CH 96.2

From the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month, Jin Wang Manor began to get busy.

The entire manor was busy, including Jin Wang, all the way until the thirtieth. Then the break finally started.

On the evening of New Year’s Eve, Jin Wang gave a banquet in Zhaohui Hall.

This was a family banquet, and everyone that could be there was there. Even the inconspicuous concubines had a seat at the banquet.

Jin Wang sat in the main seat while Consort Jin was next to him, albeit seated slightly lower. Beside Consort Jin was Side Consort Xu and Side Consort Liu. On Jin Wang’s other side were Yaoniang, Lady Li and Lady Tao. As for the others, they were all seated at the end.

This seating plan was a bit out of the ordinary. Ever since ancient times, the left side was seen as noble. Side Consort Xu and Side Consort Liu, who were side consorts, sat on the right, while Yaoniang, who was only a concubine, sat on the left. Yaoniang had Xiaobao sit with her, facing Side Consort Xu and Side Consort Liu.

Except for this, nothing else was unusual.

All those with a discerning eye understood that there was about to be another side consort in the manor. Side Consort Hu only gave birth to a princess but landed herself a side consort status. Although Lady Su hasn’t been conferred the title yet, based on the fact that she already gave birth to the eldest son of the manor and still has another on the way, her future was bright. Perhaps soon only the consort would be above her.

With a demure smile on her face, Side Consort Xu raised her cup of wine towards Yaoniang. “Congratulations, Sister Su, congratulations. Having given birth to the eldest son you’re now pregnant again. I wish you another son, so that His Highness may have more heirs.”

Yaoniang was pregnant and couldn’t drink, so her cup was filled with plain water.

She didn’t expect that Side Consort Xu would do something like this, so she could only fill a cup of wine and take a fake sip. “Thank you, Sister Xu.”

Side Consort Xu smiled, “Not at all, not at all. I heard people say that a pointed belly means the child would be a son and Sister Su’s belly seems to be pointed. What do you think Sister Liu?”

Side Consort Liu’s face was a bit ugly. She didn’t expect Xu Yueru to drag her into this.

She was used to being a proud and arrogant person, but it was a pity that she married into Jin Wang Manor as a side consort. This was simply trampling her dignity into the mud. As one of the most famous beauties of the capital, after arriving at Jin Wang Manor, she wasn’t even as good as Lady Su, who came from a small family.

And she wasn’t even Lady Su at first, but Nanny Su.

Jin Wang bedded someone serving at his daughter’s side, making Side Consort Liu feel disgusted and a sense of humiliation at the same time. But she disdained what Xu Yueru was doing, racking her brains to come up with schemes. She was happy to remain as a bystander to watch the show in perfect condition.

As daughters raised in noble families, they naturally understood that once married, their greatest priority was to give birth to a son. With Side Consort Xu commenting about Yaoniang already giving birth to a son and soon to give birth to another, it was no doubt slapping her in the face. It would be strange if her complexion was good.

“Since Side Consort Xu is so envious of Lady Su, then you should also give birth to one.”

The way Side Consort Liu spoke surprised everyone. Normally, she disdained talking to others and there was no one in the manor for her to talk to. In the mornings when she went to pay respect at Siyi Courtyard, she would only speak when necessary. No one thought that she would directly attack back like this.

The scene was a bit awkward, and Side Consort Xu’s heart was gloomy.

She originally wanted to provoke Side Consort Liu to be hostile towards Su Yaoniang. When most people encountered this situation, they would bury their anger in their hearts. Only this Side Consort Liu’s reaction was completely different.

Jin Wang slammed his wine cup onto the table and the room fell silent.

Consort Jin picked up her wine cup and to warm up the scene she said, “Today is the end of the old year, and tomorrow is the beginning of a new year. May our Jin Wang Manor flourish and prosper!” 

With the consort saying so, the people below naturally had to express themselves. Picking up their wine, they all downed the glass.

After the banquet, there would normally be some type of entertainment, but since Jin Wang didn’t bring it up, everyone could only go back to their various courtyards.

Jin Wang and Yaoniang returned to Rongxi Courtyard. Yaoniang had wanted to stay up to wait for the new year’s arrival. In the past, the entire family would sit together on New Year’s Eve to wait, then only go to sleep after the firecrackers were set off.

Unfortunately, the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. Xiaobao goes to bed early every day, so he had long started to yawn. A baby’s yawn was one of the cutest things, and Yaoniang also couldn’t help yawning as she gazed at her son. In the end, it was Jin Wang who spoke up for them to rest.

Originally, Xiaobao was going to go to his own room to sleep, but Yaoniang had him stay behind.

The two adults shared a blanket, while Xiaobao had a blanket to himself. They slept on a soft and comfortable bed, suitable even for immortals.

Yaoniang soon fell asleep but was awakened by the sound of firecrackers outside. She opened her eyes and saw Xiaobao next to her, and felt someone behind her. She couldn’t help but recall what she was doing at this time in her past life.

She seemed to have been missing Xiaobao and her sister, missing them like crazy.

“It’s a new year.” She murmured with a sigh, then fell asleep again.

“En, it’s the new year.” 

In the courtyard, Fucheng and Yu Chan lit firecrackers then stepped back to watch the sky.

The masters were already sleeping, so the two of them were in charge of setting off firecrackers at midnight. This was to bring good luck and an auspicious start to the year.

“It’s a new year.” Fucheng sighed while gazing up at the bright moon in the night sky.

Once the firecrackers were finished, he brushed his sleeves and said, “It’s time to rest.”