FID – Chapter 862

Chapter 862: “This Old Woman Is All Alone, With Nowhere to Go”

The Empress Dowager was already on the verge of getting angry. The silver strands of her hair were shaking slightly, but in the end, she forcibly held her temper down.

These days, she found herself far less patient than she used to be, getting riled up by just a few words from a young brat.

She cast a cold glance at the New Year picture in the young emperor’s hand. It depicted two cheerful, chubby children with top-knot hairstyles, holding their hands in a traditional New Year greeting. Their eyes turned into crescents as they smiled, and their little fists looked like lotus roots.

“Your Majesty?” Following the young emperor’s order, the old maid didn’t dare to act right away. She first quietly asked for the Empress Dowager’s permission.

She had been serving Her Majesty for many years, and even an imperial order couldn’t override the Empress Dowager’s authority in her eyes.

After closing her eyes for a moment, the Empress Dowager weakly lifted her hand. “Go ahead.”

“Yes, this old servant will do it right away,” the maid replied, joy lighting up her face.

Having served beside Her Majesty for so many years, she had always envied how festive other palaces looked during the New Year. Meanwhile, in the Yangxin Hall, there had never been any such decorations.

Especially in the years when the Empress Dowager had secluded herself, even the color red was forbidden inside the hall.

Fortunately, the Princess Consort liked these things. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager likely still wouldn’t have relented.

Early on New Year’s Eve morning, Liu Yusheng got out of bed and opened the window to a world blanketed in white.

During the slumbering midnight hours of the imperial city, snow had fallen heavily, piling up thickly in just half a night.

A long, slender hand with distinct knuckles reached out from behind her and shut the half-opened window firmly.

“It’s snowy and windy. Why open the window? You’ll catch a chill,” Feng Qingbai said, displeased. As soon as the window opened, the northern wind rushed inside, quickly making her face cold.

She stuck her tongue out playfully at him. “With the doors and windows shut all day, it gets stuffy. I just wanted to let in a bit of air.”

Placing his warm, dry palm gently against her cheek, Feng Qingbai sighed helplessly. “I know you’re feeling cooped up. After lunch, we’ll go into the palace. Bring a hand warmer, and I’ll walk with you through the Imperial Garden to enjoy the snowy scenery.”

“Really? Has Your Highness had a change of heart?” Liu Yusheng tilted her head and widened her eyes in mock surprise.

The further along her pregnancy progressed, the more anxious he became. Lately, he practically wished she’d stay on the couch all day without moving an inch. For him to speak so agreeably now was a rare occurrence.

“You little imp.” He gave her nose a light pinch, then called for the maids to bring water to help her wash up.

After lunch, Feng Qingbai really did take her into the palace. He didn’t forget to bring along Xue Qinglian, who had taken root in Liuyun Pavilion and was currently sulking. He was clearly annoyed that Feng Qingbai had interrupted his research.

The carriage was parked right outside the prince’s residence. Before they could get on, another carriage slowly pulled up in front of them.

Someone lifted the curtain of that carriage and leaned halfway out. “Your Highnesses, are you heading somewhere?”

Liu Yusheng’s lips twitched immediately.

Qin Xiao—the current Royal Chief Military Instructor.

“Today is New Year’s Eve. My wife and I are on our way into the palace to celebrate the festival,” Feng Qingbai replied, first lifting Liu Yusheng into the carriage so she wouldn’t be chilled by the cold air. Only then did he turn to Qin Xiao. “Where are you off to, General Qin?”

“Oh, I’m just a lonely old man with nowhere to go for the holidays,” Qin Xiao said with an exaggerated sigh. “I thought I’d drop by for some tea with Your Highness and maybe discuss a few details regarding training the military officers. But since you’re busy, we’ll do it another day.”

Though his words suggested he’d leave, his carriage didn’t move an inch. It was still blocking the exit. And his hand still held the curtain open.

Inside the carriage, Liu Yusheng nearly gave the general a thumbs-up for his sheer shamelessness.

He clearly had no intention of leaving.

It was obvious he was waiting for Feng Qingbai to extend an invitation.

Most likely, the general had already known they were going into the palace for the New Year and had been lying in wait at the manor, hoping to be ‘accidentally’ brought along.

