The family dinner on New Year's Eve during Shen Yulou and Chi Yuan's first year of marriage.

Shen Yulou had no interest in arranging these things, so he handed them over to Empress Dowager An.

Empress Dowager An: "..." My family members, I'm really doomed to encounter this couple.

The people of Qi Dynasty began another month-long annual holiday.

Should I say it or not?

The welfare system in Qi Dynasty is really good; it always feels like they have a lot of holidays every year.

This year, even Chi Chang and Chi Wangshu began their annual leave trip in the capital, making Empress Dowager An extremely happy.

Why?

Of course, it's because Shen Bijue and An Youping temporarily replaced them this year.

Now that most of the external enemies have been eliminated, the East China Sea and the northern grasslands are relatively peaceful, with nothing major happening.

Chi Yuan used the pretext of giving An Youping and Shen Bijue some training and some experience so that he could bestow upon them the title of Grand Tutor upon their return. He then sent them to guard the northern border and the East China Sea for a period of time.

Shen Bijue and An Youping were overjoyed, feeling that the three siblings, Chi Yuan, were so kind to them and trusted them so much.

So, a month before the New Year, they rushed to their destination and replaced Chi Chang and Chi Wangshu.

The two poor kids have been completely fooled by Chi Yuan. While everyone else is on holiday, they have to work overtime.

But that's fine too. Take advantage of your youth and work hard. When you're old, you'll see through Chi Yuan's thoughts, be riddled with illnesses, and be too weak to do anything.

“Shen Bijun and An Youping are truly two rare talents.”

Ji Chang marveled as he looked at the letter that Donghae had sent.

Chi Wangshu also expressed his agreement.

In just half a month, Shen Bijun and An Youping had thoroughly investigated the situation in the northern grasslands and the East China Sea.

The letters sent from their trusted confidants were almost entirely filled with praise for them.

This demonstrates the exceptional abilities and methods of Shen Bijun and An Youping.

Even the top scorers in previous years weren't this outstanding. It seems Qi Chao has had a stroke of great luck this year.

May God protect you.

Chi Chang and Chi Wangshu were completely relieved.

At midnight, night watchmen in various streets sounded the horn for New Year's Eve.

Firecrackers started going off outside the palace, as loud as if a battle was raging.

Wealthy families, in particular, would set off very long firecrackers, making a continuous sound.

Before one crackling sound had even subsided, another began to rang out.

Finally, the sounds overlapped and resounded through the sky, making people feel as if their eardrums were about to burst.

When the Nian monster comes, everyone has to flee with their families immediately.

Early in the morning, the streets of Qichao were filled with the gunpowder smell of firecrackers.

It was also mixed with the aroma of incense and candles from the altar during worship, as well as the smells of roast suckling pig, fried dough, dried fish, citrus fruits, and other offerings.

This smell is so special that people know the New Year has arrived just by smelling it.

After a joyful and delicious family feast, Chi Yuan, along with Shen Yulou and the fox cub, climbed to the highest city tower.

Chi Chang and his son, Chi Wangshu and Empress Dowager An followed behind them.

However, once they reached the city wall, they spontaneously split into two groups.

They gave the best viewing spot in the middle to the Chi family of three.

He then stood to the side.

At some point, the noisy clamor of Qichao ceased, leaving only the bright yellow lights.

Everyone stood together with their families; some stood on their own balconies, while others stood outside their doors, on the street, or at their stalls.

Everyone was holding a Kongming lantern.

This is a fixed program of Qichao every year: releasing Kongming lanterns together on New Year's Eve.

People write their wishes for the coming year or their hopes for their families on the lamps.

Time passed slowly, and many people picked up tinderboxes and lit Kongming lanterns.

Shen Yulou and Chi Yuan worked together to dip the fox cub's hands and feet in cinnabar and pressed them onto their respective Kongming lanterns, leaving their marks.

At the same moment, the bells rang in the centers of each region.

Wow! It's so beautiful!

The fox cub in Shen Yulou's arms widened its eyes.

In a child's world, everything is enormous.

Countless lanterns floated into the sky, illuminating the entire horizon, their fiery red light mingling with the stars.

The ground is adorned with colorful glass, illuminated by swaying lanterns, and accompanied by the sound of phoenix flutes.

Looking up, the bright lights rise and drift in the wind, as if carrying waves of heat.

Countless blessings and love floated in the sky above this land.

The fox cub reached out its hand, trying to grasp a ray of light.

Hmm... I can't catch it...

The little one was disappointed.

Will Chi's father prepare a ton of lights for him to catch this time?

What did you write?

"I won't tell you, because it won't work if I tell you."

Chi Yuan, holding the fox cub, embraced and kissed Shen Yulou under tens of thousands of bright lights.

I want to be with you through this life, the next life, the life after that, and for all eternity.

I hope An'an grows up safely and happily.

Me too.