Chapter One Hundred Eleven: After the New Year

Chapter 111: After the New Year

A five-year-old is still young. If they were to reside at the academy like other students, returning home only once a month would likely prove unfeasible. Firstly, they tend to be boisterous, and secondly, children of this age often miss their parents and are prone to tears.

Most children starting their education so early hail from noble families, having been raised with utmost care and affection. However, the academy’s teachers are predominantly retired court officials—their purpose is to impart knowledge, not to coddle children.

Should the children remain at the academy until the school break, it would also be a source of concern for the teachers.

The academy is situated on Songshan Mountain, north of the city. A round trip from the Count of Dingyuan’s Estate takes over an hour, but in Lin Qiuran’s estimation, the pursuit of education makes it a worthwhile endeavor.

Lin Qiuran inquired, “Do we need to prepare anything?”

For a young child’s initial schooling, books, paper, and writing implements are indispensable. She worried about insufficient preparation, fearing that essentials might be lacking once they arrived at the academy. Moreover, tuition fees were required for attendance. What about other expenses?

Xiao Xun replied, “I’ve inquired about everything. Two books are needed for early education: *The Three Character Classic* and *Thousand Character Classic*. The Four Treasures of the Study should also be prepared, suitable for a child. Tuition fees must be paid, as well as money for lunch at the cafeteria and for the academy’s uniforms. If Tangyuan doesn’t return at noon, an accommodation fee will also be necessary.”

The tuition fee is five taels of silver per season. Meal and uniform costs are not exorbitant, totaling six taels of silver. For accommodation, even if only for midday, it must be paid quarterly, at two taels per season.

Not all students at Songshan Academy are from noble families; some come seeking education drawn by its reputation, so the fees cannot be excessively high. Lin Qiuran no longer finds it expensive, but in the past, fifty-two taels a year, excluding books and writing materials, would have been beyond the family’s means.

Lin Qiuran nodded. “It’s not yet the New Year, so we can prepare these things at our leisure.”

Finally, the child has grown and reached school age. With early departures and late returns, it will largely be a worry-free period.

Tangyuan, listening nearby, asked, “Mom, when do I start at the academy?”

Lin Qiuran replied, “Around early February.”

By February, spring should have arrived in the capital. Given the current cold, Lin Qiuran was unconcerned whether Tangyuan started half a month earlier or later, considering it a winter break for him.

Tangyuan remained delighted. After all, Lin Qiuran had often spoken to him about schooling—having teachers, classmates, and friends to learn and play with. He eagerly anticipated school life. “Mom, I want to come along when you buy books and writing materials! Can I choose them myself?”

Lin Qiuran nodded. It would be wise to prepare two sets, in case one was damaged, there would be a backup.

Xiao Xun couldn’t help but pat Tangyuan’s head. “At the academy, you must listen to your teachers. If anything happens, come back and tell your parents. We don’t seek trouble, but we are not afraid of it either.”

As a military officer, Xiao Xun naturally hoped Tangyuan would be resilient and not easily bullied.

Lin Qiuran looked at Xiao Xun. The child hadn’t even started at the academy, and he was already concerned about him being bullied. Yet, Xiao Xun was right—it’s important to be firm. Whether Tangyuan is a boy or a girl, he should neither bully others nor be bullied himself.

Lin Qiuran stated, “From now on, you’ll nap and eat at the academy at noon. Don’t be a picky eater, and don’t go hungry at the academy. You can eat when you return in the evening.”

Tangyuan sighed helplessly. “I know, I know. I haven’t even started school yet. You can remind me the night before I go; it won’t be too late.”

Lin Qiuran sighed inwardly. He had always been by her side, and now that he was going to school, she felt a little unaccustomed to it.

She carefully put away the admission notice Xiao Xun had brought back, then let Tangyuan go out to play.

Watching him skip away, she turned to Xiao Xun once he was gone and said, “Today, we visited the Marquis of Anyang’s Estate. He is well-mannered and obedient. He spoke with the elderly lady and addressed her as great-grandmother.”

This was now based on Lin Qiuran’s side of the family. In the future, when Xiao Xun met them, he could also use that address.

Xiao Xun hummed in acknowledgment. Lin Qiuran continued, “The elderly lady and the Marchioness of Anyang both gave Tangyuan meeting gifts. When we returned, the elderly lady also brought gifts for Mother and me.”

They were divided into two portions. Yun Shi informed her which was for Sun Shi. Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi had raised Xiao Xun, but Qin Shi couldn’t thank them in person, so she sent gifts to convey her gratitude.

After returning, Lin Qiuran went to Longevity Peace Hall for dinner, and then Xiao Xun returned. They hadn’t had time to open the gifts yet.

Xiao Xun nodded and smiled at Lin Qiuran. “That’s very thoughtful.”

Lin Qiuran said, “Let’s see what’s inside. You come along too.”

Lin Qiuran pulled Xiao Xun to look. One box contained bird’s nest, a delicacy the family didn’t often consume but could now purchase regularly. Another box held medicinal herbs, likely for Xiao Xun, containing ginseng and lingzhi, both precious items.

