Chapter 232: New Year
Spurred on by Grandpa and Elder Sister, Jinsui also became full of drive, “Then what about me, what about me? What should I do?”
Grandpa patted the back of his head, “You study diligently for me!”
Jinsui touched his head and said, “But I heard that Marquises cannot participate in the Imperial Examination. I don’t want to study, I want to practice martial arts.”
Grandpa Ling was actually unsure about this, and quickly looked at Jinsui, “Your younger brother cannot take the Imperial Examination?”
Jinsui nodded, “I’ve given birth to children, and Little An is the maternal uncle of the nation. How can the maternal uncle of the nation take the exams for Licentiate or Provincial Graduate?”
Grandpa Ling gasped, “This, what should we do?”
Jinsui found it amusing, “What is the Imperial Examination for? To be enfeoffed and appointed as prime minister? Jinsui already has a noble title!”
The goal that others strived for after ten years of hard study, Jinsui already had. Grandpa seemed a bit slow to react.
Grandpa Ling said anxiously, “If he can’t study, then what should he do? He can’t just idle around like Shi Yi every day, can he?”
If Yan Shiyi heard this, she would definitely cry. I used to idle around, but in the past year, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a moment to rest. How could I be idling around?
Jinsui smiled and said, “Of course not. He can also join the army. Jinsui wants to practice martial arts, right? So he should practice. He still needs to study, it’s not like he won’t study just because he can’t take the Imperial Examination.
Even if Little An doesn’t become an official in the future, he can work in the organizations under my command. Sister is in dire need of science talents.”
Jinsui had a plan in mind, “Then I will practice martial arts diligently, study more mathematics and investigation of things, and also learn literature, especially the Art of War.”
“I want to work as hard as Grandpa and Elder Sister to achieve something.”
Grandpa was very pleased, “Exactly! We absolutely cannot be like those Young Masters such as Yan Shiyi, who spend their days riding horses and flirting with women, wasting their precious time without learning any skills.”
The grandfather and granddaughter trio set their New Year’s goals, then ate their New Year’s Eve Dinner. Grandpa drank a rare amount of wine, and Jinsui accompanied him. They drank Lychee Wine from Lingnan brought back by a Sea Vessel. It had a strong fruity flavor but a potent aftereffect.
Little An wanted to try some too, but Jinsui wouldn’t allow it. Grandpa then boiled some Rice Wine for him.
That night, the three of them stayed up to see the New Year. This time they drank Milk Tea, ate melon seeds and peanuts. Grandpa had good teeth and especially liked eating peanuts.
While eating peanuts, he mentioned something, “I heard some people get covered in hives just from eating peanuts. They’re truly unlucky to not be able to eat such delicious food!”
Jinsui quickly said, “We need to warn them about this. It’s an allergy, and it can be fatal in severe cases.”
Grandpa was unconcerned, “To die from eating something so fragrant, that death would be worth it! It’s truly strange. During lean years, people gnawed on tree bark and ate grass roots. When starving, they ate clay, and if they died, it was fate.
How could eating this good stuff be fatal? Poor people get rich people’s diseases, only pampered young ladies from wealthy families can’t eat this or that.”
Jinsui very seriously explained allergies to Grandpa and Jinsui. Jinsui listened attentively, but Grandpa paid no mind.
He would get itchy when eating Seafood, but he never told Jinsui. Such delicious food was worth suffering a little for.
Jinsui became even more determined to expand the Medical Care Academy and implement Public Hospitals down to the town level. There was so much that needed to be explained.
However, thinking about how some elderly people in later generations still didn’t understand allergies, the path of public education was long and arduous!
Jinsui had been leaning against Jinsui. This child now felt he was an adult and didn’t like being close to people. But he still wanted to be closer to his sister. If Jinsui patted his head.
He would say awkwardly, “Don’t touch me.” But one could still see from his eyes that he liked such closeness.
