Extra: New Year, Happiness (The End)

new year.

Tong Aning entered the house. The house was heated by the underfloor heating, so it was a bit hot. Tong Aning's face was flushed. She took off her cloak, and Xue Lin took it as usual.

Su Zhouyue and Tong Aobai saw this and felt happy inside.

Su Zhouyue beckoned to Tong Aning, "Come sit here with your mother."

Tong Aning sat down next to Su Zhouyue, while Xue Lin sat opposite Tong Aning.

Tong Aning glanced into the house and said, "Second Sister and Yi'an haven't returned yet?"

"They'll be there soon. Your eldest brother and third brother have already gone to the ferry to pick them up."

"What are you going to do?"

Tong Yi'an peeked out, winked mischievously, and said, "Fourth Sister and Fourth Brother-in-law are back so early!" She was precocious for her age, her eyes darting between Tong Aning and Xue Lin.

Tong Aning spread her hands towards her, "I heard you got a lot of treasures on your trip south this time. I wonder if I got any?"

Tong Yi'an: "..."

She reached out and slapped Tong Aning's palm, saying domineeringly, "No..."

Tong Fengye's voice came from outside--

"Yes, I am a general, but you can't treat me like a laborer... Big brother, second sister, you're still laughing? Hey, hey, hey, I'm going to fall! A Shu, Sichen, come and help me!"

Tong Aning stood up, and Xue Lin stood up after her. He walked in front of Tong Aning, lifted the heavy curtain, and Tong Fengye fell headfirst onto the snow on both sides of the path. There were many brocade boxes scattered around him.

Tong Aning chuckled, "Third Brother, what's wrong with you?"

Tong Fengye: "Can't you tell? I fell down, and you heartless bunch, not a single one of you came to help me up."

Tong Yibin said calmly, "In that case, I'll take my hand back."

"Eh eh eh..."

Tong Fengye was on the verge of tears; why were they all like this?

In the end, Sichen and A Shu helped Tong Fengye up, one on each side.

[It feels like pulling up a radish...]

Tong Fengye clenched his fists and glared menacingly at Tong Aning; he and Tong Aning were sworn enemies!

Tong Aning looked at him innocently.

Why didn't you wear more clothes...?

Mu Yao took a cloak and draped it over Tong Fengye. Only after doing so did she realize her mistake, her fair face flushing red. She hesitated for a moment, then loosened the cloak.

Tong Fengye was deeply moved, "Miss Mu is still the best to me."

Mu Yao said shyly, "Everyone, everyone is doing well."

Tong Aning suddenly sensed something fishy going on, her gaze shifting back and forth between the two of them, gradually turning mocking.

Tong Fengye: "..."

"Hurry up and pick up the box, lest it get soaked by the snow."

Su Zhouyue spoke up, and everyone went to pick up the boxes.

Xue Lin saw that Tong Aning Tong Aning was also tempted, so he draped a cloak over her shoulders.

Tong Aning grabbed Xue Lin's hand, "Let's go play together."

Xue Lin smiled indulgently, "Okay."

Tong Fengye muttered curses, "What are you playing at...?"

A snowball hit Tong Fengye squarely in the face.

Tong Fengye: "... Don't you know you shouldn't hit someone in the face?"

Tong Yi'an said sheepishly, "Third Brother, I didn't aim."

I hit him in the face even though I didn't aim; if I had, it would have been terrible.

While making snowballs, Tong Fengye gritted his teeth and said, "I think Fifth Sister is indeed suited to be a pirate."

In just a short while, Tong Fengye was already surrounded by enemies on both sides. Tong Yi'an was in front of him, and Tong Aning was behind him. Both of his younger sisters were targeting him.

Tong Fengye was on the verge of tears, "Why didn't you guys go and smash up Big Brother?"

We dare not.

Alright, alright, you're going to pick on him, aren't you?

Snowballs were flying everywhere in the courtyard, creating a chaotic mess in no time.

Even Tong Aobai was unaware that someone had hit him; the snowball had sunk into his collar, leaving it icy cold. He looked up and saw Su Zhouyue making a second snowball.

Tong Aobai: "..."

What can he do? His wife loves to smash things, and he's willing to take it.

We had a great time.

Su Zhouyue had the kitchen prepare ginger soup, a large bowl for each person. After drinking it, they felt warm all over.

We're making dumplings this afternoon.

Tong Aning was the only one who didn't know how to wrap it.

I hate this time of year the most; they isolate me every year!

Tong Aning looked at Xue Lin beside her, then smiled and put her Xue Lin shoulder, "You can't either, right?"

Su Zhouyue: "Who said Alin can't?"

Su Zhouyue gestured forward with her lips, "He just wrapped those."

Tong Aning looked over and picked up a dumpling, examining it from left to right, top to bottom. Xue Lin actually knew how to make dumplings, and he did it quite well.

Su Zhouyue said happily, " Alin's wrapping is the prettiest."

Tong Aning said sourly, "Alright, now you're the one Mother likes the most."

Xue Lin smiled and kissed Tong Aning.

Tong Fengye held up the dumplings he had made, eager to show off, "Mom, how's mine?"

Su Zhouyue glanced at it with obvious disdain. She handed a dough ball to Tong Aning and said to the two siblings, "Take your ugly dumpling and go play with your sister."

Tong Aning: "..."

Am I on the same level as my third brother?

Tong Fengye said indignantly, " Tong Aning, you wrap it."

Good-looking dumplings are all the same, but ugly dumplings come in all shapes and sizes.

The two were simply unmatched.