The remaining items were for Lin Qiuran—two sets of porcelain. Having spent time together, they naturally discerned her preferences.

Lin Qiuran smiled. “I’ll arrange a storage room for you too, for your weapons and medicines. It’ll be convenient for future use.”

The household had a common storage room. Lin Qiuran, Sun Shi, and Tangyuan each had their own. Xiao Xun should have one as well.

Xiao Xun’s gaze softened. “You can arrange it. It’s fine to just allocate some space in your storage room.”

Lin Qiuran decided to arrange a separate storage room for him. There were many days ahead, and surely more possessions would accumulate.

Xiao Xun didn’t involve himself much in household affairs. He probably didn’t even know what was in the storage rooms or how much money, property, or land the family owned.

Xiao Xun trusted her, and she, in turn, should manage things diligently to maintain his confidence.

*

With only a few days remaining until the New Year, Lin Qiuran busied herself sending New Year’s gifts to various households.

As an official in the court, Xiao Xun’s social obligations were paramount and required meticulous handling. It wasn’t just the Marquis of Anyang’s Estate that demanded attention.

Lin Qiuran had met several families at banquets. After consulting Xiao Xun, she sent New Year’s gifts to all of them. There were also a few families who had expressed interest in building relationships and had sent gifts to the Count of Dingyuan’s Estate first, to which she reciprocated.

Lin Qiuran also sent gifts to the homes of several deans of Songshan Academy. She didn’t forget the Ying family either and planned to visit them again after the New Year.

They couldn’t return to their hometown this year, but before their departure, she had instructed the household servants to send the necessary New Year’s gifts and festival presents—to the Xu family, Aunt Yu, Lady Yang, Shopkeeper Shi’s family, and the several merchants they partnered with in business. None were to be overlooked.

After a few busy days, New Year’s Eve arrived. Xiao Xun attended the palace banquet that evening. According to custom, Lin Qiuran and Sun Shi should have gone too. However, Xiao Xun requested from the Emperor that as the two had just arrived in the capital and were not yet accustomed, he feared they might feel uncomfortable at the palace and inadvertently cause offense.

Additionally, formal attire needed to be hastily prepared, so the Emperor specially permitted them not to attend the palace banquet. Others who had received honors also made similar requests to avoid feeling uneasy at the banquet.

Since the Emperor had decreed it, at most, people could only say Xiao Xun was arrogant due to favor. But since he had already been criticized for being ungrateful and kicking someone when they were down because of Zhao Tingyue, being called arrogant due to favor was relatively minor.

Some discussed privately that Xiao Xun came from Yu’an, a place many hadn’t even heard of, so his family naturally also came from Yu’an.

Those who hadn’t met Lin Qiuran speculated, “Could it be that she’s a coarse country woman, unfit for such occasions, which is why she wasn’t brought to the palace banquet?”

Those who had seen Lin Qiuran defended her. “Madam Chen, you’re mistaken. I’ve seen the Count of Dingyuan’s wife. She once helped the Marquis of Anyang’s Estate and the Marquis of Dingbei’s Estate organize banquets. She has skillful hands and excellent carving techniques, creating flowers that look lifelike and are edible. I originally wanted to ask for her help, but after learning her status, I didn’t dare disturb her. Probably only those close to her would she be willing to assist.”

“I’ve seen her too. She’s clever, elegant, and poised—very different from what one might expect. You’ll understand once you meet her.”

“What do you mean coarse? She seems well-educated, neither showy nor timid, but very graceful.”

People were curious, but it wasn’t appropriate to ask too much at the palace banquet. They just hoped to see her someday and find out if she was as described by those three.

As the palace banquet concluded, brilliant fireworks illuminated the sky over the imperial city. Bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, amidst the crackling sounds, the common people celebrated joyously. Families gathered around, enjoying their New Year’s Eve dinner. Women prepared the meal, elders patted their grandchildren’s heads, bestowing lucky money.

Amidst a table of fine food and drink, glasses were raised, wishing for abundance year after year and peace in every season. Children ran and played in the streets, alleys, and courtyards filled with laughter and joy.

The New Year was a time of festivity, bustling for several days. Even if children misbehaved, no one would choose these days for punishment.

The streets were especially vibrant, with dragon and lion dances, iron fireworks, acrobatics… there was everything.

Tangyuan had just returned from the streets, running back to the main courtyard with flushed cheeks. He carried many things in his arms: two lanterns, unused sparklers…

He presented the lanterns he had bought to Lin Qiuran and Sun Shi. Sun Shi held the lantern and smiled, taking a red envelope from her pocket. “Here, this is lucky money from your grandmother.”

Tangyuan accepted it happily. “Thank you, Grandmother!”

Next to them, Xiao Dashi gave an embarrassed smile; he had no money on him, having given it all to the main family estate. He had originally thought he would have money to spend once he reached the capital, but who knew it would come to this?

In a couple of days, he would have to return to Yu'an. At this moment, Xiao Dashi felt terrible, even though Tangyuan wasn't looking at him. It was the New Year, and he couldn't even produce any red envelope money.