It was an awkward age, so Jinsui naturally didn’t bicker with the Little Brat younger brother. She pulled his shoulders and asked with a smile, “I haven’t given you your New Year’s gift yet? Tell me what you want.”
Jinsui asked in a very low voice, “Will I not be able to spend New Year with Elder Sister in the future?”
Jinsui smiled and said, “Not necessarily. I can invite you and Grandpa to the Imperial Palace to celebrate the New Year.”
Jinsui shook his head, “I heard there are many rules in the Imperial Palace, and Grandpa definitely won’t go.”
This meant he would go. Jinsui felt sweet inside. In her past life, she was an orphan. In this life, she realized having a younger brother wasn’t bad.
“Elder Sister, will it be very troublesome to see you in the future?”
Jinsui shook her head again, “No, I’ll give you a palace pass, and you can enter the palace to see me anytime. Besides, even if I marry into the Imperial Palace, I will often come to the Academy, and we can meet here.”
Grandpa Ling sat to the side, drinking tea, silent, quietly watching the scene of the two siblings snuggling together.
He remembered when he and Jinsui spent New Year in the small town. Jinsui was frail and never managed to stay awake until the end of the vigil, always falling asleep midway.
He would carry the little Jinsui to bed, sit by his granddaughter’s bedside, waiting for the gong sound of the New Year at Midnight, and place a Copper Coin under his granddaughter’s pillow to ward off evil.
My Suisui…
Grandpa Ling wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and continued to smile as he drank his tea, as if nothing had happened.
The bell for Midnight struck, and soon fireworks began to be set off. Jinsui led Jinsui to the window, and in the falling snow, they watched the fireworks fill the sky.
They both turned to help him at the same time, “Grandpa, look quickly, this year’s fireworks are so beautiful!”
Indeed, the research on Gunpowder was difficult, but making Fireworks was much easier. The Fireworks Workshop at the base received a large number of orders.
Jinsui once joked that they could use the failed Gunpowder materials to make Fireworks, and use the Silver from selling Fireworks to fund Gunpowder research, which saved a considerable amount of expenses.
Grandpa and Jinsui went to the courtyard to set off Firecrackers to welcome the New Year. After offering the last stick of incense, Jinsui went to cook Dumplings, fearing indigestion from eating too many.
She specifically made the Dumplings very small and offered several flavors: the common Central Plains Radish and Pork, the Northern Lamb and Scallion, and Shrimp and Three Delicacies dumplings, all cooked together for a surprise.
Of course, she didn’t forget to include one with a Copper Coin, which she specifically placed in Grandpa’s bowl.
Just as the Dumplings were ready, a young disciple of Grandpa came to report, “Miss, your Bodyguards are requesting an audience.”
Jinsui was startled. Which Bodyguard would request an audience at this time?
“Who is it?”
“Um, he said he is your Old Guard.” He added, “Your Old Guard from when you were Li King.”
Jinsui pondered for a second, then chuckled. She personally led him to the warm room and saw Gu Changxiao dressed as a Bodyguard. She smiled and asked, “Didn’t you have a New Year’s celebration at the Imperial Palace?”
Gu Changxiao quickly replied, “After the Sacrifice, there’s a family banquet. I don’t have a family banquet.”
Jinsui touched her chin and smiled, “That’s true. By rights, you should be drinking and having fun with a group of Concubines right now.”
Gu Changxiao reached out to hug her, “So I came to accompany the Empress.”
“Hey, didn’t we agree not to see each other before the Wedding?”
“Now it’s not the Emperor seeing the Empress, but Bodyguard Gu Changxiao seeing Lord Li.”
Jinsui originally intended to say a few words and send him away, but seeing that he was soaked in snow, clearly having ridden a fast horse, she felt pity.
She got him a clean set of clothes to change into and brought him a bowl of Dumplings. Gu Changxiao seemed not to have eaten enough at the New Year’s Eve Dinner. The Dumplings were small, but he ate bowl after bowl, a total of thirty.
