{ New Year’s Eve }

One year is not too difficult

Letters also arrived from Shadow Chasing Palace and Riyue Villa one after another. Since Zhao Wu had warned him before leaving, Qin Shaoyu naturally would not talk nonsense. He only responded to the request mentioned in Chu Yuan’s previous letter and promised to send disciples from Ranshuang Island to Nanyang1 to monitor the movements on the other side. As for Ye Jin, he was extremely puzzled as to why his brother cared so much about Tianchensha and golden silkworm thread, while refusing to say who was poisoned.

Inside Riyue Villa, Shen Qianfeng said: “The emperor won’t tell, so why bother to ask.”

“I didn’t ask.” Ye Jin drank a cup of herbal tea and felt very tight in his chest. He had no interest in Tianchensha at all before, but he couldn’t bear to receive a letter every now and then. As time went by, he was inevitably curious. Sometimes he would think about it in the middle of the night, and continue to scratch his head.

“If you really want to know, why don’t I take you to Wangcheng?” Shen Qianfeng said, “You will know when you meet him.”

“Who do you think he is, a fool on the street?” Ye Jin patted his chest, “He refused to say it in his letter, and he wouldn’t say it in person. If I asked him in rush, he would just make up nonsense about someone who neither you nor I know.”

Shen Qianfeng said: “If the situation is really urgent, the emperor will tell you without asking, so there is no rush at the moment.”

“Tianchensha.” Ye Jin held up his cheeks, “Why don’t I go to Nanyang myself to find out.”

Shen Qianfeng said: “Okay.”

“Okay?” Ye Jin came back to his senses, “I just said casually, the sea route is so far away, I’m afraid even traveling for a year is not enough to reach there.” The eldest son Shen2 is also the recognized leader of the martial arts alliance, how can he have so much free time on his hands.

Shen Qianfeng smiled: “It’s only one year and it’s just Nanyang. If you want to go, I will naturally accompany you.”

Ye Jin blinked his eyes and felt that even when this person was acting stupid, his eyes and eyebrows were extremely handsome.

Handsome and good-looking.

The reply from Riyue Villa was as usual, saying that he didn’t know what Tianchensha was, and he has never heard of a skill in this world that could control the Golden Silkworm Thread. However, he added that Jianghu is so big and there are so many strange things that it cannot be fully explained in words.

Chu Yuan sighed in his heart, and put away all the letters.

At the beginning, the letters from Southwest Mansion still came once a month, but later they gradually decreased, becoming once every two months, and then even three months later. After opening it, the content was the same, saying that everything was fine with his brother. Chu Yuan even thought that Duan Yao wrote a bunch of them at once, and then took out one letter every month and sent it to Wangcheng.

As spring turns to summer, autumn rains come thickly, and the drizzle is extremely annoying when it rains. After handling the political affairs, Chu Yuan held on to the umbrella from before and left the palace alone. The night is dark, and the street is very quiet. People went home early to rest, only the red lanterns at the entrance of the inn, and the faint singing from the distant karaoke, added a little fireworks to the cold long street.

In the alley around the corner, an old couple had just set up a stall and were preparing to eat. Chu Yuan stopped and asked, “Are these wontons from the old Zhang family?”

“Yes, sir.” The old man said with a smile, “I am Zhang Quan. The most delicious wontons in the city are all sold at my stall.”

“Senior3, please give me a bowl.” Chu Yuan closed his umbrella, sat under the eaves and breathed some heat into his palms.

“Young Master, have a cup of hot tea first.” The old woman said, “It’s fried with grains and has the aroma of wheat.”

“Thank you, granny.” Chu Yuan looked around and said, “Is business good on such a cold night?”

“It’s not very good, but after so many years, everyone has gotten used to it. If one day we do not set up the stall, the people who drive at night will not have even a snack to satisfy their hunger, and it is not good.” The old man put a large bowl of shrimp skin wonton in front of him. “Young Master, enjoy your meal, there’s more if you don’t have enough.”

“Yeah.” Chu Yuan smiled, took a spoon and took a sip of the soup.

Very fresh.

“When you are sick, naturally you will have no appetite.” Earlier when he had a fever, someone had brought a big bowl of dried wontons into the palace, “Eat this, the best old Zhang wontons in Wangcheng.”

“Eating wontons in the middle of the night?” Chu Yuan asked.

“You should eat night food at night to grow fat.” Duan Baiyue helped him up, “This wonton shop owner has a bad temper. He sleeps during the day and only sets out at night. It’s at the corner of Yunmeng Street.”

Chu Yuan picked up the chopsticks and barely ate one.

Duan Baiyue asked: “How is it?”

