On the first day of the Lunar New Year, just as dawn was breaking, the entire Xin family was already busy. Xin Jiuwei was awakened by the sound of firecrackers outside the window. When she opened her eyes, she saw Xin Kui quietly adding charcoal to the fire inside the house.
"Miss is awake?" Xin Kui saw her get up and hurried over to serve her. "Happy New Year! The snow has stopped outside, and the sun is shining brightly."
Xin Jiuwei got out of bed, put on her coat, and opened the window. A gust of crisp, clean air rushed in. The servants had cleared a path through the snow in the courtyard, and several of her younger cousins were setting off firecrackers in the open space, their laughter echoing in the distance.
"Is Father awake?"
"Master got up early this morning and is talking with the old master in the front hall," Xin Kui said while combing her hair. "Young Master Xiao is also up and is sparring with you in the courtyard."
Upon hearing this, Xin Jiuwei immediately perked up: "Brother is challenging Xiao Xun to another match? Isn't that just asking for trouble?"
Xin Kui smiled and said, "Young Master's swordsmanship has improved considerably recently, and he said he wanted to show it to Young Master Xiao."
After washing up, Xin Jiuwei specially chose a brand-new peach-colored jacket and skirt, and put on the plum blossom hairpin given to her by Xiao Xun. Just as she stepped out of the room, a maidservant rushed over: "Miss, Master wants you to go to the front hall to offer New Year's greetings."
In the front hall, Xin's father and maternal grandfather sat at the head of the table, while Xiao Xun and Xin Yunzhou waited beside them, their foreheads still damp with the light sweat from their sword practice. Xin Jiuwei stepped forward and respectfully kowtowed to her elders to offer her New Year's greetings: "Wishing Father and Grandfather a Happy New Year, and good health and longevity!"
"Alright, alright, get up quickly." Father Xin smiled and handed over a thick red envelope. "May my son have a peaceful and prosperous new year."
My maternal grandfather also gave me a red envelope, and then took out an antique jade pendant: "This was worn by your mother when she was little, and now it's being passed down to you."
Xin Jiuwei took the jade pendant; it was warm and smooth to the touch, and exquisitely carved with lotus patterns. She carefully tied it around her waist, a warm feeling welling up inside her. Most of her mother's belongings from her previous life had been lost; to have them again now felt like a lifetime ago.
After exchanging New Year's greetings, the family enjoyed a lively breakfast. According to custom, people don't go out on the first day of the Lunar New Year, so everyone stayed home to have fun. Xin Yunzhou played chess with Xiao Xun, while Xin Jiuwei and Xin Xiyao played cards with their maternal grandmother and aunts. The younger generation built snowmen and set off firecrackers in the courtyard, their laughter filling the air.
In the afternoon, Xin Jiuwei quietly slipped into the backyard and found Xiao Xun standing alone under the plum tree, deep in thought. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on his handsome profile.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked softly.
Xiao Xun turned around, his eyes immediately filling with a smile: "I was thinking about what the capital looks like right now." He reached out and brushed away non-existent snowflakes from her shoulder. "Every year at this time, the palace holds a banquet; it's very lively."
"Are you homesick?" Xin Jiuwei keenly sensed a hint of melancholy in his tone.
Xiao Xun shook his head: "Home is where you are." He paused, "It's just... Father is getting old, and as his son, I feel a little guilty that I can't be by his side for the New Year."
Xin Jiuwei gently took his hand: "I'll accompany you back to the capital in the spring to see His Majesty."
A flicker of emotion crossed Xiao Xun's eyes. Just as she was about to say something, Xin Yunzhou's voice suddenly rang out from afar: "Sister! Xiao Xun! Come quick, Grandfather is about to give out New Year's money!"
The two smiled at each other and walked hand in hand towards the main hall. In the sunlight, their shadows overlapped, creating a harmonious scene.
Before they knew it, it was the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Yingzhou City holds a grand lantern festival every year, and this year it was especially grand. Before it got dark, the Xin family set off in their carriage.
