Chapter 138: A Different New Year's Eve Dinner

Laughter echoed through the streets of Nancheng; the Liu family gate was close at hand. Jiang Jiang Mingyu gently helped Liu Liu Yifei down from the horse, revealing a playful smile.

"Today, it seems I should take this opportunity to visit my future father-in-law, my lord, to offer New Year greetings and propose marriage?" He held Liu Liu Yifei's small hand, a cunning smile on his face.

Liu Liu Yifei's cheeks flushed slightly; she couldn't help but kick Jiang Jiang Mingyu's leg, a reproachful expression on her lips.

"Hateful, who is your father-in-law? Shameless." She said coquettishly.

Just then, a majestic female voice suddenly came, causing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart to sink.

"Dog official, what are you doing? Let go of your dog paws." As soon as Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned his head, he felt a sharp pain in his chest; then a footprint remained on his front, and he was kicked off the horse.

Liu Liu Yifei hurriedly helped Jiang Jiang Mingyu up and asked with concern: "Jiang Mingyu, are you alright?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu coughed in pain, then looked at Liu Liu Yifei in confusion.

Suddenly, Zhang Zhang Jiani, who had been silent, also joined the conversation.

"You two... when did you get together?"

This unexpected question left everyone stunned, especially Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who had been kicked off the horse; he almost rolled his eyes.

Liu Liu Yifei stamped her small foot, her cheeks flushed, and said with some resentment: "Oh, Zhang Jiani, what are you saying? What 'got together'? Don't talk nonsense."

Zhang Zhang Jiani, however, looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu with a grin.

"Dog official, it seems you really succeeded in winning Liu Yifei. Not bad, not bad."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally caught his breath, but the situation before him caught him off guard.

"Liu Yifei, you stop laughing too; explain clearly right away. What exactly is going on?"

Liu Liu Yifei was dragged into the Liu family by Zhang Zhang Jiani, while Jiang Jiang Mingyu was left alone in the cold wind.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurriedly returned to the county yamen; only when the sky grew dark did he rest a little.

Just then, he looked at the guard standing by the door and said in a deep voice: "Go invite General Tu, my lord Lord Murong, Wu Xiao'er, and Zhu Ge Yu to see me."

Not long after, the four arrived one after another. Lord Murong Murong Yunhai seemed to have just come from home, still carrying the scent of the New Year's Eve dinner dishes on his person.

He stepped forward and asked: "Brother Jiang Xingqiu, you summoned us; is there an important matter to instruct?" The confusion in his tone also voiced the thoughts of the other three.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu lightly sipped tea and slowly spoke: "You have all followed me for a long time; from opening mines to training soldiers, you have worked hard. For the New Year, I have prepared a small token of my heart and invite everyone to drink together; this also counts as my gratitude."

Hearing this, everyone hurriedly declined, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu had already taken several red envelopes from his bosom: "Wu Xiao'er, you have worked diligently; please accept these two thousand taels and have a good New Year." Wu Xiao'er was at a loss, pushing back and saying: "My lord, this is too much; your subordinate cannot..." Before he could finish, the red envelope was already handed into his hand.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and said: "Take it; you deserve it." Wu Xiao'er knelt down excitedly: "Your lord's grace; your subordinate shall repay with his life!"

Next, Jiang Jiang Mingyu gave two thousand taels to Lord Murong Murong Yunhai and three thousand taels to Tu Tu Kesiluo. Tu Tu Kesiluo was overjoyed; though three thousand taels was a lot, being able to win the heart of his beloved Zhang Zhang Jiani made him even happier. Jiang Jiang Mingyu instructed: "Regarding your and Zhang Jiani's matter, I have already entrusted someone to handle it; there will be news soon."

Finally, Jiang Jiang Mingyu gave Zhu Ge Yu two thousand taels. Zhu Ge Yu understood his intention and gladly accepted. Thinking of the experience of being expelled from his family, a trace of loneliness vaguely showed on his face, but he still forced a smile, not wanting to ruin Jiang Jiang Mingyu's good intentions.

The red envelopes were distributed, and the sky finally grew dark.

Just as the few were chatting wildly about things north and south, the chef, who had been busy for a long time, walked in, his head covered in sweat.

"My lord, the New Year's Eve dinner has been prepared according to your requirements."

According to the customs of this great continent, when this moon just rises, it is also the time to eat the New Year's Eve dinner.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood up and lightly sighed.

"Let's go; today is the New Year; we few shall drink a few cups properly."

But seeing him actually walk toward the door, General Tu hurriedly spoke up.

"My lord, where are you going? The dining hall is over here; how can you be drunk before even drinking?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not turn his head; he only sighed heavily again.

