Tiger Owl

Chapter 216 New Year’s Eve
Entering his wife's room, Gan Ning sat down, picked up his son, and gazed at his lively and adorable son with great joy, listening to his son's babbling incoherently.

Sigh! It will be at least ten months before he can call me "Daddy".

"Husband, guess what Bao'er is saying?" Da Qiao asked with a smile.

Gan Ning's eyes lit up. "I can't guess! Tell me!"

"He's telling you that he likes the snow outside."

"is it?"

Gan Ning picked up her son and carried him to the window. The window was made of a single piece of crystal, which was very clear and allowed the child to see the outside world clearly, but was protected from the cold wind.

In ancient times, the infant mortality rate was very high, and a major reason for this was the lack of antibiotics. If a child caught a cold and developed pneumonia, there was basically no cure.

Therefore, winter was the most difficult season for people in ancient times. Not only children, but adults also did not dare to take a bath easily. The lack of fuel was one aspect, but the main reason was the fear of catching a cold or getting sick.

Gan Ning was naturally worried that his son would catch a cold, so he had the largest piece of crystal made into a window for his son, so that the child could see the outside world from his warm room.

The little guy saw the snow outside and was so happy that he danced with joy, which made Gan Ning laugh out loud.

"My wife, you were right, he loves the snow outside."

Da Qiao smiled, stepped forward and hugged the child, "When you're a few years older, Mom will take you to play in the snow, but not now."

Gan Ning picked up his teacup and asked with a smile, "What's wrong with Ayu? I just saw her practicing calligraphy very seriously. I've never seen her so focused before."

"I gave her a good scolding today, maybe it woke her up!"

What did she do to make you angry?

"Yang Ping'er wrote to her, inviting her to go to the temple fair on the first day of the Lunar New Year. She was a little tempted and came to ask for my opinion. I was furious. Every year, the temple fair is the time when lecherous men go crazy. She actually wants to go to the temple fair. Has she forgotten her status? What if she is molested? Will her husband kill someone to save face?"

Gan Ning nodded. Rogues and lechers are indeed a social cancer that is difficult to cure. Every year there are incidents at the Lantern Festival and the New Year temple fair, and every year there is a crackdown, but it has no effect. The key is not the lechers, but that in such crowded conditions, many men will unconsciously turn into lechers. That is the truth. Unfortunately, the customs of the South are fond of such crowded temple fairs.

"I think she's been there before!"

“That’s a temple fair in Nanchang County. It’s a large place, and there aren’t many people, so it’s not crowded. It’s fine to go. But in Chaisang County, the crowds are huge, and the place is cramped. Let her try going there. Who knows how many men will stare at her? More importantly, she shouldn’t be showing her face in public. She’s the wife of the Marquis of Chu. To appear so casually in a temple fair where ordinary people gather and be humiliated is not showing concern for the people. It’s trampling on her husband’s dignity. How can I not be angry?”

"You're right, and you did the right thing. I feel like Ayu has been woken up by your scolding!"

"She should wake up soon. She'll be seventeen soon. If she doesn't wake up soon, she can forget about her wedding night!"

..........
On Lunar New Year's Eve, the second heavy snowfall of the year arrived quietly. The north wind howled, and the snow fell heavily, turning the world into a gray haze.

Normally, businesses close around noon, but the heavy snow caused almost all businesses in the city to close in the morning. Only some shops selling incense, candles, and paper money remained open, and many families came to buy sacrificial items at the last minute.

Xiao Qiao was a little nervous. Tonight was her wedding night, and she felt a mix of anticipation, nervousness, and joy.

'Qiao Yu, don't be nervous, you can do it!'

Xiao Qiao took a deep breath and sat down to continue practicing calligraphy to calm her nerves. She had been practicing diligently every day for the past few days, and even Da Qiao praised her highly, thinking she was truly starting to mature. Just then, the wind chimes rang at the door, and Xu Wei strode in carrying a large box, beaming, "Ayu, let's try on our wedding dresses!"

"Yunqing, I'm a little nervous."

"I was a little nervous at the time, but when the wedding night actually arrived, I wasn't nervous at all; instead, I was looking forward to it."

Xu Wei put down the box, pushed open the door to look at the bridal chamber, and exclaimed, "Wow! It's decorated so beautifully, even more beautiful than when I was here."

The bridal chamber was covered with a thick, soft carpet, entirely in festive red, including a pair of large red candles and glittering candlesticks. Even the bridal curtains were red, and there were large "囍" characters on the walls and curtains.

Xiao Qiao stepped forward and said with a smile, "I've been setting up for ten days, while you only set up for one day back then, okay?"

"Alright! I won't go in. You hurry up and change your clothes, and we'll pick out a wedding dress for tonight together."

The couple spent a full hour choosing their wedding attire, constantly changing clothes, and finally selected a red and gold dress that they both liked.

At this moment, a maidservant bowed at the door and said, "Third Madam, the Madam has asked you to take a bath!"

In the courtyard, five healthy women arrived carrying ten large buckets of hot water.

After taking a bath, Xiao Qiao went to her eldest sister's place.

Xiao Qiao's mother, Madam Yang, was obsessed with Buddhism and didn't care about Xiao Qiao's wedding night at all. In her opinion, her daughter had been Gan Ning's woman for five years, and it made no sense to make such a fuss now.

There was no other way; the eldest sister was like a mother, so Da Qiao had to take on the role of a mother and secretly teach her younger sister bedroom skills in the room. Don't be fooled by Xiao Qiao's apparent knowledge; in reality, she knew nothing.

After talking for half an hour, Xiao Qiao finally came out of the room with a blush on her face. By then, it was already evening, the snow had lessened, the streets were still quiet, and every household had started their New Year's Eve dinner.

Gan Ning's residence was also decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, partly to celebrate the New Year, but more importantly, to send blessings to Xiao Qiao.

Gan Ningfu did not have New Year's Eve dinner tonight, but saved it for tomorrow night. Everyone had a simple dinner, and as it gradually got dark, Xiao Qiao served tea to her sister. Da Qiao accepted the teacup, officially acknowledging this younger sister and sister.

"Alright, Yunqing, take Ayu back to her room! Wait patiently for the auspicious time."

Xu Wei took Xiao Qiao's arm and they returned to the courtyard. Xiao Qiao's courtyard was decorated with lanterns. All the servants had left, and even her personal maid had moved elsewhere. The female guards had also temporarily left this festive courtyard.

Xu Wei was the only one in the entire courtyard with Xiao Qiao. Xiao Qiao and Xu Wei sat on the bed. Xiao Qiao held Xu Wei's hand and said gratefully, "I'm so glad you're with me. Otherwise, I would have been really scared by myself."

Xu Wei patted her hand to comfort her, saying, "Don't be afraid, you will be very happy tonight."

"Tomorrow I'll be just like you."

Xu Wei smiled. Hearing the sound of drums in the distance, she stood up and said, "The time is almost here. I'm going to fetch the groom. He'll be here soon!"

Xu Wei closed the door and left. Xiao Qiao's heart pounded with nervousness. Recalling the embarrassing details her sister had told her, she gently bit her lip, her heart filled with anticipation.

(End of this chapter)