Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Hearing this, Li Ruoyue, who had remained silent until then, slowly raised her head. Her eyes were firm and determined, gleaming like the brightest stars in the night sky. She parted her red lips and replied with conviction, "He'll come. Wait a little longer! Dad said he'd come, and he'll definitely come. I guess the barracks are full of things to do, so he's been delayed for a while." Then, she cast her gaze into the distance, as if she could see her father's returning figure through the dense buildings.

Li Ruoyue and Luzhu sat side by side, their expressions somewhat languid and bored. They stared silently at the clepsydra before them, the sands flowing slowly, as if time itself had slowed down. The stars in the sky twinkled faintly like brilliant gems, their eyes blinking, curiously peering into the small, warm, and peaceful room.

The two women in the house waited in silence, their hearts brimming with anticipation for the return of their loved ones from the battles. Each passing moment intensified their anxiety, yet they felt helpless. Just as their patience was about to run out, the rapid clatter of hooves echoed through the night, accompanied by the high-pitched neighing of a steed, shattering the long-held silence.

At that moment, Li Ruoyue, who had been somewhat listless, suddenly seemed to be infused with a surge of energy, her entire demeanor instantly becoming perky. With light, graceful steps, she dashed towards the closed gate outside the courtyard like a cheerful deer.

Luzhu, who had been watching her mistress silently from the side, was startled when she saw this. Seeing her mistress so anxious, she quickly called out, "Miss! Put on your cloak before running! What if you catch a cold if you rush out like this?" However, Li Ruoyue seemed to be completely immersed in her own thoughts at this time, and turned a deaf ear to Luzhu's calls.

In the blink of an eye, Li Ruoyue arrived at the front door. She reached out her delicate, fair hands and gently unlocked the cold bolt, yet seemed hesitant, hesitant to open it. Deep within her heart, she was filled with conflict and turmoil, fearing that once she opened the door, the person she'd been dreaming about and waiting for wouldn't appear, and that her hopes would ultimately be in vain.

Just as Li Ruoyue was standing in front of the door, still hesitating about whether to open it, a rapid knock suddenly sounded, accompanied by the familiar and urgent cry of Li Jing's sister-in-law: "My daughter, please open the door for Daddy! Oh my god, Daddy is really exhausted! I just arranged all the affairs in the military camp, and now I hurried to take advantage of this night and rush all the way here to spend New Year's Eve with my precious daughter. However, after this New Year's Eve, Daddy has to return to the military camp immediately, and I can't leave there for a moment! My daughter, please come and open the door for Daddy!"

When Li Ruoyue heard her father's voice full of concern and fatigue, her heart trembled suddenly. Without time to think, she hurriedly reached out and quickly pulled the bolt, then pushed the door open with force.

As the door slowly opened, a gust of cold wind blew in her face, but Li Ruoyue paid no attention to it. Her gaze was fixed on the slightly disheveled, dusty figure at the door. Her father's once neat robes were now stained with dust, his hair was a mess, and his face betrayed a deep sense of weariness. Yet, despite this, his eyes still shone with a kind and loving light.

Seeing her father like this, Li Ruoyue's eyes suddenly became moist, tears like a flood bursting through a dam, instantly filling her entire eyes. Her lips trembled slightly, and she took a few quick steps forward, wanting to call out "Father", but the words were choked on her lips, and she could only let out a low whimper.

At this time, the father saw that his beloved daughter was so excited, he couldn't help but grin and said loudly: "Oh, my dear daughter, why are you crying like this? Don't cry, don't cry, Dad is here to see you! But Dad is really about to be frozen to death now, quickly take Dad into the house to warm up by the fire!" As he said, he stomped his feet, trying to drive away the coldness on his body.

Li Ruoyue listened to her father's words, holding back tears as she nodded. Then she turned to look at the twenty or so people following behind her father. These were her father's personal guards, each with a weathered look. She sighed helplessly and said softly, "To all of my father's personal guards, please come in with us. It's so cold outside, don't get cold. The food is ready. There's hot food and a brazier in the west wing. Everyone, go in and warm up." With that, she stepped aside, motioning for everyone to enter.

