Secrets of Yuqing Palace

During the Spring Festival, the Guwaljia Mansion was decorated with lanterns and red silks, creating a joyous atmosphere.

The cold winter wind in the capital city brought with it dense snowflakes as heavy as goose feathers, covering this ancient and prosperous city with a layer of soft silver armor.

As the morning light breaks, the world outside the window is already white.

As the morning bell rang, the mansion began to get busy.

Servants shuttled between the courtyards, hanging red lanterns and lighting firecrackers, and the atmosphere was filled with the joy of the New Year.

After Wanyu woke up, she put on new clothes and an exquisite headdress under Xia Lian's decoration.

Because it is the festive Spring Festival, today she is wearing a gorgeous Manchu costume embroidered with auspicious patterns, symbolizing the auspiciousness of the new year.

A plush cloak made of fiery red fox fur is draped over the Manchu dress. Although it may seem a bit cruel, it is both warm and looks festive.

Wanyu was still very happy.

After dressing up, Wanyu, accompanied by her maid, walked out of the room and headed towards the main courtyard.

After paying respects to my mother, I went to the main courtyard with my mother's brother and younger brother to wish Mafa and Mama a happy new year.

At this time, in the main hall of the main courtyard, the old man Shi Huashan and the old lady Jueluo had already sat at the head of the table.

They all have kind faces, and their eyes are shining with joy for family reunion and the New Year.

Uncle Shi Wenbing and his family had already arrived. Today, my uncle and aunt were wearing court robes and imperial robes, and sat down below the two old people.

The eldest brother and his wife were also dressed in gorgeous clothes and sat below them with smiles on their faces.

Because my second sister-in-law was about to give birth, even when she was sitting, my second brother always carefully supported her lower back, worried that she would feel uncomfortable.

The intimate actions of the two people seem particularly affectionate.

All the elders were delighted when they saw this.

The person that Qingde and his wife took action against was the second princess Wanlin, who was accompanied by her nephews and nieces.

After everyone arrived, the two families, led by their own masters, kowtowed to the two elders in front in turn.

Then he said some auspicious words to the two old people to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new Spring Festival.

During the Spring Festival, banquets were held in the palace. Princes and nobles, as well as civil and military officials of the first and second ranks and above, were required to bring their female relatives into the palace to attend the banquet.

Therefore, after everyone paid their respects, Shi Huashan should have brought his old wife and his eldest son and his wife into the palace to attend the banquet.

But because they were old and it was cold and snowy outside, their bodies couldn't withstand the stress.

Therefore, Shi Huashan submitted a memorial early on, stating that he and Jueluo would not attend this year's palace banquet in the palace, and he had already obtained the emperor's permission.

Because of the special position of Shi Wenzhuo, the Shaoqing of the Guanglu Temple was responsible for assisting the Guanglu Temple Minister in preparing and executing various banquets and sacrificial activities in the palace, which naturally included this Spring Festival banquet.

Because this matter is of great importance, we must keep an eye on the preparations for the palace banquet and every aspect of the banquet at all times, and no mistakes can be made.

So he was very busy these days, going out early and coming back late every day, and entering the palace before dawn.

Therefore, only Shi Wenbing and his wife needed to enter the palace to attend the palace banquet this time.

Being able to enter the palace and attend a banquet is a moment to demonstrate the emperor's grace and family glory.

Therefore, before leaving, Shi Huashan specifically instructed the eldest brother and his wife.

"Today is a palace banquet. You represent the Guarjia clan. Please be respectful and polite when you enter the palace. Do not bring disgrace upon the Guarjia clan."

Shi Wenbing said respectfully, "Don't worry, Father. We will be very careful and prudent and will not let down the emperor's grace."

It was not the first time for either of them to attend a palace banquet. Everything had its own precedents, so they knew exactly what to do.

After they left, the old man and the old lady were in charge of the mansion.

The Spring Festival in Guwaljia Prefecture also begins.

At lunchtime, tables in the main hall were filled with delicious dishes.

The dishes are exquisite, all carefully prepared by the chefs in the mansion, with both Manchurian characteristics and a fusion of Han flavors.

Although not all the family members were present, everyone still enjoyed the meal to their heart's content.

After lunch, the old couple felt a little tired, so they sat for a while and then went back to the house to rest.

Fu Cha took her niece-in-law, Niuhulu, with her to arrange the afternoon sacrifice and the New Year's Eve dinner in the evening.

