The mood of Cui Hongyu was very cheerful today, as she had received a reply from Wannian City stating that Chen Xiaobei was coming home for the New Year. She felt much more at ease. Su Dan Novel Network.
Seeing Fang Jun arrive, Cui Hongyu thought he was here to ask if she had bought the books. "Brother Fang Jun, I've bought all the books you listed. I'll give them to the children when school starts after the New Year."
Fang Jun agreed and sat there, appearing to hesitate.
Seeing this, Feng Xiaoyue smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Just say whatever you have on your mind."
Fang Jun then stammered, "Sister-in-law, the New Year is approaching. I want to return to the capital to reunite with my grandfather, but Xiaoyue refuses to go."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu frowned slightly. "Oh, why won't she go back?"
"Sister-in-law, you know Xiaoyue suffered a lot in the capital, especially during the time her uncle was exiled to the frontier, so she doesn't want to go back."
After hearing this, Cui Hongyu's frown relaxed. "Xiaoyue has been bitten by a snake once and is afraid of wells for ten years. She doesn't want to return to painful memories."
"In my opinion, it's fine if you don't go back. If you really want to go back to the capital, you go back first. After all, you two are not married yet. If Xiaoyue feels lonely, she can come to me. We can all get together, and it will be lively for the New Year."
Hearing this, Fang Jun's last hope was dashed. He had originally hoped Cui Hongyu would help persuade her, but it seemed Cui Hongyu had no such intention.
Cui Hongyu was clever and clearly understood Fang Jun's disappointment. She could only comfort him again, "I heard that your grandfather and Xiaoyue's father are both officials in the imperial court. It's only a matter of time before you return to the capital, so there's no need to rush."
"Xiaoyue is doing well in this restaurant, so she doesn't want to leave. After you return, arrange for people to lease two shops and open the restaurant first. When Xiaoyue goes back and settles in there, she will naturally stay."
Hearing this, Fang Jun became happy and clapped his hands repeatedly. "Great, good sister-in-law, this is a great idea. We'll do as you say."
Fang Jun bowed his thanks again and left excitedly.
After Fang Jun left, Cui Hongyu also began to get busy.
She made a list of essential items for the New Year and planned to go to the county town herself today.
While Cui Hongyu was making preparations, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei also arrived at the Liu residence that day to bid farewell to Liu Xiangnan, as they were returning to Hetou Village for the New Year.
As Liu Rumei had predicted, Liu Xiangnan only offered a perfunctory invitation to stay and then said to Liu Kai, "Later, go and buy some more provisions for clothing and food for Rumei to take with her. We don't know when she will return after going to Hetou Village."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei still felt a pang of sadness. Both his sons were dead, and this was his only daughter. Liu Xiangnan's perfunctory invitation suggested he was still a conventional and conservative person.
Chen Xiaobei had a vague worry that after he left, Princess Zhaoning would have to face the old forces of Liu Xiangnan, Fang Zheng, and Feng Pengju alone and would not be able to act as she pleased.
At this time, Princess Zhaoning was also busy preparing for the New Year.
First and foremost, she invited the Lotus Cult Leader and Shen Ziyan to stay with her for the New Year.
However, the Lotus Cult Leader shook her head. "That won't do. You are the only one here, but I have over a hundred people in my Lotus Cult."
"We'll return temporarily and come back immediately after the New Year to attend your wedding with Chen Xiaobei."
Seeing that her repeated requests were futile, Princess Zhaoning had no choice but to say with a hint of pleading, "Master, then I will host a banquet tonight to see you off."
Upon receiving the Lotus Cult Leader's agreement, Princess Zhaoning happily went back to prepare.
After Princess Zhaoning left, Jiang Shang Piao came to see the Lotus Cult Leader. "Lotus, the Princess is hosting a banquet, and you are all ladies. I won't go. I happen to have two old friends here, so I'll go visit them."
The Lotus Cult Leader naturally agreed. After all, everyone had their own freedom, and it was indeed inconvenient to have men sitting around while women were dining.
As night fell, the Lotus Cult Leader and Shen Ziyan went to the banquet, chatting and laughing. Jiang Shang Piao was also not idle. After leaving the post station, he turned left and right, arriving at a civilian house in a small alley, and knocked lightly on the door.
Soon, Shen You came to open the door. Seeing Jiang Shang Piao, he bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Master!"
Jiang Shang Piao nodded gently. "Are the people here?"
"Reporting to Master, they arrived at noon today and are sleeping in the room."
As they were speaking, the door of the east side room opened, and a figure came out, smiling and greeting Jiang Shang Piao.
"Great Hero Jiang, I've arrived."
Upon hearing the voice, Jiang Shang Piao smiled, waved his hand, and said, "We've been looking forward to Brother Huang's arrival. Please, come inside."
The two greeted each other warmly and entered the north room.
Shen You turned and brought out several dishes from the kitchen, along with a pot of wine, then retreated and stood guard at the courtyard entrance.
"I am honored by Great Hero Jiang's regard for me, Huang Niu." The two smiled and raised their wine glasses.
Jiang Shang Piao smiled slightly. "Great Hero Huang has peerless martial arts skills, he just hasn't had the opportunity to show them."
"Thank you for arranging this, Great Hero Jiang. It's been very comfortable traveling here with people to look out for me. Very comfortable indeed."
Jiang Shang Piao nodded and took out a map from his sleeve, placing it on the table.
"This is a map of the palace layout, and also the deployment map of the palace locked by Xiao Jingfeng."
Huang Niu took it and was about to open it, but Jiang Shang Piao waved his hand. "No rush, no rush. I will be leaving Wannian City with Tang Lianhua and Shen Ziyan tomorrow."
"After we leave, there will be no more top experts in the capital, and no one will be your opponent."
Hearing Jiang Shang Piao's words, Huang Niu showed a smug smile and swirled his wine glass. "In that case, won't it be as easy as picking up something from one's pocket to kill Xiao An?"
Jiang Shang Piao nodded. "Yes, remember, Xiao An must die. Xiao Jingfeng can be spared, but not killed completely. Do you understand what I mean?"
Huang Niu looked at Jiang Shang Piao and shook his head gently. "This Huang doesn't understand. Please enlighten me, Great Hero Jiang."
Jiang Shang Piao smiled slightly. "This matter is simple. If they all die, the Great Cang Kingdom will fall into chaos, and it's unknown who will become emperor. If Xiao Jingfeng doesn't die, then the throne will be hers."
"Tang Lianhua is Xiao Jingfeng's master. We can influence Xiao Jingfeng through Tang Lianhua to achieve our goals."
Huang Niu laughed heartily again. "Great Hero Jiang's plan is brilliant."
"Originally, a woman ruling the country is a laughingstock of the world, and if she's also crippled, that's even more of a joke."
Jiang Shang Piao nodded with satisfaction and drained his wine cup.
Then, his expression became somewhat serious, a hint of ferocity flashing in his eyes. "Xiao An, Xiao An, you killed my entire family back then. Now it's time for you to pay your blood debt."