You Yuji’s lips curved slightly. She leaned forward, picked up the teapot on the table, and personally poured a cup of hot tea, smiling as she handed it to Si Que.
“Here, drink this.”
Si Que took it, gently rotating the teacup with his long fingers before taking a sip. It was the tea he drank daily, neither particularly good nor bad.
“Wow, this is my first time eating a whole roasted lamb. The roasted lamb I had before was always cut into small pieces,” Cuiyu stared eagerly at the roasted lamb on the rack for a long while before turning to ask You Yuji, “Sister, when can we eat it?”
You Yuji explained softly, “This whole roasted lamb needs to roast for nearly two hours to achieve the perfect flavor. It has been roasting in the backyard since the afternoon. Judging by the golden, crispy, and oily skin, it should be just about ready.”
Zhenxu walked over with a small knife and a white plate, cut off a piece to taste, and nodded, “The texture is tender and well-cooked, it’s ready!”
Zhenxu immediately attended to the maids, taking the roasted lamb off the fire and placing it on a large wooden platter. Then, she took a bright red silk ribbon from Baohe and tied it around the lamb’s horns.
Cuiyu’s eyes didn’t blink as she watched the ten maids carry the roasted lamb on the wooden platter and place it on the dining table. Zhenxu, holding a knife, skillfully peeled off the crispy, tender skin, slicing the glossy, oily lamb skin into neat, thick pieces. Then, she moved on to the lamb meat and bones.
The maids served the plates of sliced roasted lamb one by one to the main guests.
Cuiyu lowered her head, sniffing the fragrant, oily roasted lamb. She listened to Zhenxu’s swift chopping of the lamb bones, laughing as she praised, “Wow, I didn’t know you had such impressive knife skills!”
By nature, even her compliments had a hint of sarcasm in the tone.
Zhenxu smiled shyly and said, “Aunt Cui, you’re too kind. Everyone in my hometown can do this. It’s as simple as cooking rice.”
Cooking rice isn’t easy either. Cuiyu wanted to say she couldn’t even cook rice. But she had no time for idle talk, eagerly stuffing a large piece of roasted lamb into her mouth, almost fainting from the delicious taste.
“So fragrant!”
Hongzan watched her carefree behavior without any regard for her status, feeling a bit envious. Whether serving as a maid by Fang Qingyi’s side in the past or now being half a master, she was always on edge, afraid of offending any noble person by mistake.
Seeing Cuiyu enjoying her meal so much, Hongzan still hesitated to eat until she saw You Yuji take a lotus cake and start eating. Only then did she lower her head and begin eating the roasted lamb.
Yes, it was delicious!
You Yuji instructed, “You don’t all need to stay and serve tonight, go and eat.”
You Yuji had arranged for two lambs to be roasted, one of which was for the servants who couldn’t go home for the New Year’s Eve. Hearing her words, the servants happily ran to the other side of the yard to eat together.
Not only the roasted lamb, but all the dishes tonight had been prepared in duplicate, so the servants’ table had the same food as the main table.
You Yuji only took a few bites before stopping. She had eaten this often back in her homeland and didn’t find it particularly special. She then picked up the silver chopsticks to eat other dishes.
Si Que also didn’t like the greasy roasted lamb much, especially without any wine to accompany it, which made it even less appealing.
Cuiyu ate until she could hardly sit up straight, leaning back and even burping without any grace. Hongzan looked over in surprise, and although Cuiyu felt a bit embarrassed, she didn’t show it, confidently meeting Hongzan’s gaze.
Hongzan awkwardly looked away.
“Sister, I’m going to set off fireworks!” Cuiyu stood up. She had indeed eaten too much and needed to walk around to digest.
“Go ahead,” You Yuji nodded with a smile.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable sitting there, Hongzan followed Cuiyu. Cuiyu called a few maids to join her in setting off fireworks.
The crackling of fireworks and the laughter of the girls filled the entire garden.
You Yuji listened to the laughter around her, slightly tilting her head to watch the fireworks blooming in the night sky.
The fireworks were beautiful, but a hint of sorrow and loneliness crept into her eyes. The brilliance of the fireworks reflected on her fair face, her gaze drifting far away.
Si Que watched her profile for a long time before speaking, “You don’t seem very happy.”
You Yuji, still gazing at the fireworks in the sky, took a large gulp of wine before saying, “This is the first time in my life that I’m spending New Year’s Eve without my family.”
“Ha, nonsense.”
You Yuji heard Si Que chuckle.
“Aren’t I sitting right next to you?”
You Yuji’s eyes slightly widened in surprise as she turned to look at him.
His face was hidden in the night. Her eyes, accustomed to the bright fireworks, couldn’t quite adjust to the darkness around him. His pale face was indistinct, but the light in his eyes was more dazzling than the fireworks.
Si Que used the fireworks as a light, illuminating You Yuji’s face and catching the subtle emotions in her eyes. His gaze moved down to her red lips, which were slightly moist from the wine, making them appear even more alluring.
Fixing his eyes on You Yuji’s slightly wet lips, Si Que asked, “Was the wine good?”
You Yuji was still thinking about what he had just said. She came back to her senses and handed him the wine pouch from the book, saying, “I drank a lot, only a little is left. Since it’s the New Year, drinking a bit less won’t hurt.”
Si Que grasped You Yuji’s wrist as she handed him the wine pouch, but he didn’t take it. Holding her hand, he placed the wine pouch on the table, then used his other hand to press on the back of her neck, pulling her closer. He leaned in as well.
“Let me taste it.”
To You Yuji’s astonishment, he placed his lips on hers, which were still moist from the wine, and gently moved them. The warmth of the wine mingled with the coolness of his lips.
