He silently spoke to himself.

Then closed the panel.

...

Front hall.

The brazier was burning brightly, dispelling the cold.

Miss Zhong Ling served the last plate of dumplings, the thin skin revealing a hint of green filling inside.

"These are shepherd’s purse and fresh meat filling, with some ginger to ward off the cold," she said softly, her eyes subtly glancing toward Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning picked up a dumpling, dipped it in vinegar, and put it in his mouth.

The savory taste filled his mouth, with warmth spreading from his stomach.

The long-suppressed appetite began to burst forth.

He looked up at everyone sitting around, Jiang Li was scooping porridge for Liuu Wanwan, Lv Yi was whispering and laughing with Zhong Ling, and Little Dumpling was clumsily fighting with her chopsticks and the dumplings.

Though it was just ordinary warmth, it slowly grounded the tense world in his heart caused by days of rigorous cultivation.

"What plans do you have after the new year?" Jiang Li asked, then added, "The curfew in the Royal Capital has gotten much stricter lately, with the Forbidden Army patrolling at times, is something going to happen?"

Jiang Ning put down his chopsticks and shook his head, "Brother, let’s not talk about these things during the festive season; the external turmoil doesn’t concern us." He paused.

Then said, "I still need to remain in the Royal Capital for a while longer; it’s peaceful here, undisturbed. After the new year, you and Sister-in-law could let Yiming go to the Tao Palace to cultivate."

Hearing this, Jiang Yiming immediately looked up at Jiang Ning.

"Uncle, can I do it now?"

"Yes! Of course, you can!" Jiang Ning said, "You’re my nephew, the nephew of the Dongling Marquis, and you’re already at the Sixth Rank, excelling in both internal and external practices."

"Uncle, I’ve been diligently practicing martial arts these days, and I feel like I’m not far from the Fifth Grade!" Jiang Yiming said confidently, clenching his fist.

"Excellent!" Jiang Ning nodded approvingly.

Just then, the sound of footsteps crunching on snow came from outside the courtyard.

They all looked up to see Su Qingying in a plain white long dress, coming into view.

Despite the fact that it was winter and snow was still falling outside, Su Qingying was dressed for spring and summer.

"Miss Su, come, have a bowl of chicken soup to warm up first!" Liuu Wanwan stood up, inviting Su Qingying to sit beside Jiang Ning.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!" she expressed her gratitude.

Then she looked at Jiang Li, "Brother, wishing you health and peace during the festive season!"

She followed Jiang Ning in calling the two by the same titles.

"Good! Good! Good!" Jiang Li nodded repeatedly with a smile as he looked at Su Qingying.

Then he handed over a prepared pouch.

"Miss Su, may you have peace every year in the new year!"

"Brother, what is this?" Su Qingying was taken aback.

"It’s New Year’s money!" Jiang Li explained.

Then he took out a few more pouches, "Come, come, Miss Zhong Ling, Miss Lv Yi, you all have shares. And for Miss Qing He, Miss Hong Mian!"

"Dad, what about me?" Little Dumpling suddenly stood on the chair railing, earnestly raising her right hand.

"Didn’t I just give you one?" Liuu Wanwan lightly tapped her hand.

"Oh! Alright then!" Little Dumpling slumped, hanging her head down.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning smiled gently.

Then he also took out a small pouch and handed it to Little Dumpling.

"Here, it’s New Year’s money from Uncle for you!"

"Thank you, Uncle!" Little Dumpling’s eyes gleamed, then she jumped up in excitement.

She ran over, happily accepting the pouch from Jiang Ning’s hand, and then gave him a big peck.

At that moment.

Su Qingying looked at the ten golden leaves in the pouch, her eyes showing a bit of emotion.

She had never received New Year’s money before.

The festive season was something she had never paid attention to.

She glanced at everyone present, quietly taking in each of their figures.

Then, a faint smile appeared on her lips, her gaze falling on Little Dumpling beside Jiang Ning.

"Little Dumpling, come here!" Her voice was clear and filled with the unique timbre of a young girl.

"Sister Su!!" Little Dumpling immediately let go of Jiang Ning and ran eagerly towards Su Qingying.

"This is for you! A New Year’s gift!" Su Qingying produced a jade pendant and placed it in Little Dumpling’s hand.

"Thank you, Sister!!" Little Dumpling immediately showed a sweet smile and raised the malt sugar she had been holding, "Sister Su, here’s some candy, it’s sweet!"

Seeing her smile, Su Qingying couldn’t help but gently pinch her.

Su Qingying paused slightly, accepting the malt sugar, and looking at Little Dumpling’s sweet smile, her eyes softened even more.

She put the malt sugar in her mouth, tasted it slightly, and said softly, "It’s very sweet."

