Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi did not go to Jia Xu and Li Youu to talk about what he wanted to do or what he was doing. These things are not important; what matters is ensuring that the situation steadily advances.

After saying goodbye to Li Youu and Jia Xu, Chen Xi stayed at home, waiting for nightfall and the New Year's Eve vigil. As for the gifts prepared for Lul Xun, Xin Xianying, and others, Chen Xi had already gotten everything ready.

On the evening of the first day of the New Year, there was no moon to see, so Chen Xi couldn't be bothered to go out. In this New Year without firecrackers or Spring Festival couplets, Chen Xi spent another year.

Unlike the mental fatigue of previous years, this New Year was quite relaxing, so much so that Chen Xi even had the mood to tease Fan Jian before embracing the other and falling asleep at midnight.

Resting for less than two hours, at the Hour of the Ox, Chen Yun awakened Chen Xi to begin the sacrifices to various gods and the ancestors of the Chen family.

After some busy work, when the daylight became bright, Chen Xi snuggled with Chen Lan to take a nap. The New Year is quite exhausting, and the reason it's said the daylight was bright is really because the winter snow was halted by Chen Xi and others, leaving the winter sky in a daze.

As for offering incense or such, nothing seems more reliable than the noon sacrifice to the Heaven-Man Dual Cauldrons, so for now, other Taoist temples will be set aside. Missing out on the first incense is already inevitable, but it's enough to have the intention later on.

Chen Xi comfortably embraced Chen Lan for a nap. Having slept only four hours, he was still quite tired, readily going back to bed, hoping not to fall asleep during the sacrifice later.

Chen Xi was very aware that as someone without siblings and whose parents passed away early, on the first day of the New Year, no one would come to make trouble and visit, so it was a good time for everyone to rest well.

As for the other girls who often came to the Chen family, they all needed to observe etiquette and stay home on the first day of the New Year. Thus, Chen Xi, harboring the idea that Zhang Fei wouldn't come to make trouble, lay down again, thinking he could get a good sleep today, but some things happen precisely when you don't want them to.

"Zichuan!" Just as Chen Xi was falling into a daze, Zhang Fei's loud roar came in, making the resting Chen Xi feel the ceiling shake. Fortunately, the room had been tidied up before the New Year; otherwise, two ounces of dust might have fallen.

"Greetings, Marquis of Xinting. The master is still asleep, please take a rest, Sovereign Marquis," Chen Ying quickly stopped Zhang Fei and said, as Chen Xi had not yet gotten up.

"Then I'll wait here. Hurry and inform him that I, Old Zhang, have come to pay New Year's greetings," Zhang Fei laughed heartily, holding a keg of old wine and twenty pounds of cured meat under his arm. These were made by himself, as the Zhang family used to be butchers.

Chen Ying smiled wryly but, as the maid guarding the inner courtyard today, had no choice but to step back and then find Chen Xi's personal maid, Chen Yun, to convey the message.

"Tsk tsk tsk, the snow stopped really nicely this year, whether it's the people's wish or Zichuan's," Zhang Fei mused, catching falling snowflakes as he stood under the doorframe.

After paying New Year's respects to Liu Bei and Guan Yu's families, Zhang Fei hurried over to Chen Xi's place, as he still had to visit Lub Su, Zhao Yun, Hua Xiong, and Mi Zhu, Jian Yong for New Year's greetings, and of course, he had to pass a cup of wine to Xuu Chu. As for others, Zhang Fei didn't bother going himself, but felt sending gifts would suffice.

This was also the most core circle of Liu Bei's rule, having formed even before the rise at Mount Tai, with Lub Su and Mi Zhu barely making the cut.

Chen Yun, disregarding any taboos, directly pushed open the door. At this time, Chen Xi was already groggily sitting up, fortunate that Chen Qian was not startled awake, and when Chen Lan saw Chen Qian's eyes twitch slightly, she quickly held her close and gently patted her.

Chen Yun brought over the new clothes and then retreated to the side. It wasn't that Chen Yun was unwilling to dress Chen Xi, it was just that Chen Xi typically did this himself, with Chen Yun only needing to stand by.

Speaking of the past, Chen Xi was not quite used to this corrupt lifestyle, feeling uncomfortable even having Chen Yun serving by his side, but over time, he no longer found it bothersome.

"Have a table of food and drink prepared," Chen Xi drowsily said as he slipped into his new clothes, turning to instruct Chen Yun.

"Master, I have already instructed someone to prepare it. You may enter the hall whenever you like," Chen Yun replied, bowing slightly. She had already tidied up the main hall, and the burning brazier had warmed it well before Chen Xi awoke.

Chen Xi quickly washed up. After all, Zhang Fei was a familiar person, so there was no need to stand on ceremony; just going out to greet was enough.

"Yide, you actually came so early," Chen Xi said while yawning, not welcoming him as formally as in other families.

"If I come to you early, I still have to go to other places," Zhang Fei's loud voice still made Chen Xi feel dizzy, as Zhang Fei's voice had only grown louder with his improved physical condition.

"Oh, let's have a few drinks. Did Lord Xuande set up the altar?" Chen Xi, smiling, accepted the cured meat and wine from Zhang Fei, turning around to take it all.

"Big Brother doesn't let me see, so I don't know," Zhang Fei scratched his head and said.

Chen Xi looked puzzled. Liu Bei built this thing and wouldn't let anyone see it. It's just in his backyard, right? If it's built higher than the wall, you can see it, and if it's lower, it's a small altar. What's there to hide?

But Chen Xi wasn't the type to be overly curious. After all, it was something Liu Bei built, and how it was completed had nothing to do with Chen Xi.

Zhang Fei didn't stay long at Chen Xi's place and soon left. When Chen Xi saw him off at the main door, he noticed that although every household had closed doors, the occasional people dressed in new clothes seen in the distance slightly brought a sense of the festive season to Chen Xi.

Watching Zhang Fei quickly run back to his own home to fetch another gift and knock on Zhao Yun's door, Chen Xi found it quite amusing.

Speaking of which, among the civil and military officials, Zhao Yun's house was the emptiest. Zhao Yun's brother died early and left no offspring, and Zhao Yun himself had no concubines, upright to the point of having no friends.

If it weren't for Liu Bei and Chen Xi being unable to bear it and sending over thirty singer-maids, Zhao Yun's large residence might only have a cook and a butler.

According to Zhao Yun himself, with his martial arts skills, having escorts was unnecessary, so he never arranged for any guards, saving all his money and living in a large mansion of several acres.

Therefore, the singers and maids in the Zhao family and the Chen family were famously well-off, but similarly, both the Zhao and Chen families were notoriously lacking in offspring.

"Zilong, I've come to wish you a Happy New Year," Zhang Fei's voice could be heard halfway down the street. After a long while, the butler opened the door, not because Zhao Yun was neglecting Zhang Fei but because the head of the house shouldn't open the door. Escort and butler could, but not the family head. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)