Chapter 882: Staying Up Together on New Year’s Eve
Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi got the fire started, preparing the soup base for the hot pot.

The Empress, accustomed to delicacies from mountains and seas, couldn’t help but swallow her saliva upon smelling the soup base, “Qingzhi, I feel like living here for half a month would make me picky.”

Chu Qingzhi, stirring the base with a spatula, smiled slightly, “It’s just novelty. Eat it a few more times, and you’ll get tired of it too.”

The Empress, interested, came over to watch, “How about I learn from you, so I can’t have it once I go back to the palace?”

Chu Qingzhi glanced at the Empress, “Sure, there’s also a clear soup base to be prepared later. I’ll teach you.”

The Empress happily agreed, “Good.”

After preparing the soup bases, the ancestor worship ceremony ended, and everyone went back home.

In the dining hall, a long table was set with two hot pots, surrounded by an array of dishes, rich and abundant.

Chu Qingzhi distributed chopsticks to everyone, “The food is ready. Please, everyone, take a seat and eat.”

Now everyone was somewhat familiar with the Emperor and his family. Despite feeling restrained, they managed to maintain normalcy, unlike at the beginning, when they dared not move.

The little crown prince sat to the left of Chu Qingzhi and pointed at the fish balls with his chopsticks, “Sister Chu, I want to eat that.”

Chu Qingzhi dumped a plate of fish balls into the clear broth, “Wait a bit until the balls float to the surface, then you can eat.”

The little crown prince, with curious eyes, asked, “How long until they float to the surface?”

Chu Qingzhi brought a cup of hot milk to the little crown prince, “Count to one hundred, then it will be ready.”

The little crown prince smiled a bit embarrassingly, “That’s too difficult for me. I can only count to twenty.”

“Then count to twenty.” Chu Qingzhi poured boneless chicken feet and duck feet into the spicy soup, and then she added Tang Jinghong’s favorite meatballs into the clear soup because Jinghong couldn’t eat spicy food.

Seeing this, Tang Jinghong hurriedly said, “Qingzhi, wait.”

Chu Qingzhi paused, looking at Tang Jinghong, “What’s wrong?”

“Add some to the spicy soup.” Tang Jinghong wanted to try the spicy flavor, seeing how delicious Chu Qingzhi found it.

“Can you handle it?” Chu Qingzhi raised an eyebrow.

“I’ll try.” Tang Jinghong hesitated for a moment but decided to give it a shot.

“Alright then.” Chu Qingzhi put the remaining meatballs into the spicy soup, and others also began to add their favorite dishes to the pots. Soon, everything would be ready to eat.

Chu Xuyan and Chu Xuyao poured yellow wine for the elders and brothers, and juice or beer for others. After pouring, they returned to their seats.

Chu Xuyan said, “Let’s toast together.”

Grandfather Chu smiled, “Right, right, we should have a drink for the reunion dinner.”

“Cheers!” Everyone raised their glasses, gathered them together, and then drank heartily.

The New Year’s Eve reunion dinner officially began.

“Gurgle gurgle…” The pot started boiling, and white steam rose, spreading around, filling the room with a delicious aroma.

Other families in the village also began to set the table, gathering around to enjoy the reunion dinner in a lively atmosphere.

In Chu Qingzhi’s domain, every household’s table was laden with meat and dishes, with rice available in abundance. It was the best New Year’s they had ever had.

…

At Tang Shan’s home.

Tang Shan looked outside many times, but each time ended in disappointment.

Tang Dengping brought a bowl to the table, “Dad, it’s time to eat. Big brother won’t come back.”

Tang Shan sighed, finally accepting reality, understanding that he had completely lost his son, “Sit down and eat.”

Zhang Xiuqin dared not speak. Because of this matter, Tang Shan had been blaming her almost daily, often threatening to divorce her. She was under a lot of pressure.

Tang Shan sat at the table, poured himself a cup of wine, and drank alone in melancholy.

Although many dishes were served, they tasted bland. If he hadn’t treated Jinghong that way, could they be sitting together and having a drink right now?

Thinking of it, he couldn’t help but remember Tang Jinghong’s mother. If he had cared more for his daughter-in-law when Jinghong left, would she still be aliveGPT

?

Regret crept into Tang Shan’s heart, his eyes becoming moist, and the taste in his mouth grew increasingly bland as if he were chewing on wax.

Tang Dengping and Zhang Xiuqin exchanged glances, then quietly lowered their heads and continued to eat. While others celebrated joyously, their home was enveloped in silence, devoid of any happiness.

…

On New Year’s Eve afternoon, the family worked together to clean both the inside and outside of the house, welcoming the new year with a clean environment.

The evening was reserved for staying up late to welcome the new year.

After dinner, villagers gathered in the small square in front of the grocery store, where a large bonfire was lit. Everyone brought snacks to the square, staying up late together to welcome the new year.

The village, bustling with thousands of people, was lively.

The happiest among them were the children.

Now that their families were better off, the elders bought many fireworks for the children, the kind that could be held in hand.

The children, holding the lit fireworks, waved them around, their laughter filling the air and creating a festive atmosphere.

Tang Jinghong, accompanied by some of the village’s robust men, carried fireworks to the square. Chu Qingzhi had bought a lot of fireworks, all to be set off at the square later.

Chu Qingzhi and Chu Qingning sat aside, watching everyone play. However, amidst the festive atmosphere, Chu Qingning couldn’t help but feel troubled.

Chu Qingzhi, concerned, asked, “Fourth sister, what’s wrong?”

Chu Qingning leaned in and hugged Chu Qingzhi, “Fifth sister, it’s been half a month since Jiang Zhaoyong last replied to my letters. Usually, I would receive a reply every three days.”

Chu Qingzhi gently patted Chu Qingning’s back, comforting her, “Don’t worry. Jiang Zhaoyong is highly skilled and capable. Nothing will happen to him. You have to believe in him.”

Chu Qingning shook her head slightly, “Fifth sister, I feel very uneasy. I want to go to the eastern border to find him. Is that okay?”

Chu Qingzhi understood Chu Qingning’s feelings, “Of course, it’s okay. If you want to find him, you can come with me to the eastern border.”

Chu Qingning was surprised, “You’re also going to the eastern border?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “I’ve promised someone some things. I’ll be leaving on the third day after the New Year. Since it’s New Year’s Eve and everyone is happy, I thought I’d tell you all about it on the first day of the new year in the afternoon.”

Chu Qingning said, “If you’ve already decided to go, then I’ll come with you. I want to find Zhaoyong.”

Chu Qingzhi responded, “Alright, I’ll take you with me.”

Chu Qingning expressed her gratitude, “Fifth sister, thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“We’re sisters; there’s no need for formalities.” What exactly happened to Jiang Zhaoyong? With their wedding approaching, he had suddenly lost all contact. Could something have truly happened to him?

After arranging the fireworks display, Tang Jinghong approached and sat next to Chu Qingzhi, “Qingzhi, I have something to tell you.”

Chu Qingzhi looked at him, “Hmm?”

Tang Jinghong said, “I and the others will return to the capital early tomorrow morning. I need to go to the capital in advance to arrange some matters.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “I understand.”

Tang Jinghong grasped Chu Qingzhi’s hand, “On the third day, I will come back to pick you up.”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Alright.”