CHAPTER 149: CHAPTER 128 NEW YEAR (4K)_2

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Time flew, the year-end was approaching, and the Academic Palace had given the disciples their winter break.

Taking advantage of the holiday, Li Ang visited that bookstore again.

After some indirect probing, he felt that the bookstore owner truly didn’t know the origins of the "Du Gongbu Collection" volumes. He only said they were ancient books collected from Luoyang by his now-deceased father decades ago and had never been sold. After all, the "Du Gongbu Collection" had a vast circulation, and even as antique books, they weren’t in demand.

With the clues exhausted, he could only enjoy the holiday.

It was the first New Year he and Chai Cuiqiao had spent in Chang’an, and it was... acceptable.

On New Year’s Eve, Chang’an City hosted a Nuo performance, reminiscent of the carnival-like festivals from memories of the Otherworld. People wore masks, impersonated ghosts, demons, Nuo Fathers, and Nuo Mothers, parading and dancing while singing songs mostly about how righteous humans thrashed demons and ghosts. This was a tradition handed down from ancient times, conducted even within the Imperial Palace.

Moreover, every household would light bonfires in their courtyards, calling them "Court Fire," into which they would throw firecrackers and worn-out brooms. Throwing firecrackers was for fun; throwing brooms was probably a way to express hopes for the peace and security of their homes.

Li Ang and Chai Cuiqiao walked the streets on New Year’s Eve. After the ringing of the Haotian Bell and the arrival of the New Year, they visited the homes of Song Shaoyuan, Yang Yu, Ji Linglang, and others to offer New Year’s greetings.

However, the first day of the New Year was not so pleasant. Early on the morning of the first day, all senior officials in Chang’an had to attend the grand court session at the Imperial City. Officials from the various State Mansions would come in person or send representatives. This included those from far-flung places like Jimi State, or even from vassal states and neighboring states, who sent envoys to present gifts and pay tributes. The entire process was incredibly tedious, with the Prime Minister reciting New Year’s texts and envoys from tribal states their tribute speeches.

As a newly appointed County Earl, Li Ang had to participate in this boring and lengthy event. Finally getting through it, he was asked to the palace to observe this year’s newly born princes and princesses.

Really, Her Majesty the Empress goes too far—I am no Bodhisattva. Is there a need to parade those few-months-old infants before me, so I can feign praise and comment on how robust the babies are?

Coming out of the Imperial Palace, Li Ang couldn’t help but complain to Yan Zhou (grandson of Yan Yundang, son of Yan Lin, serving in the Crown Prince’s Palace).

Yan Zhou smiled wryly. Unable to discuss Emperor Yu behind his back, he said, "Isn’t it because His Majesty trusts you? There are already places in the civilian areas that have built living temples for you, asking you to bless the newborn princes and princesses for peace of mind."

Ha, they might as well engrave my name on longevity locks and have the infants wear them. I could make money from home just by the power of my name.

Li Ang made a quip, then suddenly noticed a subtle expression on Yan Zhou’s face. Wait, don’t tell me people have already done that?

"Not only that..." Yan Zhou said awkwardly, "I heard some shops are selling portraits of you, hanging them on the walls of the homes of midwives or women giving birth. But since people haven’t seen what you look like, the portrayals are as flattering as possible, aiming for a style like ’face as if powdered, lips as if rouged.’"

That... Li Ang, with his mouth agape, was at a loss for words.

So, he was now established as a friend of women and protector of infants? Was this a bit...

"Speaking of Risheng," Yan Zhou suddenly said in a low voice, "Before the New Year, His Majesty decreed the establishment of an educational institution in the Eastern Palace for collecting and compiling books and scriptures, and teaching the students. The educational institution should soon be completed. Would you like to attend the ceremony?"

Attend the ceremony? Li Ang raised his eyebrows slightly. The Crown Prince’s Palace was effectively a miniature government, with the Chamberlain Office, Left Spring Palace, Right Spring Pavilion, Scripture Bureau, Medicine Storage Bureau, Crown Prince Left and Right Leader’s Mansion, and other departments. Though small, it was complete in every detail. Once the Crown Prince ascended, he could quickly organize his support base to handle state affairs. Officially, the educational institution was for collecting and editing books, but in reality, it was a place to attract strategists and place trusted aides.

