The next day, early in the morning, Feng Jiu’er’s courtyard was already bustling with activity.

Aside from Snow Maid and Tuoba Keyan, who had gone out and not yet returned, everyone else was up early.

Once the masters had woken, the servants and maids in the courtyard began preparing breakfast.

No one had come to disturb her the whole afternoon before, and Feng Jiu’er had spent the time comfortably at ease.

She’d thought that fellow’s absence was inevitable—after all, she needed to rest, and she also had to treat Jian Yi. Not seeing him for half a day was nothing unusual.

It was New Year’s Eve, and even the courtyard was steeped in festive atmosphere.

Large red lanterns had been hung throughout the courtyard the previous evening, and every door and window was decorated with plenty of joyful red paper cuttings.

Such decorations would normally seem a bit gaudy, but now that it was New Year, things were different.

The new year ought to be bright and lively—how fitting!

It wasn’t just the surroundings that had been dressed up; today even the maids and servants were all wearing festive colors, which made anyone looking at them feel cheerful.

Feng Jiu’er supported Jian Yi as they walked out, and at the spot where they emerged from the side chamber, she stopped.

She looked around for a moment, her rosy face lit up with a joyful smile.

Reflected against the red lanterns, her small face looked even more delicate and beautiful.

Even Jian Yi, standing beside her, glanced at her a second time and found himself captivated.

“Jiu’er, come quick! There’s lots of good food.” Xiao Yingtao was walking back through the courtyard.

Whether it was because of the person who always followed beside her, or the influence of the surroundings, Xiao Yingtao’s face was also quite flushed.

Coming up to the pair, Xiao Yingtao looked at Jian Yi.

“Jian Yi, you look like you’re in good spirits today.”

“You don’t look bad either—rosy pink.” Feng Jiu’er said with a faint smile.

“Really?” Xiao Yingtao touched her own face, a little embarrassed. “It’s just because of the clothes.”

Seeing everyone dressed festively, Xiao Yingtao had also dug out the only piece of clothing she owned with a touch of red and put it on.

“Right, it must just be because of the clothes.” Feng Jiu’er narrowed her eyes slightly and nodded.

This girl—she’d only said it casually, and yet Xiao Yingtao’s face had turned even redder.

Seeing Xiao Yingtao glance, intentionally or not, at Xing Zizhou, Feng Jiu’er knew that good news wasn’t far off.

Xiao Yingtao’s gaze swept over Xing Zizhou, then met Feng Jiu’er’s eyes again, and seemed to suddenly realize something.

“Jiu’er, I really didn’t mean anything—everything around is red, and your face is red too. Are you saying I meant that you and Jian Yi were just now in the room together—”

“Did I say you and Xing Zizhou were doing something improper in a room?” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow and cut her off.

Xiao Yingtao suddenly felt as though she’d given herself away by protesting too much—she wanted to argue back but, flustered, couldn’t get the words out.

Xing Zizhou took her small hand with a smile.

But unexpectedly, Xiao Yingtao pulled her hand from his grasp, threw out one line, and turned to run off.

“I did not!”

Xing Zizhou gave Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi a smile, then turned to follow after his little girl.

As Feng Jiu’er turned her head, she found Jian Yi watching her.

“What? Do you also think you and I were doing something in the room?” She shot him a look and supported him as they walked onward.

Jian Yi furrowed his brow slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting just a little, and didn’t deny it.

“Jian Yi.” Zhao Xiaoxiao came over from the other side, and seeing Jian Yi, she hurried her steps.

“Jian Yi.” Arriving in front of Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi, she caught her breath lightly. “You—you’re both up so early too.”

She had meant to go look in on Jian Yi’s room, but as soon as she stepped out the door, she’d spotted him.

“Xiaoxiao, did you sleep all right last night?” Jian Yi said nothing, so Feng Jiu’er asked softly in his place.

