The reason Qin Fang bought firecrackers was, of course, to celebrate the end of his suffering days.

However, he couldn’t say that; otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t be able to go to bed tonight.

So he seriously found a reason: “When I went to the county town, I saw some families setting off firecrackers, and I thought it looked nice, so I bought some for everyone to try. With Siya and Shoucheng at this age, they haven’t seen firecrackers, and since it’s the New Year, having some atmosphere is good.”

Using his younger siblings as an excuse, Qin Fang thought it was very appropriate.

Yang Haiyan didn’t think too much about it.

Instead, she said with a bit of joy, “I haven’t seen firecrackers in a long time. When I was in the capital in previous years, I didn’t see them often either; I could only see them during the New Year and festivals.”

This was from the original owner’s memory.

The last time she saw fireworks was also during the New Year, when everyone in the village was setting them off, and it was very lively.

However, she had never set off any herself because she was always alone.

When Qin Fang heard this, he followed her words and said, “That’s great! After dinner, let’s have a good time setting them off and playing around.”

Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but look at him a few more times, finding it hard to imagine that Qin Fang could also have such a childish side.

But she asked, “Did you buy a lot?”

Qin Fang generously replied, “Enough for you to play with.” Celebrating, of course, requires a lot to create an atmosphere.

Yang Haiyan felt something was off about Qin Fang today, but she didn’t think too much about it.

Compared to last year, this year’s New Year’s Eve was even livelier.

This year, Yang Haiyan’s manor sold fifteen pigs, each earning less than two taels of silver, totaling nearly thirty taels.

Generally, the pigs of ordinary families sold for only one and a half taels of silver.

The reason her manor’s pigs sold well was because they were meaty, largely thanks to potatoes and sweet potatoes; if they were fed only pigweed every day, how could they get so fat?

Thus, the investment in costs had yielded returns.

However, in an ancient time when people couldn’t even get enough to eat, only landowners could afford to feed pigs with potatoes and sweet potatoes, which was impossible for ordinary families.

Since the pigs were raised by themselves, it didn’t hurt to spend money on them, so on New Year’s Eve, Yang Haiyan roasted a whole pig again.

Not only the whole pig, but there was also a whole roasted lamb.

Their family of four, along with Granny Lian, Aunt Fan, Aunt Yu, Uncle Hong’s family, and five private guards, totaled more than twenty people.

With a whole roasted pig and a whole roasted lamb, it was definitely more than enough, so they also called over Han Zhen and other centurions.

With about ten more men around, they didn’t have to worry about finishing off the roasted pig and lamb.

Besides the whole roasted pig and lamb, there were also other barbecue grills set up, with ingredients like leeks, cabbage, and so on.

Although it was different from New Year’s Eve these days, it had a particularly lively atmosphere.

In fact, during this time, the entire military camp was buzzing with excitement.

Not only was Qin Fang planning, but the centurions were also in on it.

Everyone had some understanding of the matter regarding the imperial envoy and the affairs of the Yonghe Marquis’s residence.

Therefore, the meal at the Qin family took on a different meaning.

After enjoying the roasted pig and lamb, the centurions sat at the Qin family’s place for a while before leaving.

On the way back, Han Zhen ran home at high speed.

As soon as he got home, he shouted, “Dahua…”

Yang Dahua’s voice came from the room: “Hey… the baby is asleep, be a little quieter.” Originally, Yang Dahua was on the invitation list, but she stayed home to take care of the child, so she didn’t go.

Han Zhen said, “Okay, I’ll be quieter. Get up quickly; I brought you roasted pork and roasted lamb; it smells amazing.”

Hearing this, Yang Dahua smiled knowingly, “I’ve already laid down; let’s eat it tomorrow.”

Han Zhen took the roasted pork and lamb into the room: “Eat quickly; this kind of food is best when it’s hot. Besides, our family will have plenty of dishes tomorrow.”

Yang Dahua smelled the aroma and felt it was indeed delicious, which tempted her, so she got up.

However, she didn’t eat alone but invited Han Zhen to eat with her: “You should eat too.”

Han Zhen replied, “I ate plenty at the Qin family. A whole roasted pig and a whole roasted lamb; everyone was very full.”

Hearing this, Yang Dahua didn’t insist he eat: “That was made by Haiyan. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t know how to do it. Not only can they do it, but they’re also generous.”

Han Zhen smiled but didn’t comment on that.

What could he say about someone else’s daughter-in-law?

Yang Dahua then said, “It was very lively today, right?”

Han Zhen said, “It was indeed lively. All ten of us centurions went, and that guy Qin Fang even bought firecrackers, which made things quite interesting. The sound of the firecrackers bursting in the air was especially beautiful.”

However, what he felt more was that everyone had grown up.

Reflecting on this year and the previous ones, Han Zhen felt a distinct difference and also felt the distance between himself and Qin Fang was widening.

Nevertheless, he was happy that Qin Fang was doing well.

Listening to him, Yang Dahua couldn’t help but feel happy as well.

Firecrackers!

Ever since she married and moved to the border, she hadn’t seen any.

