Although it was winter, the capital was inherently prosperous and bustling, far beyond what Ningcheng could compare to. Jiang Chenghan was unfazed, he had visited the capital before and was somewhat familiar with it. But Jiajia was incredibly curious and delighted. The family of three went sightseeing and also purchased many of the New Year goods and festival gifts they required.
During their outing, they also ran into the imperial grandson Xiao Yanchu, who, upon hearing about it, had specifically asked Xie Huan for leave to find Jiajia. Xie Huan, having nothing else to do, came along with him. Thus, the family of three became a party of five. Later, upon Xiao Yanchu's invitation, they went to a manor located in the outskirts of the capital that the Emperor had bestowed upon him for his birthday this year.
The manor, though not large, benefited from geothermal heating channeled from the nearby imperial hot spring palace. Its courtyards remained spring-like throughout the year, abundant with flowers and fruits even in winter. Guests could soak in the natural hot springs while admiring the snowfall outside—creating an atmosphere of refined elegance and leisurely enjoyment.
However, the manor was small, and there was only one hot spring pool. Moreover, given the difference in status, even though Xiao Yanchu said it was fine and enthusiastically invited them, both Yan Jingshu and Xie Huan declined.
They spent a day at Xiao Yanchu's manor, eating some fresh fruits and vegetables rare in winter. As evening approached and it was time to head home, the group left the manor and returned to the capital. Xiao Yanchu, finding it uninteresting to stay at the manor alone, returned to the city with them.
In the following days, Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu divided their time between visiting relatives and calling on friends. They also paid a visit to Yan Jingshu's respected teacher.
During this time, Yan Jingshu encountered several of his former friends who were still studying at Mushan Academy. He deliberately avoided acknowledging them and did not engage in any conversation.
Before his marriage, he had originally invited these few friends to gather for a farewell. Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the agreed location, not a single one of them was in the private room—instead, Mu Tingyuan, who shouldn't have been there, was present.
After that, those friends of his had sent letters explaining that they had been threatened by Mu Tingyuan into telling him about their gathering. But Yan Jingshu had not forgiven them.
He believed their story, he believed that Mu Tingyuan had threatened them. But what disappointed and saddened him was that they, knowing full well Mu Chongyan's feelings for him and knowing that he did not wish to see Mu Chongyan, had not a single one warned him about the situation, allowing him to walk unsuspectingly into danger.
If Jiang Chenghan hadn't been there that day, he didn't dare imagine what might have happened. Thus, while he wouldn't seek revenge against them, he could never forgive them no matter what.
After Jiang Chenghan learned that these few individuals were the so-called friends Yan Jingshu had once had, he couldn't manage a polite smile either. Although Yan Jingshu had no intention of speaking further with them, Jiang Chenghan could not act as if nothing had happened.
However, he wouldn't deliberately scheme against them either, he simply informed Yan Jingshu's teacher of their actions. Judging by the teacher's cordial attitude towards them, he likely didn't yet know what they had done.
Sure enough, after Jiang Chenghan finished speaking, Yan Jingshu's teacher's expression immediately changed. Yan Jingshu did not blame Jiang Chenghan for his rash action—after all, Jiang Chenghan was doing it to vent his anger for him, and everything he said was the truth, so he nodded in confirmation.
Yan Jingshu's teacher was naturally furious, but in front of Yan Jingshu and Jiang Chenghan, he didn't say much.
Jiang Chenghan didn't ask further, but not long after, he heard that those few individuals had been expelled from Mushan Academy for lacking moral character.
Although Mushan Academy couldn't compare to the Imperial Academy, it was still a highly prestigious academy in Da Qi. Being expelled with a reputation for lacking moral character meant no other academy would accept them in the future, and their ability to take the imperial examinations and enter government service would be greatly affected.
Jiang Chenghan felt not a shred of sympathy for them. People must always pay the price for their actions.
Halfway through the vacation, on New Year's Eve, Xie Huan came to the Jiang residence as usual to celebrate the New Year with Yan Jingshu's family. And, as Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu had anticipated, as midnight approached, the Prince of Chuxiang, Mu Chongyan, who should have been attending the palace banquet in the palace, showed up uninvited once again.
Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu did not comment on his uninvited arrival. Jiang Chenghan simply gestured for him to join them at the feast, while Yan Jingshu instructed the servants to bring an additional set of bowls and chopsticks.
Mu Chongyan clearly hadn't anticipated receiving such a welcome this time and appeared both surprised and deeply honored by their unexpected hospitality. Though taken aback, he felt genuinely pleased in his heart.
After staying up to welcome the new year, it was time to rest. Yan Jingshu had initially thought about arranging accommodation for Mu Chongyan. But then it occurred to him that it might not be necessary. Sure enough, after the feast ended, Mu Chongyan directly followed Xie Huan back to Xie Huan's courtyard.
The next day, although the imperial grandson Xiao Yanchu did not come in person, under the pretext of sending a gift for his teacher, he sent several large carts of presents to the Jiang family. But after the gifts were moved into the courtyard, when Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu looked at the gift list, they saw there were actually two lists. One was clearly from Xiao Yanchu—the other, though unsigned, was perfectly clear to both Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu, it could be from no one but Mu Chongyan.
When Mu Chongyan and Xie Huan came out of their room and saw these things, he directly admitted it.
Now that Yan Jingshu knew about his own background and knew Mu Chongyan's identity, Mu Chongyan no longer needed to hide anything when sending gifts. They just had to keep up appearances for outsiders, hence using Xiao Yanchu's name.
Mu Chongyan later also told Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu which gifts were for Yan Jingshu and which were for the two children. As for Jiang Chenghan's... since he already had a wife and children, Mu Chongyan didn't want to give him anything anymore.
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