Chapter 35 (Popcorn)

At the palace gate

It was unusual for the emperor to summon him on New Year’s Eve, especially when a banquet for court officials was scheduled. Xiao Huaiting quickly changed into his court attire and arrived at the palace gates, meeting several ministers.

The Prime Minister, in a hurry, adjusted his hair after getting off the carriage.

King Hui, a royal representative, had forgotten his scarf and was shivering from the cold.

They exchanged brief greetings and bows before hurrying towards the inner palace.

At the entrance, waiting eunuchs welcomed them inside. The aging emperor sat in the imperial study, his body growing heavier over time. The strong smell of medicine lingered in the air from the adjacent room. An imperial physician exited, bowing solemnly before hurrying away.

After seeing the imperial physician, Xiao Huaiting’s expression noticeably relaxed.

“Your Majesty!” The officials bowed in greeting.

The old emperor raised his hand weakly, saying, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” they responded, standing up.

The emperor looked at them, sighed, and said with a hint of embarrassment, “I called you here because something urgent came up. I just received word that Alang has been poisoned!”

Everyone’s expressions shifted, especially King Hui’s. He was stunned, asking, “How… could he be poisoned?!”

The ministers grew anxious, and many asked about the health of the Crown Prince and Second Prince. They were particularly concerned since the emperor was referring to the former Crown Prince.

New Year’s Eve should have been a time of family happiness, but this sudden news was shocking. The old emperor seemed deeply troubled, hiding an unspeakable sadness. He didn’t answer their questions but revealed, “Alang was poisoned and rushed to me for help. But the guards locked him up after he took a few steps and even injured his legs. If not for a guard who couldn’t bear it and reported this to Eunuch Fu’s adopted son, I wouldn’t have known…”

Covering his eyes sadly, the emperor continued in a hoarse voice, “I didn’t know Alang was living in such harsh conditions. I’m no longer angry about the past. I called you here to discuss making Alang the King of Chang.”

Xiao Huaiting lowered his head, giving a sarcastic smile before kneeling down and saying bluntly, “I think it’s fine.”

The prime minister and other ministers hesitated but eventually followed suit, also kneeling: “Your Majesty, we agree.”

The emperor, covering his eyes, slowly lowered his hand and looked at Xiao Huaiting, asking, “Why are you so certain, Xiao Aiqing?”

Xiao Huaiting responded seriously, “Because if Your Majesty wants it, then it’s fine!”

The old emperor’s expression softened, and he smiled slightly. “I thought you might be considering your second brother’s friendship with Alang.”

“Public matters are public, and private matters are private,” Xiao Huaiting replied firmly.

The emperor, looking more at ease, said, “Alright. Tonight is New Year’s Eve. My son has suffered for many years, and I didn’t realize the extent of his hardships. This is compensation, and it is what he deserves. Li Fu! Prepare the writing tools.”

Eunuch Fu smiled, saying, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

An imperial decree was quickly drafted, officially deposing the Crown Prince and appointing him as King Chang. Due to the severe injuries he had suffered during his imprisonment, he was moved to a residence to recover. The poisoning incident was downplayed in official records.

The decree was sent to the Secretariat to be formally announced, with plans to inform everyone during the evening banquet. The emperor then dismissed the officials, inviting them to rest until dinner.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” they all replied, and the emperor left to visit his son in the side hall. He gazed at his son lying on the bed, feeling guilty. “Alang…” he said softly.

The man on the bed opened his eyes weakly, his gaze full of reliance and tears. “Father!”

_

Later in the afternoon, Yan Qiushu was invited to the main courtyard. When she arrived, the three children were already there, playing in the snow while the adults talked inside.

Upon entering, Yan Qiushu overheard Xiao Huaiwu complaining with an unchanged expression, “She is so arrogant. The Shen family sent Pingyu over for the New Year, but she refused to come back and didn’t let the child return either!”

Xie Qingyun interrupted firmly, “Alright! Today is a festive day, let’s not talk about this.”

Xiao Huaiwu curled her lips in dissatisfaction but didn’t argue. Madam Xiao’s face looked tense. She held a piece of paper in her hand and crumpled it tightly.

When her daughter’s complaints were cut off, Madam Xiao lowered her eyes and muttered, “Just let it be. This one of ours…” She trailed off as Yan Qiushu entered the room, her expression softening subconsciously. Folding the paper, she welcomed her, saying, “Ah Shu, come and sit.”

Yan Qiushu approached obediently, greeting, “Aunt.”

Madam Xiao patted her hand reassuringly, saying, “News just came that something happened to the Second Prince, and His Majesty summoned key ministers. Don’t worry about the Sixth Prince; he is very smart.”

Yan Qiushu smiled faintly, not speaking, but her heart felt heavy.

The Second Prince, who was the deposed Crown Prince, had been directly appointed Crown Prince after the First Prince’s early death since he was the son of the late Queen. Five years ago, he was deposed, and according to history, he was supposed to die the following year.

Why did it happen a year earlier?

Xie Qingyun sensed her anxiety and came over, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Ah Shu is finally here, so the four of us can play cards!” he suggested.

Xiao Huaiwu, eating spicy noodles, perked up and said excitedly, “Playing leaf cards? Count me in! It’s been so long since I last played!”

Madam Xiao nodded in agreement.

Yan Qiushu, who wasn’t familiar with the game, shook her head awkwardly. “I don’t know how to play…”

Xiao Huaiwu grinned. “No worries, I’ll teach you. If you win, the winnings are yours. If you lose, Lao Liu will pay!”

Yan Qiushu was quickly pulled into the game. Despite her initial embarrassment, Xiao Huaiwu’s teaching was thorough, and with her good memory, she quickly learned the rules. Soon, the four of them began playing.

Yan Qiushu was playing a simple game. She lost the first three rounds, but then figured out a strategy. On the fourth round, she started winning.

“I won!” she exclaimed. And then, “I think I won again…”

Her opponent, Xiao Huaiwu, was speechless. As soon as the first round ended, she hurriedly said, “Let’s eat first, I’m hungry.”

Xie Qingyun chuckled and teased, “Dongdong, your mother lost the wife you married!”

Dongdong calmly replied, “It’s okay. I don’t want to get married. I want to marry Sister Shu so I can eat tasty food every day!”

Xiao Huaiwu covered her face in embarrassment, feeling guilty for raising her son to be such a foodie. Mrs. Xiao smiled, patted her grandson’s head, and called everyone to eat.

The New Year’s Eve dinner followed traditional customs, especially for a family like the Xiao family. Even if they were more relaxed on regular days, they still adhered to these customs during big holidays. Yan Qiushu quietly enjoyed the meal without interfering.

The Xiao family’s chefs were skilled, and they had modernized some of their cooking methods. The dishes were well-seasoned and tasted amazing. Everyone enjoyed the meal. Afterward, once the table was cleared, the group went out to set off fireworks. In the city, fireworks were allowed only during the New Year. The dark sky lit up repeatedly with bursts of color, creating a stunning view.

However, watching too many fireworks became repetitive, and the excitement wore off. They soon returned inside, gathered around a warm charcoal stove, and chatted while eating sunflower seeds. 

Yan Qiushu,  munching on seeds, noticed that the others were gradually falling silent and seemed bored. With no Spring Festival programs to watch and the cozy warmth of the charcoal stove, it was easy to get sleepy.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. She stood up, and the children—Dongdong, Wan’er, and Shen Pingyu—who were sleepily nestled with their mothers, perked up. Dongdong immediately jumped off the couch, asking, “Sister Shu, where are you going?”