Chapter 16: New Year

Chapter 16: Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year in Lingjing arrived swiftly.

This winter was colder than previous years. Due to her frail health, the emperor personally ordered Qiao Wan not to leave her residence until the imperial banquet on New Year's Eve.

Qiao Wan was quite content with this arrangement and simply remained in her residence.

Mu Chi was as gentle and attentive as ever, as if that brief strangeness from the other night had never occurred.

As time passed, Qiao Wan casually pushed the matter to the back of her mind.

Meanwhile, Qiao Heng gave her many rare medicinal herbs. After some thought, Qiao Wan selected a few and had them discreetly delivered to the General's Estate.

If Jing Lan was truly the man who initiated the palace coup in her dream, perhaps this gesture could help her curry favor with him, ensuring her smooth departure from Lingjing in the future.

Even if he wasn't, she had nothing to lose.

On New Year's Eve, Qiao Wan got up early, deliberately dressed in a gold-threaded phoenix gown and a pomegranate-red brocade cloak, and hurried excitedly toward the warm pavilion.

Before even stepping inside, she couldn't help but call out loudly, "Mu Chi!"

When Mu Chi stepped out, he saw a burning "flame" rushing toward him, as if enveloped in a warm, glowing haze.

He suddenly recalled the night he took the Snow Bodhi, when his body was frozen and stiff, and she held him close.

Just like this flame wrapping around him.

Mu Chi's expression darkened momentarily but quickly returned to normal.

Qiao Heng would soon learn that Qiao Wan had "gifted" her personal sachet to Jing Lan, and there was no longer any need for him to stay and keep up the charade with her.

As for now...

Mu Chi frowned almost imperceptibly. That day, when she gave him the Snow Bodhi, she had mentioned that he "must accompany her for the New Year's celebration." Consider it... a small repayment to her.

Unaware of Mu Chi's thoughts, Qiao Wan came to a stop with a smile. Her breath misted in the air, condensing into tiny droplets on her long eyelashes. "Mu Chi, guess what I brought for you?"

Mu Chi collected himself and smiled. "I don't know."

Qiao Wan took a moon-white brocade robe and a snow-white mink cloak from her maid and handed them all to him. "New clothes, of course."

Mu Chi's smile stiffened as he looked at the new clothes in his arms, his eyes filled with confusion.

Qiao Wan laughed. "You wear new clothes for the New Year's celebration, Mu Chi. How come you don't know anything?"

Mu Chi looked up at her.

Great Qi also celebrated the New Year, but... he had only ever watched the fireworks bursting briefly above the palace through the square window of the dungeon, nothing more.

"Alright, stop looking. Go change into your new clothes first," Qiao Wan pushed him gently. "We still have things to do later."

When her mother was alive, she would always make a bowl of dumplings for her on New Year's Eve.

Later, it became a habit for her as well.

When she still lived in the palace, she would celebrate with Yicui. After moving to the princess's residence, since they had to attend the imperial banquet in the evening, making dumplings was shifted to the daytime.

This year, however, was different.

This year, Mu Chi had joined them.

Just as she was thinking, Mu Chi had already changed into his new clothes and walked out. The moon-white robes made his skin appear even more alabaster and jade-like, while the crane-feathered cloak added an air of nobility.

Qiao Wan was stunned momentarily, blinking her eyes. It wasn't until Mu Chi called out "Princess" that she snapped back to reality, her earlobes flushing red as she took his hand and led him to the dining kitchen.

The servants had already prepared everything. The fillings for the sweet dumplings included black sesame, red bean paste, and even walnut and preserved fruit.

Yicui and several maids were already waiting nearby, also wearing new clothes.

Qiao Wan pulled Mu Chi to sit down: "The New Year's celebration isn't complete without eating sweet dumplings," she said, turning to gaze intently at him. "Can you make them?"

Mu Chi hesitated for a moment: "You want to make them yourself?"

He had assumed that, given her sheltered upbringing, she would simply enjoy the festivities while the servants did all the work.

"Of course, that's how it's always been," Qiao Wan said, seeing his expression and realizing he didn't know how. She grinned triumphantly, "Don't worry, today I'll be the teacher and show you how to make them."

