Chapter 204 – New Year
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On the day with the heaviest snowfall, the New Year arrived.
The routine palace banquet at the Taiji Palace went on as usual, with singing, dancing, toasts, and a lively atmosphere. However, the attendees were not the same as before.
The position of the Chief Officials of the Three Departments was no longer occupied by the most flamboyant person; instead, it was taken over by the cautious and low-profile Zhao Shizhong.
Among the seats, there were no longer any members of the Tang family. Even those who used to be close to Mu Jingde were now scarce.
Lin Xiang requested permission from the Emperor to retire and return to his hometown before the New Year. However, the Emperor likely didn’t have a suitable candidate to replace him, so he temporarily postponed the matter. This time next year, it would inevitably be changed.
The only thing that hadn’t changed was the silent Marquis Liu. Over the past year, as changes occurred within the palace and the court, everyone could see that Marquis Liu’s low profile was paving the way for the future head of the Liu family.
Perhaps by next year, even the one sitting in that position might change.
Compared to the changes on this side, more people’s attention was on the seats once occupied by the three Wangyes.
In just a short year, the balance of power that had been maintained for many years had vanished.
Mu Jingchen had long been excluded from the power struggle by the others. Now, it was a contest between two tigers, even though one of them was still lying in the Niang Niang’s embrace, babbling.
Life flowed like a river, and all people could do was to drink the wine of last year and await the events of the coming year.
Although the snow this year was much heavier than before, it couldn’t cover up the blackness that spread everywhere.
It wasn’t until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month that the river was still covered with a thick layer of ice, preventing boats from sailing and lanterns from being set afloat.
Many people found fun on the ice, skating back and forth. There were also street vendors selling ice carts and spinning tops, creating a lively scene with screams and laughter even more spirited than previous years.
Children ran around the streets, frolicking and chasing each other on the river’s surface, making the usually crowded streets appear much wider.
Liu Zhongming lifted the child in his arms a little and smiled at the person beside him, “It’s only been a year, why has he gotten so heavy?”
“Be careful, if you drop him, my mother will chop you up,” Bai Shiyan cautioned, nervously extending his arms to catch the child, “My mother must be audacious, how could she dare to let you carry him out to play.”
“Hmm? What did you just call Aunt?”
“… ” Bai Shiyan was at a loss for words and looked around. “Zhongming, if you carry a child like this, aren’t you afraid that rumors will spread around the city tomorrow? Those young ladies who keep watching you will be heartbroken.”
Liu Zhongming calmly replied, “I am already taken. My wife is fierce; I don’t dare to give those young ladies any thoughts.”
This response made Bai Shiyan feel comfortable, but he couldn’t mention that name here. He asked vaguely, “Can you see him often?”
Liu Zhongming shook his head.
Since taking over the Qisheng Building, he had tasked Fang Wuyang with starting work on the secret chamber’s underground passage. The design was complex, and he couldn’t afford to make a big fuss. He could only work on it while reconstructing the Qisheng Building, killing two birds with one stone.
However, no matter how hidden a passage was, frequent usage would eventually become a risk. Moreover, both he and Chenzhou had their respective responsibilities. Unless it was something important, they couldn’t easily go there.
“A bit busy,” he answered briefly.
Bai Shiyan knew what he was busy with; after all, they entrusted the matter to Shilei.
To be prepared for the worst, they had Shilei lead troops outside. However, they needed a suitable pretext.
Last year, Zhongming returned to the capital several days later than Chenzhou for this purpose.
According to Chenzhou, Huai Wang’s greatest reliance when it came to military power was twofold: Ten Li Pavilion and his various groups of slave soldiers.
Now, Ten Li Pavilion had been shaken to its core and had lost its influence, leaving only scattered remnants. Only Liu Zhongming was able to respond adequately with manpower and resources in various places.
However, Zhongming could only operate in secret. After creating a disturbance, he would still need to have Bai Shilei request troops to go in.
Huai Wang’s side wouldn’t just sit idly by. Both sides had torn apart their veils and were engaged in a hidden battle. This alone was enough to keep Liu Zhongming busy.
Bai Shiyan couldn’t help but sigh, “This year isn’t peaceful either.”
“It’s better to have a short-term pain than a long-term one,” Liu Zhongming remained composed, standing before a candy stall and asking Bai Shiyan, “Do you want one?”
