When Chu Qingge came to call them for dinner, the two finally reacted that it was getting late. They exchanged a smile and got up to go to the dining hall.
At the dinner table, Chu Jingyu still whispered to Xiao Man from time to time, even thoughtfully serving Xiao Man food, appearing to get along very well. Lord Chu and his wife exchanged a look, seeing satisfaction in each other's eyes.
While listening to Chu Jingyu, Xiao Man ate all the dishes he served her, occasionally returning the favor by serving Chu Jingyu a few bites of food. The others couldn't help but giggle. Xiao Man had wanted to have a cup of warm wine, but remembering the agreement with Nangong Yu, she held back.
After Xiao Luo and his party left, Madam Chu immediately pulled Chu Jingyu aside and asked joyfully, "How is that child Xiao Man?"
"Sister Xiao is quite good, gentle, virtuous, and exceptionally talented," Chu Jingyu praised immediately.
"I see you two chatted quite a bit today. What did you talk about?" Lord Chu thought there was potential, and if these two children got along, it would be a good thing.
"We talked about Lord Wen's debate with the scholars."
Lord Chu's expression changed: "You've been talking about Wen Mohan all this time?"
"Yes, Father. Sister Xiao was very interested in Lord Wen's debate with the scholars, so I told her about the situation at the time, and Sister Xiao listened happily."
Lord Chu gave his son a look of disdain and turned to leave. "You clueless fellow, I told you to chat with her properly, and you talked about Wen Mohan. Everyone knows Wen Mohan almost lost his life saving Xiao Man. And you're still talking to her about Wen Mohan!"
"Mother, why is Father unhappy?" Chu Jingyu asked in confusion.
Madam Chu glared at her son: "What couldn't you talk about, but you chose to talk about that boy from the Wen family? Are you afraid Xiao Man won't like him?"
Chu Jingyu looked at his parents who had suddenly turned and left, and found it amusing. He had always treated Xiao Man as a sister. Besides, with Qingge marrying into the General's mansion, how could he possibly marry Xiao Man?
On New Year's Eve, the Xiao family gathered together for the reunion dinner.
Concubine Lin was dressed in her finery, and even the Fourth Miss was dressed by her in a very festive manner, looking like the wealth boy attending Guanyin, incredibly cute.
Xiao Man and Xiao Luo sat on either side of Xiao Zhen, with the young ladies of the mansion below them, followed by the concubines.
Concubine Lin had wanted to sit next to Xiao Zhen, but she was only a concubine, and Xiao Man and Xiao Luo were the legitimate son and daughter, with higher status than them. Although she was unhappy, she dared not show it.
Halfway through the reunion dinner, Concubine Lin winked at the Fourth Miss. The Fourth Miss immediately stood up and ran to Xiao Zhen: "Daddy, will you stay up with us tonight?"
Xiao Zhen's gaze fell on Xiao Ting. Xiao Ting had a fawning smile on her round face. Xiao Zhen reached out and stroked her head: "Your concubine can stay up with you."
Xiao Ting hugged Xiao Zhen's arm and shook it incessantly: "Daddy, please stay up with Ting'er and Concubine, okay?"
Xiao Zhen's expression remained unchanged: "Be good, don't be difficult."
"Eldest sister, ask Daddy to stay up with us." Seeing that Xiao Zhen could not be persuaded, Xiao Ting immediately tugged at Xiao Man's sleeve.
"Since we are staying up, let's do it together. If we only accompany Fourth Sister and Concubine Lin, won't Third Concubine and Fourth Concubine be lonely? Let's all gather together and stay up together."
Xiao Ting's smile almost vanished, and she pouted with displeasure. Xiao Man continued to eat, not feeling that anything was amiss.
"I don't like staying up late..."
"Fourth Concubine, you are alone in your courtyard, it must be lonely and desolate. Tonight, join Concubine Lin and the others to stay up with Daddy. Many things have happened in the mansion this past year. I hope the General's mansion will be well in the coming year."
Fourth Concubine looked up at Xiao Man. For some reason, Xiao Man's gaze made her uncomfortable, as if her secrets had been seen through by Xiao Man, yet she could not refuse.
"Yes, Eldest Miss."
"Third Sister's marriage has been arranged, and after the new year, the wedding date will be near. It will be difficult to stay up with us in the future. Don't think about running away tonight either." Xiao Man then looked at Xiao Ling, "After entering Prince Qi's manor, it will be difficult to stay up with your family."
Xiao Ling looked at Xiao Zhen, and seeing him nod, she responded: "Yes."
Third Concubine was happy. In previous years, the General had stayed up at Shuiyue Xiaozhu, but this was the first time everyone stayed up together.
After dinner, everyone hung the red lanterns for good fortune on the plum trees in the courtyard. Xiao Zhen and his son sat on the corridor, watching the busy people in the garden, a hint of tenderness flashing in the depths of their eyes.
"Father, should we invite the Grand Tutor?" Xiao Luo inquired. The Grand Tutor was Xiao Man's master, but this matter had not been publicized. No one in the imperial capital knew that Xiao Man's mentor was the Grand Tutor Feng Tianlan.
"No need. Tomorrow morning, let Man'er pay her respects," Xiao Zhen said gently. "It's New Year's Eve, let's spend it together as a family."
Xiao Luo's gaze fell on Chu Qingge. He didn't know what Xiao Man had said to Chu Qingge, but Chu Qingge had clearly perked up. His sister always brought him many surprises.
"Father, regarding sister's lifelong marriage..."
Xiao Zhen looked at his daughter, who was smiling brightly, and a sense of loss surfaced in his heart. "When she was little, I always looked forward to her growing up. When she grew up, I wished she wouldn't grow up so fast, so I could accompany her longer. Who knew, before I noticed, she had already grown into a graceful young woman, blooming like a flower."
"Father, should we tell her the truth?" Xiao Luo asked in a low voice.
"No rush," Xiao Zhen said gently. "Let's hide it for as long as we can. I hope she can live a few more carefree days, rather than being drawn into trouble too early."
Xiao Luo remained silent. Xiao Zhen was wholeheartedly wishing Xiao Man a lifetime of peace and happiness, but her identity destined her for no such peace. Before they realized it, Xiao Man had already been drawn into trouble.
Xiao Man, not feeling at ease about the people in Shuiyue Xiaozhu, sent two tables of meals to Shuiyue Xiaozhu to reward the maids and guards. She herself remained in the main courtyard, staying up with everyone.
Xiao Zhen and his son played chess, while Xiao Man played guessing games with the concubines and younger sisters. Those who guessed wrong were punished with wine. Laughter and joy occasionally echoed from the main courtyard. Xiao Zhen and his son later joined in, until the midnight bell rang, and everyone realized it was already the New Year.
"Let's light the firecrackers!" Xiao Ting happily pulled Xiao Luo to light the firecrackers, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new spring. After the firecrackers were lit, everyone dispersed and returned to their rooms.
When Xiao Man returned to Shuiyue Xiaozhu, Yingxue immediately came forward. Xiao Man instantly understood that the person had been found!