On the way back, Qingmei felt lingering fear.
At that moment, Marquis Wan suddenly hoisted the Princess onto his shoulder.
In his hands, the Princess appeared delicate and fragile.
Qingmei couldn’t help but say, "Your Highness, perhaps we should frequent the Brocade Armor Shura Guard less? They deal with punishment all year round, I’m afraid they might not know their own strength and accidentally hurt you."
The little one, having had her fill, seemed joyful in her steps, like a happy little sparrow on a winter night.
"Hmm? No way, Brother Fu Ce is really nice, and the other Xiu Luo Envoy brothers, although they don’t talk much, are all very considerate!"
Suddenly, Bai Zhi’er added, "Except for Brother Chu Ping, he talks a lot, and I like it~"
After returning to Ruizhu Palace.
Not long after, Bai Xilie also returned.
The little one lay in her father’s arms, listening to him tell stories.
When midnight truly arrived, Bai Zhi’er was already drowsy, struggling to keep her eyes open.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of bells ringing from afar, with a pure, serene melody, vast and distant.
Bai Xilie held Bai Zhi’er by the window, pointing at the sky lanterns being released, and smiled, "Zhi’er, look, I’ve specially arranged for these to be released for you to see. Do you like them?"
"I like them!" the little one’s voice was soft and adorable.
Bai Xilie held his daughter tightly, "This is the first Chinese New Year’s Eve we’ve spent together, I will continue to strive to learn how to be a good father in the new year."
Bai Zhi’er rubbed her big eyes, yawning continuously, her watery eyes blurry with tears.
Her small hand clung to her father’s shoulder, speaking in a childish voice, "Then I’ll continue to be a good little darling, becoming Dad’s proudest child!"
Bai Xilie’s smile never wavered.
In such a warm atmosphere, the little one soon fell asleep in her father’s embrace.
Meanwhile, at the Xiuluo Guard.
After Bai Zhi’er left, Feng Fuce gave all the stationed Xiu Luo Envoys a day off.
Those with a family were to rush back to celebrate the first day of the new year.
He himself stood with his hands behind his back, in the empty courtyard, looking up at the bright lanterns filling the sky.
Today was different for him.
Having been in the mortal world for several years, this was his first time experiencing the feeling of Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Turns out he didn’t find the sound of firecrackers so unpleasant.
On the roof of Xiuluo Guard, the ginger cat Dahua led the other stray cats, strolling by.
Feng Fuce squinted his eyes, beckoned the cats down, and generously fed them the meat paste Bai Zhi’er hadn’t finished.
The night was tranquil, the sky vast, stars twinkling.
The ringing of bells echoed in the palace, heralding the arrival of a new year in Great Chu.
That night, Bai Zhi’er had a dream.
She transformed back into her pink and white koi fish form, happily swimming around in her mother’s Turquoise Pool.
However, she seemed to hear Feng Fuce’s voice—
"Bai Zhi’er, swim to me."
The little one curiously and doubtfully wagged her tail, chasing the sound, breaking through the light immortal fog.
Until she was caught by a shimmering golden fishing net!
Bai Zhi’er let out a delicate cry, "Brother Fu Ce, help!"
But as she looked closely, it was actually Feng Fuce holding the fishing net!
His long eyebrows reached his temples, black hair cascading, eyes as red as fire, with a vermillion mark on his forehead, making his handsome appearance both righteous and wicked.
Feng Fuce looked down at her and smiled, "I want to keep you, so you can never see your Brother Juzi again."
Bai Zhi’er flapped her tail, struggling and splashing.
She whimpered and trembled awake.
Looking around, she recognized the familiar Ruizhu Palace.
The little one let out a breath, "Luckily, it was just a dream!"