“I’m already this old. Is it appropriate?”
Liu Zhongming didn’t mind and straightforwardly allowed Bai Shiyan to pay for a string of candies. He shook it in front of Little Shi Qing.
Before Little Shi Qing could reach for it with his small hand, the string of candies looped around and returned to Liu Zhongming’s mouth.
Bai Shiyan was bombarded with his brother’s earth-shattering cries in his ears and couldn’t help but laugh and cry.
“Are you playing with a little kid? Have you no shame?”
“Isn’t a little kid meant for playing?”
“Can’t you act like an adult for once?”
He wanted to take his brother over, but this little guy with shallow eyelids just clung to Liu Zhongming and wouldn’t let go. He was too frustrated to articulate properly, so he simply bit Liu Zhongming’s nose in frustration.
Liu Zhongming wiped the drool off his nose and laughed heartily, “You’re still young. Too much sweetness is forbidden by Aunt. Endure it a little longer.”
He held Little Shi Qing around his neck, sitting and overlooking the brilliant lights from a higher position, which quickly captivated the child’s attention.
Bai Shiyan hadn’t played with children before, so he could only stand by with his hands in his pockets. “Zhongming, I didn’t realize before, but you’re pretty good at entertaining children.”
“I wasn’t very good before,” Liu Zhongming swallowed down the candy in two bites, flashing a toothy smile at him. “But my wife is young and likes things that entertain children. I should know how to make him happy.”
…
A child who was eager to play ran recklessly and almost bumped into someone. The attendant behind the person didn’t have time to scold him before he waved them off.
“Why the rush?” A voice, muffled by a white veil, sounded with a smile. It was as crisp and pure as the sound of a jade bell striking against a transparent ice cone.
“L… Lord…” The child was clearly startled by the commotion behind him.
A fair hand extended in front of him, holding a string of candies. “Want some?”
The child hesitated for a moment but then burst into a big smile and eagerly took a bite. His attitude became friendly as he pointed ahead, “Let’s go watch the fireworks!”
In the direction he pointed, even those playing on the ice were gathering together.
“Young Master,” Steward Lin, reminded in a soft voice, “There are too many people over there. If it gets too crowded, it could be troublesome. It might be best not to join the crowd.”
“Look at how much decoration they’ve put up this year! There’s so much more than last year… So much, so much more! It was all arranged by Lord Shizi! It’s so beautiful! Only a fool wouldn’t want to see it!”
The child quickly devoured the candy, wiped his mouth, and without further ado, joined the crowd without even lifting his head.
Steward Lin instructed the others to protect Qu Chenzhou in the crowd and asked, “Would the young master like to watch the fireworks?”
“Of course,” amidst the crowd’s congestion, it wasn’t suitable for them to go over there. Qu Chenzhou pointed across the river, “Let’s go there.”
Even though they hadn’t climbed to the rooftop, that location was still excellent.
The ice on the river was thick and solid to walk on, and there was a reckless urge to slide all the way to the end.
All the wishing lanterns that couldn’t be placed on the river floated on the ice. People took care to avoid them, but they couldn’t prevent accidental kicks. The streamers of light flowed around in the night, adding a unique flavor to this year’s Lantern Festival.
Qu Chenzhou halted his steps; a flash of a fish’s back passed beneath the ice, illuminated by the wishing lantern’s light. Amidst the lively winter scene, he exhaled a breath of white mist.
A wave of astonishment suddenly surged from the distant crowd, its sound like a torch held by a leader, the instant the fireworks burst open was deafening, accompanied by joyous screams.
He looked up at the sky as it lit up with brilliance. The fireworks bloomed like flowers of fire and silver, fading in an instant, only to be replaced by new colors that brightened his eyes.
Fireworks adorned the sky like a curtain studded with stars, gently descending from overhead. Even though he opened his hands, nothing landed in his palms.
Qu Chenzhou watched the jubilant crowd below the fireworks, a faint smile on his lips.
Although they couldn’t celebrate the New Year together in person, they could still share a moment of fireworks—this was lit by Liu Zhongming especially for him.
Perhaps after this year, they would have many more years together.
“Congratulations for the new year…”
“What will the new year bring?”
Yu Dexi stood in the corridor, hands clasped together, watching the young eunuchs running around below, arranging the decorations for the flower stands on the open ground. He muttered to himself.
