Not long after Dongfang Bubai returned to the courtyard, Yaoyue, who had left earlier, also returned.

If Dongfang Bubai were here at this moment, he would surely see that the money pouch at Yaoyue's waist, which had been deflated, has become full again.

After glancing at Dongfang Bubai's closed door, Yaoyue snorted softly and returned to her own room.

As the four returned to their rooms, and without anyone replacing the candles, the candlelight in the lanterns hanging around the courtyard went out as the candles burned out.

The courtyard, which was originally brightly lit, became dim at this moment.

However, in the midst of this silence, Qu Feiyan's door was suddenly opened.

Immediately afterwards, a small head peeked out from inside the room. After looking around and making sure no one was watching, the little girl quietly closed the door and sneaked out into the yard.

Half an hour later, Qu Feiyan, who had left earlier, returned to the courtyard and quickly disappeared into her room.

Touching the newly filled money bag in her arms, Qu Feiyan drifted off to sleep, filled with the wonderful anticipation of winning big every time she won the game the next day.

At this point, the benefits of power and status become apparent.

Characters like Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue, when short of money, could simply ask their subordinates to provide it.

People like Qu Feiyan, when short of money, have no choice but to sneak out late at night and rob others to help themselves.

.........

On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the New Year's Day, it is auspicious to pray for blessings, but inauspicious to install doors.

As the new year began, even before dawn, the entire city of Yushui was bustling with activity. Every household rose early, donned new clothes, and carried gifts to visit relatives and friends, exchanging blessings.

The streets were no longer monotonous as before, but instead were filled with colorful tents.

There were also dance halls and karaoke rooms, with carriages and horses coming and going in an endless stream.

Although it was only the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the place was already bustling with activity.

Even Chu Qinghe didn't sleep until late morning as usual before leisurely heading out; instead, he got up early today.

I've started setting up some of the things I bought yesterday.

The items were simple, consisting of nothing more than large red lanterns, red cloth strips, and stickers.

Furthermore, he hung a cypress branch, a persimmon, and an orange on each of his and the other two women's doors, as a sign of good fortune for the year ahead.

It must be said that although they were simple things, after Chu Qinghe's arrangement, they did add a festive touch to the snow-covered courtyard.

After returning to the courtyard with the tofu pudding and other breakfast I bought from outside, I poured myself a glass of wine that I had warmed before leaving. As I took a sip, I listened to the faint sounds of people and occasional firecrackers coming from the street outside.

Although the Spring Festival has not yet arrived, the festive atmosphere is already strong.

Chu Qinghe couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly at this.

"The New Year's atmosphere was much stronger in ancient times!"

After all, in my previous life, even the Spring Festival had almost no festive atmosphere.

Before Chu Qinghe had even drunk his first cup of wine, the rooms of the three women by the courtyard were opened one after another.

When they saw the bright red color in the courtyard, both Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue's eyes lit up.

When Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue finished washing up, Dongfang Bubai, sitting next to Chu Qinghe, glanced at the wine glass on the table and said, "Drinking so early in the morning is quite different from your usual habits."

Chu Qinghe smiled and said, "It's a New Year's Day! It's all about being casual and having fun. Drink if you want, there's no need to be so particular."

As he spoke, Chu Qinghe placed two wine cups in front of Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue.

After the two women took a small sip, feeling the warm sensation in their stomachs and the rich aroma of rice in their mouths, they couldn't help but let out a soft "hmm".

Inviting the Moon, she asked, "What kind of wine is this?"

Chu Qinghe said calmly, "Rice wine is specially made for drinking on New Year's Day and during the Spring Festival."

Hearing Chu Qinghe's explanation, Dongfang Bubai nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Being able to taste a new wine they had never tried before early in the morning, Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue were clearly in good spirits.

This was the case in Chu Qinghe's courtyard.

Every now and then, one can sense something new from Chu Qinghe, which often brings unexpected surprises.

At this place of year, at the beginning of dawn.

As snowflakes filled the sky, people enjoyed wine and admired the snow, while listening to the occasional sound of firecrackers. Both Yaoyue and Dongfang Bubai's eyes flickered slightly.

Both Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue held high positions for many years.

Their own position and the environment they had been in before meant that, although they were in the martial arts world, the two women had never experienced many things that ordinary people go through.

Just like Yaoyue, for the disciples of Yihua Palace, a top-tier power, the New Year is just the New Year, and there is no difference from any other day.

It also gave me a feeling that was different from usual.

I didn't feel bored at all.

Perhaps it was the aroma of wine, or perhaps it was the noise of firecrackers outside.

Before the three of them had finished their drinks, Qu Feiyan emerged from the room, still half asleep.

After they finished eating breakfast together, Chu Qinghe took out three sealed red envelopes from his pocket and handed them to the three women.

Here, one for each person.

After opening the red envelope, the three of them discovered that it contained a silver note worth one hundred taels.

Qu Feiyan asked in surprise, "Young Master, why are you being so generous today?"

Chu Qinghe said irritably, "You're making it sound like I'm usually petty."

After a pause, Chu Qinghe changed the subject, saying, "Anyway, we'll lose it all back tonight."

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