Chapter 246: New Year
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The New Year in Shuojing City arrived quickly.
During the previous year-end, He Yan was in Liangzhou Garrison and couldn’t return. This year, after the New Year, she was getting married. He Sui had bought a lot of New Year goods to celebrate at home. Unfortunately, as he was not originally from Shuojing, and with fewer relatives visiting after Madam He’s death, there were hardly any close relatives left.
However, the neighbors were very enthusiastic. They often came to bring some dried fruits and snacks. They cooked dumplings in one house, preserved meat in another, and occasionally grabbed He Yan’s hand, saying, “Yan Yan, when you marry into the Xiao family, don’t forget us neighbors. I even held you when you were a child.”
“That’s right, I even sewed small clothes for you!”
Thanks to Xiao Jue’s blessings, they had enough meat this year without needing to buy any.
But He Yan still used her own money to buy some things. She had them delivered by someone to Wang Ba and the others and also gave New Year gifts to the instructors. They spent the New Year together with the soldiers at the camp outside the city. She would be married on the tenth day, and He Yan wanted Xiao Jue to ask them to take a break. Shitou and the rest, as friends who had followed her from Liangzhou Garrison, she wanted to invite them to her wedding banquet.
However, since that day when she met Chu Zhao, she hadn’t seen Xiao Jue for several days. He was probably busy with the aftermath of the Mingshui case.
As the sky gradually darkened, distant firecrackers and fireworks could be heard. It wasn’t snowing tonight, and the night was clear. He Sui moved the table to the courtyard, inviting Xiao Jue and the others to eat. She offered to help with the New Year’s Eve dinner, but He Sui refused. He said, “You’ll be getting married after the New Year, so how can I let you do any work? Just sit down! Yan Yan, you just need to eat.”
He Yan secretly rolled her eyes.
A large table of dishes, including green plums, only four people, but there were five sets of bowls and chopsticks. The empty set belonged to the deceased Madam He.
He Sui poured a small cup of sweet wine for everyone. It was a New Year gift given to him by the master family when he was a bodyguard. He Yan picked up the wine glass and took a sip. Looking at the empty bowls and chopsticks, his gaze softened, and he sighed, “If Ah Hui were still here, I wonder how happy she would be to see Yan Yan getting married.”
“Ah Hui” is the late Madam He.
He Yan felt a bit sad. The real Miss He was no longer here. However, all she could do now was to live well in place of Miss He, protect He Sui and He Yunsheng, and Qingmei.
“Dad, let’s not talk about these things on such a joyous day,” He Yunsheng frowned, “Besides, maybe my Mother is in heaven, blessing my sister to marry smoothly. Look at her now. If it weren’t for heaven’s blessings, I think she would spend her whole life at home arguing with me, and no one would want to marry her.”
He Yan laughed at him, “Yes, yes, yes. But Yunsheng, you’re not young anymore. I wonder what kind of girl you’ll marry in the future? Will she be happy to be with you? If you don’t change your temper, you might end up just arguing with Xiangxiang at home.”
“You’re talking nonsense, I…” He Yunsheng immediately retorted.
He Yan leaned in, supporting her chin, “Oh, have you already found a girl you like? Tell us, won’t you?”
When it came to arguing verbally, He Yunsheng had never won against He Yan. Feeling frustrated, he turned to He Sui and said, “Dad, look at He Yan!”
“What your sister said isn’t entirely wrong.” He Sui always sided with He Yan, “Learn a thing or two from your brother-in-law.”
He Yan was sipping her drink at that moment and almost choked when she heard the term “brother-in-law.” It was spoken particularly fluently.
He Yunsheng gloated, watching her with a mischievous smile.
“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about these things,” He Sui raised his cup, “In the new year, I hope all of us have good luck and continuous blessings!”
In the night sky, the lingering colors of fireworks can be faintly seen, and the new year was approaching.
He Sui didn’t allow He Yan to drink too much, and He Yan only had a small cup, just for the gesture. On the other hand, He Yunsheng drank quite a bit. Originally, it was agreed that the family would stay up together on New Year’s Eve, but the father and son fell asleep before the designated hour. He Yan and Qingmei had to make an effort to escort them back to their beds before returning to the main hall, where the fireplace was lit.
Qingmei rubbed her hands and said, “I didn’t expect the young master and the old master to get drunk so early.”