The younger generation of princes and princesses in the palace spent their time playing traditional games such as touhu and cuju in the courtyard.

With Wanyu, who knows how to have fun, leading the way, the entire Guwaljia Mansion was bustling with activity and laughter.

In the afternoon, the sky in the capital gradually turned dusk, and the elders in the mansion who had attended the palace banquet returned home one after another.

Wanlin and her two sisters, along with their younger siblings and nephews and nieces, stood in front of the mansion gate to welcome the elders who had returned home. Everyone had a happy smile on their face.

Wanyu was standing at the gate when she saw her father and uncle talking and laughing. Her aunt was following behind them, also with a smile on her face.

Only when Shi Wenzhuo came closer did Wanyu hear what his father said.

It seems that the prince gave him a lot of help when the banquet was held in the palace this time.

He was talking to Shi Wenbing, wondering if this was a hint from the prince to the Guwaljia Prefecture?

Is it very likely that a princess from the Guwalgiya clan will be the Crown Princess?

Shi Wenzhuo excitedly whispered to Shi Wenbing that his niece Wanlin might be the final candidate for the Crown Princess.

However, he didn't know that the princess consort the prince wanted was indeed Guaerjia Gege, but not necessarily the eldest daughter, Shi Wanlin.

All the masters have returned, and the Guwaljia Mansion has become busy again, preparing to welcome their real New Year's Eve dinner.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines on every corner of the mansion, especially under the reflection of the white snow, giving the mansion a layer of golden glow, making it even more dazzling.

The air is filled with the festive joy and warmth unique to the festival.

The servants in the mansion shuttled between the courtyards, some were busy setting the dining table, and some were carrying steaming hot delicacies, the aroma of which made everyone salivate.

As the sun sets, the sky gradually rises.

Before the dinner began, the Guwalja people held a solemn sacrificial ceremony to thank the gods and ancestors for their protection.

It is also offered as a sacrifice to the ancestors, so that the ancestors in the underground can have a happy festival together.

Shi Huashan led everyone to place tributes in the ancestral hall, light incense and candles, and perform the ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

Pray to the gods and ancestors to bless the family with peace, good fortune and prosperity in the new year.

After the sacrificial ceremony, everyone returned to the banquet in the main courtyard.

In the main courtyard, lanterns were lit, and the main hall was as bright as if it were daytime.

The descendants sat around the two old people.

With the shout of "It's time to eat", the New Year's Eve dinner officially begins.

The New Year’s Eve dinner on the table is much more sumptuous than the one at noon.

There are both traditional Manchurian delicacies such as roasted whole banquet and stewed venison.

There are also delicacies with auspicious meanings, such as fish for abundance every year, glutinous rice balls for reunion, chicken for good luck and fortune, etc.

Everyone sat together, raised their glasses and drank, with blessings coming one after another.

As the last dish was served, the old man slowly stood up and the whole room fell silent.

He cleared his throat, his voice carrying the calmness of age and the honor of his family.

"We, the Guargiya clan, have inherited the legacy of our ancestors and enjoyed the emperor's great grace, enjoying boundless blessings in this prosperous era."

"Tonight, at the beginning of this new year, I would like to raise my glass and celebrate with you."

The old man's voice was loud and solemn. He raised his glass to the sky and everyone in the room stood up.

"May the heavens bestow blessings, peace and prosperity upon the country, and good weather and good harvests."

"May our descendants be talented and virtuous, carry on the legacy of our ancestors, and bring glory to the Guarja family!"

When everyone listened to the old man's words, they felt their blood boiling and their sense of family honor overflowed.

Jueluo looked at each of her descendants lovingly, her eyes full of tenderness, and continued with what Shi Huashan had said.

"My children, Mama hopes that you will all grow up healthy and have the best of luck in the new year."

Everyone stood up, holding their cups and drinking respectfully with the two old men.

During the banquet, the younger generation needs to stand up from time to time to greet the elders to express their concern and respect.

Hold the cup with both hands, bow and say auspicious blessings.

After Wanlin, Wanyu also raised her cup and greeted Mafa and Mama politely.

Then he paid his respects to his uncle and his wife, as well as his own father and mother.

After the dinner, some entertainment activities were arranged.

The mansion specially invited a troupe of actors to perform in the house to add to the entertainment.

The whole family sat together to watch the wonderful opera performance.

To add to the festive atmosphere, there are also hanging lanterns and lantern riddles.

Not only the master of the mansion can participate, but also the servants and maids in the mansion. Those who guess correctly can win a prize.