Chapter 880: New Year's Eve Arrives

Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi looked at him, amused, “Next year we’ll make more, okay?”

Chu Xuanyu nodded eagerly, then turned to Chu Qingzhi with anticipation, “Sister, can we cook more sausages for dinner tonight?”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Sure, go get them.”

“I’m on it.” Chu Xuanyu cheerfully headed to the old house to fetch the sausages and then ran to the kitchen, soaking them in water to be steamed later.

Chu Qingzhi, with a smile, turned back to the house.

…

New Year’s Eve.

Firecrackers sounded in unison, and old talismans were replaced with new.

Chu Qingzhi opened the window, took a deep breath of the outside air, and felt refreshed to her core.

Snow had fallen the night before, covering everything in a blanket of white, with a frozen expanse stretching miles around.

Shuang’er flew to the windowsill, “Qingzhi, Happy New Year’s Eve!”

Following its cue, the other parrots joined in, filling the room with lively chatter that seemed to warm the cold air.

Chu Qingzhi stroked Shuang’er’s back, “Happy New Year’s Eve to you too!”

She then proceeded to bring over a feast for the birds.

Today’s food was more abundant than usual, and the flock of parrots dived in happily, chirping, “Delicious, delicious.”

Letting them eat, Chu Qingzhi went downstairs.

Downstairs, Grandfather Chu and Chu Rong were pasting spring couplets by the main door, while Chu Xuahua and Chu Xujin were doing the same at their homes and hadn’t yet arrived.

Chu Qingneng put a red bracelet on Chu Qingzhi, “Sister, Happy New Year’s Eve.”

Chu Qingfrost, Chu Xuanyu, Chu Qingyan, and Chu Xuyao came over, “Fourth Sister, Sister Five, Happy New Year’s Eve.”

Chu Qingneng also put red bracelets on Chu Qingfrost and Chu Qingyan.

She had made these bracelets herself.

Then she took out two jade pendants tied with red tassels from her purse and put them on her two brothers, wishing them academic success.

“Thank you, Fourth Sister.”

After giving the gifts, it was Chu Qingzhi’s turn. She gave each of them a longevity lock to wear around their necks, “Looks nice.”

The four of them happily touched their longevity locks, “Thank you, Sister Five.”

Chu Qingfrost gave her two brothers a pen holder each, decorated with colorful patterns and very delicate, and gave Chu Qingyan a little girl figurine, “I made these myself.”

“Thank you, Sixth Sister.”

After expressing their thanks, the younger ones ran out to collect more gifts from their elder brothers and sisters-in-law, taking advantage of New Year’s Eve to gather as many presents as they could.

The tradition of collecting gifts on New Year’s Eve among the family’s children had begun…

“Crackle and pop—” After breakfast, the village started to sound with firecrackers, one after another, endlessly.

At home, the women were busy in the kitchen preparing a feast for the family, while the men were busy pasting couplets and setting off firecrackers in preparation for the ancestral worship, filling the air with the festive spirit.

The village children, in groups, went door to door asking for sweets. The presence of children symbolized hope and was akin to bringing blessings to the household.

Chu Junbao, the leader of the children, ran into the courtyard, shouting joyfully, “Grandfather Chu, Happy New Year’s Eve.”

Grandfather Chu came out with a tray full of treats, smiling broadly, “Take as much as you like.”

The children grabbed handfuls, with some eating while stuffing their pockets, creating a funny scene.

“Thank you, Grandfather Chu. We’re off to the next house.”

“Okay.”

In groups, the children happily moved on to Tang Jinghong’s house.

Standing by the front door, the empress pointed slightly to the left, “A little to the left.”

The emperor, trying his hand at pasting couplets for fun, couldn’t seem to get it right. He and the empress had been at it for a while now.

Tang Jinghong, having finished preparing breakfast, came to call them to eat. As for the little prince, he had already run off to Chu Qingzhi’s side, probably having eaten already, while the couple still struggled with the couplets.

“Your Majesty, shall I do it?” Tang Jinghong, seeing the emperor’s clumsy attempts, couldn’t hold back any longer.

The empress also said, “Let Brother Tang do it, otherwise we might spend the whole morning here.”

Reluctantly, the emperor stepped aside and handed the couplets to Tang Jinghong, “Yu’ni, I feel you disdain me.”

The empress looked skyward, “That must be your imagination.”

The emperor stood next to the empress, watching Tang Jinghong effortlessly paste the couplets.

The emperor, “…”

He realized being looked down upon was justified.

The empress took out another couplet, “Brother Tang, here.”

Tang Jinghong quickly got it done, “Alright, let’s have breakfast.” There was still ancestral worship preparation to do.

New Year’s Eve ancestral worship was an annual and crucial activity. After breakfast, every household in the village prepared to head to the ancestral hall.

After breakfast, Chu Qingzhi, the emperor, and the empress, along with the little prince, went to the county town to distribute New Year’s money to the poor.

As the village’s revered general, Tang Jinghong was strongly requested to participate in the ancestral worship preparations and couldn’t accompany Chu Qingzhi.

Wen Shaoyuan, now registered as a resident of Chu Village, was considered part of the village and helped Tang Jinghong with the preparations.

…

At the county government office of Shuiyun County.

When Chu Qingzhi and her party arrived, a long queue had already formed at the county office’s entrance.

The county magistrate and his officials were maintaining order.

The county magistrate hurried towards Chu Qingzhi but stopped abruptly upon seeing the emperor, becoming apprehensive and hesitant to speak.

With the emperor’s identity still a secret, the county magistrate merely bowed without kneeling, heightening the tension.

Chu Qingzhi suggested, “Magistrate, let’s distribute the silver directly. With the silver, everyone can head home early to prepare for New Year’s Eve.”

The magistrate nodded and signaled the officials, “Quick, form three lines and start distributing the silver.”

“Right away, sir.”

Everyone was eager to return home for the holiday, and the process was swift. The officials verified each person’s household registration and recommendation letters. Once confirmed, the silver was handed out promptly.

The distribution outside the county office proceeded orderly.

Bystanders watched in awe.

“I’ve never seen silver being distributed like this before.”

“Me neither. Probably only in Shuiyun County could this happen. I can’t even imagine it elsewhere.”

“It’s not every place that has a Chu Qingzhi. We’re lucky to witness such a rare scene.”

“…”

The people’s discussions reached the emperor’s ears. In the half month he’d spent in Shuiyun County, almost every outing had him overhearing praises for Chu Qingzhi. He had read many historical records, but none mentioned a person like her.

He glanced at Chu Qingzhi, the strikingly beautiful girl who seemed to radiate light among the crowd, as if it wasn’t surprising for extraordinary things to happen around her.

An old man in ragged clothes, leaning on a walking stick, approached anxiously, “Are there any silver left? Can I receive some too?”

The crowd parted to let him through…