"What did you send? Why are you being so mysterious?" Yuan Yao looked at Xie Zhi curiously, then looked towards the door.
Xie Zhi clapped his hands: "Come in."
Two guards pushed the door of Si Shi Chun wide open, and several people carried a heavy object, moving it with great effort.
"This is……"
Yuan Yao's eyes widened.
Then, a jade Pixiu, about the same height as her, tied with a festive red silk ribbon, was carried into the room.
The Pixiu was carved so lifelike that the jade around its eyes was faintly red, giving it a finishing touch effect.
Yuan Yao didn't know anything about antiques or collectibles; she just thought this Pixiu looked pretty good!
The key point is, it's big!
Pixiu, a mythical creature that only takes in but never gives out, symbolizes warding off evil spirits, protecting the home, and attracting wealth...
In short, it's a good product!
Yuan Yao said happily, "Thank you, Zhi. I really like the gift you gave me. Thank you! But... isn't it very expensive?"
It's such a big piece, after all!
Xie Zhi laughed heartily: "This ornament was a gift from a relative who is in the jade business. Although it is worth some money, it is not too rare. My family doesn't need it, so it's perfect to give it to you for good luck!"
Yuan Yao thanked them again and happily directed the people to hang the painting Lin Xuan had given them in a prominent place in the main hall, and to carry the Pixiu up to the third floor to ward off evil spirits!
After the two gifts were arranged, Manager Bai came to find them and said that the auspicious time had arrived.
The three children went downstairs together.
The sky was already bright, and the long street of Jinzun was shrouded in mist.
Breakfast stalls have already been set up on the street.
The streets gradually came alive with people.
Springtime all year round, the lights are still on.
A lion dance troupe, carrying their equipment and musical instruments, is conducting a pre-performance check.
Outside the lobby, many people stopped what they were doing and excitedly squeezed out to watch the firecrackers and lion dance.
Inside the lobby, a group of waiters were placing freshly made milk cakes, hot milk, and other treats on the tables...
As soon as Yuan Yao reached the door, Manager Bai said with a smile, "Princess, it's time to light the firecrackers."
Light firecrackers?
"That's not a good idea," Xie Zhi said. "Xiao Yao'er is so young. What if the firecrackers hurt her? Let me handle this!"
“Let me do it,” Lin Xuan stepped forward.
Seeing this, Yuan Yao chuckled and said, "Xie Zhi, Lin Xuan, why don't you two each order one side?"
"Is it okay?" Xie Zhi turned to look at her.
"Of course!" Yuan Yao said with a smile, "You guys order for me!"
So, one of the men lit two incense sticks, one for Xie Zhi and one for Lin Xuan.
The two men, holding incense sticks, lit firecrackers together amidst the anticipation of the crowd.
Upon seeing the fuse lit, Yuan Yao's sweet little voice soared to a high pitch as she exclaimed joyfully, "It's on fire! It's on fire! Run!"
Danqing was both amused and exasperated, and reached out to cover her ears: "Princess, the sound is loud, don't be frightened."
"It's okay, I'm not afraid." Yuan Yao smiled brightly.
At this moment, Xie Zhi and Lin Xuan lifted their feet and ran to the center of the street, laughing as they ran.
Seeing this, the others also started to laugh.
The crisp crackling of firecrackers broke the silence of Jinzun Street.
Many passersby stopped and looked in this direction.
Amidst the thick smoke of firecrackers, sparks flew everywhere, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Accompanied by the crisp sound of gongs and drums, the lion dance troupe began to perform the lion dance.
Yuan Yao squinted as she watched, and then led the applause.
The scene was quite lively.
Yuan Yao thought excitedly: Finally, the business is open! She will work hard to make money and build her career!
Springtime all year round, third floor.
The Ninth Prince, wearing a thin outer robe, gently pushed open the window with his long, slender hands.
A very faint smell of gunpowder wafted through the air.
The morning breeze was a bit chilly.
He felt no cold at all; instead, the firelight reflected in his eyes made him appear even more gentle.
