Chapter 121 I can't help but smile
"Okay." Shi Jianli sat opposite the old lady and greeted her.
The old lady glanced at her two rough-skinned and hot-tempered grandchildren, then looked at Shi Jianli and said distressedly, "Li'er, are you frozen? Look at your little face, it's red from the cold."
"The wind is a bit strong, but it's nothing. I'll just warm myself up and the fire won't turn red. This winter, especially these past few days, has been exceptionally cold. I heard the elderly are afraid of the cold. How about you, old lady?"
"That's true. There's a charcoal fire in the house, and you have to cover yourself with several layers of quilts to sleep well. I hope it will be warmer next winter."
Ming Yuelin leaned over and asked, "Sister Li, do you want to eat hot pot? Five-cooked hot pot, Boxiagong. I remember the mansion specially ordered several compartmentalized copper pots last year. This year, I suggested to Mother that we have hot pot."
"Okay." Shi Jianli nodded with a smile.
"Let the eldest brother cook for you, the second brother cook for me, and as for the third brother... he will cook for you and me." Ming Yuelin arranged his brothers clearly.
Ming Zhou and Tai Yang, who were putting yam slices on the iron plate beside the stove, said in a leisurely tone, "Are you treating me like two people?"
"Those who are capable should do more work. Third brother, you are an official this year, don't forget to prepare New Year's money and red envelopes for us."
"Don't worry, you will get it. So many of your brothers have become officials. I guarantee that your wallet will be full." Ming Zhouqing continued.
Ming Zhoushi, who was standing by, lowered his eyes and silently took off the Luban lock for Ming Yueliu.
He was the only one in the palace who took the imperial examination. Apart from the young Ming Zhouqi, he was the only one who did not hold an official position. He would have to wait for more than a year for the next opportunity.
After removing the last piece of wood, Ming Zhouheng, who was also being pestered by the child, stuffed the wood back into his pocket and handed it to Ming Yuewu, "Here."
"Brother Heng, you are so smart. You solved it so quickly."
Ming Zhouheng smiled and said, "Fifth sister is also very smart. She will become proficient after playing a few more times."
Ming Zhoushi glanced at Ming Zhouheng calmly. This cousin was indeed smart and his brain was much more active than his. He could understand policy proposals quickly and his poetry was also brilliant.
Thanks to his help in studying, he was praised once or twice by the teacher, but the teacher's praise was mostly for this cousin.
Suppressing the subtle imbalance in his heart, Ming Zhoushi handed the Luban lock to Ming Yueliu, "Here."
"Thank you, Fourth Brother."
Ming Zhoushi nodded, and then secretly glanced at Ming Zhouheng.
He has come into contact with many successful candidates in the capital. Ming Zhouheng is always able to draw inferences from one instance to another and his knowledge is among the best. He will probably have to rely more on this cousin in the future.
Several elders in the mansion also valued him very much.
Ming Zhouheng, who was being looked at by him, smiled and thanked Ming Weisu and Ming Weishen for their concern, and asked Ming Weishen some questions about studying.
Perhaps because he is relatively mediocre among his brothers, Ming Zhoushi plans too much for himself in everything. After getting to know him, Ming Zhouheng feels that he is too utilitarian and mostly interacts with others based on interests. Although he is not a bad person, he cannot be a deep friend.
It got dark early, and the corner lamps in the house were lit early. The lights were bright, and the hall was quite bright.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, Mingyuelin pulled Shijianli and Mingyuesi to eat in the hot pot and instructed his brothers to serve them.
Yuan Yuhe laughed and scolded her: "Every New Year, your brothers have to be ordered around by you."
Ming Yuelin raised his chin and said, "I have so many brothers. That's the benefit."
Whether the other brothers were happy or not is not discussed for now, but the eldest brother was very happy, and there was never a shortage of food in Sister Li's bowl.
Ming Zhouqing smiled and brought a bowl over, "Mother, I've prepared a bowl for you. It's all your favorite food."