Li Ruoyue softly instructed Luzhu, "Quickly lead the guards through the main gate and lock the door." Luzhu, smiling, led the group inside and carefully closed the door. Meanwhile, Yuzhu led the others to the backyard to accommodate the war horses. There was already ample food and licorice ready for the horses. Once the horses were properly settled, Luzhu led the group to the side rooms.

Entering the wing room, I saw two large, blazing braziers, their flames dancing and creating a warm, spring-like atmosphere. Thick, soft bedding was spread across the kang, creating an immediate warmth. On the kang, neatly arranged were several tables of sumptuous meals, all filled with easy-to-digest pots. The ingredients in the pots were simmering slowly over a low flame, bubbling with aromas that were truly mouth-watering.

Seeing this warm and comfortable scene, the guards' fatigue and coldness accumulated along the way instantly dissipated. Seeing this, Lu Zhu bowed to everyone and said, "Thank you, young lady, for bringing us here for dinner. We, rough men, will not trouble you to serve us. We will eat and drink on our own." Hearing this, Lu Zhu smiled slightly and responded generously, "In that case, please feel free to do as you please. I will go see if the master has any instructions. If you feel that the food is not enough, the kitchen is a few steps ahead to the left of the wing room. You can go and get it yourself." After saying this, she turned and left.

Upon hearing this, the guards hurriedly bowed and expressed their gratitude to this considerate woman.

When Luzhu stepped lightly into the living room, a strange scene came into her eyes: her grandfather and her daughter sat facing each other, their eyes wide open, staring at each other, but neither of them spoke. The air was filled with a tense and silent atmosphere, which made people feel confused.

Luzhu approached them, full of doubt. She came to the young lady and sniffed the air. An alluring aroma filled her nostrils. She couldn't help but frown and asked with concern, "Young lady, what's wrong with you? Why are you so stubborn with Grandpa that you're not even eating?"

Lu Zhu's sudden intrusion seemed to break the deadlock. The young lady's tense expression relaxed slightly, but she still did not answer Lu Zhu's question. On the other hand, the master's face flashed with embarrassment when Lu Zhu asked him this, but he quickly returned to normal.

At this moment, the young lady seemed to have figured something out. She was the first to pick up the chopsticks on the table, then picked up a large piece of tender and juicy lamb from the plate and placed it in the bowl in front of her father. She said with a hint of resignation, "Father, you've been working hard all day and must be exhausted. Eat some meat first to warm yourself up. Here's some steaming lamb soup. Drink it while it's hot to warm your stomach."

Li Jing was moved by his sensible daughter, and his previous stubbornness instantly vanished. Without hesitation, he grabbed the chopsticks on the table and began to eat voraciously. He kept muttering, "Well, my daughter's cooking is still the most delicious! Even the dishes carefully prepared by the imperial chefs in the palace can't compare to it!"

Li Ruoyue looked up at the insincere praise on her father's face and frowned slightly. She said helplessly, "Father, if you keep exaggerating like this, I'm afraid no one will believe you! Your daughter's cooking skills are barely edible at best. How can it be as amazing as you say, even better than the imperial chefs in the palace!"

However, Li Jing refuted, "Nonsense! Who said that? In my eyes, no one in the world can cook as delicious food as my precious daughter. Even if I were to enjoy it every day, I would never get tired of it."

Hearing her father's heartfelt praise, Li Ruoyue instantly understood that his words weren't fake; he genuinely recognized her cooking skills. She dropped her coyness and immediately responded with a smile, "Very good, very good, father, you're absolutely right. Truly no one in this world can compare to your daughter, especially when it comes to cooking!" With that, she deftly picked up a piece of fragrant chicken from the table and gently placed it in the bowl in front of her father.

In this joyful, warm, and cheerful atmosphere, father and daughter thoroughly enjoyed this sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner. Sometimes they each buried themselves in their food, sometimes they helped each other with a delicious dish, and laughter and chatter echoed throughout the room. Unnoticed, time slipped away, and midnight was approaching...

The bells outside rang cheerfully, and time stopped at midnight. At that moment, the firecrackers outside, as if scheduled, all crackled and rang out. The scene was really spectacular! Listening to the lively sounds outside, this New Year's Eve ended happily!