New Year

Zheng Qingyin reached out to help Yu Lanyi brush off the remaining snowflakes from his hair. 

“Qingyin, the New Year is almost here. I haven’t bought any New Year goods yet. Let’s go with our elder sister-in-law when the time comes.”

Zheng Qingyin nodded in agreement.

Lin Ge’er and Zheng Shancheng were still inside the house. Zheng Shancheng felt much better after taking the medicine prescribed by Physician Song. His legs and feet were warm at night, unlike before when they felt cold even under a quilt.

Zheng Shancheng was in much better spirits, which made Lin Ge’er happy. He hung his clothes in the wardrobe and said, “We’ve been here for a while, and it’s time to go out and find something to do. Didn’t Second Brother say he would find you a leisurely job? You can ask him when he returns.”

Zheng Shancheng thought the same. Staying at home all the time made him feel lazy. People like them couldn’t stay idle. They were usually busy tending to crops, chopping wood in the winter to sell in town for some money, or finding odd jobs in town. Staying at home doing nothing was not as good as going out to find some work.

Zheng Shancheng said, “I’ll ask Shanci when he comes back.”

Lin Ge’er and Zheng Shancheng went out together and met Zheng Qingyin and Yu Lanyi in the corridor. Lin Ge’er noticed that Zheng Qingyin looked healthier since arriving in Xinfeng County. At home, he never had an appetite, whether it was meat or vegetables, he only ate a little. Now, he ate well here, perhaps because the cook’s skills were good, and Zheng Qingyin ate more.

His personality also became more cheerful, which made Lin Ge’er feel gratified.

“Big Brother, Sister-in-law,” Yu Lanyi called out.

Zheng Shancheng responded, feeling more at ease with Yu Lanyi, treating him as family and not as a noble son from a marquis family to be feared.

With the New Year approaching, every household began decorating with lanterns and streamers. When Zheng Shanci returned, he saw someone already selling Spring Festival couplets. Zheng Shanci looked at a few couplets, which were well-written. The shopkeeper was a young scholar, and Zheng Shanci asked for the price.

The scholar said, “These couplets are ten wen each.”

Zheng Shanci picked a couplet to buy and planned to paste it on the mansion’s main gate for a festive atmosphere.

As he was about to leave, someone exclaimed, “General Yu from the border has returned, and they are heading back to the capital.”

The townspeople quickly made way. The general on horseback was middle-aged, appearing to be in his forties, followed by two young officers and about fifty personal guards, all on horseback. Among the guards were two carriages, likely carrying the Yu family’s relatives.

The county yamen’s officers were on duty, helping maintain order on the street to prevent people from getting trampled by horses.

General Yu led his men into the inn, causing little commotion. The townspeople were used to such scenes, and the street soon became lively again.

Zheng Shanci looked at the hoofprints on the ground, feeling a bit melancholic. With the Yu family here, it would be convenient for Lanyi to return to the capital for the New Year. After the New Year, he could return with General Yu, without fear of bandits along the way.

“Wangfu, who is this General Yu?”

Wangfu replied, “This is the second master of the family, the young master’s uncle. The second master has been stationed at the border for years, only occasionally returning for the New Year. He is the legitimate younger brother of the marquis. The two young officers behind him are the two young masters, and the second master has three sons in total. The youngest son holds a position in the capital. The eldest son married a Ge’er from the Cui family of Qinghe, and the second son married a Ge’er from the Wei family of Hedong. These two families have been intermarrying with the Yu family for generations, so the marriages were natural.”

Hearing these prestigious family names, Zheng Shanci was taken aback. Thinking about the power of the Changyang Marquis, he gradually calmed down.

He rarely visited the Changyang Marquis Mansion and hadn’t met all the relatives there. He imagined it must be a courtyard full of people, not only relatives from the Changyang Marquis Mansion but also from the Duke of England’s Mansion, which could be quite overwhelming.

Yu Er Ye should rest for a while, and after noon, he would take Yu Lanyi to visit.

Having traveled through time, Zheng Shanci thought he might just be an ordinary commoner, but unexpectedly, he was closely connected to the top aristocracy of Da Yan. Thinking of this, Zheng Shanci couldn’t help but smile.

When he returned home, Yu Lanyi was squatting in the courtyard making snowballs. Upon hearing footsteps and seeing Zheng Shanci, his eyes lit up, and he threw a snowball.

Zheng Shanci nimbly dodged it.

