After the New Year, even though the situation was tense in various places, at this juncture, they all took a temporary break and closed their doors to celebrate the year. Ziyouge Jiang Xuanjin brought Li Huaiyu and others back to the first-line city. Li Huaiyu sat in the car as it passed through the streets, hearing the lively firecracker sounds and the vendors' shouts selling New Year's goods, feeling that nothing seemed to have happened in this city.

  The air mixed with the smell of cured meat and gunpowder, smelling it makes people feel very down-to-earth, but there are a lot of people following Jiang Xuanjin.

  Lord Zi Yang returned to Zi Yang, and the guardians of various places and county magistrates all rushed to congratulate him on the new year. He thought that going to the main city of Zi Yang would be enough. Who knew that Lord Zi Yang would use the excuse of a tense situation in the border town to stay put, so they had no choice but to follow him over.

  Everyone here has long been known to you, but in fact, they are not very familiar with each other. I want to flatter them a bit, but don't know where to start.

  Someone brought a large sum of silver to see Chongxu Yufeng, wanting to inquire about the emperor's preferences. However, these two dignitaries were unmoved by the offer, and even with gold and silver mountains placed before their eyes, they remained unresponsive. Left with no choice, they had to explore on their own.

  "Master." Two invitation cards were handed over, "The magistrates of Jiuzhen Prefecture and Cangwu Prefecture are both hosting banquets at the wine tower, saying they want to welcome you back."

  Jiang Xuanjin took it over with a smile and scanned it twice.

  The person in his arms stirred restlessly and he said in a low voice, "Be honest."

  "Let me see." With her chin resting on his shoulder, Huaiyu said, "Didn't I often help you look at things before?"

  On the soft couch in Mo Ju's main house, she often leaned against him and read folded paper to him.

  With a slight daze, Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips and put both invitation cards into her hands: "Choose one."

  Tomorrow is New Year's Day, so I can only choose one place for lunch today.

  "Take a look, I've heard of this Jiǔ Zhēn Jun before. It's rich in iron ore and produces many weapons every year. Cāng Wú Jun is also not bad, with thriving commerce... how about we choose Jiǔ Zhēn?"

  His eyes quietly swept across two posts and stopped at a few lines of words. Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips: "Go to Cangwu County this one."

  "Huh? Didn't I choose you?" Huai Yu glared, "I chose you and you didn't listen?"

  She stuffed the invitation back into Jiang Xuanjin's hand, and he patted her waist gently, his chin lightly rubbing against the top of her head: "You also said it was a random choice."

  She hummed a couple of sentences with her head down and didn't say much more.

  Mounting a vacant horse, he took the invitation card and stole a glance at it, his eyebrows jumping slightly.

  Everyone in Jiuzhen County thought that they would definitely win the favor of the lord, but who would have thought that the lord would accept the invitation to a banquet from Cangwu County.

  "This is why?" Everyone was puzzled. The governor of Jiuzhen also felt resentful and went to secretly ask Chengxu.

  Cheng Xiao said with a hint of subtlety: "The lord of Cangwu County is more meticulous than you."

  Isn't he careful enough? Even the car and the sedan chair are ready!

  He didn't say much and handed him two posters to take a look at.

  The same large wine house, the same lineup, his post was written much more beautifully, but on the post of the Governor of Cangwu County, there were a few more lines than his.

  I respectfully invite Master Ziyang and his wife to come, knowing that Madam is not feeling well, I have prepared a warm chamber with soft beds, as well as nourishing food to care for her body, in appreciation of her hard work.

  Jiuzhen County Governor: "I don't know"

  What a scoundrel! What is this scoundrel thinking? That old rascal from Cangwu County actually dared to write such a shameless post!

  It's quite obvious that you're just eating this up.

  In the cold wind, the Jiu Zhen County Guardian shivered: "Can I still add this sentence?"

  He smiled and politely asked him to leave.

