The head of the Mu family

Chapter 116 Reunion with the Li Family

Those who attended the banquet were all high-ranking officials of the fourth rank or above.

Mu Huaisheng saw many of the women he had treated.

Most of them pretended not to know them.

Huai Sheng understood, since it was an open secret that doctors received treatment in the inner quarters.

However, no one wanted to make it public.

Only when the wealthy family and their close friends met her did they nod to her, and she would politely return the greeting.

Especially the three of them—the Third Master and his wife, three handsome men and beautiful women—all looked at Mu Huaisheng with expressive eyes.

The person quickly pretended not to see it, bowed, and left.

Mu Huaisheng felt a pang of sadness well up in his heart again:

I just broke up with someone, you don't have to be like this~

Upon entering Yifu Gate, everyone took their seats in turn.

The marshal and several generals nodded slightly when they saw Mu Huaisheng and his group from afar.

Mu Huaisheng and the others immediately bowed slightly in return.

Mu Huaisheng, along with several imperial physicians and their families who had gone to the battlefield, sat at the very end of the banquet.

When the army returned this time, His Majesty rewarded the troops but did not hold a grand banquet.

After years of war, and before that, the entire nation's resources were mobilized to deal with a major disaster.

This palace banquet was also a feast to reward the soldiers.

That's why several imperial physicians who led the team to the frontier also participated.

At the palace banquet, each person had an exquisite little dish made by the imperial kiln in front of them.

Each dish had a single chopstickful of food, and at each table, a palace maid or eunuch served wine.

Even if you are condemned by thousands of people outside, you can sit in this great hall.

Everyone here will smile at you, as long as you don't fall from grace!

The palace banquet featured court song and dance performances, as well as talent shows by daughters and sons of officials and noblemen.

Located in the far corner, it was difficult to hear clearly when the emperor spoke with his civil and military officials in the main hall.

Huai Sheng ate and watched the performance, outwardly maintaining proper etiquette, but inwardly he was so happy that he almost forgot he was in the palace.

Mu Huaisheng: Being an emperor is so damn fun!

Just as I was feeling sentimental, I suddenly felt someone tugging at the hem of my clothes.

Subconsciously, I wanted to straighten the hem of my clothes.

Huai Sheng was so captivated by the singing and dancing that he couldn't take his eyes off the food, and every now and then he would unconsciously take a bite of the food.

Savoring the imperial chef's culinary skills with every chew, it's pure bliss!

Unexpectedly, she was tugged again. Reluctantly turning her head, she saw Madam Lan looking at her with a hint of reproach.

He gestured to the table with his eyes.

Huai Sheng glanced at the table and saw that it was almost empty. He smiled sheepishly.

Whether you sit in the front or the back, the food in front of you is the same.

Being far from the emperor and his family makes it easier to watch the song and dance performances.

Mrs. Blue mouthed the following:

Don't eat yet~ Listen carefully...

After several rounds of drinks, the emperor began to praise the generals who had served on the frontier.

The emperor, who had been praised, offered a toast, and the generals naturally had to return the toast.

After praising the general, we should probably mention the imperial physicians who went there.

Madam Lan noticed that her eyes were practically glued to the singing and dancing, and she was worried that she might mess things up.

Huai Sheng quickly came to his senses and, sure enough, heard the emperor speak loudly:

"And to all the imperial physicians, you've worked hard at the border these past few years too~"

Come! I toast you all!

When the emperor spoke, eunuchs and palace maids immediately stepped forward and filled the wine cups next to each person with wine.

Upon hearing the words "Imperial Physician," everyone immediately stood up, raised their wine cups, and listened respectfully to the Emperor's words.

When the emperor finished speaking, everyone said in unison:

Your humble servant is terrified.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Huai Sheng, holding a wine cup, followed behind, pretending to be a player.

I followed their example and drank the wine in one gulp.

After finishing the drinks, I noticed that the women were all covering their faces with their sleeves, drinking in a very refined manner.

Mu Huaisheng lowered his head:

Thankfully, the tall adults in front of me blocked my view, so I wasn't embarrassed!

