Chapter 901 – Golden Scales Academy (1)
The late emperor passed away, and the Young Emperor ascended the throne.
Dongqing holds filial piety in high regard, so naturally, they wouldn’t change the reign title right after the ascension; thus, the renaming was dragged from the beginning of the year to the first day of the Lunar New Year.
So, the new year is also referred to as the first year of Chengzong.
In times of peace, such significant events as renaming would surely be celebrated widely.
However, the situation now is different; Dongqing is in disarray, with local lords vying for power, and the court’s reputation has plummeted to rock bottom.
To put it bluntly, the edicts of the little emperor only hold sway around Chenzhou; in other places, they’re just strips of yellow cloth.
Jiang Pengji, as the Lord, was supposed to receive the new year’s greetings from ministers in the state capital, but since Wanzhou’s state capital hasn’t been completed yet, and there are still many matters for her to handle in Chenzhou and Hujun, her subordinates are busy making arrangements for the common people to have a good new year.
While her subjects are reuniting with their families, Jiang Pengji, Liu Zhi, and Liu Zhao came together for a simple dinner.
“Happy New Year!”
Jiang Pengji changed into new clothes and smiled as she accepted the new year’s gift from Liu Zhi.
“Father, Happy New Year.”
Liu Zhao, still dressed like a wealthy young master, paid extra attention to his appearance.
Not to mention the fabric, that silk fans painted with flowers and birds, with rosewood handles, looked as exquisite as a piece of art.
“Eldest Sister, Happy New Year.”
Liu Zhao exclaimed the new year’s greetings, gazing eagerly at Jiang Pengji.
He had a penchant for elegant and luxurious items, and every outfit he donned had to be perfumed before he would wear it, resulting in considerable daily expenses.
With just the fixed monthly allowance from Liu Zhi, Liu Zhao found it hard to make ends meet, hoping for a big red envelope from Jiang Pengji for the new year.
Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but chuckle; she returned the greeting without pulling out the big red envelope Liu Zhao had imagined.
Liu Zhao: “…”
Such injustice! Would he have to continue eating dirt next month?
As Liu Zhao fell into despair, Jiang Pengji said, “I’ve already sent someone to deliver it to your room.”
Hearing this, Liu Zhao’s eyes lit up, eager to shout—Long live, Eldest Sister!
Liu Zhi frowned slightly and said, “He spends all day chasing after dogs and fighting chickens, learning nothing. If you keep spoiling him like this, he’ll just become a burden to you in the future.”
Liu Zhao feared Liu Zhi the most. Upon hearing him reprimand him, he hurriedly hid behind Jiang Pengji.
Thank goodness Jiang Pengji was tall; otherwise, he would have found it hard to shield himself from Liu Zhao.
Jiang Pengji laughed, “What if he becomes a burden? It’s not like I can’t afford to support him.”
“Eldest Sister—if that’s the case, could you please ask Father to increase my little brother’s monthly allowance?”
Liu Zhao not only relied on his sister; he depended on his father as well.
It’s infuriating that after milking it dry, he was still a part of the month’s budget.
There was nothing to be done; he loved the refined and luxurious lifestyle, so daily expenses were naturally hefty.
Liu Zhi grimaced; had it not been the new year, he might have drawn his sword right then and there, reminding Liu Zhao why flowers bloom so beautifully.
As an upright young man, how could he be so into living off others without a shred of dignity?
There were only three of them at the New Year’s feast, but this was Liu Zhao’s first time joining in a celebration with so many people.
Previously, in the Liu Residence, with Lady Gu Zhen bedridden and Lady Die not wanting to see him, even on such a significant day as the new year, he would stay in his courtyard, eating the dinner prepared by the servants. To him, the new year was nothing special other than a few extra rations.
Liu Zhi shot Liu Zhao a fierce glare.
“Come early to pay your respects tomorrow.”
Liu Zhao’s expression instantly fell.
