Chapter 368 Peace and Safety Every Year (2400 words)
After Xiao Mo transcended his tribulation and entered the Nascent Soul stage, the King of Qin sent congratulatory gifts.
In addition, many court officials took this opportunity to give gifts, hoping to build a good relationship with Xiao Mo.
After all, Xiao Mo is currently at the height of his power, and it's practically a certainty that he will take control of the Northern Wilderness in the future. No one wouldn't want to curry favor with Xiao Mo.
However, apart from the congratulatory gift from the King of Qin, Xiao Mo rejected all other congratulatory gifts.
Several days passed, and New Year's Eve arrived.
Every household is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, and putting up new Spring Festival couplets and door gods.
Whether in the Qin state or other states, the door gods were all the same man.
Legend has it that this man was the first human sword immortal during the ancient god era, and also the leader of the human race, who led the human race to create the world and overthrow the rule of the gods.
However, because the time period is too far away, no portrait of this human ancestor has been passed down. Later generations can only rely on some legendary descriptions and use their imagination to depict him.
This resulted in the fact that although the same person was posted on the doors of various countries, they all looked quite different.
Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao also put up Spring Festival couplets and door gods.
However, the Frost King's Mansion was too large, so Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao only posted the gate of the Frost King's Mansion and their two courtyards together.
As for the other courtyards, those were naturally left to the maids to manage.
After putting up the Spring Festival couplets and door gods at the Frost Prince's Mansion, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao arrived at the Xiao Prince's Mansion immediately.
"Mom, Aunt Cui, we're here."
Outside the courtyard, Qin Siyao happily called out while carrying New Year's gifts.
Why is Siyao here?
Zhou Ruoxi happily stepped forward to greet them, and Cui Cui also quickly took the New Year's gifts from Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao and placed them on the stone table.
Zhou Ruoxi knew that Mo'er would definitely come to spend the New Year with her, but she didn't expect that Siyao would come as well. She thought that Siyao would go back to the palace to be with her father and mother.
"Of course Siyao is here to celebrate the New Year with her mother," Qin Siyao said sweetly, holding her mother-in-law's hand.
“But what about His Majesty?” Zhou Ruoxi said tactfully.
"It's alright, Mother. Although Siyao isn't officially married yet, she's already considered a member of the Xiao family. Besides, my father has two older brothers who are with her, so it won't matter if I'm not there. Not to mention, my mother has already agreed."
As she spoke, Qin Siyao feigned pitifulness and said in a hesitant tone.
"Could it be that Mother doesn't welcome Siyao?"
"You silly girl, what are you saying? I'm overjoyed." Zhou Ruoxi tapped Qin Siyao's forehead, knowing that Siyao was just being coquettish. "Wait a minute, I'll cook your favorite crescent-shaped pork."
"Thank you, Mother. You're the best!" Qin Siyao happily hugged Zhou Ruoxi's arm and nuzzled her head against her.
"Alright, come and put up the Spring Festival couplets now, it's past noon."
Xiao Mo, who was not far away, called out to Qin Siyao with a smile.
"Coming, coming," Qin Siyao replied. "Mom, we'll go put up the Spring Festival couplets for you, and we'll make sure they're neat and tidy."
"Go on, go on." Zhou Ruoxi patted Qin Siyao's little hand.
Qin Siyao picked up the Spring Festival couplets on the table and happily jumped to Xiao Mo's side.
Xiao Mo didn't use magic. Instead, he climbed up a ladder like an ordinary person and pasted the Spring Festival couplets on both sides of the courtyard.
The first and second lines were written by Xiao Mo, while the horizontal line was written by Qin Siyao.
Although their handwriting is slightly inferior to that of the great calligraphers, it is still quite beautiful.
Watching the two of them put up Spring Festival couplets, Zhou Ruoxi's lips curled up slightly, feeling that these days of happiness were almost unreal.
After putting up the Spring Festival couplets, Qin Siyao also went to the kitchen to help Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.
As if knowing how "skilled" she was, Qin Siyao didn't cook today, but instead assisted from the side.
As for Xiao Mo, he sat on the stone table in the courtyard carving a magic array so that the food would stay warm when it was served.
It wasn't until evening, when the last dish was brought out of the kitchen, that Xiao Mo coiled the firecrackers around the bamboo pole outside the courtyard gate.
