allonlinenovel Chapter 257 Marriage
Chapter 257 Marriage
"bang bang bang"
On New Year’s Eve, clusters of fireworks rise in the sky, blooming brilliantly and then gradually disappearing.
There was no curfew in the Anguo Imperial City. The night watchman had already struck the bell twice, and the streets and alleys were still decorated with lights and were bustling with activity.
There were children pulling their parents' sleeves and looking at them pitifully, hoping to buy them candied haws; there were people crowded together to watch the lion dance, cheering when the exciting part came out.
There were also newly engaged couples who were shyly holding each other's hands, and people around them were looking at them with congratulatory glances.
All aspects of human life are clearly revealed in this moment.
When the sound of fireworks was heard, countless pedestrians on the street stopped and looked up.
"Dad, Mom, it's so beautiful, just like a flower."
The little girl standing in the middle, held by a young couple, looked up at the sky, her mouth slightly open, her eyes full of surprise and admiration.
"Hahaha, it looks good, my dear daughter."
"Yeah." The little girl nodded vigorously, staring at the sky without blinking.
"Looking from this direction, it should be Lord Wang's house. Madam, let's go over there and take a look."
The woman nodded gently and touched her daughter's head tenderly, "Nannan, let's go over there and take a look. We can see it more clearly if we are closer."
"Great, let's go watch the fireworks."
Fireworks are a rare commodity nowadays, and only the rich and powerful can afford them.
Every year when those people set off fireworks, the gate of the mansion would be crowded with people coming to watch.
Some who like excitement would even ask their servants to set off fireworks outside the mansion gate so that the common people could watch from close up.
The place with the largest number of onlookers was the Imperial Palace, which started setting off fireworks at dusk and has not stopped until now.
Moreover, among all these fireworks, the ones set off in the palace are the most beautiful. There are almost as many types set off in the palace as there are types available on the market.
Some of them are not even available on the market yet.
The guards who had been instructed by Yun Zhi did not drive away the people who were watching around. They just had to stay away from the palace gate and leave a way for them to enter and exit.
Knowing that they could watch the event here, the people were naturally very obedient. They just stood there and exclaimed every time they saw a cluster of fireworks rising into the sky.
A guard guarding the palace gate looked up at the fireworks in the sky and said with some emotion: "This is a good year."
"Yes, it's a peaceful year, and things will get better and better in the future." Another guard echoed.
In a border town thousands of miles away from the imperial city, people are also celebrating the last day of the year.
It snowed here for most of the day today, and the road was covered with a thick layer of snow.
But none of this could stop their excitement, as this year they finally didn't have to worry anymore.
They no longer have to worry about when the war will involve them, nor do they have to fear that the northern barbarians will suddenly break in and plunder.
That night, they sat together and ate dumplings, which they rarely had.
After dinner, they did not blow out the oil lamps immediately as usual. Instead, the family sat at home, waiting for the arrival of the new year.
A year of peace and prosperity is about to begin.
On the other side of the border, the Northern Barbarians had purchased a large number of daily necessities in Anguo and no longer lacked anything. They were now feasting on meat in their tents.
As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year, everything is slowly getting better.
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the second year of Yongding.
This day was also the day when the Yun and Lin families reunited. The Lin family was taken to the palace early. Yun Jingxian did not need Yun Zhi to summon him. After lunch, he brought his princess Hu Zhiyi into the palace.
Of course, happiness belongs to them.
Even during the New Year holidays, Yun Zhi still had a lot of things to deal with.
After finishing today's affairs, it was almost the evening hour.
After the winter solstice, the days begin to gradually get longer.
It was already getting dark at this time some time ago, but now it is still bright.
Yun Zhi approached the pavilion in the imperial garden, and the crowd who had just been laughing and talking suddenly fell silent.
Seeing her coming, everyone stood up and prepared to salute.
Seeing this, Yun Zhi waved her hand casually, "We're family, there's no need to be so formal."
Lin Huixin stood up and walked over to Yun Zhi, and asked softly, "Is Meimei done with your work?"
Yun Zhi nodded and glanced at everyone whose eyes were focused on her, "Mom, why are you all here? Aren't you feeling cold?"