Xin Jiuwei and Xin Xiyao rode together in a carriage, both sisters dressed up carefully. Xin Jiuwei wore an apricot-yellow jacket and skirt, with the plum blossom hairpin in her hair and the jade pendant given to her by Xiao Xun tied at her waist; Xin Xiyao wore a light purple outfit, appearing gentle and elegant.
"Sister looks so beautiful today," Xin Jiuwei exclaimed sincerely.
Xin Xiyao smiled and said, "It's you, little sister. Young Master Xiao's eyes are practically glued to you."
"Sister!" Xin Jiuwei blushed instantly.
The carriage stopped in the city center, and the sight before them astonished everyone. The entire main street was adorned with all sorts of lanterns: lifelike dragon and phoenix lanterns, exquisite palace lanterns, and adorable animal lanterns, illuminating the night as if it were daytime. The street was bustling with people, filled with laughter and chatter, and the cries of vendors rose and fell.
"How lively!" The little cousins clapped their hands excitedly.
My grandfather stroked his beard and chuckled, "Let's split up and explore. Young people, go and have your own fun, don't be shy. We'll meet at the city gate at midnight to watch the fireworks together."
Mr. Xin nodded in agreement, gave a few words of advice on safety, and then helped his grandmother walk slowly ahead. Xin Jiuwei naturally accompanied Xiao Xun, while Xin Yunzhou mustered his courage and took the initiative to invite Xin Kui to enjoy the lanterns together, which caused his younger cousins to cheer.
The most lively part of the lantern festival was undoubtedly the riddle-guessing area. Hundreds of lanterns displayed riddles, and those who guessed correctly received a prize. Xin Jiuwei and Xiao Xun strolled among them, occasionally stopping to try and solve one or two.
"'A pair of bright moons, whole and complete, fall to the foot of the mountain, shattered into pieces,' what Chinese character is that?" Xin Jiuwei read out the riddle, frowning in thought.
Xiao Xun pondered for a moment: "But is it the character '崩' (bēng)?"
"Young master, you guessed correctly!" The lantern vendor smiled and handed him a rabbit lantern. "This is the prize."
Xiao Xun handed the lamp to Xin Jiuwei: "This is for you."
Xin Jiuwei took it, her eyes sparkling with joy: "I didn't expect you to be so good at riddles."
"When I was a child in the palace, I often had competitions with my brothers during the Lantern Festival." A hint of nostalgia flashed in Xiao Xun's eyes. "Back then..."
Before he could finish speaking, a commotion arose from the side. Several richly dressed servants pushed through the crowd, escorting a beautifully dressed young woman—it was Xue Yingxue. She was dressed exceptionally elaborately today, in a bright red dress with gold brocade, her hair adorned with swaying jewels, clearly intending to steal the spotlight at the Lantern Festival.
"Tsk, what bad luck." Xin Jiuwei muttered under her breath, pulling Xiao Xun away as she tried to avoid him.
However, Xue Yingxue had already spotted them, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes. She deliberately raised her voice, "Oh, isn't this Miss Xin the Second? What, His Highness the Sixth Prince brought you to a place like this to admire the lanterns?"
Xiao Xun's face darkened, and he was about to speak when Xin Jiuwei gently pressed his hand down, saying calmly, "Miss Xue, you are mistaken. The Lantern Festival is a grand event for the common people, and it is precisely because the royal family shares the joy with the people that they are showing consideration for their welfare. Does the Prince of Ruyang's mansion think that sharing the joy with the common people is a shameful thing?"
These words, though seemingly polite, were actually barbed. Upon hearing them, the surrounding people immediately looked at Xue Yingxue with displeasure. Xue Yingxue's expression changed, and she hurriedly protested, "I...I didn't mean that!"
"What does Miss Xue mean by that?" Xin Jiuwei persisted. "Does she perhaps think that only a private banquet at the Prince of Ruyang's residence is worthy of your status?"
A few snickers came from the crowd. Xue Yingxue was embarrassed and saw that Xiao Xun was watching coldly without offering any help. She could only glare at Xin Jiuwei resentfully and leave with her servants in a sorry state.
"That's satisfying." Xiao Xun chuckled. "Wei'er's tongue is getting more and more sharp."
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