“The Dumplings you made, Suisui, are still the most delicious! The Dumplings in the Imperial Palace look good, but they lack flavor.”
Jinsui asked him speechlessly, “Why did you have to rush over? You still have to ride back in the snow later, it’s too dangerous.”
Gu Changxiao took out a Sachet from his pocket and two purple jade bracelets. He held Suisui’s hand and gently slipped them on, “I came to give Suisui a New Year’s Gift.”
Jinsui played with the bracelets and said emotionally, “You already gave me one. Every day for the past few days before the New Year, someone has been delivering gifts.”
Gu Changxiao looked at her white jade-like wrist and said softly, “It’s different. A New Year’s Gift must be delivered by me personally to have meaning. Do you like it, Suisui?”
Jinsui nodded, “Of course I like it! It’s just that I haven’t prepared a New Year’s Gift for you!”
Gu Changxiao hugged her and sat beside her. He took out a bag of clay from his pocket, “This is the best New Year’s Gift! No, I should say that having you by my side is the best gift.
You are a gift bestowed upon me by the Gods.”
Jinsui found it cheesy, “I’m a living person, not a gift from the Gods! Eat your fill and go back! Otherwise, someone will find out.”
Gu Changxiao rested his head on her neck and rubbed it, like a clingy cat, “I don’t want to leave! Why didn’t we have our Wedding sooner?”
Jinsui cupped his face, “I’ll give you a gift, and then you’ll go back, okay?”
“That depends on what the gift is.”
Jinsui turned and went back to her room, actually going into her Space. She took out the selfie photo of them together that she had taken while Gu Changxiao was sleeping last time.
Gu Changxiao had fallen asleep in the Carriage, resting his head on her shoulder. She took a photo with her phone, which was developed in her Space.
She put it in a carved wooden frame. She had originally planned to take it out after the Wedding, but it seemed that to drive away the clingy big cat, she had to use this as catnip.
Gu Changxiao was indeed very satisfied and surprised, “Suisui’s painting skills are truly lifelike! How can you paint it so realistically?”
This time, Jinsui couldn’t say she found a Painter to do it, because it was just the two of them in the Carriage. Which Painter would dare to peek? She had to bluff:
“My painting skills are based on inspiration. Occasionally, when I’m in the mood, I can paint this well. Generally, I can only draw design sketches.”
“Alright, can I go back now? I’m afraid if you don’t go back soon, the Imperial Palace will panic.”
Gu Changxiao looked towards the door, “I’ll say hello to Taoist Master Ling.”
Jinsui was startled, “Absolutely not! Grandpa will scold both of us!”
Gu Changxiao chuckled and took out another Jade Pendant, “Then I’ll give this to Jinsui.”
“No need. Tomorrow morning, Jinsui will go to the Imperial Palace to pay you New Year’s respects, and then you can give it to him. Quietly, don’t let anyone discover you came here. I don’t want to be scolded by the Ministry of Rites!”
Gu Changxiao looked at her strangely, “That’s not right. In the past, I was the one who advised Suisui to be calm and not act rashly. How come you’re advising me now?”
“It’s different! Before, I was using a Persona. My current identity will be used for many years, so I need to protect my reputation.”
Gu Changxiao was amused by her words and laughed heartily. Then he thought of something and tapped her nose,
“Suisui, were you prepared? You actually said that Li King is impotent, and it has spread throughout the world. Now I have a reasonable excuse to refuse selecting concubines.”
Jinsui felt her face burn and her ears heat up. She covered her ears and said, “Please, I beg you, don’t mention this again! Who hasn’t been young and foolish? Once we get married, the rumors will dissipate on their own.”
Gu Changxiao playfully said in her ear, “How will they dissipate on their own? Have the Matrons from the Imperial Palace come to teach Suisui?”
Jinsui took a deep breath and glared at him fiercely, “If you don’t leave now, I’ll really get angry.”
