Thousands of households exchange old talismans for new peaches every day.
The new year came with the sound of firecrackers. The two children Cui Zhiduan and Cui Zhiming insisted on staying with their adults to stay up late. They were already too sleepy to fall asleep, but were awakened by the sound of firecrackers. They opened their misty eyes one by one.
Looked over blankly.
"Children, the New Year is here."
Ye Zhenzhen smiled and rubbed the two children's heads, and handed them the New Year's money that she had prepared long ago: "From today on, you are one year older. I wish you peace and health in the new year.
"
The New Year's money was wrapped in a red purse with the Chinese zodiac sign Yinhu embroidered on it. The two children liked it very much and hung it around their waists on the spot. Then they all knelt down to pay New Year greetings to their elders.
As a native of ancient times, Aunt Cui's New Year's money is not as simple and crude as Ye Zhenzhen's. It is a series of copper plates woven into a dragon shape with colorful ropes. The copper plates are not coins in circulation on the market. There are dragons and phoenixes on the back.
Auspicious patterns such as turtles, snakes, and double fishes imply good luck and are used by elders to "ward off evil spirits" to younger generations. They are a kind of good wish to dispel evil spirits, avoid disasters, and pray for blessings.
Ye Zhenzhen vaguely remembered that she had carried it when she was a child. Not only did she carry it, but there were also many hangings on the foot of the bed. She never cared about it. Later, she heard from her mother that she was a night cryer when she was a child, and her grandmother went to the temple to beg her to come back.
The lucky copper coins. Miraculously, she slept peacefully at night after hanging up the lucky coins.
Later, when she grew up, the New Year's money was collected by her mother. Coupled with the influence of customs, the spirit of the New Year gradually faded away. She almost never saw any family giving New Year's copper coins to the younger generation. They always gave coins or bank cards directly.
Therefore, Ye Zhenzhen also carried the problems of her previous life and always gave red envelopes or wallets during the Chinese New Year.
Cui Weizhen was influenced by her and has been giving red envelopes over the years, but this year is slightly different. He gave both children a longevity lock. Although it was very uncreative, the children were very happy.
Of course, Ye Zhenzhen suspected that the children were cheering because they had something to ask for.
No, Cui Zhiduan, who had received the New Year's money, was now full of energy and directly pestered his father: "Daddy, daddy, let's set off fireworks!"
How can we celebrate the New Year without fireworks? The two young gentlemen in the mansion were celebrating their birthdays, so Zhang San had people buy a lot of fireworks. Cui Zhideuan had already been eyeing them, and had been pestering them to set off fireworks a few days ago.
She was rejected ruthlessly by Ye Zhenzhen.
Finally, when the New Year came, Cui Zhiduan could no longer hold back and immediately pestered his father.
Cui Weizhen also came here as a child and understood his son's thoughts very well. It was rare that he didn't scold him in a pretentious manner - of course, with his mother and Zhen'er watching, it was impossible for him to teach his son a lesson on the first day of the first month.
He said very good-naturedly: "Okay, let's put it in the yard."
The snow in the yard has been cleared clean by the hard-working servants. Under the eaves and on the branches are hung red lanterns. Various exquisite lanterns emit bright light in the night sky filled with fireworks.
The cold night sky is filled with refreshing warmth.
The servants and stewards from all over the uncle's house gathered in the courtyard, waiting to wish the master a new year. The master just came out, and the servants all wished the master a new year in unison.
Aunt Cui was very happy and said with a smile: "There is a reward."
She looked towards Ye Zhenzhen, who nodded, and soon a servant came up carrying a basket full of copper plates. This was a reward specially prepared by Ye Zhenzhen for the servants, although she had already distributed it to everyone before.
There is a year-end bonus, but during the New Year, what is needed is a sense of ceremony. Handing out some copper coins on the spot is just a bonus.
Although the coins given out were not many, the servants were all very happy. After everyone took the coins, they said blessings to their master, with smiles on their faces. The Fuxi Courtyard was very lively.
Cui Zhiduan, as the beloved young man of the house, also received the most blessings. Familiar smiling faces and auspicious words were spoken to him. Sister Qiuwu even secretly stuffed him with three copper coins, although the money was not much.
, he was still happy.
He turned to brother Zhi Ming and said, "It's great to celebrate the New Year. Brother Zhi Ming, I like celebrating the New Year."
What kid doesn’t want to celebrate the New Year?
Cui Zhiming touched his lucky money and smiled: "I like it too."
The century-old servants retreated in an orderly manner, and only the servants who were waiting were left in the yard. When they learned that Xiao Langjun was going to set off fireworks, the servants who served him brought out the fireworks from the warehouse early, and there were baskets of fireworks.
There are baskets of firecrackers, and the varieties are very complete.
Cui Zhiduan shouted excitedly: "Dad, let's set off the fireworks first! I want to watch the fireworks."
Cui Weizhen's footsteps stopped in front of the basket containing fireworks. The servants waiting beside him immediately introduced them like a melon seller: "Mr. Lang, these fireworks are of various styles, including flowers blooming for wealth, golden tigers celebrating the new year, peace and prosperity for the country, and immortals."
Chenghe...these styles are very rare, and they are said to be very beautiful. Manager Zhang specially found them for Xiao Langjun."
"Whoa whoa whoa!"
Cui Zhiduan was amazed again and again, his little face flushed with excitement, and he shook his father's hand: "Dad, let them go! Let them go! I want to see them all!"
The servant secretly smacked his lips. These fireworks were worth a lot of money. They were all bought by Mr. Zhang with a lot of money. Ordinary people would not spend their money on such flashy things. Only the rich and noble young man in his family would buy them.
Without blinking an eye, he put all these valuable things away.
All the money burned here is silver.
Obviously, Cui Weizhen didn't take the money seriously. Since the children liked it, it didn't matter if they let it all go. However, he looked at his son and nephew who were never leaving, and warned: "Children are not allowed to set off fireworks. Please stay away.
Let the servants release it for you."
Cui Zhiduan felt a little regretful and asked, "I lit the fuse and ran away. Isn't that okay?"
"no."
Ye Zhenzhen also joined the ranks of education: "A gentleman does not stand behind a dangerous wall. Fireworks contain gunpowder and are very dangerous. Children cannot set off fireworks secretly."
"Yes, yes. A few years ago, a boy from the Zhang family secretly set off firecrackers and blew up his face. You two children must not be naughty." Aunt Cui also had a serious face, for fear that the children would not listen to the adults out of curiosity.
Advice, in the end hurt yourself.
Cui Zhiduan and Cui Zhiming couldn't help but shudder, their faces were blown up, how painful it must be.
They no longer persisted, and very obediently retreated under the eaves, raising their heads to look eagerly at the fireworks that had been placed in the center of the yard by the servants.
Cui Weizhen smiled and ordered: "Just order it."
The servant immediately took out the fireworks, lit the fuse on the fireworks, and immediately ran a long distance away. The sparks spread along the fuse like a snake, and finally disappeared into the chimney. With a whoosh, the bright fire shot into the sky, bang bang bang.
After a few blasts, a gorgeous firework exploded in the dark night sky...
