Chapter 118: Harmony and Joy

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Some of those on the stage were softhearted, and by now they were already weeping too hard to speak. As cultivators, they naturally possessed a pride of their own when compared with ordinary people, yet most of them had been abandoned. During their time with the Yang family, though they served as guards, everyone from top to bottom treated one another with respect, and none of them felt humiliated.

There was warmth in the Yang family, making it difficult for anyone to part with the people and affairs here. Along the long road of cultivation, it was only during these years with the Yang family that they had felt truly alive.

Mr. Chu and Prince Zhu were unaware of the reason behind it all, but seeing the scene, they exchanged a glance, each deeply impressed by the Yang family head’s extraordinary power to sway people. If he were to lead an evil cult, he would surely throw the world into chaos and become a grave threat to the imperial family. Fortunately, Yang City was merely a minor family head—timid, protective of his life, and concerned only with wealth and status. He possessed no great ambition.

Those seated at the main table, meanwhile, each had their own thoughts.

After Duan Yuanqing questioned Yan Shuihan in detail, he looked toward the Yang family head as well, his expression complicated.

Seeing that the atmosphere had grown somewhat mournful, Yang City hurriedly signaled to Xiao Wu with his eyes that it was time to move on to the next part of the program.

After Xiao Wu had Liu Feng and the others leave the stage, he loudly called for a large pile of prizes to be carried out. The crowd saw all sorts of things displayed before them: spirit coins, bottled fine wine, jewelry, and household furnishings. Xiao Wu then explained the rules of the lottery one by one.

The crowd began whispering among themselves. Could there really be such a wonderful opportunity? For a moment, no one dared believe it.

“For the first round, five people may come up to draw prizes. Who would like to take part?” Xiao Wu shouted several times, but no one came forward.

“Old Wang, you go.”

“Why don’t you go? With so many people watching, I’m not going.”

Everyone pushed and nudged one another, but no one had the nerve to step up.

Mei Yuchen was curious, while Li Tianbiao was impatient. The two exchanged a glance and ran onto the stage. A beautiful woman from the prince’s residence also went up, and two workers from the furniture factory were pushed forward as well.

The five stood in a row. Xiao Lan held a cardboard box with a hole cut into the top and had each of them reach inside and draw out a paper ball.

Old Six had only been working there for half a month. Unfamiliar with such occasions, he had been pushed onto the stage by his supervisor and now stood there awkwardly. Trembling, he drew out a paper ball and handed it to Xiao Wu beside him.

The entire hall fell silent as everyone waited for the result. Xiao Wu opened the paper and announced loudly, “Congratulations! You have won fifty spirit coins!”

The crowd below erupted. To receive fifty spirit coins so easily—Old Six had truly struck it lucky. He too was so excited that tears filled his eyes. He had elderly parents above him and children below, with his entire family living on a barren hillside in the Southern District. Until now, they had relied on his earnings from the Yang family to survive. He had never expected to be so fortunate. This would be a much easier New Year for them.

Next, another person drew a bottle of exquisitely packaged Ice-Clear Jade Nectar and was thrilled beyond words. He could hardly bear to drink such wine; even taking it outside and selling it would fetch a considerable number of spirit coins.

The beauty from the prince’s residence drew a valuable piece of jewelry. She was so delighted that she swayed like a flower in the breeze, provoking even more envy from the crowd below.

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It was Mei Yuchen’s turn. He opened his paper and found that he had also won fifty spirit coins. His mother’s monthly allowance was generous, and he could freely draw on the spirit coins provided by his master and adoptive father for cultivation. He was not short of money. Even so, he was delighted by the fun of the lottery.

Last came Li Tianbiao. He did not even let Xiao Wu see his paper, hurriedly tearing it open himself. The moment he glanced at it, his face filled with regret.

Xiao Wu found it amusing and snatched the paper away, announcing loudly, “Congratulations! You have won one steamed bun!”

Steamed buns were served at every meal in the Yang household, and no one there considered them anything special anymore. The crowd below burst into laughter as soon as they heard the result.

Li Tianbiao stamped his foot and tried to draw another prize, but Xiao Lan quickly covered the box. The crowd roared with laughter once again.

Xiao Wu hurriedly explained, “Each person gets only one chance, and there are only five places in the drawing.”

Li Tianbiao had no choice but to accept his steamed bun and leave the stage with the other four.

