Cheerful

While huajin was stuck in mourining period Pei Jin and Yusheng managed to reach Nanling just in time. Though it was late but still were able to join the night banquet of the festival.

Emperor of Nanling had given holiday for all the officials to enjoy the festivity while also providing grains, cloth and some money to the common people. The entire Nanling was glowing with happiness and touched from the emperors kindness.

This year unlike previous were no urgent and bad news from the three cities from planning ahead rather was reported that everyone had enough food to feed them and last till the spring.

There was also report of huajin's emperor passing away which made the entire court more cheerful including the emperor. They were now enjoying the festival with their families with gusto.

Finally the much awaited persons arrived grandly inside the palace. They were ushered by both royal couple to freshen up so that they could start their family banquet.

Due to snow and cold the banquet was held in empress palace. The entire hall was warm from the brazers and set up beautifully. While the royal couple were enjoying their wine all the youths also join them.

With no extra person beside Qingfeng it was purely family gathering. Pei Zhang's non stop chattering about their experiences had the entire room filled with laughter and joy. The royal couple were amused listening to some details.

Qingfeng being the lively one and close to the royal couple also add one or two things to make them laugh and feel amused. Emperor was all giddy to hear about the main incident but felt it was not proper while eating so controlled his gossipy heart.

The entire dinner ended on happy and jovial mood. Empress who had been busy from the dawn was now feeling sleepy after all the wine she had drank thus ushered by everyone to take rest.

While the group was led by emperor to the study hall where normally empress would pass her time for reading and painting. Feng Min being the clever one had prepared the room with brazers, more wine and some snacks.

He was indeed amazed to see each persons wine tolerance but being a servant he was wise to shut his mouth. The group now was sitting very comfortably in the warm room. Everyone knew that emperor had brought them here for more gossip.

Sipping on the wine he speaks giddily "umm...good...all of you...hahaha...never thought that scrouge of decade would croak so easily..." All the people felt twitch in their lips from how happy the emperor was.

Pei Jin rather be somewhere to do something more productive than to stay here to gossip. Thus he answers "now...as you have learned everything...you can go to sleep with ease...the night isn't young...so "

Before he could finish his sentence he has stopped by emperors snort "hmph...why are you in hurry?..tomorrow we won't be having morning court...it's just sleeping an hour or two late...look at you...so unfilial...what kind of son are you to disdain some bonding time.."

Qingfeng and Pei Zhang felt very good inside their heart while Chen Yi and Yusheng felt helpless. Pei Jin had a dark face and annoyed from his dramatic father. He wanted to lash out but Yusheng very gently pats on his thigh, so though unrelented he shuts his mouth.

Emperor with his sharp eyes saw that subtle movement and was very pleased to that this wild son of his finally had a great tamer. His eyes turns crescent and fawns to Yusheng "Sheng'er...ah...you never fail to amaze us...just a pity that you are tied to such a cold person...look how he disdains this old fathers presence...having grown their wings forgetting their home..ah...unlike you who is so patient with family..ah.."

Pei Jin's face becomes more darker while Yusheng replies gently "father...it's not just because of me...Jin was the main person for our success and everyone else also performed ver well...do not feel sad...it's not disdain just a little irritation from traveling for long..."

After that for two hours excluding Pei Jin everyone gossiped and just gossiped. Emperor would even clap his hands with joy listening to some of the incidence. Encouraged by emperors delight both Pei Zhang and Qingfeng became non stop chatter box with one or two inputs from Yusheng and Chen Yi.

It was only after everything was spilled did emperor let them go to sleep. They could see how light the emperor's step were from being very happy. Pei Zhang and Qingfeng were now tired from all the talking and drunk from the wine. While Pei Jin grabs Yusheng's hand and leaves with a snort.

Chen Yi helpless from these childish people around him orders for servants to help with the two drunk persons. He himself felt tired and in dire need of sleep thus heads to one of the guest rooms to rest.