Chapter 1224: TangNing Owner (2/2)

She could bring Rui’er here to spend a few days at a time, learning the art of tea and planting tea trees. As she picked up her son, she asked, “Son, do you like it here?”

Rui’er nodded. He rarely spoke, so he never did if he didn’t have to.

“How about imperial father buys it and gifts it to mother?” Han Yunxi asked.

Rui’er shook his head in disagreement.

Han Yunxi was amused while everyone else was lost. She knew best and asked, “Then shall it be gifted to Rui’er instead?”

At last, Rui’er opened his mouth without hesitation. “Alright!”

Everyone was tickled by his answer while Long Feiye couldn’t help but laugh. But he still didn’t agree in the end.

“You’re not allowed to snatch things from your mother,” he said.

Both Tang Li and Ning Jing were astonished to see Long Feiye’s “fatherly” ways. Han Yunxi had long gotten used to it. Rui’er was the same and only stared at his father before turning to ignore him. Perhaps he’d even learn to call him “petty” after he grew a little older, or “I don’t need it” when he was older than that.

But right now, no one knew what he was thinking at this moment.

Little Tang Tang ran over from the snow and hugged her daddy’s thighs with a tender voice. “Daddy, baobao[1]...carry…”

Tang Li immediately picked her up and kissed her on the forehead, then rubbed her hands to warm them up. Long Feiye stared at them deeply before being the first to walk out of the room.

--

Celestial Fragrance Pavilion was located in the highest tower of the teahouse on the plantation’s eastern end. Next to it was a pond that was currently frozen over with ice. It was solid enough to step on. Their New Year’s Eve meal had been set up in the second floor hall. By the time the group arrived, the large round table was covered in wonderful wine and dishes.

Long Feiye and Han Yunxi took their seats as the hosts while little Rui’er sat next to his mother. Zhao mama was waiting in attendance on the side. Tang Li and Ning Jing sat together on the same side while Tang Tang insisted on remaining in her father’s lap. Ning Jing tried to pull her off, but her daughter only shot pitiful looks at her daddy. His heart instantly softened as he set her on his legs.

Long Feiye gave Tang Li another long look; unfortunately, Tang Li didn’t notice.

Meanwhile, Rui’er witnessed the scene and wanted to be held as well. He stood up and started climbing up his mother’s legs.

“Aiyo, little master, be careful not to fall!” Zhao mama hastened to support him.

Little Rui’er looked at his imperial mother with a pathetic expression. “Imperial mother...hold me.”

Actually, Rui’er wasn’t a clingy child except when he was wronged or feeling sleepy. Otherwise, he was fine playing on his own. By contrast, it was Han Yunxi who liked to stick around her son and carry and kiss him.

“Alright, alright! I’ll hold you!” Han Yunxi set Rui’er on her lap as well.

“Start the meal,” Long Feiye said simply.

Zhao mama quickly ladled out the chicken soup in the very center of the table. It wasn’t a banquet without chicken, and so Cloud Realm Continent’s traditional New Year’s Eve meal always had it on the menu. Zhao mama had cooked chicken everyday since little Rui’er’s birth and was still cooking it on the last day of the year. She first gave a bowl to Long Feiye, whose gut heaved at the very sight of the soup.

Yes, he had been drinking no less chicken soup than Han Yunxi in the past during his year in the military encampment. He quickly pushed the bowl to Tang Li. “Here.”

Now he no longer told Zhao mama to make Han Yunxi chicken soup. Before Tang Li could refuse, Long Feiye added. “There’s no formalities between a family sharing a meal. Let’s all get started.”

Thus, Han Yunxi pushed her bowl to soup to Ning Jing too. The clueless couple found the soup quite tasty, cheering up Zhao mama.

At last! Master Li should be staying here for a while. I’ve finally found someone to finish off those 100 chickens!

If it wasn’t because of the date, she wouldn’t have dare make chicken soup tonight. “Old hen soup” had already been decreed as a taboo by His Majesty in the palace!

The true banquet began after drinking chicken soup. Court ladies came to pour them wine during the only event when Long Feiye drank alcohol.

“Ning Jing, we spent New Year’s Eve the year before last at Three-Way Black MArket. Gu Qishao made me drunk, so my big bro took revenge on me and knocked Gu Qishao out for days with wine!” Tang Li declared.

Although Gu Qishao had fallen drunk, he never blacked out for days! Tang Li was clearly exaggerating.

“Really?” Ning Jing had doubts.

A strange and icy laugh suddenly filled the air. “Lies! Hmph!”

With a start, everyone exchanged looks before suddenly turning towards the source of the voice. Who had just spoken?