Liu Yiniang, though she never again lingered as she had that one day, was often seen by Song Chaoyu wandering around the Huashuyuan.
Occasionally, Song Chaoyu would have Tiaohong bring her the discarded hidden weapon for closer study, but she truly didn't understand such things and couldn't discern anything from it.
These were all events that had not occurred in her previous life, and now, Song Chaoyu lacked much of her former confidence.
As the New Year approached, the capital was adorned with lanterns and festive decorations everywhere.
The Emperor declared that with Prince Chang's return this year, the imperial family was truly reunited, thus a celebration for all under heaven was warranted.
The New Year's palace banquet was said to be exceptionally lively.
Song Yuan would also bring Madam Song and the legitimate sons and daughters of the household to attend the banquet, receive New Year's gifts, and then return home for a family reunion dinner.
Song Chaoyu stayed by the side of Liu Yiniang and Xiao Qing'er. The Old Madam had also made several small trinkets for Xiao Qing'er, and the household was filled with a festive atmosphere.
However, Liu Yiniang could see that Song Chaoyu's eyes held more than just joy.
While playing with Xiao Qing'er, Liu Yiniang asked Song Chaoyu, "Yu Yatou, are you remembering the New Year festivals at the manor from before?"
Song Chaoyu paused, then smiled faintly, "Indeed, only Auntie knows my thoughts. Though we didn't have so many good things at the manor for New Year's festivals in the past, it was… truly lively!"
In the past, at the manor, it was just her and her mother, relying on each other.
Every New Year festival, they would prepare the New Year's meal together with the neighboring villagers.
Especially Han Xi and his wet nurse at that time…
They too celebrated the New Year festival at home, so the past New Year festivals always involved the four of them gathering together.
Most of the time, it was in Liu Yiniang's courtyard. During the day, Liu Yiniang and Han Xi's wet nurse would cook delicious food for them. Han Xi would then take Song Chaoyu to set off firecrackers in the courtyard, or run wildly in the snow with other children from the manor.
In the evening, they would always build two snowmen at the gates of the Han and Song residences.
Han Xi said those two snowmen were him! He wanted to guard the Song family and the Han family.
And Song Chaoyu would insist on setting off fireworks at night.
No matter how meagerly the Han and Song families lived, Liu Yiniang and Han Xi's wet nurse would always find ways to procure beautiful fireworks.
Now, thinking back, what could Han Xi not have wanted? The fireworks his wet nurse brought were always the most beautiful.
Then, the four of them would sit around the charcoal brazier, eating their New Year's Eve dinner, and staying up until dawn.
No matter how Song Chaoyu vowed to stay awake on New Year's Eve, she would always fall asleep by midnight.
So, at dawn, Han Xi's wet nurse would carry him back, and Liu Yiniang would carry Song Chaoyu into the house.
They would sleep until the sound of firecrackers being set off by every household in the manor woke them. Then, they would put on new clothes, which they only wore once a year, and run again in the snowy fields in the sunlight of the New Year.
Those New Year festivals were more interesting, weren't they?
Unlike now…
Song Yuan went to the palace with Madam, Song Yan Jiao, and Song Jia Yang. Although Liu Yiniang and Xiao Qing'er were with her in the Huashuyuan, Song Chaoyu always felt a sense of emptiness.
It wasn't until dusk that the eunuchs' voices were heard outside: "New Year's rewards have arrived—"
All of them had to go to the main hall to receive the gifts.
The Emperor's New Year's rewards this year were particularly generous.
It was said that Song Yuan had diligently served in court over the past year. In the future, the Song family would also have a Ning Wangfei, making them a family of merit.
The Emperor not only bestowed golden and silver artifacts upon the Song family but also a plaque personally inscribed by the Emperor with "Loyal and Virtuous Song Family," which was naturally an unparalleled honor for the Song family.
The Old Madam personally expressed her gratitude and gave the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree a monetary reward. Before the eunuch left, satisfied, he did not forget to say to the Old Madam, "Next year, the Song family will surely prosper even more."
Anyone could utter auspicious words, but these words delighted the Old Madam.
After the eunuch left, Song Yuan returned to the manor with Madam, Song Yan Jiao, and Song Jia Yang.
Song Yan Jiao also brought many items from the Ning Wang Residence. For a time, the gifts alone filled more than half of the Song family's storerooms.
After their return, the Song family became lively. Even Song Yan Rou, who had been confined, was released and permitted to join everyone for the New Year's Eve dinner.
However, the Second Aunt was still not allowed to return, which always brought a hint of disappointment to Song Yan Rou's expression.
Song Yan Rou, as usual, tried to curry favor with Madam and Song Yan Jiao.
But she discovered that Song Yan Jiao and Madam paid her little attention.
She was now a useless person, so why would Madam and Song Yan Jiao waste their efforts on her?
After the New Year's Eve dinner, Song Yuan announced that he would stay up with Madam. On this New Year's Eve, Song Yuan knew which chambers to visit.
Before leaving, he distributed red envelopes to everyone.
Song Yan Jiao and Song Jia Yang naturally received the most. Next was the recently born Xiao Qing'er, Song Yuan's late child, who was naturally doted upon.
Then came Song Chaoyu. The lucky money she received was similar to Xiao Qing'er's.
Finally, it was Song Yan Rou. Her lucky red envelope felt light, indicating it contained very little.
Song Yuan did not even ask Song Yan Rou to bow before dismissing her: "Alright, the New Year's Eve dinner is finished. You can relax for one more day tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, you will resume your confinement!"
Song Yan Rou had completely lost Song Yuan's favor.
She stood there, bewildered, until everyone else had left. Only then did she sway towards her courtyard.
As she passed the back courtyard, Song Yan Rou heard Song Jia Yang and Song Yan Jiao setting off firecrackers.
She was contemplating whether to join the fun.
Then she heard Song Chaoyu's voice behind her: "If I were you, Third Sister, I certainly wouldn't join the fun. They are harmonious siblings; wouldn't our presence spoil the mood?"
The current Song Yan Rou no longer harbored the same animosity towards Song Chaoyu.
After all, after being confined for so long, except for Song Chaoyu occasionally bringing her things on the Old Madam's orders and speaking a few words, Song Yan Rou felt as if she had been completely forgotten by the Song mansion, ignored by everyone!
She turned to look at Song Chaoyu, her eyes reddening slightly, "She treated me very well before. I never expected that now that I am useless, she wouldn't even spare me a glance."
Song Chaoyu felt that the time was right.
She smiled slightly, turning to Song Yan Rou, "Third Sister, you think Second Sister treated you well, but you don't know who is the one who caused your downfall to this point, do you?"
Song Yan Rou looked confused: "What do you mean?"
Song Chaoyu sneered: "Madam knows very well what kind of person Zhuzi was at the manor. Yet, she still arranged for him to return to the Song mansion and placed him right before my eyes. Third Sister, what does Madam mean by this?"