Chapter 113 - Happy New Year (Filler)

It was New Year's Eve, the citizen's party spirits couldn't be higher than this. Despite it being the morning, nobody felt tired, everyone was working in merchants' shops, food was being prepared, and several people were preparing the lights for the night. 

"Liya." Yu Yingyi said as she slightly shook the sleeping beauty. "It's time to wake up, we have a lot of things to do."

"Mmmmmm, I don't want to get up." Song Liya said as she wrapped her arms around Yu Yingyi's waist. "Let's just cuddle all day, doesn't that sound better?"

"It does but..." Yu Yingyi muttered as a small blush formed on her cheeks. "It's New Year's Eve, we have to show off decorations to the people and give them gifts."

Song Liya groaned and protested one last time before waking up. 

"Fine, what's our agenda today?" Song Liya asked while rubbing her eyes.

"We have a lot of work to do, but I'll tell you that after you wash up. In the meantime, I'll prepare some breakfast for you." Yu Yingyi replied.

"Hmm? You already woke up?"

"Yes, I woke up way before you did." Yu Yingyi said as she planted a light kiss on Song Liya's soft lips. "It's time to work, the others will also arrive any minute now."

Once Yu Yingyi finished her sentence, several knocks could be heard. 

"Looks like they're here, I'll talk to them while you wash up." 

While Song Liya was washing up, Yu Yingyi went over to the door and opened it revealing several people in unique traditional dresses. 

"You all look amazing, I wished I had one." Yu Yingyi said with a pout. 

"Tsk. Even though you say that, you probably have one somewhere." Mei Xiang said as she let herself into the house. 

"Well, even if you don't have one. We'll surely find one for you when we visit the shops. There's no way that they don't have any left." Song Feng Mian said as she entered the house with Jia Yi behind her. 

The next one to greet Yu Yingyi was Qing Shan. She looked drastically different from what she wore normally. She would wear a white dress that was easy to move in with a hat, now, she wore a red and golden dress that symbolized the empire. Her white hair seemed to stick out which made her prettier. 

"Qing Shan!" Yu Yingyi happily exclaimed. "I'm surprised you don't have your sword with you."

"Hello, Yingyi." Qing Shan greeted. "And I do have my sword, look."

Qing Shan suddenly pulled her sword out of nowhere which surprised Yu Yingyi again. 

"Qing Shan, I've been wondering for a while now. But do you perhaps know magic? Is that why you can pull your sword out from anywhere?"

Qing Shan chuckled. "Of course not, it's just a secret trick I learned to hide my sword from the security guards. Anyway, I'll see you inside, princess."

The final one was Nian Zhen, she didn't look much different from before. This time, the aura around her seemed less stiff and more elegant. She wore a black dress with golden dragons on it. Remarkable knitting. 

"Nian Zhen!" Yu Yingyi called out with a smile. "How are you doing?"

Nian Zhen blankly stared at Yu Yingyi before sighing. "It was tiring, I was dragged out of bed by Nian Zhen. When I protested, she said something along the lines of not wanting the princess to wait."

Yu Yingyi chuckled. "I see, though I'm glad you're here. Get some rest if you can cause today will be a long day."

When Yu Yingyi closed the door and turned around. Everyone including Song Liya was already surrounding the table and eating the food she made. 

This caused Yu Yingyi to sigh. 

"You all are already eating when I haven't even sat down yet. Thankfully, I made enough food for all of us."

"We apologize." Mei Xiang said. "But we've been starving since we got here. Please forgive us."

"Despite you saying a fancy apology, why aren't you saying it seriously? Huh? Why?"

"Sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about." 

Yu Yingyi sighed and dropped it. If she truly argued with Mei Xiang, it would be an endless quarrel of nonsense since they would never take things seriously unless it worked. 

Yu Yingyi walked over to where Song Liya was and asked, "Is the food I made good?"

Song Liya nodded her head. "It's delicious, I want to eat more of it."

"There's still some left in the kitchen, I made more just in case some of you wanted seconds."

"Have you eaten yet?"

"I did, but just not what you're eating. I ate something different before cooking."

Song Liya suddenly lifted her chopsticks to Yu Yingyi's mouth. 

"Eat, the food you made is delicious. Try some for yourself."

Yu Yingyi complied, she brought the food into her mouth and started chewing on it. The delicious flavor started to spread and the perfect temperature of it made everything even better.

"My cooking truly is a masterpiece."

"I agree."

Once everyone was done eating, they all checked to see if they needed anything else, but they were all ready. 

"Now then, let's head out!"

The city was crowded today, everyone was carrying something. If they weren't, they were either helping someone out or doing their own thing. But Yu Yingyi knew they were all contributing to the city. She couldn't wait for night time come. 

There were multiple things to do on their agenda. 

The first thing they checked was the materials for the lantern. The lanterns were a sign of good luck and joy. Some of the people would light it off into the sky for fun, but those were some of the reasons why the lanterns were important.

The second thing was making sure the food was properly prepared. They made their way to the restaurants that were specifically cooking for the New Year's Eve midnight festival. Yu Yingyi personally taste-tested the food to make sure it didn't taste like shi- but it was fine. 

By the time they finished everything, it was already the afternoon. Everything was about to begin. What made it better was the early sunset, the citizens were able to light everything up earlier to make the city look beautiful.

"We're finally done." Yu Yingyi said as she let out a relieved sigh. "Though I must say, it took faster than I thought."

"Faster than you thought?" Mei Xiang questioned. "How long did you think it was going to take?"

"Hmm, probably when the New Year's Eve festival started? It could've been later but luckily, none of you got distracted." Yu Yingyi said as a few of them looked proud. "Now then, shall we get the party started?"

"Yes!"

"Finally!"

"Food!"

"Drinks!"

"Swords!"

Yu Yingyi laughed as she watched the others go. When they were free, they would become childish which made her happy. As she was thinking, she felt a hand connect with hers.

Yu Yingyi glanced to her right to see Song Liya with Rabbit Candy. 

"You got it that quickly? I didn't even notice you were gone."

"Well, I had to get it quickly to spend more time with you."

Yu Yingyi blushed and clung to Song Liya's arm. 

"This festival, it's truly beautiful isn't it?"

"It is, and it's because of everyone's work that it turned out this way. The mesmerizing golden lights, the flags, and the lanterns being flown off into the sky."

Soon enough, hundreds of lanterns were flying through the sky as fireworks were being lit up. A loud chant of the new year countdown could be heard anywhere.

"Five!'

"Four!"

"Three!"

Yu Yingyi turned to Song Liya and asked, "Shall we?"

"As you wish my cute princess."

"Two!"

"One!"

As the loud cheer came, the two of them kissed with the fireworks and lanterns in the background. It was an amazing moment of peace.

"Happy new year, Liya."

"Happy new year, Yingyi."