He Yan couldn’t help but smile wryly. The suggestion of staying up late for the New Year came from He Yunsheng, but now he was sound asleep. Fine, she will consider it helping him keep vigil.
“Do you want to eat?” He Yan handed a roasted orange to Qingmei.
Qingmei took it, peeled the orange, and took a slice into her mouth. The He family didn’t treat Qingmei as a servant, unlike the strict rules in wealthy households. The orange was a bit sour, and Qingmei squinted her eyes. After swallowing, she said, “I didn’t feel it before, but today, on New Year’s Day, I feel the house is a bit deserted. With the old master and the young master absent, there are only the young miss and servant.”
Looking at other families, everyone was happily celebrating, bustling with joy.
He Yan didn’t see anything wrong with this. She was used to being alone, unlike Qingmei, who seemed a bit desolate. Instead, He Yan looked at Qingmei, nodded, and said, “We should call Chiwu over.”
Qingmei was surprised, “What does it have to do with Chiwu, the guard?”
“It has something to do with him,” He Yan also took an orange and said while eating, “He stayed here every day recently. You didn’t feel lonely then, but now that he’s not here, you feel lonely. You miss him.”
Qingmei was stunned for a moment and denied without thinking, “I don’t, Miss, please don’t talk nonsense.”
“In fact, it’s nothing.” He Yan placed the peeled orange skin next to the fireplace to roast, and a burst of fragrance filled the hall, “When I go to the Xiao family, there will be only you as the maid in our family. Of course, you have to go with me. During that time, you and Chiwu will be together all the time. Then you won’t feel lonely.”
“Miss,” Qingmei anxiously stamped her foot, “I really don’t mean that.”
“I think Chiwu is not bad,” He Yan teased her intentionally, “He’s healthy, and he’s from the Nine Banner Battalion. Maybe he can get an official position in the future. Besides, he listens to you very well. I’ve seen him sweeping the floor and hanging clothes when you asked. If he didn’t have feelings for you, why would he obey you so willingly?”
“Miss!” Qing Mei was annoyed, her face turned crimson. She stood up abruptly, abandoned the orange, and gave up on staying up late, saying, “I don’t mean that, Miss, please don’t talk nonsense. There’s nothing between me and Guard Chiwu.” She put the orange back, made a quick exit.
“Hey?” He Yan chased after her, “Not staying up late anymore?”
“No!”
He Yan regretted a bit; it seemed she shouldn’t have teased her like that. Now she had to stay up alone. She picked up the orange Qingmei had put down, tossed it up in the air, and sighed, “A little girl who says one thing and means another.”
Someone’s voice sounded, “You sure know a lot.”
He Yan turned around and saw Xiao Jue leaning against their house’s gate, looking at her with an amused expression.
“Xiao Jue?” She was pleasantly surprised, “How did you come? Did you come in directly?”
“I knocked on the door,” Xiao Jue walked in while saying, “But, there’s no guard in your house. Whether I knock or not doesn’t make much difference.”
That was indeed an honest remark.
He Yan pulled him to sit by the fireplace, and casually handed him an orange, “Do you want to eat?”
Xiao Jue took the orange but held it without eating.
“Why did you come here?” He Yan asked, “Aren’t you accompanying your elder brother and sister-in-law at home?”
“After the New Year’s Eve dinner, I came to see you,” he replied, glancing around. With a thoughtful expression, he asked, “Why isn’t your father and younger brother here?”
“Forget it, they got drunk, and I helped them to the house to sleep,” she said, looking at Xiao Jue. “If you had come a moment later, I would have been asleep too.”
“If you were waiting for me, how could you be asleep?” Xiao Jue questioned.
“I wasn’t waiting for you.” He Yan was puzzled.
Xiao Jue turned his head to look at her and faintly said, “Oh.”
He Yan felt a connection. She grabbed his arm, sincerely saying, “How did you know I was waiting for you? It was a rare moment when everyone had gone to sleep, and I finally got to see you! Now that there’s no one around, it’s just…”
“Just what?” Xiao Jue asked.
“Just…,” He Yan was just casually making things up, not continuing. When she raised her eyes, she was met with the slightly bright gaze of Xiao Jue.
“Just perfect for me to give you an orange.” He Yan held his hand, raising the orange to his chest.