Yan Zhou’s invitation for Li Ang to attend the ceremony wasn’t simply to attend but served as an opportunity to broker connections privately on behalf of the Crown Prince.

"I might be quite busy soon; I’m not sure if I will have time," Li Ang pondered for a moment and replied.

He did not want to get involved in the disputes between Crown Prince Li Si and the Fourth Prince, Li Hui. Emperor Yu was still in good health; it was unknown how long it would be before a prince could ascend the throne.

What terms could a prince or Crown Prince offer him? Wealth? Li Ang received a patent fee every month and always felt exhausted counting the money. Official position? Li Ang was studying at the Academic Palace, and he couldn’t actually hold an official post. Title? At his current age, the title of County Earl was already high enough, and there was no possibility of future elevation in the short term. Since the Crown Prince and the princes could offer him nothing, why should Li Ang get involved? Besides, the two princes couldn’t possibly take two Mutated Objects left by Sword Immortals from the Imperial Palace treasury to give to him.

"So it is. Understood," Yan Zhou nodded, not asking further.

Li Ang was an Academic Palace Disciple, inherently entitled not to be involved in matters of the Eastern Palace. Moreover, he held a title and had achievements, his status transcendent. Yan Zhou’s invitation was merely an inquiry.

The two rode horses across the Imperial Bridge, passed through the Phoenix Gate, and left the Great Ming Palace.

Since Yan Zhou had to report to the Eastern Palace, they parted at the Phoenix Gate. Watching Yan Zhou’s departing figure, Li Ang imperceptibly shook his head.

Indeed, the decision to attend the Academic Palace no matter what was the right one. Even though Yan Zhou was the legitimate grandson of the Yan Family, the inheritor of future titles, he couldn’t avoid being drawn into the power struggle. Only the Academic Palace could transcend worldly matters.

Li Ang pulled the reins and rode away from Light Mansion Square.

The new year had just passed, and the streets still had the faint smell of fireworks and firecrackers. Every household’s courtyard had slim bamboo poles planted, from which hung long, narrow flags made of paper or cloth, used to pray for blessings.

It seemed that in the memories of the Otherworld, there were similar things, possibly called... ’Koi Flags?’

Li Ang blinked, planning to go home and search for related information with the Spirit Summoning Paper. Recently, the greatest use of the Spirit Summoning Paper was to help him retrieve information from his memory store, similar to a file search tool.

By the way, if the Spirit Summoning Paper were shown to an ordinary person, it would most likely become a piece or two of flying money. And if cues were given before revealing the Spirit Summoning Paper, it might even transform into a land deed or house deed.

Even Cultivators can’t avoid the effects of Spirit Summoning Paper. Shown to the Imperial Guard, to them the paper might even transform into a Pass Token for the Imperial Palace.

It’s a pity the material can only be paper, not wooden plaques, Jade Pendants, or more complex things, and the frequency of change is limited. It can’t display a continuous moving scene like a television.

In the world of memories from the Otherworld, it was an era rich in entertainment methods. Having seen films, television, and anime, it was hard for Li Ang to take any interest in the operas and plays of the workshop.

I heard there’s a type of Mutated Object in the Dongjun Tower that could enhance the effects of Aliens. Adding that to the Spirit Summoning Paper might achieve the effect of a television...

While he was pondering, the Mo Si under his robe became active again, sending out a strong desire to devour, directing him toward a building in the workshop.

Hmm? Li Ang instinctively tightened the reins and stopped the horse.

The Mo Si pointed towards the thirteenth residence on the second street of Victory Square. The residence occupied a large area, grand and luxurious, with flags and colorful banners in the courtyard made of high-quality silk. Additionally, Monks and Daoists streamed into it.

Li Ang silently dismounted and approached the roadside. It seemed that the thirteenth residence in Victory Square was conducting some chanting worship activity, as chanting was faintly heard coming from inside.

"Excuse me, elder, may I ask whose house this is?" Li Ang asked an elderly onlooker. After inquiring, he learned that the household belonged to an official and was engaged in praying for blessings for the matriarch of the house.