~ IT LOOKS DELICIOUS ~
After having some fun, the sky gradually darkened, and Su Qing busied herself, preparing other things to sacrifice to the heavens. Mu Yunyao was bored to death as she sat at the window and watched the snowman outside. However, Yue Wang did not know what he was thinking and kept silent.
Firecrackers and fireworks sounded one after another outside. Su Qing, Steward Qin, and the others laid out incense sticks. A group of people went into the courtyard to offer their blessings to the heavens. Mu Yunyao couldn’t wear a cloak. As soon as she left the room, Mu Yunyao shivered with the cold, and she couldn’t help but secretly sighed in her heart: They said it was easy to change from thrifty to extravagant, but it was difficult to turn from extravagance to frugality. The ancients sincerely did not deceive me. Thinking about her previous life, she dragged her leg to find firewood in the snow. Otherwise, Madam Li would not give her food. At that time, she felt the cold and hard Wotou was extremely sweet. Now that the cold wind blows, it feels so uncomfortable.
Feeling Mu Yunyao’s mood darken for a moment, Yue Wang silently glanced at her before striding to her side, blocking the cold wind coming from the north.
Mu Yunyao felt the wind that was blowing against her body suddenly lessen. She turned her head to look at Yue Wang, who was not far away, only to see that he was staring at the altar with no expression on his face. She didn’t care and stood behind Su Qing as she kowtowed to the heavens.
The weather was cold, but the night sky coated with stars. It looked deep and cold, causing Mu Yunyao’s heart to tremble, and she couldn’t help but associate it with Yue Wang’s eyes. The whole person suddenly became agitated, and she secretly decided. If she didn’t have the spirit in the future, she would think of Yue Wang, guaranteed to be full of energy instantly.
“Today, I offer my blessings to the heavens. I hope next year will be smooth sailing, and my family will be happy and well!”
Su Qing didn’t say extravagant blessings, but Mu Yunyao was exceptionally serious when she heard it. She repeated it a few times in her heart before respectfully bowing her head with Su Qing.
After the sacrifice, Su Qing relaxed and quickly called for Si Qin, Jin Lan, and the others to help her carry the food to the kitchen. After blessing heaven and earth, the rest of the time was left for people to celebrate the New Year.
On weekdays, Su Qing and Mu Yunyao rarely emphasized the rules. Since it was New Year’s Eve now, the entire courtyard was bustling with noise and excitement.
Su Qing removed the red envelope again, causing Jin Lan, Si Qin, and the others to cheer.
Mu Yunyao had used her status to snatch the thickest one, and the corners of her eyes filled with pride.
Su Qing tapped between her eyebrows and said helplessly, “You!”
Mu Yunyao quickly followed up, “I’m the best. This year’s fortune is good!”
“Miss sure is blessed with good fortune. In the New Year, she won all of our winnings.”
Mu Yunyao glanced at Yue Wang from the corner of her eyes. “Don’t spout nonsense. The main culprit who won your money is by your side!”
Jin Lan and Jin Qiao couldn’t help but stick out their tongues. They were scared to the point that they still had lingering fears from the look in Yue Wang’s eyes. So, they didn’t dare to go over and make fun of him.
Su Qing spread the red envelope and took another one from her sleeve. She walked up to Yue Wang and handed it to him. “Young Master Ning, if you address me as an elder, I must give you a red envelope. I hope next year’s fortune will be great. Good luck.”
Yue Wang’s eyes suddenly moved. He looked at Su Qing and felt helpless. His precious hands received the red envelope, and his expression was very gentle. “Thank you, Madam.”
Steward Qin rubbed his eyes and felt his heartache. This situation was probably the first time that Wang Ye had received a red envelope in so many years. He hoped the next year would bring fewer hardships, fewer deaths, and all the best.
Yu Heng and Yu Yi were also so happy on the sidelines. They hadn’t thought that even they would receive a red envelope. They couldn’t help but send their gazes over to Steward Qin. This Madam Su had already given red envelopes, and Wang Ye shouldn’t be so stingy!