Chu Yuan said: “It’s tasteless and bitter.”

Duan Baiyue paused and said, “It tastes as such because you caught the cold.”

Chu Yuan was amused, but he obeyed and finished a large bowl of wontons, and then said: “It’s just tasteless.”

“When you get better this time, I’ll take you out to eat.” Duan Baiyue said, “Soup wontons are more delicious, fresh and sweet.”

Chu Yuan leaned back on the bed: “Okay.”

However, even though they promised to do so, there were complicated matters behind them, and neither of them thought about eating this bowl of wontons, so they postponed it until now.

Under the dim oil lamp, the old woman and the old man cooked soup and made noodles together, laughing and chatting about family affairs. They also said that they would take a few days to rest and go to Ziya City to see their grandson. The number of guests gradually increased. After Chu Yuan drank the last sip of soup, he got up and returned to the palace.

“Your Majesty.” Eunuch Sixi was so anxious that he was relieved when he came back.

He thought the emperor has left for… the southwest.

Chu Yuan took off his cloak and said, “Who came to see me?”

“No one, it was all quiet.” Eunuch Sixi passed on the hot water, “It’s dark and midnight, the emperor should not leave the palace alone again.”

Chu Yuan said, “Is there any reply from Wen Aiqing4?”

“Yes.” Eunuch Sixi said, “The letter is in the imperial study. Would the emperor want to read it now?”

Chu Yuan nodded.

Eunuch Sixi trotted all the way to bring it, and then brightened up the lights.

Wen Liunian’s life in Yunlan City was extremely nourishing. Although he failed to convince Qin Shaoyu to become a general, he still got involved with Chasing Shadow Palace. Not only there are interesting places to see, but also he has friends in Jainghu. This time Chu Yuan asked him about foreign affairs in South Asia, and his reply was eloquent, and he wrote a thick stack.  Compared with the peace and quiet in Southwest Mansion, the difference is of heaven and earth.

The most talented person in Da Chu naturally reads a lot of books. From the geographical distribution of the Nanyang island countries, what each country does for a living, the temperament of the successive lords, and the customs of the people, they are all clearly written down – compared with the orthodox survey records in the Dachu library, naturally it cannot be said to be 100% accurate. But there is also an advantage, that is, the sources of information are many and fast, and the content is diverse and explains everything, including the romantic history of the lord of the White Elephant Kingdom. Just from beginning to end, there are very few records about the Feimian Kingdom. They only say that the sea area is rough and the waves are almost impossible for ships to approach. But every once in a while, a big black ship would slowly sail out, selling some witchcraft medicine to passing merchant ships. The people on the ship were uniformly dressed in black robes, and their bodies were covered in tattoos, which was no different from the rumours. Because fresh vegetables and food are not available for sailing at sea, many sailors and merchants are prone to illness. Therefore, the business of witchcraft medicine is very good. Even if the price is high, the supply is still short.

Black Ship… Black Robe… Chu Yuan put down the letter, but remembered the descriptions of those Chaoya people, and it was the same.

Is it really Feimian Kingdom? Chu Yuan frowned slightly. After thinking for a moment, he wrote a reply to Wen Liunian, and asked it to be sent to Yunlan City as quickly as possible.

Another month passed, and the Shadow Chasing Palace guards who had been sent to the East China Sea also came back, saying that there was white fog all around Chaoya Island and they couldn’t break in. Moreover, the merchant ships coming and going have regarded it as an ominous place. Even if they have to take for an extra month detour, they are not willing to go near Chaoya, saying that there are man-eating beasts that will drag the ships into the sea.

“Did the local officials take any measures?” Chu Yuan asked.

Shadow Chasing Palace Guard said: “No.”

Chu Yuan shook his head inwardly. The Chaoya clan was not under the jurisdiction of Dachu. If something happened in the surrounding sea area, the people could just take a detour, and the officials were too lazy to mind their own business. It was not a surprise.

The man stationed in the East China Sea was considered a relative of the Chu family, nicknamed Sea Dragon King. Due to his outstanding military exploits, he was given the surname Chu by the late emperor. In terms of seniority, Chu Yuan even called him uncle.

It’s just that this uncle is also a worry-free uncle.

Chu Yuan sighed slightly. According to the current situation of all parties in the court, it may take a few years of waiting the people become really prosperous and safe.

Looking at it, it will be New Year’s Eve again in January. After New Year’s Eve, it will be a new year.

The time was not too difficult, Chu Yuan thought, at least it was much easier than he thought before.

In the Southwest Mansion, Duan Yao cooked dumplings and carried them to the ice room in the back mountain.

