TGFH Chapter 40: New Years Eve

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After hesitating for a moment, Bai Yi finally spoke softly, "What about your aunt?"

"She has decided to become a nun," Xiao Yiran replied honestly. "Min'er has already contacted a convent for her. After Lan'er's wedding, she will move there." Over the past few days, Xiao Min had sought him out to discuss this matter.

Ever since the incident, Xiao Yiran’s aunt had been deeply traumatized, her mind no longer clear. Hualan had visited her once, and the two women had held each other, weeping for a long time. Though Xiao Yiran’s aunt had always harbored resentment toward Bai Yi, she had never intended to take his life. The reality of taking a life, especially that of an unborn child, was vastly different. When she realized she had been manipulated, panic and regret consumed her, particularly when she saw Hualan lying in a pool of blood. Yet, no amount of remorse could undo her actions.

Her heart had died with her husband years ago, and since then, she had lived only for her daughter. Her greatest hope had been to see Hualan married into a good family, which was why she had been so insistent on Xiao Yiran marrying Hualan. But now, what else could she hope for? When she learned that Bai Yi and his child had survived, she felt a measure of relief—not for herself, but for Hualan’s sake, so that her daughter wouldn’t face undue hardship in the Xiao family. After meeting Hualan, she had expressed her wish to Xiao Min: if she were not handed over to the authorities, she would devote the rest of her life to Buddhist practice, seeking redemption for herself and blessings for the Xiao family.

Xiao Min couldn’t make the decision alone, so she brought the matter to Xiao Yiran. After some consideration, Xiao Yiran agreed, but with two conditions. The first was that his aunt would wait until after Hualan’s wedding to leave. Marriage was a major life event, and it would be a lifelong regret for Hualan if her mother wasn’t present. The second condition was that Xiao Min would oversee the convent arrangements. The Xiao family would continue to provide for her daily needs after she became a nun, though the caretaking arrangements also served as a means of monitoring her. Given her past actions, Xiao Yiran felt it necessary to remain cautious for Bai Yi’s sake.

Xiao Yiran’s aunt agreed to these conditions, and Hualan’s wedding was scheduled to take place after the New Year. Originally, the plan had been for Xiao Yiran and Bai Yi’s wedding to happen first, but Bai Yi’s health had yet to recover, and Yun Mozi suggested postponing it. Meanwhile, Qin Zhenli had become more enthusiastic about his marriage to Hualan after recent events, and Hualan, eager to fulfill her mother’s wishes, decided to push her own wedding forward. As a result, Hualan’s wedding would take precedence.

For now, though, the Xiao family focused on the New Year celebration. This year was shaping up to be one of the liveliest in recent memory. Ever since Xiao Yiran had taken up the role of general, he had often been away during this time of year, leaving Xiao Min, his aunt, and Hualan to share a quiet New Year’s Eve meal. This year, not only was Xiao Yiran home, but Bai Yi and their newborn child were also present, making it a perfect occasion for a family reunion.

Out of consideration for recent events, Xiao Yiran’s aunt chose not to join the others for the New Year celebration. Hualan initially wanted to stay with her, but her mother insisted she spend the evening with Xiao Yiran and Xiao Min. As she explained, a married woman needs the support of her natal family, especially when facing challenges in her in-laws' home. Although Hualan wasn’t a Xiao by blood, the Xiao family was still effectively her family. Her mother encouraged her to enjoy her last New Year’s Eve meal as an unmarried woman with them. Unable to persuade her otherwise, Hualan reluctantly agreed, planning to return to her mother’s side after the meal.

Additionally, Yun Mozi was still staying at the Xiao residence. The Yun family estate had long been uninhabited except for a few servants, and Yun Qingran was still far away in Yunxia City. Moreover, baby An'an was still reliant on Yun Mozi’s care, so he had no choice but to spend the New Year with the Xiao family. Joining the celebration were Feng Jing, Xiao Mo, and Mo Yan, who had all returned with Xiao Yiran. Xiao Mo, being a servant born and raised in the Xiao household, naturally stayed for the holiday. Feng Jing and Mo Yan, both without parents, also remained with the Xiao family.

With so many people gathered, this year’s New Year’s Eve feast promised to be the liveliest and most joyous the Xiao residence had seen in years.

Thanks to Yun Mozi’s free medicinal supplements and Bai Yi’s own cooperation, his recovery was progressing well. Determined not to dampen the festive mood, Bai Yi decided to join everyone for dinner in the main hall on New Year’s Eve. However, Xiao Yiran was clearly worried, wrapping Bai Yi in layers of clothing and filling the hall with several warm braziers to ensure the temperature was suitable before agreeing to let him go. Along the way, he didn’t even let Bai Yi walk, carrying him all the way, leaving Bai Yi feeling both embarrassed and amused.

By the time they arrived, the others had already been waiting for a while. Xiao Min and Hualan were gently chatting and laughing as they held the baby under the guidance of two nurses. Xiao Mo and Mo Yan were quietly discussing something nearby, while Yun Mozi, clearly exhausted from the recent busy days, leaned on his hand and dozed off. Among them, the only restless one was Feng Jing, who alternated between staring intently at the baby in Xiao Min’s arms and pacing back and forth, casting longing glances toward the door. When Xiao Yiran finally appeared, carrying Bai Yi, Feng Jing abruptly quieted down, retreating to his seat as if nothing had happened.