“Didn’t you say you’d wait for me to build a snowman?” Zheng Shanci asked.

Yu Lanyi replied lightly, “I was bored, so I made some snowballs for a snowball fight.”

Zheng Qingyin was squatting nearby, using small snowballs to build a little rabbit. He picked up some withered leaves from under the pomegranate tree to make eyes, a nose, and a mouth for the rabbit.

Zheng Shanci watched Zheng Qingyin build the little rabbit and reached out to touch its head.

The little rabbit’s long ears were still standing upright.

Zheng Shanci gently said, “After playing, you should warm up by the fire to avoid getting frostbite on your hands.”

“Okay, Second Brother,” Zheng Qingyin replied cheerfully, his nose a bit red from the cold.

Lin Ge’er made a few snowballs before retreating inside to warm up by the fire.

Zheng Shanci whispered to Yu Lanyi, “I need to talk to you.”

Yu Lanyi followed Zheng Shanci to the main hall, where Jin Yun handed him a hand warmer.

“General Yu has returned from the border, and it seems he plans to spend the New Year in the capital. I thought you might want to return to the capital with him for the New Year and then come back with him afterward. With the general around, you won’t encounter any danger on the way.”

Yu Lanyi was initially happy to hear that his uncle had come to the capital and stopped in Xinfeng County, but upon hearing Zheng Shanci’s words, it seemed like he was being sent back to the capital alone for the New Year.

He felt a surge of anger, “You just want me to leave. If I go back for the New Year, I won’t come back.”

Zheng Shanci said, “I was worried you might miss home. If you don’t want to go back, you can spend the New Year with me.”

What kind of talk was this, with such a businesslike attitude? Yu Lanyi immediately glared at Zheng Shanci, feeling frustrated, and turned to leave. Zheng Shanci sensed something and quickly followed.

“I want you to stay with me, but I also thought you might miss home. Going to the capital to see your family is good too,” Zheng Shanci said, following Yu Lanyi into the room.

Yu Lanyi replied, “I do miss home, but going back alone is pointless. It takes over five months to go back and forth. I’ll go back next year. I don’t want to travel anymore this year. Besides, we just got married, and I want to spend our first New Year together.”

He threw a pillow at Zheng Shanci in frustration.

Zheng Shanci hugged the pillow and sat next to Yu Lanyi, “I didn’t mean to send you away. If you don’t leave, I’ll be happy. I thought since the general just arrived, I didn’t visit right away. I planned to visit in the afternoon.”

“He’s my uncle, and he’s your uncle too,” Yu Lanyi said, glancing at Zheng Shanci. “Let’s build a snowman now.”

Zheng Shanci agreed.

Together, they built two snowmen. Yu Lanyi placed one snowman’s foot on the other snowman’s foot.

…

Yu Er Ye arrived at the inn, and the innkeeper brought them hot water and meals.

“Wash up first, and then you can go about your business.”

After everyone had rested, Yu Er Ye had lunch. Yu Furen said, “I remember Big Brother mentioned in a letter that Lanyi is in Xinfeng County, right?”

Yu Er Ye thought for a moment, “Later, Zheng’er and Yu’er can go check on him.”

Yu Zheng and Yu Yu were his eldest and second sons.

Yu Er Ye frowned, thinking about how Lanyi had married a scholar from a humble background, “Big Brother was too hasty. At the very least, he could have found a son-in-law to marry into the family. How did he end up with a scholar from a humble background?”

Yu Furen replied, “It’s Big Brother and Sister-in-law’s decision. What does it have to do with you? I think they have their reasons, and they’re more reliable than you.”

Yu Er Ye: “…”

Yu Zheng and Yu Yu focused on their meals, not getting involved in their parents’ affairs.

After eating, Yu Zheng returned to his room to tidy up before heading to the Zheng Mansion. Cui Ge’er helped him smooth his clothes, “I’ll go with you. I’m curious about the man Lanyi married.”

“You and Lanyi don’t get along. If you go, you’ll end up arguing.”

Cui Ge’er said, “Is it my fault? Lanyi says I’m pretentious. I only act that way in front of outsiders, not in front of you.”

Yu Zheng: “…”

The Cui family of Qinghe, a century-old family. Cui Ge’er was well-educated, virtuous, and sensible, but a bit cunning.

Yu Yu also changed his outfit, and Wei Ge’er asked, “Should I go with you?”

“You should stay here with Mother. I’m afraid Father and Mother might argue again, and you can help mediate.”