The person next to him overheard and added auspicious words, “In the new year, Gonggong, you will surely rise step by step, and the favor will continue.”
He sneered, not sure if he was responding to the comment or to himself.
At their current positions, who could talk about rising step by step?
His only reliance was the Emperor, but in this past year, even if others could see Qu Sitian’s generosity, how deeply could they truly feel it?
Yet he understood the Emperor—over time, the novelty and awe he initially held for Qu Sitian had gradually mellowed into habit. As the supreme ruler, he couldn’t always listen to others.
If Qu Sitian started to gauge the Emperor’s reactions and only spoke words that pleased him, he would slowly become ordinary and unremarkable.
On the other hand, if he remained candid, the Emperor’s heart would inevitably turn away.
Nothing is good forever, and even the most beautiful things lose their distinction when held for too long.
He and Liao Guangming were prime examples of this.
And he had the patience to wait. He’d wait until the smooth skin bore a trace of decay, then it would be the season for a decisive harvest.
At the other end of the corridor, someone came running with a slightly stooped posture, whispering, “Your Excellency, the performances have ended. The Emperor and the Empress are waiting to watch the fireworks.”
He nodded slightly and gestured for them to proceed.
The myriad flowers illuminated the Star Bridge, casting a bright radiance against the dark night. The splendor was dazzling, and even the palace outside seemed to be rejoicing, mingling with the incessant sounds of explosions.
Another cluster of stars and moons as high as the sky seemed to be struggling to reach the heights, sprinkling like snow, drawing everyone’s gaze to the layered brightness on the other side of the river.
In the middle of the open window, no one dared to jostle.
“Wangye, it’s a bit colder than usual this Lantern Festival, but as the saying goes, auspicious snow heralds a fruitful year. Moreover, this year’s fireworks are even more magnificent than previous years.”
Mu Jingyan held a hand warmer, his face wearing the ever-present gentle smile. He paid no heed to the praises and congratulations of those around him, only gazing unblinkingly at the brilliance rising on the other side of the river.
After a long while, as if sensing a hint of cold, he turned to the person beside him and asked, “Where is the Emperor watching the fireworks tonight?”
The people around quickly stifled their laughter.
The commotion in the palace reflected the Emperor’s thoughts. Even without guessing, they knew where the Emperor would be now.
Someone immediately answered in a low voice, “During the evening meal, he was with a few consorts. After dinner, he went upstairs to watch the fireworks. Initially, only the Noble Consort and the Consort Yu were accompanying him. Later, Consort Yu said she wasn’t feeling well and returned to the palace.”
Mu Jingyan nodded.
Accustomed to his calm and unhurried demeanor, his current silence made those around him a bit anxious. In the silent exchange of glances, they all understood.
Consort Yu wasn’t unwell. The Emperor simply didn’t want her to disturb the pleasant atmosphere and had sent her back to the palace.
Those who could stand here were naturally the hands and eyes of this Wangye and that was why they knew that beneath the tranquility of the capital laid a battle outside its walls.
The results of Bai Shilei’s “bandit suppression” were well known to them. Orders were disseminated in a timely manner and concealed in even darker corners, preventing excessive losses.
On another front, since the Emperor’s attention was drawn to salt and iron last year, official salt smuggling had been curtailed significantly.
After the initial commotion subsided, not only were the salt merchants concerned about their liaisons, but they had to be cautious as well—if any of the recruits were found to be associated with Liu Zhongming, then they would be truly caught in the act.
But in just a short year, Liu Zhongming, who was once overlooked by Wangye, had become a significant concern.
“Your Highness,” someone nearby said, “Your Highness will surely emerge victorious and achieve success!”
Mu Jingyan glanced at him from the side and chuckled coldly, “Naturally.”
In the new year, after the seal was opened, the struggle for dominance would intensify, and there would be no stopping until one side emerged victorious.
Before the next set of fireworks lit up the sky, perhaps everything would have settled in the dust.
Author’s note: Let’s do some math—Chenzhou is already 18 years old, and Zhong Ming is 21. In Chenzhou’s first New Year after his rebirth, he was confined to a building and could only eat dumplings. In the second year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, they kissed under the fireworks.
In the third year, they went their separate ways, inside and outside the palace.
This is the fourth year, and everything is going to settle in the dust.
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