The abstinent prince, practicing Buddhism, is seduced by a voluptuous beauty into breaking his vows.

Chapter 123 New Year's Eve - Human Recreation

Just as dawn was breaking, Su Yaoyao was dragged out of bed by Chun Tao.

"Miss! Get up quickly! The Grand Tutor's carriage is already waiting at the gate!" Chun Tao said, nagging as she helped her wash up. "The Old Madam has sent people to urge you three times, saying that if you don't go soon, she'll come and arrest you herself!"

Su Yaoyao was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open, and mumbled, "Okay, okay..."

Last night, Xiao Chenyuan insisted on staying by her side while she slept. He started getting restless around midnight, kissing and hugging her, and only let her go after a long time.

Her back is still sore.

She stretched lazily and let Chuntao help her put on her newly made pomegranate-red jacket and skirt.

The fabric of this dress was hand-picked by Aunt Jiang's mother. It has a bright red background with gold peony patterns, making the wearer look like a lucky baby in a New Year's painting, festive and elegant.

Su Qingrun was already waiting in the courtyard. He had also changed into a new robe, dark in color with subtle patterns, which made him appear composed and dignified.

Seeing her come out, he frowned slightly: "Why are you taking so long?"

Su Yaoyao yawned: "Brother got up early, is it my fault?"

Su Qingrun glared at her, but didn't say anything more, and helped her into the carriage.

The carriage rumbled toward the Grand Tutor's residence.

The capital city was exceptionally lively, with people coming and going on the streets and vendors calling out their wares.

Children, dressed in new clothes and carrying candied hawthorns and windmills, ran around. Every household had new Spring Festival couplets pasted on their doors and hung red lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere.

Su Yaoyao lifted the carriage curtain and looked at him, her heart softening.

In her past life, she struggled alone in the city, ordering takeout or going to bars with friends during the Lunar New Year. It was lively, but after the excitement, there was always an emptiness.

Unlike now.

There is an older brother, a maternal grandparent's family, and...

She recalled what that person had said last night, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curled up.

"What are you laughing at?" Su Qingrun asked, looking at her.

"It's nothing," Su Yaoyao lowered the carriage curtain, "I just feel... this year's Lunar New Year was really nice."

Su Qingrun looked at her, her gaze softening slightly, but said, "Silly."

As soon as the carriage arrived at the gate of the Grand Tutor's residence, a series of cheerful footsteps could be heard.

"Sister Yaoyao!"

Little Jiang Huaijin was the first to rush out. The five-year-old boy was wearing a bright red coat and a little tiger hat. His face was rosy, and he hugged Su Yaoyao's leg tightly.

"Sister, you've finally arrived! Grandma's been talking about you all morning!"

Su Yaoyao bent down, picked him up, and kissed his cheek: "Little Huaijin, did you miss your sister?"

"Yes!" the little one said in a sweet, childish voice, hugging her neck. "I really, really want to!"

Su Qingrun coughed lightly from the side: "Huaijin, where's your brother?"

Jiang Huaijin then noticed him, paused for a moment, and reluctantly stretched out her little hand: "Brother...can I hug you too?"

Su Qingrun: "..."

Su Yaoyao laughed hysterically.

Jiang Wan Ning also ran out and hugged her tightly, "Cousin!! I missed you so much!"

Su Yaoyao stumbled from the impact: "Slow down, slow down..."

Jiang Wan Ning then let go, took her hand, and led her inside.

"Come quick! Grandma has prepared lots of delicious food for you! And Grandpa secretly saved some osmanthus wine for you, it smells so good!"

Jiang Jingchen followed behind, looking helpless: "Wan Ning, Grandmother won't let him drink, but Grandfather secretly hid it. Be careful, he'll punish you later."

"Oh dear! Just pretend you don't know anything." Jiang Wan Ning stuck her tongue out at him and pulled Su Yao Yao inside.

Upon entering the main courtyard, Old Madam Jiang was already waiting in the corridor. Today, the old lady was wearing a crimson-purple jacket and skirt with auspicious patterns, her hair was neatly combed, and she looked very energetic. Her eyes lit up when she saw Su Yaoyao.

"Yaoyao is here." She held out her hand. "Come here and let your grandmother see you."

Su Yaoyao threw herself into her arms and sweetly called out, "Grandmother!"

Grandma Jiang hugged her, looking her up and down, her eyes a little red: "Good, good...you look better, your face has filled out..." She stroked Su Yaoyao's face, "If your mother saw you like this now, she would be so happy..."

Mentioning her mother, Su Yaoyao felt a pang of sadness, but she smiled and said coquettishly, "Grandma, you mustn't cry during the New Year."

"Alright, alright, don't cry, don't cry." Old Madam Jiang wiped her eyes and pulled her into the house. "Your grandfather is waiting, as are your uncle and aunt, they're all waiting to see you!"

In the main hall, Grand Tutor Jiang sat at the head of the table. The old man's hair and beard were all white, and when he saw Su Yaoyao enter, his usually stern face softened a bit.

"Yaoyao greets her grandfather." Su Yaoyao bowed respectfully.

"Get up." Grand Tutor Jiang beckoned, his gaze sweeping over Su Qingrun and Su Yaoyao, and nodded. "Our family is finally reunited this year."

Aunt Song smiled and chimed in, "That's right. Yaoyao comes often, and Run'er is back too. This year's New Year's Eve is much more lively than in previous years."

Su Yaoyao felt a warm glow in her heart.

This is the feeling of home.

You have elders who love you, siblings who tease you, and people who care about whether you've eaten enough or dressed warmly enough.

very nice.

Lunch was a family feast, with a whole table full of dishes, all of which Su Yaoyao loved to eat.

Song personally cooked two of her signature dishes, with Jiang Wan Ning helping out. Jiang Huai Jin was responsible for causing trouble—stealing a piece of meat one minute and making a dumpling the next, and was dragged out by the scruff of Jiang Jing Chen three times.

Su Yaoyao leaned back in her chair, looking at the lively atmosphere in the room, and suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

During the years when the original owner was spoiled by Aunt Liu, how much warmth like this did she miss out on?

Fortunately, it's not too late.

After eating and drinking her fill, Su Yaoyao lazily sunbathed in the courtyard. This kind of festival is the busiest time for Crown Prince Xiao Chenyuan. He left before dawn this morning. Ritual sacrifices, court duties, and congratulatory documents... a whole host of things awaited him.

This is her first Spring Festival since she transmigrated here. She wonders if he will be able to keep her company tonight...

Just then, another commotion broke out outside.

"Little sister! I'm here!"

Anar's signature loud voice could be heard clearly even through a courtyard wall.

Su Yaoyao peeked in and saw her wearing a fiery red Northern Desert dress, rushing in with a tall figure following behind her—Ashina Lie had also changed into a relatively low-key dark blue brocade robe today, but it still couldn't hide the rugged aura of a grassland man.

Anar hugged Su Yaoyao tightly: "Happy New Year's Eve! We've come to celebrate the New Year with you!"

Su Yaoyao was choked and couldn't breathe: "Why are you all here?"

"It was invited by Old Madam Jiang!" Anar said matter-of-factly, "She said it's pitiful that my brother and I have never celebrated a festival from the Central Plains, so she invited us to celebrate the New Year together!"

Su Yaoyao looked at her grandmother, and Old Madam Jiang smiled and said, "They're all children, it's more lively with more people."