Chapter 271
Happy New Year
The announcement brought the room's laughter to an abrupt halt.
Liu Bang was so frightened that he stopped joking with Cao Shi and hurriedly stood up straight, his embarrassed smile instantly turning into a respectful one.
Cao also put away the feather duster, her expression serious.
No one expected that the First Emperor would suddenly visit the Song residence in person.
Song was the first to stand up and greet them, but she bumped into the man coming towards her as soon as she reached the entrance of the hall.
Ying Zheng was dressed in a black casual robe. He had broad shoulders and back. Although he was no longer young, his face was still handsome and dashing. His eyebrows and eyes were sharp and deep. The wind and snow clung to the hem of his robe, which only made his handsome face look even more cold and dazzling.
Xiao He, Lü Zhi, and their entourage quickly followed, bowing and greeting, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"No need for formalities, please don't stand on ceremony." Ying Zheng raised his hand, his tone sounding relatively relaxed.
Everyone straightened up, not daring to make a sound.
Ying Zheng turned to Song Ye beside him and said, "It's quite boring that I'm the only one left in the vast palace to celebrate the New Year, so I thought I'd come over... to spend the New Year with Minister Song and all the other ministers."
When he made these remarks on his first visit to a minister's residence for the New Year, his tone carried a hint of hesitation and unease.
Upon hearing this, Song Ye stepped aside, saying, "Your Majesty, please come in."
I almost forgot.
This year, all the princes and princesses stayed in other places.
In a letter Fusu had sent back earlier, he mentioned that Hu Hai, who had been demoted to a commoner, was still plotting to assassinate him.
In his letter, he frankly admitted that executing him directly would be too swift and would only benefit Hu Hai.
It would be better to keep this life and spend the rest of it in torment and suffering.
"What is Song Qing thinking about?"
"I was just thinking that once the eldest son returns in the spring, Your Majesty can then appoint a crown prince."
Ying Zheng nodded, silently agreeing.
Fusu is now capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of being the crown prince. Establishing him as heir apparent as soon as possible can prevent a repeat of the coup d'état of Qin Er Shi.
Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Liu came out of the kitchen, smiling and greeting them, "The food is all set out. Come in and sit down, or it will get cold."
"Your Majesty, would you like to come along?" Song also looked at him.
"it is good."
During the meal, the table was laden with meat, dried fruit, and fine wine, which were only available during the Lunar New Year. The charcoal fire in the basin crackled and popped, keeping the cold air out of the door.
The snow was still falling heavily outside the window, and the snow on the eaves was getting thicker and thicker.
As Ying Zheng listened to Liu Bang, Xiao He, and the others chatting about interesting things, the original restraint between the emperor and his ministers faded considerably, and it was just like an ordinary family celebrating the New Year.
The family reunion dinner was a joyful and harmonious affair.
After the meal, the heavy snow gradually stopped.
The courtyard was covered in white snow, with sunlight filtering through the clouds.
The group moved a few wooden chairs and sat down in the pavilion in the courtyard to rest and chat.
Wei Chuyun refused to sit still and grabbed her two older brothers, wanting to have a snowball fight.
"Come on, come on! Let's build snowballs and throw them at each other!"
The three children scattered, bent down to scoop up the snow from the ground, made snowballs, and threw them at each other, their laughter filling the yard.
The adults in the pavilion stopped talking and watched them chase and play with smiles.
Liu Fei stood to the side, waving his little hands and babbling, wanting to rush in and play too.
Cao was afraid he would fall and get cold, so she simply wouldn't let him join in. The little guy could only watch longingly, shaking his body anxiously.
Just as the atmosphere was relaxed and lively, someone announced that Li Tingwei had come to visit.
Before long, their voices rang out even before they arrived.
"Lord Song, Happy New Year..." Before he could finish speaking, Li Si caught a glimpse of a familiar person out of the corner of his eye.
Wait a minute, what's His Majesty doing here?!
"Your subject Li Si greets Your Majesty."
Ying Zheng waved his hand dismissively, signaling him to get up.
Li Si straightened up as instructed, and asked sincerely, "Why is Your Majesty here?"
"What, can't I come yet?"
"No, no, I had absolutely no such intention! It was just too unexpected, and I misspoke..."
Ying Zheng chuckled and retorted, "But what about you? Why are you here at Minister Song's residence during the New Year?"
Li Si composed himself and replied with a smile, "I originally intended to visit the Song residence to offer New Year's greetings, but I never expected to meet Your Majesty here."
"Yes, Your Majesty, you don't know, Li Tingwei often comes to visit!" Fan Kuai interjected with a carefree laugh.
Liu Bang chimed in, "That's right! When he has nothing to do, Lord Li always likes to come and see our boss..."
In the courtyard, Wei Chuyun and her two older brothers chased and played, their cheerful laughter filling the air.
Young Liu Fei was held in his mother's arms, babbling excitedly as he watched the three of them playing with envy in his eyes.
The warm sun shines on the snow, and children's voices are cheerful.
Song looked at the monarch and his friends before him and said slowly, "Gentlemen, may the New Year be prosperous."
Liu Bang was the first to react: "May the New Year bring you good fortune! May everything go smoothly for you!"
Xiao He smiled and echoed, "Your words are auspicious, sir!"
Cao Shen and Fan Kuai chimed in with their own responses—
"May everything go smoothly!"
"May this year be smooth sailing!"
"May the wars go smoothly! May the farming go smoothly! May everything go smoothly!"
Just then, Wei Chuyun darted in from the courtyard, her voice crisp and clear: "Chuyun also wants to say something! Wishing my sister all the best! Wishing His Majesty all the best! Wishing everyone all the best!"
Liu Fei mimicked her, struggling to open and close her small mouth, managing to utter two indistinct words: "Smoothly......"
"Hmm, wishing you a happy new year." Ying Zheng's gaze slowly swept over each face, finally landing on Song Ye, where he paused for a moment.
"May everything go smoothly and without worry, and may all your wishes be fulfilled."