In the Western Regions, the Big Dipper was said to govern the lifespan of the Emperor. The Northern Dipper presided over life, while the Southern Dipper presided over death. When the elders selected the City Lord, the appearance of the Seven Stars signified that the old City Lord had become the ruler, acting in accordance with destiny.
The Seven Stars Banquet of this year was to celebrate the succession of the City Lord position, and it was also a day of good fortune for the Western Regions.
Through the ages, passed down from generation to generation, regardless of who succeeded as City Lord, the Seven Stars Banquet had always been a day of good fortune, and today was that day.
The Seven Stars Banquet was very important to the people of the Western Regions; every household celebrated.
Normally, the streets were quiet at night, but on this day, they were exceptionally lively.
Many vendors set up stalls, their calls echoing through the streets.
Among them were circuses, acrobats, storytellers, opera singers, and lantern riddle games, all performing on this day.
The City Lord, Song Wuji, had also made many preparations for this evening.
Fine wine and delicacies, song and dance filled the air.
Meng Qinghua, Ouyang Qinglin, Nangong Li, Du Chun, Gu Yefeng, and others sat cross-legged.
These individuals were arranged in two rows, with exquisite pastries and fragrant wine placed on the tables before them.
On the other side, Gu Qianying and Nangong Mo sat together.
Little Yi Hao sat between them, protected by his father and mother, and he was very happy.
Whatever Gu Qianying thought he wanted to eat, she would serve him.
Little Yi Hao liked sweets and fruits.
Gu Qianying would often peel oranges for him and offer him delicate pastries.
Beside them, Nangong Mo watched Gu Qianying peel an orange for Little Yi Hao.
He gently pressed Gu Qianying's hand, took the unpeeled orange from her, and peeled it himself.
He even thoughtfully took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
Nangong Mo's demeanor was gentle and considerate.
After feeding Little Yi Hao, he pulled the plate of grapes towards him.
Peeling grapes was a meticulous task.
With his well-defined fingers, he slowly peeled the skin off the grapes. Without touching the flesh of the grapes, Nangong Mo placed the clean, peeled grapes onto a small, delicate plate.
Soon, the small plate was filled with many grapes.
When he felt it was enough, he pushed it towards Gu Qianying.
"Wife, I remember grapes are your favorite fruit. Here, eat quickly."
He knew his wife disliked grape skins.
Seeing the small plate of peeled grapes before her, Gu Qianying smiled.
She looked up at Nangong Mo, her eyes filled with intense tenderness.
Nangong Mo's eyes were only for Gu Qianying.
The grapes were sweet.
Gu Qianying ate many of them.
Watching Gu Qianying finish all the grapes on the small plate, not leaving a single one, Nangong Mo's lips curved into a faint smile.
To make his wife happy, he began to feed her other foods.
There is a kind of love where you feel the other person can never eat enough, and you never bear to let them go hungry.
Yes, Gu Qianying ate a lot.
Little Yi Hao, sitting between them, watched his mother eat a lot with wide eyes.
He opened his mouth wide, his face full of surprise.
Turning his head, he asked Gu Qianying, "Mother, I heard Uncle say that when you were carrying me, you ate a lot. Did you... are you pregnant again... could I have a brother or sister?"
"..."
Gu Qianying's face turned dark.
What was this nonsense?
She had only been with Nangong Mo for two days this time.
How could they suddenly have a child in just two days?
"Pfft..."
Nangong Mo laughed.
Gu Qianying glared at him and turned to smile at Little Yi Hao, saying, "No, you silly boy, what are you talking about."
"You're not scolding? Then why is Mother eating so much?"
"I..."
Gu Qianying glared at Nangong Mo again.
It was all because of being fed by someone.
As Gu Qianying struggled to explain to her son, Nangong Mo smiled and said, "Your mother is tired. When people are tired, they get hungry. When they are very hungry, they eat more."
"Mother has been with Father these past two days and hasn't gone out to fight, so why is she tired? Did Mother do something?"
Little Yi Hao didn't quite understand what "tired" meant.