  Li Huaiyu felt something was off, she followed Jiang Xuanjin out to grab a meal, originally planning to just be a pretty face on the side, but unexpectedly from the moment they sat down, the concubine of the county magistrate next to her was overly enthusiastic towards her, the county magistrate toasted with her and personally poured tea over her head, she finished a cup of strong liquor in one gulp.

  "Your subordinates have also gone to the Jiang residence to learn etiquette?" Huai Yu couldn't help but pull on Jiang Xuanjin's sleeve and whisper, "Isn't this a bit too much?"

  Jiang Xuanjin glanced at the people on the table with a faint look, and said in a low voice: "Perhaps it's because of your fear of Dan Yang Princess."

  Is it? It seems plausible too? Huaiyu nodded and took it as the reason.

  After this banquet, Princess's mansion began to receive congratulatory gifts continuously. Upon inquiry, they were all sent by the governors of various counties in Ziyang to congratulate her on her pregnancy.

  Hua Yu stood beside the pile of gifts with a puzzled expression and asked Lu Jinghang: "Are all the people from Purple Sun so wealthy and extravagant?"

  Lu Jinghang hadn't shown up in a long time, but his elegance was still undiminished. Standing beside her with an expression that looked at her as if she were foolish: "Can't you really see?"

  "What?" Huai Yu looked bewildered.

  "These people's actions are all in line with Prince Ziyang's thoughts." He narrowed his phoenix eyes and said, "Prince Ziyang is now acting openly and without concealment, which is very different from his usual style."

  What does Lord Zi Yang favor? It's the Lady! If it's hard to get on the good side of the Lord, then get on the good side of the Lady, it's sure to be useful! ---- This was the conclusion reached by all the magistrates and county officials after arriving at Yicheng for three days.

  Hua Yu was taken aback, then scratched his head with a hint of embarrassment: "Well, I guess I really did get lucky."

  "Yes, looking at the momentum, the exchanges between Dan Yang and Zi Yang will definitely be very smooth in the future." Lu Jinghang hummed with a smile, "Thanks to your blessing, I now have official escorts all the way when transporting goods from the border city of Zi Yang."

  "You should thank me." Hua Yu sneered, "Don't be greedy, hand over that Jade Guanyin you just got."

  "Beautiful dream!" Lu Jinghang gave her a white eye, "The best Tian Shan Han Jade, to build such a Guanyin, even in the palace is one of the top treasures, can be deceived by you?"

  "Stingy ghost." Huai Yu pouted and put her hands on her hips, saying "The silver I earned back for you is enough to buy two Guanyins!"

  Lu Jinghang hummed a smile, his fan spinning lazily in his hand as he slanted a glance at her: "Feeling better now?"

  At first, she was locked in a dead prison with her unborn child, and she had endured a lot of grievances. Now, Purple Sun Quan seemed to be making amends, openly and secretly, all the benefits were stuffed into her arms.

  "It's finally over." Letting out a sigh of relief, Huaiyu smiled and said, "I never thought this day would come."

  She had prepared for a lifetime of loneliness with her previous life's calculations. Living again, she thought there wouldn't be any good outcome, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better and she got to live a smooth life like today.

  It's probably heaven's compensation for her.

  As he saw people still carrying gifts over, Lu Jinghang flicked his eyelids: "You're really worth the money."

  "How can you talk like that?" Hua Yu glared at him and proudly pointed to the tip of her own nose, "I am clearly worth a city!"

  When she said this, Danyang Princess was always shameless. Lu Jinghang shook his head and looked at the red knot on the congratulatory gift: "You'd better accompany Jiang Xuanji well, he should be spending New Year's away from the Jiang family for the first time."

  At the mention of the Jiang family, Hua Yu hesitated for a moment.

  It turns out that Jiang Xuanjin would rather stay with her in this small town than return to the main city of Ziyang for a family reunion. Old Master Jiang will definitely be furious again, scolding her for bewitching people's hearts.

