The reason why Qin Fang bought firecrackers was, of course, to celebrate the end of his days of suffering, but he couldn't say such words, otherwise he would definitely not be able to go to bed today. So he found a serious excuse: "When I went to the county town, I saw someone setting off firecrackers, and I thought it was very good, so I bought some for everyone to try. Si Ya and Shou Cheng are so old, but they have never seen firecrackers, and it's the New Year after all, so it's good to have some atmosphere." Qin Fang felt that using his younger brother and sister as an excuse was appropriate.
Yang Haiyan did not think much about it, but said with some joy: "I have not seen firecrackers for a long time. When I was in Beijing in previous years, I did not often see them. I could only see them during the New Year and other festivals." This was the original owner's memory. The last time she saw fireworks was during the New Year. People in the village were setting off fireworks, which was very lively. However, she never set off fireworks because she was alone.
Qin Fang heard her and said, "That's great. After dinner, let's have some fun."
Yang Haiyan couldn't help but glance at him a few more times after hearing this. It was hard to imagine Qin Fang being so childish, but: "You bought a lot?"
Qin Fang said generously: "Enough for you to have fun." Since it was a celebration and to infect everyone with the atmosphere, of course he had to buy a lot.
Yang Haiyan always felt that Qin Fang was strange today, but she didn't think much about it.
Compared with last year, this year's New Year's Eve is more lively. This year, Yang Haiyan's manor sold fifteen pigs, earning less than two taels from each pig, which adds up to nearly thirty taels. The pigs of ordinary people only sell for one and a half taels of silver. The reason why the pigs in her manor sell well is because there is a lot of meat, thanks to potatoes and sweet potatoes. If they eat pig grass every day, how can they be so fat? Therefore, the cost investment is still rewarding. However, in ancient times when people could not eat enough, only landlords could feed pigs with potatoes and sweet potatoes like this, which was impossible for ordinary people.
Because they raised their own pigs, they didn't mind spending money on them, so Yang Haiyan came to roast a whole pig again on New Year's Eve. Not only roasted whole pigs, but also roasted whole lambs. There were four people in their family, plus Aunt Lian, Aunt Fan, Aunt Yu, Uncle Hong's family, and five private guards.
With more than 20 people, there must be more than enough for a roasted whole pig and a roasted whole lamb, so Han Zhen and other centurions were called in. With a dozen men, there would be no problem of not being able to finish the roasted whole pig and roasted whole lamb.
Next to the roasted whole pig and roasted whole lamb, there are other barbecue racks with ingredients such as leeks, cabbage, etc. Although it is different from the New Year's Eve this year, it has a special atmosphere of life.
In fact, during this period, the whole army camp was in turmoil, not only Qin Fang was planning, but also the centurions. Everyone knew a little about the imperial envoy and the Yonghe Marquis's Mansion. Therefore, the meal at the Qin family had a different meaning.
After eating the roasted whole pig and roasted whole lamb, the centurions sat in the Qin's house for a while before leaving.
Han Zhen ran back home very quickly. When he got home, he called out, "Dahua..."
Yang Dahua's voice came from the room: "Hey... the child is asleep, please be gentle." Originally, Yang Dahua was also on the invitation list, but she had to stay at home to take care of the child, so she did not go.
Han Zhen: "Okay, I'll be gentle. Hurry up and get up. I brought you some roast pork and lamb. They're really delicious."
Yang Dahua smiled knowingly after hearing this: "I'm already lying down, you can leave it there for us to eat tomorrow."
Han Zhen brought the roast pork and lamb into the room and said, "Eat quickly. This is best eaten hot. Besides, we won't be without food tomorrow."
Yang Dahua smelled the food and thought it was delicious. She was indeed tempted, so she got up. But she didn't eat alone. She invited Han Zhen to eat with her: "You can eat with us."
Han Zhen said: "I ate a lot at the Qin family, such a big roasted whole pig, and such a big roasted whole lamb, everyone was very full."
After hearing this, Yang Dahua stopped trying to persuade him to eat: "That's also Haiyan's doing. Ordinary people wouldn't cook it like this. Not only does she know how to cook it, but she's also generous."
Han Zhen smiled and didn't comment on this. What did he say about other people's wives
Yang Dahua asked again: "It's very lively today, right?"
Han Zhen said: "It was really lively. All ten of our centurions went, and Qin Fang bought firecrackers, which was quite interesting. The firecrackers went off and exploded in the air, which was very nice." However, he felt more that everyone had grown up. Looking back on this year and the past few years, Han Zhen clearly felt the difference, and also felt the difference between him and Qin Fang. The distance between them was getting farther and farther. However, Han Zhen was also happy that Qin Fang had a promising future.
Yang Dahua couldn't help feeling happy when she heard him say that. She hadn't seen firecrackers since she married and moved to the border. When she was in the capital before, although they were not common, she could see them several times a year. Thinking of this, she also said, "When I was in the capital before, I would see firecrackers every year. Every time I saw firecrackers bursting in the sky, I felt particularly happy, as if all my troubles would pass. But now, since I married you, I have never been troubled."
