Qu Nian received his New Year's gift and happily helped Ren Yingying blow out the candles before quietly leaving.
In the darkness, Dog Meat also closed its eyes.
--It doesn't matter, let them take it or leave it. As long as that annoying guy Qu Nian leaves too, it will tolerate it.
Let me snuggle up to Mommy and take a nap!
Qu Nian was in a great mood. When he returned and saw the maid still kneeling under the eaves, he said in a pretentious tone, "Get up. Be more clever next time. Someone, give her a red envelope as a reward. Let's go."
The New Year's rewards had already been distributed, but the Crown Prince was in a good mood.
Qu Nian waved his hand. "Give each person in the courtyard an extra two taels of silver in a red envelope. Oh, and don't forget the Princess Consort's courtyard too."
The guards readily agreed.
The maid looked delighted.
What exactly happened?
I thought I was going to lose half my life, but I ended up getting a reward instead?
Hmm, it seems I still have to cling to the Crown Princess's coattails.
Nothing is a big deal when it comes to the Crown Princess.
The maid took the red envelope and left happily.
Qu Nian happily went back to sleep.
He slept until late the next day, rubbing his aching temples, thinking to himself that he could never drink so much again.
Then he suddenly reached up and touched his neck.
Thankfully, it's still here; it's not just a pipe dream.
Ren Yingying did indeed prepare a gift for herself.
Qu Nian got up happily, washed up, changed into a brand new round-necked robe embroidered with a crimson and gold unicorn, took out the jade pendant, tried to suppress the smile on his lips in front of the mirror, put in several thick red envelopes, and then went out.
Wearing fine clothes in the dark is not appropriate. Since Ren Yingying gave him a gift, he should let everyone see it so that they know that he, as the heir, has a certain status in Ren Yingying's eyes.
He also needed to let Ren Yingying know that he really liked this gift and would give her more in the future.
See how knowledgeable he is?
Qu Nian walked out the door with his head held high, and the guards and servants could all sense that their master was in a good mood today.
Someone cleverly complimented his jade pendant, Qu Nian casually sealed it with a red envelope.
The one who can speak well will receive a big reward!
However, when they arrived at Ren Yingying's courtyard, they heard that she had already taken Dog Meat out for a stroll early in the morning.
Qu Nian: "..."
Never mind, I'm not angry.
He touched the jade pendant and thought that he had gotten up too late and couldn't go to see her.
Hearing that she had brought guards with her, Qu Nian felt relieved and came over.
Just as he was considering whether to go and fetch her, his personal guard whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, many Northern Yi nobles have arrived outside, waiting to offer their New Year's greetings."
After Leertai came to power, these local nobles also realized who was in charge.
Okay.
The Celestial Empire is a land of propriety and etiquette; since they have come to pay their respects, let us meet them.
So Qu Nian went to the front hall.
Good heavens, this place is packed! It's overflowing with people. If you didn't know better, you'd think they were here to watch a play!
Qu Nian walked in with an aloof expression, and everyone quickly stood up to greet him.
Qu Nian maintained a perfectly measured posture, and after sitting down, he said, "Please sit down, everyone. Thank you all. This is how it should be between the Central Plains and the Northern Yi."
He tilted his head slightly, revealing the leather cord around his neck and the jade pendant swaying gently.
Those Northern Yi, who were initially respectful and echoing each other, were initially quite polite.
But when their gazes fell on Qu Nian's neck, their expressions were somewhat indescribable.
We looked at each other, both of us a little bewildered.
The Northern Yi were a nomadic people, and dogs could help with guarding and even herding, so they were their most relied-upon livestock.
Dogs have a very high status.
"... Our Northern Yi dogs all have such dog tags. The price varies depending on the material..."
"Alright, alright," Ren Yingying waved her hand, "I know all that. Give me the best piece!"
It's strange, really. She bought a piece of Dog Meat, packed it up, and planned to put it on her son's head for the New Year—if other Gouzi have it, my son must have it too! But this morning she couldn't find it anywhere.
Ren Yingying told herself silently, "It's the New Year, don't get angry, don't get angry."
She asked a local maid and learned that the market was always bustling during the Lunar New Year, so she happily took the Dog Meat with her and went out.
After paying the money and receiving the dog tag from the vendor, Ren Yingying squatted down and put it on the Dog Meat.
She looked him over from left to right, and thought, "My son is so handsome!"
However, the white jade ones are all sold out; the best one available now is the gold one, so we'll have to make do with that.
In the new year, we'll become incredibly wealthy; we need to have the air of nouveau riche.
"Come on, Dog Meat, let's continue our stroll."
This is probably the liveliest time of year in Northern Yi, with bustling crowds, the aroma of roasted lamb skewers, and rich, fragrant milk tea...
After eating and drinking, Ren Yingying bought a few more pieces of leather.
"Dog Meat, and this lambskin, Mother will make you a dress when we get back."
With Yuanyang gone, she has to do everything herself now.
The stitching quality can't compare, but at least it's wearable.
It's Chinese New Year, so I need to get my son a new set of clothes too.
While she was happily shopping, Qu Nian was secretly pleased with herself.
Because last year it was discovered that everyone was looking at his jade pendant, and they were clearly all—
I envy him!
I'm so envious!
Specifically, it manifests as glancing at something a few times, then looking down, then unable to resist looking up a few more times, and then looking down again...
Hey, what's wrong with you Northern Yi?
Weren't you supposed to be the most straightforward? Why can't you praise me, the young master?
Even if you don't praise me, it would be nice if you could at least ask me where I'm from.
Oh well, never mind. These barbarians have never seen anything like this before; they don't know what good things are.
Qu Nian's chest became even more prominent.
Look, look, look to your heart's content!
Fortunately, these people were quite perceptive. Knowing it was almost noon, they all got up to say goodbye after finishing their tea.
Good riddance, he can now go find Ren Yingying and have a meal together.
Qu Nian pretended to try to persuade the guest to stay, but when that failed, he had someone see the guest out.
He stood briefly on the veranda to show his politeness as the host.
There's no way around it, receiving a gift just makes me happy.
At this moment, the maid who had been punished to kneel yesterday came in carrying a new quilt, preparing to change Qu Nian's bedding.
But when she saw the jade pendant around Qu Nian's neck, she was so surprised that her eyes widened, her mouth gaped open, and she even forgot to bow.
Qu Nian said angrily, "Did you encounter a ghost in broad daylight? Looking like a ghost, the punishment is far too lenient!"
The maidservant hurriedly knelt down, bowing her head and saying, "This servant wouldn't dare, this servant is guilty. Yes, this morning the Crown Princess kept saying she had lost something... and she had been looking everywhere, but couldn't find it..."
She didn't dare mention the dog tag, otherwise she feared the prince would bang his head against the wall.
However, she really couldn't understand what had gotten into the young master, why he would wear the dog tag around his neck so conspicuously.
Did he give up on himself after arguing with the Crown Princess?
But that's too much; spinning around like that is embarrassing.
Qu Nian smiled smugly, "This forgetful girl, she clearly gave me the thing last night, but forgot... It's okay, get up, I'll go find her and explain."
Show her this brand; it suits him really well!
Saying something as jarring as "it's too tight" is definitely not appropriate.