AMLFS Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Celebrating the New Year

The farce ended with the emperor ordering the removal of the Crown Prince’s power to oversee the country, and the Crown Prince was confined to his residence.

When the news reached Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district, he merely gave a sarcastic smile.

Even after the Crown Prince committed such a significant error, the emperor still dealt with it so lightly.

Zhao Fangye had long anticipated this outcome. Aside from Zhao Jingshuo being the emperor’s favorite son, only Zhao Jingshuo and himself were capable of inheriting the throne.

As for the other princes who could have threatened the Crown Prince, they had already met their demise at the hands of Noble Consort Xiao before they were even born. Noble Consort Xiao deserves credit for the emperor’s scarce offspring today.

The emperor had always disliked Zhao Fangye. Even if the Crown Prince made a grave mistake, punishing the Crown Prince now would undoubtedly boost Zhao Fangye’s prestige.

However, the emperor was most unwilling to see Zhao Fangye inherit the throne.

A mild punishment was merely the emperor’s way of keeping Zhao Fangye in check. However, the Crown Prince’s affair should have given the emperor a considerable shock.

After all, his favorite son was so incompetent and had even squandered the national treasury.

At this moment, the Ning Wang Mansion was filled with festive joy.

The Ning Wang Mansion, which never celebrated the New Year, was finally welcoming one because of Song Huaixi’s arrival.

Wang Bo was happily directing the servants in the mansion, and the entire Ning Wang Mansion was filled with a lively atmosphere.

Early in the morning, Song Huaixi was awakened by the noise outside. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up, somewhat dissatisfied, “It’s so noisy…”

A low, laughing voice came, “It’s the New Year, and you’re still so sleepy.”

“Zhao Fangye…” Song Huaixi saw him after his vision cleared and reached out to him, “Hug.”

Zhao Fangye walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled him into his arms. Song Huaixi, who hadn’t fully woken up, was being particularly clingy.

However, Zhao Fangye didn’t dislike it; he even enjoyed his dependence.

Usually, Song Huaixi would sleep until late morning before waking up.

Today was indeed a bit early.

“Little sleepy cat, aren’t you awake yet?” Reaching out to brush his lowered eyelashes, Zhao Fangye said with a smile, “Get up, do you want to go set off firecrackers together?”

Song Huaixi’s sleepy eyes opened and then closed again, holding onto Zhao Fangye tightly.

He mumbled something in his mouth, not knowing what he was saying. Dressed in thin apricot-colored sleepwear, he burrowed into his arms.

Zhao Fangye was helpless. The entire mansion was waiting for him to light the first firecracker of the New Year, but he was held back here by Song Huaixi.

It seemed that Song Huaixi had no intention of waking up, and he seemed determined to take a nap in his arms.

Zhao Fangye was willing to indulge him. He lowered his head and gently kissed his eyelids, reached out to cover him with the brocade quilt beside him, and slowly stroked his back.

“Sleep, I’ll stay with you.”

Leaning against the head of the bed with Song Huaixi in his arms, he watched his sleeping face.

The first firecracker of the New Year could be set off a little later.

After all, there were no such customs in the past; he didn’t celebrate the Spring Festival in previous years.

Wang Bo and the others stood at the entrance of the Ning Wang Mansion, waiting for the Prince and Wangfei to set off firecrackers for good luck, frequently peering into the courtyard but never seeing Zhao Fangye and Song Huaixi.

Granny Zhang stood aside for a moment, understanding what was happening. At this hour, Song Huaixi probably hadn’t woken up yet.

She hurriedly returned to the courtyard, pushed open the door. Zhao Fangye was holding Song Huaixi, leaning against the bed and reading a book. The person in his arms was tightly nestled in his embrace, breathing steadily, with a peaceful sleeping face.

Granny Zhang was about to speak when she saw Zhao Fangye’s gaze turn over, and he put a finger to his lips.

Granny Zhang understood and immediately turned around to close the door. She returned to the main entrance and told everyone, “Disperse, the Prince and Wangfei won’t be coming for a while.”