"good."
Shi Jianli drank some tea to rinse her mouth and shook her head towards Mingzhao, "I'm not eating anymore."
Mingzhao heard what she said and put the cooked fish into his own bowl. Seeing her face flushed by the charcoal fire, he asked, "Is it hot? If so, take off your coat."
Shi Jianli took off his coat and handed it to Lanxing.
After eating the hot pot, there was a strong charcoal fire in the house. Shi Jianli felt warm all over. As soon as she finished her meal, she stared at the boiling soup in the hot pot in a daze.
It was almost dawn after they chatted and played games. The old lady and several elders gave out New Year's purses to everyone according to their age.
Shi Jianli accepted her aunt's New Year's purse with a smile on her face. She turned around and saw Mingzhao still standing beside her, handing her a red purse embroidered with gold thread.
It's very substantial to start with.
While they were still queuing up to receive their lucky money bags, Mingzhao leaned over to look into her eyes, smiled and whispered, "This is Yaoyao's first lucky money bag. May you be safe and successful every year."
Shi Jianli curved her eyes at him and said, "Okay."
I have been in Beijing for five years, and I feel happier every year. I can't help but smile.
After taking the purse from Ming Zhouqing, Shi Jianli reached out to Ming Zhouqing again and said with a smile, "Cousin, this is New Year's money."
This is the fifth time she has asked her cousin for New Year's money. In the past few years, even though he was not an official, he would still give her a purse.
Ming Zhouhe curled his lips and placed the purse in her palm, "Let's get rid of the old evil and have peace in the coming year."
After collecting the lucky money purses, the younger generation put on their outer cloaks and went to the front of the mansion to watch the fireworks.
The snow has not stopped, but the wind has stopped. The winter plum blossoms under the lanterns in the corner of the yard are in full bloom, competing with the snow for spring.
Mingzhao also took out a fire starter and threw out the first handful of firecrackers, and the servants lit the fireworks together.
In an instant, the fireworks were red and bright, like falling stars. The roar was like a fire attack, and the sky was full of night.
Shi Jianli looked up, with fireworks reflected in her eyes.
After the first round of firecrackers, someone pulled her hand up, and her palm sank. She turned her head and her eyes met his gentle smile.
"A New Year's gift for you." Mingzhao leaned over and smiled, "Hope is high, let's get rid of the old and start anew. From now on, I wish that the new year will be better than the old."
Shi Jianli's lips curled up as she handed him the prepared New Year gift, "Year after year, may we be happy together, have peace and prosperity, and have a bright future."
Mingzhao took it and said cheerfully, "I am the first one to wish you a happy new year."
"Um."
After wishing Mingyuelin, Mingzhouhe and the elders a happy new year and receiving the red envelopes, Shi Jianli went back to rest.
On the first day of the first lunar month, after the whole family had a New Year's dinner together, many officials who had good relations with the Duke's Mansion came to visit with their wives and children to wish them a happy new year.
Duke Fuguo and Marquis Jining were the first to arrive.
After they exchanged congratulations, the Duke of Fuguo sighed, "It's been six years since I've greeted you face-to-face. In previous years, I'd just write you a letter based on the timing. Last New Year's Day, you and Zhao were still fighting on the battlefield as the old year turned to the new."
Shi Jianli followed behind Qiao Ruoying, listening to their conversation with the wife of the Duke of Fuguo and the wife of the Marquis of Jining.
After seeing off the Duke of Fuguo and the Marquis of Jining and others, Zheng Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, the Deputy Governor of the Right Army, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Zhao Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue and others also came to visit one after another.
Throughout the day, the Anguo Mansion received many guests who came to celebrate the New Year.
On the second day of the first lunar month, Yuan Yuhe did not go back because her parents' home was far away, and Qiao Ruoying did not go back because there were not many people at her parents' home. However, Mingyuechu and the concubines' daughters who were married off by the old Duke came back one after another to sit with them.
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