Chapter 362 - 360: Dad’s Been a Little Naughty Lately (Second Update)

Chapter 362: Chapter 360: Dad’s Been a Little Naughty Lately (Second Update)

Xu Jing looked at the father and son not far away and couldn’t help but recall what Xiao Yi’s grandmother said to her on the day they remarried: Xiao Yi had gone through many things, struggling alone for many years, and she once again lamented that the time she spent with him was still too short.

They were far from truly knowing each other.

But fortunately, they still had plenty of time.

Just as Xu Jing’s thoughts began to drift, Little Point, who had worked up a sweat practicing swordplay, excitedly ran over and jumped into Xu Jing’s arms, exclaiming, "Mom, Mom! Dad said we can go light the firecrackers! Dad also said I can light them myself!"

The little one, still full of curiosity about everything in the world, felt as though he’d received an extraordinary reward with this promise from his old dad, and his little face was lit up with excitement.

It was only then that Xu Jing realized it was already midnight.

She chuckled and took out a clean handkerchief to wipe the sweat off Xiao Huai’an’s forehead, saying, "Look at you all excited, if you sweat, you must wipe it off in time to avoid catching a cold."

Great Chu hadn’t yet discovered gunpowder, so the firecrackers at this time were actually just ordinary bamboo.

The so-called burning of firecrackers was just putting a whole section of bamboo into the fire, which would cause the bamboo to expand from the heat and make a crackling sound, but such sounds were usually not very loud.

Xu Jing now listened quietly and could faintly hear the crackling sound of firecrackers from the neighbors.

Xiao Yi also walked over at this time, placing the wooden sword on the table with a light smile, "In a while, we’ll burn firecrackers in the courtyard. I’ve already had Dongli and Xianyun prepare them. Tonight we’ll burn once, and supposedly, before going out tomorrow, we’ll need to burn again at the front door before we can step out of the house."

Xu Jing couldn’t help but smile at him, "Why supposedly? Is this your first time celebrating New Year?"

Xiao Yi cleared his throat lightly, his dark eyes glimmering as he said, "It’s not my first New Year, but it’s the first time I’m celebrating it so earnestly."

When he was young, he was playful and only thought about how to have fun during New Year, without paying any mind to these customs at all.

Later, when he was old enough to understand, he no longer had the heart for celebrating New Year properly.

Jing might not know, there were several years where he even spent New Year handling official business.

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback, her eyes curving gently as she said, "Then you must remember these procedures, for in the future, we’ll need to celebrate New Year this earnestly every time."

The future — what a beautiful word.

Xiao Yi’s eyes softened slightly as he reached out his hand, "Alright, I’ll remember. Let’s go."

Xu Jing looked at him with a smile and placed her hand in his.

He held her hand, and she held Little Point’s hand, spending their first New Year’s Eve in this world amidst the crisp sound of crackling firecrackers.

Early the next morning, as a high-ranking court official, Xiao Yi had to go to the palace with the civil and military officials to offer New Year greetings to the Holy Emperor. Before leaving, he told her that after he returned, he would take her and Xiao Huai’an to visit the Zhao Family and the Xiao He’s house.

Xu Jing and Xiao Huai’an stayed up all night keeping watch, so they happened to sleep in, and when Xiao Yi returned from court, they had only just gotten up.

Seeing the two sitting on the bed looking drowsy and not quite awake, Xiao Yi couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. He stepped forward and picked up Xiao Huai’an, looking at Xu Jing with a smile, "Madam Cen said she wants us to join her for lunch, and if you don’t hurry, the Zhao Family will be kept waiting for us."

This little one didn’t sleep in his own courtyard yesterday night, when did he sneak over?

Xu Jing was suddenly jolted awake, and any sleepiness vanished.

Why didn’t he mention it earlier!

It’s not good to keep others waiting just because they slept in, especially for a reason one can’t easily admit.

Xu Jing quickly dressed and groomed herself, and when the family of three arrived at the Zhao family’s, it was just in time for lunch.

The Zhao family was particularly lively today, and except for Zhao Jingxuan who was still dealing with affairs in Lingzhou, the whole family gathered together.

Madam Cen saw Xu Jing and her family walking in, her eyes immediately fixed on them. She secretly pinched Zhao Jingming beside her, so hard it was as if she wanted to pinch the flesh off him.

This unfilial son of hers, who knows when he will show her such a harmonious family of three!

Yanci had already brought his wife back, yet she still hadn’t even seen a shadow of her daughter-in-law!

Zhao Jingming winced in pain but dared not utter a word.

Who would understand? Every year during New Year, it felt like a trial for singles like him!

If he dared to utter a word of protest, his mom would host a hundred matchmaking banquets in a month to torment him after New Year!

New Year visits are sometimes like going from one event to another. After having lunch with the Zhao Family, Xu Jing and Xiao Yi stayed for a while before heading to the next event at the Xiao He’s house.

Since Xiao He’s father was a humble military officer and the family wasn’t a large clan like the Zhao Family, it was relatively quieter there.

Xiao Yi’s aunt was a straightforward and capable woman. Upon seeing Xu Jing, she immediately took her hand with a smile, "Jing, we haven’t seen each other since your and Yanci’s grand wedding, and even at the wedding, I didn’t have the chance to talk to you properly. How are you finding life at the Xiao Family? Has Yi been treating you well?"

Just as Xu Jing was about to speak, Xiao Huai’an, who was munching on an apple next to her, tilted his head seriously and said, "Aunt, don’t worry, Dad and Chang Xiao both love Mom, they definitely wouldn’t bully her! But Dad has been a bit bad lately, always keeping Mom to himself, not letting Chang Xiao sleep with her!"

It seemed this had been bothering the little guy for a long time and he finally found an opportunity to complain, feeling deeply aggrieved.

Xiao Muyu paused, unable to hold back a hearty laugh, patting Xiao Huai’an’s little head, "Our Chang Xiao has been wronged, but mom and dad are a couple, and couples need some time alone, so try to understand."

Xiao Huai’an, somewhat understanding and somewhat not, glanced at Xiao Muyu and asked, "Aunt, does that mean couples get to sleep together often?"

Xiao Muyu smiled with her eyes, "Yes, they do."

Little Point got excited instantly, "Then Chang Xiao wants to be a couple with Mom too!"

This unexpected answer left Xiao Muyu momentarily speechless.

Just as the two women exchanged exasperated yet amused glances, a light laughter sounded from behind, "Chang Xiao, if you say that, Dad will get mad. A person can only be a couple with one other person, do you understand? When you grow up, you’ll find someone who wants to be a couple with you too."

Xiao He walked over, with Xiao Yi following beside him.

Xiao Muyu raised her eyebrows at them, asking, "Weren’t you sparring with your dad at the training ground?"

Xiao Yi smiled lightly, "With an uncle who’s such a martial arts enthusiast, Jingchen and I wouldn’t dare show off in front of him. It’s rare for big cousin to return, so uncle is testing how much he’s improved in martial arts over the year."

Xiao Muyu and her husband had two sons and a daughter, with their eldest son stationed away most of the year, only returning with his family during festivals.

General Xiao was a martial arts fanatic, and the only one who inherited this from him in the family was Xiao He’s elder brother, Xiao Yan.

Xiao He immediately gave a teasing glance at Xiao Yi, "Yanci, we’re both cousins, yet I’ve never heard you call me properly once."