289 Blessing
After a long time, Lo Pingsha finally gave an answer.
“The thing I can’t get over the most is my father’s death.”
Xiao Juan was not surprised by this answer. Clearly, he knew.
However, Yu Niaoniao was clearly stunned. She wanted to ask for the reason, but she was afraid of evoking the other party’s sadness.
Lo Pingsha saw that she was hesitating and took the initiative to explain.
“My father was originally an imperial physician, but because he was involved in a case of an imperial heir being killed, the emperor ordered him to be suspended and investigated. In desperation, he hung himself from a beam at home. My mother couldn’t take the blow and fell ill. Not long after, she passed away.”
Originally, he had a perfect family. His father was an imperial physician with superb medical skills; his mother was gentle and virtuous, and he had inherited his father’s career. He had learned a lot of good medical skills and would soon become a respected divine doctor like his father.
Everything was so beautiful.
But his father’s death had suddenly shattered all that.
To him, his father’s death was the beginning of all his nightmares. It was an anguish that he would never be able to let go of.
Yu Niaoniao comforted him. “It’s all in the past. My condolences.”
Lo Pingsha said, “In my heart, this matter will never pass. Everyone said that my father poisoned the little prince to death and that my father was the murderer. However, I knew my father very well. He had always been principled about helping the world. He would never poison anyone. He must have been framed! I want to find out the truth behind the murder of the imperial heir and seek justice for my father.”
When he said the last sentence, his expression became extremely determined.
Yu Niaoniao looked at him in a daze, as if she was seeing her other self in the world.
She couldn’t help but reply, “I’ll help you!”
Lo Pingsha did not expect her to say such a thing. He was surprised and very touched.
A faint smile appeared on the usually expressionless baby face.
“Thank you.”
Granny Xiu Yan walked in and reminded them, “It’s almost midnight.”
Yu Niaoniao immediately pushed the cards forward and stood up. “Let’s go out and play.”
She pulled Xiao Juan out, and Lo Pingsha followed unhurriedly.
The snow in the courtyard was swept clean. The lanterns under the eaves were all lit up, and a few stars shone in the sky.
Yu Niaoniao took out the firecrackers she had prepared in advance.
When it was time, she lit the firecrackers and covered her ears as she jumped all the way to hide behind Xiao Juan.
The firecrackers crackled.
At this moment, many families in the Jade Capital were setting off firecrackers.
The palace was even setting off fireworks.
The Langjun Imperial Palace was not far from the palace. Yu Niaoniao only needed to look up to see the gorgeous fireworks blooming in the night sky.
She grabbed Xiao Juan’s arm and said excitedly.
“Happy New Year, baby!”
Xiao Juan looked down at her. “Happy New Year.”
In the past, he would welcome the New Year alone. No one would accompany him to watch over the New Year, light firecrackers with him, hold his hand, and wish him a happy New Year.
It was different this year.
At this moment, his chest was rippling with emotions. He had a lot to say to her. However, before he could say anything, he saw Yu Niaoniao turn around.
She said to Lo Pingsha, “Little Lo, Happy New Year!”
Lo Pingsha said, “Happy New Year.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Granny Xiu Yan, Happy New Year!”
Granny Xiu Yan couldn’t stop smiling. “Good, good, good. Happy New Year.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Chun Feng, Ye Yu, Happy New Year!”
Chun Feng and Ye Yu didn’t expect to receive blessings. They were flattered and hurriedly thanked her.
Next, Yu Niaoniao blessed everyone she saw in the residence.
Xiao Juan realized that he was not the only one who received Niaoniao’s blessing and could not help but feel a little disappointed.
He didn’t say much after that.
It was already late and everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
Yu Niaoniao was really tired. After washing up, she could not wait to climb into bed.
She chose a comfortable sleeping position and closed her eyes. Sleepiness quickly enveloped her.
Just as she was in a daze, she suddenly heard someone ask beside her.
“Why are you saying Happy New Year to so many people?”
It took a lot of effort for Yu Niaoniao to open her eyes slightly.
She saw that Xiao Juan was looking at her, clearly waiting for her answer.
At this moment, her mind was filled with sleep, and her thoughts were especially slow. She did not think much about what she said and said almost everything that came to mind.
“Because I want everyone to be happy in the new year.”
Xiao Juan’s voice lowered. “If you give your blessing to everyone, I won’t be the most special one.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Although I gave many people my blessings, my first blessing was given to you. You’re still the most special one. No one else can compare to you.”
The disappointment in Xiao Juan’s heart was immediately soothed.
He leaned toward Yu Niaoniao and whispered.
“I also gave you my first blessing. No one else can compare to you.”
Yu Niaoniao yawned. “Thank you. Do you have anything else to ask? If not, I’m going to sleep. I’m so sleepy.”
Xiao Juan said warmly, “Sleep.”
Yu Niaoniao fell asleep with relief.
However, before she could sleep for long, she was woken up by Xiao Juan.
“Niaoniao, it’s time to get up.”
Yu Niaoniao opened her eyes with difficulty.
She looked out the window and saw the sky was still dark. She could not help but mutter, “Why are you up so early? I haven’t slept enough.”
Xiao Juan pulled her out of bed. “Didn’t I tell you two days ago? On the first day of the Lunar New Year, all the royal relatives have to enter the palace to pay their New Year greetings to the emperor, the empress, and the empress dowager. We can’t be late, or it will be disrespectful.”
Yu Niaoniao was in pain. She could not even sleep well on the first day of the new year. It was too tragic to be a relative of the royal family!
Chun Feng and Ye Yu walked in to help her change her clothes and wash up.
Because he was going to the palace to meet the emperor, he could not dress too casually. Xiao Juan especially changed into the crimson crown that represented the identity of the county king.
Yu Niaoniao also changed into a red long-sleeved dress. There was a long navy green shawl hanging between her arms and a golden sparrow tiara with pearls on her head. Thin golden tassels fell from her temples, and there was a small half-pearl between her eyebrows.
With every step she took, the tassels and pearls on her tiara would sway.
In order to maintain her bearing, Yu Niaoniao had to straighten her posture and walk steadily.
She had to be extra careful when she crossed the threshold so she would not trip.
When she stepped on the stool and sat in the carriage, she immediately heaved a long sigh of relief.
She could finally rest for a while.
Yu Niaoniao noticed that Xiao Juan had been looking at her and subconsciously touched her cheek.
“Why are you looking at me?”
Xiao Juan said seriously, “You’re very beautiful today.”