As she spoke, her mischievous-looking canines peeked out again.

Behind her, Yicui covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Soon, Mu Chi understood why she was laughing.

Qiao Wan's sweet dumpling-making skills were not the best. The glutinous rice flour dough was particularly uncooperative in her hands, often cracking open even after she had shaped it.

Growing frustrated, Qiao Wan simply squeezed the dough with both hands, tossed it into the flour, and declared it finished. She turned to Mu Chi with a serious expression: "Just wrap the filling in the dough."

Mu Chi paused for a moment, then picked up a ball of dough, wrapped the filling inside, and naturally rolled it between his palms.

Qiao Wan watched wide-eyed as a flawless white dumpling took shape between his slender, pale fingertips. Remembering that she had just offered to teach him, her face flushed red, and she muttered under her breath, "You must have learned this before."

Mu Chi glanced at her.

He had never celebrated the new year before. For him, such holidays were just one among thousands of bleak days spent imprisoned, nothing special.

Later, after gaining freedom, he had even less interest.

Only now did he realize that for others, the new year meant wearing new clothes and eating sweet dumplings.

One by one, the round dumplings were made, each varying in size as they rolled in the flour.

But since sweet dumplings shouldn't be eaten too many, Qiao Wan stopped after making a few.

Just as she was about to wash the flour off her hands, she faintly heard a few excited murmurs from outside.

Curious, Qiao Wan peeked out and was delighted to find that it had started snowing. A thin layer of snow had already accumulated on the ground, covering the estate grounds in white, and the previously withered tree branches were now glazed with silver.

"Mu Chi, it's snowing!" Qiao Wan quickly turned and excitedly called out to Mu Chi, who was washing his hands, before rushing outside.

Mu Chi followed the sound and saw, through the squared doorframe, a scene of pure white. In the midst of the snow stood a girl in red, her cheeks flushed and her eyes shining with excitement.

Mu Chi paused for a moment before getting up and walking outside.

Qiao Wan reached out to catch the fluttering snowflakes, her eyes sparkling: "It hasn't snowed in Lingjing for several years."

Lingjing was located in the south, and the last time it had snowed was four years ago.

But that year, she had caught a cold, many household servants had been sold away by Qiao Heng, and she had been confined to her room by Qiao Heng's orders, unable to go out and play.

Mu Chi watched her expression, and his heart suddenly felt as if lightly brushed by a bird's feather. A numbness spread through his core, his limbs stiffened, and his mind grew unsettled.

"Mu Chi? Mu Chi?" Qiao Wan leaned closer, studying him curiously.

Mu Chi snapped back to attention, a wave of irritation rising within him. Even her innocent, unknowing expression seemed increasingly irritating to his eyes.

Truly a pampered little princess—unexpected snow and cold were nightmares for countless ordinary families, yet in her mouth, they became a wonderful surprise.

But all of this was irrelevant to him.

So he still smiled and retorted playfully, "Does the princess like snow?"

"Yes, I do," Qiao Wan nodded. "Not just snow, but also kites in spring..."

She looked at him excitedly. "Spring arrives early in Lingjing. In a few days, let's go fly kites!"

In a few days.

Mu Chi stared at her back as she ran to scoop snow off the branches; he couldn’t help a mocking smile.

She was so gullible.

"Hey, Mu Chi!" Qiao Wan suddenly called out.

Mu Chi focused his gaze just as a snowball the size of a dumpling flew toward him, with moderate force. His body instinctively wanted to dodge, but he forced himself to hold still.

The snowball hit his chest, scattering snow into his collar, sending a chill through him.

Qiao Wan laughed triumphantly, doubling over with laughter, her crimson cloak fluttering in the snow. "Mu Chi, why didn't you dodge?"

Still laughing, she ran over to him and dusted the snow off his clothes.

Mu Chi looked down at her actions, a warmth blooming in his chest.

The only trace of warmth in this cold body.

Until Yicui's voice interrupted them: "Princess, it's the hour of You (around 5-7 PM). Time to enter the palace."

Mu Chi's expression gradually calmed, his eyes emotionless.

