Good news spread that Mrs. Zhang was with child, and the Li family would welcome a new member next year.
Mrs. Lu decided to celebrate the New Year more lavishly this time. She ordered two new sets of clothes for everyone in the household. The Embroidery Room's work was still in Li Xia's hands. Originally, this task had been handed over to Mrs. Zhang, but her pregnancy and severe morning sickness left her unable to work.
With no other choice, Li Xia took charge again. Hua Steward was still managing the Embroidery Room, and she was familiar with Li Xia's ways. Without needing instructions, she prepared everything necessary, sparing Li Xia any worry.
Li Xia was very pleased with Hua Steward's perceptiveness. When reporting to Mrs. Lu, she didn't hesitate to praise her, not minding at all that it made her look like she wasn't doing any work herself.
On New Year's Eve, Li Guang set off fireworks in the courtyard with Madam Bao and Li Yao. Meanwhile, Li Xia was discussing matters with Li Hui, who had decided to close down their engraving business. After the New Year, Li Xia would marry and become the wife of the Marquis of Pacifying the South, making the engraving business no longer appropriate.
Li Xia agreed with Li Hui's decision, as she no longer needed the money. She had only continued engraving to use up her special ability.
After discussing the shop, Li Xia mentioned An'an's invitation. "Brother, An'an has invited me to see the lanterns on the Lantern Festival. Let's go together."
Hearing this, Li Hui sighed, "You're getting married after the New Year. You shouldn't always be thinking about going out."
"Don't you want to see An'an, brother?" Li Xia tilted her head, looking at Li Hui.
"It's you who wants to see Lu XuanNing, isn't it?" Li Hui saw through Li Xia's little scheme.
"Brother, you see through me but don't say it," Li Xia didn't hide her intentions. She and Lu XuanNing had been exchanging letters and gifts, and it had been a while since they last met.
Li Hui thought about his recent visit to the palace, where he saw An'an looking bored and frustrated from being confined due to illness. Although he hadn't fallen in love with An'an, he had grown fond of her. He agreed to go see the Lantern Festival together.
"I knew you were the best, brother," Li Xia beamed with joy, her wish granted.
"So I wouldn't be the best if I didn't agree?" Li Hui glanced at Li Xia, making her laugh out loud.
"How could that be? In my heart, you'll always be the best brother," Li Xia's words made Li Hui smile.
The laughter of the siblings drew the attention of others, especially Mrs. Zhang and Madam Bao. They had good relationships with their brothers at home too, but such carefree laughter was impossible for them. Li Xia could achieve this with her half-brother Li Hui, something even their husbands Li Chou and Li Guang couldn't do. Li Chou and Li Guang always felt like they were facing an elder when with Li Hui.
"What are you two siblings laughing about? You seem so happy," Mrs. Lu asked.
"Mother, my brother and I are inviting An'an to see the lanterns on the Lantern Festival," Li Xia replied.
"The princess has just recovered. Can she go?" Mrs. Lu worried that if An'an's condition worsened after seeing the lanterns, the Emperor and Empress might be displeased with Li Hui.
"Mother, An'an has been cooped up inside due to her illness. It would do her good to get some fresh air," Li Hui explained. Hearing this, Mrs. Lu stopped her persuasion. She turned to Li Chou and Li Guang and their wives, "You should all go too."
"Mother, Jiarui is pregnant. I'll stay home to keep her company," Li Chou said, holding Zhang Jiarui's hand.
"Mother, I've already made plans with my team to bring our wives along to the Lantern Festival," Li Guang also had his arrangements.
With both her younger sons having their own plans, Mrs. Lu said no more.
On the day of the Lantern Festival, Li Hui and Li Xia went to the palace to pick up Chang'an. Fearing they might be late for the lantern viewing, Princess Chang'an was already waiting at the palace gate. Seeing the Li family's carriage, she walked forward, "Brother Hui, Sister Xia."
