Chapter Seventy-One: New Year

On the night of New Year's Eve, Madam He prepared a grand feast, disregarding distinctions between masters and servants; everyone gathered around the table in lively celebration. Gan Sui and Anzi ignited a long string of firecrackers in the courtyard, their crackling bursts lasting half a cup of tea's time. The jubilant sounds seemed to dispel the melancholy that had lingered over the city, filling every corner with festivity.

"Come, come, let's toast everyone with tea instead of wine. Wishing you all a happy New Year!" Gan Sui raised his cup, and everyone drank together. "Happy New Year!"

Madam He's daughter, Xing'er, was now an eleven- or twelve-year-old girl. Madam He was always careful with propriety and rarely allowed her to visit the main house, keeping her busy with needlework in her own room. Much of Banxia's shoes and socks were made by Xing'er. It was a rare occasion to see her, so Banxia gave her a big red envelope.

Xing'er had been shadowed by childhood fears; though she had improved as she grew, she still didn't like to speak much. When Banxia handed her the red envelope, she instinctively looked to her mother.

"Madam… this is too much, I can't accept so much money from you."

"This is New Year's money for the child, it's different. Take it, and may you be happy in the new year." Banxia pressed the envelope into the girl's hands.

"Xing'er, quickly thank Madam."

Blushing, Xing'er murmured, "Thank you, Madam."

Banxia waved her hand happily. Then she took out a red envelope for Shanzhi. "Miss Shanzhi, please don't mind, it's just for good luck."

Shanzhi was completely surprised to receive a red envelope and tried to decline.

"You’re a few years younger than me; I’ve always seen you as a little sister. If you don’t accept it, it means you’re looking down on yourself."

Shanzhi received the envelope as if it were a hot potato, carefully tucking it away. It was the first time she had ever received a New Year's gift.

Next was Anzi's turn. He didn’t hesitate at all, immediately thanking Banxia sweetly, "Sister, may you be healthy and joyful in the new year." Then he pulled out two golden locks from his pocket—one engraved with cloud patterns, the other a simple gold lock. "These are for my little niece. But in case she’s a nephew, I prepared one for him too."

"She’s still in my belly; you can give it next year."

"Next year… but next year, I might not see her." Anzi thought, "Next year is too far. I’ve already prepared them; waiting so long isn’t worth it. Next year, I can give her something even better."

Anzi had already bought many things for the baby: clothes, shoes, toys like tangram puzzles and cloth dolls, even books. He and Gan Sui had dedicated a whole room to store these gifts.

Banxia was used to receiving baby gifts at any moment, thinking nothing of it. Gan Sui, however, cast a meaningful glance at Anzi; Anzi sensed it and looked up, smiling at him, though his smile was tinged with bitterness.

Gan Sui realized Anzi had likely made some decision, sighed deeply, and drained his cup.

"Why are you sighing on New Year's? That's so unlucky," Banxia, sitting beside him, asked.

"My mistake. I was just thinking, if this beautiful gold lock ends up with a boy, wouldn't that be a waste?"

"If it’s a boy, I’ll surely tell him that his father disliked him before he was even born. When you’re old, he’ll leave you on the roadside."

"That’s all right. I still have my wife; she’d never abandon me."

"Who says I wouldn’t? I’d gladly support it—let you spend your life with your official duties." Banxia thought Gan Sui’s obsession with work was frightening; he could spend a lifetime bonded to his work.

"Madam, are you blaming me? I swear, in the coming days, I won’t look at official affairs, I’ll focus solely on you. Please don’t be angry," Gan Sui said, full of affection.

"On New Year’s, could you consider my feelings? You two are so lovey-dovey, and as the lonely one in the house, I feel smothered. Even the food has lost its flavor," said Anzi.

"Uncle, just watch us more, you’ll get used to it. Look at me, I’m so calm," Anzi replied, picking up food.

Banxia’s ears flushed red with embarrassment. After so many years, he still couldn’t get used to such direct teasing.

"The sages say, ‘Do not look at what is improper, do not listen to what is improper.’ You insist on listening, then blame us. Come, wife, let’s not bother with these lonely souls. Let’s go to the courtyard and look at the stars."

Banxia, being pregnant, shouldn’t sit for too long, and Gan Sui seized the chance to get her moving. The sky over this border town was vast; the weather had been clear for days, and now the sky was filled with stars.

Firecrackers sounded throughout the city, and some wealthy families set off fireworks. Brilliant colors exploded in the sky, then faded into darkness. Beneath the fireworks, Banxia and Gan Sui exchanged smiles. This was already their sixth year together, and soon, they would have their own child.

