Chapter 55: Rebukes and the Period Around the New Year

Ningyuan Marquis Prefecture

Fuyao Courtyard

This was Gu Tingyu’s own name.

Once he was merely a sick bird; now he believed himself a great roc.

In the study, Gu Tingye gazed at his elder brother with worshipful eyes as he wrote.

“Elder brother, your calligraphy is so beautiful—if you wrote Yang Wuduan’s poems in this hand, it would be beauty piled upon beauty, the pinnacle of elegance. Too bad this Yang Wuduan—”

“Impudent!” Gu Tingyu set down his brush and rebuked sharply.

Gu Tingye looked stunned and asked softly, “Elder brother, what’s wrong? Yang Wuduan’s poetry is truly excellent—‘Emotions run deep—’”

“Little Second, are you defending Yang Wuduan?”

“Elder brother, I only said his poetry is good—I didn’t—”

“His Majesty is benevolent, yet one word ended Yang Wuduan’s official career—yet Yang Wuduan’s literary talent is known throughout the land. Do you know this may be a thorn in His Majesty’s heart?”

“Elder brother, we’re just talking among brothers, and besides, His Majesty is benevolent and broad-minded—he wouldn’t care about this—”

Feeling his elder brother’s burning gaze, Gu Tingye fell silent, embarrassed.

“Little Second, remember: words invite disaster.”

“Yes, Elder brother.”

“To wallow in self-pity after setbacks is not the way of a gentleman.”

“Oh.”

Gu Tingye bowed his head in apology.

Watching his dejected younger brother, Gu Tingyu’s eyes flickered with pity.

“I heard the steward bought plenty of firecrackers and fireworks—we’ll have a grand celebration tonight,” Gu Tingyu said with a smile.

Hearing this, Gu Tingye lifted his head, beaming, and nodded vigorously several times.

New Year’s Eve

Morning

Quyuanjie

That morning, under Xu Minghua’s leadership, the Xu family pasted couplets, replaced peach charms and lanterns, filling the place with festive energy.

After working until noon, Xu Minghua took his three sons and their personal attendants to the racetrack, where the four of them played chuiwan.

Sun Shi, meanwhile, directed the female servants and maids in preparing the evening’s dishes—fried, boiled, steamed, and more—

Xu Anmei, who had always refused to participate, was dragged over by her mother—she must now learn household management.

After lunch, Xu Minghua took his three sons to a nearby tavern on Quyuanjie to sample afternoon tea.

They watched several tea shops compete in tea-tasting contests.

Afterwards, Xu Minghua rode his horse with his three sons to visit several well-connected households in Bianjing: Ningyuan Marquis Prefecture, Zhongjing Marquis Prefecture, Qiguo Duke’s Mansion, and others.

As dusk fell, Xu Minghua dressed formally and entered the palace to attend the Emperor’s royal banquet.

He listened to court music, received gifts of food from the Emperor, then returned to Quyuanjie.

Xu Minghua had instructed the household steward to buy plenty of firecrackers and fireworks.

After dinner, the Xu family gathered in the courtyard.

Watching the fireworks rise and explode overhead, Xu Zaijing’s eyes flickered with unreadable emotion.

But it lasted only a moment, then vanished.

He was still too young—wait a few more years; with the golden ratio, he could make something worthwhile.

But if he made it and couldn’t control it, and it turned into a weapon against himself, it would be worse than useless.

Many of the maids newly admitted to the Marquis Prefecture this year were experiencing their first New Year in Bianjing.

Hearing the crackling firecrackers and dazzling fireworks around her, Qingcao’s eyes filled with memories.

At the racetrack, the groom released a firework into the sky.

He calmed the agitated horses.

“Get used to this noise—you won’t panic when you hear it on the battlefield.”

On Sun Shi’s table sat an array of sweets: sugar, sweet rice balls, and more.

Pingmei, with her younger sister, played cards with several personal maids.

Xu Zaijing played arrow-tossing with his brothers.

Their personal attendants joined in too, earning many rewards.

At dawn, Xu Zaijing, deeply embarrassed, came to the edge of Quyuanjie and shouted loudly:

“Selling foolishness—a thousand taels for your folly, ten thousand taels for your stupidity; buy all you want, free gifts included; credit available, follow me!”

