Chapter 29: New Year's Return

As the years pass and the night fades, a faint glow has appeared in the sky, and a new day is about to begin.

Before the morning, when the sky was just getting light, a few loud firecrackers heralded the new year for the people of Qinghe Town.

The Su family’s residence was filled with joy and joy, with window decorations, stickers, lanterns and couplets all in red.

Su Yuan and the others all changed into new clothes and got up early.

Father Su took Biyun and Biyue to make breakfast. They used the ingredients prepared last night to make dumplings and stir-fry vegetables. They were busy in the kitchen, and the atmosphere was full of life.

Su Yuan and her husband lit firecrackers outside the house. Sparks burned along the fuse, and there was a crackling sound outside the door, which was very lively.

"Here it comes, the last dish."

Father Su placed the braised pork on the dining table.

There was a particularly rich variety of dishes on the table, including fish, meat, chicken, duck, cold dishes and pastries, nearly twenty in total.

Father Su had a smile on his face and asked everyone to sit down:

"Hurry up and take a seat. Today is the new year. We do not distinguish between master and servant. Biyun, Biyue, you also take a seat."

"Yes." Biyun and Biyue sat down with the host.

Everyone gathered around the table and started to eat, occasionally talking and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

After the meal, Su's father, as the elder, gave each of the four younger generations a purse filled with silver coins as a New Year's gift. After receiving it, everyone was very happy and smiled.

Su Yuan gave his purse to Nan Chu and asked him to put it away, then said to Su's father:

"It's snowing outside now. It's too cold to go out and play. Why don't we sit around the fire, drink tea, and eat cakes?"

Father Su smiled and nodded:

"Okay, let's do as Yuanyuan says. It's New Year's Day and we're going out to join in the fun. It would be bad if we catch cold."

"good."

The others nodded in agreement, brought over stools, prepared hot tea and snacks, and ate and chatted, feeling very comfortable.

Two flowers bloom, each showing its own beauty.

Tongcheng, Meng family.

The table was also filled with delicious food. The Meng family sat around the table and finished their breakfast in silence.

After dinner, Meng's mother and father used red paper to wrap silver bills and give New Year's money to the younger generations in the family one by one. When it was Meng Yunqiao's turn, Meng's mother sighed:

"Alas! Yun Qiao will take the examination for the Tongsheng next year. Mother gave you the most money. I hope my son can pass the examination in February and have a successful career in the future. Then even if mother dies, she will have no regrets."

When Meng Yunqiao heard his mother mention this, his eyes rolled and he asked his mother expectantly with a smile:

"Mother, if I pass the exam, does it mean that I have a chance of passing the imperial examination? Can it make my brother break off the engagement? You should stop clinging to Han Ling all day long."

"I went out to drink with an old friend yesterday, and I heard that Han Ling has been getting close to the young lady of our rival Zhu family. There are also rumors that she spread rumors privately and deliberately delayed my brother's marriage because she despises our grassroots family and wants to climb up to the Zhu family."

Hearing this, Meng Mu frowned and shouted:

"Nonsense, you've been targeting Han Ling all day, and today you're doing this again. I'm afraid you didn't want Han Ling to be your brother's wife, so you made it up on purpose. Maybe you spread this rumor, too."

Meng Yunqiao took a deep breath and exhaled heavily before suppressing his anger and talking to his mother:

"It wasn't me. Mother, you didn't hear this because everyone avoided you and didn't tell you. Even if they wanted to tell you, they were afraid that your attitude would make their kindness be taken for granted and you would scold them."

After that, she was filled with righteous indignation and told another story:

"A few days ago, during the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival in Qinghe Town, a mad cow injured people in the street. Han Ling stood by his brother, but he saved others and left his brother to die on the spot."

"And the man Han Ling rescued not only had an affair with her, but was also pregnant before marriage. So many people on the street saw it. If you don't believe me, go and ask someone. Your daughter is not that capable of buying off the people of Qinghe Town."

Seeing Meng Yunqiao's firm words, Mother Meng believed them a little more and turned to look at Meng Yunlan, asking suspiciously:

"Yunlan, you are the most honest person. Mother asks you, is what your sister said true? Is it true?"

Meng Yunlan pursed her lips and nodded slightly:

"Yes, it is true."

After hearing this, Meng's mother straightened her lips and lowered her eyes in thought.

Their Meng family is one of the richest businessmen in Tongcheng.

Decades ago, she had built her family from scratch. Now that she had money, she wanted fame and wanted to find a younger generation with a promising career in the government to improve the Meng family's reputation.

Although she had risen into the upper class of the city, many people still looked down on her and laughed at her behind her back, saying that she came from a humble background and knew nothing about poetry, books and etiquette.

Her daughter Meng Yunqiao was not a good student, and she could not marry a juren, so she got to know Han Ling's husband four years ago.

She helped Han Ling, who came from a poor family, and arranged for her son to get engaged to her. It turned out that her vision was right. Han Ling passed the imperial examination and became a scholar at the age of 20. She became more and more fond of this daughter-in-law.

But what her children said now was beyond her expectations. She really couldn't imagine that Han Ling, who was always dignified and polite in front of her and had extraordinary knowledge, could do such a thing.

Well, she still went to investigate to see if there was any room for redemption. If not, she would make other plans.

Mother Meng made a decision in her mind, glanced at Meng Yunqiao and Meng Yunlan, and said:

"Forget it. Let mother think about this matter carefully. After all, your brother is old. Even if he breaks off the engagement, he may not be able to find someone better than Han Ling in the future. You should take your brothers and sisters out to play first."

Meng Yunqiao saw that his mother had started to consider the matter. He guessed that given his mother's personality, she would definitely inquire into the matter thoroughly. She was not afraid that Han Ling's affairs would be dug out, huh.

So she put on a smile again, raised her eyes slightly, and said to Meng Mu:

"Then mother, I will take these little ones out. You can think about it slowly. Brother, come on, you can go out for a walk with me."

Meng Yunlan concealed the worry in her eyes, bowed to her mother, turned to her sister and smiled:

"good."

Time flies, the years pass quickly.

Outside the Meng Mansion, three carriages were parked, and a group of Meng family members stood in front of the door to see Meng Yunqiao off.

Mother Meng stood in front of Meng Yunqiao and solemnly instructed:

"Yun Qiao, you must study hard in the school, and don't think about playing all day. The county exam will be held in more than a month, and my son must pass it this time."

After saying that, he turned to Meng Yunlan and said:

"Yunlan, you go over and supervise your sister and ask her to read more books. If she doesn't obey, you write a letter to mother and I will immediately cut off her pocket money."

Meng Yunlan nodded solemnly and said seriously:

"Yes, my child knows."

Mother Meng took the food box from Father Meng's hand and said:

"This is the food your father prepared early in the morning. Take it and eat it when you are hungry on the way."

Meng Yunqiao took it, said goodbye to his family one by one, and got on the carriage with his brother.

He rode his horse towards Qinghe Town.