BMN : Chapter 27

As the New Year approached, the Jin Mansion became even more lively due to the marriage arrangements with the Tao and Zhou families. The Jin, Zhou, and Tao families were all well-known in the capital, and their upcoming alliances brought an increase in social visits. People who were even remotely connected or held some standing would send invitations and come to pay their respects.

The women of the household were constantly busy with guests, and Fu Ming was even busier. With Jin Yi occupied with official duties at the government office, it often fell to Fu Ming to entertain male visitors. This period of bustling activity surpassed even the days when Jin Yi had just received his promotion. Fu Ming gradually came to understand the importance of having a large, interconnected family. He knew that maintaining a family’s long-standing reputation was no easy feat, and the prosperity or decline of a family could affect the livelihoods and futures of many people. Therefore, he couldn’t fault the old lady and Jin Yi for their choices. But understanding did not mean acceptance; these days, whenever guests came under the pretense of being old friends of the Zhou family, Fu Ming treated them with courtesy but felt uneasy. He often found himself frowning and sighing inwardly at the thought of the future.

Nevertheless, he was still the only one for Jin Yi in the Jin Mansion. This was the first New Year they would spend together since his marriage into the family, and perhaps the most peaceful one they would ever have. He did not want to leave any regrets, so he made a concerted effort to adjust his mindset, allowing the worries on his face to dissipate. As a result, every time Jin Yi returned home and saw Fu Ming, he would be greeted with a warm smile and eyes filled with gentle attention—expressions that never failed to move him.

New lanterns were hung, couplets were pasted, and large porcelain vases filled with red plum branches adorned the main hall. Pigs were slaughtered, and sheep were sacrificed to the ancestors. Finally, New Year’s Eve arrived.

After the family had their reunion dinner, everyone gathered in the old lady’s room to stay up late.

Tao Yang had hired three female storytellers at great expense. Instead of performing at his own home, he had them come directly to the Jin Mansion. These women were famous in the capital over the past few months, attractive, skilled in playing instruments, and capable of adapting their performance to the audience’s mood. Their presence made the night lively and enjoyable. However, after several popular stories were told, the old lady grew tired of the noise and sent them away, leaving only family members in the room.

It was during this time that Fu Ming and Renlan finally got to see each other. Renlan, noticing the serene joy in Fu Ming’s expression and his harmonious relationship with Jin Yi, felt at ease; Fu Ming, observing Renlan’s healthy complexion and slightly fuller figure, was also pleased to see her in good spirits.

Though not related by blood, they regarded each other as true siblings, deeply connected.

The old lady, feeling some regret after her earlier outburst, thought back on it and realized that, despite their deep feelings, their relationship was as pure as clear water. Her earlier words had been too harsh. So, in the warm, flower-scented atmosphere of the evening, she said to Fu Ming, “Ming ge’er, there’s something I need your help with.”

Fu Ming smiled and replied, “Please give your instructions, old lady.”

The old lady glanced at Renlan. “Lady Lan will be married next year. A girl needs not only the guidance of an elder like me but also that of her father and brothers. Xingyuan is unable to do much, and Changjie is busy with court affairs and cannot spare much time. Ming ge’er, you are like an elder brother to Lady Lan, just like Changjiee. After the New Year, I’ll need you to pay special attention to her.”

Fu Ming was initially puzzled but soon understood the old lady’s meaning and smiled in agreement. Renlan also smiled, “I look forward to your guidance, Brother Ming.”

Zhaoyan, sitting on Fu Ming’s lap, looked up and said, “Dad, teach me too.”

Fu Ming laughed, ruffling his hair. “Have you memorized the passages I taught you last month?”

“I have!” Zhaoyan began reciting with a confident tone:

“Heaven and earth are mysterious, the universe vast. The sun and moon rise and fall, stars arranged in constellations. Cold and heat come and go, autumn harvests and winter stores. Extra days make a year, the calendar aligns the seasons. Clouds bring rain, dew becomes frost…”

Zhaoyan recited a long passage before stopping. The old lady, her eyes nearly disappearing in her smile, asked, “Can you write all this, Zhaoyan?”

Zhaoyan nodded, “Yes! Dad and Aunt taught me how to write them.”

Fu Ming added, “Zhaoyan picks up reading and writing quickly.”

Jin Yi remarked, “But sometimes, he lacks focus. He can’t sit still for an hour without wanting to play.”

Renlan laughed, “Brother, I’ve heard from several mothers with children that it’s rare for kids to be quiet. If Zhaoyan can sit still for half an hour, that’s already good.”

The old lady beckoned Zhaoyan, “Come, come here, my dear. You’re such a sweet child!”

Zhaoyan left Fu Ming’s lap and jumped into the old lady’s arms. She stroked his face and arms, laughing, “Our Zhaoyan has grown taller and heavier. How wonderful!”

