The little monk had already finished the morning recitation for tomorrow morning, so he went to frolic with Qiao Sen, who had run up to tug at Duan Yue’s robe, insisting that he go set off firecrackers.

  Unable to change the children’s minds, Duan Yue soon got towed out the door by them.

  After floating down from the roof eaves while carrying Qiao Mu, Mo Lian also followed them out.

  In the pitch-black night, the single point of light from the firecracker abruptly shot out, breaking the silence in this area with a flashy bang.

  Qiao Mu was a bit drowsy. Afterwards, she just fell asleep in a daze, not even knowing when Mo Lian had carried her back to her room.

  She didn’t really sleep well during the night because of the racket caused by the firecrackers.

  However, all the madams with mandates and noble misses had to enter the palace before 7 o’clock in the morning to pay Her Majesty the Queen a New Year call. She hadn’t gone to the palace yesterday already, so she naturally couldn’t challenge Queen Zhao’s dignity again today.

  After washing up, Qiao Mu changed into a crimson red dress and draped a fire fox-fur cape of the same color over her shoulders.

  At this time, the sky was still dimly lit, so Shaoyao walked in front, carrying a lantern to light up the path. Qiao Mu travelled to her mother’s courtyard on foot, and when she arrived at the main room, she coincidentally met Xiao Lin’er.

  “Sister, Happy New Year, now give me New Year’s money.” Qiao Lin was dressed in a pink, lined jacket and wrapped up with a sapphire blue felt cloak on the outside. She hurriedly ran up to hug Qiao Mu’s arm with a cheeky grin.

  “You’re looking for a beating, always asking your sister for things with outstretched hands.” Wei Ziqin chided with a smile. She had just so happened to walk out and see Qiao Mu stuffing an embroidered pouch into her younger daughter’s hands.

  Qiao Lin stuck out her tongue before shrinking her neck back and hiding behind Qiao Mu. She then raised her hand, showing off the small embroidered pouch with a shake. “Sister gave me it. Later, I’ll have to have Brother-in-Law give me one too, to collect a pair. Tee-hee.”


  Seeing Xiao Lin’er stick out her tongue, Wei Ziqin gazed at this daughter with a headache, and she raised her hand to swat her again.

  “Look at how naughty she’s being. Today when we enter the palace, you must not attract trouble for your sister.”


  “Mom, what trouble can I attract?” Qiao Lin swayed her head and protested, “I’m so well-behaved.”


  Just as they were speaking, Qiao Zhongbang walked out while holding his youngest son Qiao Sen’s hand, and he said with a smile, “Are you girls ready yet? We have to set out now.”


  “We were long ready, Dad. Just waiting for you,” Qiao Lin replied.

  “Then let’s go.” Yet just as Qiao Zhongbang said this, a small smooth head popped out from beside the door.

  The little monk peered at Qiao Mu with pitiful eyes. “Benefactress, where are you running away to now?”


  Qiao Mu glanced at him before beckoning with her hand. “Bringing you to eat meat.”


  At these words, the little monk immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum. “Not eating, not eating! This young monk is determined to not eat meat.”


  Wei Ziqin furtively tugged at Qiao Mu’s sleeve and asked in a low voice, “Qiaoqiao, you’re planning on bringing Kongkong into the palace?”


  “Mhm.” Qiao Mu nodded and explained, “Today’s New Year’s feast will be separated into two banquet sessions, so we’ll be coming back very late.”


  It was too pitiful to leave the little monk alone at home.

  Wei Ziqin concurred once she thought about it. She, too, couldn’t bear to leave the child at home, but she also indistinctly felt worried in her heart.

  “Would Her Majesty not like it?”


  Qiao Mu stated icily, “What does it matter to me whether other people like it or not?”


  Wei Ziqin was struck speechless.

  This daughter of hers had an icy countenance all day long, so people who didn’t understand her would definitely think that she wasn’t easy to get close to.

  After the family boarded the marquis’s estate’s carriage, they headed for Huabei Gate. Today, the New Year’s feast invited fifth-rank officials and above, as well as their family members.

  Naturally, since they didn’t head out too early, they expected there to be a bit more traffic at this time.