  "After some thought, she said: 'I'll go to the main courtyard and take a look at him.'"

  Lu Jinghang turned around and casually fanned himself towards her: "You go ahead, I'll also find a place to spend the New Year."

  "Huh?" Yu Mei raised an eyebrow and called out to him, "You're not having dinner at the mansion tonight?"

  "What's the point of having a bunch of men?" Lu Jinghang didn't even turn his head, and said with a swagger, "Young master has a good place to go."

  Where did he go? Wai Yu didn't ask and knew, she glanced back at his figure and pouted, then hugged her belly and ran towards the main courtyard.

  Lu Jingxing stepped out of the Moon Gate, and the smile on his face disappeared completely.

  New Year's Eve was the most lively, every household lit firecrackers and ate reunion dinner. He went to his own Spring Arrival Building, ordered a jar of wine, and sat slowly drinking.

  "Master." Zhao Cai stood behind him, his eyes red as he said, "Why don't you just spend the New Year in the Princess's mansion? At least there are a lot of people there."

  Lu Jinghang raised an eyebrow, his embroidered boots lifted onto the long bench, his elbow against his knee propping up his face, looking at him and saying: "What's the use of having many people?"

  There were too many people, and she couldn't possibly get drunk with him this year either. Jiang Xuanjin's overbearing personality made it impossible for her to even exchange a glance with him without being rebuffed by his raised sleeve, which was both amusing and infuriating.

  Out of sight, out of mind.

  Drinking one jar after another, Cai Fu urged in a nagging tone: "You should also have someone to serve you by your side. The few beautiful women in the paintings that Princess Chang showed you the other day are all good choices, pick one as you like, doesn't matter if it works out or not, just give it a try."

  "I've heard that the Hundred Flowers King of Eastern Jin has entered the borders of Northern Wei, perhaps to pay tribute in the capital. He's brought many beauties from Eastern Jin with him, you can take a look."

  "Look at Princess Chang, she's already got a successor, and you're not even married yet." After persuading her for a while, Zhaocai himself felt sad. "Really, you should try to hold on tight, but the person was let go by you, if she can be let go, why can't you let yourself go?"

  Tired of listening, Lu Jinghang put down the wine jug on the table and snorted: "How could I not let go of myself? I did."

  It's just that I couldn't get out of there no matter what.

  The phoenix's eyes dimmed, and Lu Jingxuan lay down on the long bench, looking at the red silk hanging from the high beam of the Fengchun Building. He whispered softly: "Green willows and fragrant grasses line the Longting Road. It's easy to leave people when you're young. The residual dreams at the top of the building are like the five watches of the night, and the parting emotions under the flowers are like the three months' rain."

  Zao Cai hadn't read any books, but having followed the young master for so long, these poems were the most familiar to him. The young master behind him didn't recite them, but he remembered them.

  Heartless is not as bitter as being deeply in love. One inch can become a thousand threads. At the ends of the earth and corners of the sky, when all else has an end, only longing has no end.

  Only longing has no end

  There were many girls in the Spring Building, and when Lu Zhanggui came on ordinary days, they would all rush up to him. But today, they hid upstairs to watch, not a single one dared to get close.

  A cool and refreshing breeze blows in from the carved window, causing the fragrance of wine to spread everywhere.

  Everyone in the princess's mansion was in a lively and bustling scene. Xu Chuyan was teased by Qingxuan and others to drink two cups of wine, her face turned red, her eyes were dizzy, and she seemed drunk. Chi Jin looked at her from the side with a slightly cold gaze.

  "Qing xuan, hua quan ma?" he asked.

  The zither's sound was rising high, and he hadn't noticed Chi Jin's face turning red. Smiling, he replied: "Come on!"

  Huai Yu then sat with Jiang Xuanjin in the main seat, watching as Chi Jin calmly won ten rounds in a row, and placed ten cups of wine in front of Qing Xuan.

