Chapter 75: Happy New Year

Chapter 75: New Year's Celebrations

Shortly after the heavy snowfall, news of the great victory in Wunan reached the capital. The report stated that the Chěng Tribe’s venomous plague had been broken, with most of the soldiers afflicted by it collapsing and their combat strength severely diminished. They were nearly swept away by the Great Zhao army and fled in utter rout. Given the current situation, victory was virtually certain.

As predicted, just over half a month later, another dispatch arrived posthaste, announcing that due to the exposure of the poison plot, internal strife had erupted within the Chěng Tribe. The soldiers, unable to endure the tyranny of their ruler, rose up in revolt. After consulting with Prince Yong, Pei Xuan seized the opportunity to lead an assault straight to the heart of the Chěng royal compound, executing their new king. Now, they awaited Imperial decree.

Emperor Qingzhen immediately summoned the Crown Prince and several chief ministers to discuss the matter. The Chěng Tribe had occupied the southwestern region of Great Zhao for decades, and their elimination removed a long-standing threat.

The ministers were of the opinion that, with the Chěng Tribe conquered, their lands should be incorporated into Great Zhao’s territory, with troops temporarily stationed there.

The Crown Prince did not oppose this but added that the Chěng people, accustomed to living in such barren and uncivilized lands, were impoverished and ignorant. To ensure lasting stability and prevent future unrest, the most crucial task was securing their loyalty. The court could send envoys to teach them sericulture, weaving, and farming techniques, ensuring they were clothed, fed, and content in their dwellings—only then would they truly submit to Great Zhao.

Emperor Qingzhen adopted this suggestion and, with an imperial edict, named the newly acquired territory "Chixi," designating Wunan as its administrative center under future governance.

He also ordered Pei Xuan and Prince Yong to return to the capital with the army after completing their tasks to receive their rewards.

However, given the complexity of affairs in Wunan and its great distance from the capital, their triumphant return would have to wait until after the New Year.

Upon learning of this from the Crown Prince, Pei Yun immediately sent word to the Duke of State Stabilization’s residence. Lady Zhou and Jiang Lanqing, mother and daughter-in-law, embraced each other in joyful tears. By the time Pei Xuan returned to the capital, Jiang Lanqing’s unborn child would be six or seven months along. Now, their long-held anxieties could finally be laid to rest, allowing them to celebrate the New Year in peace.

Time passed like a white colt glimpsed through a crack, and soon it was another New Year’s Eve. With the victory in Wunan and Great Zhao’s territorial expansion, the Qianqing Palace was filled with a jubilant atmosphere.

Chen’er, now running around everywhere, was no longer content to sit obediently in Pei Yun’s arms. Instead, he trailed after Li Jin like a little shadow all day.

Li Jin, delighted by this, took his younger brother by the hand as soon as they entered the Qianqing Palace to play with Li Qian and the others.

The Fourth Imperial Grandson, now one year old and held in Princess Consort Yu’s arms, wriggled eagerly upon seeing his older siblings playing so happily. Named Li Yan, he bore a stronger resemblance to his father, Prince Yu.

It was said that a concubine in Prince Yu’s household had recently been discovered to be pregnant. Though this concubine had been chosen by Princess Consort Yu herself, she had always been given preventative draughts—this time, somehow, she had conceived despite this.

As it was still an imperial descendant, Princess Consort Yu, though displeased, dared not act against it. If the Empress Dowager found out, there would be consequences. So she allowed the concubine to carry the pregnancy to term—let her give birth, as it posed no challenge to her station.

Tonight, the Empress Dowager’s smile never faded. Even when she saw Princess Consort Cheng, Cheng Siyuan, she unusually bestowed rare favor upon her.

When the scandal of their threat of annulment had erupted, the Empress Dowager had grown somewhat disdainful of Cheng Siyuan, even wishing the two would separate so she could select a more suitable consort for Prince Cheng and hasten the arrival of an heir. Yet within days, the young couple had reconciled, appearing more devoted than ever.

Noble Consort Gao, seated below, noticed the Empress Dowager’s lack of inquiry and took the initiative to say, "Your Majesty, as it’s the New Year, this concubine has tidings of joy for you."

"Oh? What tidings?" The Empress Dowager’s interest was lukewarm.

Pei Yun, seeing this, quickly interjected, "Could it be that Princess Consort Cheng is with child?"

At these words, the Empress Dowager immediately came to attention and turned to Cheng Siyuan. "Is it true?"

Cheng Siyuan, blushing slightly, nodded and rose to reply courteously, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician examined me yesterday and confirmed that I am about one month pregnant."

