eurekapd Chapter 461 Sweet
Chapter 461 Sweet
After the banquet at Luming Terrace, the Yun family's doorstep was practically worn down by people delivering invitations.
Shen and Yu Wan took turns dealing with the guests who came to their door, and they were both exhausted.
Fortunately, the year-end holiday was fast approaching, and the cabinet and the six ministries all took a break. After all, the New Year was just around the corner, and even the most important matters had to be put on hold until after the New Year.
After the court officials were given a holiday, the women in each household had to manage their household affairs and prepare for the New Year, so they naturally had little time to visit the Yun family.
Yu Wan and Madam Shen both secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
These past few days have really worn them out.
This year, Shengjing City is exceptionally lively.
This year is the first year after the new emperor ascended the throne, and also the first year after the eradication of the corrupt aristocratic families. Although the court has not yet achieved complete clean governance, it is at least not like before, where there were a lot of officials, and nine out of ten of them were corrupt.
With money in the national treasury, the new emperor also cared about the people and knew that they had suffered under the oppression of powerful families over the years. So, starting from the Little New Year, the national treasury funded various public welfare activities for the people in county governments, including Shengjing.
Similar to giving gifts to employees during holidays.
In previous years, only officials would receive New Year's gifts from the emperor, but this year, all the people of Dazhao can participate.
The new emperor had previously asked Yun Shang to draft a set of rules. When Yu Wan heard Yun Shang mention this matter, she patted her chest without hesitation and assured him that she could do it.
Yun Shang had no doubts about her and entrusted the matter to her directly.
Yu Wan felt that it would be unseemly for the emperor to send New Year's gifts to the people if they were too plain, so she came up with a lot of interesting ideas.
For example, temple fairs can be held, featuring various traditional folk performances such as dragon and lion dances, stilt walking, and land boat races, with various rewards to encourage public participation.
In this way, people can not only enjoy the wonderful programs, but also participate in them and feel the joyful atmosphere of the festival.
Meanwhile, stalls were set up in various corners of the temple fair, distributing free daily necessities such as rice, flour, and oil, as well as practical items such as writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and cloth, so that people could get real benefits while having fun.
Yu Wan also suggested setting up some fun competitions, such as pitch-pot, archery, and riddles, with winners receiving extra prizes to encourage public participation.
Yun Shang presented the memorial to the emperor, and it was approved that same day. The new emperor instructed him to proceed according to the procedures outlined in the memorial, with all necessary funds to be drawn from the national treasury.
Having confiscated the property of numerous noble families, the court now lacks everything except money.
Therefore, starting from the Little New Year, the New Year temple fair in Shengjing City was held in a lively and bustling manner.
Yu Wan, Yun Xi, and Madam Shen had long wanted to go out and have fun, but guests came to their door every day, so they couldn't leave.
On New Year's Eve, the family finally had some free time and planned to have New Year's Eve dinner together before going to the temple fair.
While other officials were already on holiday at home, Yun Shang, the new emperor's favorite, was still busy. It was assumed that he would be free on New Year's Eve, but unexpectedly, the emperor summoned him to the palace early in the morning.
Madam Shen muttered a few complaints under her breath before busily directing her servants to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner for the evening.
At 3:45 AM, fine snowflakes suddenly hit the bluestone slab, making a soft, crackling sound.
The morning market in Shengjing City had not yet closed. An old man selling sugar paintings at the entrance of Yun Mansion was busy covering his easel with oil paper. The sugar strands solidified instantly into crystal-clear icicles when they met the cold.
Yu Wan stood at the door, holding a hand warmer, watching the old man selling sugar paintings pack up his stall with a smile.
An elderly woman pushed a cart past the entrance of the Yun family mansion, her voice, filled with a smile, drifting on the wind as she spoke to her young grandson.
“We still have some grain left at home this year, so we can pack up and go home early to prepare for the New Year’s Eve dinner. We’ll wait for your dad to come back so we can all have a family reunion.”
The grandson looked to be only two or three years old and seemed not to understand what the old man was saying. He just stared curiously at the sugar tiger covered with snowflakes in his hand.
Sobbing, he said, "Grandpa, the sugar tiger you drew was eaten by the snow."
The old man turned his head and saw that the sugar tiger was covered with white snow.
He immediately beamed with joy, reached out to wipe away his grandson's tears, and laughed heartily.
"Don't cry, sweetie. When Grandpa gets home, he'll make you some maltose, and we'll draw the sugar tiger again!"
Yu Wan watched the old man's figure disappear into the streets and alleys, and couldn't help but smile.
For the people here, this is a real world, and now she feels more and more that this world is real and vibrant.
Yunxi suddenly poked her head out from the door, the gemstone pendant in her hair shimmering with tiny red spots in the snow.
She smiled and called out to Yu Wan, "Sister-in-law, Mother asked if you want to eat fish. The steward just brought back a few plump, lively bass from the estate!"
Yu Wan turned to look at Yun Xi, who was dressed in a new red dress, and smiled. "Eat, I want to eat squirrel-shaped mandarin fish."
It tastes sweet, just thinking about it makes me happy.
Upon hearing this, Yunxi's eyes narrowed into slits with a smile. "Sister-in-law, you have the same taste as me! I'll go tell Mother right now!"
The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the entire city of Shengjing was gradually covered in white snow. However, the snow next to the cooking smoke was melted by the warm air from each household.
Shen couldn't stay idle, so she stayed in the kitchen directing the cooks to prepare various ingredients, and occasionally even did it herself.
Seeing Yu Wan come in, Madam Shen smiled and pulled her over, letting her try a bite of the new dish she had developed.
"How about it?"
Yu Wan smacked her lips, her eyes smiling, "Sweet."
It's too sweet! How much sugar did the Shen family put in?!
After hearing this, Madam Shen went to prepare another dish. Yu Wan stepped forward, rolled up her sleeves, and said, "Mother, let me help you."
Madam Shen quickly waved her hand and turned to push her out of the kitchen, saying, "No, no, I can't let you do it. Yu Niang, you go out and play. Just wait and taste my cooking."
Yu Wan was pushed outside the door. She exchanged a glance with Yun Xi, who had come over to steal some food, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Around 1:00 PM, Madam Shen and the servants of the Yun family had already prepared a table full of New Year's Eve dinner.
Seeing that it was about time, Madam Shen instructed the steward to wait for Yun Shang at the palace gate.
Before Shen could finish speaking, a commotion broke out in the courtyard.
"My lord is back."
"Madam, Madam! The master has returned!"
Shen and Yu Wan looked towards the door at the same time, and saw Yun Shang stride into the courtyard, his black fox fur coat covered with snowflakes.
Upon entering, their eyes immediately fell on Yu Wan.
He looked her over carefully, his gaze settling on her slightly red ears. He couldn't help but frown and ask, "Why are your ears red from the cold?"
Yu Wan subconsciously touched her ears, which were freezing cold. Her eyes brightened, and she said excitedly, "Yunxi and I just built a snowman in the yard. Didn't you see it?"
Yun Shang shook his head.
He was in a hurry to get back home, his mind preoccupied with her, and had no interest in looking at anything else.