The two brothers were about to leave when the inn staff informed them that the county magistrate had come to visit.

This saved them a trip.

Yu Er Ye’s expression relaxed upon hearing this. It was appropriate for younger generations like Zheng Shanci to come and pay their respects. He was just worried that Zheng Shanci might not know they had arrived. As a county magistrate, Zheng Shanci should be aware of such things.

Indeed, as Yu Er Ye had guessed, when he arrived at the inn, the innkeeper sent word that General Yu from the border had arrived. Whenever important court officials arrived in the county, it was customary to report to the county magistrate. Otherwise, if anything went wrong, the small inn couldn’t bear the responsibility.

“Let them in. It’s cold outside.”

Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi were led into the room by the personal guards. Zheng Shanci saw a dignified middle-aged man sitting in a chair and greeted him.

“Hello, Uncle.”

Yu Er Ye raised an eyebrow, seeing Yu Lanyi making faces at him. His rare serious expression softened. This little rascal was never serious, while his husband was polite and respectful, only this little rascal was fooling around.

“We’re all family, no need for formalities.” Yu Er Ye invited Zheng Shanci to sit.

“I received a letter from Big Brother, and that’s how I found out Lanyi got married. The climate here is harsh, with strong winds and cold winters. Take care of your health.”

Zheng Shanci thanked his uncle for his concern. Yu Er Ye observed that Zheng Shanci was handsome, articulate, and composed, nodding in approval. It seemed he had been biased. Zheng Shanci didn’t seem like an ordinary scholar from a humble background; he had the potential to rise. This was good. As long as young people were ambitious, they weren’t bad.

Lanyi seemed to have feelings for Zheng Shanci, and since the couple was doing well, there was no need for him to be a meddlesome person. The Yu family was known for being straightforward and generous.

“I’ve been ordered to return to the capital. If Lanyi wants to spend the New Year in the capital, we can go together. After the New Year, I’ll bring you back,” Yu Er Ye said.

Zheng Shanci felt a pang in his heart, lowering his head without speaking.

In the end, Zheng Shanci realized he still hoped Yu Lanyi would stay with him. This was their first New Year after getting married, and it was also his first New Year since traveling through time.

He still wanted Yu Lanyi.

Yu Lanyi glanced at Zheng Shanci, who was looking down, fiddling with his teacup, his expression unreadable. Yu Lanyi smiled and said, “I’m not going back this year. It took over two months to get to Xinfeng County, and if I go back, it’ll be even more rushed with Uncle. I can’t handle it. I’ll go back next year.”

“If that’s what you want, I won’t take you,” Yu Er Ye sighed. “We’ll stock up on some provisions here, stay for a day, and leave tomorrow. If you need to send anything to your parents, I’ll take it for you.”

Yu Lanyi nodded.

Hearing Yu Lanyi’s words, Zheng Shanci felt relieved.

Yu Furen noticed that Yu Lanyi had become more composed and smiled, “I haven’t given you a gift yet. This is a pair of mandarin duck jade pendants I had made. They can be worn together as one or separately on your waist. It’s a gift for you two.”

Yu Lanyi accepted the box and sweetly said, “Thank you, Aunt. You’re so much better than Uncle.”

Yu Furen laughed heartily, “If you say so, I’ll take it as true.”

Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi had brought gifts when they visited, not coming empty-handed.

Zheng Shanci said, “Since Uncle is already in Xinfeng County, please come to our home for a visit.”

Yu Er Ye replied, “No need, I don’t want to trouble you.”

“Then I’ll host a dinner at Qianwei Lou or the Zheng family restaurant to welcome Uncle,” Zheng Shanci suggested.

Yu Lanyi added, “The food at the Zheng family restaurant is delicious. Uncle, let’s have a meal there.”

Hearing this, Yu Er Ye nodded in agreement.

Yu Zheng and Yu Yu also greeted Yu Lanyi, who called them Big Cousin and Second Cousin.

Zheng Shanci followed suit. As expected of a military family, the two cousins were robust, with the Yu family’s good looks. The cousins were handsome, with strong arms and swords at their waists.

“Lanyi, is this Zheng Daren?” Cui Ge’er came out of the room and asked.

Cui Ge’er had thought Zheng Shanci was the type to climb the social ladder, having seen many such people. But Zheng Shanci was handsome, and Yu Lanyi seemed satisfied with him.

Yu Lanyi obediently called out, “Hello, Big Cousin-in-law.”

