Chapter 115 Lantern Festival

After enjoying various modern New Year festivities, Si Li actually found her first New Year in Daning a bit boring.

Either he was playing with Miracle Pears with the delighted Mrs. Jian and Jian Qingya, or he continued to try out new products. Apart from receiving so many red envelopes as to make him tired, and not having to open the door to welcome guests, his life was no different from when he was at Wanglaiju before.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, there were almost no people on the streets. The wealthy and powerful had all returned to their ancestral homes or main houses early and were having fun behind closed doors. Si Li went back to the Si Mansion alone in a carriage, fulfilling the duties of a good daughter in the eyes of outsiders and receiving two red envelopes.

Si Tang, who came out with her parents, had red and swollen eyes. Even the thick makeup could not hide the haggardness in her expression. Her voice was filled with tears when she came up to greet them. Si Baifu glanced at her and walked away, "What a look!"

Si Li knew that he was just making a veiled accusation, but she didn't care. She smiled and walked towards the original owner's yard according to the original owner's memory. Madam Si pulled Si Tang to follow. Si Tang shivered and whispered, "Mother, I haven't finished copying the scriptures yet."

It can be seen that he was severely punished by Lord Si, who was in charge of the affairs of the rear house.

Mrs. Si had no choice but to let her go and accompanied Si Li all the way back to the original owner's courtyard. The bare pear tree in the courtyard could be seen from a long distance. Si Li stood outside the courtyard and looked at it for a while. Mrs. Si was a little embarrassed, "A Tang was ignorant before. I have asked someone to hire a gardener. When spring comes, the tree will definitely bloom. Your Highness, don't worry."

"..." Being suddenly called His Highness, Si Li felt a little uncomfortable, "Shu has been gone for so many years, if he can't be saved, forget it. Madam Si, please take care of Si Tang more."

There were no outsiders in the yard, so Si Li stopped pretending. Madam Si, who was retorted by her cold words, breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

Madam Si bowed her head and left the courtyard. Qinghe, who was now Si Li's new maid, locked the door and neatly cleaned up the courtyard that had not been occupied for a long time. It was obvious that Madam Si had put a lot of effort into it. The bedding was brand new and spotless. It was not as clean and beautiful as it was when the original owner lived there.

Xiao Que touched the apple on the table and handed one to Si Li. She also took a bite and pouted, "What's the point of living here? They are so hypocritical."

"Our little Que can also use idioms?" Si Li pinched her still chubby face and laughed, "They have something to hide. We can't break the rules. We'll just stay for one night. Now no one dares to let anything happen to me in the Si Mansion. What's more, don't I still have Qinghe to protect me?"

Qinghe spoke softly in the Prince of Yue's mansion, but when he really got to know Si Li, he found that she was a straightforward and introverted person. He deliberately mentioned her a few more times to enhance their relationship. Sure enough, Qinghe, who was teased, packed up his things, turned around and clasped his fists, "Please rest assured, Your Highness!"

Many people had heard that the eldest daughter of the Si Mansion had only stayed at home for one day on New Year's Day before returning to the Jian family. Ever since the prince's proposal, the atmosphere in the Dongyang Mansion had not been good. Even the New Year was a bit dull. The maids and stewards who passed by the inner courtyard were all very cautious, for fear of causing trouble.

Yuan Fangtong helped his father, who was half paralyzed in bed, to get up and fed him the medicine mouthful by mouthful. After the elderly Duke Dongyang had taken a deep breath, he showed some anxiety, "Father, the marriage has been granted, and the wedding will be held soon after the beginning of the year. The Si family is making a fuss, but it's useless. Everyone below is waiting for you to make a decision, and you see this..."

"What's the hurry?" Duke Dongyang glanced at him. "Is it a good reputation for brothers to fight over a wife? Even if you don't care on the surface, you must be feeling uncomfortable in your heart."

Yuan Fangtong recalled the looks of the Jiang brothers at that time. He dared not say that Jiang Lang really had no affection in his eyes. He could only nod and said, "I have asked someone to write the script and it is ready. I am waiting to send it to the teahouse and tea stall at the beginning of the year. But the prince and his men are fighting each other. Our Ping'er is still in the hands of the prince. It is too early to open a mansion! It is better to add some trouble to this marriage and delay it. At least when Ping'er is older, the marriage is settled and she leaves the palace. Wouldn't there be room for action?"

Duke Dongyang pondered for a moment, "Rumors are always small talk, don't lose sight of the main point. But marriage? You've hit the nail on the head this time. Go and secretly send a message to Minister Xiao. She has never laid an egg in her life. This widow has a hard time under the Xiao family's old hands. The illegitimate boys are all counting on her to take over. It's time to repay the kindness of sending his girl away. Let her submit a memorial at the Lantern Festival to urge Ping'er's marriage to be settled."

"This..." Yuan Fangtong still remembered that delicate girl. How could he get along with his chubby nephew who was still a child? By the time the second prince knew what marriage was and learned to appreciate the beauty of a young girl, the second Miss Si had already lost her youth and had wasted her life in vain.

