As the dried flowers in the stone bowl were crushed into powder, she sequentially added various medicinal herbs according to the steps in her mind.

After one incense burning time, she kneaded the crushed herbs into a pill.

Then, using her sharp nails, she cut open the pad of her index finger, a drop of crimson blood emerged, accompanied by a rich medicinal fragrance.

With the permeation of the medicinal scent, the first to become restless were the two small snakes coiled on Nalan Yiren's shoulders, followed by the bamboo cages on the ground starting to vibrate. Poisonous insects, snakes, and ants began crawling out of the bamboo cages towards the source of the scent, their tiny eyes revealed greedy and fervent expressions. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Nalan Yiren dropped her blood onto the pill, and then swiftly put the injured finger into her mouth. When she took it out, the finger was completely unharmed, with no trace of the wound visible.

In merely a few breaths, the wound healed.

This recovery ability was clearly beyond mortal means.

She flicked her finger lightly, the pill shot up, landing accurately into the pottery jar.

Nalan Yiren then took a porcelain plate to cover the pottery jar as a seal, making the medicinal scent dissipate.

Nalan Yiren ignored the "dazed" poisonous insects, snakes, and ants, picked up the half-face mask placed on the floor, put it on, and walked out of the room.

The biting cold wind blew against her face, instantly clearing Nalan Yiren's mind significantly.

She touched her belly, deciding to find something to eat in the kitchen.

The Prince Chong's Mansion was vast, and if following the mansion's planned route to the kitchen, it would be quite a detour.

Nalan Yiren, light as a swallow, leapt onto the rooftop, intending to take a direct line.

Upon reaching the adjacent rooftop, with the extraordinary hearing of a Divine Power Realm Martial Artist, she vaguely heard the low voices of Chen Mo and the others conversing.

"Zhi Ning, call him brother-in-law."

"Brother-in-law."

"Ru Yan, hold on a moment, Zhi Ning is about to lose the battle."

Nalan Yiren paused, her gaze inexplicable, thought for a moment, crouched down, lifted a roof tile, and peeked inside.

At that moment, Nalan Yiren's pupils instantly dilated.

She didn't even have time to calm her emotions when she met Chen Mo's puzzled gaze.

Nalan Yiren was stupefied by his accelerated reaction.

Her face flushed crimson, hurriedly put the tile back in place, and swiftly left.

Upon arriving at the kitchen, her emotions hadn't yet calmed.

What had she seen.

Usually aloof and unapproachable Xia Zhining was actually being played with like... an object.

Even Third-Grade Martial Artist Yue Ruyan was so "willing to degenerate."

And him, what did he just mean?

Returning with food, passing by the adjacent courtyard, Nalan Yiren once again heard that peculiar sound.

This time, she opted not to peek, swiftly returned to her own room.

Inside, the poisonous insects, snakes, and ants previously chosen from the bamboo cage were all gathered around the furnace.

Even cold-blooded animals like snakes found delight in it, enduring the scorching heat by the furnace.

There were even poisonous bees eyeing the pottery jar eagerly.

Nalan Yiren ignored them, removed the porcelain dish to look inside, then covered it again, and sat behind the desk.

The food brought from the kitchen, she lacked appetite to eat, dwelling continually on the scene she had just witnessed.

At twenty-nine, she had never experienced romantic affairs, scarcely knew about them.

At the age of eleven, witnessing her grandfather die before her, her mind was overtaken by hatred.

Upon later learning Tang Yichen might not be dead, the next eighteen years were consumed by martial arts practice.

Thankfully, her efforts did not go in vain; before reaching thirty, she stepped into the ranks of Upper-Grade Martial Artists.

Precisely because of this, lacking experience in romantic affairs, the scene had such a substantial impact on her that she simply couldn't forget.

...

Under the same night sky, thousands of miles away in Xiangyang, Duke An's Mansion.

Rows of red lanterns bearing the word "fortune" were hung under the eaves and corridors, casting circles of shadows and halos.

