The Crown Princess is busy fishing

As the New Year's Eve dinner was served, one delicious dish after another emitted an enticing aroma.

Steamed grouper, braised duck with eight treasures, poached chicken, braised prawns, braised pork, bamboo shoots stir-fried with cured pork, and cold jellyfish salad.

There is also a dish called "Eight Treasures of the Sea".

Xie Jingwan looked at the seafood stew and smiled helplessly.

She hadn't originally planned to make this dish, but her son and daughter persuaded her to.

In addition, Grandpa Wen was right there.

In the end, I gritted my teeth and made this medicinal dish anyway.

I added so many medicinal herbs, as well as my own privately stored dried goods.

I wonder what it tastes like?

"Well done!" Wen Jizhong said, unusually speaking up when he saw the dish's appearance.

Xie Jingwan was finally relieved.

"Grandpa Wen, I was forced into this role, but thanks to your guidance..."

Wen Jizhong waved his hand gently.

"You're welcome, this dish is very well made."

Everyone sat around the table and began to enjoy the New Year's Eve dinner.

The medicinal dish became the focus of everyone's attention; they all took a bite and praised it highly.

While eating, Lin Yuge suggested, "Mother, you can make more medicinal dishes in the future; they're good for everyone's health."

Xie Jingwan glared at her daughter, "You little brat, you're always causing me trouble."

But his face was beaming with a happy smile.

Amidst laughter and joy, the family spent a warm and unforgettable Lunar New Year's Eve.

In this lively atmosphere, Wen Jizhong also felt a long-lost warmth.

Amidst the sound of firecrackers, Lin Yuge awoke from her dream.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and, hearing the lively noise outside, quickly got up.

I changed into the clothes I bought that day and went downstairs.

Everyone else had already gotten up early.

Wen Jizhong also changed into the new clothes that Xie Jingwan had insisted on giving him last night.

Lin Fanghai and I sat in the main room drinking tea.

Dumplings are cooking in the pot.

Not long after, Lin Qingzhou came downstairs.

The family quickly sat down together and ate breakfast in a lively atmosphere.

The dumplings are steaming hot.

Every bite is filled with the taste of home and the joy of the New Year.

After finishing their meal, Lin Yuge and Lin Qingzhou approached Wen Jizhong with smiles on their faces.

We offer our New Year's greetings with utmost respect.

"Grandpa Wen, Happy New Year! I wish you good health and a long life."

A smile flashed in Wen Jizhong's eyes. He nodded, took out two red envelopes from his pocket, and handed them to them.

Then, they wished their parents a Happy New Year.

Xie Jingwan and Lin Fanghai looked pleased.

They also gave each child two red envelopes and offered their blessings.

Just then, Qiu Dalang's voice came.

"The Sea God Festival has begun!"

Everyone headed towards the beach.

At the seaside, about twenty households from the fishing village had gathered.

An altar has been built on the beach using stones.

Grandpa Hong, the oldest man in the village, stood at the front in traditional clothing, looking solemn.

He slightly raised his head, gazing at the sea, and his aged yet powerful voice rang out.

"By the sea god above, we, the people of this fishing village, gather here today. With devout hearts, we offer our sacrifices and pray for the sea god's protection."

As he spoke, the villagers lowered their heads, their expressions solemn.

Grandpa Hong lit an incense stick and slowly inserted it into the incense burner that had been prepared in advance.

Then, he began to recite the eulogy.

The sound drifted on the sea breeze, filled with awe and prayer.

After the eulogy was read, the villagers stepped forward one by one.

They placed the offerings they brought on the altar covered with red cloth.

At the same time, I silently pray for favorable weather, safe voyages, and bountiful catches in the new year.

The Lin family also devoutly offered sacrifices.

Lin Yuge didn't believe in these things before.

But one thing after another happened to me.

Her elder brother's peculiar intuition also filled her with awe.

She gazed at the sea, her thoughts drifting far away, as past experiences unfolded before her like a scroll painting.

Perhaps, on this vast ocean, there really is a mysterious force protecting them.

She prayed silently, hoping that her family would be safe and healthy, and that the fishing village would have good weather and abundant harvests in the new year.

After the solemn sacrificial ceremony, the young people in the village danced a traditional dance.

Lin Qingzhou pulled her into the crowd.

Join the crowd in singing and dancing, enjoying the joy and excitement.

The Sea God Festival lasted for a very long time.

Finally, led by Grandpa Hong, the villagers bowed deeply to the sea once again before returning home.

Once home, none of them went out.

After all, everyone else in the village was busy visiting relatives and friends.

Now they are far from home, with no relatives or friends to visit.

At this moment, Lin Fanghai took two crossbows out of the room and handed them to the brother and sister.

"Here you are, a New Year's gift!"

"Your father has no other skills, only these. You two often go out, so take these for self-defense."

Upon seeing the crossbow, the two were overjoyed.

Lin Qingzhou immediately took the larger one from his hand and started turning it back and forth.

"Dad, it's even more exquisite than my old one. Your craftsmanship has improved again."

Lin Yuge also took the smaller crossbow, finding it somewhat novel.

This is an ancient version of a pistol; she held it in her hand and examined it closely.

It was a repeating crossbow! Her eyes were filled with amazement.

My father's skills are indeed well-deserved; no wonder Xiao Yunqing specifically sought him out.

Wen Jizhong, standing to the side, looked at the crossbows in the hands of the brother and sister.

He seemed to be deep in thought, then turned and went back into the house.

A moment later, he took out another porcelain bottle and handed it to Lin Yuge.

He said calmly, "Take it, you can apply it to the arrows."

Lin Yuge recalled the pufferfish poison he had given her last time and couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

He shook his head and refused, saying, "Grandpa Wen, is it really necessary to be so ruthless? I'm just using it for self-defense, not to kill people."

Wen Jizhong gave her a strange look and said coldly, "She won't die, at most she'll be unconscious."

"That's good, that's good!"

Lin Yuge smiled awkwardly and took the bottle of medicine from his hand.

Lin Qingzhou looked at the bottle of medicine with longing and said, "Grandpa Wen, do you have any more? Can I have one too?"

Wen Jizhong glanced at him but ignored him.

Lin Fanghai laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, do you think this medicine is as cheap as cabbage? Your sister is a girl, so she uses it for self-defense."

"You're a grown man, you should focus on developing your skills instead of always thinking about relying on these things."

Lin Qingzhou touched his nose dejectedly and muttered, "I just wanted an extra layer of security."

Lin Yuge couldn't help but laugh when she saw his embarrassed expression.

"Brother, don't be so envious of that. If you use your crossbow well, you'll be just as good."

"Let's go outside and practice our aim."

Lin Qingzhou immediately perked up.

"Alright, this is the perfect opportunity to show you what I'm capable of."

The two arrived at an open space behind the house.

With its sparse vegetation and open view, this place is a great spot for archery practice.

Lin Qingzhou was the first to raise his crossbow, squinted one eye, and aimed at a large tree in the distance.

He said confidently, "Little sister, watch closely, let your big brother show you what he's got."

With a gentle pull of the trigger, the crossbow bolt shot out like lightning.

With a "whoosh," it landed firmly next to the target.

Lin Yuge laughed and said, "Big brother, you almost won."

Lin Qingzhou was somewhat annoyed. "Let's try again."

He aimed again, this time with even greater focus.

Finally, the crossbow bolt hit its target.

"Haha, see that, little sister? Back in the academy, I was always praised by the teacher for this subject."

Lin Yuge was also eager to try.

She raised her smaller crossbow and aimed it, mimicking her older brother's movements.