He didn’t even bother to come up with a better excuse. Have tea with Feng Qingbai? Since when did they have that kind of friendship to just sit down and have tea together?

“The skin of someone who’s been through countless battles really is something else. Sun, wind, and rain have worn it thick enough to build city walls,” Xue Qinglian said lazily from his seat, grinning.

Liu Yusheng looked at him seriously. “You’re about the same.”

“You flatter me, you flatter me. I still have room to be refined.”

Outside the carriage, Feng Qingbai’s voice rang out, “The New Year is supposed to be a joyous and lively time. Since the general has nowhere to go, why not join us in the palace for a family feast?”

“Then I won’t refuse such a kind invitation.”

Feng Qingbai smiled faintly and got into the carriage. The general had been waiting around the manor corner for a long time, lying in wait just for this one invitation.

The snow in the capital city stopped around the Chen hour today, and before any family set out, they would sweep the overnight snow off their carriages. But the grand general’s carriage roof was still piled thick with snow, clearly showing he had been there long before the Chen hour, patiently waiting.

Very patient indeed.

The two carriages arrived at the palace gates, where a small soft sedan chair was prepared for Liu Yusheng.

Feng Qingbai had made thorough preparations to fulfill her wish to spend the New Year in the palace.

He sent a servant to notify Feng Mohan at Qiande Hall, and then the group headed straight to Yangxin Hall.

They needed to pay respects to the Empress Dowager first.

When they arrived at Yangxin Hall and got down from the sedan chair, Liu Yusheng noticed that on the big red lacquered doors of the outer hall, two New Year’s paintings of auspicious babies were posted, along with couplets hanging on the sides. She smiled happily.

No doubt about it. It was definitely Xiao Feng’er who did it.

Well done.

Otherwise, given the Empress Dowager’s temperament, she certainly wouldn’t have allowed those decorations. The whole Yangxin Hall probably wouldn’t have had a hint of festivity.

Inside the inner hall, the old matron was standing at the door, looking out. When she saw the group’s figures, she immediately turned to report to the Empress Dowager, “Your Majesty, the Prince and Princess Consort have arrived.”

“Hm.” The Empress Dowager didn’t raise her head, her expression indifferent. “Is the fire in the stove not strong enough? It feels a bit cold.”

The old matron hurriedly replied, “Your servant will add more charcoal right away.”

But in truth, the hall was warm and cozy; it wasn’t cold at all.

The Empress Dowager had gotten up early that morning and ordered the stove to be fired up. It had been burning all morning, filling the entire inner hall with heat.

Her Majesty was just worried the Princess Consort might be cold.

“Your Majesty, we have arrived!” The woman entered the hall, holding her belly as she walked toward the soft couch, smiling brightly.

“You’ve arrived, so what? As the Princess Consort, you’re making such a fuss. What kind of propriety is this?” The Empress Dowager scolded, then finally raised her head. When she saw Qin Xiao following behind, she was momentarily surprised but quickly returned to her usual composure.

Qin Xiao took two steps forward and bowed, “His Highness took pity on this old servant being all alone with nowhere to go, so he invited me into the palace to share a family feast. I hope Your Majesty won’t mind my sudden presence.”

“Since you’ve come, then stay. Since it’s the Prince’s invitation, General, you shall stay.” The Empress Dowager’s words made her stance clear: his presence here had nothing to do with her; he was invited by the Prince.

Naturally, she couldn’t offend the Prince’s face.

Qin Xiao smiled and found a seat on his own.

At last, Xue Qinglian showed some manners and also stepped forward to clasp his hands in greeting, “Xue Qinglian pays respects to the Empress Dowager. I too was invited by His Highness; sorry for the intrusion.”

His expression was serious, but his tone remained casual and playful. 

Liu Yusheng’s lips twitched. 

To prevent the Empress Dowager from reprimanding her again about propriety, she quickly cut in, “It felt cold outside just now, but once we came in it’s all warm and cozy. No need to hold the hand warmer after all. Your Majesty’s palace is truly comfortable.”

The Empress Dowager was not unaware of her intent and cast a faint glance at her smiling face.

Well then, she would let it slide this once.