Han Zhen's eyes were full of tenderness when he heard her say this. No matter whether it is a man or a woman, they all like to hear nice words, this is true between lovers and between husband and wife. Their marriage was arranged by the court, and neither of them had the right to choose. So they could only understand and accommodate each other after getting married. Han Zhen felt that he was very lucky to be able to marry Yang Dahua. She was a very virtuous and gentle woman. When he was with her, he didn't feel forced at all.
Han Zhen couldn't help but go up to Yang Dahua and hugged her: "Dahua, thank you, thank you for helping me give birth to my child, thank you for helping me take care of the house."
Yang Dahua leaned in his arms with a faint smile. She felt that she should thank him, thank him for being so good to her, thank him for making her feel so happy. Yang Dahua had never thought in her life that she could marry someone like Han Zhen, mainly because he was so handsome. When she was in Yang's house before, Yang Dahua thought she would marry a servant and live a very ordinary life. But now, she has freedom.
The Qin family's New Year's Eve barbecue was over. After everyone left, Nanny Lian led the team to clean up, and the families of the private guards also came to help.
Yang Haiyan yawned, and Qin Fang asked him, "Are you ready to keep watch?"
Yang Haiyan shook her head: "No, I'm sleepy." In modern times, she would still keep watch. Actually, it's not keeping watch, but with mobile phones and the Internet, she would play until it was past midnight, which was equivalent to keeping watch. But in ancient times, people were used to going to bed early and getting up early, so they couldn't keep watch. "Will you keep watch?"
Qin Fang glanced at her thoughtfully, then said heavily: "I'll keep watch." He was determined to keep watch, he had to keep watch, he had to keep watch.
Yang Haiyan nodded: "Then I'll go take a shower and go to bed first."
Qin Fang nodded: "Then you should have a good sleep." It was only 9 o'clock now, and there was still an hour and a half until 4:45 of midnight. Qin Fang felt that this hour and a half was enough for his wife to have a good sleep. Then at 4:45 of midnight, his wife would be in good spirits, and he would start to collect the debts he had owed her for more than a year, with interest.
Therefore, Qin Fang looked at Yang Haiyan as if he was looking at prey.
However, because it was night, Yang Haiyan didn't notice it.
Speaking of which, Yang Haiyan also knew that she would be eighteen after the Chinese New Year. She also knew that she had promised to consummate her marriage with Qin Fang when she turned eighteen. However, she didn't know that Qin Fang was not willing to wait even for a few days and was always waiting for the arrival of midnight.
If Yang Haiyan knew Qin Fang's thoughts at this moment, she would be so scared that she would sleep in a separate room.
Because it was too late today, Yang Haiyan did not take a bath, but her body odor was strong after eating barbecue, so she still took a good bath and washed her hair.
In ancient times, after washing your hair, you had to wring it dry, which was a very troublesome thing, because no matter how dry it was, it was still wet. But Yang Haiyan had experience. She took a shower and washed her hair in the bathroom, then took out the hair drying hood she bought on the platform and started drying her hair. The hair drying hood is not like a hair dryer, which makes no noise, so when drying your hair, no one outside will notice it. Of course, the effect is not as good as a hair dryer, but it is better than nothing.
After her hair was almost dried, Yang Haiyan went to bed. In fact, she dared to dry her hair because she knew Qin Fang would be on duty. If Qin Fang didn't keep watch, she wouldn't dare to dry her hair. Her hair would dry so quickly after washing, and she would definitely be suspected. However, even if she was suspected, she wouldn't be able to find out anything.
Qin Fang was keeping watch with his younger brother and sister, and there were a few private guards beside him. Kun Daying, the son of the Kun Shi family, was also there, chatting with Qin Shoucheng. As for the female members of the private guards' families, they were keeping watch in the lower courtyard.
Keeping vigil is a tradition that everyone likes very much. Especially in a family like the Qin family, after keeping vigil, the kitchen will send a midnight snack. Yang Haiyan asked Aunt Fan to prepare dumplings, so everyone is willing to keep vigil just to eat dumplings.
At 12:30 am, Qin Fang picked up the remaining firecrackers and set them off again, as if to celebrate the new year. In fact, Qin Fang was celebrating his wedding night. So as soon as he finished setting off the firecrackers, he got up and left.
Aunt Fan brought in a midnight snack and asked Qin Fang as he walked out, "Sir, don't you want to have a midnight snack?"
Qin Fang said, "No more eating. I suddenly feel very sleepy. I'm going to sleep now. You guys can eat slowly. Tomorrow is New Year's Day. It's okay to get up a little later."
Aunt Fan bowed and said, "Yes, thank you, sir."
Qin Fang smiled for the first time and returned to the main courtyard in a good mood. He first went to the room to get the clothes to change after taking a shower. When he got the underwear, he chose red. He had only worn this red underwear once because the color was too bright. But now, he felt like wearing it.