"Does Sister Su also like sweet things?" Little Dumpling looked up and asked.

"I do!" Su Qingying nodded lightly.

Then, she looked at Jiang Yiming.

"Yiming!"

"Sir!" Facing Su Qingying, Jiang Yiming was slightly respectful.

Unlike Little Dumpling’s pure innocence, he knew the extraordinary identity of this seemingly ordinary young girl before him.

State Preceptor.

Throughout the entire Royal Capital, she was at the pinnacle of existence.

In front of such a person, he knew not to overstep any boundaries.

"I didn’t prepare any New Year’s money, so I’ll give you a New Year’s gift instead!" Su Qingying said.

As soon as she finished speaking,

a golden piece of paper appeared on the table, with text as tiny as ants.

"What is this??" Jiang Yiming looked puzzled.

"Divine Sword Skill!" Su Qingying said, continuing, "Transform the spirit into a sword, a method for slashing the divine."

"Thank you, State Preceptor!" Jiang Yiming immediately clasped his hands in gratitude.

"There’s no need to be so formal, you’re the Marquis’ nephew!" Su Qingying replied calmly.

....

After breakfast,

the snow gradually slowed down, and the sky grew brighter.

Jiang Ning and Jiang Li sparred in the courtyard, not using True Yuan, only relying on their moves.

Although Jiang Li’s realm was not as high, his rich practical experience over the years made his attacks exceptionally fierce and brave, with a fierce punch wind.

And facing Jiang Li’s brave offensive, Jiang Ning effortlessly neutralized it.

The brief exchange also made him understand how much progress Jiang Li had made.

With strong muscles and bones, every move could easily unleash a force of ten thousand pounds.

Compared to a few days ago, there was a transformation.

Their brotherly figures crossed, and snowflakes flew, causing Little Dumpling to clap and cheer.

Liu Wanwan, Miss Lv Yi, and Miss Zhong Ling sat under the porch cutting paper window decorations, red paper flying between their fingertips, gradually forming fish, bats, and happiness characters.

Zhong Ling’s hands were skillful, cutting out a pair of lifelike magpies perched on plum blossoms, and Lv Yi smiled as she pasted them on the warm pavilion window.

Su Qingying sat alone in the pavilion brewing tea, with tea smoke curling up.

She watched the scene in the courtyard, her expression serene.

When Jiang Ning paused and walked to the pavilion, she pushed over a cup of tea: "Snow Mountain rock tea, warms the body."

Jiang Ning accepted and drank it all, the tea was rich and mellow, with a long-lasting aftertaste.

He looked at Su Qingying: "In past years during the year-end, did you visit any friends?"

"No!" Su Qingying shook her head, then said, "I’m used to being alone, it’s been like this every year!"

"Then this year, would you like to go with me to visit some friends?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Take me?" Su Qingying was taken aback.

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Upon hearing this, Su Qingying lowered her head and then asked, "Can I wear these clothes... is it okay?"

"Of course you can!" Jiang Ning took a glance and replied decisively.

At this moment, Su Qingying’s plain white long skirt of spring and summer attire complemented the snow outside the pavilion and the plum blossoms in the courtyard perfectly.

"No way!" Su Qingying shook her head, then said, "The year-end should be festive, wearing a white skirt is not suitable!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately stood up: "I’ll go change my clothes first."

"That’s fine too!" Jiang Ning nodded, then watched her quickly leave, a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips, and he took a slow sip of the steaming tea.

Instantly, warmth flowed in his belly.

Then, he looked at Miss Zhong Ling, Liu Wanwan, and the others.

With their skillful hands, piece by piece of red paper window decorations were cut out, and then Qinghe and Hong Mian adhered the cut window decorations.

With the decoration and embellishment of the red paper window decorations, the originally cold National Master Mansion took on a bit more festive atmosphere.

Then, he looked at where Little Dumpling and Jiang Yiming were.

Little Dumpling was building a snowman in the snow, with crooked branches as arms.

While Jiang Yiming carefully studied the golden paper in his hand as he watched over Little Dumpling.

Divine Sword Skill.

It was a secret technique that Su Qingying gifted him as a New Year’s present.

He had just understood a little.

This is a spiritual secret technique; once mastered, it can kill or injure invisibly, impossible to defend against.

Moreover, this secret technique also has the effect of strengthening the spirit.

But in his eyes, it was not valued.

Because he knew his current situation.

The Martial Arts Skills he had practiced were already too numerous.

So many Martial Arts Skills had already occupied all his time.

He couldn’t spare more time to practice other Martial Arts Skills.

And what suited him was to specialize in a few techniques, not to carry many skills.

The more skills he had, the more his time was spread thin, which was actually a burden to his growth.