Although it was just a few rough men, they had tidied up the house inside and out. However, they strictly adhered to etiquette and did not enter Cheng Jiao-niang’s room.
“It’s been quite a task for Ban Qin,” Xu Maoxiu said, looking at Ban Qin as she came out after cleaning.
“Since we’re unfamiliar with the capital, we didn’t dare to recklessly hire a maid,” Fan Jianglin added.
“This wasn’t tiring at all. It’s a new house, and Miss doesn’t stay here for long. Just wiping off a bit of dust is no trouble at all,” the maid replied with a smile. “It’s you gentlemen who have worked hard, preparing such wonderful New Year gifts.”
“We’re all bachelors and have always done things ourselves, so we’re used to it,” Fan Jianglin said with a laugh.
Six lamps were lit inside the room, and two lanterns were added to the corridor, making the place brightly illuminated inside and out.
The maid bustled about with Jin Ge’er and a few men, distributing the food. Before long, dishes were brought into the room. Even Jin Ge’er wasn’t spared from helping; he carried a small tray and sat by the door. However, when it was his turn, the maid handed him a pot of tea.
“Sis, I want to drink wine too,” he couldn’t help but say.
“You’ve still got to stay up and keep watch at the door. What wine? You’d get lost even without drinking—imagine what would happen if you did!” the maid scolded, glaring at him.
Jin Ge’er blushed, and laughter filled the room.
“It’s just that Jin Ge’er isn’t used to it yet. If he goes out now, he certainly won’t get lost. Ban Qin, don’t tease him,” Fan Jianglin said with a smile.
“Yes, yes, he is absolutely right!” Jin Ge’er quickly chimed in, his spirits lifting.
The maid chuckled and returned to sit behind Cheng Jiao-niang.
Xu Maoxiu was speaking with Cheng Jiao-niang about recent matters.
“I delivered the New Year’s gifts to Minister Chen’s residence. Minister Chen wasn’t home, but Madam Chen met with me in person and even gave you some new clothes. I figured, since she offered them, it would be fine for us to accept, so I made the decision on your behalf,” he said.
Cheng Jiao-niang nodded.
“It’s only right for elder brother to decide,” she replied.
“Madam Chen also invited you to visit after the New Year,” Xu Maoxiu added.
He thought back carefully to his experience at the Chen residence, his heart still racing slightly at the memory. Minister Chen’s grand household… He recalled how, when he first arrived in the capital, one of his former brothers-in-arms, now merely a minor city guard, had left him waiting in the gatehouse for half a day, never even inviting him into the main hall.
And now, in what felt like the blink of an eye, he had stepped into Minister Chen Shao’s home and received a personal reception from Madam Chen, a noblewoman with an imperial title.
He couldn’t help but glance at Cheng Jiao-niang.
Under the lamp’s light, her expression remained as calm and composed as ever—just as it had been since they first met. It was as if nothing in the world could stir this lady’s emotions, as if she were entirely oblivious to the joys and sorrows of the world. No joy, no anger, no resentment, no hatred.
Under Fan Jianglin’s lead, the lively family feast began with rounds of toasts. Although Cheng Jiao-niang was present, the rough men had grown somewhat accustomed to her presence. After a few drinks, they quickly settled into a relaxed state, laughing and joking as they sat and sprawled at ease.
While not much food was consumed, the demand for wine only grew. In the end, the maid simply brought in the wine jars, and even Jin Ge’er, who wasn’t supposed to drink, managed to sneak a few spoonfuls mixed into his food.
“Who would’ve thought we’d get to celebrate such a bountiful and carefree New Year!” exclaimed Xu Bangchui, holding up his wine bowl. His face was flushed red, and his drunken eyes were hazy as he tipped the wine into his mouth, spilling it all over himself.
“Exactly, exactly! Just a few months ago, we were running for our lives, terrified that those corrupt officials would catch us, throw us in prison, and take our lives. Who would’ve thought—who would’ve thought—we’d now be here in the capital, drinking and enjoying ourselves so freely,” another companion said with a hearty laugh, draping an arm over Xu Bangchui’s shoulder.
At these words, Xu Maoxiu’s posture stiffened slightly, and he instinctively glanced across the table at Cheng Jiao-niang.
Cheng Jiao-niang’s expression remained wooden as she stared out the door, as though she hadn’t heard a thing.