Gu Changxiao had ridden his horse there and returned to the city in Jinsui’s four-wheeled Carriage. Fortunately, the snow had stopped, otherwise, he would have had to stay at the Taoist Temple.
As she saw him off, fireworks were being set off in the distance. Both of them looked up simultaneously, watching the brilliant fireworks. Under the white snow and red plum blossoms, they looked at each other and simultaneously said, “Happy New Year.”
Gu Changxiao said with great anticipation, “Next year, we’ll stay up together, watch fireworks, drink Fruit Wine, pick Red Plums to put in a vase, and make ice lanterns, okay?”
How childish! So excited about New Year.
But Jinsui still answered him very seriously, “Okay! But the things you mentioned are too ordinary. Next year, when we celebrate the New Year together, I will take you to play more fun games.”
Gu Changxiao actually laughed like a child, “Mm, I’ll be waiting.”
After returning to her room, Jinsui felt as if it were a dream. Had she been too close to the fire with Grandpa and Jinsui, suffering from mild carbon monoxide poisoning?
It wasn’t until she touched the bracelets on her wrist that she confirmed it wasn’t a dream. Did that guy Gu Changxiao really run out of the Imperial Palace, travel so far just to eat three bowls of Dumplings and give her bracelets?
He was too willful!
Jinsui suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for Han Xing. She remembered when she first arrived at the Border City, she had done many absurd things using the identity of Li King. Han Xing must have felt the same way then?
Too willful, I’m so worried!
Perhaps it was because she drank too much tea, or perhaps Gu Changxiao’s arrival made her mood too good, but she didn’t sleep a wink in the latter half of the night.
She simply got up and decided not to sleep. Anyway, she wouldn’t go out before the fifteenth, and she could catch up on sleep during the day.
She entered her Space to continue her experiments. She had to prepare the tools in advance for the smallpox vaccination experiment for Grandpa.
There were also the Fine Breed seeds she cultivated in her Space, various vegetable and grain seeds. She found that the seeds harvested from planting in her Space were much better than those from the Greenhouse.
The vegetables and fruits of this era were not grafted and improved, so they were not very tasty. For example, watermelons had very little flesh and were not sweet enough. Eggplants also had many seeds, thick skins, and little flesh. Purple eggplants even had a nice name, Kunlun Purple Gourd.
Celery was extremely fibrous. If she wanted to make a dumpling filling, it would take a long time to peel the fibers. She brought the commonly eaten vegetables and fruits to her Space to plant some, and then used the nutrient solution formulated in her Space. The results of hybridization and grafting for improvement were very good.
However, there were not many seeds, and currently, they were only planted at Grandpa’s Taoist Temple.
She worked until dawn before leaving her Space to prepare the clothes for Grandpa and Jinsui for the day. Grandpa was going to the Refugee Camp to distribute porridge and dispense medicine, so he wore a Taoist Robe with an Immortal-like Demeanor.
Jinsui was going to the Imperial Palace to pay New Year’s respects. On the first day of the New Year, nobles had to pay their respects to the Emperor. Jinsui wore the noble rank clothing issued by the Imperial Court, which Jinsui had personally altered to fit him. Fearing he would be cold in thin clothing, she also put a padded jacket on him and a Cloak.
She didn’t need to worry about Grandpa. She just moved several large boxes of candy from her Space for Grandpa, which were New Year’s gifts for the children at the Refugee Camp.
She had to caution Jinsui a lot. She wasn’t afraid of him getting lost in the Imperial Palace, but of being tricked by those nobles, “Don’t talk about anything else with them. If they ask about trade matters, just say you don’t understand.”
Jinsui said earnestly, “Elder Sister, I’m not a child anymore. Don’t worry! Those people can’t trick me.”
Jinsui deliberately teased him, “What if they use a honey trap?”
Grandpa Ling laughed heartily, “That’s right, we have to guard against that too. Look how handsome our Little An is. If someone says they want to betroth their daughter or granddaughter to you, you must also refuse!”