Steward Qin took out the red envelope he had prepared earlier and passed it to Mu Yunyao. “Miss Mu, this is my gift to you. Please do not turn your back on it.”
Mu Yunyao happily received it. She touched the thickness of the red envelope and was slightly surprised in her heart. “Thank you, Steward Qin.” There are about thousands of taels of silver in it.
Seeing her accept it, the smile on Steward Qin’s face became even brighter. He then took out small red envelopes and distributed them to Jin Lan and the others.
Nan’er also got a red envelope, smiled, bounced on the spot, and ran outside to see that the incense from respecting the sky had burned out. He quickly called Ah Mao and Li’er to bring in the dishes and sweet buns.
“Madam, Miss, we are ready for dinner.”
Mu Yunyao was already thinking about the steamed bun outside. Seeing that Nan’er had brought the things in, she hurriedly went to look for her rabbit. But she didn’t expect that someone would be faster than her. He didn’t even wait for her to step forward before grabbing the rabbit.
Su Qing is skillful. The rabbit is so cute. After steaming and expanding, it looks whiter, more tender, and chubbier. If you poke it with your hand, you will leave a small soft hole, which will bounce back shortly afterward.
Mu Yunyao looked at Yue Wang’s hand and felt a chill behind her back. She felt as if he had become the rabbit in his hand, able to be rounded and swallowed at any time. When Su Qing saw that Yue Wang liked sweet steamed buns, she couldn’t help but recall Steward Qin’s words about not having a mother since he was young. As she gestured for everyone to sit down, she said to Yue Wang, “The sweet steamed bun is a bit cold. You can bake it on a small stove later. When the time comes, the whole skin will be roasted and crisp. It will taste best at that time.”
When Mu Yunyao heard these words, she felt a wave of unease spread across her body. What was roasted and crisp? How could her mother stand up to outsiders: “Mother, have you forgotten the rules of previous years? Whose zodiac has always eaten?”
Just as she finished speaking, she saw that Yue Wang had already bit down on the rabbit’s head, devouring half of its head with one bite.
Seeing Mu Yunyao staring at him, Yue Wang raised his hand and innocently said: “I’m sorry, I didn’t know......”
Don’t listen to Yao’er’s nonsense. How can there be such a rule? Just eat whichever you like.” Su Qing hurriedly comforted Yue Wang. After that, she secretly glared at Mu Yunyao and casually placed a steamed bun in her hands, “Isn’t there a lot more to eat? Hurry up and eat.” Mu Yunyao looked at the tiger with the word Wang on its head and did her best to suppress the strange feeling in her heart. She bit off the tiger’s ear, and that fierce look frightened Su Qing. She quickly poured a cup of warm water for her. “Don’t worry, who will grab from you, really? Girl, you’re so old and yet so childish.”
Mu Yunyao looked at the tiger with no ears in her hands. Its chubby body had tiger stripes, and it looked even more foolish. She felt that she suddenly came down in one breath: This bun was made personally by Yue Wang, and if Yunyao took it out in two years, it would be worth thousands of silver taels, and she won’t lose this time!
She was busy fighting with the tiger, so she did not notice that there was a smile in Yue Wang’s eyes.
Steward Qin smiled as he drank the wine. He felt that tonight’s wine was so intoxicating, causing his eyes to burn.
Yu Yi lightly nudged Yu Heng from the side, hinting him in the direction of Yue Wang. “Take a look?”
Yu Heng took a glance and was a little baffled. He thought he also wanted to eat the steamed bun, so he carefully handed it over: “Here you go.” Yu Yi only felt a gust of strong wind pass across his face and quickly brought the mandarin duck cat-shaped bun in his hand to Yue Wang: “Fourth Master, I see that you aren’t full yet. Eat this. It looks delicious.”
So much foreshadowing in an eating scene XD
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