In the courtyard, cold winds blowing over the lake, the moon's reflection twisted, then fragmented into pieces, and once the wind ceased, the shimmering waves gathered the moonlight anew.

Inside the backyard hall, bright like daytime.

Maids bustling in and out, it was lively.

Outside, each beauty was considered a rare treasure; inside, they crowded around a large table.

No such large table at home, so two smaller tables were joined together.

Because it was New Year's Eve, Chen Jia, Chen Nuo, Chen You, and Chen Zhong, being part of the family, were also at the table, with maids holding them to keep them from moving.

Wu Mi sat at the head, Han Anniang and Yi Shiyin sat on either side, followed by Xia Zhiqing and Liang Xue.

The table was laden with dishes, each colorful and fragrant, enticing everyone's taste buds.

With all dishes served, Wu Mi said: "Since my husband is not here, as his lawful wife, I shall open the celebration this year, everyone raise their glasses."

Han Anniang, Yi Shiyin, Xia Zhiqing, Song Min, Liang Xue, Nangong Ru, Ning Wan, Xiao Yunxi, and Xiao Ya raised their glasses.

"Now, let's dry our cups and wish our husband every success and safety ahead," Wu Mi said.

"Wishing our husband's safety." The chorus of birds and swans rose together.

They drank the wine dry.

"Daddy... safe," at this moment, Littlechen Nuo said in a milky voice, as he was held by a maid.

All women were drawn to Littlechen Nuo's innocent appearance, and soon his pure demeanor made them laugh.

Xia Zhiqing, eyes sparkling, hurriedly scooped Littlechen Nuo into her arms, kissed his small cheek: "Nu'Er's so good. With Nu'Er's blessing, husband will definitely return safely."

"Miss, the things you requested are ready." At this moment, Yi Shiyin's close maid walked in.

Yi Shiyin immediately laughed aloud: "Sisters, this New Year's Eve, I've prepared a program for everyone."

Han Anniang was momentarily stunned, clearly unaware, asked puzzled, "Xiaolu, what program is it?"

"Yes, Sister Xiaolu, you even have a program kept secret from us," Nangong Ru said.

"You'll know just by coming outside with me," Yi Shiyin teased.

The women followed Yi Shiyin out of the hall, arriving at the courtyard.

Yi Shiyin stood under the gingko tree in the courtyard, a bucket of melted iron nearby.

Yi Shiyin picked up a flower stick, her lively eyes smiling, carefully posed, and giggled: "Time for iron fireworks."

Yi Shiyin swung the flower stick, striking the thousand-degree molten iron onto the gingko tree, forming iron flowers over ten meters high, resembling the bloom of gingko, a stunning scene.

Wu Mi, Han Anniang, and the others all widened their eyes, the light reflected in their eyes, softly saying: "How beautiful."

The children, held by maids, also laughed merrily, waving their limbs.

"Sister Xiaolu, I want to try," Song Min stepped forward.

"Um..." Yi Shiyin hesitated, not because it's unavailable for her but because Song Min was a regular person, and Yi Shiyin feared she might get hurt. Pondering, she said: "Sure, I'll teach you, but be careful."

"Okay, okay," Song Min nodded.

Under Yi Shiyin's guidance, Song Min successfully performed the iron fireworks, albeit not as high as Yi Shiyin's.

Later, Xiao Yunxi, Liang Xue, and Xia Zhiqing joined as well, laughter filled the night.

...

On the other side, at Copper Sparrow Garden.

Xu Ying, aware she was merely Chen Mo's "mistress," had many ambitions. Even as a mistress, she aimed to be the leader among these "mistresses."

On New Year's Eve, she gathered Madam Gan, Madam Xiao, Princess Zhaoqing, and the female musicians previously awarded by the Court, all dining together.

She was also the first to speak, laughing: "Duke An has conquered Chongzhou, supporting the King looks promising, let's raise our glasses, wishing Duke An success and safe return."

"Dry!"