Chapter 41 New Year's Eve
When news of Lou Shang's severe punishment spread, officials who had once relied on the Shang Prince's Mansion felt insecure and turned to seek new patrons, making the Fifth Prince's Mansion bustling with visitors.
However, after this incident, the emperor seemed even more disgusted with the infighting among the princes, and a delicate calm was maintained in the court.
The Prince Jin's mansion remained deserted, with no outsiders disturbing it except for the New Year's supplies and medicines bestowed by the emperor.
This was exactly what Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang wanted.
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the sky cleared up, and the snow sparkled in the sunlight.
Ye Xunyang enthusiastically pulled Lou Jin to paste paper-cut window decorations and hang lanterns in the courtyard.
These trivial matters could have been done by servants, but Ye Xunyang insisted on arranging them himself, so Lou Jin let him do as he pleased, sitting on the veranda watching him busy in the courtyard.
"Your Highness, do you think this 'Fu' character is pasted right here?" Ye Xunyang asked, standing on a stool and holding up a large red paper-cut.
"Move a little more to the left," he instructed gently.
Ye Xunyang adjusted the position and carefully pasted the "Fu" character.
He jumped off the stool, ran to Lou Jin, and looked at him: "How is it?"
"Very good." Lou Jin's gaze shifted from Fu to his flushed cheeks, and he raised his hand to brush away a bit of snow from the end of his hair.
"Thanks a lot."
"What's so hard about it? It's Chinese New Year, so we should act like it's Chinese New Year!"
The red "福" (good fortune) characters and couplets looked particularly vibrant in the winter sun, adding a touch of warmth to the solemn palace.
He suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to look at Lou Jin: "By the way, Your Highness, will it just be the two of us spending New Year's Eve in the palace this year?"
According to custom, members of the royal family are required to attend a palace banquet on New Year's Eve, but Lou Jin is seriously ill, and the emperor issued an edict yesterday granting him special permission to be exempt from attending.
Lou Jin grasped his slightly cool hand, wrapping his reddened fingertips in his warm palm: "Yes, it'll just be the two of us at the Prince's Mansion. If you want to see your family, you can have them come to the Prince's Mansion to celebrate the New Year together."
Ye Xunyang tilted his head and thought for a moment: "Let's just the two of us. My parents seem to have to go to the palace for a banquet, and my older brother is probably still at the camp in the suburbs of Beijing."
"We don't know if Second Brother can make it back before the New Year. If he can, then let him come to our mansion."
"Okay, whatever you say." Lou Jin gently stroked the back of his hand with his thumb, his voice gentle.
"I've already asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite snacks. How about we make dumplings together on New Year's Eve?"
"Okay, then I'll put a copper coin inside and see who can find it."
"As you wish." Lou Jin looked at his excited expression, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes.
The thin winter sunlight streamed through the window, casting interlaced shadows on their clasped hands.
On New Year's Eve, although the Prince Jin's mansion was not as crowded and lively as other mansions, it was still decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and filled with a warm New Year's atmosphere.
In the main courtyard's flower hall, the charcoal fire burned brightly, dispelling the chill of the winter night.
The table was laden with exquisite dishes. Though not extravagant, each dish was to Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang's liking. In the center sat a steaming hot pot, its aroma filling the air.
Unfortunately, Ye Xunyang's second brother, Ye Xunqin, sent back a letter this morning saying that he had gotten into some trouble and would probably not be able to return on New Year's Eve, and would probably have to come back two days later.
So this was the first time he hadn't spent the New Year with his family, and also the first time he had spent it with Lou Jin. The two of them had changed out of their elaborate formal attire and were wearing comfortable casual clothes, sitting around the table.
Ye Xunyang picked up a piece of steamed sea bass, Lou Jin's favorite dish, and then scooped up a meatball for himself.
Lou Jin watched him eat without any regard for his image, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. He picked up the serving chopsticks and put some vegetables on his plate: "Eat slowly, don't just focus on the meat."
"Mmm, it's delicious." Ye Xunyang swallowed what was in his mouth and picked up his wine glass.
"Your Highness, I raise a toast to you! Wishing you good health and all the best in the new year!"
"I wish us continued happiness."
Lou Jin's heart stirred. He picked up the wine glass in front of him and gently clinked glasses with the other man's, his voice low and solemn: "Good, always good."
The two exchanged a smile and drank their wine.
After dinner, the servants cleared away the leftovers and served fruits, snacks, and freshly brewed hot tea.
The faint sounds of children playing in the streets and alleys and sporadic firecrackers coming from outside the window only accentuated the tranquility and peace inside the mansion.
Ye Xunyang leaned back on the soft couch, looking at the dark night sky outside the window, and suddenly said, "Your Highness, when spring comes, shall we go out for a spring outing? Let's go to the Peach Blossom Valley on the outskirts of the capital. I heard it's very beautiful when the flowers are in bloom."
“Okay.” Lou Jin sat down next to him, picked up an orange, and slowly peeled it.
"Wherever you wish to go, I will accompany you."
Ye Xunyang felt a sweet warmth in his heart and leaned over to eat a segment of orange from Lou Jin's hand.
As midnight approached, the city resounded with the continuous sound of firecrackers, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.
Ye Xunyang jumped up, pulled Lou Jin to the window, and watched the occasional brilliant fireworks exploding in the night sky.
"Your Highness, Happy New Year!" Ye Xunyang turned around and said loudly, with a bright smile.
Lou Jin reached out and gently embraced Ye Xunyang.
Happy New Year, Xunyang.
He whispered in his ear, and then a gentle yet firm kiss landed on Ye Xunyang's forehead.
This kiss, devoid of lust, was filled with tenderness and promise.
Ye Xunyang was stunned at first, then his whole face turned red and his heart pounded. Instead of dodging, he reached out and hugged Lou Jin's waist, burying his face in his chest.
"Xunyang, this is the best New Year I've had in all these years. Thank you."
For Lou Jin, this New Year meant he didn't have to deal with people with ulterior motives, didn't have to say much, and had someone he was mutually in love with by his side.
"Your Highness, I will accompany you every year from now on."
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