"An'an," Li Xia pulled back the carriage curtain to look at Chang'an, who had lost some weight due to her illness but overall looked fine.
Li Hui helped Chang'an into the carriage.
Chang'an threw herself at Li Xia, "Sister Xia, I've missed you so much."
Li Xia caught Chang'an and helped her sit beside her, "Are you fully recovered?"
"It's all my fault for being careless and catching a cold while playing. It caused Brother Hui to be criticized," Chang'an had only recently heard about the wild rumors circulating outside the palace from the ladies who came to pay their respects. She felt terribly guilty.
Seeing Chang'an's remorseful expression, Li Xia reached out and pinched her cheek gently, "Falling ill wasn't your fault. Don't mind what those people say. They're just jealous that my brother has such a wonderful fiancée."
Chang'an covered her cheek and moved to the other side, "Sister Xia, you're pinching my face again."
"I'll stop," Li Xia held up her hands to show she wouldn't do it again. Chang'an moved back to sit next to Li Xia.
Looking outside the carriage, Chang'an lowered her voice and asked Li Xia, "Is your mother angry?" When the news reached the palace, the Empress had been furious. She had privately suggested to Chang'an about canceling the engagement, but Chang'an refused. However, she worried that the Li family might be displeased.
"Mother is only concerned about your health." Chang'an could see that Li Xia was being sincere and not deceiving her. Her worried heart eased.
"Don't think too much about it. We're almost there. Let's focus on enjoying the lanterns," Li Xia said. Such a beautiful night shouldn't be spoiled by rumors and gossip.
When the carriage arrived at the meeting place, they saw Cao Fugui, Li Xin, and Lu XuanNing already waiting for them.
Lu XuanNing spotted Li Xia first, and a hint of a smile appeared on his usually expressionless face. He walked to the carriage and, bypassing Li Hui, helped Li Xia down.
Li Xia smiled at Lu XuanNing and asked, "Have you been waiting long?"
Lu XuanNing handed her a hot drink he had just bought, "We just arrived."
Li Xia took a sip; it was pear juice, sweet and to her liking. Lu XuanNing then offered her a steamed bun, which Li Xia accepted – it was her favorite pork bun.
Cao Fugui watched from the side, clicking his tongue in amusement. Li Xin pinched him, making him withdraw his teasing gaze. Cao Fugui held onto Li Xin's outstretched hand. He could feel that Li Xin no longer had the same sweetness towards him as before their marriage.
Cao Fugui felt disheartened, but he knew it was his own doing. He could only treat Li Xin with even more care. Li Xin allowed Cao Fugui to hold her hand.
"Brother-in-law, now that's what I call sweet. And you were teasing us," Li Xia glanced at their joined hands and huffed at Cao Fugui.
After quickly finishing the bun in her hand, Li Xia took the handkerchief Lu XuanNing offered and wiped her hands. Behind her, Qiu Chan held up a handkerchief, looking somewhat dejected at Lu XuanNing for taking over her job.
Unfortunately, Lu XuanNing didn't notice at all, his attention fully on Li Xia. Seeing Li Xia finish wiping her hands, he took the handkerchief back and put it away. Li Xia then reached out and pulled Li Xin closer.
"You always monopolize sister, but today you don't get to have your way," Li Xia said as she took Li Xin's hand in one of hers and Chang'an's in the other. "Come on, let's go see the lanterns together."
Li Xin and Chang'an allowed themselves to be led by Li Xia into the crowd to view the lanterns. Li Hui, Lu XuanNing, and Cao Fugui exchanged glances before following them. The servants trailed behind the three young masters.
"That rabbit lantern is blinking, it's so cute!" Chang'an spotted a stall with twinkling rabbit lanterns. Unable to move on, she pulled Li Xin and Li Xia to the stall to examine the rabbit lanterns closely. She wore an expression of intense desire, but the lanterns at this stall weren't for sale. They had to be won by solving riddles.