Qiao Wan pouted, displeased, and turned to Mu Chi. "We can't miss the New Year's Eve banquet at the palace, but no worries," she winked at him, "I'll hurry back as soon as possible. We'll eat dumplings and watch the fireworks together."

Mu Chi smiled faintly and nodded, answered softly, "Okay."

Qiao Wan lingered a bit longer before finally following Yicui away.

The snow-filled courtyard fell into utter silence in an instant, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.

Mu Chi frowned, unused to the quiet.

"Mu Chi." Footsteps hurriedly approached in front of him.

Mu Chi looked up to see Qiao Wan, who had unexpectedly returned, slightly winded from running. "The Snow Bodhi didn't work, did it?" she asked softly.

She could actually see his disgust for his own body, and the day after taking the Snow Bodhi, that disgust had not disappeared.

Mu Chi was stunned, then narrowed his eyes warily.

She knew?

But Qiao Wan smiled. "It's fine. I don’t want you to like me because of the Snow Bodhi anyway," she said, her tone brightening slightly. "Wishing you a prosperous New Year, Mu Chi."

This time, she did not turn back. She let Yicui escort her out of the estate.

Mu Chi stood rooted in place.

So it wasn’t that she hadn’t asked.

She had already guessed—the Snow Bodhi had no effect on him.

The Imperial Palace.

*

Inside the palace banquet, the sound of music occasionally drifted in, but the side hall was exceptionally quiet.

Qiao Heng looked surprised at Right Minister Wen Xun. "Minister Wen, what did you just say? Who did you see at the general's estate gate?"

Wen Xun lowered his eyes and replied, "Your Majesty, a few days ago, when I was ordered to convey Your Majesty’s decree to the Dingguo General’s estate, I personally saw an embroiderer’s assistant holding Princess Changle’s sachet, claiming it belonged to Major General Jing."

"Fearing misunderstandings, I specifically sent someone to the embroidery shop to clarify. The sachet was indeed sent by Major General Jing."

Sachets were intimate tokens among women of Great Li, never given to outsiders unless it was to someone they cherished.

Now that Qiao Wan’s sachet was with Jing Lan, the meaning was clear.

"Good, good," Qiao Heng said twice in succession. "This would indeed be a fine match."

If Qiao Wan did not leave Lingjing, and the Jing family’s only son married the princess, it would be difficult for him to ascend to high office. The military power would eventually be returned.

"Minister Wen, if this matter succeeds, you will have performed a great service. I will see you generously rewarded."

Wen Xun bowed respectfully. "I seek no credit. It is my honor to serve Your Majesty."

Qiao Heng waved his hand, then thought further. "When did these two become so familiar?"

Wen Xun: "Presumably, during the incident at Qingyun Mountain, when Major General Jing rescued Princess Changle from the bandits, affections arose between them."

Qiao Heng thought it over and agreed. "At tonight’s palace banquet, observe them closely. In a few days, during the mountain worship ceremony, I will find an opportunity to bestow marriage upon them."

Wen Xun hurriedly assented. "Yes."

Qiao Heng raised his hand. "The palace banquet is about to begin. You may go now."

"I take my leave."

Qiao Wan sat in the carriage, rocking gently on her way to the palace, leaning against the carriage wall and thinking about how to make an early exit later.

*

"Yicui, did you bring the sachet?" Qiao Wan asked.

Yicui took an indigo sachet from her sleeve and handed it to Qiao Wan.

Qiao Wan took a shallow sniff—it still carried a sharp, pungent scent.

This sachet was prescribed by a wandering doctor years ago. He said that if she experienced stomach discomfort without a clear diagnosis, taking deep whiffs of it would make her vomit whatever she had eaten and she would feel better.

Over the past three years, even with intensified spices, it was no longer as effective as before, but it could still make her queasy for a while.

If Qiao Heng refused to let her leave later, she could use this method to excuse herself.

Deep in thought, Qiao Wan fastened the perfume pouch to her side when the carriage suddenly lurched, causing her to sway.

Yicui quickly braced her and lifted the curtain to scold, "What happened?"

The coachman replied nervously, "Miss Yicui, Major General Jing just rode up and cut in front of our carriage."

Yicui glanced forward and lowered the curtain. "Princess, it's Major General Jing."

