Winter solstice, the weather is rustling with snowflakes falling. The palace is unusually quiet today.

Since it was a lively celebration, Fu Jiujiu didn't have the imperial kitchen prepare dumplings in advance. Instead, she invited all the ministers' families to come and wrap dumplings together, making it even more festive.

The filling was carefully made by Fu Jiu Jiu, and as for the colorful skins, red, green, yellow, and even a few mixed colors, they were all Fu Jiu Jiu's ideas.

It's such a joyful day, and everyone here is so perceptive. They're all busy working while also praising Fu Jiujiao.

“Nowadays, even in our northern regions, we can enjoy lush green vegetables during the winter. They aren't brought from the south, but are thanks to the efforts of the Emperor and Empress. Our people here in the Li Dynasty have such benevolent rulers, we truly are blessed beyond measure.”

"Who said it wasn't? A few days ago, I went to the Royal Novelty Shop and bought a thermometer. Now, I don't have to feel my child's forehead to see if they have a fever. It tells you right there on top! Something I never even dreamed of in my life."

"The other day I went for a walk around the greenhouse, the strawberries are almost ready to be picked. This is in winter, you know."

"Strawberries, I heard that they were discovered at the Empress's home twenty years ago. Otherwise, where would there be so many delicious fruits?"

What I heard is different. I heard that the Empress went out to play and brought back a plant. When she was young, the Empress raised that fruit until it became what we know as strawberries now.

"Where is there to play outside? I heard it's on the mountain. My father-in-law thought it was grass back then, but because our empress is favored, my old man couldn't bear to let it go. He said that even if it was grass, he had to keep it. As a result, there are strawberries now."

"...I didn't hear it that way..."

https://m.

Those speaking were mostly younger women, some even younger than Fu Jiujiu. The older ones sat chatting together. Afraid that if she went over, she would be restrained, Fu Jiujiu didn't get too close.

Mrs. Gao also came, her body was still sturdy. In her words, she had suffered so much during the famine when she was young, and in her old age, her strong body was a reward from God.

"Auntie, I'll have someone bring you two ginseng plants when we leave. You and Uncle should take them to keep yourselves healthy."

Mrs. Gao held her hand and said, "Don't worry about making up for it. Your godfather is in good health. That precious stuff, your godfather eats it just like eating radish. As for the good things, you should supplement yourself too. You have so many children now, but you don't seem to have gained any weight."

Fujujiao lowered her head. She had definitely gained weight, but perhaps in the eyes of the elderly, any amount of weight gain was considered thin.

She smiled slightly, but everything was prepared. Even though Zou's godparents didn't come, the tonic Fu Jiujiao was still delivered on time.

Jiang Shuangyue and Zou Guangquan have already gone to see Zou Zhongbei and Coral. After ten years apart, how could they bear to separate from their son after just a few days?

"What's this?" Mrs. Gao asked softly.

Fu Jiujiu was looking at the two young women. "My sister-in-law asked me to choose a wife for Bao, look, those two girls. It's a big responsibility, I have to pick carefully."

"Alas, my dear child, you've always had a life full of worries. Even when you were a girl, you loved to fuss over things. Now that you're married, matters at home and throughout the world are all on your mind."

"And there are some from our family too," Madam Gao said with a bashful smile.

Fu Jiujiu also smiled, knowing that Mrs. Gao was talking about Qixing's matter.

On such a big day, Hung Chi-hsing naturally came, but she was a little embarrassed at the moment. She could wield a sword, a knife, or a whip, but making dumplings and wrapping them was truly a challenge for her.

She loves to eat dumplings and eats a lot of them, but when she makes them, they are ugly and the filling shows.

"Qixing, you this... haha... what is this?"

Hung Chih-ching rolled his eyes. "Dumplings, what else could it be?"

Everyone looked back and laughed along.

One of the young ladies walked over, "Hong sister, why don't we just forget it? I'll take your share and wrap it for you."

Hung Chi-hsing glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Then you pack it."

She can't do these things anyway.

The woman lowered her head, a smile playing on the corner of her lips. She knew the Empress was watching this way, and she had to put on a good show. The head of the Fu family had visited their home before, and she understood that it was an excuse to come see her.

And she also knew that most of the pastries in Fu family were made by the Empress, this time banquet was probably to see her character.

Hung Chi-hsing saw Fu Chiu-chiu and his grandmother talking, so he ran over, "Auntie Mother, Grandmother."

"Look at you, you're all grown up, but you can barely make a few dumplings, and your face is covered in flour like a little kitten." Madam Gao lovingly wiped the flour off her face.

"Hehe, I really can't do this. How about I go chop some firewood? That I can manage." Hung Chi-hsing didn't want to just sit around doing nothing; what if people said he was a freeloader later on?

Fu Jiujiao pressed her hand, "Chai has already chopped the firewood, you sit down, I have something to ask you."

Hung Chi-hsing was a little ashamed. "Auntie, I wouldn't dare to bully people just because I have some power. Wei Ling-er is an official, and I'm nothing. Besides, I didn't mistreat her at all. It was she who made that Little Darling doll, and now she's using the fact that there's no evidence against me to try and get away with it. But I can't just swallow this!"

Mrs. Gao glared at her, "Nonsense, how can you say that? She's a court official appointed by the Imperial Court. You have no right to act recklessly. If she has done wrong, there will be someone to punish her."

Fujujiao originally wasn't talking about this, but since it came up, she said a few things, "Since you know it was her who did it, if you want to deal with her, I won't stop you. But dealing with her has to be done the right way, doesn't it?"

"Sigh...Aunt, you mean...I understand, I know you love me."

"Well, it hurts you, ouch, today the weather looks nice, how come it's so cold, go get me a thick coat."

"Alright, I'm fast." Hung Chi-hsing was delighted that he hadn't been scolded by Fu Chiu-chiu, so he ran away happily.

Mrs. Gao felt that things were not simple, but she believed that Fu JiuJiu would definitely not harm Qixing.

Hong Qixing was also too excited, didn't think there were so many people, how could she be forced to take it.

Anyway, her aunt-in-law wouldn't betray her.

At the entrance of Fenghuang Palace, Tang Haojing was waiting there early.

Hong Qixing saw him and understood everything. The truth was revealed, although he was still to blame, it was undeniable that his intention was also to protect himself.

"How are you here?" Hung Chi-hsing didn't look at him.

"Qixing, in ten days' time, I will have to return. You... Will you be willing to go back with me?"

"No!" Hung Chi-hsing said flatly.

Tang Haojing took a deep breath, his heart aching a little, but he wasn't discouraged. "I promised you, I have a surprise for you in Nan Yu. You really won't come?"

"Don't go!" Hung Chih-hsing said.