Chang Geng naturally did not like to go outside, preferring peace rather than liveliness, not comfortable having loads of people hanging around him. Back then, the reason for him having to go to General Slope every day for his sword practice was because his yard was not big enough. Since arriving at the Marquis' Manor, he had no intention of going outside for a stroll.

In his opinion, as the year came to an end, for celebrating the New Year, wouldn't it be much better for everyone to gather around by a small stove at home, heating up two pots of wine while having a chat?

Why must one go out to drink the cold wind while watching crowds of people?

But Gu Yun had already taken the initiative by taking down Chang Geng's outer coat: "Hurry up, don't drag your feet, Uncle Wang said that you have not set foot outside the door ever since you moved to the manor, are you planting mushrooms here?"

Just imagining the sea of countless people out there, Chang Geng already had goosebumps all over. He could not find the joy even if it meant going together with Gu Yun, thus he stood still, trying to make up an excuse: "Yifu, we must be mindful about New Year celebration, someone must stay behind to watch the house, I... -Ah!"

Gu Yun did not allow him any room to speak, he immediately wrapped the coat around Chang Geng, then regarded him like a house post that knew how to shout, and directly carried him out of the manor on his shoulder: "This kid, still young but being way too ‘mindful’ already."

Chang Geng blushed red from the top of his head down to the tips of his toes, cooked until crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, emitting smoke. He was angry to the point of not being able to make a single sound.

Yet at the same time, Cao Niangzi utterly adored being regarded as a house post like this, almost drooling as he watched Marshal Gu's figure from behind. He said to Ge Pang Xiao: "If in this life I can also be carried by the Marquis even just once, then... I can truly die without regret!"

Ge Pang Xiao, upon hearing this, immediately wiped his nose then got into a firm stance, sucking in his stomach - in the readied position to carry a large bag, and patted his shoulder: "Come up!"

Cao Niangzi stared at him for a moment, then pursed his lips to spit, and ran out of the gate in anger.

On New Year's Eve, all forbidding regulations were lifted.

Outside, Gu Yun still remembered to save his son some dignity and finally put him back down.

Chang Geng's expression darkened, walking forward with long strides. His back was straight enough to serve as a flagpole, his cloak flowing behind him. His figure already bore the resemblance of his future self - tall and strong.