Nan Moxie opened the stone door and said after seeing him: “So today is the New Year’s Eve.”

“Yes, Chinese New Year.” Duan Yao said, “On New Year’s Eve, the city is bustling with activity.”

Nan Moxie chuckled: “It’s good that it’s lively. It means everyone’s life is good.”

Duan Yao said: “Can I go in and see my brother?”

Nan Moxie shook his head: “No.”

Duan Yao said: “okay.”

“When he is practicing, he should not be disturbed.” Nan Moxie patted his head, “He is okay, don’t worry.”

“Then I’ll go back first.” Duan Yao said, “I’ll come back tomorrow, Aunt Jin is making flower cakes.”

Nan Moxie warned: “Add more honey.”

Duan Yao finally had a smile on his face, turned around and ran down the mountain.

Nan Moxie walked into the cave with the food box, while Duan Baiyue still had his eyes closed, adjusting his inner breath.

“Today is the Chinese New Year.” Nan Moxie sat across from him, “You and I have also been in this ice room for too long, and we actually forgot about this.”

Duan Baiyue said: “Yeah.”

“Come on, try it.” Nan Moxie handed him the chopsticks, “I think Dali City will be bustling tonight.”

Duan Baiyue took the chopsticks, with faint blue lines on the back of his hands, and his profile was hidden in the darkness: “Wangcheng is even more lively.”

“Yeah, otherwise, how could it be called Wangcheng.” Nan Moxie pretended not to understand, gulped down the dumplings, and complained, “It’s pork stuffing again, and it doesn’t change every year.”

Duan Baiyue smiled: “Master should go back home tonight, at least spend the new year with everyone.”

“What am I going to do after I go back? I’m meet a bunch of brats, my head hurts from the noise, and Yao’er would want to press on me New Year’s bugs.” Nan Moxie said, “It’s good here, it’s quiet here.”

Duan Baiyue took a dumpling and put it into his mouth. As expected, he couldn’t taste anything.

Nan Moxie was concerned: “Eat slowly.” If you eat slowly, maybe you can get the salty taste.

Duan Baiyue said: “If I eat slowly, looking at how Master is devouring the food, I’m afraid there won’t be many left on this plate.”

Nan Moxie: “…”

Duan Baiyue continued: “This year has passed quickly.”

From this point of view, the next year, and the next year, shouldn’t be too difficult.

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As usual, if there are any mistakes or errors, please contact me and I’ll rectify it. If anyone is willing to help in translation, you are more than welcome to assist. In that case as well, please email me.

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Notes:

{ New Year's Eve }One year is not too difficultLetters also arrived from Shadow Chasing Palace and Riyue Villa one after another.Since Zhao Wu had warned him before leaving, Qin Shaoyu naturally would not talk nonsense. He only responded to the request mentioned in Chu Yuan's previous letter and promised to send disciples from Ranshuang Island to Nanyang1to monitor the movements on the other side.As for Ye Jin, he was extremely puzzled as to why his brother cared so much about Tianchensha and golden silkworm thread, while refusing to say who was poisoned.Inside Riyue Villa, Shen Qianfeng said: The emperor won't tell, so why bother to ask.I didn't ask. Ye Jin drank a cup of herbal tea and felt very tight in his chest.He had no interest in Tianchensha at all before, but he couldn't bear to receive a letter every now and then. As time went by, he was inevitably curious. Sometimes he would think about it in the middle of the night, and continue to scratch his head.If you really want to know, why don't I take you to Wangcheng? Shen Qianfeng said, You will know when you meet him.Who do you think he is, a fool on the street? Ye Jin patted his chest, He refused to say it in his letter, and he wouldn't say it in person. If I asked him in rush, he would just make up nonsense about someone who neither you nor I know.Shen Qianfeng said: If the situation is really urgent, the emperor will tell you without asking, so there is no rush at the moment.Tianchensha. Ye Jin held up his cheeks, Why don't I go to Nanyang myself to find out.Shen Qianfeng said: Okay.Okay? Ye Jin came back to his senses, I just said casually, the sea route is so far away, I'm afraid even traveling for a year is not enough to reach there. The eldest son Shen2is also the recognized leader of the martial arts alliance, how can he have so much free time on his hands.Shen Qianfeng smiled: It's only one year and it's just Nanyang. If you want to go, I will naturally accompany you.Ye Jin blinked his eyes and felt that even when this person was acting stupid, his eyes and eyebrows were extremely handsome.Handsome and good-looking.The reply from Riyue Villa was as usual, saying that he didn't know what Tianchensha was, and he has never heard of a skill in this world that could control the Golden Silkworm Thread.However, he added that Jianghu is so big and there are so many strange things that it cannot be fully explained in words.Chu Yuan sighed in his heart, and put away all the letters.At the beginning, the letters from Southwest Mansion still came once a month, but later they gradually decreased, becoming once every two months, and then even three months later.After opening it, the content was the same, saying that everything was fine with his brother. Chu Yuan even thought that Duan Yao wrote a bunch of them at once, and then took out one letter every month and sent it to Wangcheng.As spring turns to summer, autumn rains come thickly, and the drizzle is extremely annoying when it rains.After handling the political affairs, Chu Yuan held on to the umbrella from before and left the palace alone.The night is dark, and the street is very quiet. People went home early to rest, only the red lanterns at the entrance of the inn, and the faint singing from the distant karaoke, added a little fireworks to the cold long street.In the alley around the corner, an old couple had just set up a stall and were preparing to eat.Chu Yuan stopped and asked, Are these wontons from the old Zhang family?Yes, sir. The old man said with a smile, I am Zhang Quan. The most delicious wontons in the city are all sold at my stall.Senior3, please give me a bowl. Chu Yuan closed his umbrella, sat under the eaves and breathed some heat into his palms.Young Master, have a cup of hot tea first. The old woman said, It's fried with grains and has the aroma of wheat.Thank you, granny. Chu Yuan looked around and said, Is business good on such a cold night?It's not very good, but after so many years, everyone has gotten used to it. If one day we do not set up the stall, the people who drive at night will not have even a snack to satisfy their hunger, and it is not good. The old man put a large bowl of shrimp skin wonton in front of him. Young Master, enjoy your meal, there's more if you don't have enough.Yeah. Chu Yuan smiled, took a spoon and took a sip of the soup.Very fresh.When you are sick, naturally you will have no appetite. Earlier when he had a fever, someone had brought a big bowl of dried wontons into the palace, Eat this, the best old Zhang wontons in Wangcheng.Eating wontons in the middle of the night? Chu Yuan asked.You should eat night food at night to grow fat. Duan Baiyue helped him up, This wonton shop owner has a bad temper. He sleeps during the day and only sets out at night. It's at the corner of Yunmeng Street.Chu Yuan picked up the chopsticks and barely ate one.Duan Baiyue asked: How is it?Chu Yuan said: It's tasteless and bitter.Duan Baiyue paused and said, It tastes as such because you caught the cold.Chu Yuan was amused, but he obeyed and finished a large bowl of wontons, and then said: It's just tasteless.When you get better this time, I'll take you out to eat. Duan Baiyue said, Soup wontons are more delicious, fresh and sweet.Chu Yuan leaned back on the bed: Okay.However, even though they promised to do so, there were complicated matters behind them, and neither of them thought about eating this bowl of wontons, so they postponed it until now.Under the dim oil lamp, the old woman and the old man cooked soup and made noodles together, laughing and chatting about family affairs. They also said that they would take a few days to rest and go to Ziya City to see their grandson.The number of guests gradually increased. After Chu Yuan drank the last sip of soup, he got up and returned to the palace.Your Majesty. Eunuch Sixi was so anxious that he was relieved when he came back.He thought the emperor has left for the southwest.Chu Yuan took off his cloak and said, Who came to see me?No one, it was all quiet. Eunuch Sixi passed on the hot water, It's dark and midnight, the emperor should not leave the palace alone again.Chu Yuan said, Is there any reply from Wen Aiqing4?Yes. Eunuch Sixi said, The letter is in the imperial study. Would the emperor want to read it now?Chu Yuan nodded.Eunuch Sixi trotted all the way to bring it, and then brightened up the lights.Wen