Seeing Xiao Dashi like this, Sun Shi secretly thought he deserved it and then cursed the people from the old residence again. However, she didn't want Tangyuan to feel upset, so she reached into her robe and pulled out another red envelope. "Tangyuan, this is from your grandfather."

Xiao Dashi smiled.

Tangyuan looked at the red envelope, accepted it, and thanked him, "Thank you, Grandfather."

Xiao Dashi acknowledged with a couple of "Yes, yes's."

Lin Qiuran had already given Tangyuan a red envelope earlier, containing a silver note worth five taels. As for lucky money, the family was well-off, and she wouldn't tell Tangyuan to hand over the red envelope for her to keep. Tangyuan knew what money was and wouldn't lose it after just a few steps; he was careful with it.

He spent money wisely, not wastefully.

It's often said that boys should be raised frugally and girls lavishly, but Lin Qiuran didn't want to raise Tangyuan to be stingy. It was enough for him to know how to spend without being wasteful.

Isn't that better? When he went out, he knew to buy lanterns for Sun Shi and her, thinking of the family and not just his own fun. In the future, when he went to school, they would surely give him money too. This way, Lin Qiuran felt better about him going to study.

In the evening, they would wait for Xiao Xun to return for the New Year's Eve dinner. Anyone who was hungry could have a simple bite to tide them over.

Sun Shi sat in the formal chair, wearing thick clothes with fur trim around the collar. She had just finished a bowl of bird's nest soup and wasn't hungry at the moment.

As for whether Xiao Dashi was hungry or not, Sun Shi couldn't be bothered. She used to always worry about him, but he had made it so the family couldn't even have a proper New Year's. It was better for him to return to Xiao Village early, out of sight, out of mind.

As midnight approached, Xiao Xun returned, and the family gathered in the main courtyard for the reunion dinner. There were five people in total. The meal was abundant but not extravagant, featuring fish, shrimp, meat, and vegetables—ten dishes in all, symbolizing tenfold perfection.

They didn't use any servants that night; today was the New Year, so Lin Xia and the other servants could also have a good celebration.

After the meal, they stayed up for another half-hour, listening for the bell from Wanxiang Temple to ring in the New Year.

Lin Qiuran glanced out the window; the sky was filled with fireworks from countless households, especially in the direction of the palace. In the front courtyard, Lin Ming and the others were also setting off fireworks—it was incredibly beautiful.

Tangyuan took a look and asked, "Mother, can we go to sleep now?"

It was the first time he had stayed up so late. Last New Year, Lin Qiuran had coaxed him to sleep after a while, but this year he insisted on staying up until midnight.

He had long lost the excitement he felt in the afternoon, and his eyes were now full of sleepiness.

Lin Qiuran smiled and nodded. "It's the New Year now. Go to sleep."

Xiao Xun scooped him up and carried him back to the room.

Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi also returned to their own courtyard. The next day arrived, but the outside world showed no signs of quieting down. The New Year was lively, and the fireworks and firecrackers were likely to continue until around 2 a.m.

Fortunately, the Count of Dingyuan's residence was large, so the sound of fireworks wasn't too noisy.

Tangyuan was so drowsy he felt like a limp noodle, as if someone could bite him and he wouldn't even notice.

After Lin Qiuran tucked him into bed, he fell asleep almost immediately. She found it amusing—in the afternoon, he had insisted on staying up to set off fireworks, but by evening, he had already nodded off twice.

Xiao Xun said, "He fell asleep so quickly. Let's sleep too."

Lin Qiuran glanced at him; he was still wearing his formal ceremonial robes, bright red, with a crown instead of a black gauze cap. The crown pressed down on his eyebrows, below which were his narrow eyes and a straight nose bridge.

Lin Qiuran lowered her head. "Did you take the medicine?"

Xiao Xun replied, "I drank it in the kitchen."

Lin Qiuran said, "After finishing these few doses, go see the doctor again."

Xiao Xun paused, then nodded. "Alright."

The next day was the first day of the New Year. Xiao Xun didn't have to go to work, so Lin Qiuran had Lin Ming pack things for the return to Yu'an.

Xiao Dashi was going back to Xiao Village; they would give him a tael or two of silver to live on. What she had Lin Ming pack were things to bring to Liu Shi, Shopkeeper Shi, and the others.

There were many things in the capital they hadn't seen before. Lin Qiuran bought two boxes of bird's nest for Liu Shi and some dark-colored high-quality fabric—in short, she didn't give money.

It was fine to be filial to Liu Shi because Liu Shi often bought things for Tangyuan. If Yu Shi treated Liu Shi well, Liu Shi would spend money on her.

Early on the second day of the New Year, Lin Qiuran hired a security escort agency and had Lin Ming, along with a servant from the residence, accompany Xiao Dashi back.

Xiao Dashi boarded the carriage with a furrowed brow. Lin Qiuran and the others came to see him off.

Tangyuan, puzzled, asked Sun Shi, "Grandmother, why is Grandfather leaving after only staying such a few days?"