The reunion dinner was incredibly abundant, featuring spicy rabbit meat, white-cut chicken, braised chicken, toothpick meat, twice-cooked pork, cold-dressed cucumber, and small green vegetables...
Since everyone present had a "food bucket" attribute, the dishes were served not in shallow plates but in deep, wide ceramic basins. Each basin was piled high to overflowing, and every table was laden with these basins, giving a solid and hearty appearance.
Including the people brought by Prince Yu, there were a total of four tables.
Bai Sheng had intended to arrange a separate table for Prince Yu, allowing him to dine and drink alone. After all, this demanding prince was a germaphobe with peculiar tastes, and sitting at the same table could easily dampen her good mood.
However, Prince Yu refused, insisting on crowding over to sit at Bai Sheng's table, and even more so, insisted on sitting next to her. Lu Ye also refused, stubbornly squeezing his way between the two of them. Thus, Prince Yu occupied the main seat, with Lu Ye, Bai Sheng, Old Woman Wu, and Qing Feng seated to his right in order. On his left were A Qiu and Ji Chenghe.
A Qiu was not surprised by this arrangement at all. The last time he visited Hongshu Slope, his master's various strange illnesses and bad habits had temporarily disappeared.
He didn't pick at his food, didn't find the bowls and chopsticks dirty, wasn't arrogant towards people, and didn't fuss over matters. He was practically a perfect, well-behaved prince in every way.
This was also one of the reasons A Qiu enjoyed visiting Hongshu Slope.
Once everyone was seated, Bai Sheng produced her homemade wine, and Lu Ye poured a cup for every adult male.
The wine was a high-proof spirit brewed from grains, with fruit steeped in it, making the fruit and alcohol aromas exceptionally rich. The moment the jar was opened, everyone sniffed the air appreciatively.
Those who enjoyed drinking could not tear their eyes away from the wine jar, fearing it might be empty by the time their turn came.
Fortunately, after going around once, a little more than half a jar of wine remained.
Before the meal began, Bai Sheng raised her cup of water in lieu of wine and stood up, saying, "Happy New Year to everyone! I hope that in the new year, everything in Hongshu Slope goes smoothly, we grow more trees and crops, and every household prospers. Additionally, I hope for a great rain."
"Good!" everyone roared, taking a gulp of wine, and began to clap enthusiastically.
Ji Chenghe, wiping the wine from his lips, smiled and said, "I hope that in the new year, I can live up to Prince Yu's trust and write several books on agricultural techniques, promoting the desert cultivation method!"
Old Woman Zhong at the next table chuckled, "Sister Ji, our Lord Ji is truly a good official who cares for the common people! You have raised your own child very well."
Hearing her old friend's praise, Madam Ji felt extremely pleased, but she naturally couldn't show it. She could only smile modestly, "After reading the teachings of the sages for so many years, it finally hasn't been in vain."
A Qiu tugged at Prince Yu's sleeve, asking with his eyes if he should say a few words. Prince Yu, chewing on toothpick meat, mumbled incoherently, "In the new year, this King will surely revitalize the border provinces!"
"Long live Prince Yu! Prince Yu is divine!" Zhao Dazhuang shouted loudly, and everyone immediately followed suit, shouting in unison and applauding warmly.
Taking advantage of the enthusiastic applause, Zhao Dazhuang glanced at his wife. Bai Sheng gave him a confident nod.
Zhao Dazhuang grinned proudly. As the lead supporting actor in this ensemble, his main responsibility was to flatter Prince Yu at the right moments, keep him happy, and ensure he felt comfortable at Hongshu Slope, finding no fault. This way, he would be happy, and everyone would be happy.
Brother Dazhuang was also very observant, delivering his flattery naturally and creating a heated atmosphere.
Prince Yu was indeed quite pleased. In his triumph, he looked provocatively at Lu Ye, "Lu Ye, what are your wishes for the New Year?"
Lu Ye stood up, looking at Bai Sheng with doting eyes, "This humble subject has no great ambitions. I only hope my wife safely gives birth to four little cubs, and that mother and children are healthy and happy. In the future, I will protect my wife and children as she boldly ventures through the world."
Bai Sheng gazed back at him with deep affection, secretly delighted. She hadn't expected to find a husband in ancient times who wasn't at all chauvinistic. His moral character was exceptional, his appearance stunning, and he was powerful in all aspects. The Heavenly Dao truly treated her well; anything she could give back to the world, she would do so without reservation.
After Lu Ye finished speaking, Old Woman Zhong subtly glanced at Prince Yu. Previously, Prince Yu had told her he liked her daughter-in-law, which had frightened her immensely. Now, it seemed Prince Yu was quite dignified. Although he liked her, he kept it to himself and caused no trouble for the master and his wife.
Prince Yu glanced at Lu Ye, regretting having given this jealous man an opportunity to show off.
After sitting down, Lu Ye gently tucked a strand of Bai Sheng's hair behind her ear and then looked back at Prince Yu triumphantly.
See? Only he, Lu Ye, was qualified to make such intimate gestures.
Apart from Old Woman Zhong, no one else noticed the unspoken competition in their eyes. However, Old Woman Zhong was not at their table, so she immediately turned her head, closed her eyes, and pretended not to have seen anything.
She, a person as insignificant as a sesame seed, would never dare to interfere in the emotional entanglements of these great figures.
A Qiu, seeing that his master had finished his New Year's wish, also stood up, "I hope that in the new year, my master, His Highness Prince Yu, will meet a beloved girl and marry a Princess consort soon. Then, like Brother Lu, he will achieve fourfold benefits, giving birth to several adorable little princes."
As soon as A Qiu finished speaking, everyone began to laugh and clap their hands again. The common folk dared not casually comment on Prince Yu's marriage; applauding and creating a lively atmosphere for Prince Yu was the wisest course of action.
Zhao Dazhuang, leading this effort, made the series of actions feel particularly smooth today.
Amidst the applause, Prince Yu raised his head, puffed out his cheeks, and glared at A Qiu, "This New Year's wish of yours will not come true!"
"Master, you… you should try your best," A Qiu said with a wry smile.
He didn't want to be nosy, but Consort Mei from the palace, Prince Yu's birth mother, had specifically written to instruct A Qiu, as his attendant who had grown up with Prince Yu, to pay attention to Prince Yu's marriage. Whether Prince Yu could marry and have children depended on him, A Qiu.
She didn't ask Prince Yu to marry a daughter of a powerful or noble family, only that he be with the girl he loved. Regardless, their son had to get married and have children.
A Qiu felt very apprehensive upon receiving this task. He thought it would be harder than climbing to heaven for his master to take a liking to any girl. In the past, when they were still in the capital, he had already offended nine out of ten daughters from noble families.
But no matter what, Consort Mei had entrusted this important task to him, and he had to remind his master constantly.
The others dared not discuss Prince Yu's marriage, so they all buried their heads in their food.
Inspired by his master, Hu Daniu nervously stood up, "In the New Year, I hope my wife safely gives birth, and that mother and child are healthy. At the same time, I hope I can help Master and Madam cultivate more crops. Come, I'll toast… toast everyone."
Everyone raised their cups together in well wishes.
Ma San, also inspired by Hu Daniu, suddenly stood up, holding a cup of wine, and said, "In the new year, I hope my wife gets pregnant with a little cub, and I can lead the guard team well to protect Hongshu Slope! Come, let's drink!"