Chapter 226: The First Year of Zhaoxin [Bonus Chapter]

Chapter 226: Extra Update for the First Year of Zhaoxin

To allow the children to participate in the New Year's Eve dinner, Qiu Huanian drew up designs which were then skillfully crafted by Bing Qi and Bing Ba into three children's chairs.

The children's chairs were of a style commonly seen in modern restaurants, tall, allowing the babies to sit at eye level with the adults, making it convenient for care and feeding.

The chairs for Gu Gu, Yang Yang, and Little Raccoon were placed beside the large round table. The babies leaned against the curved backrests that fit snugly against their backs, with their little legs sticking out from the circular openings below, sitting steadily.

The small tables on the sides of the children's chairs had been lowered, and specially designed bowls and plates could be secured on the tables, ensuring they wouldn't be knocked over.

Gu Gu and Yang Yang were still unable to use utensils, so they were given finger foods. The two-year-old Little Raccoon, however, was holding a small silver spoon, stirring around in a bowl containing egg custard and fish paste.

When Little Raccoon ate alone, he was very well-behaved, but whenever he was with Gu Gu and Yang Yang, it was as if some strange trait had awakened in him, and he suddenly became mischievous.

Yang Yang was always the slowest eater, while Gu Gu was the opposite, devouring everything like a whirlwind. The nanny often wished that the twins could somehow balance each other out.

However, today, Gu Gu ate much more slowly, sitting properly throughout the meal without dropping or throwing anything, as if he had suddenly become self-conscious.

The New Year's Eve dinner ended amidst the adults' observations and teasing of the three children. Outside, the snow had stopped falling, and bursts of firecrackers echoed from near and far in the night sky.

The number of servants in the mansion had increased, and this year, Qiu Huanian did not meet with everyone as usual, but he still gave out an extra month's wages and provided several lavish New Year's Eve feasts for them to rest and reunite, including those who stayed behind in the Beijing residence.

After the dinner, the younger generation began to pay their New Year's respects one by one. Little Raccoon had prepared auspicious words and stood solemnly in the center of the room, bowing with clasped hands, which made Qiu Huanian smile with delight.

Qiu Huanian tried to coax Little Raccoon into calling him "Daddy," but Su Xinbai quickly snatched his son away.

When it came time to hand out red envelopes, Yang Yang indeed had his own little scheme, clinging to the jade pendant on Du Yunse's waist and refusing to let go, insisting on having the shiny, beautiful stone.

Du Yunse, who always doted on Yang Yang without limits, immediately took it off and gave it to him. Not wanting to show favoritism, he then gave a beautiful jade from his fan pendant to Little Raccoon and a tortoiseshell ring to Gu Gu.

This set off a chain reaction, as the three youngest children began treating Du Yunse like a wish-granting machine, each asking for this and that. Qiu Huanian, enjoying the spectacle, not only didn't help to defuse the situation but also occasionally gave the children suggestions.

In the final round, Du Yunse had almost no accessories or small items left on him. Yang Yang reached for the cloud-patterned agate hairpin adorning Du Yunse's crown.

Du Yunse gently shook his head, bent down, and picked up Yang Yang, softly explaining, "This was given to me by your father, so I can't give it away."

Yang Yang didn't quite understand Du Yunse's words, but he didn't make a fuss after being refused. He obediently took his pile of "spoils" and went to hide lazily in the nanny's arms.

Du Yunse's voice was just loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear. Su Xinbai and Meng Yuanling teamed up to tease Qiu Huanian, who, having had a bit to drink, felt his face burn and unusually did not retaliate.

He propped his chin on his hand, smiling at Du Yunse. When Du Yunse turned around, he saw Qiu Huanian's eyes sparkling with laughter, and for a moment, he felt his breath catch.

A servant from the mansion came in to announce that the fireworks in the courtyard were ready. Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian, cloaked in their capes, went outside hand in hand, followed by the others.

