Chapter 282: Chapter 237 New Year’s Eve
With the twenty-four sounds of the Haotian Bell echoing throughout Chang’an City, the fourth year of Zaiqian quietly came to an end, and the fifth year of Zaiqian unfolded.
「New Year’s Eve had arrived.」
"Eldest Son, may your fortune extend to the new day and your longevity be boundless."
"Aunt Song, may your fortune and happiness be renewed and your prosperity and longevity be extended."
In the home of Song Shaoyuan in Jude Square, Li Ang bowed with a smile to wish Aunt Song a happy new year.
Traveling long distances was no light matter in those days. Not long ago, Ji Linglang had mentioned her father, the Yizhou Governor Ji Chi, was to return to Chang’an for his official report. It might lead to his promotion, and he might settle down in Chang’an in the future, having brought the younger generation of his family along this time. Aunt Song took their family carriage to arrive in Chang’an before the New Year.
It is often said that people are less valued when away from home, but Aunt Song was quite delighted seeing her son Song Shaoyuan get into the Academic Palace, acquire a spacious estate, and a learned and sensible fiancée—although she was a bit disoriented by the Chang’an official dialect spoken around her, and it might take some more time for her to adjust.
CRACKLE! POP!
Outside the residence, the fireworks were spectacular, and the sound of firecrackers was incessant.
"Risheng, I’ve come to wish you a happy new year!"
Li Ang heard Yang Yu’s familiar voice from outside. As he went to greet him, he saw Yang Yu followed by a group of servants and children wearing colorful cotton-padded jackets.
"Eh? This is..."
"The wild kids from home."
Yang Yu shrugged helplessly, uttering the peculiar slang he had picked up from Li Ang, "They came to pay their respects to the Little Medicine King God to avoid getting sick in the new year."
"Little Medicine King God, may your fortune and happiness be renewed and your prosperity and longevity be extended—"
A group of rambunctious children, seemingly instructed by someone, elongated their voices and saluted Li Ang.
During the previous autumn and winter, the incidence of whooping cough among children was very high. However, this year, with the expanded production of Allicin across the various State Mansions, the incidence and severity of the disease had significantly decreased, further solidifying Li Ang’s reputation as the Medicine King God.
"Alright."
Li Ang, half amused and half resigned, no longer bothered to correct them and stepped aside to let them in. "Come on in. The food is ready."
He had told his friends beforehand that they would be spending this New Year’s Eve at Song Shaoyuan’s house, and Aunt Song, You Xiao, and Chai Chai had already prepared an extraordinarily lavish meal.
The wild kids, some hopping and some more reserved, moved into the courtyard.
Chai Chai, dressed in a white fox fur jacket with a hood, smilingly took out a large stack of red packets filled with several strings of flying money and distributed them in turn.
Last year, when Li Ang went to Yan Yundang’s house to celebrate the New Year, he had given red packets to several newborn children of the Yan Family.
Previously, Yu Country had no custom of giving New Year’s money. Occasionally, some wealthy or particularly affectionate family elders would give children small gifts of gold and silver, Copper Coins, ornaments, or even silk and jewelry on New Year’s Eve.
It was unclear whether it was Li Ang’s influence or the Chang’an citizens wanting to share in the festive joy, but now every household had begun to give red packets to younger relatives and friends, and a basic routine of "handing out red packets—politely refusing—insistently stuffing the red packets" had spontaneously formed.
Sayings like, "Mom and Dad will keep your red packet safe for you," also made an early appearance.
It was becoming more and more like the Spring Festival he remembered.
After distributing the red packets, Chai Chai, in high spirits, took the wild kids to play with the firecrackers Li Ang had made, truly looking like the king of the kids.
Meanwhile, Li Ang stood at the entrance with Song Shaoyuan and Yang Yu, greeting the guests who came over to celebrate the New Year.
Ji Linglang was the first to arrive, bringing ten Yizhou knife fish as a gift—a type of fish that struggles to survive away from fresh water and becomes lean in autumn and winter. It was unclear what method her family used to preserve them so well on their journey to Chang’an.
Li Ang and Song Shaoyuan, who had lived in Yizhou before, had grown tired of this fish, but having been away from their hometown for over a year, they were quite nostalgic to see this local specialty again. Li Ang immediately took three fish out of the bucket, used Telekinesis to float the knives and kitchen utensils, and started cooking from a distance.