Xiao Jue looked at her for a while, then tilted his head and chuckled softly.
He Yan, feeling that she might be a kind of mood-lifting walnut, could always make Xiao Jue, who was usually aloof and superior, laugh heartily. It was a kind of ability ordinary people didn’t possess.
“Sitting inside the house is boring. Do you want to sit on the roof?” He Yan warmly invited him.
“The roof?”
He Yan grabbed his hand and walked outside. “Yes!”
He Yan’s house was not a luxurious one, and the roof wasn’t very high. With a light leap, she reached it. The two of them sat side by side, hands behind them, looking up at the distance.
On New Year’s Eve in Shuojing City, fireworks were everywhere. Being too far away, they couldn’t see very clearly, only the bright, flowing stars crossing the sky.
“When I was a child and hadn’t been to the military camp, I liked climbing onto the roof,” He Yan said. “The roof of the He family’s house was higher than here. At that time, my kung fu wasn’t good, and I couldn’t fly up, so I had to rely on a ladder. Once, halfway up, I fell down. Afraid of being discovered by Second Madam He, I dared not make a sound. Later, during that time, my back hurt a lot.”
Xiao Jue asked, “Why did you like climbing on the roof?”
“Because it’s high,” He Yan made an archery pose, “Climbing to a high place, you can touch the moon and pick the stars with your hands.”
He laughed, “Childish.”
“Who wasn’t childish when they were children?” He Yan retorted. “Besides, I haven’t climbed onto a roof for many years.”
After joining the military, she lived in tents, and there was no roof to climb. After getting married, even less so. Now that she thought about it, climbing onto the roof was a long time ago.
“If you want,” Xiao Jue said, “the roof of the Xiao family’s house will be yours in the future.”
He Yan turned to look at him, probing, “Can I still climb after marrying into your family?”
“Yes.”
“Is it okay if I climb with you?”
“Yes.”
“Holding some food…”
Xiao Jue interrupted her, “Whatever you want to do, it’s okay.”
He Yan blinked, lowered her head, and burst into laughter. Her laughter was uncontrollable, spreading like ripples in the water, expanding in concentric circles.
Xiao Jue glanced at her, seemingly speechless. After a while, he said, “You’re this happy just from climbing a roof?”
“Of course,” He Yan replied, “I’m easily satisfied. I don’t have any expensive interests. As long as there’s food, clothing, and a roof to climb, I’m happy.”
Xiao Jue smiled but didn’t comment.
“Hey,” He Yan nudged his arm, “How is the matter with Xu Xiang’s party going?”
Xiao Jue’s smile faded, “Part of it has been attributed to Chu Zilan.”
This was something He Yan had already expected. She asked, “Do you mean that Chu Zhao deliberately exterminated his relatives for a greater purpose?”
“Eight or nine times out of ten,” Xiao Jue looked into the distance, “He should have taken Xu Jingfu’s place in the Crown Prince’s heart.”
“Do you know what the emperor thinks of the Wutuo people after this incident? I guess after this, the emperor probably won’t entertain proposals for reconciliation with the Wutuo people, right?” He Yan asked.
Xiao Jue remained silent for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
Actually, He Yan knew in her heart that no matter how Emperor Wenxuan felt, it wasn’t the most important thing. The conflict between the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince would probably escalate faster due to Xu Jingfu’s death. It was likely that before long, the struggle would be blatantly laid out on the table.
Between Xiao Jue and Crown Prince Guangyan, the enmity was deep. If it really came to that… he would undoubtedly stand on the side of the Fourth Prince. But without legitimacy, if the emperor were to issue an abdication decree, it would probably bring some difficulties at least.
“Don’t worry,” Xiao Jue said lightly, “I have a plan.”
He Yan smiled, “True, today is New Year’s Day. Let’s not think about these things.”
“The wedding dress is ready,” Xiao Jue suddenly changed the subject, “In a few days, I’ll have it sent to your residence.”
“So soon?” He Yan looked surprised.
Xiao Jue’s gaze swept over her, “It’s less than ten days before the wedding. Is it fast?”
He Yan smiled awkwardly, “Although you say that, it’s just…”
On ordinary days, she didn’t feel it, but hearing him talk about it, it suddenly felt like the nervousness of the impending event was coming.
“After tomorrow, we won’t see each other again,” Xiao Jue suddenly said.
