She thought that would be the end of it, but when she turned her head, her mother-in-law pulled Fan Zehao out again. Zhao Jiaqi listened to her nagging from the side, telling her husband to paste the God of Wealth.
Zhao Jiaqi smiled, watching the two elders at home. It was much more interesting to celebrate the New Year in the countryside than in the palace; it was much livelier.
"Mother, we've finished pasting them. Shall we go eat? I haven't eaten your handmade noodles in ages!" Zhao Jiaqi said, leaning on her mother-in-law and acting spoiled.
Speaking of noodles, she still missed the bowl of noodles her husband gave her on their first day of marriage the most. It was so delicious, not some rare delicacy, but the taste held a different significance for her.
It had been many years since her daughter-in-law had acted so spoiled. Today, Cuihua could feel the sensation of her child acting like a child in her arms, and she was very happy. She repeatedly said, "If you want to eat, Mother will make it for you. We don't lack noodles and meat at home now. Today, Mother will make several kinds of toppings for you, and I guarantee you'll want more after this meal!"
These words were overheard by Yao Jingyun, who had come to freeload. Seeing their harmonious relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, her eyes turned red with envy.
"In-law, you've made me hungry just by saying that. Please make a bit more for us at noon today!!"
Zhang Cuihua turned her head and saw the Empress Dowager. Her smiling face faltered. To freeload, she called everyone "in-law" upon seeing them.
She only had one son, and his in-laws had died long ago!
"Empress Dowager, you shouldn't call me in-law so casually. If Zhou Baihe hears it, she'll make a fuss about you!"
Yao Jingyun's face instantly showed a sheepish smile when she thought of Zhou Baihe. When she lived in the princely mansion in the inner city, Zhou Baihe came to listen to music and watch operas with her every day.
That was not the main issue. The key was that when Zhou Baihe acted virtuous and offered her food, the taste... was unforgettable. Even so, she persisted and repeatedly asked her to taste her dishes. Now, just thinking of her made Yao Jingyun feel that lunch today had lost its flavor, and her stomach began to ache.
Without even entering the room, she covered her stomach and left: "I'm feeling a bit unwell, so I'll go back and rest first!"
Zhao Jiaqi wanted to ask what was wrong, but her mother-in-law stopped her: "Even if you let her eat, she won't be able to. We'll call her again for dinner tonight!"
"Why?"
She seemed fine just now, chatting and laughing, so why did she suddenly feel unwell?
Just as she was considering whether to send for an imperial physician, her mother-in-law solved her confusion moments later.
"Zhou Baihe wanted to be a virtuous wife, and every time she made a new dish, she asked her to taste it. As a result, after repeated occasions, her stomach would hurt whenever she mentioned her in-laws. Because of this, she had many people in the inner city examine her and took a lot of medicine."
Fan He walked over, hands behind his back, and said, "Yes, as long as she doesn't see or hear the name Zhou Baihe, her stomach is fine. The moment she hears those three words, she immediately becomes uncomfortable!"
Zhao Jiaqi finally understood. Yao Jingyun's stomach ache was clearly a matter of the heart!
It was not yet noon when a group of people arrived at Guanjue Palace.
Song Xin led Zhou Qiangwei.
Huangfu Xu and Huangfu Xian, who were living in the palace, had heard early in the morning that Guanjue Palace was posting couplets. They also wanted to see how people in the countryside celebrated the New Year. They didn't need to be invited; they just came.
Song Fei came with his parents to freeload.
Fang Mingjiang and Fang Jingchen were invited. One was an old bachelor, and the other was a legitimate son who was not loved by his father or his main wife, and had been kicked out by his maternal grandfather.
Before he became an official, he was treated with disdain. Now that he was an official, his father wanted him to get some official positions for his brothers. After being refused, his father disliked him even more, not even allowing him to visit.
So, Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao learned of his situation from their adoptive father and invited them to celebrate the New Year together.
Pingting and Fan Xudong, a couple, fearing that Yao Jingyun would be alone on the thirtieth day at noon, went to Qixia Palace that noon.
Those who should have come and those who shouldn't have all came.
This year, everyone was gathered together, except for Fan Biao's family.
It wasn't that they didn't want to come. The key was that Fan Xiaofeng's wife, Zhou Baihe's biological daughter, was pregnant and had to stay to take care of her. Fan Biao was also a doting husband, so he stayed to help out with the care.
There were too many people, so lunch was delivered by the imperial kitchen. The evening was the main event.
Before it got dark, Fan Zehao led his younger brother in chopping meat filling, Song Fei and Fang Mingjiang peeled vegetables, and Huangfu Xu and Huangfu Xian slaughtered chickens, ducks, and cleaned fish.
Even Zong Han was sent by Zhao Jiaqi to tend the fire.
In contrast, the women played games in the warm palace, while the men outside had their hardships, but their hearts were sweet.
At the dinner table, all the ingredients were prepared by themselves.
Zong Han, who had never cooked before as a prince, made an exception today.
Fan Zehao raised his wine glass from the table and said, "Today is the New Year. We are not divided by ruler and subject. Eat well, drink well, and be happy."
"I'll toast my parents first with this cup of wine. Thank you, Mother, for raising me through hardships and marrying me a good wife. Thank you, Father, for taking care of Mother all these years. I'll drink this first!"
Zhang Cuihua was happy, and Fan He was even happier. This single word "Father" made him so happy that he almost didn't know which way was east.
Both sons were filial, and their daughter-in-law was even more so. His grandchildren were sensible. He never expected his life to be so wonderful in his old age. In his twilight years, he could still enjoy his son's blessings.
Fan Zehao's words touched Fan He deeply, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Seeing this, Zhao Jiaqi quickly changed the subject. It was a happy occasion for the New Year; why should there be tears!
At the wine table, Song Xin and Fang Jingchen sang and drank, one became happy and began to compose poetry, the other became happy and performed some martial arts movements. The children were delighted.
In contrast, Zong Han was drinking with his father-in-law, Fan Zehao. On such a festive occasion, they were expected to talk about other things, but Zhao Jiaqi listened carefully and found they were discussing state affairs.
Men of ambition forget even drinking when they are engrossed.
Women at one table, men at another, children at a third, and occasionally some mingling. Most of the time, the children were lively, especially when it was time for fireworks.
There were no children left inside the room. Yu Meng rushed out first, bold as ever, leading her younger siblings in setting off fireworks.
The fireworks bloomed in the sky, colorful and vibrant, attracting the attention of many palace maids and eunuchs.
They stopped in their tracks, looking up at the blooming fireworks, their faces illuminated by the bright light and filled with joy.
Not only were the people in the palace mesmerized, but even those outside the palace were captivated. This display of fireworks was the grandest in the history of the Yun Kingdom.
They were set off for over an hour, non-stop!
New Year, new beginnings!