Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

In the bitter cold of winter, wind and snow raged, blanketing the earth in a silvery white. However, this did not dampen Shi Wanxia's enthusiasm for welcoming New Year's Eve. She rose early and began her busy day.

Shi Wanxia first cleaned the cave thoroughly, making the entire cave look brand new. Then, she began preparing food for the New Year.

She skillfully soaked the marinated fish and venison in water, along with dried houttuynia cordata and various mushrooms, planning to prepare a simple New Year's Eve dinner.

"Brother Shen, Young Master Cui, you're awake! Please wash up first! I'll prepare the New Year's Eve dinner first, and you should take a shower too!"

She thought about how it was New Year's Eve, and how she usually spent it alone. Although something unexpected had happened this year, she felt it was nice to have someone to celebrate with her. Her smile was gentle and radiant, and her sweet smile touched Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an.

It was only somewhat unconsciously that they realized it was already New Year's Eve. The two looked at each other for a moment before getting up to tidy up their beds. The three of them divided the tasks: Shen Yanchu was in charge of cooking with Shi Wanxia, ​​while he was in charge of tending the fire, and Cui Yu'an was responsible for tidying up and throwing away the unwanted items in the cave.

"Brother Shen, you go take a bath. I can manage on my own. We don't have paper and pen this year, so we can't write or paste Spring Festival couplets. But as long as there's good food, that's fine."

Hearing Shi Wanxia's mutterings, Shen Yanchu smiled helplessly, looking down. This girl was still so lively and interesting. He got up, took his change of clothes, and went to the makeshift washroom made of wooden stakes and straw mats to bathe and change. Cui Yu'an saw him go to take a bath and quietly sat down by the stove.

"Miss Shi, thank you for troubling me on New Year's Eve. I'll go wash up now. Are you alright on your own?"

Cui Yu'an watched as the girl handled the ingredients methodically and efficiently, her smile never fading. She truly was a cheerful girl.

"Go ahead, you'll be done washing up soon enough to eat." Cui Yu'an nodded and got up to wash.

Shi Wanxia used a knife to slice the wild boar meat, washed and sliced ​​the ginger with rendered lard, and put the wild boar meat ribs into a pot to stew with houttuynia cordata.

An enticing aroma wafted from the stove, and she quickly and skillfully prepared the marinated grass carp, grilling it over the fire, the fragrance of the fish filling the air.

"The golden phoenix brings joy, the bauhinia flowers are in bloom, spring thunder rumbles across the land in February, drums and gongs beat, a century-old dream has been fulfilled, a thousand-year hand in hand, China enters a new era, congratulations on the Chinese New Year, may the harvest be plentiful and smiles abound..."

Cui Yu'an and Shen Yanchu were wringing their hair by the fire. Once they had wrung out enough water, they threw their hair behind them, and water droplets dripped onto the ground.

"Your hair is already waist-length, it's so long and hard to manage, and you don't even have anything to wash it with. Your hair is dry and tangled, and it looks very frizzy."

"It's really affecting your image. I told you to cut your hair short, but you refused. Look at me, even if I cut it a little shorter, you both look much more energetic."

Shi Wanxia cut her hair yesterday, and it just went past her shoulders. To save time, she braided it into a side braid so it wouldn't get in the way. She complained, "Your hair is so long, it's not only hard to wash, but also hard to dry."

No matter what she said, it wasn't a reason to cut her hair, and neither Shen Yanchu nor Cui Yu'an paid her any attention.

"Do people around here never cut their hair their whole lives? This young master Cui doesn't seem like a person who follows the rules!"

Shi Wanxia was very curious: Did people in ancient times really never grow hair in their entire lives?

“Miss Shi, you are mistaken. It’s not that I don’t want to cut it, but that it’s unnecessary. Our bodies and hair are given to us by our parents, so how can we dare to damage them at will? That would be unfilial. There is no need to trim my hair.”

Shen Yanchu stared at the girl with a serious expression and wary eyes. This girl had tried to cut his hair last time when he wasn't available. This girl was too bold.

Cui Yu'an was shocked when he first saw the girl casually cutting her hair. He even argued with her but couldn't convince her. He was almost persuaded by her strange remarks to cut his own hair. If his parents found out, they would definitely use family discipline.

Shi Wanxia set the prepared New Year's Eve dinner on Shizhuoshan, where there were bowls and plates made of clay during this period, filled with several dishes.

After arranging the grilled fish on a plate, I stir-fried a plate of braised fresh mushrooms with oil. Although it was called braised, the seasonings were pitifully weak, mostly just some kind of spun yarn. Looking at the six dishes that filled the table for the New Year's Eve dinner, there was nothing I could do since the table wasn't very big.

"Brother Shen, Young Master Cui, come and have dinner!"

After tying their hair up, Shen Yanchu and Cui Yu'an both smiled with satisfaction. They decided to wear their hair in ponytails today as well, as it would be both convenient and refreshing.

Shen Yanchu used a wooden hairpin she had carved herself to tie up her hair. She had long since gotten used to being self-sufficient. Cui Yu'an also hurriedly and casually tied up his hair, sat down at the table, looked at the food on the table, and very tactfully praised her.

"Miss Shi, you are truly amazing. You have made so many delicious dishes. I am truly impressed."

Cui Yu'an clasped his hands in a respectful greeting. He smiled and showered her with compliments on her beauty. Shi Wanxia brought the last dish to the table, nodding with obvious pleasure at his flattery.

"Young Master Cui has a good eye! You really have a good eye, Young Master Cui. This young lady is equally at home in the drawing room and the kitchen, capable of dealing with mistresses and beating up thugs. Hehe..."

Shi Wanxia laughed heartily, hands on her hips. Cui Yu'an, ever the tactful one, continued to flatter her: "Wow! Miss Shi is still as amazing as ever. Would you please have a meal? I can't wait!"

Shi Wanxia's face beamed with a warm smile, her eyes revealing sincerity and joy. She quickly stood up and personally guided Brother Shen and Young Master Cui to their seats.

"Brother Shen, Young Master Cui, please have a seat! Today is the Spring Festival, and we are gathered here to celebrate the holiday together."

The sound of late summer was crisp and melodious, full of festive atmosphere.

Brother Shen and Young Master Cui responded with smiles, feeling Shi Wanxia's warm hospitality. They took their seats one after the other, their movements elegant and composed.

As Shi Wanxia watched them sit down, a warm feeling welled up inside her. She knew that although there were no drinks today, it wouldn't prevent them from having a pleasant Spring Festival together.

"Today, let's celebrate the New Year with water instead of wine!" Shi Wanxia said, pouring steaming hot water for Brother Shen and Young Master Cui.

The aroma of the food filled the air, making one feel refreshed and relaxed. Shi Wanxia raised her water glass, gesturing to Brother Shen and Young Master Cui.

"Brother Shen, Young Master Cui, let's raise our glasses together and wish each other good health and all the best in the new year!" Shi Wanxia's words were full of beautiful expectations for the future.

Brother Shen and Young Master Cui also raised their teacups in response to Shi Wanxia's blessings. Their eyes met, both of them caught up in the festive atmosphere. Usually, they would spend the holiday at home with their families, but spending it with friends today was quite a novel experience.

During this heartwarming Spring Festival, Shi Wanxia, ​​Brother Shen, and Young Master Cui sat together, eating and chatting, sharing their stories and laughter. Although there was no alcohol to enhance the atmosphere, their hearts were filled with joy and contentment.