An Jing was standing next to Xiao Changyi, talking to him, when she inadvertently caught a glimpse of Meng Zhuqing’s expression, which looked as though he wanted to kill someone. First, she was stunned, then, she couldn’t help but laugh and said, "My Lord, why do I feel like Meng Zhuqing wants to kill Meng Lanqing?"
Xiao Changyi was washing vegetables and upon hearing An Jing’s remark, he glanced over at Meng Zhuqing and Meng Lanqing and replied indifferently, "If Meng Lanqing wasn’t his real brother, he would."
An Jing was extremely surprised, "Is it really that serious?"
Changyi’s tone remained indifferent, "If you had a brother who played you like a fiddle every day and ate you out of house and home, you’d also want to kill him."
Everyone had a simple lunch, focusing mainly on the dinner for New Year’s Eve.
Neither Meng Lanqing nor Meng Zhuqing knew how to cook, and Xiao Changyi wouldn’t let An Jing do the cooking, so the task of preparing the meal fell to Xiao Changyi himself.
Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing helped him out.
Watching Xiao Changyi expertly prepare dish after dish of delicious-looking food, Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing were filled with admiration, completely in awe. It seemed there was nothing Xiao Changyi couldn’t do, which instantly made them feel utterly useless in comparison.
There’s a custom here for the New Year’s Eve dinner that everyone must be clean and if there are new clothes, they should be worn to welcome the new year.
So, before the New Year’s Eve dinner, both Xiao Changyi and An Jing bathed, as did Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing. However, Xiao Changyi and An Jing bathed in the bathhouse at home, while Meng Zhuqing and Meng Lanqing washed in the mountain stream.
The icy water of the stream was bone-chilling, but it was nothing compared to the months spent fighting in the icy, snowy fields they had endured in the past.
All four of them changed into new clothes.
Even though they were new, both Meng Zhuqing and Meng Lanqing’s clothes were still in shades of blue, one embroidered with bamboo and the other with orchid patterns.
On the other hand, An Jing and Xiao Changyi were dressed in bright red, just like a bride and groom about to go through the wedding ceremony, extremely eye-catching. Coupled with their good looks, they were exceptionally attractive from any angle.
Xiao Changyi liked An Jing in bright red, which made his wife’s complexion seem even whiter and more radiant, her spirit more vibrant. He loved to see his wife so lively, as it filled him with energy and a sense of brightness.
As for why Xiao Changyi wore bright red, of course, it was at An Jing’s request. She was wearing bright red, so for the New Year, especially, her Lord must dress the same way. This way, anyone could see at a glance that they were a couple and how festive they were.
Since it was the New Year, they naturally wouldn’t dine in the kitchen but in the main hall. Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing brought all the dishes to the hall, while Xiao Changyi helped An Jing to her seat first.
With the wine set, dishes arranged, and bowls and chopsticks all in place, Meng Zhuqing lit the firecrackers and threw them at the entrance to the main hall.
Because An Jing was pregnant, they bought much longer strings of firecrackers than last year.
The firecrackers crackled away, and couplets were already plastered on every door, full of New Year spirit. Once the firecrackers finished, to avoid drafts, they closed the main hall’s door and began to eat and drink.
An Jing was pregnant and should not drink alcohol, so she had soup instead.
Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing were quite relaxed. After all, they had fought side by side with Xiao Changyi and shared a table with him. Even though they were now servants, apart from treating Xiao Changyi with greater respect, they didn’t feel too constrained.