Ning Wanwan knew her grandmother had long-standing issues with her father, especially since her mother, Ning Jing, was still alive. Their relationship was now completely frozen, so her grandmother and father tried to avoid each other.
“Then I’ll stay and keep you company.”
Old Lady Ning looked surprised. “You’re not going to accompany your father?” Although Lin Zhengyang favored his concubine-born daughter, Lin Yutong, she knew Wanwan still cared about her father.
“He has Xu-shi with him. He doesn’t need me,” Ning Wanwan said calmly, standing up to pour tea for her grandmother.
Mentioning Xu-shi, Old Lady Ning nodded, “I see Xu-shi is more capable than He-shi. She’s been managing the Ning Guo Mansion well lately. I underestimated her.”
“Xu-shi has no children and comes from a humble scholarly family, but her father raised her to be reasonable. She has no grand ambitions in the Ning Guo Mansion and seeks a peaceful life.”
Old Lady Ning approved, “You’re becoming more perceptive in judging people.” Her gaze fixed on Ning Wanwan’s face.
Feeling uncomfortable, Ning Wanwan asked, “Why are you looking at me like that, Grandmother?”
Old Lady Ning replied, “I think it’s time for you to start learning to manage the household affairs.”
Ning Lao Tai pointed at Ning Wanwan, laughing, “I thought you had changed, but you’re still just playing around.”
Ning Wanwan stuck out her tongue, making her laugh heartily.
The grandmother and granddaughter chatted for a while, hearing the distant sounds of gongs and drums.
Ning Lao Tai said, “It seems the palace’s Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits has begun. I don’t like the crowds outside, so you can go with the maids to watch.”
Every New Year’s Eve, the palace holds a Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits.
Officials from the imperial court and military guards wore masks and colorful brocade costumes, carrying golden spears and dragon flags. A burly man would portray the general, an ugly person the judge, and others would embody door gods, Zhong Kui, land gods, and kitchen gods.
Hundreds would parade from the palace to drive away evil spirits, marching and playing music to the South Xun Gate. They would then proceed through Dragon Bend, a process known as “burying evil spirits,” marking the ritual’s end.
Ning Wan Wan shook her head, lacking enthusiasm. “I’ve seen this show for over a decade. I don’t want to watch.” She snuggled close to Ning Lao Tai, saying coyly, “Today, I’ll just stay here and keep grandmother company during New Year’s Eve.”
Ning Lao Tai laughed, “Good, good. As you wish.”
Ning Wan Wan turned to the busy Chang Nanny and called out, “Chang Nanny, please move chairs to the corridor later and light a few more charcoal braziers. Grandmother and I will sit in the corridor and listen to the excitement. I heard Persia has presented the Emperor with many novel fireworks.”
Chang Nanny happily responded, “Yes,” and began instructing the servants to arrange everything.
The grandmother and granddaughter sat in chairs in the corridor, warming themselves and chatting.
In the distance, the Five Phoenix Tower at Zhengyang Gate and the four corner towers of the Purple Gold Palace were brightly lit, with red lanterns reflecting the light of the tall Changqing Tower in the western city.
Ning Wan Wan knew without going out that Biandu street was packed with families rushing to watch the palace’s Nuo ritual. The sounds of gongs, firecrackers, and laughter continued until late into the night before gradually subsiding.
Ning Wan Wan noticed that Ning Lao Tai had fallen asleep in the chair. She leaned close and softly called, “Grandmother… Grandmother?”
Chang Nanny smiled, “The old madam has fallen asleep.”
“Quickly help grandmother to bed.”
Ning Wan Wan and Chang Nanny helped the grandmother to bed, covering her with blankets before rising.
Chang Nanny advised Ning Wan Wan, “Miss, it’s late. You should rest. We servants can keep watch.”
Ning Wan Wan shook her head, “I can’t sleep. I’ll stay here. If any of you get tired, you can rest.”
Chang Nanny quickly instructed the servants, “Bring two warm foot warmers for the miss and add some silver thread charcoal to the brazier.”
Ning Wan Wan returned to the corridor chair, leaning back and gazing at the bright night sky.
Suddenly, she remembered her time locked in the Cold Palace, a lightless existence where seeing the night sky felt like a luxury. She had thought she would die quietly in the dark until one day, Si Zhan, wearing armor, broke open the Cold Palace doors.
That night, the Eastern Palace was illuminated by raging fires, bright like tonight’s sky.
After a while, Fei Yi softly reminded her, “Miss, it’s midnight.” Just then, a series of “whoosh” sounds erupted in the night sky, followed by fireworks blooming in dizzying patterns; sometimes resembling peonies, other times celestial maidens, all bizarre and dazzling.
Zhan Xiang pointed excitedly, “Miss, look, fireworks… they’re so beautiful!” Ning Wan Wan gazed at the sky, her water-like eyes reflecting the brilliant lights. Flowers bloomed under the eastern wind, and stars fell like rain. It was so beautiful. She wondered if Si Zhan was seeing this too.
Despite being a first-rank titled noblewoman, Lady Ning would not typically receive a New Year’s greeting from a prince; however, the Ning Guo Gong family had generations of distinguished merits and were deeply respected by the royal family.
Moreover, as a junior, it was appropriate for him to pay New Year’s respects to Lady Ning.
He turned to Zhou Shu with enthusiasm, saying, “Prepare a good gift. Early tomorrow morning, accompany me to the Ning Guo Gong residence to pay New Year’s respects.”
Zhou Shu nodded repeatedly, his heart filled with joy. He had watched the young prince grow up but had never seen him so happy. From Yuan Bi’s remarks, it appeared the young prince had found someone he liked—the young lady from the Ning Guo Gong residence.
He prayed: Thank heavens, the young prince has finally found his true love. Yet, his brow furrowed. Wasn’t the young lady already betrothed to the current Crown Prince? What should he do?
His joy shifted to worry. Zhou Shu didn’t dare to ask Si Zhan directly and prepared the gifts, troubled.
Upon hearing this, Si Zhan’s cheeks turned slightly red. He lowered his eyes and softly called the name he had hidden in his heart.
“Wan Wan.”
Ning Wan Wan’s lively eyes curved into crescents as she said, “Uncle’s call sounds so nice.”
As she spoke, two blushes climbed from Si Zhan’s cheeks to his ears. He slightly turned his head away, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily lifted.
After a while, he turned back, composing his expression, and pulled out a red envelope from his sleeve to hand to Ning Wan Wan.
“This is your New Year’s money.”
Ning Wan Wan looked surprised at the red envelope. “Uncle prepared New Year’s money for me?”
Si Zhan smiled. “You call me uncle, so let’s have some fun this New Year.”
Ning Wan Wan smiled and accepted it, “Then I’ll take it.”
Yuan Zhu then took out two red pouches and handed them to Fu Yi and Zhan Xiang. They bowed to Si Zhan with bright smiles, “Thank you, Your Highness the Leisurely King.”
Just as Yuan Zhu was about to step back, Ning Wan Wan grabbed her hand.
“Yuan Zhu, this is your New Year’s money. Thank you for saving me at the polo field.”
Yuan Zhu seemed surprised but accepted it after Si Zhan urged her.
“Thank you, Young Mistress.”
Just as Ning Wan Wan was about to smile, her left wrist was suddenly grabbed by Si Zhan. His phoenix eyes nervously stared at the bandage on her hand. “What happened to your hand?”
Panicking, Ning Wan Wan had been hiding her left hand in her wide sleeve, only showing her fingers. In her urgency to stop Yuan Zhu from stepping back, she accidentally exposed her entire hand.