Overjoyed, the Empress Dowager urged Cheng Siyuan to sit down, instructing the physician to examine her again carefully and ordering her attendants to retrieve restorative tonics from the storeroom after the banquet.

Pei Yun couldn’t help but smirk privately—in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, the worth of women like them seemed to lie solely in bearing children.

If she was this pleased now, just wait until she learned Princess Consort Cheng was carrying twins—her joy would know no bounds.

Emperor Qingzhen had no habit of staying up late on New Year’s Eve. Almost every year, shortly after the hour of Hai (9–11 PM), he would appear thoroughly drunk and be escorted away by Fang Xi. This year was no exception.

This was just as well. Last year, the Crown Prince had promised to stay up with them but was summoned to the imperial study due to a sudden outbreak of disease in Yuezhou, leaving Jin Er deeply disappointed.

This year, he would make up for it.

Chen’er, still too young to understand the tradition of staying up late, simply refused to sleep if his older brother didn’t. He sat obediently, nibbling on pastries. But as someone who usually slept by Hai hour, he couldn’t hold out for long. Soon, clutching a half-eaten osmanthus cake, his eyelids drooped, and his head began to nod as he dozed off.

Pei Yun couldn’t hold back her laughter at the scene. Li Zhangye was the one who stepped forward, picking up Chen'er and attempting to carry him back to the side hall.

But Chen'er woke up immediately. Though he could barely keep his eyes open from exhaustion, he still clutched Li Zhangye's lapel and said, "Daddy, pop pop, pop pop..."

Pei Yun knew what he meant. Earlier, Jin Er had told him that when the New Year’s Eve countdown reached its time, firecrackers would be set off—those loud, booming firecrackers—and he had remembered.

Now, he wouldn’t calm down unless he heard them.

Li Zhangye smiled wryly and simply instructed Chang Lu, "Go light one or two firecrackers in the courtyard first."

Chang Lu obeyed. Before long, Li Zhangye carried Chen'er out of the hall, while Pei Yun followed with Li Jin. The family of four stood beneath the covered walkway, watching the firecrackers crackle and pop in the courtyard.

Chen'er covered his ears, torn between fear and excitement. After this, all his sleepiness vanished. He wriggled out of the Crown Prince’s arms and toddled into the courtyard, pointing at the spent firecrackers on the ground. "Pop pop, pop pop, again!"

Seeing his lingering excitement, Chang Lu said, "Your Highness, there are still some smaller ones left—the kind strung on sticks that you can hold. They're specially made for children to play with."

Before Chen'er could react, Jin Er's eager gaze turned to Pei Yun. Pei Yun looked at the Crown Prince, only to find him looking back at her.

Now, the man and both children were staring at her, waiting for her decision.

Finally, Pei Yun could only smile and say, "Go play with your brother—just be careful."

Li Jin quickly agreed and dashed into the courtyard, taking the firecrackers handed to him by Chang Lu. He crouched down and helped Chen'er hold the stick.

A young eunuch darted over, lit the fuse, and scurried off. In an instant, beautiful sparks flew, and the sound was much softer than the earlier firecrackers. Chen’er beamed with delight, his childish, clear laughter mingling with the crackling sounds, filling the courtyard with festive New Year’s cheer.

Just then, a palace servant hurried in to announce, "Your Highness... is here."

Amid the noise in the courtyard, Pei Yun couldn't quite hear. But the Crown Prince beside her had sharp ears. His brows furrowed at the words, and he swiftly descended the steps.

Yet before he could react, a tall, commanding figure strode in just as the firecrackers burned out.

Pei Yun's expression also changed. She quickly followed the Crown Prince and stepped forward to bow.

"Rise, all of you."

Emperor Qingzhen raised a hand, glancing at the scattered ashes and red firecracker wrappers in the courtyard before surveying the surroundings—decorated with red lanterns and paper-cuttings. "In the entire palace, your place is the liveliest, Crown Prince. I went for a walk nearby because I couldn’t sleep. Hearing the firecrackers, I came to see."

Couldn’t sleep?

Pei Yun was puzzled. Half an hour ago, hadn’t he seemed drunk and drowsy? Now, he seemed completely sober—clearly, it had all been an act.

"It’s New Year’s Eve tonight. I thought to stay up with the children, and to pass the time, we set off firecrackers for fun," the Crown Prince said.

Li Jin had already led Chen'er over to bow to Emperor Qingzhen. "Your grandson greets the Emperor Grandfather."

