Chapter 21 Happy New Year's Eve!

Qi Youan returned to the bushes, picked up the empty birdcage, looked at the sky coldly, and seemed to be thinking about something.

A few days ago, he accidentally discovered that white pigeons often flew over the roof of the Prime Minister's Mansion. Even if he became a slave, he could not sit idly by and wait for an opportunity to fall.

Qi Youan's master once taught him that taming livestock cannot be achieved by just loving or spurring them, but must be done with both power and kindness to truly control them.

The master's original intention was to let the young Qi Youan understand the way of governing the country, but he did not expect that he would apply this principle to raising pigeons, which can be regarded as "the way is useful."

So Qi Youan began to feed this group of white pigeons secretly, and after getting familiar with them, he quietly kept them in a pen. He fed the well-behaved and obedient ones, and ignored the ones that struggled to escape. Over time, the only ones left were docile pigeons, which became his secret messengers.

Tonight, taking advantage of the darkness and the absence of people, Qi Youan tied the written creed to the pigeon's legs, quietly released it, sent it to the embassy, and handed it to the Qi State envoy.

However, just as he was concentrating and looking far away, a familiar sound of footsteps suddenly came from behind him. Qi Youan's heart tightened, and he turned around quickly, and quickly supported Ye Wanwan who was almost tripped by the birdcage.

If she fell, he would probably be fined for several months of monthly silver, which would really make things worse.

Tonight he was forced to watch a farce between brothers and sisters, which made him realize that Ye Wanwan was not only unruly, but also had extremely erratic thinking. If she became the mistress of a family, she would definitely make the whole house restless.

Since being caught cheating, Ye Wanwan never dared to pretend to be sick again. The next day, she looked completely fine, with a ruddy complexion and lively.

Everyone was so scared that they thought she was having a last gasp, and hurriedly asked a doctor to take her pulse. After the doctor carefully examined her pulse, he stroked his beard and said with a smile:

"Miss, your pulse is steady, like a calf, and you are in good health." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and finally put down their hanging hearts.

Mother said that thanks to the blessing of the Buddha statue in Tianchan Temple, we should offer more Buddha lamps, and show our grace on New Year's Eve, and pray for a more auspicious year.

This was Ye Wanwan's first experience of the lively scene of New Year's Eve in the mortal world. Thousands of houses were brightly lit, firecrackers were heard one after another, laughter was endless, and shops were lined up on the streets, with a constant flow of people.

Every household was busier than usual, and the Prime Minister's Mansion was no exception.

As soon as the sky was light, the busy sounds of sweeping and posting in the yard entered the ears of the sleepy person on the bed. She slept twice and then picked up the pillow to cover her ears and continued to sleep.

"Miss, the lady ordered you to change into new clothes and go to the main gate to get rid of the bad luck and bring good fortune." Yun Ting handed over the clothes respectfully.

The girl on the bed was sleeping soundly, and she sat up after the maid urged her many times. Her hair was messy and stuck to her cheeks. Her face was red like burning charcoal, just like the Fuwa in the theater.

Ye Wanwan let Yun Ting do whatever she wanted in a daze. After washing and changing clothes, she was completely awake.

In the bronze mirror, she was wearing a bright red brocade dress, a red velvet flower on her head, and a golden hairpin embellished it, which made her bright face more festive.

Everyone in the mansion, whether maids or servants, changed into newly made red clothes.

I wonder what he looks like in red clothes... Ye Wanwan thought to herself, and did not go to the main gate, but first looked for Qi Youan's figure.

When she reached the corner of the garden, through the abrupt cold branches, she caught a glimpse of the eye-catching red in the snow-white. The boy was concentrating on pruning the plum branches.

The high-collared red dress made him look tall and straight, and the belt around his waist made him look more heroic. His black hair was tied up high with a red silk ribbon, and his ponytail fluttered in the wind. His angular profile revealed a bit of the sharpness and unruliness of a young man in the morning light.

Ye Wanwan admitted that she was attracted by his appearance at this moment.

Not only her, but the maids around him would sneak a peek at him from time to time, with shyness on their faces. But the boy's chilly temperament made them dare not approach to talk.

Ye Wanwan suddenly felt a little naughty. She tiptoed on the snow and quietly went around behind the boy. Seeing this, the maid next to her was about to speak out a salute, but she raised her hand to stop her and signaled silence.

At this time, Qi Youan was absent-mindedly pruning the plum branches, frowning slightly, thinking to himself: Why has the released pigeon not returned yet? Was it not delivered, or was it intercepted on the way?

"Ah!" A delicate cry suddenly sounded, and Ye Wanwan jumped out from the side, interrupting his thoughts. Qi Youan was frightened and turned back suddenly.

Seeing that he rarely showed surprise, she couldn't help but smile with her lips covered, her eyes full of pride.

"Miss, I am timid and can't stand such a scare." Qi Youan lowered his eyebrows, with a bit of cowardice in his tone.

"Accompany me to get rid of the bad luck."

Ye Wanwan led Qi Youan to the main gate and watched his brothers and sisters setting off firecrackers, the smoke was everywhere, and the smell was pungent.

Seeing that his sister was late, Ye Heng waved and called her: "Wanwan, come quickly, you are the only one missing."

Ye Wanwan looked confused, and before she could react, a fire stick was stuffed into her hand. She looked up at her brother, her eyes full of confusion.

Ye Heng reached out and touched her forehead, making sure she didn't have a fever, then smiled and said, "What are you daydreaming about? Go and light the firecrackers, you can't be missing for the New Year's Eve."

Ye Wanwan suddenly realized that the New Year's Eve was to light firecrackers with one's own hands, using the deafening sound to dispel the bad luck of the year, and pray for peace and prosperity in the coming year.

