The scholars at the Hanlin Academy who had received their year-end bonuses burst into cheers.

These scholars, with their monthly stipend of eight dan of grain, looked forward most to the once-yearly year-end bonus. They knew that years ago, when the national treasury was still relatively abundant, the year-end bonus distributed near New Year was equivalent to their entire year’s salary. Of course, recent years couldn’t compare, but compared to last year, when nothing was distributed at all, the joy of receiving double bonuses now was beyond words.

What made them even happier was that the year-end bonus was distributed on the last day before all government offices sealed their operations, which meant that starting tomorrow these officials would be on extended holiday and could spend all day drinking and socializing or accompanying their wives and children.

“Let’s go, let’s go drink!”

“Baiwei Restaurant, Baiwei Restaurant!”

Being fellow scholars of the Hanlin Academy, there was no need to maintain dignity in front of others, and each one spoke with a beaming smile.

“Scholar Qiao, are you coming to drink?”

Qiao Mo smiled warmly: “I’m in mourning, so I won’t go. Colleagues, enjoy your drinks.”

Only then did the colleague who made the suggestion remember, and laughed awkwardly: “Right, right, then we’ll go.”

Watching his colleagues leave happily, Qiao Mo curved his lips slightly and walked out of the Hanlin Academy.

Outside, the bluestone street surface had been swept clean, with accumulated snow piled on both sides of the road, several feet high.

As Qiao Mo walked past, a sparrow foraging in the snow was startled, spread its wings, and suddenly flew away, the snow dust it stirred up floating down onto Qiao Mo’s hair.

Qiao Mo raised his hand to brush it off, then strode toward the carriage parked at the street corner, instructing the driver: “Return to Marquis Guanjun’s residence.”

The carriage began moving with creaking sounds, and Qiao Mo lifted the window curtain to look outside.

Because it had snowed all winter, once the carriage left the street where numerous government offices were located, the number of people in ragged clothes on the street suddenly increased.

Those people had numb expressions, their clothes barely covering their bodies, with chilblains of various sizes on their exposed skin. Most were refugees who had fled to the capital due to snow disasters.

Qiao Mo’s eyes darkened.

The Emperor was devoted to seeking the Way, while the Lan father and son had controlled the court for twenty years, making the court a den of corruption and leaving the people with no means of livelihood. Until the Lan father and son were eliminated, it would be difficult to restore Great Liang’s bright and clear governance.

Upon returning to the residence, a servant came to report: “Young Master, Madam requests your presence.”

Qiao Mo nodded and went to see Qiao Zhao.

“Elder brother is off duty.” Qiao Zhao came out to greet him.

“Where is the Marquis?”

“He’s in the study discussing matters with someone.”

“What does sister need me for?” Based on Qiao Mo’s understanding of Qiao Zhao, he naturally knew that if his sister sent someone to summon him immediately upon his return, there must be something important.

Qiao Zhao looked at her brother and said with a bright smile: “Tingquan’s year-end bonus has been distributed.”

Qiao Mo smiled: “I knew I couldn’t hide it from you.”

“Elder brother works right under Lan Mountain’s nose, aren’t you afraid they’ll discover something amiss?”

“I’m not afraid. I’ve spent several months in the Inner Cabinet and have thoroughly figured out the temperaments of those important court ministers. Lan Songquan is stubborn and arrogant, and it would be difficult for him to believe in a short time that someone could imitate his handwriting to the point of being indistinguishable from the real thing. Taking a step back, even if he has some suspicions and quietly investigates, he won’t trace it back to me.”

“How so?” Qiao Zhao knew her brother’s character was steady, and even though he wished he could devour the Lan father and son’s flesh and blood, he wouldn’t act rashly. But she was still curious and asked.

“We each have our divisions of responsibility. The person responsible for reviewing the Ministry of Works section isn’t me, but Lan Mountain’s person.”

Qiao Zhao laughed: “Then let them fight like dogs.”

Qiao Mo raised his hand wanting to pat Qiao Zhao’s head, but remembering that his sister was no longer a little girl, he inconspicuously lowered his hand: “Leave court matters to elder brother, you don’t need to worry.”