Xu Maoxiu swallowed the words he was about to use to stop them, only to hear a loud clatter as Xu Bangchui dropped his wine bowl and collapsed onto the mat, laughing drunkenly before passing out.
Looking around, the other companions were all similarly drunk—some lying down, others leaning against the low tables, mumbling incoherently.
Even Jin Ge’er had fallen asleep on the floor, drunk.
“Forgive us for making a spectacle,” Xu Maoxiu said with a smile.
Cheng Jiao-niang glanced at him.
“I’m delighted that you all have given me something to laugh at,” she replied.
Xu Maoxiu froze for a moment, then burst out laughing, raising his wine bowl toward Cheng Jiao-niang.
Cheng Jiao-niang lifted the water cup in front of her.
The two took a sip from their respective cups.
The maid added more charcoal to the brazier inside the room and went outside to check on the heated floor. The room was warm and cozy, and the drunken men, fast asleep, felt no chill. On the contrary, they murmured and tugged at their clothes in their slumber.
“It’s getting late; you should go rest,” Xu Maoxiu said, clearing his throat.
“Since I’m on night watch, I won’t sleep,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
“Well, the night is cold. How about having a cup of wine, then?” Xu Maoxiu suggested after a moment of thought.
“This wine doesn’t taste good,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Xu Maoxiu chuckled and took a sip himself.
“Is it that wine in general doesn’t taste good, or just this particular wine?” he asked with a hint of curiosity.
“This wine,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, glancing at him, her lips curving slightly. “Doesn’t taste good.”
Xu Maoxiu laughed heartily.
“I knew it! A sister who can beat the drum and sing can’t possibly be someone who doesn’t drink,” he said with a grin.
Amidst the laughter, the previously scattered sound of firecrackers outside suddenly grew more frequent.
The men, who had been asleep for a while, were startled awake and groggily looked outside.
“It’s the New Year! The New Year!” Xu Bangchui shouted, stumbling to his feet. “Light the firecrackers! Let’s light the firecrackers!”
He shouted as he stumbled out, and the others, now awake, laughed and followed him out.
In the courtyard, a bonfire was lit, and bamboo sticks were tossed into the flames, crackling and popping as they burst.
The maid couldn’t help but cover her ears, standing close to Cheng Jiao-niang with a grin as she watched the scene.
“Ban Qin, bring a cloak for my sister. The wind is chilly,” Xu Maoxiu said.
The maid stuck out her tongue playfully before rushing inside to fetch a cloak and draping it over Cheng Jiao-niang’s shoulders.
“Ban Qin, come burn one too! It’ll bring good luck!” Jin Ge’er called out, holding up a bamboo stick.
The maid, still a young girl herself, laughed and agreed, lifting her skirt slightly as she ran over to join them.
This left only Xu Maoxiu and Cheng Jiao-niang standing side by side under the veranda.
“Brother, go and join the fun,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
“I’m a scholar; I don’t engage in such things,” Xu Maoxiu replied with an air of seriousness.
Cheng Jiao-niang’s lips curved slightly again.
“Oh, there’s something else.” Xu Maoxiu seemed to remember something. He reached into his sleeve, took out an item, and handed it to her. “It’s the New Year. I don’t have much to give, so please accept this as a New Year’s gift. I hope you won’t find it lacking.”
A New Year’s gift? For me?
Cheng Jiao-niang glanced at his hand for a moment before reaching out to take it. In the flickering light of the bonfire and lanterns, she saw that she was holding a simple silver comb, crafted from old silver in an unadorned style.
“This belonged to my mother. I have no use for it,” Xu Maoxiu said, his tone carrying a hint of unease. Then, as if catching himself, he smiled. “No, let me rephrase that. A gift should be given sincerely. This is the most precious thing I own. I hope you’ll accept it with ease.”
Cheng Jiao-niang raised her hand and slid the silver comb into her hair. Looking up at Xu Maoxiu, her lips curved into a gentle smile.
In the courtyard, firecrackers exploded one after another, their sounds merging with those from neighboring households and the streets. The eastern sky gradually brightened, marking the beginning of a new year.
By dawn, lines of people exiting the imperial palace in succession were clad in court attire, densely packed yet silent as the grave.
It was only upon passing through the palace gates and reaching the Imperial Avenue that the crowd seemed to release a collective breath, their voices rising in a burst of lively chatter.
