CH 123.1

Chapter 123.1 – New Year’s Eve Family Banquet

Last year, the princess’s mansion was also systematically tidied up for the New Years, but in reality, the two masters of the princess’s mansion did not stay there for the New Year’s Eve.

There was a family banquet for New Year’s Eve in the palace, which would usually go until late. Last year, the two of them stayed overnight at Jingchen Palace.

In the past, Lu Qipei had no family members at home, so it was fine to join the festive atmosphere during the New Year. But this year, there was an additional Lu Sheng in the mansion, and it was somewhat worrying to leave her alone in the mansion during the New Year. Qi Yang thought for a while and finally decided to leave behind Zhi Ting, who had gotten quite close to the child, to accompany her so she would not be too lonely during the New Year.

Neither Lu Qipei nor Qi Yang thought about taking Lu Sheng to the palace, because they were both aware that it was inappropriate. Fortunately, Lu Sheng was also quite sensible and didn’t make a fuss about wanting to be with the two of them. Zhi Ting hugged her, and she went out to see them off.

“Go back, it’s cold outside.” Qi Yang said and waved her hand before putting down the carriage curtain.

Lu Sheng didn’t really understand the meaning of celebrating the New Year, and didn’t feel anything special when she sent them off again. On the contrary, the occasional sound of firecrackers on the street had caught her attention more. After watching the carriage of the princess’s mansion drive away, she was immediately attracted by the sound of the firecrackers.

Zhi Ting did not notice it, and she stroked Lu Sheng’s head before carrying her back to the princess’s mansion.

Inside the carriage, Qi Yang was saying to Lu Qipei, “Royal Father’s health is not as good as before, I’m afraid his stamina won’t be able to keep up with his age. Let’s not linger too long tonight, once Royal Father retired for the night, let’s leave the palace.”

When she heard this, Lu Qipei couldn’t help smiling and asked her, “Are you that worried about Ah Sheng?”

Qi Yang didn’t deny it, but said, “I’m afraid this New Year’s Eve family dinner is going to be boring. The families of King Qi, King Chu and King Wu won’t be there, and the only remaining King Wei is now just like a quail. The only ones who would stand out in the family dinner are my sisters. It’s not like you don’t know their temperament. Not only does she like to say annoying words, Nanping also likes to find fault with others.”

With such annoying brothers and sisters, why should they stay with them for the New Years? Wasn’t it more fun to play with the little dumpling and the bunny? Wouldn’t it be better to go home and hold Lu Sheng as they welcome the New Year?

In fact, Lu Qipei never found the palace banquets interesting either. In the past, when the kings were still around, they would also fight each other with daggers hidden behind their words. Now that only King Wei was left among the kings, it might save them some trouble. However, compared to previous years, this year’s family banquet would probably be much more desolate.

As the two of them chatted, the carriage quickly drove to the entrance of the palace. After entering the gates, they had to change to palanquins.

Coincidentally, the two of them met the Nanping couple that they were at odds with. Nanping’s prince consort didn’t say much – he didn’t mind that Lu Qipei had snatched the first place during the Autumn Hunt, and even gave the two a friendly nod. But Nanping was different. She snorted at Qi Yang, and of the two children who were holding her hands, the eldest son was shoved directly into her prince consort’s arm, while she picked up the youngest daughter and went to ride the palanquin.

That’s right, Nanping had both a son and a daughter. After being unable to compete with Qi Yang in other aspects, she finally found her advantage – children! Who told Qi Yang to be married for four years and still have nothing to show. Now that she had two children, how could Qi Yang not be envious?

Nanping hugged her daughter and left triumphantly, while the prince consort had no choice but to follow with his son.

Qi Yang looked at Nanping’s proud figure and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. After pulling Lu Qipei’s sleeves and getting on the palanquin, she couldn’t help muttering, “What do you think Nanping wants? Is it so fun to compare herself to me all the time?”

Lu Qipei touched the hair near her ears and asked her, “Will Your Highness regret not having children?”

Upon hearing this, Qi Yang was slightly stunned. She immediately frowned and said, “What do you want to do about it? Besides, we have Lu Sheng now, isn’t it fine?” She then lowered her voice and said, “It’s not easy for women to give birth. Two of my Royal Sister’s Mother Consort died during childbirth, I don’t want to risk my life.”

This was the truth, but if the young man she admired back then was not a woman, she would have been willing to bear her children.

Lu Qipei didn’t stay entangled with this issue, but was mentally calculating how to deal with the forces in her hands after Xie Yuan’s death. Especially for those like Qi Bo who had not completely let go of their hatred, they must be placed carefully and not allowed to have any contact with Lu Sheng. The current Lu Sheng was a very good kid. She didn’t want her to grow up crooked one day, which would make Qi Yang sad.

The palace servants carried their palanquin and walked quickly, and they soon arrived at a warm pavilion.

The family banquet was not as big as a palace banquet, and there were not as many people attending. So there was no need for a spacious palace like Xuande Hall, and they used a slightly smaller palace called Yaohua Hall. But it was still early, and Yaohua Hall was still being prepared, so the princes and princesses who arrived first would gather in the warm pavilion to escape the cold, having a friendly chat and laugh, all in a harmonious atmosphere.

Qi Yang and Lu Qipei’s arrival did not affect anything, and it was just a matter of everyone doing their greetings. Only Nanping rolled her eyes as if she was unwilling, and then she turned to chat with the sisters she was familiar with again.

“Look, it’s really boring.” Qi Yang tilted her head and said to Lu Qipei.