Qiu Huanian didn't want to carry a hand warmer, as it would prevent him from holding Du Yunse's hand, so Du Yunse had to hold both of Qiu Huanian's hands in his own.

With a whoosh, the first firework bloomed in the night sky. Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse turned their heads simultaneously to watch as a cascade of fiery blossoms lit up before their eyes.

The smell of gunpowder, the sound of firecrackers, and the dazzling colors directly assaulted their senses. For a moment, Qiu Huanian almost felt as if he were in a celestial paradise, but the warmth and real touch from Du Yunse's hands brought him back to earth.

After this night, the era of Emperor Yuanhua officially came to an end, and the first year of Zhaoxin had arrived.

...

At the beginning of the new year, everything was renewed, and both Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse were busy for quite some time.

When they finally caught a breather, the date of the metropolitan exam was approaching.

Meng Yuanling was nearly eight months pregnant, making movement difficult and the possibility of labor imminent at any time. Qiu Huanian dared not let him accompany Yun Cheng to the capital for the exams alone, so he decided to return to the capital himself when the time came, also taking the opportunity to inspect the family's businesses there.

Actually, Meng Yuanling could have stayed in Tianjin to wait for Yun Cheng, but the two had been childhood sweethearts. Now they were facing life-changing events for the first time—childbirth and the metropolitan exam. Neither wanted to be apart for long.

Qiu Huanian got the young couple's feelings, which is why he suggested accompanying them back to the capital. After all, Tianjin was close to the capital, and the residence in the capital was already ready, so it wouldn’t take much effort.

Additionally, there was another, more practical reason: the capital was, after all, the capital. If Meng Yuanling encountered any issues during childbirth, Qiu Huanian could use his influence to call for a royal physician from the Imperial Hospital.

As the date of the metropolitan exam approached, Yun Cheng, Meng Yuanling, and Qiu Huanian set off, joined by Yuan Jia, who was returning to the capital to continue her work at the Imperial Library, along with her younger brother.

Du Yunse, busy with official duties, was too busy to come along and came to the city gate to see them off.

Before their departure, Yun Cheng gave a respectful bow, thanking his elder brother for his care and guidance. Du Yunse patted the shoulder of his younger cousin, who had grown almost as tall as him.

"Your literary talent in writing is a bit weak, but your strength lies in your practical and grounded thinking. Every word you write tackles real issues, and this is your advantage. Never abandon it."

"During your time in Tianjin, I’ve reviewed many of your essays and had you observe and reflect on the issues at the port and in the government offices. But how much of this you can apply depends on your own insight."

Yun Cheng, still young, had to ask his most respected and admired elder brother before leaving, "Brother Yunse, do you think I have a chance of passing the imperial examination this time?"

Du Yunse replied candidly, "The imperial examination in the first year of Emperor Zhaoxin's reign will be both easier and harder."

Yun Cheng was struck by this and quickly understood Du Yunse's meaning.

It would be easier because this was the first metropolitan exam and Palace Examination of the Zhaoxin era, and to mark the occasion, more imperial examination candidates would probably pass than in previous years. However, it would also be harder because this was the first imperial examination since the new emperor’s ascension, and the emperor would undoubtedly place great importance on it. Any candidate who didn’t meet his expectations would not be accepted.

So, what kind of officials would best suit Emperor Zhaoxin’s preferences?—Yun Cheng was standing right in front of the emperor’s most trusted official.

Yun Cheng let out a breath, and the last bit of anxiety in his heart completely dissipated.

In both the path of the imperial examination and the way of governance, he had been guided entirely by Du Yunse. His approach bore the strong imprint of his elder brother’s influence.

During the metropolitan exam and the Palace Examination, he only needed to showcase everything he had learned, without worrying about any other factors.

Yun Cheng stepped into the spacious carriage, where Meng Yuanling was already dozing off amidst a pile of soft cushions.

In the carriage ahead, Qiu Huanian leaned out and waved to Du Yunse.

"Look after the kids. Once I reach the capital, I’ll write to you—one letter a day, don’t forget!"