Qiao Wan pushed open the window to look ahead. Today, Jing Lan was wearing a red round-collared robe and a black gauze cap, riding lazily on a tall horse with one hand holding the reins. His roguish charm couldn't be concealed even by his official robes, attracting many surreptitious glances from young ladies in nearby carriages.

Qiao Wan pursed her lips, closed the window, and said irritably, "Give way to him."

Since he wouldn’t let her see the mark on his chest, she couldn’t confirm whether he was the man from her dream. But if she couldn’t handle him, she could at least avoid him.

Jing Lan watched as Qiao Wan glanced at him and then closed the window. Her luxurious carriage, adorned with gold and jade, actually made way for him and was even overtaken by several plainer carriages. His expression instantly darkened.

Over the past few days, she had occasionally sent him expensive medicinal herbs as a token of gratitude, but she never showed up in person.

Tonight, when she saw him, she avoided him as if he were a monster. Irritated, Jing Lan kicked his horse’s flank and swiftly rode toward the palace.

Hearing the fading sound of hoofbeats, Qiao Wan let out a sigh of relief.

Whenever she thought Jing Lan might be connected to the man in her dream, her neck throbbed.

Unexpectedly, when she got off the carriage at the palace gate, she ran into Jing Lan again. He was casually fiddling with his saddle, and when he spotted her, he threw his whip to a guard nearby, snorted coldly, and entered the palace.

Qiao Wan frowned. When had she offended him?

Along the way, many ladies of the court came to greet her and inquire about her health. Qiao Wan had to put on a cheerful face to respond.

Qiao Heng had not yet appointed a crown prince. Aside from those who passed away young, the Second Prince, Seventh Prince, and Twelfth Prince were all present.

Among them, Seventh Prince Qiao Yan and Qiao Qingni were both born to Noble Consort Yun.

Qiao Wan wasn’t very familiar with them, so she simply nodded briefly in acknowledgment before returning to her seat. Listening to the mingling melodies of strings and flutes, she rested her chin on her hand, her gaze grew distant as she thought about Mu Chi spending the festival alone.

Qiao Heng soon appeared. Qiao Wan wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt he glanced meaningfully in her direction before looking at Jing Lan.

Qiao Wan frowned.

At the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, no political affairs were discussed, and no strict hierarchy was made.

After the ministers offered their compliments, Qiao Heng made a few remarks about "joining in the celebration," and the banquet officially began.

Countless candlesticks illuminated the hall as brightly as daylight, while heated floors kept the cold and frost at bay. The sounds of drinking and merrymaking mingled with the music of the konghou, creating a scene of lavish splendor.

An indispensable highlight of the palace banquet was the performances by noble daughters before the emperor, showcasing their talents to earn reputations as talented ladies and attract suitable husbands.

Qiao Wan had never been interested in such displays. With Qiao Qingni around, everyone else was merely a foil.

This year was likely no exception.

Watching one talented young lady after another perform elegant dances or display exquisite painting skills, Qiao Wan was initially somewhat interested but soon grew bored. Her gaze accidentally met Jing Lan’s gloomy gaze from across the room.

Qiao Wan paused, then gave him a friendly smile. To her surprise, Jing Lan became even angrier and turned away, refusing to look at her.

Qiao Wan: "..."

Seeing that Qiao Heng had already sent someone to fetch Princess Zhaoyang, Qiao Wan didn’t want to watch Qiao Qingni steal the spotlight. She fingered the perfume pouch at her waist, inhaling its strong fragrance, and nausea washed over her.

After a moment, certain that her complexion must look pale, she prepared to stand and ask Qiao Heng for permission to leave.

Just then, an ethereal melody from a zither filled the room.

The hall fell silent.

The music paused for a breath before resuming.

It flowed like wind swirling snow, yet carried a sharp edge.

It wasn’t as stunning as the first time Qiao Wan heard it at the Songzhu Pavilion, but it held a subtle elegance.

Qiao Wan froze in place, her breath catching. After a long moment, she raised her eyes to the woman playing in the center of the hall.

Qiao Qingni.

The piece she was playing.

Frost Mountain Dawn.

Author's Note:

Mu Chi, remember this day forever~

Probably entering V the day after tomorrow~