“Mm, with elder brother in court keeping watch over the Lan father and son’s movements at all times, that’s much better.”

Having someone in court versus having no one in court was a completely different situation. This was also why many noble families spared no effort in cultivating their clan’s children; otherwise, having one generation out of office would gradually lead to marginalization.

As officials who received year-end bonuses celebrated joyfully and went to taverns large and small to drink and make merry, Lan Songquan nearly had his nose twisted with anger.

“I’m so angry, so angry! Taking my money and still mocking me, they’re all bastards!”

When officials received their year-end bonuses, besides being happy, they began to wonder how the bonuses came to be distributed. Upon inquiry, they nearly died of laughter – it turned out they were obtained in exchange for sparing the Chief Minister’s son, Lan Songquan, from a beating.

“Alright, calm down. Why bother arguing with those poor scholars who earn only a few dan per month?” Lan Mountain calmly advised.

“I’m just angry that those people who don’t have a few copper coins in their pockets are discussing me with such a smug tone.”

“Those who aren’t envied are mediocre. Let them talk.” Lan Mountain peacefully wrote a couplet and smiled: “Look at this couplet – how about posting it on the main gate during New Year?”

Lan Songquan glanced at it perfunctorily and replied dismissively: “It’s fine. Father, I’m going back.”

“Go ahead.” Lan Mountain put down his brush, stared at the newly written couplet, and sighed.

He was getting old. His son, who once obeyed his every command, was gradually becoming unmanageable. Fortunately, although his son had a worse temper, he was someone with ideas. He only hoped to wait smoothly until Prince Mu ascended the throne.

Soon it was New Year’s Eve, with firecrackers going off one after another outside, accompanied by children’s excited screams.

Marquis Guanjun’s residence had a simple household with few rules. Early on New Year’s Eve morning, they began putting up spring couplets. Shao Mingyuan pulled Qiao Zhao along: “Come, let’s put them up on the main gate.”

“Brother-in-law, I want to go too!” Upon hearing this, Qiao Wan became interested and clung to Shao Mingyuan.

“Good, let’s go together.”

Qiao Wan turned to call Qiao Mo: “Elder brother, you come too!”

The four of them came to the main gate together. Shao Mingyuan asked Qiao Mo to put up the first line of the couplet, Qiao Zhao put up the second line, and he posted the large “Fortune” character written in gold powder upside down.

Qiao Wan clapped her hands: “Fortune has arrived!”

Qiao Mo gazed at the auspicious and festive golden characters, murmuring: “Yes, fortune has arrived.”

“But since you all have posted something, what do I do?” After her initial excitement, Qiao Wan asked anxiously.

Shao Mingyuan took firecrackers from his personal guard’s hands and smiled: “How about Wan Wan light the firecrackers?”

Qiao Wan was quite bold and immediately nodded: “Good!”

Soon, the firecrackers were crackling loudly. Qiao Wan covered her ears and hid far away, laughing and jumping.

Qiao Zhao and Qiao Mo exchanged glances, and both siblings smiled.

In the evening, the four of them sat together making dumplings. Qiao Wan produced two red silk flowers from somewhere.

“Sister Li, let me put a flower in your hair. Every New Year in the past, Mother would give red silk flowers to all the women in the family to wear, saying that wearing red flowers while making dumplings would prevent the Year Beast from carrying you away.”

The mother Qiao Wan referred to was her legitimate mother, Lady Kou.

“Good, thank you, Wan Wan.” Qiao Zhao lowered her head, letting Qiao Wan insert the red silk flower into her dark hair.

“Brother-in-law, elder brother, look how beautiful Sister Li looks wearing the red flower!”

Both men nodded in unison.

The young woman’s snow-white skin and dark hair adorned with a delicate red silk flower were indeed extremely beautiful.

“Elder brother, may I wear one too?” Qiao Wan asked pitifully.

“Wear it. Come, elder brother will put it on for you.”

Qiao Zhao smiled as she watched Qiao Mo help Qiao Wan with the flower, when suddenly she felt someone tugging at her sleeve.