“Why?” He Yan asked.
“A newlywed couple should not see each other in the days just before the wedding,” Xiao Jue replied.
He Yan whispered, “You’ve never been such a stickler for rules usually.”
Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow.
“What I mean is,” He Yan grabbed his hand, speaking sincerely, “you’re right. It should be like this. With you taking care of everything so well, I’m very reassured.”
Now she understood. Xiao Jue was someone who responded well to flattery. Just say a few good words and praise him, and he would be delighted. If she had known he was so easy to please, He Yan thought, she should have hugged his thigh tightly and flattered him more when she was at Xianchang Academy. Who knows, besides swordsmanship, she might have received guidance on knife skills, horseback riding, and more.
Her acting skills were crude, but Xiao Jue just looked at the hand she had grabbed, paused for a moment, and then covered her hand with his palm.
“He Yan,” he called her name.
“Huh?”
“Happy New Year,” he said lightly, his black eyes filled with the stars of the night, more captivating than the fireworks in the sky.
He Yan was momentarily stunned.
A kind of warmth and satisfaction gradually rose from her chest. She suddenly felt that this New Year was indeed a truly new year.
“You’re welcome,” she tilted her head, leaning on Xiao Jue’s shoulder, and rubbed against him, “You too, have a happy New Year.”
…
At the end of the street, the sound of firecrackers could be heard from afar.
On every door, new spring couplets were pasted.
In the Shi Jinbo mansion, this year was unusually desolate.
Originally, at this time, the Chu family should have welcomed a new bride, celebrating a joyous day. Unexpectedly, a while ago, the Xu family had an incident, and the Chu family suffered as well. Although Chu Zhao managed to escape punishment due to his righteous act of exterminating his relatives, Shi Jinbo, because of his marriage with the Xu family, went from being envied by everyone to becoming a laughingstock in the capital. Chu Linfeng had a good reputation, but throughout the New Year, the gates were not opened, and there was no festive atmosphere in the mansion. It was exceptionally quiet.
In Chu Zhao’s courtyard, it was even more silent.
Since the arrival of Xu Pingting, when she learned the truth about Xu Jingfu’s death, she scolded Chu Zhao mercilessly every day for being heartless and ungrateful. After being taught the “rules” by the maid in the courtyard for a few days, she fell silent. But as a result, the only lively place in the entire yard also disappeared.
Chu Zhao sat inside the room, the sound of fireworks distant. The area outside the courtyard gate and inside the courtyard seemed like two completely different worlds.
Someone entered from behind, and a servant said, “Fourth Young Master, Miss Ying Xiang sent a letter.”
Chu Zhao took the letter and glanced at it. After a while, he placed the letter on the flame of the oil lamp, letting it burn slowly.
On the table, there was also an oddly shaped stone, flat like a human palm. Upon closer inspection, it seemed to resemble a horse, but the broken part looked rough and uneven. Placed alongside other decorations on the table, it seemed completely out of place.
Chu Zhao’s gaze fell on that piece of stone, and his expression gradually became distant.
The servant hesitated for a moment, struggled for a while, and finally couldn’t help but speak, “Fourth Young Master, why didn’t you use Madam Xu as bait that day to keep Miss He here?”
If Chu Zhao had used He Xinying as leverage, the engagement between He Yan and Xiao Jue might not have proceeded as planned.
“It wouldn’t have worked,” Chu Zhao replied.
The servant didn’t understand and looked at the man in front of him. Sitting alone at the table, the dim light from the oil lamp made him appear slender and lonely. In the vast courtyard, it seemed as if he were the only one destined to sit here alone for eternity.
“She is a woman who can control her own destiny.” After a long time, Chu Zhao smiled faintly, “No one can coerce her.”
“I can’t, Xiao Huaijin can’t, and He Xinying certainly can’t.”
In his mind, scenes from the night market in Jiyang emerged—the bright-eyed girl walking through the crowded streets. Amidst the bustling crowd and vivid lanterns, she stood there, different from others. Like an eagle ready to spread its wings, it was evident with just one glance that she aspired to the open sky, not the confines of a cage.
He was someone who couldn’t control his own destiny. That’s why, inexplicably, uncontrollably, he was drawn to her. Yet, he was destined to be abandoned.
Because, as she had said, they were not on the same path.
Never have been.
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