Although she didn’t often see them when she was in the capital, she could still catch glimpses of them a few times every year.

Thinking of this, she chimed in, “When I was in the capital, I would see firecrackers every year. Every time I saw them bursting in the air, I felt particularly good, as if all my worries would disappear. But since marrying you, I have never had any troubles.”

When Han Zhen heard her say this, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Whether man or woman, everyone likes to hear sweet words; this is true for lovers and also for spouses.

Their marriage was arranged by the court, and neither of them had the right to choose.

So they could only learn about each other and accommodate each other after getting married.

Han Zhen felt very fortunate to have married Yang Dahua, who was particularly virtuous and gentle.

Being with her felt completely effortless.

Unable to help himself, Han Zhen moved closer and embraced Yang Dahua. “Dahua, thank you. Thank you for bearing my children and for managing the household.”

Yang Dahua leaned against him, a faint smile on her face.

She felt that she should be the one thanking him, thanking him for being so good to her and for making her feel so happy.

Yang Dahua had never imagined in her life that she could marry someone like Han Zhen, primarily because he was so handsome.

When she was still in the Yang family, she thought she would marry a servant and live a very ordinary life.

But now, she had gained her freedom.

After the barbecue at the Qin family on New Year’s Eve ended and everyone left, Granny Lian and others began to clean up, while the family members of the private guards helped out too.

Yang Haiyan yawned, and Qin Fang asked her, “Are you planning to stay up tonight?”

Yang Haiyan shook her head. “No, I’m tired.”

In modern times, she would stay up; but that wasn’t really staying up; it was more like playing on her phone and surfing the internet until after midnight, which counted as staying up.

However, in ancient times, having grown accustomed to early to bed and early to rise, she couldn’t stay up anymore. “Are you going to stay up?”

Han Zhen looked at her thoughtfully and then replied firmly, “I’ll stay up.”

He had to stay up, definitely had to stay up.

Yang Haiyan nodded. “Then I’ll go take a bath and sleep first.”

Qin Fang nodded in response. “Sleep well. It’s only the hour of the dog (9 PM), and there’s still an hour and a half until the hour of the rat (midnight). I think that’s enough time for my wife to get a good sleep.”

Then, at the hour of the rat, when his wife was refreshed, he would start collecting the debts from the past year, with interest.

Thus, Qin Fang looked at Yang Haiyan with eyes like a hunter eyeing its prey.

However, because it was nighttime, Yang Haiyan didn’t notice.

Speaking of which, Yang Haiyan also knew that after the New Year, she would be eighteen.

She was aware of her promise to Qin Fang that when she turned eighteen, they would consummate their marriage.

However, she didn’t know that Qin Fang was unwilling to wait even a few days and was always waiting for midnight to arrive.

If Yang Haiyan knew Qin Fang’s thoughts at that moment, she would have been scared enough to sleep in a separate room.

Since it was too late today, Yang Haiyan didn’t take a bath, but after eating barbecue, she still had a strong smell on her body, so she carefully washed herself and her hair.

In ancient times, after washing hair, twisting it dry was a very troublesome task because even when twisted dry, it was still damp.

However, Yang Haiyan had experience.

She washed herself and her hair in the bathing area, then took out the hair dryer she bought from the market and began to dry her hair.

The hair dryer was quieter than a hairdryer, so while using it, no one outside would notice.

Of course, the effect was not as good as a hairdryer, but it was better than nothing.

When her hair was almost dry, Yang Haiyan went to sleep.

Actually, she was only daring to dry her hair because she knew Qin Fang would be staying up.

If he hadn’t, she wouldn’t have dared to dry her hair; drying it so quickly would definitely raise suspicions.

However, even if she were suspected, there was nothing substantial to worry about.

Qin Fang was staying up with his younger siblings, and a few private guards were around, including the son of the Kun family, Kun Daying, who was chatting with Qin Shoucheng.

As for the female relatives of the private guards, they were keeping watch in the servants’ courtyard.

Staying up was a tradition that everyone enjoyed, especially in a family like the Qin family.

After staying up, the kitchen would send over midnight snacks.

Yang Haiyan had asked Aunt Fan to prepare dumplings, so everyone was willing to stay up for the dumplings.

When the time reached three-quarters past midnight, Qin Fang picked up the remaining firecrackers and lit them, as if celebrating the arrival of the new year.

In fact, Qin Fang was celebrating that he would soon be consummating his marriage.

So as soon as he finished with the firecrackers, he stood up and left.

Aunt Fan brought out the midnight snacks and, seeing Qin Fang walk out, she hurriedly asked, “Aren’t you having a midnight snack, sir?”

Qin Fang replied, “I won’t eat. I suddenly feel very sleepy. I’m going to sleep now. You all can eat slowly. Tomorrow is the first day of the new year; it’s fine to get up a bit later.”

Aunt Fan saluted. “Yes, thank you, sir.”

Qin Fang rarely smiled, and in a good mood, he returned to the main courtyard.

He first went to his room to get a change of clothes after his bath, and when he picked up his underwear, he chose a red pair.

He had only worn this red underwear once before because it was too bright.

But now, he decided it was time to wear it.