Tong Aning sullenly kneaded the dough in her hands.

Tong Fengye leaned closer to talk to her.

Tong Aning's eyes widened as she glanced in Mu Yao's direction. She whispered, "Oh, Third Brother, how can you do this? You have to ask her if she's cold, and if the medicine is bitter."

Tong Fengye seemed to understand but not quite. He stared at Tong Aning and asked, "Did you always do this?"

Tong Aning puffed out her chest and raised her head, "Of course."

Tong Fengye scratched his face. "Then teach me how to make your pills."

"No problem, leave it to me."

Uncle Zhao lifted the curtain and came in, beaming, "My lord, my lady, the New Year's gifts from everyone have arrived."

Su Zhouyue asked in surprise, "Why so early this year?"

Su Zhouyue took the list: the Wei family, the Princess's family, the Lou family, the Meng family...

Su Zhouyue roughly understood that these people had all come for Tong Aning.

Just as the dumplings were being cooked, the emperor's decree arrived.

First, Su Zhouyue was granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady.

Secondly, Tong Aning was granted the title of Commandery Princess Bright Moon.

Holding the imperial edict, Tong Aning rubbed her eyes in disbelief. "Me?"

Everyone said in unison, "Yes, yes, you."

Holding her imperial edict Su Zhouyue said happily, "See? My daughter has earned me a title of Lady of the Imperial Decree."

Tong Aobai said, "Then I'd better work harder so I don't fall behind my daughter."

Su Zhouyue laughed.

Yingtao said, "The dumplings are ready--"

After everyone returned inside and ate dumplings, they played dominoes together to stay up all night to welcome the New Year.

After several rounds, Tong Aning roared, "Why do I lose every single time?!"

Tong Aning suspected it was a matter of luck, so she let Xue Lin play, but Xue Lin wasn't much better than her.

Tong Aning looked at Xue Lin, [We're doomed, we've been set up.]

Xue Lin smiled.

Tong Aning said helplessly, "You can still laugh..."

"Um," Su Zhouyue said, " Aning, there's something we haven't told you yet."

Tong Aning: "What?"

"That's right," everyone said in unison, "We can hear your voice."

Tong Aning: "...?"

[Aaaaaaah, is there a hole I can crawl into? Never mind, I'll just kill Xixi first.]

Since the host is so angry, Xixi plans to stay hidden.

Tong Yi'an went outside to set off fireworks, and when he came back, he noticed that Tong Aning's expression was off.

She tilted her head and asked, "Fourth sister, what's wrong?"

Tong Aning: "I have no will to live."

The new year has arrived, and the sounds of fireworks are everywhere outside, rising and falling.

Tong Yi'an Tong Aning's hand and walked outside. Tong Aning's beautiful face was made even more stunning by the fireworks.

*

" Aning, did I hurt you?"

Tong Aning snapped, "Stop eavesdropping on my thoughts!"

Xue Lin loosened his grip and tugged at the ends of Tong Aning's hair. "It seems dry."

"Yeah?"

Tong Aning gathered the ends of her hair and brushed it across her face; it tickled a little, and she wrinkled her nose.

Xue Lin said, "I'll wipe it for a little longer."

"All right."

Tong Aning sat upright with her hands on her knees, but soon began to sway and stagger.

Are you sleepy?

Tong Aning blinked and nodded.

Xue Lin said indulgently, "Go to sleep."

Tong Aning lay down on the inside of the bed, wrapped her arms around Xue Lin's neck, and said, "I forgot to tell you, Happy New Year."

Xue Lin pulled the blanket up a little and said softly, "Happy New Year."

*

Tong Aning had a dream.

She was standing in a square space, and just as Tong Aning touched the wall that was emitting a faint white light, a little elf appeared in front of her.

Tong Aning asked hesitantly, " Xixi?"

Xixi flew around Tong Aning once, then rubbed against Tong Aning and said, "It's me, host."

"So this is what you look like," Tong Aning reached out and touched Xixi's wings, saying, "So cute."

Xixi was happy to hear Tong Aning say that, but she quickly became downcast and whispered, "Host, I want to untie you."

Tong Aning's expression froze. She asked, "Why?"

"Because you, host, have found happiness."

Tong Aning didn't understand, "You're leaving me now that I've found happiness? How do you know you don't have a part in my happiness? Xixi, stay by my side."

Xixi was shocked; no host had ever said such a thing to it before.

Once their host is happy, they can retire gracefully.

Tong Aning took Xixi's little hand and said, "You're my best gossip buddy. We can leave the capital and go anywhere, and keep gossiping."

Xixi was intrigued, and said, "However, I need to consult the main system."

Tong Aning nodded.

When Tong Aning woke up the next morning, she called out to Xixi first, and only felt relieved after receiving a response.

[However, we can just watch the drama unfold; could you please turn off my inner monologue?]

Xixi laughed for a while before saying, "[Okay.]"

Xue Lin walked in and saw Tong Aning smiling. He asked, "What's wrong?"

Tong Aning smiled, her eyes crinkling. "I'm just very happy."

The Great Xia Dynasty is peaceful and prosperous, my family is healthy and safe, my loved one has emerged from the shadows, Xixi will never leave her. Everything is so wonderful.

Tong Aning just felt very happy, very happy.

Xue Lin said, "Then I'm happy too."

The two people looked at each other and smiled.

Author's Note: See you in my next book, "The Palace Maid is Gossiping Today Too." Feel free to add it to your favorites if you like it. Wishing everyone happiness, health, and peace every day.