In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1121 - 1033: Celebrate Little New Year

Chapter 1121: Chapter 1033: Celebrate Little New Year

The Liu Family’s Mansion was destroyed by a great fire, and apart from one illegitimate son who miraculously survived after lingering in the pleasure district, all other members of the Liu family perished in the blaze.

The Jun Family’s Mansion too was partially reduced to ashes, with many dead and injured.

His Majesty condemned the crimes with an imperial edict and personally ascended to the Inquiry Moon Platform to pray for heavenly forgiveness, a prayer reaching the very heavens. Thereafter, he ordered a generous burial for the deceased of the Liu family, posthumously conferred titles upon the Liu family, and lavishly bestowed rewards, especially giving the Old Master Liu the honor of a national level burial. The deceased members of the Jun family were also posthumously honored, and even the survivors received various sizes of rewards.

Half a month later, Grand Tutor Jun proactively offered his seal, resigning his position to retire and return to his hometown, an offer that His Majesty initially refused.

Three days later, Grand Tutor Jun once again asked to resign, and His Majesty still retained him.

As days gradually passed and the end of the year approached, the time to seal the government offices neared, Grand Tutor Jun tendered his resignation for the third time.

Seeing the determined intent of Grand Tutor Jun to leave, His Majesty, with a bitter face and tears of emotion, finally approved the resignation, allowing him to return to his old home in Suzhou to enjoy his remaining years.

On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, the government offices were officially sealed, and they closed to mark the beginning of the official holiday, ushering in the arrival of the New Year.

The founding year of the Jiantai Era quietly slipped by amidst the gossip of the Shengjing commoners.

Meanwhile, the child in Su Pan’er’s womb was now four months along.

She peacefully managed to keep the pregnancy for four months; that harrowingly tense month felt longer than a year, with countless people staring wide-eyed, almost staying awake till dawn each night.

Two days after Nanny Long took full responsibility for Su Pan’er’s health by entering the palace, Mrs. Su-Hua followed suit and stayed by Su Pan’er’s side, not daring to leave even for a step. Su Ke, worried about Su Pan’er’s health, accompanied Mrs. Su-Hua and Su Huarong to the palace to visit Su Pan’er once.

Qin Yueshi also visited the palace several times, keeping Su Pan’er company and even brought good news; the marriage between Qin Shuan’er and Zhang Zhongding was being arranged on schedule, with the proposal and engagement proceeding in an orderly manner.

Little Yanyan and Little Sugar Bean were also brought to live temporarily next to the Warm Pavilion, and once the government offices were sealed, the Grand Academy where Little Yanyan studied also began its long holiday, providing Qin Shuan’er with an opportunity to return to the Qin Family’s Mansion.

In Shengjing, it was customary for a married daughter during childbirth to be accompanied by her maiden family. In Su Pan’er’s case, Mrs. Su-Hua was especially anxious and insisted on strictly following this tradition.

Now that Mrs. Su-Hua was residing in the Imperial Palace, naturally no one dared to utter a word against it.

"Are you saying that no one from the Liu family survived?"

It had been over half a month since the incident, and only then did Su Pan’er realize something was amiss from the unintentional slip of the tongue in Mrs. Su-Hua’s words.

"It’s said that only an illegitimate son escaped because he had secretly left the mansion to indulge in the pleasure district. The night the Liu Mansion caught fire, he was passed out in the care of a courtesan, never expecting to wake up to find that everything was gone."

Mrs. Su-Hua was still annoyed that she had let something slip and quickly smiled, trying to make amends by saying, "Actually, your father just mentioned it in passing, and I don’t really know the specifics."

"I understand."

Su Pan’er replied nonchalantly, gently closing her eyes to rest.

How could the vast Liu Family’s Mansion have burnt down to nothing in one fire? How could all the men, women, and children inside not have survived? Even the Jun family was involved and half burned down?

A thought suddenly flashed through her mind, but she was immediately frightened by her own speculation.

"You should leave these matters aside for now; what’s important at the moment is for you to focus on maintaining your pregnancy health and bearing offspring for His Majesty, there’s no task more important than this."

Mrs. Su-Hua was advising her, not daring to speak aloud the things she’d overheard in secret.

"What are those people outside saying? Isn’t there anyone speaking up about this situation in the Court?"

"That... I don’t know."

Mrs. Su-Hua was somewhat embarrassed, as she, being a woman, had no way of knowing what transpired in the Court.

Su Pan’er smiled. So much time had passed since the incident, it was likely that news had already spread. She had been busy with her pregnancy health and hadn’t paid attention to these matters, probably Qin Yi was busy dealing with them now.

With so much happening one after another and so many people dead, it was odd that there wasn’t even a mention of it on the Court.

Mrs. Su-Hua had some things she didn’t feel comfortable saying, so she simply diverted the topic: "Speaking of which, your Huayang Palace has also added quite a few servants lately, it’s fortunate that all of them are considerate, or else, just to train a few useful hands, I’m afraid it would take quite some time."

"You just handle it, Mother."

There was a lot Su Pan’er didn’t feel comfortable saying, so she simply feigned a yawn, feeling very sleepy.

"Tomorrow is Little New Year, you don’t need to stay by my side. You should go back early to accompany Grandfather and Father, to keep them from worrying."

"That won’t do!"

Mrs. Su-Hua declined sternly: "This is a critical time, I certainly can’t leave you here alone. So many eyes are on you, all fixated on your belly. Everyone would be pleased if you suffered a mishap, hmph! These people... Besides, what you carry in your belly is dragon spawn. That can’t be compared to others..."

"Alright, alright, have it your way!"

Mrs. Su-Hua had many crooked arguments, and Su Pan’er had recently come to deeply appreciate them.

She massaged her brow heart with a headache: "This Little New Year, how should we celebrate it? What should we prepare?"

"Don’t worry! I have prepared everything in advance, I assure you our little Prince won’t go hungry."

Mrs. Su-Hua chuckled gleefully.

"Grandmother, Grandmother!"

Little Yanyan also ran in from outside: "Grandmother, you’re only thinking about the little brother in Mother’s belly, aren’t you afraid you’ll starve little Yanyan to death? You’re so naughty, Grandmother!"

"You, you, you and your clever tricks, little girl."

Mrs. Su-Hua treated her no differently from a First Princess, treating her the same as she used to in Luoyan Village, without any change whatsoever.

She hugged Yan Yan and with a twinkle of mystery looked at her: "Don’t worry, the food for our little Yanyan’s delicate mouth has already been prepared by your grandmother!"

"Really?"

Yan Yan’s eyes sparkled, and as soon as she saw Mrs. Su-Hua nod, she was immediately overjoyed: "Grandmother, what delicious things have you prepared for Yanyan? Come on, tell me!"

"You’ll know later, hehe!"

Mrs. Su-Hua was genuinely very happy! The dragon spawn in Pan’er’s belly had safely passed the dangerous initial three months, and after four months, it was relatively much safer. Those hidden threats and open attacks were easier to guard against now.

As they were speaking, an eunuch from outside announced his presence with a kowtow, and Qin Yi arrived at Huayang Palace. Mrs. Su-Hua and Yan Yan hurried out to greet him.

"What brings such joy?"

He strode in like a shooting star, seeing the smile on Su Pan’er’s face, he casually asked.

"We were just discussing what delicious dishes to have for dinner tonight for Little New Year. You’re back so soon? Have all the courtiers returned to their mansions?" Su Pan’er asked softly.

"They’ve all dispersed, I came over after the banquet ended."

Qin Yi casually took a seat, glad that he had taken care to rid himself of the alcohol scent beforehand, to avoid offending Pan’er.