The New Year arrived quickly.

Although he was very reluctant to set foot in the Marquis Jing’an residence that brought him many painful memories, on New Year’s Day, Shao Mingyuan still returned.

Having aged another year, the white hair at Marquis Jing’an’s temples appeared even more abundant, though his expression at this moment was pleased: “Are all the gifts to be sent to the Li residence prepared?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded with a smile: “Father, rest assured—everything is ready.”

In any case, adhering to the principle of more rather than less couldn’t go wrong.

“That’s good. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask the household steward. This is the first year sending New Year gifts to your father-in-law’s family—we cannot lose face in matters of propriety.” Marquis Jing’an instructed once more.

Before Shao Mingyuan could respond, Shao Xiyuan put down his chopsticks with a clatter on the table and huffed angrily: “I’m not eating anymore!” After saying this, he glared at Shao Mingyuan and turned to leave.

“Third son, stop right there!”

Shao Xiyuan’s steps paused as he turned around.

“What tantrum are you throwing on New Year’s Day? You’ll be fifteen after this New Year—are you still a child?”

Shao Xiyuan snorted coldly, stiffening his neck as he said: “With the family in such chaos, what’s the point of celebrating this New Year? I’m full!”

The half-grown youth ran out like a gust of wind, leaving Marquis Jing’an so angry his lips were pressed tight.

The heir apparent, Shao Jingyuan, sat to one side, saying nothing.

This reunion dinner really couldn’t continue.

Shao Mingyuan stood up: “Father, I still have many matters at my residence, so I’ll take my leave first.”

“Finish eating before you go.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “No need—I’m already satisfied.”

Marquis Jing’an felt somewhat saddened. Thinking that with his youngest son causing such a scene, it wouldn’t be appropriate to insist further, he forced a smile: “Very well then. I’ll have the steward send you dumplings later.”

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Shao Jingyuan, who lowered his eyes and ignored it.

Shao Mingyuan bowed to Marquis Jing’an and turned to leave.

The flower hall that had just moments ago held the gathering of three father and sons was now left with only Marquis Jing’an and his eldest son Shao Jingyuan.

“Your second brother rarely comes back. Why didn’t you see him off when he just left?”

Shao Jingyuan smiled mockingly: “Father, we all know the situation with the second brother. Why make things difficult for your son?”

Marquis Jing’an’s expression darkened: “Even if Mingyuan and you don’t share the same mother, he’s still your brother!”

“But Mother became so angry because of him that she withdrew from worldly affairs to devote herself to Buddhism!” Shao Jingyuan’s voice rose. “Father, think about how lively our residence was during last year’s New Year—and this year? Mother won’t see anyone, and this New Year has no flavor at all—”

Smack! Marquis Jing’an slapped Shao Jingyuan across the face.

“Father—” Shao Jingyuan looked incredulous.

Marquis Jing’an’s expression was as cold as snow: “Don’t mention your mother again. Shao Jingyuan, remember this—you’re not the marquis yet!”

After saying this, Marquis Jing’an swept his sleeves and left, leaving Shao Jingyuan nearly pounding the table to pieces.

Damn it! Why was Father so partial to Shao Mingyuan down to his bones? Just because Shao Mingyuan was born to the Father’s beloved concubine?

A concubine’s son had forced his mother into Buddhist devotion, refusing to see anyone, yet Father still protected him so.

Shao Mingyuan, just wait and see—I don’t believe you can remain so triumphant forever!

Shao Mingyuan walked out of the hall, his steps never stopping as he headed toward the main gate.

This had never been his home—he should have known that long ago.

Looking up at the sky, the palm-sized patch of sky above the Marquis Jing’an residence was gray and overcast. Shao Mingyuan smiled silently and stopped when he saw the person blocking his path ahead.

“Second brother, you’re about to take a new wife—you must be very happy, right?” The half-grown youth had rosy lips and white teeth. With his arms crossed, he looked up at the brother who was more than half a head taller than him, using anger to prop up his momentum as he questioned.

“Of course I’m very happy.” Observing his younger brother’s expression, Shao Mingyuan slowly smiled.

No matter what inappropriate feelings this brother had once harbored toward Zhaozhao, none of it mattered now.

After Zhaozhao married into the Marquis Guanjun’s residence, unless necessary, he wouldn’t bring her to set foot in this unpleasant place.

Or rather, while he was annoyed that his third brother had developed feelings for his sister-in-law, he was also grateful to this child.

Zhaozhao had once said that it was Shao Xiyuan who taught her archery.

One could imagine that during those long, cold days in the marquis’ residence, this brother might have been the only person who had ever given Zhaozhao warmth.

Hearing Shao Mingyuan’s answer, Shao Xiyuan immediately exploded: “Second brother, have you forgotten second sister-in-law? You—you’re taking a new wife so quickly. Search your conscience—are you worthy of second sister-in-law?”

By the end of his words, the youth was so angry that his chest heaved.

He had already forgiven his second brother for killing his second sister-in-law with his own hands in that situation where there was no choice, convincing himself to treat him as a good brother in the future. But how could he marry a new person so quickly?

Where did he place his deceased second sister-in-law?

Shao Mingyuan placed his hand on top of Shao Xiyuan’s head, smiling faintly: “Second brother wronged your second sister-in-law, so in the future he will treat his wife well and not let regrets happen again.”

“Bullshit!” Shao Xiyuan jumped up and down. After the crude words left his mouth, he simply threw caution to the wind: “Bullshit, bullshit! Even if you treat your future wife with every kindness, she still won’t be second sister-in-law—that’s even more unfair to second sister-in-law!”

Looking at the furious youth, Shao Mingyuan felt both sad and amused, his tone remaining calm: “Then what do you want?”

No matter how magnanimous he was, he was still a man. If this kid showed his feelings so obviously again, he might have to throw some punches.

“I—” Shao Xiyuan was stumped by the question.

What did he want?

He couldn’t do anything—he couldn’t bring his deceased second sister-in-law back to life, nor could he stop his second brother from marrying a new wife. What else could he do?

“In any case, in my heart, there’s only one second sister-in-law. I won’t call your new wife second sister-in-law!” The youth, frustrated by his brother’s question, stamped his foot and ran off.

Shao Mingyuan smiled and strode toward the exit.

The next morning, snowflakes began falling from the sky, yet this couldn’t stop people’s enthusiasm for visiting relatives and paying New Year calls.

On the second day of the New Year, according to custom, married daughters should return to their parents’ homes with their husbands to pay New Year respects, while families with engaged daughters would prepare food and wine to entertain their prospective sons-in-law.

The clip-clop of horse hooves echoed through the bustling streets as many people instinctively stopped to watch. They saw an extraordinarily handsome young man riding a tall horse in front, followed by a long procession. Those spirited young men either carried or shouldered loads, and there were even those driving horse carts. The abundance of gifts left the passersby dumbfounded.

“Heavens, whose son-in-law is that? Not only is he so handsome, but the New Year gifts he’s sending could match what other families send over ten years…”

“You don’t know? That’s Marquis Guanjun, sending New Year gifts to the Li residence. Tsk tsk, Third Miss Li is truly blessed!”

Standing at the street corner, Jiang Shiran pulled her cloak tighter and curled her lip.

What was so impressive about that? So what if there were more New Year gifts?

She reached out to take the arm of the stunned Jiang Yuanchao, saying plaintively: “Thirteenth brother, I finally waited for you to return. You must make up my New Year gifts to me.”

Jiang Yuanchao turned his head to look at her: “Third Miss Li is engaged?”