He Youyou then asked the kitchen to prepare another portion, the same amount as last time.
The three people sat around the stove, cooking meat in the hot pot while chatting.
Zhao Changqing was no longer as prim and proper as he had been a few days ago, and he started talking much more.
"Is Young Master Zhao's illness much better?" He Youyou asked, not forgetting to inquire about his condition.
Zhao Changqing thanked her, saying, "Thank you very much, Madam Han, for the medicine. With your medicine, I was not in too much pain. I also had someone prepare the medicine for several days, and I am fine today."
"That's good. Luckily, I didn't welcome the New Year while I was sick."
At midnight, countless firecrackers were set off outside.
The new year has arrived.
Han Wenzheng was an exceptionally clever and obedient child. As soon as the time came, he immediately left his seat, knelt down in front of He Youyou with a thud, and kowtowed three times.
"I wish my mother a happy new year, and good health and longevity!"
He Youyou smiled and took out a plain brocade pouch from her sleeve, handing it to Han Zheng: "Thank you, son. I also wish you a healthy growth and that you pass the imperial examination soon!"
Currently, red is forbidden in all things in the Han family, so He Youyou naturally cannot give out red envelopes. Instead, she can only use a plain-colored brocade pouch to give Han Zhengpai New Year's money.
Han Wenzheng happily accepted it, then bowed deeply to Zhao Changqing, saying, "I wish Uncle Zhao all the best and a long and prosperous life!"
Zhao Changqing was clearly unprepared. Startled, he immediately took off his money pouch, didn't even look at the amount inside, and stuffed it into Han Wenzheng's hand, saying, "Wishing my nephew peace and good fortune, and may you achieve the highest honors in all three categories!"
Just as Zhao Changqing was about to breathe a sigh of relief after handing over the money pouch, he saw He Youyou's hand reach out again.
In his hand was yet another brocade pouch.
"Young Master Zhao, I wish you good health, peace, and joy in the new year!"
Zhao Changqing was stunned.
What does this mean?
Seeing his stunned expression, He Youyou understood that he didn't understand her meaning, and explained with a smile, "In the place where I live, all married people give red envelopes to unmarried people, which are also called 'lai see'. Young Master Zhao is not yet married, so he naturally deserves to receive one."
Zhao Changqing took the brocade pouch in a daze.
Since He Youyou said it was her local custom, he naturally couldn't refuse her.
However, this was the first time in his life he had ever received money from a woman his own age.
It's really awkward.
He quickly put the brocade pouch into his bosom and had someone fetch a bundle from his room.
The wrapping cloths were all made of exquisite brocade.
When you open it, you'll find two fur coats inside.
Zhao Changqing first picked up a light-colored mink coat, unfolded it in his hand, and showed it to He Youyou.
It was a style similar to the one he was wearing.
"I've already sent someone to find that mink coat you asked me to find for Han Wenzheng. What do you think of it? Is it to your liking?"
He Youyou took the mink coat, held it up against Han Wenzheng a couple of times, and then had him try it on.
The size and color are a perfect match, and paired with Han Wenzheng's stunningly beautiful face, it gives him an air of nobleman.
"Thank you, Uncle, thank you, Mother." Han Wenzheng was overjoyed to receive the clothes and thanked them repeatedly.
Zhao Changqing picked up another item, a beige fox fur coat.
Such a large fur coat must be made of several fox pelts pieced together.
Yet there is no unevenness in the color of the fur, which shows that the workmanship is exquisite, the materials are carefully selected, and the value is considerable.
"This is a gift I gave to Mrs. Han."
He Youyou wasn't pretentious; if she liked it, she accepted it.
He thanked her immediately, put the fur coat on, and tried it on. He was very satisfied.
After the family reunion dinner, He Youyou had the table cleared and sent Han Wenzheng back to rest.
The Han family had no relatives or friends, and no guests came to pay New Year's visits the next day, so there was no need to get up early to wait for guests.
He Youyou then told everyone to sleep a few more hours and get up at noon.
The next day at noon, Zhao Changqing woke up, opened his eyes, and lay on the bed, slowly regaining consciousness.
There was some noisy talking outside, it sounded quite lively.
He got out of bed, dressed, and went out of the room.
The courtyard was covered in a blanket of white snow.
It snowed this morning!
The snow has stopped, the sky has cleared, and no more snowflakes are falling from the sky, except for a considerable amount of snow remaining in the yard.
A group of people were gathered in the center of the courtyard.
The servants of the Han family and their own attendants were all present.
The crowd formed a circle, chattering and laughing, seemingly watching something.
Seeing him approach, Zuo Ming wisely made way for him.
"Master."
Zhao Changqing waved his hand, signaling him not to make a sound.
Then he walked into the crowd and looked into the circle along with their gazes.
The area was also covered in snow, but a small clearing had been created within it, where a pile of thatch and dry branches had been stacked.
He Youyou and Han Wenzheng were squatting on the ground.
One of them was lying down, staring motionless at the pile of thatch.
The other one is holding a piece of... ice?
The ice was polished into a circle, facing the pile of thatch and branches.
Sunlight shone through the ice shards and focused into a single point of light on the thatch.
The onlookers were tense and excited, holding their breath in suspense.
Will this work?
"The grass looks like it's changed color... Oh no... It's smoking, it's smoking!"
The flammable thatch had been scorched by the light, leaving a black spot and wisps of white smoke rising from it.
The white smoke grew thicker and thicker, and finally, flames appeared on the thatch.
Han Wenzheng is, after all, a child at heart; no matter how composed he is, he can easily get excited.
Upon seeing the flames, her little face lit up with barely suppressed excitement.
However, they dared not make any rash moves, for fear of accidentally blowing out the flame.
Everyone held their breath, watching nervously.
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