Chapter 353

Jiang Sheng really went to the Jiang family on the first day of the Lunar New Year. She started knocking on the door before it was even light out.

The gatekeeper rubbed his eyes sleepily and mumbled to Xiao Qian, "Happy New Year, miss."

Wealthy families liked things festive, so they would give out some new year's money before and after the holiday. Jiang Sheng was well off this year, so she took out a gold melon seed and handed it over.

The gatekeeper sobered up instantly when he grabbed the gold melon seed and sniffed and bit it, as if to determine if it was real.

When he realized the family would never give fakes, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed, "Ten thousand blessings, miss."

He kept kowtowing like that until they entered De Ren Academy.

Old Lady Jiang was already awake and washing up. When she saw Jiang Sheng, a smile spread across her face. "Did you eat dumplings yesterday?"

"Yes, lamb ones." Jiang Sheng nestled up to her. "I brought some for Grandmother too. The hot lamb is perfect for you to eat."

Without much small talk or pretense, the grandmother and granddaughter finally developed a rapport that was exclusively theirs.

They ate the first dumplings and first meal of the new year together.

Whether by chance or intention, Mrs. Liao and Jiang Chenghua did not appear before their eyes, quiet to an unbelievable degree.

Instead, Jiang Chengyu wandered over, attracted by the smells, and gnawed on half a large lamb leg, exclaiming how delicious it was.

"The lamb now is much tastier than before!" As the proper daughter of the second wife, she never lacked lamb to eat, so her words carried conviction. "The meat is tender and light. Sister, where did you buy it? I want to buy two legs for Father and Mother to eat too."

Jiang Sheng covered her mouth and laughed.

Of course it was the lamb her third brother secretly kept for her on the border!

The Dayu Dynasty and the Northern Nomads clashed frequently there. Captured lamb was common, usually devoured by the starving soldiers. It was rare for some lambs to be spared and transported all the way to distant Fengjing.

With how little was left of these two lambs, there would be no more to buy.

Jiang Chengyu cried out in disappointment, "What a shame! If Yuan Ran Ju could use lamb like this, business would certainly go up a level!"

Not just Yuan Ran Ju. Even if a meat stand used lamb like this, customers would come back after trying it. After all, good food was the crux. Jiang Sheng's mind stirred. She had jokingly supported her second brother expanding his flock, but now she seriously considered it.

"It's so tasty, truly delicious!" Jiang Chengyu wanted more but her stomach capacity was limited. She could only regretfully rub her belly.

Jiang Sheng regained her composure and generously reassured her, "Don't worry, there's more tonight."

"Really?" Jiang Chengyu perked up.

Indeed there would be more that night - not just lamb dumplings, but grilled lamb chops too, plus spectacular fireworks.

Last year she had gazed up at them from the second courtyard. Today she could admire them up close beneath the colorful sparks.

Jiang Chengyu scurried about beside her, remembering to pull Jiang Sheng out of harm's way, while never taking her eyes off the dazzling sight.

In the distance was a boisterous liveliness; nearby was her smiling grandmother.

Her brothers were probably watching in the second courtyard too, discussing Third Brother's exam, Second Brother's business, Fourth Brother's stagnant medical skills, or Fifth Brother's useless woodworking.

But no matter - the world was wonderful!

Jiang Sheng recalled the vow she made before Buddha, begging for warmth that was now within her grasp.

"It's the new year, Sister. Do you have any wishes?" Jiang Chengyu shouted over the firecrackers.

Jiang Sheng pressed her palms together again before her lips.

Her hope was for this happiness to last forever, with everyone safe and sound.

Except for Third Brother. She wished for his return, for peace so no one had to leave their homes again.

Fengjing’s prosperity could not reach the distant north.

The north could not see Fengjing’s fireworks.

But the new year was the most sacred holiday for all people of the Dayu Dynasty, a time for them to gather no matter when or where they were.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

After three gunshots, Fang Heng put away his firearm and returned to the lively tent.

Pressed by war, they had no firecrackers, nor could they light any. But no matter - any noise would make it New Year's.

Men from their teens to thirties raised bowls to toast, then gulped the wine down.

"Captain, won’t you join us?” Jiang Wu was pouring for others and shook the half-empty jug invitingly.

Military rules were strict, so this was their only chance to drink a bit.

Fang Heng waved him off and went back to his seat. “The captain’s the youngest, yet insists on acting the oldest,” Jiang Liu grumbled beside him. “A rare happy time - what’s wrong with a few drinks?”

“Can’t put it that way,” Jiang Yi said. The eldest of them, he swapped his wine for tea. “We know it’s New Year’s. The Northern Nomads know too. If they attack tonight counting on lowered vigilance, what will you do?”

A bunch of drunks would be easy pickings.

Jiang Liu shut his mouth and hastily dumped out his drink.

On closer look, only the greenhorns were drinking. The older men had tea in hand, ears pricked for trouble.

After the first batch ate, they would swap patrol duty with those outside, guarding the surroundings.

Such was war - vigilant even on the most joyous days, ready to fight at any moment.

Fang Heng pinched up some tea, sipped it, then poked at the lamb meat without eating it.

“What’s wrong, Captain?” Jiang Wu sat on the ground after pouring. “Worried about a Northern Nomad night raid? Our defense is solid. Even a sneak attack would be no threat.”

Decades of war had made them extremely familiar foes.

The good thing was mutual caution. The bad thing was neither could vanquish the other.

Fang Heng didn’t reply. He drank some tea before slowly answering, “Not worried about that.”

“Then worried about Big Brother’s exam?” Jiang Wu refilled the teapot. “You planned to ask for family leave in February, right?”

The Dayu Dynasty was humane, allowing three months of family leave after two years stationed on the border.

Fang Heng had served for precisely two years.

Three months was enough for Xu Mo’s exam through the posting of results, even excluding travel time.

“Not that either.” Fang Heng waved her off when she moved to refill his cup. “Big Brother’s exam timing isn’t ideal.”

The others froze in shock.

The court determined the exam timing after considering climate, temperature, season - every relevant factor to pick the best time for scholars.

How could it be wrong in Fang Heng's eyes?

Only Jiang Wu frowned, cautiously asking, “Is the captain worried about the north?”

It was common knowledge that the Northern Nomads raided due to food shortages. They normally rested in summer, when soldiers most often asked for family leave.

But Xu Mo’s exam was in February and results in April - the height of northern hostilities.

Fang Heng was reluctant to leave his siblings in Fengjing yet also worried for the northern people. He resented being unable to be in two places at once.