The New Year Banquet Before the New Year, the Empire's high nobility and senior military officers gather at the Imperial Palace for the court banquet. It is a supreme honor, representing the Empress's personal trust. Those most favored by the monarch are even arranged to stay within the palace walls.
Sang Ye, unsurprisingly, spotted Wu Jinyue. This was the second time she had seen the legendary Marshal in person; the last time had been during the critical situation at the Alpha Fortress.
At that moment, Sang Ye was in the Imperial Garden, introducing a small foal to Lin Yangchuan. This foal was a "Heavenly Blood Horse." Sang Ye had specifically selected from her dimension’s grasslands. Its coat was pale gold, gleaming with a metallic luster. To prevent the foal from getting lonely, Sang Ye had even brought its mother along. The mare was currently causing a ruckus in the garden, neighing fiercely while keeping a sharp eye on her young.
As Sang Ye was fitting Yangchuan with protective riding gear, Wu Jinyue appeared from the long corridor behind the palace. She was leading a small toddler who had just learned to walk—Wu Jiashuo, whose hair was tied in pigtails and whose cheeks were as round as steamed buns.
The two younger women saluted. Wu Jinyue lowered her head slightly in return.
Sang Ye took the opportunity to observe her. Minur didn't actually look much like Wu Jinyue—Minur had a distinct ethnic style—but the flicker in Wu Jinyue’s eyes whenever she looked up gave Sang Ye a haunting sense of déjà vu.
"Brigadier General Sang Ye, would you care to walk with me?" Wu Jinyue asked. Her voice was unexpectedly gentle, lacking the cold hardness of her reputation.
…
They strolled along the garden paths.
"That is my second great-grandchild, Wu Jiashuo," Wu Jinyue began. "You are already familiar with Ningning. She is an energetic child who has caused you much trouble, but you healed her legs, and for that, I am deeply grateful."
"It was nothing," Sang Ye replied. (Though in truth, Wu Huansheng was a very generous "customer.")
"You and the Eldest Prince must be very close," Wu Jinyue continued. "Otherwise, with his personality, he wouldn't have returned. He has missed the New Year banquet for many years. Her Majesty was quite saddened."
Sang Ye scratched her forehead, feeling a bit bashful.
"My eldest granddaughter and her husband are also very close," Wu Jinyue mused, recalling Wu Huansheng and Mu An. "Her mother, Xiangxi, disapproved of the marriage at first. She thought a low-born Guide would be a burden. But Shengsheng was so in love... Mu An is a gentle, kind man with a hidden streak of iron. If it weren't for him, neither Huansheng nor Ningning would be alive today. Her mother has finally accepted him."
Then, Wu Jinyue’s voice dropped. "Minur is actually very much like me."
Sang Ye nearly tripped.
"You searched for me on the internal network after meeting her," Wu Jinyue smiled thinly. "Eve records all such traces. You weren't curious about me when you met Huansheng; you only became curious after Minur. She is as stubborn as I am. In her heart, I am likely not a good mother. She blames me for Brian’s death."
Wu Jinyue went silent. Sang Ye sensed the hidden heart of the matter: Wu Jinyue loved Minur more than she loved the son she didn't even mention.
"You're angry, aren't you?" Sang Ye asked candidly. "Because she is your daughter, yet she didn't choose to stand by your side."
Wu Jinyue gripped her shawl. Sang Ye had unmasked her most secret thought. She viewed Minur’s refusal to leave the Snow Mountain as a betrayal. She had left without looking back, refusing to see her daughter again. But seeing little Jiashuo, who wailed whenever she was away from her mother, reminded her of Minur’s childhood.
"Let this just be idle chat," Wu Jinyue said, turning back toward the start of the path.
"Sometimes, a single meeting can solve many problems," Sang Ye called out as the Marshal walked away.
…
On the first day of the New Year, the Empress delivered her broadcast. She announced the "extraordinary progress" in treating mental riots at Black Tower, offering hope to all Sentinels.
Lin Changli and Lin Yangchuan stood by her side. Lin Changli’s presence—stable and composed—served as living proof of the new "food therapy."
In the banquet hall, the Little Phoenix swooped down and perched on Sang Ye’s shoulder. Sang Ye noticed the bird’s temperature was higher than usual. "What's wrong?" she whispered.
"You'll find out in a few days," the Phoenix chirped, preening its vibrant feathers and nuzzling her cheek.
The banquet was a sensory triumph. Sang Ye had spent two days training the palace chefs. The tables groaned under the weight of Roasted Chicken, Pan-Seared Cod, Snail Escargot, Garlic Scallops, Australian Lobster, King Crab, Oyster Bisque, and Seafood Paella. The dessert table was a mountain of Crème Brûlée, Rum Baba, and Chocolate Mousse.
Sang Ye watched the crowd—nobles, generals, and family—sipping and eating. She felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Not only was her business flourishing, but her "family" was by her side.
And best of all? She watched the credits for the catering contract rolling into her personal account in a steady, golden stream.
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