"This year's New Year's Eve dinner, we will eat in the prison; there is also an injured Li Goudan waiting for us there."

Watching his figure gradually recede, General Tu and the other two also sighed, then finally followed Jiang Jiang Mingyu's footsteps.

Shangmu Prison, the lights dim.

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's people suddenly appear, Li Goudan, who no longer knew the years, hurriedly asked.

"My lord, why have you come?"

His appearance was obviously much better than when Jiang Jiang Mingyu last came.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered people to set out the abundant wine and dishes, then only then spoke.

"It is the New Year; this official and they have specially come to drink a cup with you."

Night fell; a group sat together in Shangmu Prison; the wine and dishes of the New Year's Eve dinner filled the table. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, General Tu, and Zhu Ge Yu, together with the unlucky transmigrator Li Goudan, celebrated the arrival of the New Year.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and poured wine into everyone's cup; the fragrance of the wine overflowed, illuminating everyone's faces. He lightly raised his wine cup, looked at Li Goudan, and complex light flickered in his eyes.

"Li Goudan, look; although we spend the New Year in prison this year, at least we have wine and dishes accompanying us."

Li Goudan looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu with some surprise; a trace of gratitude flashed across his face, then he lowered his head and sighed.

"My lord, why do you do this?" he asked, confusion and unease in his eyes.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not answer immediately but lowered his head in thought.

General Tu and Zhu Ge Yu also showed confusion; a tense atmosphere spread through the prison.

Suddenly, Jiang Jiang Mingyu lifted his head; a trace of determination flashed in his eyes. He took a deep breath, then slowly looked at Li Goudan.

"Because we are friends," he said in a low voice, his tone firm and deep.

On this special night, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words were like a vow, deeply imprinted in everyone's hearts. They sat together in the prison; although the wine and dishes were simple, the sincerity was beyond compare.

This New Year, they spent it together. This New Year, they would remember forever.

Night deepened; the lights in the prison were dim. Everyone faced each other in silence, as if savoring the deep meaning in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words. The full moon hung high, illuminating this special night.

General Tu broke the silence; his voice trembled slightly.

"My lord, I..." He took a deep breath; a trace of determination flashed in his eyes. "I will also treat you as a friend."

Zhu Ge Yu also nodded lightly; his expression was serious and resolute. He raised his wine cup and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "Happy New Year."

The first cup of the New Year, they drank together, blessing that the coming year could be passed in peace.

Then came the second cup, the third cup... the wine's effect grew stronger, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

The night deepened, the wine's edge fading. The New Year's Eve dinner broke up, and the guests took their leave one after another.

When the New Year's Eve dinner ended, it was already deep into the night.

Gazing up at the round moon above, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, his drunken eyes hazy, smiled softly — tomorrow would be the start of a new year.

The next day came — the morning of the first of the first month.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was lying in bed with a splitting headache when a sudden urgent knocking at the door jolted him awake from his hangover.

"Who is it? What's all the noise so early in the morning!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu shouted irritably.

"My lord, get up quick — something big has happened in Xicheng!" It was Wu Xiaoer's anxious voice from outside the door.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu opened the door, still bleary-eyed. Wu Xiaoer, gasping for breath, said: "The kiln works in Xicheng — somehow they were all built overnight, and the workers inside are already ready to start!"

At the news, Jiang Jiang Mingyu sobered up instantly. He hurriedly changed his clothes and rushed toward Xicheng, taking two steps at a time.

Where the night before there had been nothing but empty ground, kiln works now stood row upon row, with workers bustling inside.

The sight was truly beyond belief.

Just as Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood in astonishment, Liu Liu Yifei arrived as well, bringing Zhang Zhang Jiani with her.

Zhang Zhang Jiani's face was faintly flushed, and she glanced at Tu Tu Kesiluo with a slightly evasive look.

It seemed Liu Liu Yifei had already told her of Tu Tu Kesiluo's feelings.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took it all in, secretly guessing at the connection between them.

Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Zhang Jiani got in first: "What're you staring at?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo was momentarily lost for words, and could only chuckle dryly: "Nothing, just looking around."

Zhang Zhang Jiani rolled her eyes at him and muttered under her breath: "Coward!"

Once again, the facts proved that Liu Liu Yifei's abilities were nothing to scoff at.

Seeing the kilns already in operation, Wu Xiaoer, in charge of the coal mines, and Lord Lord Murong, in charge of the iron mines, both cupped their fists toward Jiang Jiang Mingyu at the same time.

"My lord, we should each head off to our mines to push the work along."

But Jiang Jiang Mingyu, lost in thought, simply raised one palm lightly, his tone turning somewhat cool.

"No need to go. The coal mines and the iron mines — neither of them needs your attention anymore."