"What?" Duke Dongyang raised his eyelids, a gleam of light flashing in his small eyes.

Yuan Fangtong didn't dare to say that he had taken a liking to his nephew's wife that his father had chosen, so he immediately laughed and said, "I thought it was a little early, but I didn't expect it!"

The renovated Dongyang Mansion steward entered the Xiao Mansion through the secret passage corner door. Xiao Qian listened to his words and sat in the shadows for a long time after the people left. Xiao Qigang came back from watching the lion dance outside and curiously poked her head in, "Mother? Why don't you light the lights?"

"You don't have to go with me to the Shangyuan Palace Banquet."

"That's great! I'll go play with Xiao Si! The old man and the old lady were not interesting at the palace banquet. I heard that they have prepared some delicious food. When you come back, I'll bring you a portion!" Xiao Qi didn't give her mother any time to regret and ran away happily.

Xiao Qian let out a breath and shook her head, "You are so outspoken." She knew that the emperor and the imperial concubine looked very old, but how could she get involved in the affairs of the palace?

Xiao Qi, who had planned to go out with Si Li on the Lantern Festival, ran into a wall at the door of Jian's house. Xiao Que waited for Wang Ting to pick her up, and the first thing she said when she saw Xiao Qi was, "You're late."

Jiang Hengyun, who was the first to arrive, went to meet his future great-uncle. He took Cheese's hand and got on the carriage outside the door amid the family's jokes. After the seventh day of the first lunar month, businesses began to open one after another, and paper-cutting shops and lantern shops depended on these festivals to survive. Before it got dark, the junction of South City and East City had already been hung with lanterns. Looking from afar on the carriage, the lights seemed to have formed a golden dragon.

A large circle of lanterns was set up in the distance, and laughter from scholars and girls could be heard from between the lanterns. Si Li leaned against the car window and looked for a while. Jiang Hengyun, who was sitting opposite, asked softly, "Do you want to go out and play?"

“No…” Si Li was very clear about her own literary level and waved her hand.

"Really?" Jiang Hengyun leaned forward. Si Li felt a flash of darkness before her eyes, and a mask was put on her face. She turned around and saw that Jiang Hengyun was wearing a white fox mask. She couldn't help but laugh out loud, "You know what, it suits you very well. Wait, what's mine?"

Si Li raised her hand and touched the long rabbit ears. She grabbed Jiang Hengyun's sleeve and complained, "Why am I a rabbit?"

Jiang Hengyun took her hand, his eyes soft, "This way I can carry you in my arms. Let's go and see the lanterns."

"Huh?" Before Si Li could come to her senses, she was dragged into the bright lights.

Others came to guess lantern riddles, Si Li came to find snacks. Jiang Hengyun was originally walking towards the lantern riddles, but Si Li took him to the sweet potato stall in the corner. The two grandsons guarding the stall did not do as much business as the candy figurine and candy cake stalls in front, but there were many people who came to see the excitement. When Si Li came over, he introduced in a hoarse voice, "This is sweet potato. It is fragrant and sweet when baked, and it can even ooze honey. Take a look——"

"Grandpa, give me two sweet potatoes." Si Li stopped his introduction. She didn't expect that the sweet potato trend started by Wang Laiju would finally bear fruit. Some people were willing to abandon the prejudice that they were pig food and try to take the first step. The sample recipes at the back of the textbook she wrote included roasted sweet potatoes. The stove used by the grandfather and grandson was obviously modified from another stove. The basket contained already roasted sweet potatoes. After people nodded to buy them, they put them in the stove to reheat them.

"Okay!" The old man responded and lifted the small mattress covering the basket. The young man next to him looked at Si Li puzzledly for a while and whispered, "Are you, Master Si? It was you who taught me this. I'll give you this sweet potato!" But it turned out to be a girl dressed as a man.

As the girl spoke, she took a quick glance at the young man wearing a fox mask standing next to her and guessed his identity.

Si Li was stunned for a moment, and didn't remember who she was. But it was not easy to set up a stall in this freezing weather to make money, so there was no need to take advantage of her. She deliberately lowered her voice, "What's the point of giving it as a gift? Roast it quickly, I want to take it back to the carriage to eat!"

The voices were a little different. The girl wasn't sure if she had recognized the wrong person. She apologized repeatedly and handed the sweet potato wrapped in oil paper to Si Li, "Eat slowly, be careful not to burn it!"

Si Li led Jiang Hengyun away from the crowd and took off her mask when she walked to the carriage. Just as she was about to peel the sweet potato skin, she saw a piece of yellow sweet potato flesh in front of her. "Hey, how can you peel it?"

The sweet potato flesh is not as good as the modern selected sweet potatoes, but it has its own sweetness. Si Li suppressed the smile on her lips, ate a piece, and stuffed her own portion into Jiang Hengyun's hands. Just as she was about to get on the carriage, she suddenly heard a "whoosh bang" sound, followed by a series of cannon blasts, and then fireworks filled the sky.

"Ah, fireworks!"

Jiang Hengyun held her shoulders as she stopped halfway, "This is called a perfect moon and a beautiful flowers."