Liunian's life in Yunlan City was extremely nourishing. Although he failed to convince Qin Shaoyu to become a general, he still got involved with Chasing Shadow Palace.Not only there are interesting places to see, but also he has friends in Jainghu.This time Chu Yuan asked him about foreign affairs in South Asia, and his reply was eloquent, and he wrote a thick stack. Compared with the peace and quiet in Southwest Mansion, the difference is of heaven and earth.The most talented person in Da Chu naturally reads a lot of books.From the geographical distribution of the Nanyang island countries, what each country does for a living, the temperament of the successive lords, and the customs of the people, they are all clearly written down compared with the orthodox survey records in the Dachu library, naturally it cannot be said to be 100% accurate. But there is also an advantage, that is, the sources of information are many and fast, and the content is diverse and explains everything, including the romantic history of the lord of the White Elephant Kingdom.Just from beginning to end, there are very few records about the Feimian Kingdom. They only say that the sea area is rough and the waves are almost impossible for ships to approach.But every once in a while, a big black ship would slowly sail out, selling some witchcraft medicine to passing merchant ships.The people on the ship were uniformly dressed in black robes, and their bodies were covered in tattoos, which was no different from the rumours.Because fresh vegetables and food are not available for sailing at sea, many sailors and merchants are prone to illness. Therefore, the business of witchcraft medicine is very good. Even if the price is high, the supply is still short.Black Ship Black RobeChu Yuan put down the letter, but remembered the descriptions of those Chaoya people, and it was the same.Is it really Feimian Kingdom?Chu Yuan frowned slightly. After thinking for a moment, he wrote a reply to Wen Liunian, and asked it to be sent to Yunlan City as quickly as possible.Another month passed, and the Shadow Chasing Palace guards who had been sent to the East China Sea also came back, saying that there was white fog all around Chaoya Island and they couldn't break in.Moreover, the merchant ships coming and going have regarded it as an ominous place. Even if they have to take for an extra month detour, they are not willing to go near Chaoya, saying that there are man-eating beasts that will drag the ships into the sea.Did the local officials take any measures? Chu Yuan asked.Shadow Chasing Palace Guard said: No.Chu Yuan shook his head inwardly.The Chaoya clan was not under the jurisdiction of Dachu. If something happened in the surrounding sea area, the people could just take a detour, and the officials were too lazy to mind their own business. It was not a surprise.The man stationed in the East China Sea was considered a relative of the Chu family, nicknamed Sea Dragon King. Due to his outstanding military exploits, he was given the surname Chu by the late emperor. In terms of seniority, Chu Yuan even called him uncle.It's just that this uncle is also a worry-free uncle.Chu Yuan sighed slightly. According to the current situation of all parties in the court, it may take a few years of waiting the people become really prosperous and safe.Looking at it, it will be New Year's Eve again in January. After New Year's Eve, it will be a new year.The time was not too difficult, Chu Yuan thought, at least it was much easier than he thought before.In the Southwest Mansion, Duan Yao cooked dumplings and carried them to the ice room in the back mountain.Nan Moxie opened the stone door and said after seeing him: So today is the New Year's Eve.Yes, Chinese New Year. Duan Yao said, On New Year's Eve, the city is bustling with activity.Nan Moxie chuckled: It's good that it's lively. It means everyone's life is good.Duan Yao said: Can I go in and see my brother?Nan Moxie shook his head: No.Duan Yao said: okay.When he is practicing, he should not be disturbed. Nan Moxie patted his head, He is okay, don't worry.Then I'll go back first. Duan Yao said, I'll come back tomorrow, Aunt Jin is making flower cakes.Nan Moxie warned: Add more honey.Duan Yao finally had a smile on his face, turned around and ran down the mountain.Nan Moxie walked into the cave with the food box, while Duan Baiyue still had his eyes closed, adjusting his inner breath.Today is the Chinese New Year. Nan Moxie sat across from him, You and I have also been in this ice room for too long, and we actually forgot about this.Duan Baiyue said: Yeah.Come on, try it. Nan Moxie handed him the chopsticks, I think Dali City will be bustling tonight.Duan Baiyue took the chopsticks, with faint blue lines on the back of his hands, and his profile was hidden in the darkness: Wangcheng is even more lively.Yeah, otherwise, how could it be called Wangcheng. Nan Moxie pretended not to understand, gulped down the dumplings, and complained, It's pork stuffing again, and it doesn't change every year.Duan Baiyue smiled: Master should go back home tonight, at least spend the new year with everyone.What am I going to do after I go back? I'm meet a bunch of brats, my head hurts from the noise, and Yao'er would want to press on me New Year's bugs. Nan Moxie said, It's good here, it's quiet here.Duan Baiyue took a dumpling and put it into his mouth. As expected, he couldn't taste anything.Nan Moxie was concerned: Eat slowly. If you eat slowly, maybe you can get the salty taste.Duan Baiyue said: If I eat slowly, looking at how Master is devouring the food, I'm afraid there won't be many left on this plate.Nan Moxie: Duan Baiyue continued: This year has passed quickly.From this point of view, the next year, and the next year, shouldn't be too difficult.===========================================================As usual, if there are any mistakes or errors, please contact me and I'll rectify it. If anyone is willing to help in translation, you are more than welcome to assist. In that case as well, pleaseemailme.==========================================================Notes:Nanyang is South China sea. I'll be using that from now on.Shen Qianfeng is the eldest son of the Shen family.Translates to old man but it might have sounded rude, so I changed it to senior. I guess they also say boss.Emperor usually calls ministers Aiqing..