Zhaoyan smiled and said, “You’re just the same as last year, not old at all!”

“Listen to him; such sweet words, no wonder he’s so beloved!” The old lady chuckled. “But great-grandma is old. By the time you grow up, I’ll be even older!”

Despite her words, the old lady insisted on staying up even after Zhaoyan fell asleep.

Fu Ming said to Jin Yi, “The old lady stayed up late last year, and I was worried. But the next day, she seemed quite spirited.”

Jin Yi replied, “The old lady is strong-willed. She always makes an effort to stay up late with us on New Year’s Eve.”

Fu Ming understood the unspoken sentiment: with few members in the Jin family, the old lady didn’t want to leave the younger ones alone to celebrate the New Year.

This year, though the old lady stayed up quite late, she retired earlier than usual, just after the third watch of the night, and let Qingfu assist her to her room.

With the old lady gone, Renlan smiled and said, “It’s too warm in here. I want to go back to my courtyard and have some fun with the maids. Sister Xinyue, come with me. We’ll pass the time, and the night will go by quickly!”

Xinyue, who had been quiet most of the time, nodded, stood up, and, linking arms with Renlan, bid farewell to Jin Yi and Fu Ming before leaving. With no other family members present, Jin Yi and Fu Ming also headed back to Fangmanting.

Though the snow on the roads had been cleared, piles from previous days remained along the sides, the faint light reflecting off them blending with the lanterns’ glow beneath the eaves. Hand in hand, they walked slowly through the dim light.

In the quiet, clear night, Jin Yi said to Fu Ming, “Let’s go out to see the lanterns on Lantern Festival.”

Fu Ming smiled, “Alright. It’s been years since I last enjoyed the lanterns on Lantern Festival. Let’s go together!”

As spring began, on Lantern Festival night, a full moon rose among the willow trees, illuminating the streets filled with lanterns and festively adorned people.

Unlike wealthy families who paraded in luxurious carriages with attendants leading the way, showing off their status but lacking genuine enjoyment, Jin Yi and Fu Ming strolled together, even sending away their attendants to enjoy the festivities more freely.

Fu Ming looked around, smiling at Jin Yi, “This year is different from previous years. Look at those long lanterns hanging from the tree branches, they look like a cascade of stars. And over there, the small lanterns arranged on the frame form a picture of a moonlit pine tree, quite interesting. And there…”

Jin Yi followed Fu Ming’s pointing finger, nodding and smiling, “Indeed, all very nice. Even those simpler lanterns, though not intricate, have a pleasant mix of colors.”

“Yes, a riot of colors, but not garish.”

As they moved through the crowd, they seemed oblivious to the admiring glances from young women and the deliberately dropped handkerchiefs and hairpins. Music drifted with the east wind, the crowd surged like a river, and dragon dancers paraded, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere. Amidst it all, they felt as if they’d forgotten everything, savoring only the joy of the moment and the company of each other.

At some point, their fingers intertwined. In the midst of a sea of people, they were just an ordinary couple, yet in their world, each was unique to the other.

As the moon moved westward, they walked from the crowded, brightly lit areas to the quieter outskirts. By the riverside, beneath willow trees, they joined other couples in lighting small lotus lanterns, the wicks flickering gently in the breeze as if sharing secrets.

As they released their lanterns, they closed their eyes to make a wish. Fu Ming silently prayed: “May we have this moment every year, this day every year.”

Jin Yi, observing Fu Ming’s serene and sincere expression, also made a deep wish in his heart:

“May you find peace and safety, and may we see each other every year.”

Returning to the mansion, though they did not carry lanterns, they were accompanied by the soft glow of the moon all the way.

In the courtyard of Fangmanting, lanterns hung among the trees, their shadows mingling with the trees’ shadows on the paths. Jin Yi suddenly recalled the early spring of the previous year, when he returned from battle to find a similar scene. In just a year, while the courtyard remained the same, his perspective had changed entirely.

Drawing the curtains and holding each other close in warmth, Jin Yi felt the skin of the person beneath him and wished never to part. His heart pounded, and he whispered, “Yexin.”

“Hmm?”

“Tonight, we saw so many dazzling and beautiful lanterns, yet I feel they all pale compared to the way you look at me now.”

The moon had tired, the lanterns had dimmed, but those who held each other felt the night was still young, their passion as bright as ever.

🎄Christmas surprise ! : Not one, not 2… not 3.. but 5 PAGBWMH updates today for you !🎁🎁

Also, 2 updates for REI , BMN and BPTCMW ! Love you guys ! (♡ >ω< ♡)

Merry Christmas and happy holidays ! ☆*･゜ﾟ･(^O^)/･゜ﾟ･*☆

Rain : See you tomorrow for next BMN update !