"How do you plan to celebrate your birthday?"
Feng Qingyi suddenly remembered his birthday was in three days. He could still have a birthday at home.
Qin Yuchuan breathed in the fresh scent of her hair. "I'm too old for birthday celebrations."
"No one said you can't celebrate birthdays when you're older. Can you come see me the day after tomorrow?"
If she couldn't come to him, she'd have him come to her.
Qin Yuchuan loosened his arms around her and looked into her eyes.
"Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"
"We'll be discreet. No one will find out."
Qin Yuchuan patted Feng Qingyi's head. "Alright, I'll come see you."
The young lady probably wanted to prepare a surprise for him, and he didn't want to spoil it.
Although he would be busy these few days, he could still spare a moment or two.
"Then it's settled. I'll be waiting for you!"
Even though she had forgotten the gift she prepared in the Capital City, she couldn't let his first birthday celebration with her be too shabby. They should still have some sense of ceremony.
Qin Yuchuan nodded slightly. "Alright."
"Now take me back. I'm tired."
After dawn, they still had to make New Year's visits. She needed to sleep soon.
"Mm."
Although reluctant, seeing her drowsy state, he resisted the urge to keep her with him.
...
In the Tianqi Imperial Palace, the lively palace banquet dispersed after midnight.
Murong Yan returned to her chambers supported by Xuanyuan Sheng.
"Yan'er, you seemed a bit gloomy today. What's the matter?"
Murong Yan looked at Xuanyuan Sheng's concerned eyes. "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. This concubine just doesn't have much appetite."
"Then I'll summon the imperial physician to examine you."
Just as he was about to call for the physician, Murong Yan grasped Xuanyuan Sheng's hand.
"I've worried Your Majesty needlessly. It's just the child in my belly being a bit restless. I'll be fine after some rest."
Hearing Murong Yan say this, Xuanyuan Sheng finally relaxed.
"It's already late. Let's retire for the night."
"...Alright, this concubine will help Your Majesty undress."
Murong Yan truly hadn't expected that on New Year's Eve, Xuanyuan Sheng would want to stay the night. Wouldn't this ruin her plans?
She wondered how the preparations were going on Yan Lan's side. They only had a few days left before the expedition in four days.
If they couldn't deal with Qin Yuchuan this time, all her plans would be disrupted.
"What are you thinking about, Yan'er?"
Xuanyuan Sheng's sudden voice almost startled Murong Yan.
"This concubine was just thinking about tomorrow's palace banquet, wondering if everything is prepared properly."
During the Spring Festival, palace banquets were held lavishly every night from New Year's Eve to the third day of the new year, and the same for the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth.
As the Empress, Murong Yan naturally had to oversee all of these.
"Yan'er, you needn't worry about these things. Leave it to the palace maids. In your current pregnant state, you shouldn't overexert yourself."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's consideration. These are duties this concubine should attend to."
If they couldn't succeed, she would have to make some arrangements at the palace banquet.
However, with so many people in the palace, it wouldn't be easy. She needed to think it through carefully.
"Yan'er, it's already late. We should rest."
As the lights in the bedchamber dimmed, Murong Yan's mind was in turmoil.
...
The first day of the lunar new year was the liveliest time in the village.
In earlier years, people would bring firecrackers when visiting neighbors for New Year greetings. They would set off a string, and the host would reciprocate with another.
The sound of firecrackers would last for several days, creating a very festive atmosphere.
Now, fireworks and firecrackers were banned. If anyone set off firecrackers, they might be reported immediately.
A couple of years ago, the neighbors had an argument with the village officials over this matter.
Nowadays, no one wanted to cause trouble over such a small issue during the New Year celebrations.
Current New Year visits mostly involved going to each family's heated room, having some tea, eating some seeds and snacks, chatting for a while, and then moving on to the next house.
Every year, Feng Zhixing would lead his family to visit each household, bringing gifts of cigarettes and alcohol.
Mainly because they were away most of the year, they relied on neighbors to look after the elderly at home.
Having slept late last night, Feng Qingyi was still a bit groggy.
She clung to the hood of Feng Qingci's down jacket, following behind him with her eyes closed.
"What's going on with you? Were you communing with immortals last night?"
"Something like that!"
After returning in the early morning, she had grabbed some red envelopes in various chat groups.
Besides that, she had also replied to messages from friends. By the time all this was done, it was almost two o'clock.
Hearing her say this, Feng Qingci slowed his pace a bit.
"We're going home on the 3rd. Remember to pack your things when you get back," Nan Yin suddenly said.
Hearing about the 3rd, Feng Qingyi suddenly became alert.
"Why so early? Didn't we usually leave on the 7th?"
Nan Yin explained, "There's some urgent work. If you want to stay here, that's fine, but you'll have to buy your own tickets to get back."
If she stayed here, taking a taxi back by herself would be very troublesome.
She wasn't familiar with this area and had a poor sense of direction. She might even get lost.
If they left early on the 3rd, they would arrive home very late at night, and she had promised to let Qin Yuchuan come see her.
Now she could only hope that there wouldn't be traffic jams on the 3rd, so they could get home earlier.
"Never mind then, I'll go back with you."
Nan Yin just thought Feng Qingyi wanted to stay here longer and didn't think much of it.
Feng Qingyi had originally planned to make a birthday cake herself, but now that plan was ruined. She could only pre-order one in advance.
"Why are you sighing? What's wrong?" Feng Qingci asked.
Feng Qingyi let go of his hood and took out her phone, deciding to tell Qin Yuchuan about the change in timing.
However, even after sending the message, she didn't receive a reply for a long time.
The first day of the new year in Shengjing was bustling with activity.
Xuanyuan Xi sat in the main hall, while Manager Lin was responsible for receiving the arriving guests.
Everyone exchanged warm greetings and New Year's blessings.
At this moment, Qin Yuchuan was on his way to the military camp, with Yan Chi and Yan Yang following closely behind.
On the way, passing a small sand dune, several arrows shot out from behind it.
The three of them easily dodged and continued forward, showing no intention of stopping to investigate.
Seeing this, the hidden assailants were momentarily confused.
Just as they were considering whether to confront Qin Yuchuan and his companions directly, they realized they had been spotted.
The opposing force was numerous. If they engaged, they wouldn't gain any advantage.
With a gesture from their leader, they all disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
Qin Yi sent his subordinates to search, while he himself walked up to Qin Yuchuan.
"Master, their goal this time was to eliminate you!"
Qin Yuchuan was aware of this. "Then let's deal with them first."
"Master, I have one more matter to report," Qin Yi said with clasped hands.
Qin Yuchuan replied, "Speak."
"Your servant has discovered that recently in Shengjing, there seems to be a faction stirring up trouble. This faction appears to have some connection to His Highness Prince Xian."
"No need to investigate further. We don't need to get involved in this."
He had only been somewhat suspicious before, but now it seemed clear that Prince Xian couldn't be uninvolved.
Developing power in secret and pushing for war - what Prince Xian wanted surely couldn't be so simple.