Emperor Qingzhen nodded, then turned his gaze to Chen'er, who had just clumsily copied his brother's bow but was now staring at him in confusion. Chen'er blinked his wide, dark eyes, wondering how the grandfather he had just seen in Chenqian Palace had suddenly appeared here.

After a moment, he took two steps forward and abruptly spread his hands. "New Year blessings... red envelope money..."

Pei Yun was startled. She had indeed told Chen'er that if he bowed and greeted the Emperor on New Year’s Eve, he would receive red envelope money. But she hadn’t expected the little one to try doubling his reward.

Afraid that Emperor Qingzhen might be displeased, she was about to explain when the Emperor suddenly burst into laughter. With a sweep of his arm, he lifted Chen'er into his arms.

"Our third grandson is sharp as a tack! The greetings won’t go unrewarded. But Grandfather doesn’t have any money on him—how about something else?"

With that, Emperor Qingzhen actually took off his red agate thumb ring and gave it to Chen'er, then removed a white jade pendant from his waist and presented it to Li Jin—playing no favorites.

Li Zhangye, however, frowned and clasped his hands respectfully. "Father, these are too precious..."

"Stop being difficult."

Emperor Qingzhen knew exactly what he was about to say the moment he opened his mouth. He disliked the Crown Prince's rigid and dull temperament more than anything. "I'm fond of these two children. If I want to give them something, I will."

He paused, as if suddenly recalling something, his voice softening slightly.

"It's been years since I spent New Year's Eve with anyone. Back then, you were probably about Chen'er's age..."

Pei Yun rarely heard Emperor Qingzhen speak of the past. If the Crown Prince had been as young as Chen'er at the time, Emperor Qingzhen likely hadn’t yet ascended the throne and was merely a neglected prince under the late emperor. He'd married the late empress, then a daughter of the Shen family, and was dispatched by imperial decree to guard the desolate northwestern border due to his martial prowess.

Pei Yun couldn't help glancing at the Crown Prince. But he had been too young then—surely he wouldn’t remember any of it.

Emperor Qingzhen did not linger. After speaking, he set Chen'er down and suddenly cast a deep look at Pei Yun before turning to the Crown Prince with a smile. "You are luckier than I. It seems the Crown Princess I chose for you was not a mistake."

There was a touch of emotion in his voice as he added, "Carry on. I shall retire now." With that, he turned and strode out of the hall.

Pei Yun watched Emperor Qingzhen’s departing figure, his shadow stretching long under the palace lanterns flanking the moon gate. She had always thought her father-in-law was spry and energetic, yet at this moment, she suddenly sensed a strange loneliness and exhaustion about him.

Could this be why Emperor Qingzhen had begun making reckless choices in the previous life around this time?

The tradition of staying up for the New Year required one to remain awake until dawn. But neither Chen'er nor Jin Er could endure it. After the midnight bell tolled, Pei Yun, as she had the year before, sent the children to bed.

She then instructed Yun Yan and Yun Mo to distribute silver coins to the palace servants in the hall—it was customary to give gifts during the New Year.

After giving her orders, she turned back to the hall and saw the Crown Prince standing at the entrance. She knew what he meant immediately—he was leaving again.

Since the day in the imperial garden, however busy he was, the Crown Prince made time to dine with her and the children in the evening. But he never stayed the night, not even on designated days. She knew he wanted her to come willingly.

She stepped forward and, before he could speak, hooked her fingers around his, with a bright smile. "Will Your Highness not come in?"

Li Zhangye gazed at her radiant face, his gaze darkened, then slowly enveloped her delicate hand in his palm and whispered, "Alright."

Over an hour later, the massive desk in the outer chamber was knocked crooked from repeated impacts. Papers lay crumpled in piles, and books and scrolls were strewn across the floor, mingled with discarded robes and skirts.

The small couch in the inner chamber fared no better—the cushions were soaked, and a plain underrobe along with a crimson inner garment still dangled from the corner of the tea table.

The sound of splashing water echoed from the bathing chamber, interspersed with soft, breathy whimpers that sent shivers down one’s spine.

By the time Pei Yun was carried out, she'd lost all sense of time. She wondered if it had been too long since he last indulged—he'd been like a starved beast, insatiable.

Exhausted, she blamed herself for agreeing to it. She knew exactly how relentless he was, yet once they were alone in the chamber, she had merely tugged at his collar and stood on tiptoe to brush his lips—only to be swept onto the desk in an instant. Like sparks to tinder, not even a pool of water could have doused the flames.

The Crown Prince held her as they lay down to sleep. Just as Pei Yun was drifting off, he whispered in her ear, "Wishing you a peaceful New Year."

