An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

The New Year's Eve dinner was sumptuous, but the others didn't eat much, only symbolically moving their chopsticks with each dish. Only Jing Chunxi, because Xu Zize kept staring at her and constantly picking up food for her, felt a little full.

She gently put down her chopsticks, pretended to rub her stomach with her hands, and complained softly, "If you eat any more, I won't be able to sleep tonight."

Xu Zize just smiled slightly, his eyes full of doting: "You still have to keep watch! You have to eat the cakes when you see them later."

Although it had already darkened, it was still a bit early for the New Year's Eve celebration. The servants were still busy clearing away the leftovers. Since the New Year's Eve celebration was tonight, no one in the mansion, except the elderly and very young babies, would go to bed early. But everyone would go back to their rooms to wash, clean up, and dress respectably before heading to the main hall in the front yard.

Seeing that it was already dark, Xiao Deyuan didn't want to disturb them any further, so he said goodbye and returned to the yamen. He stood up and said, "I've disturbed you for a long time today, I'm going back to the yamen now!"

However, Xu Zize quickly persuaded him: "Uncle, it's rare for us all to get together, and the government office is quite deserted. You should not go back tonight, just stay in the study for the night. This will save us from having to make another special trip tomorrow to wish you a happy new year."

The others also tried to persuade him to stay, one after another. Xiao Deyuan hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed. He nodded slightly, but still said apologetically: "This is a bit unreasonable."

Jing Chunxi smiled. He was indeed a scholar. Lord Xiao was very serious and a little pedantic at this time.

"Uncle and my two cousins ​​can go to the study for tea first."

"Xier, are you full? Brother will take you to the garden to digest the food before coming back." Xu Zize asked softly, his eyes full of concern.

Jing Chunxi nodded, a shy smile on his face: "Well, I ate too much and felt a little uncomfortable."

Being in a foreign land with long nights, Xu Zize obviously planned to come back and continue their long conversations by candlelight and drink tea together until next year.

The back garden on New Year's Eve seemed especially tranquil in the night. The quaint buildings, carved by time, seemed even more solemn and mysterious. Moonlight, like water, shone on the pavilions and towers with their soaring eaves and angled corners, outlining their elegant contours.

In the attic in the distance, the black-tiled roof looks steady in the night breeze. The red lanterns hanging under the eaves and on the veranda sway gently in the wind, and the flickering light and shadow make the night no longer cold and dark, adding a festive touch to the silence.

"Has Brother Xiaokang come back before?" Jing Chunxi asked softly, fearing that his voice would be too loud and disturb the tranquility of this ancient house.

Xu Zize glanced at her sideways, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes, worried that she might be cold. He turned around and smoothed the rabbit fur on her collar before slowly saying, "People in the royal family aren't as free as Xi'er imagines."

He sighed, his voice low and helpless. "After mother married father, she could only return to Xunyang City in her dreams. Father said that even when brother Xiaokang was born, only grandmother and aunt came to see him once. After arriving in Lingnan, there was no chance of seeing him again."

Jing Chunxi was silent for a moment, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes. She whispered, "That brother must be very lonely." Xu Zize nodded, sighed, and said, "Yes, he was taught from a young age to be loyal to the royal family, and even family affection was difficult to consider." They held hands tightly, feeling each other's warmth, and did not speak for a long time.

Strolling through the winding corridors, the bluestone pavement beneath your feet has been worn smooth by time. The carvings and paintings on the columns, illuminated by the light, reveal the traces of time. The waterside pavilion at the end of the corridor, reflected in the shimmering pond, resembles a tranquil ink painting. The garden's architectural layout is staggered, and the use of scenery and framing techniques cleverly integrates the distant mountains and waters with the nearby flowers and trees, allowing you to experience the profound artistic conception of the garden as you move from one scene to another.

"According to my grandmother, when she was a child, the back garden wasn't like this, and it wasn't that big," Xu Zize said softly, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "After my grandfather ascended the throne and my grandmother was crowned empress, they found the best craftsmen in Jiangnan and built it over time, but it took over fifty years."

"No wonder it's so beautiful." Jing Chunxi exclaimed, his eyes full of admiration.

Gazing at the quaint building from afar, she couldn't help but sigh: This entire old house is not only a symbol of the family's glory, but also a work of art etched over time. Every brick and tile, every pillar and beam bears witness to the family's rise and fall and the passage of time.

"Each of these buildings has its own story," Xu Zize said softly, his gaze fixed on a pavilion not far away. "Just like that pavilion, it was built by the Empress Dowager in memory of her mother. Her mother passed away before she reached adulthood and was unable to witness the Empress Dowager's glory."

Jing Chunxi was sad. It turned out that even people who were once high and mighty had a painful or unfortunate past, but everyone's experience was different.

The evening breeze was cool, and after a short walk in the back garden, the two returned to the front yard. The front yard was quiet now. The servants had finished cleaning up and no one was around anymore. The clansmen hadn't gathered yet. Only the two large red lanterns on the gate shone brightly. Someone could be seen standing on a tall ladder at the door, busy pasting up spring couplets.

"Let's go to the study to have tea and chat." Xu Zize suggested.

The door to the study was ajar, and it was bright inside. Pushing the door open, the three people who were talking together all raised their heads.

Xiao Deyuan smiled and said, "It's cold outside, right? I knew you wouldn't stay long. Come sit down and have a cup of tea to warm yourself up." His face was full of the care of an elder.

As soon as they sat down, the two brothers served them tea. The tea bowls were still steaming, and the fragrance of tea filled the room.

Jing Chunxi took a sip and praised, "The tea from the tea country is truly different. Much better than what I tasted in the capital." Xiao Deguang lifted the kettle from the fire and refilled it before saying, "This is Anxi Tieguanyin, and it's the best quality. We found it in that official's house up ahead, and there wasn't much."

"The capital city does have some, but not every minister can drink it even if it's tribute. It's like the lychees from Lingnan. There aren't enough to go around in the palace."

After drinking two or three cups of tea, they gradually felt warmer and began to talk. Jing Chunxi put down his tea bowl and asked softly, "Master Xiao, do you drink this kind of tea in the government office?"

Xiao Deyuan shook his head bitterly. "I only kept one packet of the good ones, and brought the rest. I usually drink ordinary tea, as long as it quenches my thirst. This kind of fine tea is only used to entertain guests during festivals."

The night outside the window is getting darker, but the warmth inside the house dispels the cold, making this New Year's Eve full of warmth and family love.