Iris set off firecrackers in an empty place in the palace with her sister and two daughters. As the firecrackers exploded, there was an indescribable feeling of happiness in her heart.
Yar was taking care of the three children on the side, occasionally stealing glances at Iris. Whenever she saw the faint smile on Iris's lips, she felt satisfied.
Lanzu stood by Iris's side like a maid, waiting for Iris's orders at any time.
Candace, Merice, Lessi, and Xue Youyue sat on the steps, watching the fireworks bloom in the sky, feeling a sense of nostalgia in their hearts.
"The dress looks really good on you. Why didn't you wear it during the New Year before?" Iris suddenly spoke, her gaze lingering on Lanzu's dress as she spoke.
Lanzu looked down at her dress and then looked up into Iris's eyes. "I just thought it was strange for a general to wear an evening gown."
"Hehe~!" Iris chuckled at her words. "I actually think it's great. It looks much better than the armor that used to wrap around my chest and abdomen."
Listening to Iris's words, Lanzu's face turned red. She didn't expect Iris to be so straightforward and couldn't help but shyly lower her head.
Iris noticed Lanzu's embarrassment and a faint smile appeared on her face. She was in a good mood.
"Lanzu is so easily embarrassed, can't withstand teasing from herself." Iris secretly thought to herself.
Lanzu's ears turned even redder, and she bit her lip, looking somewhat embarrassed and looking away.
Iris turned her gaze to Merice, who was beside them. "Today is New Year's Day, why don't we lift the ban on you, cousin? You can go out and relax, how about it?"
Upon hearing this, Merice's eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded. "Yes, yes!"
Since Iris ascended to the throne, Merice had been restricted within the palace. After such a long time, she felt quite suffocated. Being able to go out for a walk now was the best choice.
Seeing Merice's reaction, Iris lightly pursed her lips and said, "This is an imperial order from me. Take it." With that, Iris took out a piece of paper from her storage space and handed it to Merice. Merice took the note and immediately cheered, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After that, Merice left with Candace, Lessi, and Xue Youyue.
Watching Merice and the others gradually disappear, Iris's gaze flickered, her lips curled up, revealing a meaningful smile. Then she shifted her attention to Dugu, who was standing beside her.
"Dugu, what do you want?" Iris looked at Dugu with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Um..." Dugu froze, never expecting Iris to suddenly ask him, "Um, Your Majesty, I want to meet Empress Dowager."
Upon hearing Dugu mention Lilia, the smile on Iris's face disappeared almost instantly, replaced by a calm and indifferent expression. "You want to meet Lilia?"
"Yes..." Dugu's tone was somewhat restrained, unable to meet Iris's gaze.
"Unfortunately, Lilia is not in the palace right now." Iris's tone remained calm and indifferent.
"Then where is she?" Dugu asked eagerly.
"She's out shopping, but I'm not sure exactly where she is. Lilia is accompanied by her subordinates, so she should be safe," Iris said casually.
Upon hearing this, Dugu could only reply, "Okay."
Iris didn't hate Lilia now, but she couldn't say she liked her either. After all, Lilia was just a tool for Iris to control Martial Angel.
There was no need for Iris to waste emotions on a tool. All she needed to do was ensure that the tool was well-fed and clothed, and that Martial Angel could work for her under her control.
At that moment, Ling walked up to Iris and looked at her with her watery eyes. It was clear that Ling heard Iris talking about Lilia. "Sister~! I also want to meet Her Highness."
Iris lovingly touched Ling's head, her face filled with a strong motherly love. "Sweet Ling~!"
"Sister..." Ling pouted and coquettishly said.
"Good girl, before the end of the Lunar New Year, sister will definitely let you meet Her Highness," Iris gently pinched Ling's nose tip and smiled.
Upon hearing Iris's promise, Ling immediately stopped crying and smiled. She happily hugged Iris's waist and said, "That's great! Ling can finally meet Her Highness."
"Sister, you should be prepared that Lilia might not recognize you as her daughter," Iris patted Ling's back and said softly.
