Chapter 1038: If Ning Jing dies, I die (2/2)

Towards dusk, Han Yunxi paid a visit to check on the greens before discovering Baili Mingxiang discussing soup options with the cooks. She didn’t bother anyone, but stood quietly on one side before finally calling out. “Mingxiang.”

Baili Mingxiang whirled around, surprised. “Princess…”

“Don’t hide in the kitchens tonight. Join us for a meal,” Han Yunxi said before she left.

Baili Mingxiang’s lips pursed as she wondered what to do. Did this count as the princess forgiving her?

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When night fell, the innermost Violet Qi Pavilion of East Origin Hall was lit up by dazzling lanterns. Xu Donglin found a big round table out of nowhere, enough to sit seven to eight people. It was currently covered in delicacies and fine wine, each of the dishes a delectable treat that made one drool. Han Yunxi had long led Long Feiye to their seats in the hosts’ places. Tang Li sat next to Long Feiye with Gu Beiyue next to him. Gu Qishao had planned to take the seat by Han Yunxi, but she dragged Baili Mingxiang there instead, forcing him to sit by the other woman instead. Back in Tianning, Long Feiye was required to attend the banquet at the royal palace for New Year’s. Ever since Tianning broke apeart, Long Feiye spent his New Years with Han Yunxi. But besides that time in Jiangnan’s Plum Blossom Sea, the rest had pass by so quickly that he hardly remembered to celebrate at all.

This year’s reunion feast was different from the palace banquets. There were less restrictions and more of a casual air. Still, Long Feiye was as taciturn as ever. Besides putting food in Han Yunxi’s plate, all he did was eat in silence. Everyone had taken Tang Li’s feelings into consideration and didn’t act too jubilant. Even Gu Qishao was very quiet.

After a while, Han Yunxi smiled and said, “Xu Donglin, bring the item here.”

While everyone was wondering what Han Yunxi was planning, Xu Donglin carried up a large copper plate onto the table. Red packets covered its surface. Han Yunxi gestured for him to place it in the center of the table before she grinned. “Our rich moneybags is handing out red envelopes for everyone. Come on, come on, it’s one packet per person. You can’t steal others’ or take any extras! The silver drafts inside all have different amounts, so it all depends on luck!”

So speaking, she grabbed an envelope first, but didn’t open it right away. Nobody else moved as they waited for Tang Li to take one next before moving around the table. As the brother to the main couple, it was technically his turn. But Tang Li only stared blankly ahead without stirring a muscle.

“Mingxiang, quickly, it’s luckier if you get one sooner!” Han Yunxi spoke up.

Baili Mingxiang felt this was improper, but she knew the princess wouldn’t say this without reason. Thus, she stood up and carefully picked out a red envelope before bowing towards Long Feiye. “Thanks to Your Highness for your grace.”

After she was done, Gu Beiyue took one with thanks as well. That was when everyone discovered there were still four red envelopes left on the plate. Only Gu Qishao and Tang Li were left because Long Feiye and Han Yunxi had given Xu Donglin and the other subordinates their red packets separately.

Why is there four of them?

A complicated look passed over Gu Qishao’s eyes before he grabbed one for himself. He had his own style of doing things and waved it at Long Feiye’s face without a bow. “Thanks!”

Now only three were left. Everyone was puzzled until Han Yunxi said, “Tang Li, your big brother’s passing out red envelopes.”

Tang Li smiled a little, although it was obviously forced, then picked one up.

But Han Yunxi then said, “Where’s your conscience? Don’t you know to get one for Ning Jing too? I’m going to tattle on you when I see her again.”

Tang Li gave a start before breaking into a genuine smile. This time, he looked a little helpless, but at least it wasn’t strained. He obediently picked up another red envelope, but Han Yunxi was soon cursing him again.

“The young man is unworthy of tutelage!”[3]

Tang Li looked at her dumbly, clueless as to why she was scolding him.

Baili Mingxiang grinned. “Princess, this is the Tang Clan Head’s first time being a father. He’s not used to it yet, so you shouldn’t blame him.”

Even then, Tang Li didn’t get it.

Finally, Long Feiye opened his mouth. “It’s for your child. Take it!”

Tang Li then realized that his big brother and sister-in-law had not only prepared red packets for Ning Jing, but also the child in her womb.

1. Get ready because I just spent the next paragraph repeating what everyone’s been saying for the last three chapters. Way to wordpad, author!

2. oh my god i really just typed “northern li is in the north

3. A play on words from the Chinese idiom 孺子可教也, which actually means “the promising young man is worthy of tutelage.” Han Yunxi just added a “not” here to reverse the meaning.