Cui Ge’er was taken aback. Had Yu Lanyi changed? Whenever they talked, it usually ended with eye-rolling.

Zheng Shanci followed suit and called out Cousin-in-law.

Yu Zheng said, “We won’t see you off. We’ll talk more in the evening.”

Zheng Shanci nodded.

Yu Zheng noticed Cui Ge’er still tiptoeing to watch Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi’s backs and poked him, “Why are you so curious about my cousin’s husband?”

“I just wanted to see who could get along with Yu Lanyi,” Cui Ge’er said. “Zheng Shanci looks good and can get along with Yu Lanyi, so he must have a good temperament.”

…

In the evening, Zheng Shanci treated the Yu family’s second branch to a meal, and they praised the Zheng family restaurant. Yu Er Ye said, “When I have time, I’ll come here often.”

Zheng Shanci also met the second cousin-in-law, a gentle Ge’er.

After sending them back to the inn by carriage, Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi returned home. Yu Lanyi was happy and had a bit too much fruit wine, getting slightly drunk. Zheng Shanci helped him onto the carriage. Back home, after helping Yu Lanyi wash up, he was soaked. He put Yu Lanyi to bed and went to wash himself.

After washing up, Zheng Shanci brushed aside Yu Lanyi’s hair and kissed his forehead.

The next day, Yu Er Ye sent personal guards to Xinfeng County to buy provisions. Once they had everything, they could ride off. Before leaving, Yu Lanyi handed Yu Er Ye a box.

“Uncle, please take this box to my father.”

“Don’t worry. Do you have anything else to send?”

Yu Lanyi shook his head.

Yu Er Ye said, “Then we’ll be off. You should head back too; it’s windy and snowy outside.”

Yu Zheng and Yu Yu were on horseback, accustomed to the cold from their time at the border. The group came quickly and left quickly, soon becoming small black dots in the distance.

“Lanyi, let’s head back,” Zheng Shanci said.

Yu Lanyi watched as Yu Er Ye left, feeling a bit melancholic. Seeing Zheng Shanci by his side, he said dejectedly, “Zheng Shanci, they left so quickly.”

Zheng Shanci patted his back, comforting him, “We’ll see them again in the spring. When we go to the capital, you can spend more time with your father-in-law.”

In his heart, Zheng Shanci wanted to achieve something significant, allowing them to move from a remote county to the capital.

The mandarin duck jade pendants from Yu Furen were a perfect gift, and each of them wore one. The gift was well-received. Yu Lanyi felt down for a while, then went back to the room to chat with Jin Yun.

Jin Yun knew that Yu Er Ye’s family treated Yu Lanyi well, even though they rarely saw each other. Every year on Yu Lanyi’s birthday, gifts never stopped coming. Yu Lanyi felt a bit conflicted, looking around before dismissing the attendants, leaving only him and Jin Yun in the room.

“Didn’t I have a conflict with Cui Ge’er before? I understand him now.”

Jin Yun remembered that Cui Ge’er was known for being a virtuous Ge’er, while his young master had a different reputation, so Yu Lanyi was quite competitive with Cui Ge’er.

“Now that I think about it, he’s a delicate Ge’er who followed Big Cousin to the border, which is impressive,” Yu Lanyi said. He realized the difficulties after arriving in Xinfeng County. Cui Ge’er, a young master from a prestigious family, hadn’t learned martial arts and was physically weak. The conditions at the border were harsher than in Xinfeng County, yet he still followed Big Cousin, showing how much he liked him.

“I’ll try not to argue with him in the future,” Yu Lanyi said.

Jin Yun smiled with satisfaction.

Zheng Shanci didn’t send any other gifts with Yu Er Ye, planning to send something useful in the spring. Otherwise, it would be too troublesome to go back and forth.

With Yu Er Ye’s departure, the New Year was approaching. Tan He received a letter from Zheng Shanci, instructing the workers to build the textile workshop.

Zheng Shanci asked Zheng Qingyin, “Qingyin, do you want to learn how to manage the textile workshop?”

Zheng Qingyin was a bit startled, meeting Zheng Shanci’s gaze and lowering his head, “But I only know embroidery, not how to manage these things.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve found a steward to help you learn. You can learn some skills from him,” Zheng Shanci said. “If he doesn’t teach you or bullies you because you’re young, remember to tell me. But I’ve chosen honest people, so they shouldn’t dare. You can embroider in your spare time, and when you’ve learned the skills, you can open a shop and become the manager. How about that?”

