Fang Zheng looked into the distance and said leisurely, "But let's wait until after the New Year."
"Yes, I didn't expect the Emperor to be so heartless," Liu Xiangnan sighed.
"Indeed, to have them all buried alive, that's too cruel. If we had seen it earlier, perhaps we could have said we didn't find anything better."
As they spoke, the two left the imperial palace and returned to their own homes.
Liu Xiangnan thought for a long time and still ordered Liu Kai to send a message to Liu Rumei in Hetou Village, asking them to return quickly to see the princess, as Chen Xiaobei was the princess's fiancé.
Meanwhile, Hetou Village was filled with joy. Chen Xiaobei was very busy that day. In the afternoon, he went to burn incense at Huang Ying's grave and also paid respects to his parents.
Then he returned home and began preparing for the reunion dinner that evening. Although the meals varied from household to household, the atmosphere was the same, with every family member's face beaming with happiness.
A sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was ready, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat all present.
As dusk settled, everyone took their seats.
Liu Rumei sent Xiao Qing to eat with Liu Tie and Liu Ce, as her presence was not needed here. After all, it was New Year's Eve, and everyone would help out.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere at the table grew lively. At this moment, Cui Hongyu took a mouthful of food and suddenly coughed and turned her head to vomit.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart stirred.
Liu Rumei, standing beside her, exclaimed with joy, "Sister, Sister, you're pregnant!"
Cui Hongyu looked at Liu Rumei, then at Chen Xiaobei, and then nodded gently.
Chen Qiao'er, who seemed not to understand the meaning of being pregnant, tilted her little head and asked Liu Rumei, "Sister, Sister, what does it mean to be pregnant?"
Liu Rumei reached out and gently patted Chen Qiao'er's small head, smiling as she said, "Being pregnant means your sister-in-law has a little baby in her belly, and you're going to be an aunt."
Upon hearing this, Chen Qiao'er jumped up from her stool and began to skip joyfully on the ground, "Great, great, I'm going to be an aunt, I'm going to be an aunt!"
Chen Xiaobei took Cui Hongyu's hand, his eyes full of emotion, "I'm so sorry, you've had it tough. I wasn't in Hetou Village during this time..."
Cui Hongyu said with a happy expression, shaking her head, "Husband, don't be so formal. We are family!"
Cui Hongyu raised her right hand, clasped Liu Rumei's hand, and gently shook it twice, "I'll have to rely on you more to take care of my husband from now on."
Liu Rumei, of course, understood what "take care of" meant, and her face instantly flushed red.
After eating and drinking their fill, and with a brief tidy-up, Cui Hongyu took Chen Qiao'er back to the old house to sleep.
Only Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei were left in the room. Looking at the blushing Liu Rumei, Chen Xiaobei was not polite and pulled her into the room.
The room was warm, heated by the blazing charcoal.
"Rumei, let's rest early," Chen Xiaobei began to take off his long robe.
Liu Rumei, half-heartedly, also took off her outer garment and then leaned in to help Chen Xiaobei undress.
Soon, they were both bare and embraced each other as they got into the large double bed.
The roads were wide, offering endless driving pleasure, and enjoying the scenery did not hinder high-speed travel.
"Husband, you are so wild tonight..." Liu Rumei closed her eyes happily.
The little dog tied in the yard clearly did not understand what the creaking sounds from the room signified, staring intently at the window.
But the window revealed nothing but the flickering lamplight.
As Chen Xiaobei poured all his passion onto Liu Rumei, they finally collapsed into each other's arms, exhausted.
Liu Rumei gave him another sweet kiss, "Husband, you've worked hard."
Chen Xiaobei warmly reciprocated Liu Rumei's affection, raising his hand to pinch her cheek, "We're an old married couple, yet you're still so formal with me."
"It's almost New Year's, let's get some sleep. We have to go pay our respects to the elders early tomorrow morning."
Liu Rumei nodded and snuggled into Chen Xiaobei's arms, falling into a deep sleep.
Chen Xiaobei, however, was not sleepy. His mind was filled with images of his past life during the New Year. He thought of his parents, who must be feeling sad and missing their son who had left this world.
Drowsily, Chen Xiaobei was awakened by the noise outside. People on the street were laughing and talking loudly, and the guard dog in the yard was barking with low growls, agitated.
It seemed the New Year's customs were starting.
Although there were no firecrackers or brilliant fireworks in this world, perhaps their custom of early morning visits was similar to later generations.
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei quickly got up and washed. Just as they finished, Cui Hongyu arrived with Chen Qiao'er. Cui Hongyu looked at them with a smile in her eyes, clearly guessing what they had been up to the previous night.
"Husband, we need to eat something and then go out to pay our respects. Those who wake up early have already started."
Before she could finish her sentence, laughter was heard from the doorway. Chen Dayong entered with several logistics team members.
As they entered, they cupped their fists and loudly wished everyone a Happy New Year!
Chen Xiaobei returned the salute with cupped fists and then urged Liu Rumei to quickly bring out the pre-prepared peanuts to share with everyone. In those days, there were no sunflower seeds, but peanuts were available. As for candy, it was a luxury, only possessed by a few high-ranking officials.
After eating peanuts and exchanging a few words, Chen Dayong got up to leave.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei thought there was no point in eating now; they should hurry and pay their respects.
Chen Xiaobei led them, starting with the great-ancestor's home.
The great-ancestor's house was very lively during the New Year, with visitors coming and going to pay their respects. After all, he was the most senior person in the village.
The great-ancestor was very happy to see Chen Xiaobei. He pulled Chen Xiaobei's hand and insisted that he sit down. He then asked his son to bring out peanuts and some dried fruits to give to Chen Qiao'er and the others.
"Xiaobei, everyone has more money this year. For the New Year, I see everyone wearing new clothes, which was unthinkable in previous years. Everyone speaks highly of you."
Chen Xiaobei smiled and nodded, "Great-ancestor, this is all earned through everyone's hard work. It has little to do with me."
The great-ancestor waved his hand, then picked up a peanut, peeled it, and held it in his hand without eating it. "The weather is getting warmer. Besides burning charcoal, we need to think of other measures."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, acknowledging that the great-ancestor's thinking was still sharp.
He had also thought of this, but he hadn't yet figured out what the next step should be.
"Great-ancestor, please allow me a couple more days to think about it."
After speaking, Chen Xiaobei stood up and left quickly, wanting to make way for others.
As Chen Xiaobei, Cui Hongyu, Liu Rumei, and Chen Qiao'er made their rounds, they spotted an uninvited guest standing at the door – Feng Xiaoyue.
Feng Xiaoyue's restaurants and inns were closed for the holiday, but because some of the staff had nowhere to go, Feng Xiaoyue stayed to share the New Year's Eve meal with them.