"Risheng, may your fortune extend to the new day and your longevity be boundless—"
A slightly weary voice came from outside as Li Wei showed up, dressed in a cotton jacket and an outer silk garment.
"What’s the matter with you? You look so out of it."
Yang Yu raised his eyebrows. "Have you secretly experienced heartbreak behind our backs? That’s not very fair."
"Pah," Li Wei rolled his eyes. "With all the eyes and ears you have scattered around Chang’an City, what could possibly get past you?"
"That’s not necessarily true. You might have been leaving Xuanyang Square when you saw an exceptionally beautiful girl in the bustling crowd. You exchanged glances and fell in love at first sight, wanting to move closer to each other, but were carried away by the throng, drifting further and further apart. Your cries were drowned out by the sound of fireworks. By the time you finally squeezed out of the crowd, she was gone, leaving only a fragrant handkerchief behind. Holding the handkerchief, with your rugged, willful face illuminated by the brilliant fireworks, you appeared utterly distraught. Perhaps, this was both the beginning and the end of your story with her..."
Yang Yu, animated and excited, burst out with a stream of words.
Li Wei was so shocked that he was speechless for a while before reacting, "Wait, why are you so skilled at making up stories? How many romance novels have you been reading in private? And did you just say I look rugged? Are you slipping in some personal digs here?"
Yang Yu, unflustered, said, "Don’t worry about those details. Just tell me if it’s true."
"How could it be?" Li Wei rolled his eyes dramatically, a pained expression crossing his face. "Although it really is a personal matter..."
Li Wei explained that during the vacation, he had stayed at the house of the Cloud Banner General, Chen Changxiao. His father and elder brother had both been soldiers under Chen Changxiao’s command. His own spot at the Academic Palace had also been recommended by Chen Changxiao. Their families were extraordinarily close, and Li Wei and the sons of the General Mansion always treated each other like brothers.
Recently, the General’s Wife’s relatives had come from Hedong Road to Chang’an to do business and had stopped by to celebrate the New Year. Somehow, the conversation turned to the subject of matchmaking for Li Wei.
The General’s Wife had a niece about Li Wei’s age who was studying at the Lu Li Academy and was also a Cultivation practitioner...
"So?" Yang Yu puzzled. "Isn’t that great? It’s keeping it in the family."
In Yu Country, the practice of influential figures recommending candidates was widespread. Chen Changxiao was Li Wei’s ’sponsor.’ This relationship was even closer and more binding than that of a master and disciple. If Li Wei could tie the knot with the Chen Family, he could, in a sense, rid himself of any obligation of gratitude, placing both families on equal standing, which would be beneficial to both sides.
"Judging by that constipated look on your face, is she not pretty?" Yang Yu asked curiously.
Li Wei shook his head, conflicted. "No, the portrait actually portrays her as quite delicate and beautiful."
Yang Yu stroked his chin, even more puzzled. "Then why are you so unwilling? Don’t tell me there’s an unspeakable secret?!"
"This, I, well..." Li Wei, visibly conflicted and noting the curious glances from Li Ang and Ji Linglang, reluctantly lowered his voice. "Actually, I prefer... girls who can give me a sense of security."
"Huh?"
The three of them exclaimed in unison. Considering Li Wei’s appearance, height, and muscle mass, he could easily serve as a Door God Painting in a few years.
Isn’t that secure enough?
"You guys don’t understand!" Li Wei’s face turned red as he explained, "Back when I was stationed in the border town garrison, we were often plagued by horse bandits and thieves. They would fire rockets into our camps at night, ambush us in the woods, set traps on mountain roads, and arrange corpses in all sorts of horrifying displays to terrorize us. The only way I could barely fall asleep was by placing a Broadsword under my pillow and listening to the snores of my comrades. I thought coming to Chang’an and formally training in Body Refinement would make things better, but I still occasionally wake up startled. I’m afraid this condition will continue indefinitely..."
"So, you want to find a girl who is stronger than you, who also snores at night, giving you a sense of security," Yang Yu summarized and paused, adding, "Finding someone stronger than you is easy, but a woman who snores at night... that might be difficult."
More than just difficult to find... Is this some combination of battlefield PTSD and a peculiar fetish? Dude, your preferences are really out there!
Li Ang complained internally. He had studied surgery, not psychology.