The New Year arrived amidst the bustling festivities and red decorations throughout the Capital.
Due to the snow disaster this year, to save on National Treasury expenses, the palace did not hold a banquet. Officials and ladies of ranks were merely asked to enter the palace on New Year's Eve to pay their respects and could then leave.
To Song Ci, this news was met with great joy. After all, palace banquets were not particularly comfortable; even if you liked a dish right in front of you, wanting to eat a bit more would require self-restraint to avoid being laughed at for lacking manners.
Thus, on New Year's Eve, Song Ci spent the night with the entire family at the Prime Minister's Mansion, enjoying a joyful reunion dinner. Yet, listening to the lively laughter outside, she felt a profound sense of loneliness and solitude, a feeling of indescribable sorrow.
Song Ci thought of the future generations.