Since Liu Zhi stepped back from active duty and handed all the administrative affairs to Jiang Pengji, his life had become entirely leisurely.
At first, it felt a bit odd; over time, he found it quite enjoyable, spending his days fishing, walking dogs, playing with birds, visiting friends, reading, and painting…
He was happy, but Liu Zhao was utterly dejected.
Once old folks have time on their hands, they tend to find things to keep busy, and Liu Zhao’s life became increasingly miserable, being dragged into hours of study.
Under the pressure of authority, he complied for a while.
Eventually, he couldn’t take it anymore and fled to Jiang Pengji’s side for refuge.
A sister is a sister; rather than protecting him, she tied him up and sent him back to Liu Zhi for a lesson in “love.”
Upon hearing Liu Zhi’s command to come early for his respects tomorrow, Liu Zhao felt a chill running down his spine.
“Eldest Sister—save me, little brother—”
Liu Zhao lowered his voice, shaking Jiang Pengji’s sleeve, his eyes sending out distress signals.
In the midst of the audience in the live stream calling out “So cute!”, “Let Auntie give him a rub!”, “Host, are you short a sister-in-law?”, Jiang Pengji unceremoniously sold Liu Zhao out, sidestepping him and heartlessly abandoning him to Liu Zhi’s tender mercies.
On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, the market reopened.
As Jiang Pengji’s initial base, Xiangyang had been diligently expanded under her management, not only widening the city walls but also incorporating surrounding villages into the outer city with a complete redesign. Today, Xiangyang has become one of the most prosperous regions in the north.
After the festival, the streets swelled with a surge of people, with not just locals, but also many visitors from afar.
These visitors were all students from Dongqing, some from noble families, others from humble backgrounds.
In their usual impressions, Xiangyang was supposed to be a remote and backward town, but after enduring the dual pressure of the Green Garment Army and the Red Lotus Sect, it should be desolate and cold. To their surprise, upon entering Wanzhou, the scenery made them doubt their perceptions.
Doubt what?
Doubt what year it was!
Clearly, it was a time of chaos, yet within Wanzhou, it appeared to be a scene of prosperity.
While battles raged throughout Dongqing and local lords clashed incessantly, outside of Wanzhou, destitute refugees could be seen; yet, once they crossed the border, they were greeted with neatly arranged good fields and well-structured straw, occasionally spotting diligent commoners and playful children.
Upon entering the city, they could scarcely believe their eyes.
The streets were well-planned, the rooftops arranged in an orderly fashion, the buildings on either side were exquisite and elegant, and the street vendors looked vibrant and full of life.
Not only did they seem energetic, but their clothing was also clean, rarely showing patched-up garments.
“Happy New Year!”
In every nook and cranny of the streets, the celebratory greetings were overflowing with joy.
“Happy, happy New Year—”
A little girl dressed in a red coat stood by the roadside, gazing up dreamily at the vendor carrying goods.
At first, the vendor didn’t hear her, so the little girl earnestly called out again.
After a moment, she let out a little gasp.
Finally, the vendor noticed the little girl, and upon seeing her delicate, chubby face, his demeanor softened even more.
Noticing the little girl gazing eagerly at the bee hawthorn candies he had made, he chuckled and handed one to her.
“Happy New Year, take this and eat.”
Just by looking at the child’s outfit, one could tell she was from a wealthy family.
“Thank you.”
The little girl smiles widely, taking the vendor’s new year’s gift, but before she could stuff it into her mouth, a frail-looking young boy appeared beside her.
The boy appeared to be about six or seven years old, slender, but his expression was quite mature, his lips pressed tightly together.
“Uncle has to do business and can’t just give things away.”
He lifted his hand to take the little girl’s hand, while his other hand pulled out some coins from his waist pouch to give to the vendor.
After saying that, he led the little girl away.
The vendor took the money and caught sight of the young boy’s attire and the book basket he carried on his shoulder, realizing belatedly.
“Isn’t this a kid from Golden Scales Academy? Quite the handsome one.”