The flowers are in full bloom, the moon is full, and the people are reunited, but it is such a fleeting fireworks. Si Li was stunned, and quickly got on the carriage, patting the empty seat beside him, "Come, sit here. Since we are not here to see the lights, where are you taking me?"

The carriage started moving again. Jiang Hengyun took off his mask and pursed his lips. A rare hesitation appeared on his face. "Eastern Palace." He turned his head away, leaving only his ears red. "If you don't like the furnishings inside, you can have it decorated and cleaned up earlier so that you can live more comfortably."

It was like... decorating the wedding room and meeting the emperor in advance? Si Li opened his mouth and blushed.

The Eastern Palace of Daning is located outside the inner palace of the imperial city. It is said that it should have a formal name, but the emperor removed the plaque of the palace, so it has always been called the Eastern Palace. After passing the gate of the imperial city guarded by the imperial guards, standing in front of the palaces of the Eastern Palace, the imperial city's vermilion walls are deep and majestic. Looking from afar, the Fengtian Hall, which is only opened when the court discusses important matters, is brightly lit, the Shangyuan Palace is full of music, and people are coming and going. However, no one comes to the Eastern Palace, which forms a sharp contrast with the tranquility of the Eastern Palace.

Listening to Jiang Hengyun's bland introduction, Si Li felt a little uncomfortable. The emperor brought his concubine and younger son to "reunite" with the royal family and ministers, but didn't want his eldest son. How uncomfortable Jiang Hengyun must have felt.

Feeling her holding his hand tightly, Jiang Hengyun lowered his head and leaned closer to her, "What are you thinking about?"

"Let's go, let's go look at the house!" Si Li smiled and dragged Jiang Hengyun into the house. The imperial guards and eunuchs who were accompanying them bowed their heads deeply, pretending not to notice the inappropriate intimacy between the host and hostess.

After visiting the kitchen, Si Li was quite satisfied with the size and complete kitchen equipment. She followed Jiang Hengyun all the way to the study. As soon as she opened the door, she was stunned. "A Fei?"

Jiang Rufei, who was sitting behind the desk, had a pile of memorials in her left hand and a spread of manuscripts in her right hand. There was darkness under her eyes and fatigue on her face that she couldn't hide at all. She didn't look like someone who was having fun and relaxing during the New Year, but rather like a forced office worker.

"Ali!" Jiang Rufei's eyes lit up, and she ignored Jiang Hengyun standing next to her. "Wait for me, I'm about to finish reading this book."

Life is easy because someone is carrying the burden for you. Seeing Jiang Rufei like this, we know that even if these memorials are not Jiang Hengyun's task alone, they should be the task of both of them. But Jiang Hengyun dropped the task and ran out to fall in love. Si Li was surprised and amused, and pushed Jiang Hengyun, "Why are you bullying Ah Fei like this?"

Jiang Hengyun smiled and said, "She likes this."

Jiang Rufei picked up a pen and wrote a few words on the paper, threw it on the ground, and nodded, "Yes. Ah Li, come with me." The girl's eyes were clear, and she was no longer the girl who was trapped in the past. She stood up and tried to pull Si Li, but Jiang Hengyun raised his hand to stop her, "You are so disrespectful, call me sister-in-law. I will take Li Li to see the room, you just do your job well."

"Isn't that too much?" Si Li blushed when she was called sister-in-law. When she came to her senses, she found that he had taken her out of the study again. She felt that the little girl was really pitiful.

"She studied the same books as me. My mother said that even if she wasn't cut out to be a crown prince, it would be good for her to read more books. These memorials are just child's play for her."

It is said that there is no family affection before power, but Jiang Hengyun spoke in a calm tone when talking about Chu Jun. For the first time, Si Li realized that in Jiang Hengyun's eyes, Jiang Rufei was also a possible heir. She couldn't help but look back at the study room. The door of the study room was not closed. Jiang Rufei was standing there. When she saw her turn around, she smiled.

She smiled brilliantly, but for some reason, Si Li felt a little uneasy. She tugged at Jiang Hengyun's sleeve and asked, "So, why did Ah Fei become like that before?"

Jiang Hengyun, who was holding Si Li's fingers with his backhand, froze for a moment, but the awkwardness disappeared quickly. He led Si Li forward, his voice calm and gentle, "When my mother passed away, Ah Fei was by her side. I was young and hot-tempered that year, and I must have scared her when I came down from the battlefield. Thanks to you, she got out."

At the end, he stopped, holding Si Li's hand and tightening it slightly. Under the palace wall, the handsome young man had picturesque features and focused eyes, "Thank you for coming to me, Li Li." New fireworks exploded behind him, beautiful as a dream, but also a little fragile, making people feel pity.

Si Li took a step towards him like a possessed person and hugged Jiang Hengyun, "Next year, we will watch the fireworks together again."

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The author has something to say:

Princess: When I take power, I will make my brother single first.

Queen: Education starts from childhood, for both boys and girls√

520 Spreading sugar like crazy——

It's 520, my dears! I wish you happiness if you have a partner, and I wish you happiness if you are single. Whether you are in a relationship or not, remember to love yourself~