After Xiao Yuan had occupied half of the South, it was already time for the New Year before he could stabilize the situation.
This year's New Year was extremely busy for the Xiao Family.
Since Old Madam had recently passed away, the New Year celebrations were not grand. Anning merely found a good embroidery woman to make two sets of new clothes for each child, while the girls of the house wore two additional sets of jewelry; everything else was kept simple.
No red lanterns were hung in the manor, nor were couplets pasted, making the New Year very plain.
On New Year's Eve, Xiao Jue went to invite the Old Master to celebrate the New Year with him, but the Old Master refused and spent the New Year alone in his small courtyard.
Fortunately, there were people to serve him in that courtyard, so he was not lonely.
After the New Year, Anning became even busier.
