Chapter 816: Shengjing’s First New Year

After everyone returned to the room, they began the most important part of New Year’s Eve, which is staying up late.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t feel cold outside earlier, but upon entering the house, she found her feet were numb from the cold.

Tong Huaqiong stomped her feet and instructed the maid to fill the charcoal fire basin with coal.

The room became increasingly warm.

Su Qing placed a few oranges on the charcoal fire, and the entire room was filled with the pleasant aroma of orange peels roasting.

Man Er, Yaozu, and Hua Er brought peanuts and sweet potatoes to roast on the stove.

The table was reloaded with fruits, nuts, and pastries, and everyone sat down again to talk.

Except for Lu Zhaozhao, who was pregnant and taken to rest by Jingzhe, the others were all very enthusiastic about staying up late, with no signs of drowsiness.

Mrs. Zhao suggested playing Pai Gow to pass the time.

Playing Pai Gow is an essential winter entertainment for the people of Qinghe Bay. From Mrs. Zhao to Mrs. Hong, they all love it, and even Gu Xiaoxue’s eyes lit up, indicating she wanted to win everyone’s Silver to buy flowers.

Mrs. Zhao’s proposal was met with everyone’s agreement, and Su Qing set up the Pai Gow game. Since Tong Huaqiong wasn’t good at Pai Gow, losing nine times out of ten, she pulled Su Qing to sit beside her as a strategist.

With Su Qing as the strategist, Tong Huaqiong won two rounds in a row, unable to hide her joy.

The amount of winnings wasn’t important, but having good luck was.

After playing a few rounds, Tong Huaqiong won a game and let Su Qing take over while she sat on the side to watch.

"Mother, why don’t we also invite an opera troupe to perform next year? We’ve moved to Shengjing, and besides playing Pai Gow, there isn’t anything fresh at home all month long during January. To hear opera, we have to go to other people’s houses," Gu Taohua suggested to Tong Huaqiong, sitting beside Gu Xiaoxue.

During the festive season, Tong Huaqiong received many invitations asking her to bring the Gu Family women to drink and listen to opera in January.

Since Tong Huaqiong had just settled in Shengjing this year, she was busy with business and had no entertainment facilities at home during January other than inviting close friends over for drinks.

Gu Taohua, Liu Yue’er, and Chen Sufen were all opera fans, and when Tong Huaqiong finished her business and invited an opera troupe to perform for the family women in January, the opera troupes in Shengjing were fully booked throughout the month.

Now, to hear opera, one can only accept other people’s invitations or go to the market to listen. It’s not as satisfying as hosting a private performance at home where you can request any opera you want.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Next year, I’ll make arrangements early."

The sound of the Pai Gow tiles clattered on the table, and after a round, Su Qing and Gu Xiaoxue won the most.

Tong Huaqiong endured until midnight, finally unable to hold on, she returned to her room to sleep.

Having drunk a bit in the evening, as she lay in bed, the alcohol’s effect suddenly took hold, and in her daze, Tong Huaqiong sometimes felt she was back in her graduate dormitory, and other times felt she was still in Qinghe Bay.

Two lifetimes lived, neither wasted, neither betrayed herself.

New Year’s Eve was about to pass, and another new year had arrived.

This was also her first New Year in Shengjing.

Tong Huaqiong murmured, wishing herself a safe and good new year, and also hoping that her other self in another time and space would remain well.

Amid the crackling sound of firecrackers, Tong Huaqiong fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke up, it was already the new year.

Tong Huaqiong got up and dressed.

Even though she had a personal maid now, she was still unaccustomed to being served when getting up and dressed.

"Grandma, Happy New Year."

"Aunt, Happy New Year."

Just after putting on her clothes, the crisp voices of children paying their New Year respects sounded at the door.

No matter how many years she’d been in this world, Tong Huaqiong still found herself somewhat stunned by the call that crossed generations, seemingly unrelated to her own body.

Before she could completely collect her thoughts, Man Er and Duo Er walked in one after the other.

Then Duo Er pulled the wobbling Ying Er along as well.

"Grandmother, Happy New Year to you," Man Er said.

The children all donned brand new clothes and wore double buns, looking like dragon maidens from a painting.

Especially Man Er, who had grown another year older, a perfectly sculpted beauty, showing more signs of becoming a beauty.

Tong Huaqiong reached out to hug Man Er and kissed her.

She thought back to when she first arrived in this world, Man Er was a skinny little bean sprout, her palm-sized face was so thin that only her big eyes remained.

As the protagonist of Tong Dajiao’s world, Man Er’s fate until she was seventeen was full of hardships. However, in this life, Man Er is the beloved granddaughter of the Tong Family’s Store.

Even the emperor occasionally summons her to the palace to accompany the crown prince in his studies.

At this thought, Tong Huaqiong didn’t know whether it was a good or bad thing for Man Er.

Since Man Er’s fate in this life remains tied to the crown prince, it’s destined for her to enter the palace, so there’s no need to stop it now.

Everything should go with the flow.

After all, what is poison to one is honey to another.

The harem might not be a place of freedom for Tong Huaqiong, but for Man Er, power might be more important than anything.

Therefore, Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe, among others, must become Man Er’s strongest supporters.

Whether it takes spending Silver or climbing a high position to provide support.

"Grandma, what’s wrong?" Man Er realized that Tong Huaqiong was holding her in a daze and looked up to ask.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and said, "Nothing, just seeing Man Er growing up makes Grandma very happy."

"Grandma, hug."

Seeing Tong Huaqiong holding her sister and not letting go, Ying Er wobbled over to Tong Huaqiong and Man Er, reaching out her chubby little hands to pry Man Er away and squeezed into Tong Huaqiong’s embrace.

Tong Huaqiong was amused by Ying Er’s cute antics and scooped her little granddaughter into her arms, pinching Ying Er’s soft, chubby cheeks.

Ying Er smacked a kiss on Tong Huaqiong’s cheek.

"Aunt, Happy New Year."

Duo Er instructed Hua Er to cup her hands in the traditional gesture to Tong Huaqiong for New Year’s greetings.

Tong Huaqiong released Ying Er and Man Er, then embraced Duo Er and Hua Er.

"Here are your New Year’s gifts, take them,"

Tong Huaqiong took out the prepared New Year’s money from under the pillow and handed it to the four girls.

"Keep it for yourselves, don’t give it to your parents," Tong Huaqiong advised.

The four children thanked her cheerfully.

Su Qing came in to help Tong Huaqiong comb her hair.

"Mother, let me help you comb your hair."

Liu Yue’er was dressed like a nouveau riche, her body adorned with fine silks and satins, and her hair decorated with pearl and gold pins. She peered into the room, almost blinding Tong Huaqiong’s eyes.

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand and said, "No need to serve me."

With Liu Yue’er’s taste, Tong Huaqiong was afraid of being made up like a matchmaker on the first morning of New Year’s, distinctly resembling a nouveau riche all year long.

Liu Yue’er saw the four children and turned to her maid, saying, "Go check if Yaozu is up, quickly have him come to give Grandma New Year greetings."

Tong Huaqiong knew Liu Yue’er’s scheme; upon seeing Man Er, Hua Er, and the others come to give New Year’s greetings, she feared Tong Huaqiong would give them something nice and leave Yaozu out.

But since it was New Year’s, Tong Huaqiong didn’t expose Liu Yue’er.

Liu Yue’er’s small schemes might exist, but she wouldn’t dare any major deceptions.

Tong Huaqiong finished grooming and went to the main room.

Chen Sufen, Lu Zhaozhao, and others were already waiting in the main room to give their New Year’s greetings.