Ye Heng was also a little puzzled. In previous years, his sister was most looking forward to the New Year's Eve, so why was she hesitating today?

Qi Youan leaned against the door, his hands folded across his chest, his eyes fell on Ye Wanwan with interest, and the corners of his lips slightly raised.

The sound of firecrackers on both sides of the street rose and fell, deafening. Ye Wanwan looked down at the firecracker lying quietly on the ground, and her throat rolled. This was the first time she saw this object in person since she came to the world.

Will this thing blow me away? She thought to herself.

Glancing at the children of her concubine standing by, Ye Wanwan thought that for the sake of face, she must not show her cowardice.

So she took a deep breath, spread her legs, posed as if ready to escape at any time, and tremblingly brought the fire stick close to the fuse.

The moment the fuse was lit, she quickly stepped back and stood far away. There was a burst of "crackling", firecrackers burst in the air, smoke filled the air, and a pungent smell came to her face. However, this smell made her feel a little relieved for no reason. At this moment, she seemed to have truly realized the fireworks of the world, and her heart was extremely happy.

When she was in a good mood, she lit several strings of firecrackers in succession, and her laughter was as clear as a bell.

Looking at the heartless girl and her brother laughing wantonly, Qi Youan couldn't help but think of the happy time of his childhood, and the joy of the people around him made him even more lonely.

Can I really go back to Qi State for revenge? He doubted himself in his heart countless times.

I heard that the most lively time in the world is the New Year's Eve. Seeing it today, it is indeed worthy of its reputation. The streets are crowded with people, shoulder to shoulder, and the noise is endless, and the festive joy is everywhere.

"Miss, my lanterns are the most unique on the whole street, why don't you come and have a look?" The vendor's shouting came into her ears, and Ye Wanwan was indeed attracted.

She stopped in front of the stall, and her eyes were firmly attracted by a colorful rabbit lantern. The lantern was exquisite and unique, and the light was flowing, as if it was alive.

Ye Wanwan bought three lanterns without hesitation, one for herself, one for Yun Ting, and the other for Qi Youan, which was also considered a New Year's celebration.

"Hey, Miss Ye, what a coincidence." The visitors were Jiang Lingzhou and Song Ci.

Ye Wanwan had no feelings when she saw Jiang Lingzhou, but she felt like running away when she saw Song Ci, fearing that she would say some ridiculous words about gods in public.

Qi Youan had no feelings when he saw Song Ci, but narrowed his eyes slightly when he saw Jiang Lingzhou, remembering that he was the one who had a secret conversation with Ye Wanwan at the banquet that day, and thought that the two of them had quite a few secrets.

Jiang Lingzhou and Song Ci were both very familiar with each other, and as soon as they saw Ye Wanwan, they enthusiastically took her shopping and playing together. Ye Wanwan was a little hesitant at first, but she couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the two, and soon let go of her heart and immersed herself in the joy of New Year's Eve with them.

It was not until late at night that Ye Wanwan dragged her tired body back to the mansion. She didn't even bother to wash up, and fell on the bed, fell asleep, and had an unfinished smile on her lips.

Who knew that before she could make up for her tired energy, she was pulled up by her mother to meet the matchmaker.

"This is Song Qing, the eldest son of the Grand Secretary's Mansion, who is outstanding in talent and has a good appearance; this is Chen Bai, the legitimate son of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who has a clean family tradition and a promising future; and this one..."

The mother enthusiastically spread out the portraits of the young masters of the aristocratic families and introduced them. However, Ye Wanwan was absent-minded, lying lazily on the table, obviously not interested in these portraits.

Seeing her like this, her mother thought she was being naughty again, so she gently advised: "Wanwan, you are already over seventeen years old, you can't be willful and foolish anymore. These young masters are all among the most talented in the capital. If you like any family, just tell your mother. With your background and appearance, you are worthy of any young master."

Ye Wanwan lay on the table irritably, she was just wondering why Jiang Lingzhou was not there? No...

...

Of course there would be no Jiang Lingzhou, because Jiang Lingzhou has been engaged to someone else.

As Ye Wanwan finished pretending to be sick, Jiang Lingzhou's whip wound healed. The captain allowed him to go out on New Year's Eve, and then he was trapped in the mansion again.

Between Ye Wanwan and Song Ci, Jiang Lingzhou finally chose his childhood sweetheart.

"Go and propose marriage!" Facing his father's urging, Jiang Lingzhou responded respectfully on the surface, but secretly complained in his heart: As expected of a military general, he is so impatient, he is simply a reckless man!

He did not act immediately, but made careful preparations. A few days later, Jiang Lingzhou brought several servants, carrying several large and small boxes, and came to the Grand Secretary's Mansion in a mighty manner.

The brothers Song Ci were stunned when they saw this scene.

"Jiang Lingzhou, what are you doing?" Looking at the betrothal gifts piled up in the main courtyard, Song Ci frowned and asked in a low voice, with a vigilant tone. She and Jiang Lingzhou have known each other since childhood, and she knows that he has always acted in an unconventional way. This move must be extraordinary.

Jiang Lingzhou was not in a hurry. He first bowed deeply to the Grand Secretary and Song Qing, and then said calmly: "I came here today to propose marriage to your father."

When these words came out, everyone in the room was shocked. If they were really shocked, they would probably have no place to stand on the ground at this moment.

"What are you talking about?" Song Ci gritted his teeth and stared at him with wide eyes, as if he wanted to see through him.

Although the Grand Secretary had already regarded Jiang Lingzhou as the first choice for his son-in-law, he was speechless for a while because of this sudden proposal. After a long while, he said: "This..."