  "Drink up." He smiled.

  Qing Xuan's face turned green with rage, she turned her head and burst into tears: "Your Highness, he bullied me!"

  Holding Jiang Xuanjin's arm, she whispered: "Not clever, who else to pour for, must go pour Chu Nian."

  Then with a wipe of her face, she laughed loudly and said: "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen! What's this nonsense about bullying? Let's drink!"

  Qing Xuan pouted: "Your Highness, you used to be so fond of me!"

  Ziyang Jun, who had been quietly watching the commotion, paused at the words and looked at him seriously.

  It's been more than half a month since he went out, and finally struggled back. As soon as Wu saw the gaze of Zi Yang Jun, his back felt cool, and he subconsciously sat further away from Qing Xuan.

  Qingxuan was still unaware, and with the help of wine, he counted on his fingers: "I came back injured, the prince bandaged me three times, and even made medicine for me. At that time, Baihe quarreled with me, but the prince always helped me. The entire Feiyun Palace, I was the most favored! The prince said he would protect me!"

  Bai Qi looked at Jiang Xuanjin and moved a stool over to sit beside Chi Jin.

  The porcelain cup was placed on his lips, Jiang Xuanjin seemed to smile but not quite: "Letting someone drink ten cups of wine is indeed a bit difficult."

  It's rare to see him speak up for himself, Qingxuan was moved: "Junshang save me!"

  "Alright." Jiang Xuanjin nodded and said calmly. "Let's roll the dice, best two out of three rounds. If you win, I'll drink these ten cups of wine for you."

  "This is great! Qing Xuan jumped up and rolled up his sleeves: "I've been through the gambling house before! Come on, let's roll the dice!"

  Huai Yu felt something was off and wanted to advise him, but just as she opened her mouth, Jiang Xuanjin looked over.

  Help him?

  No no no, help you help you!

  Shut up.

  Good.

  In a few moments, Li Huaiyu became honest, pinching her lips and watching them roll the dice.

  The result came out very quickly, two games in a row, Qingxuan lost consecutively.

  "How is this possible?" Qing Xuan rubbed his head dazedly and pointed at Jiang Xuanyi's dice, "How do you always throw three sixes?"

  Jiang Xuanjin personally poured him a drink and added ten more cups in front of him: "The heavens are blessing you."

  "Wait a minute!" Qing Xuan glared, "Just now you said I won and you'd drink ten cups of wine for me, but didn't say that if I lost I'd have to add ten more cups!"

  With a puzzled expression, Jiang Xuanjin asked the people beside him: "Isn't it that we all bet on the same price?"

  "Alright, alright, alright!" Wu Bai and others nodded in unison, responding without hesitation. Wu Bai also patted Qing Xuan's shoulder, "If you win, I'll drink ten cups, if you lose, you'll drink ten cups, very fair!"

  "It sounds fair enough, but somehow it doesn't feel quite right."

  Looking at the ten extra cups of wine that suddenly appeared in front of him, Qing Xuan's eyes trembled and he turned his head: "Your Highness"

  Hua Yu looked at him deeply and bowed her fist in respect.

  Warrior! She can't protect herself, let her fend for herself!

  Halfway through the banquet, everyone let loose and Wu helped hold down Qingxuan while Chi Jin poured wine into his mouth. Jiang Xuan sat to the side, watching as not a single drop was spilled, and couldn't help but applaud.

  Li Huaiyu's stomach hurt from laughing so hard that she was pounding the table, and just as she was leaning in to talk to Jiang Xuanjin, Qing Si walked in carrying a huge gift box.

  "Master, it's the New Year's gift from Lu Zhanggui."

  Every year Lu Jinghang sends her things, Li Huaiyu doesn't find it strange, indicating that she puts them aside and opens them with a stretch of her hand.

  The jade Guanyin carved from the Tian Shan icy jade has an excellent color and is worth a fortune.