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墨書 Inktalez
They thought this way and acted accordingly. Look at how simple the cards made by Liu Qingxi with sturdy paper are. A few maids led by Summer Lotus were quick on their feet, finding some paper, scissors, and stored tree glue to get busy.
Before long, another set of cards was prepared by the nimble maids. The usually quiet Summer Lotus cheerfully said, "Here are the cards; who wants to play?"
With a rush, several people surged forward. Chunyu, sitting to the left of Liu Qingxi, immediately stood up and patted her backside, saying, "Miss, Madam, Young Master, you all play. Hehehe~~~"
Then she hurriedly gave her seat to Yang Yichen. There was no choice; the gaze of Son-in-law behind her was too intense—uh? Intense enough to feel murderous. The thick killing intent made her neck chill, so she quickly made way.
Son-in-law's possessiveness over the young lady was indeed growing stronger. Well, even she as a maid couldn't bear it anymore; she might as well seek comfort from her dearest Summer Lotus for her wounded spirit.
With the lively chatterbox Chunyu around, the hall was unusually lively. If someone unaware saw this scene, they might think they were gambling in a gambling den.
In fact, they were just passing the time waiting for the New Year.
As for gambling, Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen had made quite a fortune from it. Their match against Lin Shuhong ended with Lin Shuhong's loss. As for the final punishment? She didn't make any demands.
Instead, they left a good impression in people's minds, aside from those who ran gambling houses.
Hahaha, just thinking about it makes me laugh; they almost lost everything down to their underpants.
With odds of one to ten, Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen bet so much of their wealth that it multiplied tenfold—several hundred thousand taels just like that went easily into their pockets.
With this money, they could start building houses after the New Year without fear; they had more than enough funds to construct an area similar to Ten Li Pu.
Unknowingly, time approached midnight. Over here with Liu Qingxi, due to a win or loss in a game or someone backing out, they were arguing fiercely. Except for a few from the Wen Family, everyone else was young and naturally causing quite a ruckus.
It was all for the sake of excitement, even to the point of arguing fiercely over a few coins.
In the Hao Wangfu, a vast residence filled with exquisite details, there was not a hint of red to be seen during the New Year. The oppressive luxury made the servants unconsciously tread lightly.
There was no helping it; their master had a gloomy disposition and disliked anything flashy. For years, they had not developed the habit of decorating the Wangfu for the New Year.
This year was no different.
In the study, Dugu Hao's gaze lightly swept over the towering stack of memorials, as usual, he lit a lamp and began reviewing them.
Even though it was New Year’s, with laughter and songs echoing everywhere, to him, there was little difference between celebrating or not; official duties still required his attention.
The thick stack of memorials rapidly diminished at a visible pace. Dugu Hao read ten lines at a glance, swiftly processing and providing feedback.
After completing these tasks, as midnight approached, he looked up at the sky and felt an involuntary sense of frustration rising within him, a pent-up melancholy that refused to surface.
Unlike usual, he did not rest after finishing his work. Instead, he slowly walked out of the study, leaped over the wall, and wandered aimlessly through the streets.
Occasionally, he heard barking dogs, and faint lights spilled from every household, illuminating this part of the capital.
At that moment, with a loud bang, a firework exploded in the sky. The beautiful and brilliant flowers were even more fleeting than a flash in the pan, yet their beauty pierced straight into Dugu Hao's heart.
He had seen fireworks before; it was just that he knew they did not belong to him. He lived in darkness, far removed from such beauty.
In over twenty years of life, he had never felt lonely or desolate. Day and night, he had been plotting how to seize what belonged to him and how to make that mother and son pay the price.
After years of relentless effort, he regained his position as the crown prince, and within two years, the throne would be his.
However, he found himself alone in the vast royal residence.
It wasn't that he didn't want to marry; rather, he had no interest in those rigid women who seemed to be carved from the same mold.
In the past, when he was the useless prince, no one paid him any attention.
Later, after gaining the emperor's trust and defeating Dugu Li, he became the legitimate heir. People began to flock to him, offering their goodwill and sending women his way.
He firmly rejected them all, feeling no impulse towards those women.
He even made it clear to Dugu Han that he would make his own decisions regarding marriage and would not choose any of those affected women.
This unintentional demand reassured Dugu Han; with Dugu Hao having no wife or children, it indicated that he was not overly eager for the throne. Thus, the palace coup led by Dugu Li would not happen again.
Having experienced it once, although there were contingency plans in place, no one wished to live in a constant state of suspicion.
Unknowingly, his thoughts gradually emptied as he wandered into an alley.
From the outside looking in, at the end of the alley stood two courtyards with bright red lanterns hanging at their doors. Inside, candles flickered, casting a warm glow that resembled four fireballs on a cold winter night.
It felt as if something was pulling him as he slowly walked closer.
Just then, laughter and cheerful voices came from inside, along with a playful voice saying, "I won't give it! This time doesn't count! If I get this out first, I win!"
Then there was Summer Lotus: "You can't do this. Once it's out, there's no turning back. If you don't believe me, ask the lady?" He turned to Liu Qingxi to act as the witness: "Miss, please help us judge."
Liu Qingxi, enjoying the spectacle, said, "You should resolve your own matters. If not, just fight it out; whoever wins is right."
Then there was another round of wailing.
Not knowing how long he had been standing there, several men's voices could be heard approaching; they seemed to be the Guards from home.
Laughter and noise filled the air. Dugu Hao listened to these sounds that had never been part of his life before. A fleeting warmth and a hint of envy crossed his deep, cold black eyes, though it was just for a moment.
By Fate's Whimsy, he avoided the attention of the Liu Family Guards and quietly approached the hall where they were gathered.
He didn't hide on the roof of the hall but instead sat on the back of the roof of an adjacent room. If one didn't observe closely, no one would notice he was there.
Being born into a royal family is such a sorrowful fate. While enjoying luxuries that ordinary people could only dream of, one must also endure loneliness, solitude, and bloodshed.
The most ordinary family banquet was an experience he had never had in his life.
Originally, he had no interest in such things, but now? Suddenly, he felt an urge to join in or perhaps to grasp warmth in his own hands.
At this moment, he felt like a drowning child desperately trying to grab onto the last lifeline.
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