As expected by Yin Furen, Yu Family’s Da Laoyé braved the wind and snow, travelling hastily, and successfully had Lao Taitai released from Lingde Hall.

However, after this incident, all the branches of the household clearly understood Guogong Yé’s attitude toward Lao Taitai, so everyone was superficially respectful to her, but nothing more. Lao Taitai herself seemed to feel humiliated as well. When the restrictions on Lingde Hall were lifted, she claimed to be ill, declined visits from the other branches, and allowed only her daughter-in-law from the Fifth Branch to tend to her.

On the 10th day of the Twelve Month, Wu Residence’s Lao Furen celebrated her 70th birthday. Yin Furen attended the banquet at the Wu Residence, accompanied by Zhao Huanxi and his wife, as well as Zhao Jiazhen.

Upon arriving, they found that He Furen was also present. Having now secured ties with Jing Guogong Residence’ Fifth Branch, she was feeling quite smug. Spotting Xu Nian’an, she deliberately raised her voice and said, “Indeed, it’s just as they say; my Ning’er had his fate read by a monk when he was a child, destined to marry the daughter of a prestigious family. He’d never take someone from a poor humble background as a wife.”

This one remark managed to offend both Yin Furen and Wu Furen.

Wu Furen was fuming but couldn’t directly confront her in front of so many people. Left with no choice, she pretended not to hear and instead led Yin Furen to her seat.

After sitting down, Yin Furen looked at He Furen and remarked, “Hearing this, He Furen truly seems destined to have this daughter-in-law! How come my niece’s demeanour and manners is just like you, her prospective mother-in-law?”

As soon as Yin Furen said this, the expressions of those present shifted subtly.

A young lady from a Guogong Residence behaving just like He Furen? That was far from a compliment.

Some of those who disapproved of He Furen’s arrogant behaviour couldn’t help but chuckle discreetly.

Zhao Jiazhen leaned over to Xu Nian’an with a smile and whispered, “Why does my mother’s tone sound so much like yours?”

Xu Nian’an replied with a grin, “Perhaps Mother also has the destiny to be my mother-in-law?”

The two leaned close, unable to stop laughing together.

He Furen, already stifled with frustration from Yin Furen’s earlier remark, found herself unable to vent her feelings. After all, she couldn’t outright say that it was bad for her future daughter-in-law to act like her.

Now, seeing Xu Nian’an and Zhao Jiazhen with their heads together, laughing merrily, He Furen—unfamiliar with Zhao Jiazhen—directed her irritation at Xu Nian’an and said, “Why is Xi San Nainai laughing? Could it be that you find your mother-in-law’s words amusing?”

Xu Nian’an lifted her gaze toward He Furen, the smile at the corners of her mouth taking on a deeper, more meaningful curve. She spoke gently, “How could that be? I’m simply happy for He Furen. Truly, He Furen’s eye for talent is exceptional. Choosing such a one-in-a-million daughter-in-law like my Fifth Branch’s Er Tang Mei. Just wait, your blessings are yet to come!”

If some people hadn’t caught the underlying meaning of Yin Furen’s earlier words, Xu Nian’an’s remark left no room for ambiguity.

If this daughter-in-law was truly so outstanding, why would her engagement with the Lu Family be annulled, only to turn around and form a connection with the He Family? Comparing the sons’ appearances and the fathers’ official ranks, the He Family was leagues behind the Lu Family.

Could it be that this Zhao Family’s daughter-in-law was speaking sarcastically?

With this thought, the crowd’s gazes toward He Furen became even more unrestrained, their expressions filled with intrigue and unspoken judgement.

He Furen was seething with anger. The words were clearly compliments, yet this Xu woman managed to twist them with such a sarcastic tone that even if she wanted to find fault, there was nothing to criticise.

Xu Nian’an couldn’t be bothered to deal with her. After lingering in the hall for a while, she and Zhao Jiazhen excused themselves to Wu Lao Furen, then headed to visit Zhao Jiaxian in her courtyard. Zhao Jiaxian was due to give birth in just a day or two.

When the two arrived, they were surprised to find Zhao Huanxi there as well. He was brought over by Wu Cheng to visit his Si Jie. With Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an joining in, the atmosphere became even livelier.

Noticing how attentive Wu Cheng was toward Zhao Jiaxian, and how she responded to him with a measure of politeness, Xu Nian’an and Zhao Jiazhen exchanged subtle glances, a faint wry smile appearing on both their lips.

Zhao Huanxi, catching this trace of a smile from his wife and San Jie, began to ponder.

After finishing their meal at the Wu Residence and returning home, Yin Furen and her group had barely arrived at their residence when news came from Nanny Xian that Zhao Jiaxian had gone into labour. Upon hearing this, Yin Furen wasted no time and rushed back immediately.

Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an didn’t follow along. Xu Nian’an asked Zhao Jiazhen, “Why is Mother rushing over? From what I recall, the maternal family is usually notified after the baby is born.”

Zhao Jiazhen replied, “Though it’s rare, there are cases where a daughter-in-law faces complications during labour, like having to decide between saving the child or the mother, or unexpected issues due to insufficient preparation. That’s why, when my Er Jie gave birth to her four children and now with Jiaxian’s first, Mother always insists on being there personally to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Xu Nian’an sighed, “Mother truly is an amazing parent.”

Zhao Jiazhen teased her with a mischievous grin, “Don’t worry. When it’s your turn to have children, Mother will definitely be even more attentive than she was with us sisters.”

Xu Nian’an blushed and gave her a playful shove.

Yin Furen returned home late at night, both exhausted and exhilarated.

Zhao Jiaxian had given birth to a baby boy, and both mother and child were safe and healthy.

✦

The Imperial Academy began its winter holiday on 20th of the Twelve Month, and once Zhao Huanxi was home, Xu Nian’an found herself swept up in his boundless energy. He couldn’t sit still, one day he’d drag her out to pick plum blossoms, and the next he’d push her to build snowmen. If not, he’d bury firecrackers in snow piles to set them off or break icicles from the eaves, stick them into the snow, and play a game of tossing gold bracelets from afar to see who could ring them.

With Yin Luochen around, there was nothing beyond their imagination to play.

Fu Yunjin, spending every day with the pair, gradually started to show a bit of joy on his face as well.

That morning, with nothing to do, Yin Luochen brought along some sweet potatoes, declaring they should roast them in the snow. Meanwhile, Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an, accompanied by their maids, decided to go to the Plum Ridge to pick more plum blossoms for vases to celebrate the New Year.

The five of them, along with their maids, headed to Zhilan Garden together.

Zhao Huanxi and Yin Luochen were digging a pit on the open ground below the Plum Ridge, building a fire to roast sweet potatoes. Meanwhile, Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an were walking up the Plum Ridge, quietly discussing Zhao Jiarong’s matters.

As the two were using flower shears to trim plum blossom branches, a sudden clump of snow smacked into Zhao Jiazhen.

Turning her head, Zhao Jiazhen spotted Zhao Huanxi not far away, peeking out from behind a plum blossom tree. Dressed in a crimson cloak lined with white fox fur, he held another snowball in hand, his face beaming with mischief.

Zhao Jiazhen laughed and scolded, “Oh, so you dare throw snow at your Jie? Fine, I’ll throw it at your wife instead!” With that, she bent down, grabbed a snowball, and tossed it at Xu Nian’an while giggling all the while.

“Hey! Don’t bully my Dong’er!” Zhao Huanxi called out, running over while throwing another snowball at Zhao Jiazhen.

“Hey! Don’t bully my Biao Jie!” Yin Luochen shouted from behind, tossing a snowball that hit Zhao Huanxi squarely on the head.

Zhao Jiazhen laughed heartily, continuing to pack snow into a ball and toss it at Zhao Huanxi while teasing, “That’s right, hit him, hit him!”

“Don’t bully my Sanlang!” Xu Nian’an also grabbed a snowball and aimed it at Zhao Jiazhen.

The group started a snowball fight in the trees of plum blossoms, with the maids watching and laughing while holding the blossoming branches.

Zhao Jiazhen, a little dazed from the snowball fight, threw a large snowball, but as her gaze caught a glimpse of a purple velvet cloak in the corner of her eye, she realised she might have thrown it at the wrong person.

The snowball hit Fu Yunjin squarely on the face, leaving him stunned.

Zhao Jiazhen stopped, her smile fading slightly, but when she saw him standing there frozen, his face covered in snow with a dazed expression, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing. She laughed and said, “Sorry, I got snow in my eyes and mistook you for Huanxi.”

Fu Yunjin, still processing the situation, looked at her sparkling eyes as she laughed, and before he could think too much, his own face broke into a smile. “It’s alright, it’s alright.” He said, then awkwardly raised his sleeve to wipe the snow off his face.

Zhao Jiazhen turned around, only to see Yin Luochen wandering nearby, but no sign of Zhao Huanxi and his wife. She immediately called out loudly, “Where are Huanxi and Nian’an?”

“They’re tired of playing with us,” Yin Luochen replied, “You don’t need to look for them, they’re not going anywhere.”

Zhao Jiazhen understood, turned back, and continued picking plum blossom branches with her maids.

Meanwhile, Zhao Huanxi was pulling Xu Nian’an down the Plum Ridge, stumbling in the snow. Xu Nian’an asked him, “Where are we going?”