Hearing about becoming a manager, Zheng Qingyin’s heart raced. He thought of the leisurely demeanor of the shop owner when he used to sell pouches and handkerchiefs in Qingxiang Village.

How could he become a manager? Could he do it?

“Second Brother, I’m afraid I can’t do it.”

He was afraid he couldn’t, not that he didn’t dare. Zheng Shanci patted his back and smiled, “Don’t be afraid. With me here, I’ll back you up if anything happens.”

Zheng Shanci spoke with confidence. As the county magistrate, managing a textile workshop was a small matter. Zheng Qingyin wasn’t a spoiled child; he was just learning from the steward.

“Second Brother, I can give it a try,” Zheng Qingyin thought for a moment and agreed with Zheng Shanci. He wanted to change himself and become more capable. That way, he wouldn’t be troubled by other things.

Since leaving Qingxiang Village, apart from missing his father and dad, Zheng Qingyin had been able to sleep well every day here.

As Zheng Shanci was about to leave, Zheng Qingyin stopped him, “Second Brother, this is a pouch I embroidered for you.”

Zheng Shanci saw the pouch embroidered with auspicious clouds. No wonder they say younger brothers are like little cotton-padded jackets for their older brothers. Warmth filled Zheng Shanci’s heart, and he hung the pouch on his waist.

“Thank you, little brother. I really like it.”

After Zheng Shanci left, Zheng Qingyin’s heart was still racing. He lay on the bed, covering his face with the quilt. Unable to breathe, he poked his head out.

Becoming a manager was something he never dared to imagine before.

…

Zheng Shanci also arranged work for Zheng Shancheng. Zheng Shancheng and Lin Ge’er could work at the Zheng family restaurant. Zheng Shancheng’s legs were not convenient, and Lin Ge’er wanted to be with him.

At the Zheng family restaurant, there wasn’t much effort required. Lin Ge’er only needed to check the kitchen’s ingredients daily to ensure no shortcuts were taken, while Zheng Shancheng oversaw the workers, making it quite easy.

Zheng Shancheng said, “This job is too easy, like being a steward.”

Lin Ge’er replied, “That’s how easy it is to be a steward, and you get paid.”

They were satisfied with the job.

Everyone at the Zheng family restaurant knew they were Zheng Shanci’s elder brother and sister-in-law, so no one dared to oppose them.

Zheng Shanci recruited people for the textile workshop, starting with the widows of soldiers. This time, the workshop was larger, hiring about a hundred women and Ge’ers. The county yamen’s funds were enough to pay the workers, and next month, when the stewards submitted the accounts, there would be more money.

Tan He was a quiet person, doing his job diligently, and Zheng Shanci was quite satisfied with him.

According to regulations, the county yamen had a seven-day holiday for the New Year, although some positions required shift work.

The county yamen’s household department distributed salt, rice, and oil to everyone, along with their New Year salaries. They had paid leave, and additional benefits depended on local government revenue. Everyone knew that the new county magistrate had opened three workshops, earning a lot of money, and they eagerly awaited their share.

Zheng Shanci didn’t hold back and said, “This is my first year in office, and I want to thank everyone for their cooperation. The three workshops have made money, so everyone will receive an extra tael of silver for the New Year, along with a set of cotton clothes. You can choose the size at the textile workshop, and each person will also receive three jars of chili sauce and two jars of oil.”

The yamen officers cheered.

“Great!”

“This year, we can have a good New Year. My wife is also working at the textile workshop, so we’re both earning money.”

“Zheng Daren is the best official.”

Registrar Zhu exhaled and smiled.

A tael of silver for so many people in the yamen was a significant sum. Zheng Shanci thought about how the three workshops had indeed made money, and merchants in Xinfeng County had placed large orders, planning to sell chili sauce to other counties and prefectures in the spring. The oil workshop not only produced peanut oil but also sesame oil, with high quality that the county residents loved to buy.

The cotton in the cotton clothes was directly sourced from the villagers, making the clothes affordable and comfortable for the people.

Qi County Deputy felt that Zheng Shanci was giving small favors. If he were the county magistrate, he would give even more silver to the yamen officers. Unfortunately, he didn’t have that position.

The yamen officers left happily. With the New Year money, they had more to spend on New Year goods.

When Zheng Shanci used to work in an office, they would always distribute money before holidays, probably to encourage spending during the festive season.

The streets were bustling with people as Zheng Shanci walked out of the county yamen.