The crowd below was filled with regret as well. Why had they not been more eager to come up when such a wonderful opportunity had been right before them?

Xiao Wu continued, “Everyone should participate enthusiastically. Do not let another good opportunity slip away.”

The crowd nodded emphatically.

Then Xiao Wu had a prize wheel brought out and explained the rules of the number-drawing game. Whenever the number drawn matched a number on someone’s seat, that person would receive the corresponding prize.

After one or two rounds, someone else won a prize, and the atmosphere gradually began to reach its peak.

“Number seventy-three!”

“Who has number seventy-three?” Xiao Wu called twice in succession.

Duan Yuanqing’s concubine glanced at the two young boys playing nearby and said softly, “Isn’t number seventy-three Xiaobin?”

The boy named Duan Xiaobin turned his head and saw that the number on his table matched the one drawn onstage. He exchanged a glance with his elder brother, Duan Xiaowen, and the two began waving their arms and shouting together, “It’s us! It’s us!”

Duan Yuanqing said sternly, “Mind your manners.”

The two boys immediately fell silent in fright.

Yan Shuihan quickly said, “It is all right, Brother Duan. Tonight is meant for enjoyment. Look how happy they are.”

Seeing that Duan Yuanqing was no longer scolding them, the brothers still did not dare cheer loudly, but they could not contain their excitement and continued celebrating in hushed voices.

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“Number seventy-three has won one hundred spirit coins. Please come up and collect the prize.”

“Wonderful!” the two boys finally cried out again, unable to restrain themselves.

Duan Yuanqing looked at his sons, his heart filled with conflicting emotions. Ever since the entire family had been arrested, they had lived in confusion and fear for a long time. Only today had the two boys truly relaxed and enjoyed themselves. He could not bring himself to interrupt them again.

Even Liu Changqing could not resist the excitement of the activity and went up to spin the wheel himself.

For a time, the atmosphere reached its absolute peak. Laughter and the sounds of drinking games and toasting rang throughout the hall.

Seeing how lively the gathering had become, with sincere smiles spread across everyone’s faces, Chu Feitian was somewhat baffled. He turned to Zhu Wushang and asked, “The customs and character of Wuzhou City truly differ from those of the Central Capital. I consider myself well-traveled, yet I have never witnessed anything quite like this.”

Prince Zhu shook his head with a wry smile. All the strange and novel things he had encountered recently had come from Yang City. His curiosity had been aroused time and again; otherwise, he would never have been so eager to visit such a simple place to attend this so-called New Year’s Eve banquet.

Zhu Buhuo, on the other hand, had drunk several cups of wine and had long since forgotten the restraints imposed by the difference in status. He became increasingly talkative, enthusiastically recounting Yang City’s many ingenious ideas to everyone at the table and secretly leaving them filled with amazement.

The festivities continued until late into the night. At last, Yang City went up onstage, delivered a few closing words, and offered his New Year’s blessings. Only then did the banquet come to an end.

Everyone gradually dispersed, while Yang City accompanied Zhu Buhuo and the others to see the prince out.

During the evening, Zhu Wushang had also learned of Chu Feitian’s current circumstances. Unable to bear seeing him live in such poverty, he invited Mr. Chu to stay at the prince’s residence.

Chu Feitian was a cautious man. He declined several times, but when he saw how sincere Zhu Wushang was, he finally said, “I once served in the Secret Guard Camp, whose agents are scattered throughout every city. I am a fallen criminal. If I associate too closely with Your Highness and word reaches those above, people may misunderstand and believe that Your Highness harbors rebellious intentions. Would that not implicate you?”

Zhu Wushang found himself helpless upon hearing this. He could only turn to Yang City and say, “I entrust Mr. Chu to your care, Brother Yang. Do not let him suffer from poverty any longer.”

Yang City readily agreed. “Rest assured, Your Highness. Mr. Chu is someone I deeply respect. He may stay here for as long as he wishes. I will certainly treat him well.”

Both Chu Feitian and Zhu Wushang thanked Yang City. Zhu Wushang clasped his hands and bowed to Chu Feitian several times before finally leading the people from the prince’s residence away in sorrow.

After watching them disappear into the distance, Yang City bade farewell to Zhu Buhuo and Lord Le Yin, then personally escorted Chu Feitian back to rest.

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