Everyone was puzzled, “Why? Today is the New Year, setting off firecrackers can drive away bad luck and bring good luck for the coming year.”

Granny Zhang looked at everyone and confessed, “Wangfei hasn’t woken up yet.”

The expressions on everyone’s faces changed. They looked at each other, and after a moment, they understood.

They all smiled, the Prince really doted on the Wangfei. He couldn’t even bear to wake him up for a moment early.

Sure enough, things were different after getting married. Was this still the cold and unapproachable Prince from before?

Everyone dispersed and went about their other business.

Finally, when the sun was high in the sky, Song Huaixi rubbed his eyes and woke up.

Zhao Fangye reached out and brushed the stray hairs from his forehead, “Awake?”

Stretching lazily, Song Huaixi turned around and hugged his neck, acting coquettishly, “Zhao Fangye, it’s the New Year.”

“Mm.” Zhao Fangye reached out and touched his messy head, his voice low, “Get up quickly, you’re still sleeping in on New Year’s Day.”

“Hehehe.” Song Huaixi hugged him, looking at his handsome face. He gave him a silly smile.

Zhao Fangye was infected by his smile, and the corners of his mouth slightly curved. His slender fingers touched his cheek, his voice low, “What are you laughing at?”

“Zhao Fangye, this is our first New Year together.”

Song Huaixi held out one finger in front of him, his eyes sparkling as if they contained brilliant fireworks.

In that instant, Zhao Fangye’s heart beat violently. He suddenly understood the meaning of attachment. Perhaps it was only with times like these that festivals capable of carrying these emotions appeared.

In the long days before Song Huaixi came into his life, he had no attachments to anything. The Spring Festival was, of course, dispensable.

But now, he wanted to celebrate every festival with Song Huaixi.

“Yes, Huaixi.” Zhao Fangye pulled his finger over and kissed it lightly, “We’ll celebrate many more festivals together in the future.”

“Okay! We can eat lots of delicious food; there’s lots of delicious food during festivals!”

At the mention of festivals, Song Huaixi visibly perked up, not noticing the deeper meaning in Zhao Fangye’s words.

Zhao Fangye knew he wouldn’t think too deeply, his fingers gently rubbing his cheek, “Little glutton, get up quickly. Wang Bo is making delicious food for you.”

Today was the New Year, and Song Huaixi was dressed especially festively. A bright red padded jacket set off his skin like jade. His eyebrows and eyes were picturesque. A pair of clear, bright eyes looked around everywhere.

The mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, full of festive joy. Song Huaixi pulled Zhao Fangye to the entrance of the courtyard, pointed to the door, and said, “Zhao Fangye, you have to paste spring couplets for the New Year. Let’s paste spring couplets.”

Seeing his interest, Zhao Fangye immediately ordered people to bring over the spring couplets, paste, and other things. Song Huaixi personally brushed the paste onto the spring couplets and handed them to Zhao Fangye.

Song Huaixi stood by, supervising, “Paste them properly! Don’t let them be crooked! If they’re crooked, the good fortune will be gone.”

Seeing his serious look, Zhao Fangye’s lips curled up slightly as he teased, “Understood, little foreman.”

After pasting the couplets, Song Huaixi contentedly admired his labor. Little Wolf ran to his feet, circling around, barking at the couplets.

Song Huaixi picked it up, touching its ears, “Little Wolf, it’s the New Year! You have bones to eat.”

The little dog’s tail wagged non-stop, wanting to lick Song Huaixi’s face.

But Zhao Fangye grabbed it by the back of the neck and pulled it to the ground. He reached out and took Song Huaixi’s hand, walking towards the gate, “Let’s go set off firecrackers.”

Wang Bo brought out the firecrackers that had been prepared earlier, hanging them on a bamboo pole, waiting for the two of them to light them.

Zhao Fangye took the fire from a servant and, holding Song Huaixi’s hand, was about to light the firecrackers.

But then they saw a carriage slowly approaching in the distance, and the two stopped what they were doing. The Chancellor got out of the carriage, looked at the two of them in an intimate posture, and snorted coldly.