"Wow, Your Highness, is this the famous hot pot in the capital? It looks so delicious!" Wei Ting exclaimed, looking at the bubbling hot pot. The spicy aroma was simply too tempting, and tears were almost streaming down his face.

Yan Wan replied with a smile, "Yes, you must eat well later and don't be shy."

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely not leave a single bit behind," Wei Ting said confidently. He felt that he could definitely finish all the food; the Northwest was bitterly cold, and not a single grain of food could be wasted.

"Come on, let's toast together, everyone, Happy New Year!" Jing Xi picked up her wine bowl and stood up to say. This was her first New Year in this world. Although Jing Mo was in the capital, she would be going back soon. She was very grateful to have met so many friends and lovers in this strange world.

Yan Wan and the others stood up, picked up their wine bowls, and said, "Happy New Year!"

Just as Yan Wan was about to finish the wine in her bowl, Ji Mohan stopped her and said, "Don't drink it. I'll drink it for you. We still have to stay up tonight to celebrate the New Year. Don't drink too much."

Yan Wan gently slapped his hand away and said proudly, "Don't underestimate me, I can hold my liquor." With that, she picked up the wine bowl in her hand and drank it all in one gulp.

Jing Xi chimed in, "That's right, Your Highness, it's New Year's Day, so let Wan'er have a drink."

“That’s right, that’s right.” Yan Wan nodded in agreement.

Ji Mohan had no choice but to let her have her way; he would take better care of her when she was drunk.

Jing Xi was a straightforward and generous person. In no time, he became friends with Wei Ting, Song Jue and the other generals. They drank and played drinking games. For the first time ever, His Highness the Crown Prince also joined in. He always lost, so he drank bowl after bowl of wine without refusing. He would drink whenever he lost.

Ye Xiao, standing behind Ji Mosheng, watched anxiously. His Highness was clearly distressed and trying to alleviate his pain by drinking. But, my Crown Prince, you've drunk way too much!

"Come on, Wan'er, drink up! Everyone, eat some food too. The food in the hot pot is all cooked." Jing Xi urged. Jiang Bai watched Jing Xi, who was in high spirits, and just silently stayed by her side, serving her food. As long as she was happy, he was willing to do anything.

Ji Mohan joined in and played a couple of rounds before quitting. He couldn't get drunk tonight; Yan Wan's face was flushed from drinking, and he had to take care of this little drunkard tonight.

Looking at the lively atmosphere before him, Ji Mohan was experiencing it for the first time. Before, he was always alone during the New Year, but now it was different. He had Yan Wan and so many friends. From now on, it seemed he wouldn't have to be alone anymore. This feeling was actually quite nice.

At this moment, Yan Wan gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Come with me."

After saying that, Yan Wan pulled Ji Mohan and sneaked out of the table. The others noticed their movements but did not pay any attention and could only continue playing the drinking game.

As soon as they stepped out of the tent, the cold wind blowing in their faces dispelled half of Yan Wan's drunkenness. Afraid that Yan Wan would feel cold, Ji Mohan tied the cloak he had given her onto her wrist.

"Where are we going?" Yan Wan asked, still a little confused.

"Come with me." Ji Mohan took Yan Wan's hand and walked up the mountain behind them.

"Wow, this place is so bright and spacious. I can vaguely see Yunzhou and the capital city," Yan Wan said, looking at the surrounding mountains and the campsite below. The scenery before her was breathtaking.

"I'm glad you like it." Ji Mohan said with a smile. This was a place he had discovered a few days ago, and fortunately Yan Wan liked it.

"Hanhan, you're so good to me," Yan Wan said coquettishly as she snuggled into Ji Mohan's arms.

Ji Mohan held Yan Wan in his arms and said, "Yan Wan, all my excitement and joy come from you. You are my salvation."

Yan Wan didn't answer him. Instead, she lowered her head and rummaged through her sleeve. Finally, she pulled out a purse and handed it to Ji Mohan with a smile, saying softly, "Here, this is a surprise for you. Open it and take a look. I only prepared this for you."

Looking at Yan Wan's smiling expression, Ji Mohan felt a mix of joy and indescribable warmth. He gently picked up the purse from Yan Wan's hand, opened it, and found a piece of gold inside. He looked at Yan Wan with some confusion, not understanding what she meant.

Seeing Ji Mohan's somewhat bewildered expression, Yan Wan smiled happily and said, "Congratulations, little Ji Mohan, you've grown another year older this year. This is a New Year's gift from your lovely Princess Yan Wan. I hope that in the new year you will be safe and healthy, have everything go well, and most importantly, live a long and happy life."

Ji Mohan stared at the gold nugget in his hand, lost in thought. Then, he hugged Yan Wan tightly. This was the first time he had ever received New Year's money. When he was little, he would watch the Empress give New Year's money to the Crown Prince and other consorts to the other princes. Like a mouse on the ground, he would peek at other people's happiness. He would tell himself that he was already a big kid and didn't need these little tricks to coax people.

He kept being deceived, and eventually he started to believe it. He stopped caring about those little toys meant to amuse children.

However, when he received what he had never had in his youth, he realized that it was because he didn't have it that he had tried so hard to tell himself he didn't care, that it wasn't important. The moment he saw Yan Wan's gift, he understood that it wasn't that he didn't care; it was because he didn't have it, so he could only pretend not to care.

Now, the boy's regrets are filled by Yan Wan. He has someone he cares about. She is the best gift God has given him. So he forgives all the suffering and injustices he suffered before. God is fair. Perhaps all his misfortunes were just to let him meet Yan Wan.

"Thank you, Yan Wan, thank you so much," Ji Mohan said in a muffled voice, holding Yan Wan in his arms.

Yan Wan gently stroked Ji Mohan's back, patting it softly to comfort him. Yan Wan hoped that Ji Mohan's life would have more sweetness and less pain.

At this time, the people in Huangzhou City began to set off fireworks. Even though battle was imminent, the people were still full of hope for life.

Yan Wan patted Ji Mohan, gesturing for him to look up at the fireworks. At the moment the biggest firework burst open, Yan Wan looked at Ji Mohan and said loudly, "Happy New Year! Ji Mohan, you must be happy and live a long and healthy life."

Dear Jimo Han, I wish you peace of mind year after year, and no worries at all.

Ji Mohan looked at Yan Wan, his lips moved slightly, but the sound of the fireworks was too loud and drowned out his voice, but Yan Wan knew what he was saying.

He said, "Yan Wan, I will always love you."