“Very well, very well indeed.” Zhao Xiaoxiao said with a smile, glancing at Feng Jiu’er.

Watching Feng Jiu’er supporting Jian Yi as they walked forward, she came around to Jian Yi’s other side and reached out both hands as well.

Having finally summoned the courage to touch Jian Yi, she found that he turned slightly to the side, avoiding her touch.

Zhao Xiaoxiao seemed used to this, the smile still lingering at the corners of her mouth.

It wasn’t that Feng Jiu’er failed to notice the exchange between the two beside her, but she chose not to dwell on it.

“It’s good that you’re used to it here.” She moved past Jian Yi, smiling as she looked at Zhao Xiaoxiao.

Zhao Xiaoxiao looked back at her, her smile somewhat forced—after all, she really had just been rejected, and in front of so many people besides.

But she had promised not to make an issue of it, and she wouldn’t hold it against Jian Yi.

“This place is far more comfortable than our old stronghold—how could I not get used to it?”

Zhao Xiaoxiao turned to look at Zhao Yusheng beside her, her voice continuing, “Right, Brother?”

“If you want to stay longer, you’d best not cause me trouble,” Zhao Yusheng reminded her quietly.

“Brother, is there anything you say besides that?” Zhao Xiaoxiao shot him a look and turned away.

“I really don’t understand—since when have I ever caused you trouble?”

“As long as you haven’t, that’s fine,” Zhao Yusheng said quietly, brow furrowing.

The group soon arrived at the spot in the courtyard where everyone was preparing breakfast.

Zhao Xiaoxiao glanced once more at Jian Yi before stepping forward.

“Xiao Yingtao, need any help?”

“It’s fine, everything’s ready. Everyone, sit.” Xiao Yingtao glanced up and said softly, “Jiu’er, you and Jian Yi sit here.”

“All right.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and walked over together with Jian Yi.

Jian Yi’s meal was somewhat different from everyone else’s, something one could tell at a glance—which was why Xiao Yingtao had specifically arranged his seat.

Qiao Mu came in from outside, and once she had taken her seat, everyone was present.

Glancing around at everyone, Feng Jiu’er picked up her chopsticks.

“Let’s begin.”

“All right.” Xiao Yingtao nodded.

“Mm.” Qiao Mu nodded in response as well.

The group sat together over the meal, the mood pleasant.

Feng Jiu’er finished a bowl of porridge and turned to look at Jian Yi.

“Hurry and eat. Once you’re full, I’ll take you to have some new clothes made. It’s New Year—you shouldn’t keep wearing the same color all the time. It’s too gloomy.”

“Not at all, I think Jian Yi looks good no matter what he wears,” Xiao Yingtao said, still seeming to have something in her mouth as she spoke.

“That’s right.” Zhao Xiaoxiao didn’t hold back either. “A handsome man doesn’t necessarily need to be particular about his clothes.”

“Still, Jiu’er’s suggestion is a good one. It’s almost the new year—I’d like to have a set of clothes made for Jian Yi too.”

“Ahem… and my brother as well.” Zhao Xiaoxiao turned to glance at Zhao Yusheng, smiling somewhat awkwardly. “Everyone… we’re all one family, after all.”

“I want new clothes too.” Xiao Yingtao said with a smile, nodding.

“All right.” Xing Zizhou reached out his large hand to rub her head, the corner of his mouth curving up slightly. “As long as you like them, you can have as many made as you want.”

When Xiao Yingtao looked up, there was a bit of oil glistening at the corner of her mouth.

Xing Zizhou picked up a cloth and gently wiped it away for her.

Still chewing on a meat bun, Xiao Yingtao glanced around at everyone, a little embarrassed, and took the cloth from Xing Zizhou.

“I have my own silver. I don’t need to use yours.”

Xing Zizhou picked up a small pastry with his chopsticks and brought it to Xiao Yingtao.

“From now on, I’ll be the one earning the silver. You just spend it—that’s enough.”