Chapter 63: Wishing

Two years in one night, and two years were divided into five hours.

You can’t eat the New Year’s Eve dinner quickly. Compared to usual, the meal is much more relaxed. After dinner, the table is removed, and the family is sitting together. Women’s family gathers in small circles and whispers, men continue to eat and drink tea around the table, and the younger generation plays and jokes. After working hard for a year, if you want to relax, you can play the Leaf Card and make some jokes you don’t dare to make on weekdays…

The elderly lament the years and cherish time; the young people work hard on the present and look forward to the future. This is the year of staying up.

The sound of gongs and gongs was coming. The fifth day of the whole family began to pay New Year's greetings. After paying one by one, the whole family went back to their rooms to rest. Lin Wen and Lin Wu did not do so. They went back to change their official uniforms, went out to ride a horse in a sedan chair, and went to the imperial city.

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the emperor began to "seal the pen" and "seal the seal" and gave himself a holiday. It was not until the first day of the first lunar month that he "started the pen" and "seal" again. In previous years, on the morning of the first lunar month, all officials of the court had to gather in front of the Taihe Hall to greet the emperor. Lin Wen was originally listed, and it was like this every year. Although Lin Wu was not an official in the capital, he had to go as usual when he returned to the capital. On the one hand, he was to perform the courtesy of his ministers, and on the other hand, he also reported to the emperor.

It was dark early in winter and it was dark late. Lin Wen and Lin Wu walked forward with the snow lights and the occasional lights flashing by the streets and alleys. In the night, they walked through the streets and alleys to the main road, and watched with shadows as people began to go out from the entrances of alleys. There were many noble people in the West City, and many came out of the ancient stone street, all of whom were rushing towards the imperial city. When everyone met, they nodded and bowed, and everyone had red lights on their faces. They didn't talk much in the dark night. They got on horseback and sat in a sedan chair, and walked forward silently.

As the sky was dawn, the city gate slowly opened to both sides with a low voice, and all officials entered one after another. In the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the ceremonial guards of the imperial carriage had already been lined up. Emperor Qiyuan and Empress Jingshu, the three concubines, were all wearing brand new robes, and everyone was smiling on their faces, waiting for auspicious times to arrive. Under the eaves of the hall, there were golden bells and jade chimes in a row, and neatly dressed musicians stood on both sides.

"Just time has arrived"

As soon as Chen hour arrived, the officials of the Imperial Heavenly Prison immediately shouted loudly. At the same time, bells and drums on the Meridian Gate were ringing, and the golden bells and jade chimes on both sides of the Taihe Hall were also played at the same time. With auspicious music, Emperor Qiyuan ascended the throne of the Taihe Hall. The officials of the Luanyi Guard shook the whisk, and Qian Hai, the eunuch in the hall, shouted: "Ship--"

All officials knelt in line according to the rank position marked by the "Grade Mountain". Two great scholars from Wenyuan Pavilion and Wuying Palace knelt on their congratulations, and were officially read by Xuanbiao. Every year, the New Year's congratulations are written by talented men who are good at writing and writing in the Hanlin Academy. Without exception, they are written in a stable and stable manner. The country is beautiful and the country has been for thousands of years. After reading the congratulations, all officials perform the ceremony of kneeling three kneeling nine kowtows.

After the ceremony, Emperor Qiyuan gave him a seat to give him tea. At this time, the atmosphere would be much more relaxed. All officials said auspicious words to the emperor and his concubines. The emperor accepted them all with a smile on his face. After drinking the tea, he said for a while, and the whisk sounded again, and the musician played again. Emperor Qiyuan went to the palace. At this time, all officials could retreat to the court, and the entire New Year greeting ceremony was over.

The common people wish the elders a New Year and kowtow to salute, but they pay tribute to each other and at the same time, they have to return the elders. Some are New Year’s money and red envelopes, and some are small things, put in a purse with red paper and distributed downwards. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, all officials wish the emperor a New Year’s greetings, and the emperor cannot be stingy, and they must also return the gift. When the New Year’s greeting ceremony is over, two rows of palace maids and eunuchs next to them slowly walked up and handed over the officials one by one. Although the emperor’s food and use are all bright, he is not fully instructed.

So generous. Everyone got up early to greet him. Everyone just drank a few sips of tea and got a purse. The purse is exquisitely crafted, and it contains only gold, silver, jade, etc. It is not worth the money, but it is a new year to get a good start - everything goes well. In addition, ministers and nobles who work hard and have made great contributions throughout the year can also get the word "Fu" written by the emperor. It not only has a glorious face on their faces, but also indicates additional blessings.

After so much trouble, it was already noon, and the New Year's Eve dinner in my stomach was almost digested. The officials dispersed and did not leave immediately. They bowed and bowed to each other to greet each other. Whether they were intrigue or spit on their faces, on this day of the first day of the New Year, everyone smiled and praised each other.

After all the routine tosses were over, all the officials dispersed one by one and returned to their homes - worshiping the Five Insect Temples.

Lin Wen and Lin Wu left the imperial city one after another, and his stomach was rumbling along the way, and finally returned to the mansion. At this moment, the mansion had already gotten up. After a short rest, he had to start preparing his first meal on the first day of the Lunar New Year. In China, whether in the Forbidden City or the mountains and villages, the first meal on the first day of the Lunar New Year is dumplings.

In the past, the servants took action on the meals, but in the Jingbei Bo Mansion, the dumplings on the first day of the Lunar New Year were not needed. Zhou, Chen, Ma, and a few concubines and close maids gathered in the kitchen, while talking and wrapping dumplings. Even the old lady was happy, she came up to make some tricks.

Lin Wen and Lin Wu were starved, but on the first day of the Lunar New Year, eating other things before meals is not OK, and they have to eat dumplings! There is no way, so the two of them had to endure it, sit in the main hall, drinking tea with their faces facing each other, slap! slap! slap!

Finally, when the rice was delivered, the steaming dumplings were served plates, and they were white, tender and round. The whole family sat together, and there was nothing to worship this time. The old lady gave an order and started eating! Lin Wen couldn't wait any longer. In a few bites, a plate of dumplings entered his stomach. As soon as he ate the second plate, he suddenly heard a crunch! Lin Wen opened his cheeks and closed his cheeks, looking bitter.

"Haha, what did you eat?" the old lady was very happy today and asked like a child.

Puff! Lin Wen covered his mouth with his hands, and after a while, he opened it and saw that it was a coin making money! It was bright and shiny!

"Oh, congratulations to brother, for promotion and wealth!"

"Yeah... um..." Lin Wen moved his teeth and nodded in agreement.

The old lady suddenly laughed: "I'm so lucky today!" As she raised her chopsticks, she saw half of the dumplings on the head of the chopsticks, and the gap was rushing outside. It was neither meat nor vegetables inside, but wheat bran powder. When everyone saw it, they said auspicious words.

...

After breakfast, the mansion started to work again. Lin Wen went out to pay New Year's greetings with various gifts and handed out posts to various mansions. The old ladies and others had to dress up and sit in the mansion to welcome guests. Lin Wen is a first-class count, and not many people want to pay many visits to him, but most officials don't need to visit him in person. Most officials don't need to visit him in person. They just need to send their own housekeepers to deliver posts and gifts to the mansion. Only a very small number of people with particularly good relationships or who have a higher official rank than him should visit him.

The old lady and others were drinking tea in the main hall, chatting and napping. At this moment, someone came outside. A servant ran back from the front: "I'll report to the old lady, a post has arrived!"
Chapter completed!