C362 New Year's Eve

In the evening, lanterns began to be hung in all the courtyards of each palace.

"A bit to the left, a bit to the right." Duan Yunfei stood under the eaves of the building, watching Mu Chuyang hang from the pillars and sway them, continuously commanding him.

"Can you take a look at it now?" Mu Chuyang hung upside down for a long time, his body was already drenched in sweat. He turned his head with difficulty and asked Duan Yunfei.

Duan Yunfei frowned and shook her head at Mu Chuyang, then waved her hand and said: "No, no, I'm hanging too low, so I'll hang up a little higher."

Mu Chuyang jumped up onto the roof and helped Duan Yunfei hang all the lanterns in the Red Luan Courtyard.

Duan Yunfei stood in the middle of the courtyard and watched Mu Chuyang jump up and down. He couldn't help but be a little dazed, as if he had suddenly returned to his childhood, and for many many years before that, he was the same as her. Every New Year's Eve, he would come to the Red Luan Courtyard and help her hang up all the lanterns, accompanying his in jokes. They had known each other since childhood and could be considered childhood friends. But why hadn't she seen him then?

"What about now?" Mu Chuyang raised his hand high up, gritted his teeth and said to Duan Yunfei.

As Duan Yunfei was deep in thought, she was suddenly startled by Mu Chuyang's words. Only then did she regain her senses.

"It's too high, a bit lower, or it'll fall." Duan Yunfei said to Mu Chuyang as she stood in the courtyard and ate the oranges in her hands.

Mu Chuyang realized that something was amiss as he jumped down from the roof and stared at Duan Yunfei with wide eyes. Little Thirteen, you dare to play with me? "

However, Duan Yunfei did not mind at all. She stood at the side and said proudly to Mu Chuyang: "It was the Young Prince Mu who volunteered to help me hang these lanterns, and now you're blaming me again."

"You …" Mu Chuyang stretched out his hand and pointed at Duan Yunfei, but she choked up and was unable to say a single word. In the end, she could only shake her head and dejectedly say, "Forget it!"

The two of them were playing around in the courtyard when Xiao Yang suddenly walked in. He greeted Duan Yunfei and said, "Princess, the palace banquet is about to begin, the emperor has already ordered some people to come and urge us to go clean up the mess."

In accordance to the Jin Country's etiquette, the Emperor would set up a banquet in the palace on New Year's Eve, inviting all members of the royal family. As a princess, Duan Yunfei naturally had to attend the banquet.

Hearing Xiao Yang's words, Duan Yunfei hesitated for a moment, before nodding to her. "Alright, I understand. You can go now."

As Duan Yunfei spoke, she also looked at Duan Yunfei at the side. She reached out her hand to pat her forehead and said to her, "It's getting late, since the emperor is already waiting for you, you should hurry up."

"Alright." Duan Yunfei thought for a while, before replying with a smile.

"Since that's the case, then I'll head to the palace to attend the banquet first. I'll leave Gong Cheng's safety to you." Duan Yunfei thought for a while, then said to Mu Chuyang with a serious expression: "This matter is extremely important, New Year's Eve, we must not make any mistakes."

Looking at Duan Yunfei's concerned expression, Mu Chuyang couldn't help but pat her shoulder. Her lips curled up slightly, and revealed a proud look. Rest assured, I will definitely arrange for the palace guards to be here. "

Hearing Mu Chuyang's words, Duan Yunfei finally calmed down a little.

"Then go quickly, don't make the emperor and the others anxious." Mu Chuyang reached out to help Duan Yunfei with his coat, patted her shoulder, and then whispered in her ear, "You recommended the Seventh Prince to the Emperor this time, and heard that the Empress is extremely unhappy in her heart, so you have to be careful. If the Empress says anything to you, you don't have to take it to heart either."

Mu Chuyang reminded Duan Yunfei in detail, but instead made him want to laugh. She would never have thought that the Young Prince, who he had always called a popinjay, would one day stand in front of his and say such words to his.

She could not help but feel a little sore, and nodded strongly towards Mu Chuyang. He then turned around and walked towards the palace.

When Duan Yunfei walked into the palace, the banquet had already begun. The hall was filled with singing and dancing, and the atmosphere was extremely joyous.

She walked in carefully and found a seat to sit down on. But before she could steady herself, she heard a voice from the main hall.

"Thirteen, I have set up a family banquet at the palace. You dare to be late? You are too presumptuous. How can you just let it go like this? You should punish yourself with three cups of wine." Yuwen Di sat in the middle of the Main Palace with a smile on his face, as he pointed at Duan Yunfei with his finger.

Duan Yunfei stood up and bowed towards Yuwen Di. Just as she was about to retort and turn around, she suddenly saw the Empress's displeased expression. She unconsciously swallowed her saliva, forcefully swallowing the words that were about to reach her mouth.

"Father, this son was just leading the guards on a patrol around the palace city when I arrived late. this son will punish himself with three cups of wine, please forgive me, royal father. " Duan Yunfei lifted the wine cup on the table, bowed to Yuwen Di, and then drank all of the wine in the cup in one gulp.

"Today is New Year's Eve. I am able to spend a good night with all of you. I truly feel very happy in my heart, so I'll forgive you today." "Hurry up and sit down." Yuwen Di waved his hands at Duan Yunfei, signalling for her to quickly retreat.

The Empress sat at the side. Ever since Duan Yunfei entered the room, her expression became extremely ugly. Seeing Duan Yunfei's current state, the Empress couldn't help but open her mouth. She probably had something to say, but Yuwen Di had already expressed his desire to forgive Duan Yunfei and told her to quickly sit down. The empress's expression turned even uglier.

Yuwen Di could roughly see the Empress's intentions. He turned around and looked at the empress meaningfully. This year, the Fifth Prince was not in the capital, and the Seventh Prince received Duan Yunfei's recommendation to be in charge of the New Year's ceremonies. The Emperor was endlessly praising the Seventh Prince, and this matter naturally caused the Empress to feel unhappy.

Yuwen Di ordering Duan Yunfei to punish herself with three cups, was already giving the Empress some way. If the empress had said anything else, it would be clear that she was going against the emperor. Therefore, despite the empress's displeased expression, she could only bury the grudge in her heart.

"Alright, it's getting late. Don't just stand there. Get ready to sit down and have your meal." Yuwen Di saw that Duan Yunfei's expression was a little stiff, and quickly waved his hand at her.

"Thank you for your understanding, royal father." Duan Yunfei bowed to the emperor and quickly sat down on one side.