"Your mother... she couldn't sleep at night and did some 'exercise' with Father, which is why she's tired."
When he said the word "exercise," Nangong Mo glanced at Gu Qianying.
Gu Qianying's face turned red.
She knew what Nangong Mo meant by "exercise."
But Little Yi Hao didn't know that this "exercise" was not the real kind of exercise.
"What kind of exercise made Mother so tired? Can Mother take me along next time? I want to do 'exercise' with you and Father too."
Gu Qianying: "..."
Nangong Mo took a bite of his food, remaining silent.
Little Yi Hao's voice was loud, and what he said was heard by those sitting opposite and beside them.
"Pfft..."
Du Chun, Meng Qinghua, Gu Yefeng, and the others laughed.
They were all experienced and naturally understood.
Among them, only Ouyang Qinglin was quietly drinking his wine.
He would occasionally glance at Gu Qianying and Nangong Mo.
However, his gaze lingered most on Gu Qianying.
Throughout the banquet, Ouyang Qinglin said nothing.
Duan Xifeng, Meng Qinghua, Du Chun, Nangong Li, and Gu Yefeng.
They drank wine and teased Gu Qianying and Nangong Mo.
Song Wuji looked at Gu Qianying and Nangong Mo, a couple so deeply in love, and felt immense envy.
He turned and looked at Baili Jingxuan, who stood beside him like a wooden figure, a soul body.
He sighed.
But then he thought, it was better that Baili Jingxuan could become like this and stay with him, rather than him never being able to see him.
No matter when or where, no matter what year or month, as long as he accompanied him, it was enough.
At the lively banquet, Madam Song and Song Yu'er also made an appearance.
After taking the medicine Gu Qianying had prescribed for her, Madam Song's health had improved significantly.
Her complexion was also much better than before.
Song Yu'er had lost a lot of weight due to the shock of Li Feng's death and the fact that she had never been pregnant.
However, fortunately, Gu Qianying visited her often and often spoke words that helped her regain her confidence.
With Gu Qianying's encouragement, Song Yu'er finally emerged from her despair.
Now, under the doting care of her brother Song Wuji, she was pursuing her passions.
In the vast Western Regions, she opened a Song Wine House and Restaurant, renowned for its exquisite flavors.
She became a restaurant owner and hired many people to work for her.
Seeing her restaurant thrive and her become happier, Song Wuji was also pleased.
After his wine cup was refilled, Song Wuji, holding his cup, approached Nangong Mo.
He raised his cup and proposed a toast to Nangong Mo.
"Brother Mo, I toast you with this wine. Thank you for restoring peace to our Western Regions."
As he spoke these words, Song Wuji was very sincere.
Killing the Demon Luo Ghost Venerable had brought peace back to the Western Regions.
It allowed the people of the Western Regions to return to their peaceful lives.
For this, he was very grateful.
At this moment, Nangong Mo's appearance was not Baili Su.
Song Wuji had learned about Nangong Mo's past from Gu Qianying.
Therefore, he understood Nangong Mo to some extent.
He greatly admired Nangong Mo, a celestial being from the immortal realm, Lord Lian Di.
As a mortal, it was fortunate for him to see a celestial being in this life.
And Nangong Mo, in front of Du Chun and others, and even Song Wuji, showed no airs.
"Brother Song, you are too kind. This wine should be toasted by me. Thank you, Brother Song, for taking care of my wife and child these past few days."
In the mortal realm, he would always be Nangong Mo, the Ninth Prince of the Eastern Victory Kingdom, Nangong Mo.
"Brother Mo, you are also too polite. Sister Qianying has helped our Song family a great deal. Not only did she treat my mother's illness, but she also encouraged my sister, giving her a 'new lease on life.' I should be thanking Sister Qianying."
Song Wuji and Nangong Mo exchanged thanks until Gu Qianying spoke a word, which finally brought their exchange to a halt.
As he sat down, Nangong Mo suddenly asked Song Wuji, "Does Brother Song know about the hidden mechanisms within your Song family ancestral hall?"