Xiao Wuque casually mentioned it, but Jiang Ning understood that he was giving him a hint.

Those people, after all, would not give him too much time to sit back and watch his growth.

But thinking of his current strength, he felt more confident.

"Thank you, Lord Xiao, for the advice." Jiang Ning nodded.

Afterwards, the three of them shared tea and chatted, frequently touching on current affairs, anecdotes, and local customs, with a harmonious atmosphere.

Most of the time, it was only Jiang Ning and Xiao Wuque talking, while Su Qingying mostly listened quietly, only occasionally responding with a few words.

By the time they left the Xiao Mansion, more than an hour had already passed.

The snow had cleared, and the warm sun had already broken through the clouds, casting a golden glow on the snow.

"This Lord Xiao was testing your strength just now!" Su Qingying said softly as they walked out of the Xiao Mansion.

Jiang Ning nodded and then said, "His perception is much sharper than Xiang Yuan’s, and he probably has some guesses about my current strength."

"Where to next?"

"There aren’t many friends left in the Royal Capital!" Jiang Ning said, looking up at the midday sun before continuing, "But since it’s still early, let’s go explore the temple fair!"

"Great!!" Hearing this, Su Qingying’s eyes lit up, and she nodded repeatedly.

...

The year-end temple fair was bustling, with street vendors hawking sugar figures, masks, and paper cuttings, while acrobats drew bursts of cheers, and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of roasted sweet potatoes and candied chestnuts.

Su Qingying rarely relaxed, walking alongside Jiang Ning, stopping now and then, occasionally attracted by delicate clay figurines or shiny glass hairpins.

Seeing her interest, Jiang Ning bought a hairpin and handed it to her. Su Qingying accepted it with a mild smile in her eyes, lowering her head to place it in her hair.

They moved through the crowd, arriving at a stall with lantern riddles. As they paused, Jiang Ning suddenly sensed something, his Divine Thought stirring slightly.

It wasn’t danger; rather, a familiar presence from the direction of the National Master Mansion.

Almost at the same time, Su Qingying also looked up and murmured, "There are guests at the mansion."

...

At the entrance of the National Master Mansion.

The slightly ajar door opened, revealing a man and a woman in front of them.

The visitors were none other than the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao and Princess Ji Mingyue.

Ji Minghao was dressed in an ink-colored brocade robe, over which he wore a silver-gray sable coat, with a jade belt around his waist.

Though his face still showed traces of youth, his demeanor already displayed the calmness and elegance unique to the children of the Imperial Family, with a faint smile on his face.

Ji Mingyue was wearing a palace dress embroidered with golden butterflies, draped with a snow fox cape, her hair adorned with dangling ornaments that tinkled lightly as she moved.

She had a radiant beauty, holding several exquisite gift boxes in her hands.

"Greetings to the Eighth Prince, greetings to the Seventeenth Princess!" Qinghe saw the two of them and immediately saluted.

"Please inform the Marquis and the State Preceptor on my behalf, and tell them Ji Minghao has come to visit!" Ji Minghao said with a composed face.

"Your Highness, an hour ago, the Marquis and the State Preceptor already went out!" Qinghe responded.

Hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Ji Minghao’s eyes.

"But don’t worry, Your Highness, considering the time, the Marquis and the State Preceptor should be returning soon!" Qinghe added.

"No matter, even if the State Preceptor and he aren’t here, it’s good to see my brother and sister-in-law!" Ji Mingyue said.

After a brief exchange.

Qinghe led to two of them into the National Master Mansion.

The courtyard had been cleared of snow, with red lanterns swaying gently under the eaves, adding warmth to the entire yard.

"Pretty Auntie!!" The first to see Ji Mingyue was Little Dumpling, who was playing in the snow.

The moment she spotted Ji Mingyue, she immediately dropped the snowball she was forming and ran over happily.

In the next moment, she lunged towards Ji Mingyue.

Ji Mingyue quickly caught her, worried that she might lose her balance and fall.

"Greetings to the Seventeenth Princess, greetings to the Eighth Prince!" Jiang Yiming, who had been watching over Little Dumpling, stepped forward to salute.

"No need for such formalities!" Ji Minghao smiled faintly, saying it was like being with family.

At this moment.

Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan also heard the commotion outside and immediately came out.

They then saw Ji Mingyue and Ji Minghao.

"Greetings to the Eighth Prince, greetings to the Seventeenth Princess!" They both saluted at once.

"Brother and sister-in-law, no need to be so formal!" Ji Mingyue said, immediately helping Liu Wanwan up.