"Hahaha, it was my suggestion. I've been sitting inside and feeling a bit bored. I heard the plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden are blooming, so I decided to come and take a look and get some fresh air. Plus, there's a charcoal fire here, so it won't be cold."
Yun Zhi looked in the direction of the voice and saw Lin Xuehai sitting there with a smile on his face.
Now at the age of eighty, he is still in good spirits, with wisdom and composure that comes from having experienced many vicissitudes of life in his eyes.
In the past few years, he handed over the family business to his two sons, and he and his grandmother lived a leisurely life in the mansion.
"Don't worry about him. He just does whatever he wants. Meimei, come here and try the cakes that the maid just brought over."
As she spoke, her grandmother picked up a piece of cake and handed it to her, just like she did back then.
Every year on the third day of the Lunar New Year when they went to the Lin family's house, their grandparents would wait outside the door for them.
When he saw them, he would hand them something like he was doing now, but it was candy instead of cakes.
Yunzhi stepped forward, took the pastry from her grandmother's hand, and took a small bite.
"Good. Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet. My sister came over just after it was served. Grandma gave you the first piece." Yun Jingxian complained in feigned dissatisfaction.
Hearing this, the grandmother glared at Yun Jingxian and picked up a piece of cake. "You kid, you're so old and still fighting with your sister, why are you doing this? I'll give you the second piece, okay?"
Yun Jingxian happily took it and said, "I knew my grandma still loved me."
With Yun Jingxian's jokes, the atmosphere became cheerful again.
Yun Zhi also sat down in a seat with a faint smile on her face, occasionally agreeing with their words.
"Ah, the Imperial Palace is truly different. Even the plum blossoms here bloom more beautifully than those in other places. Perhaps it's because of someone as beautiful and graceful as my cousin, who possesses the aura of an emperor, that every flower and plant here thrives so well."
The person who was speaking was Yunzhi's eldest cousin's wife. She was very good at speaking and could often make her grandparents smile.
Then she praised everyone present.
At the hour of You, a palace maid came over and said, "Your Majesty, dinner is ready. Please serve it."
Yun Zhi nodded slightly, "Tell it."
After the palace maid left, Yun Zhi stood up and said, "It's getting late, let's go have dinner."
Everyone agreed and moved to the dining hall together.
In the dining room, a table full of delicious food has been set.
Yun Zhi sat in the main seat, and everyone took their seats in turn.
Although family members don't need to be polite, everyone still tacitly waited for Yun Zhi to take a bite of the dish before starting to eat with their chopsticks.
At the dinner table, Lin Xuehai, who was a little tipsy after three rounds of drinks, looked at Yun Zhi and said, "Miemei, now that the world is unified, when are you planning to get married?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the originally lively dinner table suddenly became quiet.
Everyone looked at Yun Zhi, who was not affected at all and was still eating slowly.
Grandma pinched his arm hard and smiled lovingly at Yunzhi, "Mianmei, your grandfather is drunk. Don't listen to his nonsense."
Yun Zhi put down her chopsticks and said with a smile, "Grandma, it's okay."
After she finished speaking, she glanced at everyone at the table.
Now my brother is married, and Hu Zhiyi has been pregnant for more than a month. My three cousins are also married and now have children around them.
Even my two younger cousins got married two years ago.
Now she is the only one left in this family.
She knew that the elders were starting to worry. Although her parents had never said it explicitly, she knew they were equally anxious.
Why not make it clear today in front of everyone?
"Grandfather, I have never thought about getting married. I should live my life in the mountains and rivers, in the vastness of the country, not in the busy days of life where I have to face a husband who is of no use to me."
In her previous life, she had seen enough concubines vying for favor. They would do anything to gain favor, including framing others and using witchcraft. Her mother was one of them.
Moreover, after giving birth to a child, they began to fight for their son's position as crown prince.
She didn't want her palace to become a mess because of these people.
After Yun Zhi said this, everyone was shocked.
Lin Huixin opened her mouth but said nothing in the end.
Yun Zhi acted as if she hadn't seen it, picked up the jade chopsticks and continued eating, "Okay, let's continue."
Everyone started moving again, but the atmosphere was not as relaxed and cheerful as before.
After dinner, everyone dispersed.