Emperor Zhenlong put it directly into his mouth and let out a sigh. He asked curiously, "How did you know to eat chestnuts this way?"
He was born into royalty and had never heard of chestnuts being eaten this way. His daughter, who also grew up within palace walls, how did she know this?
Princess Ruining smiled gently: "As you know, I have friends outside the palace. She told me about it. The sound of chestnuts bursting open is auspicious. If you like the aroma, I'll pick out a few more for you."
As she spoke, she picked up a few more chestnuts from the charcoal fire, peeled one for Empress Lu and one for Prince Qing, and then peeled one for Emperor Zhenlong.
Empress Lu smiled and said, "You silly child, don't just think about us, you should use some too."
Princess Ruining smiled and agreed.
As the New Year's bells rang, fireworks exploded outside the palace.
Emperor Zhenlong raised an eyebrow: "I remember telling the Ministry of Rites not to bother with this this year?"
Fireworks were extravagant, and the Ministry of Revenue had taken significant steps this year to allocate more reserve funds to the national treasury for unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, he ordered a ban on fireworks displays within the palace this year.
Prince Qing announced loudly, "Father! This is a surprise I instructed you to prepare for you!"
Seeing that Emperor Zhenlong seemed displeased, he quickly explained, "I didn't touch any of the national treasury's money! It was all from my son's private savings."
Emperor Zhenlong's expression turned to one of satisfaction: "My son is so rich now? Good, good, let's go out and have a look."
Prince Qing helped Emperor Zhenlong walk out, saying cautiously, "Your subject feels that firecrackers are a tradition. The old year ends with the sound of firecrackers. If we skip them, it will inevitably lose some of the festive atmosphere. Now that I am moving out, Your Majesty has bestowed many good things upon me. Now that I have some extra money, I will naturally take good care of Your Majesty."
Emperor Zhenlong nodded, pleased.
Princess Ruining followed behind them, supporting Empress Lu as they walked outside. A servant lifted the curtain, and a gust of cold wind rushed in. Princess Ruining was not prepared and shivered as the wind blew in.
Empress Lu felt her trembling slightly, reached out and took her hand, kneading it in her palm: "My child, are you cold? Let's just look at each other, and if you're cold, we'll go back inside."
Princess Ruining grasped Empress Lu's hand in return and nodded: "Okay."
The fireworks outside the palace looked more spectacular than in previous years.
The moment the fireworks burst open, it seemed as if the entire sky was illuminated, casting a dazzling glow on their faces. Princess Ruining watched, somewhat mesmerized. Her younger brother's purse was indeed bulging these days.
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