"Let me order, let me order."
Qin Siyao held the incense sticks, eager to light the firecrackers.
But whenever Qin Siyao touched the loose end of a firecracker fuse, she would shrink back in fear.
"If Madam isn't up to it, then I'll take over," Xiao Mo said with a smile.
"Of course I can!" Qin Siyao pouted, her eyes darting around. "Hey? I've got it! Husband, come here!"
Without waiting for Xiao Mo to refuse, Qin Siyao pulled Xiao Mo over.
Qin Siyao held Xiao Mo's hand with one hand and held incense sticks in the other, slowly reaching forward.
The moment Qin Siyao lit the firecracker fuse, she turned around like a kitten and suddenly pounced into Xiao Mo's arms.
Xiao Mo understood immediately, and helplessly picked her up and ran into the courtyard. A series of crackling sounds followed behind him.
As the final explosion rang out, Xiao Mo and the others sat down around the stone table.
"In the new year, Siyao and her husband wish their mother a long and healthy life, and wish Aunt Cui to become more and more beautiful."
"Thank you, Mo'er and Siyao."
"Thank you, young master and princess."
Zhou Ruoxi raised her glass: "We also wish Mo'er and Siyao a long and happy life together, a lifelong bond, and peace every year."
"cheers!"
As words of blessing drifted through the courtyard, Qin Siyao happily stood up, and the group clinked their glasses together.
After finishing our New Year's Eve dinner, it was already dark.
The capital of Qin was bustling with activity once again.
There was a custom in the Qin state.
That is, a lantern festival will be held on New Year's Eve.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, every household will go to the town to stay up all night and welcome the arrival of the New Year together.
Xiao Mo's family was no exception.
Xiao Mo and his three companions walked out of the courtyard and onto the streets of the capital, where the streets were already packed with people and bustling with activity.
The long street was bathed in a warm yellow light from various lanterns.
Under the eaves and on the treetops, round silk lanterns are hung, with the character "福" (fortune) neatly written on them or simple flowers and birds painted on them.
Red curtains hung in a continuous line in front of each shop, swaying gently in the wind.
The sounds of laughter, children playing, and the faint distant drumbeats blended together with the vendors' clear shouts, creating a harmonious yet not noisy atmosphere.
The air was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries, mixed with the caramelized scent of roasted chestnuts, which wafted into people's noses.
Standing in the center of the arched bridge and looking down, the river surface is covered with twinkling lights.
People squatted by the stone steps, carefully placing their lotus lanterns into the water. The lanterns drifted slowly downstream, gradually forming a band of light that flickered in and out, reflecting the sparse stars in the sky.
Qin Siyao took her mother-in-law's arm, leaned slightly towards her ear, and whispered something while pointing to the new things on the street.
Zhou Ruoxi's eyes relaxed, appearing exceptionally soft in the lantern light.
They stopped in front of a stall selling velvet flowers. Qin Siyao picked up a light pink one, turned to her mother-in-law with a smile, and showed it to her.
Cui Cui stood with her hands in front of her, following beside her mistress and young lady.
As for Xiao Mo, he walked a little further back, looking at his mother who gave birth to him and raised him, his beloved wife, and Aunt Cui, who had accompanied him as he grew up and was no longer a servant.
Just past midnight, the sound of bells rang out, echoing throughout the entire capital.
"Whoosh~"
"Whoosh~"
"Whoosh~"
Immediately afterwards, fireworks soared into the sky, like flowers blooming in the night.
The sound of bells and fireworks signify that the new year has arrived.
"Husband, come here quickly, come here quickly, fireworks are on!" Qin Siyao turned around and waved her slender hand at Xiao Mo.
"Young master, come quickly! I've saved you a good spot," Cui Cui called out.
"Mo'er." Even her mother, who usually disliked crowds, called out softly.
"They're here."
Xiao Mo smiled slightly and walked forward.
More and more fireworks filled the night sky, slanting and sparsely cutting across the heavens.
Like silvery chrysanthemums, their delicate strands droop down. Before they have all faded, crimson hydrangeas burst forth beside them, blooming in clusters.
The lights flickered and fell, like countless warm raindrops, until only a few wisps of smoke remained, softly entwining the crescent moon.
It's as if tonight, all colors have melted into this ink.
new year.
hapiness.
(End of this chapter)
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