After playing for a while, the outside became increasingly lively. Little Qingyu put down the firecrackers and ran to the courtyard gate with a mask in hand to watch. She found that everyone had already started celebrating, and she became anxious. She hurried back to the gate and stomped her foot at the two adults who were still drinking inside: "Mother! Mother! Have you finished eating? Can we go now?" Newest update provıded by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩 "Where to go?" Lin Wanwan, feeling slightly tipsy after drinking a few glasses of champagne, with her face flushed, propped herself up on the dining table and stood up, rubbing her dizzy forehead. She asked, "It’s so lively outside, what’s happening?" "They’re dancing, Mother!" Yun Shang smiled and said, "The lady used to live in the mountains, so she probably doesn’t know the folk customs. On New Year’s Eve, everyone performs ceremonial dances and exorcisms. I have already prepared worn-out brooms and little shoes for the young girls at home." Lin Wanwan was puzzled. What are the brooms and little shoes for? However, compared to the cold and increasingly lackluster New Year’s Eve of the modern era, the lively celebration of the Great Tang is heartwarming. Lin Wanwan didn’t bother to ask further questions; it was best to join the crowd and have fun! "Alright, let’s go together and have some fun." She grabbed a witch mask that was prepared earlier, put it on, and muffledly asked Xiao Chong, "Cousin, did you bring a mask? If not, I have plenty here for you to choose from." Xiao Chong drank more than Lin Wanwan but had a better tolerance for alcohol. His alabaster face was only slightly flushed, and he laughed generously at her words: "In that case, thank you, cousin." He then walked over and chose a tiger mask from a pile. The whole family, young and old, went outside to join the exorcism troupe, leaving Kun Lun and Sun Chuyao to look after the house. The entire Lin Family Manor was brightly lit, with bonfires burning in every courtyard. The firelight and starlight intertwined, creating a splendid scene. Looking at his daughter dressed in new silk clothes following the young girls of the family, dancing with a mask on, and his elderly mother pulled along by Hua Nong, also dancing with a mask, Sun Chuyao’s eyes became moist with joy. To have such joy in family celebrations after providing them full bellies and warm clothes, he never imagined he would experience this in his lifetime. Even if he can’t ascend to heaven with the immortals, having this brief moment on such a night makes his life worthwhile. For a mere wanderer to live such a good life, it truly is a great fortune. Kun Lun’s thoughts were much simpler—just eating! There are so many delicious foods tonight, and he can’t eat it all! Mmm, it’s too delicious, eating so much that he sweats! "Ding-ding-ding-ding!" Bells and drums sounded from all directions, along with the firecracker sounds, signaling the arrival of midnight to usher in the new year. The New Year’s Eve celebration reached its climax. Little Qingyu was already sent off to sleep with Yun Shang, as were the young servants. Lin Wanwan sat in the main hall watching the family’s servants kneeling to wish her a happy new year. The Great Tang did not have the concept of lucky money, but Lin Wanwan had prepared many inexpensive artificial crystal jewels bought from the modern era to give out as gifts to the servants. The maidservants were naturally delighted, and the male servants were also pleased because the jewelry could be given to family or sold for money even if they couldn’t wear it themselves! While Lin Wanwan was in her lively celebration, Xiao Chong had already ridden away on his horse. The master and servant were skilled and brave, unafraid to travel at night. Tonight, throughout the Great Tang, there were many households that remained awake. Compared to the common people and local officials who could sleep in the next morning, the capital officials in Chang’an City had it much tougher, especially the higher-ranked ones. On New Year’s Eve, they not only had to enter the palace to stay up late with the Emperor, drinking and competing in poetry during the grand celebration, but they also had to attend the court meeting at dawn! The New Year’s Day (the first day of the Lunar New Year) grand assembly was an exceptionally solemn occasion, requiring capital officials and ministers to dress in formal court attire, presenting themselves in high spirits to wish the Emperor a happy new year. Some affiliated states and local dignitaries would also send representatives to pay respects to the Emperor. A poem chronicled such scenes— "Heaven’s grace at dawn, a thousand officials kneeling; The New Year’s Day welcomes spring, all creatures aware." To sum up the grand assembly today, it was all about—singing praises and boasting. The Emperor expressed to the ministers his appreciation for the increasing prosperity and vitality the Great Tang Empire had achieved under his leadership over the past year. The ministers followed suit, offering eloquent words of congratulation. Since New Year’s Day marks the first day of the new year, auspicious words were naturally indispensable. Even ministers like Wei Zheng, who enjoyed sparring with the Emperor, wouldn’t criticize on this day. After the routine self-praising and complementing ended, the presentation of gifts began, with local officials and representatives from affiliated states presenting various treasures. Among these gifts, the one from the Commissariat Department’s middle-ranking official Xiao Kai was the most unique. He presented a small tomato tree bearing red and yellow fruit and a pot of white, snow-like salt. After listening to Xiao Kai’s explanation, the Great Tang Emperor’s smile widened. While the small tomato was rare, it was at most just a novelty, but the significance of the snow-white salt was entirely different. The Emperor looked at Xiao Kai and slowly said, "Xiao Qing, does this salt production method come from the Lin Wanwan’s sect, known for introducing the high-yield rice from the mountains and sweet potatoes from overseas?" Xiao Kai replied, "In response to the Saint, that is indeed the case. The sun-drying salt technique has been handed down to my son’s dwelling by the Lin family Wanwan, and the snow salt presented is the finished product my son produced at the Salt Field he developed in Mao County." Emperor Li Er glanced at the Eunuch beside him, who understood immediately and stepped forward, placing the snow salt pot before him. Li Shimin pinched a bit of salt to examine it, then after a moment exclaimed with a laugh: "Excellent, excellent! It is truly a blessing for the Great Tang that such a recluse is willing to come down from the mountains to benefit the land, and both Xiao Qing and your son have shown great merit. This woman previously offered the high-yield rice capable of producing fifteen bushels per acre and high-yield sweet potatoes, already a tremendous achievement, and now with this salt method, she deserves significant rewards! What do you all think?" "Congratulations to the Master, it is the Master’s benevolence that has brought forth such talents from all directions. I suggest a significant reward!" "Our Emperor is wise; I second the motion for a significant reward!" "I second the motion." "I second the motion." The assembly in the court, dressed in ceremonial attire, looked especially colorful and festive, and the words they spoke brought joy. Emperor Li Er looked at everything before him with satisfaction, and greatly appreciated Xiao family’s act of not concealing the salt-drying method, for this was exactly the kind of loyal minister he, Li Shimin, desired! "Has the identity of Lin Wanwan been verified?" After the key dignitaries who had the right to speak in the court finished their statements, Emperor Li Er inquired again. "In response to the Saint, it has been verified. This person is a descendant of the Lin family of Mao County on Jiangnan Road, who studied with enigmatic individuals in the deep mountains from a young age. She is well-read and has a senior brother who likes to travel the world." "Since her background is clear, rewards can be bestowed!"