He stretched out his hand, facing the direction of the rising sun: "Do you see? I've taken excellent care of her..."
After the firecrackers are set off and the lion dance is finished, the sun will soon rise.
Manager Bai said warmly, "Everyone, you've all worked hard. Please come into the lobby and have some breakfast to share in the festive atmosphere."
Yuan Yao happily said, "Come in and sit down, everyone."
She turned to Xie Zhi and Lin Xuan: "Shall we go to the private room upstairs?"
Xie Zhi glanced at the bustling hall and waved his hand, saying, "In my opinion, eating here is just fine; there's no need to go to any private room!"
He grew up in the military camp, where he ate and lived with the soldiers, so he wasn't too particular about such things.
Lin Xuan, on the other hand, was the one who was spoiled in the Marquis of Dingjun's mansion.
He frowned as he looked at the chaotic lobby.
Suddenly, Xie Zhi grabbed his shoulder: "Young Master Lin, come on, come eat with me over there!"
After he finished speaking, he was already being led to an empty table.
Yuan Yao stood behind her, her eyes crinkling with laughter.
At this moment, Danqing quietly came up behind her: "Princess, His Highness has woken up."
"Really?" Yuan Yao's smile widened. "Let's go, I'll go have breakfast with Father!"
Danqing summoned two palace maids, who brought several exquisite and delicious desserts and two bowls of milk, and went up to the third floor.
As soon as Yuan Yao entered, she saw the Ninth Prince lounging lazily on a soft chair by the bed, holding a scroll in his hand.
The orange morning light shone through the round, carved window, illuminating his flawless, white face.
Her long, flowing hair and red outer garment were gilded, making her radiant and otherworldly.
This scene... is as beautiful as a painting!
Yuan Yao wiped his chin, removing non-existent drool, and said, "Father, why don't you sleep a little longer?"
The Ninth Prince looked up and asked with a smile, "Finished with your work?"
"No!" Yuan Yao walked up to the Ninth Prince and said to the outside, "Bring in a basin of clean water."
Danqing arranged breakfast on the side, while two palace maids brought water and tea for rinsing the mouth, serving the Ninth Prince his washing up.
After he finished washing up, Yuan Yao asked, "Father, is it alright to have dessert and milk for breakfast?"
She already had a soft, childlike voice, and she deliberately softened her voice even more, speaking in a coaxing tone.
The Ninth Prince was very receptive to this and nodded, "Mm."
Yuan Yao happily took his hand and walked to the table: "There are sweet ones, salty ones, and sweet and salty ones. Daddy, try them all..."
Before she could finish speaking, a delicate sweet cake was stuffed into her mouth.
The Ninth Prince smiled and asked, "Is it sweet?"
Yuan Yao opened her eyes wide and nodded: "Sweet..."
She was the one feeding the animals, so how come she was the one being fed in the blink of an eye?
The smile on the lips of the Ninth Prince widened: "My little dumpling is growing, she can't go hungry. Sit down obediently and eat properly."
Yuan Yao had no choice but to obediently sit down and eat.
She sampled a little of each dessert and drank a cup of hot milk.
After eating and drinking her fill, Yuan Yao patted her tummy and leaned lazily against the soft chair.
The Ninth Prince finished his hot milk, rinsed his mouth, and said with a warm look in his eyes, "I need to return to the palace. Once you've finished your work here, go back to the palace as soon as possible, understand?"
"Okay!" Yuan Yao nodded obediently.
The Ninth Prince stood up and reached out to pat her head: "Good girl."
The old man left through the back door.
Daylight broke and the sun rose high in the sky.
Even in the heart of spring, the hustle and bustle has not yet subsided.
As soon as the Ninth Prince's carriage left, another carriage circled around Four Seasons Spring and stopped in the empty spot.
Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, a figure jumped down.
He straightened his clothes and looked at Si Shi Chun: "Oh no! I'm too late. I'll probably only be able to drink the dishwater..."
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