Chapter 102 Secretly Bullying Someone

Chapter 102: Secretly Bullying Him

Madam Liu smiled again and said, "Why doesn't His Highness come himself?"

The moment she said that, Liu Qingci's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly felt a bit guilty.

Not come?

What do you mean, not come?

Last night, he was hiding in the carriage, secretly bullying me...

The memory of last night made the tips of Liu Qingci's ears burn even hotter.

"Qingci?"

His mother's voice snapped him out of his memories.

He came to, meeting his mother's warm, smiling gaze.

"...Mom," he said softly, his voice a little strained.

Madam Liu smiled gently. "I'm sure His Highness did it for your own good. If he went to all this trouble for you... he must have really thought things through."

Liu Qingci's expression was somewhat dazed. After a moment, he said quietly, "I know..."

Over the next few days, the Lius' doorstep was practically worn out from all the visitors.

The first month of the lunar year was prime time for visiting family and friends, and now that the Liu family was back in power, what court official wouldn't want to seize the chance to suck up?

People who used to avoid them like the plague now showed up with expensive gifts, calling her "Madam Liu" and him "Young Master Liu," grinning like it was the most genuine thing in the world.

Finally, on the tenth, Liu Qingci got a letter from his father.

Chancellor Liu said he'd be back in the capital in three to five days.

Word spread through the whole mansion like wildfire.

Servants were buzzing with the news, all smiles.

The kitchen got busy, prepping a feast to welcome the master home.

So the days just slipped by in a blur of activity and anticipation.

Liu Qingci was swamped with endless little tasks every day, playing host to a nonstop parade of guests, or helping his mom out with household stuff.

Liu Wenyuan reached the capital on the fourteenth. He went to the palace to meet the emperor first, then came straight home.

Just past the hour of Chen, a ruckus kicked off outside the main gate.

A carriage with green curtains pulled up slowly outside the gate. The curtain lifted, and a familiar figure stepped down.

That once-straight frame was a little stooped now. His temples were streaked with gray, and his face showed the wear and tear of hardship.

But his eyes were still that same gentle and bright look he remembered.

"You're finally back..."

His mother's voice was already thick with tears.

Liu Wenyuan rushed over and caught his wife as she stumbled toward him.

"It's okay, my lady. I'm home," he said quietly.

Liu Qingci stood a few steps back, watching.

His eyes were already red, but he held the tears in.

Liu Wenyuan let go of his wife and walked over to him.

He reached out and gave his son's shoulder a gentle pat, his voice rough with emotion.

"Qingci, you've had it rough."

Liu Qingci just nodded, a firm nod.

Then Liu Qinghe rushed over from behind and wrapped her arms around her father's waist.

"Father! I missed you so much!"

Liu Wenyuan looked down and hugged his little girl, his eyes filling with tears. "Good girl..."

The four of them stood in the doorway, holding each other tight.

Shortly after Liu Wenyuan returned home, an imperial decree arrived from the palace.

"His Majesty decrees: Tomorrow night, at the Lantern Festival palace banquet, Lord Liu is specially summoned to attend with his family."

A palace banquet.

If it was a palace banquet, then Xiao Yan would surely be there...

Liu Qingci listened to the decree, somewhat dazed.

Since that time half a month ago, when they had met in the carriage at night, he hadn't seen him again.

Liu Qingci returned to his room.

He stood in front of the wardrobe, looking at the row of clothes inside.

Moon-white, light purple, crimson...

His gaze finally settled on that light green garment.

It was the one Xiao Yan had personally put on him on New Year's Eve.

Liu Qingci reached out and took out the light green garment.

The next evening.

The carriage rumbled toward the imperial palace.

Liu Qingci sat inside, looking through the carriage curtain at the darkening sky outside.

The night of the fifteenth day of the first month came a little later than usual.

The moon had already risen, big and round, hanging in the sky.

The palace banquet was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the entire hall ablaze with lights, filled with the clinking of cups and lively chatter.

Liu Qingci followed his father to seats, which were neither too far forward nor too far back.

The seats were positioned just right to see the imperial seat clearly, and just right to...

He tilted his head slightly.

Xiao Yan sat below the imperial seat, speaking with some royal relatives beside him.

He was holding a wine glass, his posture languid, as if he were just going through the motions, or waiting for something.

Liu Qingci looked away.

He picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip.

After a moment, he tilted his head slightly again.

This time, Xiao Yan was looking straight at him.

The instant their eyes met, Liu Qingci's hand trembled slightly, and a few drops of tea splashed onto the back of his hand.

The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth curled up.

Liu Qingci quickly lowered his head and ate the dishes in front of him, one bite at a time.

Halfway through the banquet, music and dance filled the air.

All he knew was that gaze occasionally landed on him.

Its presence was overwhelming.

In the latter part of the banquet, Liu Wenyuan had a bit too much to drink, his face slightly flushed.

He got up to leave the table, wanting to sober up.

Worried, Liu Qingci helped his father as they went out together.

As they passed through the corridor, they happened to run into Xiao Yan, who was also outside.

The moonlight was like water, and the place was deserted.

Liu Wenyuan seemed to know in advance that Xiao Yan would be there; he stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Your servant greets His Highness Prince Yu.”

Liu Qingci quickly bowed his head and followed suit: “Qingci greets His Highness Prince Yu…”

Xiao Yan hurriedly made a gesture to help him up: “Lord Liu, no need for such formality.”

Liu Wenyuan straightened up and looked at the young man before him.

“Your Highness,” he paused for a moment, his voice a bit hoarse, “I, Liu Wenyuan, was able to clear my name and reunite my family, all thanks to Your Highness’s generous help.”

Xiao Yan’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Lord Liu, you give me too much credit,” he said. “The Liu family was never guilty; reversing the verdict was only right.”

“No…” Liu Wenyuan said solemnly, “Your Highness’s kindness… I will always remember it.”

“I am also grateful for Your Highness’s care during my exile.”

Hearing his father’s words, Liu Qingci glanced to the side in surprise.

Then he looked at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan didn’t look at him, only replied calmly to Liu Wenyuan: “It was nothing.”

“And this child, Qingci… Your Highness has taken very good care of him.”

As Liu Wenyuan said this, his voice suddenly choked with emotion.

This man, who had endured so many hardships during his exile without shedding a single tear, now stood in the moonlight, unable to go on.

“If it weren’t for Your Highness… I don’t know what would have become of the Liu family.”

Liu Wenyuan, facing Xiao Yan, suddenly started to kneel.

Xiao Yan was startled.

Before Liu Wenyuan’s knees touched the ground, he quickly reached out and lifted him up.

“Lord Liu, you mustn’t!”

…

(Happy New Year’s Eve, my dear readers!)