"Lord Gan, may you have peace and prosperity in the new year."

"Lady Gan, may you have peace and prosperity in the new year. I hope to say these words to you for fifty more years."

"Fifty years?"

"By then, we’ll be over seventy; perhaps deaf, toothless, and living that long would be enough. If we’re unhealthy, that would be suffering."

"Lord Gan, you’re overthinking. People in ancient times rarely lived long; perhaps by then we’ll just be a handful of earth."

"Earth or not, as long as we’re together, that’s all that matters."

"Yes, let’s always be together."

Leisurely days passed swiftly, and before they knew it, it was the tenth day of the new year. Gan Sui had specially sought a renowned gynecologist from the west side of the city to check Banxia’s pulse. She was due in three months, and with the hardships she'd endured, Gan Sui was worried about this pregnancy.

The famous doctor was named Huang, his name pronounced like a traditional remedy—Huang Qi. His beard was white, but his eyes remained sharp. Assisting him was his daughter, Huang Yun, whose medical skills were evidently superb; noblewomen often sought her directly.

Huang Yun first took Banxia’s pulse, then, after a moment, exclaimed, "Hmm?"

"What is it, Miss Huang? Is something wrong with my pregnancy?"

Huang Yun stepped back. "Father, I detected two pulses, but one is extremely weak. I’m not sure if I was mistaken."

The old doctor stepped forward and checked himself. "Indeed, there are two pulses, but one is weaker. The child is constitutionally frail and will likely be sickly after birth."

Gan Sui’s brow furrowed immediately. Banxia comforted him, "It’s all right; this is a delightful surprise. We thought there was only one baby, but now there are two. Isn’t this a gift from heaven? Don’t be unhappy."

"Exactly. It’s best not to overthink during pregnancy—the brighter your mood, the healthier the child."

"Do you have any remedies, sir? Whatever rare medicines are needed, we can find them," Anzi asked.

"All medicines carry some toxicity. Now, in the later stages, you must be extra careful. I’ll leave some dietary plans; eat small meals often, walk slowly and often. Don’t worry—since the children are here, fate has brought them to you. With proper care, they’ll be fine."

Gan Sui respectfully saw him out, carefully asking about precautions, repeating instructions to Madam He. Thus Banxia was left to simply eat, drink, and take gentle walks.

Lin Tianyu departed after the New Year. Though he was a general in Liangzhou, his ambitions lay elsewhere. He had coveted the horses of the Keler tribe for a long time, and their alliance with Dayuan gave him the excuse he needed. Some people will never learn until they’re knocked down.

Shanzhi came to the gate to see him off, but Lin Tianyu said nothing, didn’t even spare her a glance. When someone offers you their heart and you reject it, perhaps you still care, but the fantasy dies. After too much shamelessness, even you will despise yourself.

Anzi and Gan Sui escorted him out of the city. The three began a horse race; Anzi, having ridden in Liangzhou often, managed to arrive nearly as quickly as Lin Tianyu.

"Good lad, wait for your uncle to bring back Keler’s surrender."

"Of course. I’ll be here, waiting for your good news."

"All right, a thousand miles to see you off, but parting is inevitable. Go back now. The garrison in Liangzhou is yours, Gan. We’ll meet again someday." This time, Liangzhou had over a thousand troops left. The vice commander handled the camp, but Gan Sui still had matters to oversee.

"Tianyu, take care. Anzi and I await your triumphant return for a celebratory drink."

"Agreed. Whoever drinks water instead of wine is the loser!"

"Deal. A gentleman’s word is binding. Whoever drinks water is the loser!"

"Enough, I’m off!" Lin Tianyu cracked his whip and rode away.

After seeing Lin Tianyu off, Gan Sui and Anzi ambled back toward the city. "Did you overhear what I said to your sister that day?"

"I didn't mean to, but I happened to be at the door and listened a bit longer. Even if I hadn’t heard, I’d still have the desire to leave. I’ll soon be ten; there’s so much to learn and do. If I don’t start early, I might end up like some useless drunkard—ignorant, incompetent, and the people would suffer."

"You’ve always been sensible. I trust you know your choice, and can bear its weight. No matter what happens, your sister and I will always support you."

"But it won't be so soon. I know what Father intends; once Uncle’s battle is done, it’ll be early summer, and the babies will be born. I can see them before I leave."

"No matter where you go, I’ll tell the babies they have an uncle who loves them dearly."

"Promise you won’t forget me."

"Of course. We’ll always be family."