He finished shouting, covered his face, and ran back to the Xu residence.

When the rooster crowed in the back courtyard, servants prepared over a dozen bamboo poles, each tied with a long string of copper coins; the Xu family members used them to beat away the remnants of last night’s firecrackers.

As they beat, they offered prayers.

Then they handed the poles to the servants and maids, who did the same—for themselves or their families.

As Xu Zaijing’s personal maid and the third son of the Xu family’s main line, Qingcao, though young, was allowed to stand near the front to beat and pray.

As she beat, she murmured: “Heaven, please have mercy—let my brother heal, let my brother’s illness vanish—”

When daylight fully broke, Xu Minghua donned his official robes and went to court to pay New Year’s respects to his colleagues, ministers, and the Emperor.

The rest of the Xu family prepared to enter the imperial palace.

After the ministers bowed and paid their respects in the palace, the Emperor spoke a few words and returned to his quarters; the civil and military officials each went home.

Nobles with official posts or family members in the palace followed the Emperor back inside.

This year, when the nobles came to pay New Year’s respects at court,

it was different from previous years.

After court, the Emperor’s side held only Empress Cao, holding the Imperial Prince, with no one else nearby,

while the other concubines were kept far away.

Even the favored Rong Consort.

To the Empress’s right sat the Lady of Yingguo Duke, and other noblewomen; opposite her sat Princess Pingning.

When Ningyuan Marquis Prefecture entered to pay respects, Gu Tingyu, who had been standing behind Gu Yan Kai, deliberately moved to the very back.

This kept him farthest from the Emperor and Empress—his lingering illness would not spoil the nobles’ moods or bring unnecessary trouble.

“Marquis Gu, is your eldest son well now?”

“Yes, Your Majesty—he has improved greatly, so I brought him to pay you New Year’s respects.”

“Good lad—I hear you plan to take the imperial examinations?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good. You shall be rewarded.”

A eunuch with a clear voice placed a small box into Gu Yan Kai’s hands.

When the others ahead had finished paying respects, Xu Minghua led his sons inside.

“Marquis Xu, you’ve guarded the borders for years—your labor has been hard.”

“Thank Your Majesty—it is my duty.”

“I hear your eldest daughter is betrothed to Gu Tingyu?” Empress Cao asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty—we finalized the betrothal just before the New Year.”

“Good! Good! Little Jing, I haven’t seen you in ages—come here, let me look at you,” said the Empress, holding the Prince.

Xu Zaijing glanced at his parents and the Emperor; seeing no objection, he stepped forward.

Approaching the Empress, she extended her hand; Xu Zaijing, well-mannered, placed his small hand in hers.

The Empress stroked his palm, touched, and asked, “How did you get these calluses, Jing? Practicing calligraphy?”

The Emperor turned to look at Xu Zaijing—good scholar and skilled martialist, a true all-rounder.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Empress, of course, had cared for her hands well—she was nearly forty, yet her fingers were softer than a maiden’s.

Xu Zaijing looked up and noticed the Prince wore fine silk outside, but beneath was clothing he recognized.

The cotton robe he had exchanged with the Empress.

Perhaps sensing something, the Prince squirmed in the Empress’s arms toward Xu Zaijing; in the stunned gaze of the Empress’s lady-in-waiting, the Empress handed the Prince to Xu Zaijing.

Even the Lady of Yingguo Duke looked surprised.

Princess Pingning still smiled, her eyes brightening further as she watched Xu Zaijing.

But Sun Shi and Xu Minghua’s hearts rose to their throats—they feared Xu Zaijing might make the Prince cry.

The Prince’s legs were strong—he kicked, trying to climb, yet no matter how hard he strained, he remained motionless in Xu Zaijing’s arms.

Perhaps he was accustomed to the scent of his own clothes; suddenly smelling Xu Zaijing’s scent, he leaned toward his neck.

“Oh my, my child—your drool!”

Seeing Xu Zaijing’s embarrassment, the Empress laughed and pried the Prince loose.

The Prince was displeased, waving his hands toward Xu Zaijing.

“Jing, go on—come visit the palace often.”

“Thank Your Majesty’s grace.”

“Without your summons, I dare not come often,” Xu Zaijing thought silently.

Thank you all for your support.

Pre-written draft, let’s go!!!

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(End of chapter)