After sitting down, Bai Yi first took the baby from Xiao Min, carefully cradling him in his arms. Over the past few days, the baby had spent more time with Yun Mozi than with Bai Yi himself. Fortunately, the baby wasn’t fussy. According to Yun Mozi, apart from being unable to speak and being slightly weaker due to premature birth, the child was remarkably easy to care for.

Holding the baby, Bai Yi couldn’t help but chuckle at Feng Jing’s hesitant demeanor, torn between wanting to approach but not daring to. He understood that Feng Jing still felt guilty for not taking better care of him during the incident. Many others harbored similar feelings of guilt, but unlike Feng Jing, they hid it well. Bai Yi, however, had never blamed anyone.

After soothing the baby for a while, Bai Yi smiled gently and beckoned Feng Jing over. "Xiao Jing, have you met the baby yet? Would you like to come take a look?"

"Ah? I…" Feng Jing hesitated, glancing at Xiao Yiran. Seeing that Xiao Yiran remained expressionless but didn’t object, he cautiously walked over to Bai Yi.

The baby in Bai Yi’s arms was tiny, his face still underdeveloped. His small eyes were barely distinguishable as open or closed, and his entire body was wrapped in a blanket, leaving little visible. However, the tiny hand sticking out was smaller than one of Feng Jing’s fingers. Staring at the baby, Feng Jing couldn’t help but exclaim, "So small…"

"Yes," Bai Yi replied with a soft smile. "He was born over two months early, so he’s naturally smaller. But thanks to Mozi’s care, he’s looking much better now." He gestured for Feng Jing to touch the baby.

Feng Jing carefully extended a finger, lightly touching the baby’s hand. When the baby’s tiny fingers curled around his, Feng Jing couldn’t help but grin. "Has he been named yet?"

Bai Yi nodded slightly. "We named him Zi’an, with the nickname An’an."

"An’an… peace and safety," Feng Jing murmured, repeating the name softly. He gently withdrew his finger and tucked the baby’s hand back into the blanket.

Bai Yi adjusted the blanket around the baby and then looked up at Feng Jing, speaking warmly. "Mozi told me that you helped a lot with gathering herbs for the baby’s medicine. Thank you, Xiao Jing."

Feng Jing waved his hands hurriedly, shaking his head. "No, no, please don’t thank me. I’m just glad you don’t blame me…"

"Of course, I have to thank you. And not just you, Xiao Jing—all of you." Bai Yi carefully handed the baby to a waiting nurse, then turned to the group, smiling. "I’ve received so much care from all of you, but I’ve never properly expressed my gratitude. Since we’re all gathered here tonight, let me take this opportunity to toast everyone with tea instead of wine. Thank you all." Saying this, he poured himself a cup of tea and raised it to the group.

Xiao Yiran didn’t stop him. He understood that this was Bai Yi’s way of showing his appreciation and reassuring everyone. The events of the past had left scars on each of them, but Bai Yi’s gesture made it clear that he harbored no resentment and had not been defeated by the ordeal. At this moment, his gratitude was genuine.

After a brief silence, everyone raised their cups—whether tea or wine—and drank in unison, exchanging smiles with one another.

Following the toast, Bai Yi instructed the nurses to take the baby to rest. Being so young, the baby couldn’t participate in the New Year’s Eve dinner. With that, Xiao Yiran gave the order to start the meal, and the festivities began.

The group chatted cheerfully throughout the meal, discussing not only Hualan’s upcoming wedding but also Xiao Yiran and Bai Yi’s. Xiao Yiran’s plan was to hold their wedding after Bai Yi’s recovery and confinement period, with the baby’s full-month celebration taking place first. Bai Yi had no objections, although it meant they couldn’t adhere to the original date set by the imperial decree. Xiao Yiran assured him that he would explain the situation to the emperor.

The mention of the imperial decree brought up the other couple who had received a similar edict—Bu Huaiyuan and Mu Qi. Both decrees had been issued on the same day, but while Xiao Yiran and Bai Yi’s wedding was postponed due to the recent events, Bu Huaiyuan and Mu Qi’s wedding was scheduled for the fifth day of the new year, just two days after Hualan’s. Although Hualan’s wedding was hastily arranged, preparations were already well underway at both the Xiao and Qin households. In contrast, the An Guohou and Prime Minister’s families had shown little sign of activity, with no invitations sent out yet. The situation left everyone curious about how that wedding would unfold.

As the meal and chatter wound down, imperial gifts arrived from the palace. After thanking the emperor for his generosity, the group gradually dispersed. Hualan left early to spend the night with her mother, and Xiao Min accompanied her. Yun Mozi, too tired to stay up, retired to his room. Feng Jing and Xiao Mo left together, as they seemed to have plans of their own, and Mo Yan, not wanting to intrude on Xiao Yiran and Bai Yi, excused himself as well.

With everyone gone, Xiao Yiran and Bai Yi were left alone to welcome the New Year. Xiao Yiran carried Bai Yi back to their room, secured the doors and windows, and the 

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