Chapter 129 - She might have a screw loose

"Old man, what do you think is going on with this Yan Hong. Are we really just going to let her stay in our house?" Looking at the tall back that was struggling to sweep the snow in the yard, Grandma Liu asked the old man in a whisper.

This person was really diligent. She has work in her eyes, and when she saw what the family wanted to do, she snatched it up.

For example, just now, she snatched the broom from her hand and took the initiative to help sweep the snow.

But the grandma still felt something was wrong.

Was there really no problem behind her rush to return the favor?

Grandpa Liu took a look outside and was silent for a moment. "Since Nannan made the decision to let her stay, keep her for now. Nannan has a sense of propriety in doing things. Besides, she has even signed a deed of sale."

Speaking of that, Grandma Liu shivered. Yan Hong's deed of sale was locked in the small box where she usually kept her silver bills. "Why would our family ever want a domestic servant? I don't know what she was thinking, but she actually signed it. Even though it's a living deed, that's ten years. How can a good girl think of repaying a favor to the point of selling her body?"

"Things are already settled. What's the point of dwelling on it? We should live our lives how we want, nicely and peacefully."

The grandma smacked her lips. "I was thinking, she might have a screw loose."

In the courtyard, Wei Hong who had a screw loose stiffened, and her face turned black.

She regretted it now. If she knew it would turn out like this, she would rather go sell sesame cakes herself in exchange for Wei Lan mixing in!

She raised her eyes right on the small clinic. The little child glanced at her faintly. Wei Hong quickly restrained her overflowing emotions, bowed down and continued to clear the snow.

On the other end, Liu Yusheng withdrew her gaze. After consulting the last patient who came to seek medical attention, she tidied up the consultation table.

She didn't know the purpose behind Yan Hong's sudden appearance and her rascally forced stay, but she could sense that she had no ill will towards her or even the entire Liu family.

The subsequent probing with the deed of sale made it clear that Yan Hong's was determination to stay.

At that moment, for some reason, she suddenly thought of the young man who had left without saying goodbye.

What was there to covet from the Liu family? At best, their condition was a little better than before. The family has some spare money, but the gentry simply didn't catch the eye of the gentry.

The Qians over at the winery was blocking the front, so even if someone was scheming, the fire wouldn't burn on her side.

Thinking about it, a cold and austere martial artist suddenly appeared in her house and insisted on staying, even to the extent of signing a deed of sale. What other reason could there be?

If she only wanted two meals, how could she worry about food with her ability?

It was him, right?

It must be him.

If he chose to leave without saying goodbye, why did he bother dragging his feet?

He should have just left cleanly.

They haven't heard a word from him for a long time, so what did he mean by sending someone who would conceal the truth of the matter?

Or did he send a bodyguard to the Liu family as a way to offset the previous favor, so they didn't owe each other anything?

She was capable of protecting herself and her family without him.

There was no need for him to do this!

On New Year's Eve, the entire capital was enveloped in the festivities of the holiday.

There was singing and dancing; the traffic flowed freely.

On this day, the royal family would celebrate with the people on the city's observation deck.

Those who were lucky enough might even get a glimpse of the Emperor's face.

The streets had long since been cleared of snow.

Red lanterns painted with various auspicious designs were hung on both sides of the streets.

Even before nightfall, lanterns were already lit, illuminating the entire capital as bright as day.

The street front shops were wide open with a constant stream of people, bustling with noise and excitement.

There were guards with swords in front of the observation deck, protecting the surrounding area as airtight as possible, and the stage was adorned with cicada gauze curtains, isolating the scene inside from the outside world. If they wanted to view the scenery, they only needed to lift the curtain, and they could get a panoramic view of the entire Imperial City.

The observation deck was high and out of reach. Just like the royal family to the commoners.

Even so, the people were still in high spirits.

With the arrival of the royal family, the people knelt down and shouted Long Live the Emperor, welcoming the emperor to the elevated platform.

Some people peeked up and could only see silhouettes of people slowly climbing up the stairs to the stage, dressed up in all sorts of luxury. A single glance at the pomp and circumstance could make one feel that they were low to the dust.

In the wake of the eunuch announcing them to rise, a firecracker was fired and the New Year's Eve festivities officially kicked off.

Under the elevated platform, the clamor and tumult shook the sky, and the festive atmosphere almost blew on the face.

The Emperor, with the empress, his consorts, cabinet ministers, and a few princes sitting in separate seats, would cough from time to time.

"Your Majesty's body can't bear the cold. I advised you not to come over, yet you insisted on coming. Look at you coughing now." Her Majesty handed over a cup of warm water and wanted to soothe His Majesty's back with her hand, but His Majesty waved his hand in refusal.

"The great festival is a joy to the ruler and his subjects. How can I not come?" The Emperor smiled, a bit short of breath. "I have to see with my own eyes, the scene of peace and prosperity of the country under my rule before I can rest in peace."

"Your Majesty diligently works on the affairs of the state to strive for good governance, that's why the people are living in peace and happiness today. Your Majesty is the blessing of the people of Nanling," the courtiers complimented.

"The people are the foundation of the country, and only with the people can there be an emperor. My blessings are given by the people." The emperor looked unperturbed. He looked sideways at the young man sitting at the prince's seat and drinking to himself, seemingly out of place in the lively environment. "Qingbai, come to me."

The complexion of the concubines and courtiers all changed, and they forced themselves to act as if nothing had happened. In front of the emperor, they always have to behave.

The young man seemed unaffected by the reaction of the people around him. He put down the wine cup and stood up, slowly walking to the emperor's table.

Only the Empress was seated there. Even her own son wasn't there to accompany her.

"You're the youngest among my children. I'm afraid there's no topic you could talk about sitting with your older brothers." The emperor showed a shallow smile. "Just sit here with me. The view here is the best. If you're bored, look at the excitement below."

The young man sat down with his eyes downcast, hiding the complexity in his eyes.

He wasn't well, and the Imperial Doctor advised that he shouldn't go out of the palace, but he still came. He was afraid that in his absence, he would be isolated with no one to support him.

His eyes unintentionally swept to his table just now and saw his brothers smiling, and even raising their glasses to him in greeting, as if to congratulate him on their father's favor.

The young man raised his lips and smiled back at them. They were all the same, hypocritical.

Under the platform, there were bright lights, singing and dancing, drums, music, and cheers.

The hustle and bustle went on and on, but the Emperor eventually didn't last long in this environment and his attendants soon soon helped him back to the palace. The imperial concubines also left, leaving only a few courtiers and princes to wrap up the festivities.

Without the emperor, the atmosphere on the platform changed in an instant.

A man in his late thirties picked up a glass of wine and wobbled towards the young man. "Sixteenth Brother, here's a toast to you. Now that Father only favors you, I'm so envious of you! If Sixteenth Brother rises to the top one day, don't forget to bring up your imperial brother."