“Sister, look at this…” Cuiyu turned around, holding two fireworks sticks, smiling, but her eyes widened in shock, her eyeballs almost popping out. The two sparking fireworks sticks in her hands fell to the ground.
You Yuji heard Cuiyu’s voice and guessed that others in the courtyard might see this scene. She raised her hand and firmly grasped Si Que’s wrist.
Si Que felt the strength in You Yuji’s grip but didn’t back off. He continued his slow, deliberate kiss, waiting to be pushed away.
In the end, You Yuji did not push Si Que away.
She looked into Si Que’s eyes, which were so close to hers, and felt the soft kiss on her lips. Amid the smell of burning fireworks in the night wind, she heard her heart pounding in her chest, gradually drowning out the noise of the firecrackers.
Throughout the capital, families began to set off fireworks and firecrackers. The night sky was filled with bursts of light, competing to be the most beautiful. The crackling of firecrackers echoed near and far. Soon, the grand fireworks display from the palace would begin, setting the eastern sky ablaze, turning the world into a third kind of brilliance beyond day and night.
There were many holidays throughout the year, but New Year’s Eve was the most important, a time for family reunion. Yet, many couldn’t find joy in this day.
The princess endured the burn on her back, grateful that Prince Jinnan was by her side.
Chen Lingyan cried in front of the mirror, fearing that her scarred face would cause the young gentleman from the Cui family to break off their engagement. She had previously looked down on him, but now worried he would reject her.
Chen Anzhi was the most seriously injured. He had woken up several times during the day, but spent most of the time in a coma. The loud firecrackers in the evening roused him from his unconscious state.
“Water… water…” he weakly called out, but the sound of firecrackers outside drowned his feeble voice. Wangshan had also run to the courtyard to watch the fireworks, leaving the room unattended.
The Jinnan Prince’s Residence wasn’t the only place where people couldn’t enjoy the New Year. The princess’s maternal family couldn’t celebrate peacefully because of Fang Qingyi’s crimes and her strange death.
The Pinghuai Prince’s Residence was also devoid of the usual festive spirit. Although the arrows that injured Chen Qi hadn’t hit any vital organs, they were poisoned, leaving him bedridden and requiring a long period of recovery. The princess of Pinghuai wept over her son’s pale face and angrily accused the Pinghuai Prince, “It must have been the fourth prince! The emperor has been calling the princes to the palace frequently this winter, and he always praised our Qi’er the most. It must have been the ruthless fourth prince!”
The Pinghuai Prince sighed and didn’t respond.
Chen Qi listened to the lively fireworks outside, frowning. He knew that beneath the surface peace, everyone was secretly competing for the highest position. But would his fourth uncle really be so ruthless as to want to kill him? Did Aunt know about this?
Chen Qi recalled the scene of the assassination attempt and couldn’t help but think of You Yuji. After she returned, would the fourth prince suspect her? Anzhi was always suspicious. He hoped she wouldn’t be implicated…
Rumors were spreading that there would be changes in the crown prince’s position after the New Year.
The Crown Prince’s Residence and Shengxiang Prince’s Residence did not have a peaceful New Year either.
—
You Yuji clenched the wine jar in her hand, taking a sip of the spicy wine to hide her inner panic.
She wondered how many people had just seen them.
Even if only a few had seen, it would quickly spread. Rumors always traveled fast. Thinking about how everyone would be gossiping about her relationship with Si Que the next morning, You Yuji couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile.
She didn’t mind.
In fact, she found it somewhat amusing.
Si Que held You Yuji’s wrist and stood up, leading her into the house.
The courtyard, which had been lively with people eating, setting off fireworks, playing riddles, and chatting, suddenly fell silent. Everyone turned their heads simultaneously, watching the two of them holding hands and walking closely together into the house.
Zhenxu, worried, wondered if she should say something to stop the gossip, but Lady Jing coughed heavily. Everyone immediately turned to look at Lady Jing.
With a stern face, Lady Jing scanned the courtyard and said, “What are you all standing around for? Get back to what you were doing!”
Soon, the courtyard resumed its lively activities, eating, setting off fireworks, playing riddles, chatting… as if nothing had happened.
Lady Jing turned around, staring at the closed door, her brows furrowed deeply.
After a long moment, she muttered to herself, “Nonsense!”
Inside the room, Si Que let go of You Yuji’s hand and walked further inside to a small room. He quickly returned with You Yuji’s cloak draped over his arm.
“Where are we going?” You Yuji asked in surprise.
“Home.” Si Que put the cloak on You Yuji and led her outside. Instead of leaving through the main gate of the Jinnan Prince’s Residence, they went to the side gate. Shortly after exiting the side gate, a pure white horse galloped over from a distance.
Seeing the horse, a look of amazement appeared in You Yuji’s eyes. She quickly walked over, patted its neck, and said with a smile, “So beautiful. It would make a good mate for Xuanying.”
“Its owner disagrees,” Si Que said as he walked over.
You Yuji looked back but saw no one, and couldn’t help but ask, “Where is its owner? I don’t see anyone.”
Si Que, now beside You Yuji, patted her butt and said, “Get on.”
You Yuji realized—this was Si Que’s horse.
She stepped into the stirrup and sat on the horse’s back. This white horse was extremely gentle and showed no signs of resistance. Si Que also mounted the horse, sitting behind You Yuji. He raised his arm, wrapped it around You Yuji’s waist, grabbed the reins, and placed them in You Yuji’s hands.
Then he lazily yawned, wrapped his arms around You Yuji’s waist, and rested his face against the back of her neck, even closing his eyes.
You Yuji turned her face slightly, her voice carrying a smile as she asked, “Why don’t you agree to let this horse be Xuanying’s mate? Are you afraid I can’t afford the bride price?”
“Because they’re both males.”