Years later, Meng Zhaojun found that Tang Shunyan didn’t miss her that much. By that time, she had other companions around her, and as she grew up, outstanding men began to pursue her. Recalling her childhood, she felt as if she had grown younger and more childish.
Time flows by, changing a person, and the feelings of attachment seem to have faded away.
When she realized that Tang Shunyan didn’t love her, she wasn’t heartbroken. There were men of higher status around her, so what did Tang Shunyan count for?
"That’s a story for another time."
In just a few days, New Year pictures were posted at the Ye Family’s door, and red lanterns hung outside. After the New Year’s Eve dinner, they would wait for the New Year to arrive.
After the reunion dinner at the Ye family, while it was still early, Ye Shiqi, accompanied by her parents and family, held fireworks in her hands.
To celebrate the bustling New Year, Hongji had bought firecrackers and fireworks.
The fireworks soared into the sky, drawing the village folks’ attention. Children and adults, young and old, all laughed when they heard and saw the display.
Ye Shiqi had been in ancient times for a few years, but this was her first time holding fireworks. Before, her father hadn’t wanted to buy such wasteful things for them to play with.
And of course, there was Granny Li’s voice saying that lighting firecrackers was a must, while fireworks were a waste of money.
Hongji had invested in a project. Still, to make his children happy, he took on the pressure and went through with it.
Little chuckles came brightly from the little boy in Mrs. Li’s arms.
With tenderness, Mrs. Li glanced down at her son, then gave her five daughters a warm look, and exchanged a loving gaze with her husband. With sons and daughters, they were a happy family with no worries about food and drink.
In each other’s eyes, they carried love and blessings, wishing for their family to have a better year than the last.
"Ah, wasting money again. Old man, tell your son off!"
Mrs. Lai felt pain in her heart as she watched one firework after another get lit, feeling as though money was burning away. Yet, she couldn’t speak any ill-omened words.
"Why fuss when we’re all so happy? We just hope that every year we’ll have money to waste!"
Hongji’s father enjoyed the festivity. With each daughter marrying off and new members joining the family, the thriving household was indeed what everyone wished for.
The workers, who had just finished their jobs and been allowed to return home for one night, were reluctant to leave the Ye Family, preferring to watch the festivities before going.
As night gradually fell, Ye Shiqi could hear other families in the village, aside from theirs, also lighting fireworks.
The fireworks, having gone on for over an hour, must have cost her father a fair amount of money. The fireworks he bought probably weren’t the most expensive ones; these simple, small fireworks were cheap and seemed safe.
In her third year since arriving in ancient times, Ye Shiqi found the longer she stayed, the more she forgot her previous unhappiness.
Her new life was filled with hope, and Ye Shiqi felt grateful for the chance to start over.
Since her arrival, the Ye family had changed its destiny.
Her mother had not died, her father hadn’t remarried, and she lived with both parents.
Gazing at the bright spots in the sky, Ye Shiqi was not one to settle for such modest wealth.
But what could she do as she grew older?
Ye Shiqi had been confused once, as the girl’s fate in the book was tragic in her eyes. She wanted to improve her family’s life from a very young age, and she had put in a lot of effort for that.
To others’ amazement, she had contributed so much in secret.
Ye Shiqi felt that for her family, she should do just that.
This life, close with her sisters, was full of vitality.
Tonight, their family wouldn’t go to bed early. The whole village was preparing to offer the first incense sticks at the temple after midnight.
"Ye Fengqi, are you going to the temple?"
Before midnight, Granny Li’s granddaughter called out to one of the Ye Family’s sisters. Indeed, when one was called, it was likely they would all go.
"Coming, coming, just wait for us."
Ye Fengqi’s voice echoed back from inside the room.
"What’s all this noise? It’s well past midnight."
Mrs. Lai, woken up by the commotion, wouldn’t be going to the temple. As for her son, daughter-in-law, and young grandchildren, she didn’t care if they went, knowing they would have to go early in the morning.
Accompanied by her four elder sisters, Ye Shiqi reached the door, and they didn’t wait for their father, mother, and brother.
A little maid stayed behind to watch the brother, while another little maid followed the sisters.
Walking to the temple at night with the village girls, a lot of villagers would walk together.
But in the darkness, there was fear of danger. Snakes were hibernating, and there could be other insects.
The five sisters and the maid reached the door, each holding a torch made from a young tree, a fire branch.
In their other hands, they all held onto each other, to prevent getting separated.
A group of young girls, including some boys, waited at the door.