leave us living here all year round. Ah..."
In Plum Blossom Courtyard at the West Residence, lanterns illuminated the intersecting paths. With Third Madam and Ye Jingtang both absent, the doors and windows were shut, and everything was silent.
Dongfang Liren quietly vaulted the wall and landed among the winter plum blossoms filling the courtyard. A flush from drinking colored her cheeks, and the Fat-Headed Dragon on her chest gleamed in the candlelight.
White-Haired Truth-Listener Meng Jiao followed close behind. Seeing that Prince Jing's post-banquet stroll had brought her all the way here, she understood and bowed slightly.
"I'll wait outside, Your Highness. Please summon me whenever you need anything."
With that, she quietly withdrew from the courtyard.
It was New Year's Eve. Dongfang Liren had hosted the Dongfang Clan's banquet in her elder sister's place. Although the clan had plenty of commandery princes, princesses, and others from its collateral branches, making the banquet quite lively, none of the people closest to Dongfang Liren were beside her. She inevitably felt somewhat lonely and disappointed.
Dongfang Liren stood alone in the courtyard admiring the plum blossoms for a while, then pushed open the Main House's door and entered the study