Chapter 463: Chapter 461: Celebrating the New Year, Staying Up Late_1
Feng Liu was lively and outgoing, straightforward in speech, and not at all pretentious.

Upon meeting the various madams, maids, and old ladies of the Duke of Zhen’s residence, she didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable.

She chatted and laughed as necessary.

With just her presence alone, she could liven up the atmosphere, causing the madams to be delighted and take special interest in her.

The Duchess of Zhen took a liking to her and made up her mind.

‘The rich blessings should not be wasted on outsiders, this daughter-in-law, I’ve booked her for our family.’

**

Nearing the end of the year, Su Hu and his wife missed their daughter and went to Mingshui Academy to bring Su Zixuan home for her winter break. They brought along their three younger children to the Capital City for the New Year’s celebration.

Su Qingluo was overjoyed upon hearing that her adoptive parents had arrived in the Capital City, and she went to the Su House to visit them right away.

Accompanying her was the Little Prince.

The Little Prince was thrilled to see the four younger children and excitingly invited them to the Imperial Palace as guests.

The four children happily agreed, looking forward to visiting the Imperial Palace and admiring the beautiful Imperial Gardens.

Li Xiu’e had close ties with the Lin Clan since she resided in the countryside and even referred to Ye Xue’e as her sister.

Upon arriving in the Capital City, it was natural for her to visit the Duke of Zhen’s residence.

Ye Xue’e was delighted to see her, welcoming her warmly.

First, she brought Li Xiu’e to the Drunken Frost Residence to introduce her to the Old Master, and then took her to her precious daughter’s courtyard to show her how elegant and refined it was, which reassured Li Xiu’e.

She was genuinely happy for her daughter, who had the love and affection of a large family since she was raised there since she was young.

The close relationship between the two mothers made Lin Qingluo extremely pleased.

To her, the kindness of her adoptive parents was as boundless as the heavens, and the love of her birth mother was thicker than blood.

Both mothers were equally important to her, and she couldn’t differentiate between them.

The Duke of Zhen was grateful to Su Hu and his wife for raising his precious granddaughter. Therefore, he specifically invited the family over for New Year’s Eve dinner at the Duke’s Residence.

Missing their daughter, the couple happily agreed, eagerly preparing New Year’s goods and buying gifts.

Lin Qingluo was beyond happy at the thought of spending the New Year with her adoptive parents, older brother and sister, and four younger siblings. She could even wake up from her sleep with laughter.

**

With the help of Uncle Lin, Lin Jinyu managed to assemble the old military faction and proceed smoothly with the development of Mystic Canyon.

Many of the retired soldiers were living in poverty, and many of them depended on the Duke of Zhen’s residence for relief.

When they heard about this opportunity, they were all excited and agreed readily when Lin Jinyu sent someone to invite them.

Within ten days from spreading the word until New Year’s Eve, nearly five thousand people had been assembled.

Lin Jinyu provided travel expenses for them to bring their families and friends to Woniu Village after the New Year’s celebrations.

**

On New Year’s Eve, the main entrance of the Duke of Zhen’s residence was closed, missing the usual festive noise from past years.

The people in the Capital City knew of Third Uncle Lin’s sacrifice for his country and respected the Lin Clan’s loyalty and patriotism. Consequently, fewer families set off firecrackers this year.

The residence was exceptionally quiet, with only the Su family coming over to join the Duke’s family for a reunion dinner.

After dinner, the masters of each courtyard accompanied the Old Master and the Duke and Duchess of Zhen to stay up until dawn.

The children all went back to their respective courtyards and went to bed early.

Lin Qingluo stayed up with her elders. She was the only granddaughter in the family and was pampered and loved by everyone.

The Duchess of Zhen even hugged her tightly, calling her the apple of her eye, refusing to let anyone take her away.

“Qingluo, your maternal grandfather has sent a letter mentioning your studies and asking if you’d like to study with his disciples under his personal guidance,”

Approaching midnight, Ye Xue’e suddenly remembered that her daughter had stopped studying to travel and rubbed her tired brow wearily.

“Mother, are you tired? If you’re very sleepy, you should go to bed. Your body is weak and can’t be strained by staying up late.”