Chapter 77 – Where’s My New Year’s Money?

On the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, all officials and their titled wives were required to enter the palace to pay their respects.

At the Duke of Wu’s residence, only the old madam and Lady Liu held titles. Since Lady Liu was still ill, it was only the old madam who brought the various housekeepers and servants, along with Shen Nian and the second young master, Shen Fan, to the palace to pay their respects.

Although the second young master was born of a concubine, he was only half a year younger than Shen Nian. He was neither skilled in the arts nor martial prowess, and previously, the Duke of Wu had arranged for him to work at the military headquarters in Chicheng as a small officer.

With Shen Nian absent, Xia Tian led Ning Xiang and a few maidservants to hang lanterns in the corridors of the courtyard, watching as the others pasted couplets on the doors.

In the afternoon, half of the staff stayed on duty while the rest took leave to go home for the holiday, planning to return on the first day of the new year to take over.

Ning Xiang and Ning Xue, not being from the household, had no family to return to, so they stayed behind.

Cuijun, Cuixin, and Cuqiao were all from families, so they were allowed to return home for the holiday.

Cuiling was left on duty.

When the Duke of Wu and the others returned from the palace, they began the ancestral rites.

After the rites, the Duke of Wu took the lead in offering his respects to the old madam. Then, Shen Nian and the other siblings paid their respects to all the elders in the family.

Once the ceremony ended, the elders gave out New Year’s money to the younger generation who had not yet married.

Everyone then gathered in the old madam’s Ruixuan Hall to enjoy the reunion feast.

This time, the men and women sat separately. After the old madam and the Duke of Wu delivered a few opening remarks, everyone began eating.

At the table, people raised their glasses to exchange good wishes and blessings, and the meal concluded in a harmonious atmosphere.

Perhaps due to the words of the third master, Mrs. Ye only cast a few sideways glances at Xia Tian but didn’t speak any more sarcastic remarks.

Shen Lan also quieted down, likely because neither Liu Shi nor Shen Ke had been seated at the table. Without any support, she restrained herself.

After the reunion dinner, the Duke of Wu took Shen Nian and the other male relatives to the kitchen god’s altar to offer incense and make offerings.

The women, led by the second madam, stayed behind to chat, and laugh with the old madam.

Xia Tian did not leave either and sat with them, although no one really spoke to her.

After about half an hour, the old madam told everyone to return to their respective courtyards to await the new year, and they no longer needed to stay with her.

The second madam and the third madam stayed in the room while the others dispersed.

When Xia Tian returned to Jinglan Courtyard, the first thing she did was send Ning Xiang and the others out to eat.

Today, she had ordered two tables of food in the kitchen for the people on duty in Jinglan Courtyard, treating it as their reunion meal.

Ning Xiang, Ning Xue, and Cuiling quickly finished their meal and returned, mainly because they feared there would be no one left to serve their mistress if she needed something.

Xia Tian was sitting on the heated kang in the warm pavilion, counting her wealth when she saw the three return and hurriedly called out, “Come over here, your New Year’s money is ready.”

The three were delighted and hurried over, not expecting that they too would receive New Year’s money.

Xia Tian took out the embroidered pouches that Ning Xiang and the others had made during their leisure time, stuffing one into each maid’s hand. Inside each pouch were three silver ingots weighing two taels each.

The three maids expressed their joy, repeatedly thanking her and showering her with blessings.

The others received 100 wen each, placed in small pouches, which Ning Xiang and the others took out to distribute.

When the others heard that the mistress was giving out New Year’s money, they all thanked her loudly in the courtyard, filling the air with joyful sounds and laughter.

Xia Tian also felt happy as she stood under the eaves, wrapped in her cloak, admiring the red lanterns in the courtyard.

Shen Nian had not returned yet. After standing under the eaves for a while and feeling cold, she returned to her room.