When the other adults sat down, Huaisheng also sat down.

The meal was enjoyed by both host and guests, and by the time the banquet ended, it was already late at night.

His Majesty then led his ministers to watch the fireworks in front of Duanli Gate.

When they left, the emperor's family left first, followed by the families of the princes.

Then came two kings of different surnames, followed by the Duke's Mansion, the Marquis's Mansion, and the Prime Minister's and Grand Tutor's Mansions.

Next, they left in order of their rank.

Huai Sheng followed the Lan couple outside. After drinking some wine, he didn't feel too cold.

The wind felt like a dull knife on people's faces, so the Blue Medicine God quickly used his sleeve to shield Madam Lan from the wind.

Mu Huaisheng smiled and pursed his lips, then chuckled softly:

"Oh, no wonder you have a wife!"

Blue Medicine God looked arrogant, and Chen Xiuwei playfully spat at Huai Sheng.

They chatted and laughed until they reached the palace gate, where they bid farewell to the physicians.

Lan Yaoshen helped Madam Lan into the carriage, and Qingyue immediately came to help Huaisheng.

Just as Huai Sheng was about to jump onto the carriage, he heard a soft voice calling from behind:

"Huaisheng, are you... are you alright?"

A carriage stopped in the darkness, and Huaisheng turned his head to see that it was a noblewoman.

Jingtang was also standing nearby, showing half her face and looking at her with concern.

The noblewoman was lifting the carriage curtain and speaking to her.

"lady?

Please be well, Madam.

I'm doing well. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year in advance!

"Shall I take you home?"

The noblewoman's eyes held a thousand unspoken words.

"No need for that, Madam."

I came here with Lord Lan and his wife, so I'll just go back with them.

Another day, I'll catch up with your wife again~

Huai Sheng realized that he still couldn't quite face the Li family, and he felt a strange mix of emotions.

After saying this, he bowed and, with Qingyue's help, climbed into the carriage.

Qingyue got into the small carriage at the back, and the group left.

The noblewoman sighed regretfully and left as well.

Inside the carriage, Jingtang and the noblewoman remarked with emotion:

"Mother, I imagine my sister must be feeling very sad."

Yes~

When I returned a few days ago, I heard from your Aunt Tan and the others that in the inner quarters of the capital, there were many rumors about your second aunt's heroic deeds on the frontier.

It was said that it was told by someone who went to the battlefield with them.

Many women in the capital who lived in the inner quarters of the city respected your second aunt greatly after hearing this.

They said your father, second uncle, and second aunt were all heroes who defended the country.

I asked your Aunt Tan who told her about it, and she told you it from your Aunt Qingwu, so it must have been Huaisheng who told her~

"Sister Huaisheng couldn't become my second aunt, but I still sincerely respect her as a hero."

She herself didn't want to get married at the time, and her behavior was so open and honest.

Why did you try to run away when you saw your mother?

"You don't quite understand. There's a saying: 'The closer one gets to home, the more timid one becomes.'"

A woman who has truly loved a man cannot be so carefree.

Huaisheng, you've done a great job!

The carriage swayed and rocked, carrying people with their own thoughts back home.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Huai Sheng woke up naturally. She didn't need to wish anyone a Happy New Year, and no one except the people from the Mu family wished her a Happy New Year.

She had just woken up and stretched when she heard Qingyue ask from outside the gauze window:

"Master, you're awake?"

Wishing you a Happy New Year, Qingyue!

"Master, wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!"

"Niu Niu~ Bring in some water, the head of the household is awake~"

A little while later, Qingtian and Niu Niu came in carrying water for washing up.

They came in smiling and exchanged New Year's greetings, then helped Huaisheng wash up.

While Huai Sheng was washing up, Qing Yue said with a grin:

"Master, did anyone come to wish you a Happy New Year today?"

They're already waiting in the lobby!

"Hmm? Someone came to wish me a Happy New Year?"

You're still keeping me in suspense~

"Hurry up and get dressed, I need to go see!"