“Let’s go see what Yifang Garden looks like in winter,” Zhao Huanxi answered with a smile, glancing back at her. Yifang Garden wasn’t far from the Plum Ridge, and they soon arrived.

When they reached the gate, the young couple was stunned to see the door was locked.

“Looks like we can’t get in,” Xu Nian’an said.

Zhao Huanxi looked around and said, “Wait here a moment.”

He let go of her hand, went to the corner of the wall, and rummaged around until he found a stone. He came back and started pounding the lock with it, smashing the lock in a few strikes before pushing open the gate.

The two of them entered, and upon seeing the yard, they were greeted by thick snow that had accumulated because no one had been maintaining it. The whole place was wrapped in silver. The rose trellis had lost all its flowers and leaves, and a thick layer of snow covered the trellis and the swing chairs.

As Xu Nian’an was observing her surroundings, she suddenly heard Zhao Huanxi cheer and take a few steps forward. Then, with a jump, he flopped down into the thick snow, rolling around and laughing as he called out to her, “Dong Jiejie, come quickly, the snow is so thick and soft here!”

Xu Nian’an hesitated. She’d never done anything so carefree in her life.

“Dong Jiejie, come on, there’s no one else here,” Zhao Huanxi said, his body covered in snow. He tilted his head up to urge her.

Xu Nian’an laughed as she walked a few steps forward, then turned and fell back into the snow, rolling around just like him. She stopped, spread her arms wide, and looked up at the sky, giggling. She had never known that rolling in the snow could feel this way.

It was so free and carefree, innocent and lively. For a moment, it felt like all her worries had disappeared, and she was back to a childhood without a care in the world. Even in her childhood, she had never experienced such snow and sky.

Zhao Huanxi rolled over to her side and lay next to her. He reached out to hold her hand and asked, “Dong Jiejie, are you happy?”

“Happy!” Xu Nian’an answered without hesitation.

Zhao Huanxi turned over, propped himself up on his arms, and looked at her. “Dong Jiejie, from now on, when you’re with me, you don’t have to hold back. Do whatever you want, and don’t worry about being embarrassed. After all, I’ve already lost all my face in front of you, and I have no right to laugh at you. I won’t laugh at you.”

Xu Nian’an smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. “If you’ve lost your face, do you expect to see me lose mine? Not a chance!”

Zhao Huanxi, a little embarrassed and annoyed, retorted, “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“You absolutely meant that!” Xu Nian’an said playfully, grabbing a handful of snow and throwing it at him.

“I didn’t!” Zhao Huanxi grabbed some snow in return and threw it back.

“You did!”

“I didn’t!” The two of them laughed and played for a while, each of them covered in snow.

After a moment, Zhao Huanxi stopped and reached out to wipe the snow off Xu Nian’an’s face. He looked at her and asked, “Dong Jiejie, do you think we’ll always be like this, just like now?”

Xu Nian’an, breathing lightly from laughter, asked, “What do you mean by ‘now’? Do you mean messing around together?”

“No, I mean growing old together,” Zhao Huanxi replied, his gaze on the snow in her hair.

Xu Nian’an looked up at him, noticing the snow on his head. She reached up to brush it off before gently wrapping her arms around his neck.

Zhao Huanxi gazed at her soft, tender expression and her rosy lips, understanding her silent cue. He leaned in, about to kiss her, but then seemed to remember something. He quickly stood up and said, “I’ll go lock the door first.”

Xu Nian’an knew exactly why he was being cautious. He’d been teased by Yin Luochen earlier, and the thought made her curl up, laughing in the snow.

Once Zhao Huanxi had locked the door, he returned and pounced on her, feigning anger. “Are you laughing at me again?”

“I am, and what about it?” Xu Nian’an playfully grabbed some snow and tossed it at him.

Zhao Huanxi couldn’t care about fighting back this time. He lowered his head and gently pressed his lips against hers, which were especially red and moist from being softened like melting snowflakes.

At first, their lips were a bit cool, but after a few moments of shifting, they both became warm.

Zhao Huanxi was no longer satisfied with the surface-level kisses and nibbles. He pushed aside her teeth and invaded deeper into the smooth warmth, entangling her small tongue, unwilling to let go.

Xu Nian’an wrapped her arms around him, tightly clutching the thick, warm, fluffy white fox fur on his cloak collar. This kind of kiss was too easy to stir emotions, for both of them. Zhao Huanxi quickly succumbed, burying his face into Xu Nian’an’s fur collar, his body tensing uncomfortably as he gasped for breath, “Dong Jiejie, there are twelve months and four days left.”

Xu Nian’an knew he was referring to the time when he would turn eighteen.

She quietly blushed, holding the young man who, because of the promise she made with him, had to suppress his desires. She softly replied, “En.”