Then, she quickly retrieved the gift boxes she brought from Ji Minghao’s hands.

"Brother, sister-in-law, these are some pastries from the palace, along with silks and toys for Little Dumpling. I hope you won’t find them lacking!"

"Mingyue, you’re being too generous!" Liu Wanwan looked at the large gift boxes in front of her, a deep smile touching her eyes.

Ji Mingyue shook her head with a smile, "It’s a new year, one shouldn’t visit empty-handed."

Then, she took out two intricately embroidered pouches from her sleeve.

She crouched down and handed them to the eagerly waiting Little Dumpling.

"Here, this is your New Year’s money. May you be safe, happy, and grow up quickly."

Little Dumpling accepted the pouch, her eyes immediately brightening, and sweetly thanked her, "Thank you, pretty auntie!"

Hearing this address, the smile on Ji Mingyue’s face grew even brighter.

She imitated Jiang Ning and gently patted Little Dumpling’s head.

And Little Dumpling looked thoroughly delighted.

Then, she gestured to Jiang Yiming.

"Yiming!"

"Auntie!" He stood in front of Ji Mingyue with a respectful expression.

During his days in the Royal Capital, he had heard many things about Ji Mingyue.

He held great admiration for Ji Mingyue in his heart.

"This is also your New Year’s money, wishing you to excel in both literature and martial arts, and achieve great things."

Jiang Yiming accepted the pouch Ji Mingyue offered, expressing his gratitude respectfully.

"Thank you, Auntie!"

At this moment, Ji Minghao watched on from the side, his expression gentle.

Although he was a prince, he showed no arrogance in front of Jiang Ning’s family. Instead, his lips carried a faint smile.

Yet, his brows, locked tightly over the years, hadn’t completely relaxed, revealing some hidden worries.

Just then, Qinghe and Hong Mian brought warm tea and snacks.

With the sun shining brightly, they all sat in the courtyard chatting leisurely, waiting for Jiang Ning’s return.

The charcoal crackled beneath their feet.

The fragrance of tea wafted in front of them.

The red paper-cutouts on the windows around the courtyard reflected the snowy light, creating a particularly cozy scene.

Ji Mingyue occasionally played with Little Dumpling, making her laugh gleefully.

Later, she even took her hand and led her to the snow to build a snowman together.

About half an hour passed when footsteps were heard from outside the courtyard.

It was the sound of boots stepping on the stone slabs.

Ji Mingyue looked up to see Jiang Ning walking alongside Su Qingying.

Jiang Ning was dressed in a dark blue casual outfit, draped with a silver fox fur cloak.

When Ji Mingyue saw Jiang Ning, her eyes lit up slightly, but then noticed Su Qingying beside her, and her expression dimmed slightly.

Su Qingying, wearing a winter outfit with silver plum blossoms embroidered on water-red fabric, was cloaked in matching colors. Her skin appeared fairer than snow, and her eyebrows were picturesque. Compared to the memory she had of the State Preceptor, she seemed less aloof and more imbued with the warmth of the human world.

At the same time.

Seeing Ji Minghao rise to greet him, Jiang Ning cupped his hands, "Eighth Prince, may you be safe and healthy this New Year!"

"Brother Jiang, may you be safe and healthy this New Year!" Ji Minghao also cupped his hands towards Jiang Ning, addressing him as a brother rather than a marquis.

"State Preceptor, may you be safe and healthy this New Year!" He also greeted the nearby Su Qingying with more respect in his demeanor.

Su Qingying looked at Ji Minghao and nodded slightly.

At this moment.

Jiang Ning’s gaze fell on Ji Mingyue, who was standing in the snow.

In the white snow, Ji Mingyue wore a palace dress of reddish embroidered with golden butterflies, making her face appear even more radiant and charming.

"It’s been a long time!" Ji Mingyue looked at Jiang Ning, her smile blossoming like a flower.

"May you be safe and healthy this New Year!" Jiang Ning said.

"Same to you!" Ji Mingyue walked out from the snow to Jiang Ning.

Looking at Jiang Ning, she couldn’t help but slightly raise on her toes, as if comparing heights.

Just then.

Little Dumpling abandoned the nearly finished snowman and the snowball in her hand, darting over to the two of them.

Then, she held Ji Mingyue’s small hand in one of her own and Jiang Ning’s large, well-defined hand in the other.

She then endeavored to clasp their hands together.

As Ji Mingyue’s snow-cold hand touched Jiang Ning’s warm palm, her face flushed slightly, and her gaze turned a bit evasive when she looked at Jiang Ning.