Chapter 581: Chapter 581: New Year’s Eve

Xie Pei’s death was sudden.

The next day, the news spread throughout the Capital City as if it had grown wings.

His Majesty was overcome with grief and ordered a grand burial, granting the late Marquis Zhongyong, who had once fought by his side, every posthumous honor.

However, because the end of the year was approaching and the Wazhen Mission was still in the city, Xie Anjun took the initiative to request a simple funeral.

His Majesty agreed.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve.

The north wind howled. Snow began to fall again from a lead-gray sky, blanketing the world in a vast expanse of white.

Ye Mansion.

Inside, silver charcoal in a brazier crackled and popped. A gentle warmth filled the room, and the air carried the faint, bitter scent of medicine.

Ye Jingyan, dressed in a bright blue brocade robe, stood before a table writing New Year’s couplets.

The young man stood tall and graceful. Slender and upright, he held a brush in one hand, the very picture of a proper and gentle scholar, unmatched in his refinement.

Xiao Wu wore a short jacket embroidered with red passionflowers over a dark pattern. A fluffy collar framed her round, fair little face, making her look all the more adorable and pure, like a jade doll in the snow.

She stood to the side, obediently grinding ink. She couldn’t help but stand on her tiptoes, craning her neck to get a better look, her large, grape-black eyes filled with curiosity.

The scene was as pretty as a picture.

Ye Chutang sat on a soft couch with an easel propped up before her. With just a few strokes of her brush, the duo—one tall, one small—came to life on the paper.

Hearing a sound, Xiao Wu looked over, blinked, and stomped her foot, unable to contain her impatience.

’Big Sis, are you done with the drawing yet!?’

’Holding a pose is so tiring.’

Ye Jingyan smiled and gently tapped her little head with the end of his brush.

"I told you to pick a more comfortable pose. Now you know how tiring it is, don’t you?"

Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue, unconvinced.

’Big Sis said this painting is for Fourth Brother after the New Year! Of course I have to look my prettiest!’

Without looking up, Ye Chutang knew what the little one was thinking. She quickened her strokes, then leaned back slightly. After studying the painting for a couple of seconds, she finally nodded.

"All done."

Xiao Wu let out a long sigh of relief and scurried over on her little short legs.

Ye Chutang smiled and made way for her.

"What do you think? Are you satisfied with this one?"

Xiao Wu gazed at the drawing, her little face flushed as she nodded vigorously.

’It’s beautiful, beautiful! Better than all the others!’

Ye Chutang removed the drawing from the easel and showed it to Ye Jingyan. "Yan, what do you think?"

Compared to a year ago, they had both changed so much.

The young man was gradually shedding his boyishness, his features gaining a calm and steady air.

The Little Milk Group had also finally put down the chestnut cakes, jujube cakes, and cloud cakes she used to nibble on, and was now a proper little lady helping grind ink.

Ye Jingyan studied it for a moment and said, "Big Sis’s drawings are naturally the best. But if A Feng sees this, he’ll probably start pestering you to draw one for him, too."

Ye Chutang waved her hand dismissively. "Guarding the border is hard work. We can talk about it when he comes back."

’That boy is the easiest to placate, anyway.’

Ye Jingyan nodded and put down his brush.

"The couplets are finished, too. Please take a look, Big Sis."

Ye Chutang had the utmost confidence in him. His calligraphy was famously excellent at the Imperial College.

She had heard that many of his classmates and even his teachers had requested samples of his work.

Ye Chutang walked over to look and saw, just as she’d expected, that the brushstrokes were strong and vigorous, possessing a style all their own.

Her eyes curved into a smile.

"Your calligraphy is superb."

’He’s certainly learned a lot during his half-year at the Imperial College.’

After calling a servant to put up the couplets, Ye Jingyan watched the festive atmosphere build with the hanging of lanterns and decorations. Only then did he seem to remember something and turn back to ask:

"By the way, why did you decline the invitation to the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, Big Sis?"

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