Ling raised her head and looked at Iris with her shiny eyes. She said, "It doesn't matter. As long as I can meet Her Highness, I'm already content!"
"You, really..." Iris lightly flicked Ling's forehead with her index finger and indulgently said, "You are so easily satisfied!"
"It's because I have Sister by my side, that's why I'm content," Ling sweetly smiled and said.
Iris shook her head helplessly, feeling immensely gratified. It seemed that her love for her younger sister was not in vain.
Baiying, who was nearby, saw Ling and Iris affectionately interacting and called out in her childish voice, "Your Highness, the fireworks are over. Should we go shopping?"
"Yes!" Iris nodded and smiled, "Let's go!"
"What about you two?" Iris turned to look at Lanzu and Dugu and asked.
Lanzu immediately refused, "I'm not going."
Hearing Lanzu's answer, Iris was not surprised at all.
Dugu used not liking crowded places as an excuse to politely decline, "I don't like busy markets, especially noisy crowds, so I won't join in the fun."
"Well then," Iris lightly nodded and held Ling and Baiying's hands as she walked towards the palace entrance.
Baixi and Yar glanced at each other and followed behind Iris.
...
The streets were crowded with people. The New Year's night market was very lively, with various vendors shouting and selling their merchandise continuously.
Shops along the street were adorned with red lanterns, illuminating the entire night market. There were also some delicate ornaments and small dolls displayed on both sides of the street, giving it a warm and cozy atmosphere.
"Wow! So beautiful!" Ling excitedly pointed at a pink fur shawl not far away.
"Is that so?" Iris smiled at Ling and said, "Let's try it on and see if it fits, then we can buy one."
"Yeah!" Ling happily jumped up when she heard Iris's suggestion, "That's great!"
Seeing Ling's happy expression, Iris couldn't help but laugh.
Iris gently placed her slender arm on Ling's shoulder, and the four of them walked slowly towards the pink fur shawl.
Upon closer inspection, Iris found that the pink fur shawl was indeed exquisitely made, giving off an irresistible charm.
"Miss, how about this shawl?" The shopkeeper placed the shawl she held in her hand on the table and asked with a smile.
"Not bad." Iris took the pink fur shawl and put it on Ling. After examining it for a moment, she nodded approvingly and said, "The color suits you very well, little sister."
"Hehe~" Ling's face was filled with a bright smile upon hearing Iris's praise, "Thank you, big sister."
"As long as you like it." Iris gently rubbed Ling's head, then looked at the shopkeeper and asked, "How much is it?"
"It's not expensive, 580 gold coins."
"Okay." Iris took out her blue crystal card and paid.
"What does Ying'er want?" After keeping the blue crystal card, Iris turned to Baiying who was standing beside her and asked.
"I want to eat candied hawthorn, two of them."
"Then let's go." Iris smiled and patted Baiying's head, then led Ling and Baiying towards a candied hawthorn shop up ahead.
"Mother, Baixi and Aunt Yar are going somewhere else." Baixi pulled on Iris's sleeve and said.
"Sure!" Iris nodded and did not refuse.
"Goodbye, Mother!" After saying goodbye to Iris, Baixi pulled Aunt Yar and walked away.
This New Year, Iris mainly accompanied Ling and Baiying, satisfying their every request. In the coming year, Shuowang Empire would enter a state of preparation for war. In order to prevent any accidents, Iris would not be able to spend as much free time with the two little ones as usual.
Baixi, as someone who knew Iris the best, understood the significance of this New Year. That's why she pulled Aunt Yar away, so that Iris could focus on accompanying Ling and Baiying.
If the war started, Baixi, as a summoned beast, would naturally accompany Ling and fight alongside her.
Iris bought four candied hawthorns, "Two for each."
Baiying nodded excitedly, and the two little ones each held a candied hawthorn in their hands and happily ate them while bouncing around on the street.
Happy times are always short-lived. The bustling night market gradually became quiet, the shops by the street began to close one after another, and the streets became empty and cold.
Only a few patrol officers were left on this once bustling street, maintaining order.
...