Ning Xiang and the others arranged the duties for the night, and since there was nothing else to do, Xia Tian invited them to play a game of leaf cards.

They played happily until the midnight hour when firecrackers began to explode in various courtyards, signaling the end of the festivities.

The kitchen sent more food, just as Shen Nian returned.

Xia Tian didn’t ask why he had returned so late but happily invited him to have a bite with her. After the meal, she stretched out her hand and blinked her big eyes at him, “Where’s my New Year’s money?”

Shen Nian chuckled, lifted her hand, and led her to the warm pavilion. He then leisurely took a delicate box from his sleeve.

“Here, New Year’s money.”

Xia Tian opened it to find a beautiful ruby necklace inside, bright and eye-catching, so stunning it almost dazzled her.

She took it out, handed it to Shen Nian, and smiled, “Put it on for me.”

Shen Nian, with gentle eyes, carefully put the necklace on her, smiling as he examined her for a moment.

Xia Tian’s face turned slightly red, unsure whether it was from the warmth or embarrassment.

After midnight, Shen Nian returned to Lingyun Pavilion.

Xia Tian also let Ning Xiang and the others go down to rest.

On the morning of the first day of the new year, everyone gathered for another meal. The fifth madam had arranged for a troupe to perform on the stage set up in the residence, and the whole day was filled with performances.

Xia Tian also went to watch. Although she couldn’t fully understand the singing and drama, it didn’t stop her from enjoying the performance for the entire day.

In ancient times, entertainment was so limited, and with such a strong festive atmosphere, how could she resist joining in?

The fifth madam, seeing that other girls could barely sit still and had returned after a while, noticed that this young lady seemed engrossed from beginning to end and had an increasing interest in her.

Having been busy preparing for the New Year, the fifth madam was quite tired, but seeing that her efforts were appreciated, she was willing to chat a little more.

“Didn’t expect you to enjoy watching the play. How is it? Do you understand it?” the fifth madam asked with a smile while watching Xia Tian intently.

“Aunt, are you talking to me?” Xia Tian was surprised. It was the first time the fifth madam had ever spoken to her.

“Mm, I saw you were so engrossed, so I was curious and wanted to ask.”

“Oh, I don’t understand much, but I find it interesting.”

“Listen more, and you’ll understand.”

“Okay, thank you, Aunt.”

After a few words, the fifth madam left, and Xia Tian continued eating seeds and watching the play.

In the evening, everyone gathered again for a meal.

Afterward, the fifth madam had someone deliver an invitation card, specially for her.

Xia Tian was a little confused. She didn’t have any close friends—who would send her an invitation?

She opened it and realized it wasn’t just for her; it was an invitation for both her and Shen Nian to attend the 60th birthday celebration of Wen Jin’s grandmother.

Wait, shouldn’t she be considered a rival to Wen Jin? Why would she send an invitation to her?

Could it be that she was worried that sending it only to Shen Nian would seem too deliberate, so she added her name as well?

Xia Tian thought about it, and that was likely the reason. Otherwise, Wen Jin probably didn’t want to see her at all.

On the first day of the new year, after breakfast, because Liu Shi’s illness had not improved, the fifth madam led the older young ladies, and the Duke of Wu took several young masters to the Wen Yibo residence to wish the old lady a happy birthday.

Xia Tian followed the fifth madam in a carriage.

When they arrived at the Wen Yibo residence, they saw red lanterns hanging at the entrance, and the atmosphere was festive.

They first went to offer their respects to the birthday lady, and then Xia Tian went with the other young ladies to find the others to play.

Today, many people came, including other young ladies who were brought by their families to celebrate the birthday.

Everyone was dressed in beautiful clothes, chatting and laughing in groups.

Xia Tian, with Ning Xue, didn’t join the crowd but instead found a corner to sit and enjoy the scenery.

“Hey, isn’t that the Duke of Wu’s wife? Why is she sitting alone over here?” A sarcastic voice sounded from behind.