Pei Yun faintly recalled him saying the same thing to her the previous year in this very place. Lazily, she asked, "Is that Your Highness’s only wish?"

Li Zhangye was silent for a moment before replying, "There is another, but it is not as important as this one."

Pei Yun opened her eyes, remembering the day she had told him she fell into the water because the zigzag bridge collapsed. After his initial shock, the Crown Prince had examined the bridge with a frown, his expression turning grave.

Fearing he might lose sleep over it again, she had added that in her dream, it had happened years later—perhaps it might not come to pass at all.

Yet not long after, the bridge had been completely dismantled. Pei Yun didn’t need to guess who was behind it.

He was still trying to do something.

Pei Yun wasn’t avoiding investigation—she simply had no leads at the moment. Three years could change too many things. Perhaps by letting things unfold naturally, she might gradually uncover clues.

Not wishing to dwell on the matter, she looked up at him and asked instead, "Then what is the other wish?"

The Crown Prince remained silent, merely gazing at her with his deep, dark eyes. Pei Yun understood instantly.

She simply smiled and said, "Let's not talk anymore. Get some rest, Your Highness. You’ll need to rise early for the imperial audience later."

Perhaps it was better that he couldn't say it—because she likely couldn’t give it either. Back then, she had only promised to be a good wife to him.

Just his wife—nothing more.

As the ice melted and spring blossoms bloomed, by the end of the first lunar month, the victorious army returned from Wunan amidst the revival of all things.

Pei Xuan and Prince Yong, as protocol dictated, were to first enter the palace for an audience with the emperor. Only after returning from the palace could they each go back to their respective residences and attend the evening banquet at Qianqing Palace.

Jiang Lanqing, now heavily pregnant, was naturally unable to go to the city gates to welcome them. But Pei Wei, as restless as ever, had invited Princess Wulan to join her in snagging the best seats in a teahouse to wait.

As the army slowly marched through the Desheng Gate, Pei Wei ignored the onlookers, leaning out the window, waving eagerly while shouting "Elder Brother!" at Pei Xuan, who rode at the forefront. Over the noise of the crowd, Pei Xuan somehow heard her, turning his head to glance at her with a small smile. But when his gaze landed on Princess Wulan standing beside Pei Wei, his smile froze.

Unlike Pei Wei’s joy, Wulan wore a troubled frown. Her eyes anxiously scanned the crowd, unable to find the person she sought.

"Where is my prince? Where is my prince…" she muttered anxiously.

By protocol, her prince should have been at the front—why couldn’t she spot him anywhere?

Over the past six months, she had sent several letters to Wunan, but her prince had only replied once or twice, mostly assuring her that he was well and not to worry.

Had he lied to her? His legs, though better now, were still not fully healed, and he was stubborn. His greatest wish had always been to return to the battlefield—what if he’d overexerted himself and been hurt?

Just as Wulan’s fears grew, a soldier knocked on the private room’s door.

"Princess Consort of Yong, the Duke of State Stabilization ordered me to tell you that Prince Yong entered the city earlier this morning. He said he was heading straight to the estate to see you."

At this, Wulan’s fear lessened slightly. She had rushed here early in her eagerness to see him—only to miss him because of it.

"I’ll head back first," she said hastily to Pei Wei before pushing open the door, hiking up her skirts, and hurrying downstairs to board her carriage back to Prince Yong’s estate.

Upon arriving at the gates, the gatekeeper said haltingly, "My lady, His Highness just returned. When he heard you had gone to Desheng Gate to welcome him, he turned back—he only just left."

What?

Wulan’s heart sank. She turned to look back the way she had come. With the army’s entry, the streets had grown increasingly crowded, her carriage barely managing to squeeze through. Her prince might still be nearby.

She couldn’t wait another second—it had been half a year since she last saw him. She missed him so much. Ignoring her maids’ calls, Wulan broke into a light run, scanning every passing carriage, calling out "Your Highness!"—but no one answered.

After searching for some time, exhaustion finally set in. Defeated, she turned back, resigning herself to waiting at home. It might take longer, but it was the same in the end.

Midway, the rapid clatter of hooves approached from behind, showing no sign of slowing. Instinctively, she turned—but before she could see clearly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and hauled her onto a horse.

A powerful arm locked firmly across her chest, immobilizing her. Wulan couldn’t believe it—who would dare kidnap someone in broad daylight? "Who are you? Let me go! Do you even know who my husband is?" she cried in panic.

"Oh? And who is your husband?" A familiar voice chuckled low in her ear. "All I know is that I’ve just snatched my own wife."