Before today, Gu Yanshu had never realized he could be so easily satisfied.
Just half a dumpling made him feel as if he had received a priceless treasure. Even one or two hours after the evening meal, whenever he thought of that half dumpling, he couldn't help but smile.
Of course, aside from Gu Yanshu, the servants of the Prince Li's residence were also in high spirits.
After all, they had just received generous red envelopes from the Consort.
Since Gu Yanshu and Qin Lu seldom required personal attendance, and it was New Year's Eve, after the meal and distributing the red envelopes, Gu Yanshu gave everyone a short break to rest for the night.
The servants who had received their red envelopes were now gathered in small groups, chatting excitedly:
"How much did you get?"
"A full three taels of silver! How about you?"
"I also got three taels! When I first saw it, I thought I'd been given the wrong amount—gave me quite a scare! Hehe."
"Hah! Hearing you say that, you must be new here, right?"
"I just started last month—Manager Xing said the residence was short-handed, so I was transferred. How could you tell?"
"If three taels made you think it was a mistake, you've definitely got to be new!"
"Exactly! Do you know how much Team Leader Qian got? A full five taels!"
"Pfft, that's nothing! Head Steward Wang got eight whole taels!"
"The Prince Li's residence is this generous with red envelopes? Last year, a fellow villager of mine worked here, but I never heard him mention anything like this."
"Of course there wasn't anything like this last year. This started after the Consort entered the household. You're much luckier than your villager friend!"
"After the Consort entered the household?"
Once the conversation turned to Gu Yanshu, the servants couldn't stop talking.
They immediately began sharing all the benefits that had come with Gu Yanshu's arrival:
"Right, you have no idea—the Consort is incredibly generous! Since he came, our monthly allowances have doubled!"
"And that's not all! You've been here a month—you know about our 'five days on, two days off' rule, right? You won't find that anywhere else! That was also introduced after the Consort arrived."
"Yes, yes! And double pay on holidays and birthdays—that was also set by the Consort!"
"There's more! Remember half a month ago when you made a suggestion that was adopted by the supervisor, and you received 500 copper coins? That was also the Consort's rule!"
"That was the Consort's rule too?"
"Exactly! I thought it was an existing rule of the residence…"
"His Highness hardly ever returned to the residence before—how would he have bothered setting such rules?"
"But with the Consort being so generous to us, wouldn't His Highness have objections?"
"Why would he? His Highness has said that all matters of the inner household are entirely up to the Consort!"
"Besides, everyone knows now that the most profitable shops in the capital belong to our Consort!"
"We don't even need to mention Guiyuanju or Yaoyue Pavilion—just look at Taoranju! Glass is a rare luxury that's priceless and hard to find! With the Consort so capable, His Highness is overjoyed!"
"And don't think the Consort gives out red envelopes this generously every time!"
"He doesn't?"
"Of course not! Today is New Year's Eve—it only comes once a year!"
"Also, the supervisor just said this money isn't just a red envelope from the Consort—it also includes our year-end bonus!"
"Year-end bonus? What's that?"
"It basically means the Consort thinks we've worked hard for the residence this past year, so this is extra compensation!"
"So does that mean we'll get this year-end bonus every New Year from now on?"
"I'm not sure about that, but that's what the supervisor said!"
"Then I hope I can keep working at the Prince Li's residence forever!"
"Who doesn't? By the way, do you know the team leader from the third group in the kitchens?"
"You mean the one who has trouble walking? Of course! I heard he followed His Highness into battle—his leg was injured then."
"Then you must have heard that his family had arranged a marriage for him, but the bride's family called it off after his leg was injured, right?"
"I did hear something about that. They said the bride's family thought he wouldn't be able to earn well with his leg injured and refused to marry their daughter to him."
"But did you know he's engaged again? They say the wedding will be right after the New Year!"
"I hadn't heard that! Tell us more!"
"It all goes back to the rules set by the Consort after he arrived. Those who followed His Highness into battle and were left with disabilities were all promoted to team leaders, right?
Team leaders get double the monthly pay! Plus the extra bonuses on holidays…"
"Wow… That makes sense. The wages for team leaders here are among the highest in the capital!"
"Exactly! With more income, marriage prospects naturally improve. I heard his former fiancée's family deeply regrets their decision now that they know his current earnings!"
"I'd regret it too! Not just team leaders—even us regular workers can save up enough in a couple of years to marry if we're frugal!"
"Right! And we have to thank our Consort for all of this!"
"Absolutely! In all of Tianqi, who is more generous than our Consort?"
…
The Prince Li's residence had many rules, especially after Gu Yanshu's arrival—regulations in all aspects became even more comprehensive.
Under normal circumstances, the servants would never dare discuss such topics.
After all, regardless of whether they were speaking well of Gu Yanshu, privately discussing their masters was strictly forbidden.
But today was special.
It was New Year's Eve, and they had just received such generous red envelopes. It was only human to be unable to contain their joy.
Not only them—almost everyone had exchanged a few words, and even the hidden guards of the residence couldn't resist.
As hidden guards, from the moment they chose this path, they were considered "dead" in the eyes of outsiders.
Rarely did anyone care about their inner feelings—not even they themselves expected otherwise.
One could imagine how they felt upon receiving the red envelopes and dumplings from Gu Yanshu today.
With so many people talking, it was inevitable that Zhige and Xingren would hear.
"What are you doing?"
Seeing Zhige frown and stand up, Xingren immediately stopped him.
Zhige glanced at him:
"Didn't you hear what they're discussing?"
"Of course I heard. My martial skills are no worse than yours."
Back then, the Prince had chosen him to manage internal affairs precisely because he was more thoughtful than Zhige.
"If you heard, why ask?"
Zhige's intention was clear: to warn those people—how dare they discuss the Prince and Consort?
"See, that's no fun."
Xingren shook his head with a smile and pressed Zhige back into his seat:
"They aren't saying anything bad about the Consort. Besides, it's the New Year—the Consort has already given everyone time off. Don't spoil the mood."
"But…" Zhige's brow furrowed slightly, as if he didn't quite agree.
"But what?"
Xingren didn't even let him finish:
"Even you and I occasionally exchange a word or two about the Prince. It's only human."
"That's different! We're—"
Zhige tried to argue, but Xingren cut him off again:
"Besides, the Consort also said: 'Water that is too clean has no fish.' Sometimes, don't enforce the rules too rigidly!"
Hearing this, Zhige truly had nothing left to say.
Others might see Gu Yanshu's many rules and think he was extremely strict about regulations.
At first, Xingren and Zhige had thought so too.
But as they spent more time with him, they realized it wasn't entirely true.
Sometimes, their Consort was indeed very rule-oriented—black was black, white was white.
But other times, even if he noticed a subordinate breaking a rule, he would turn a blind eye.
Once, Xingren had questioned this:
If rules were set, why ignore violations?
At the time, Gu Yanshu's response was: "Water that is too clean has no fish. Rules are rigid, but people are flexible.
If everything in the world could be strictly bound by 'rules,' there would be no room for human emotions."
For example, if someone quietly rested during work hours after completing their tasks due to exhaustion, it wasn't worth pursuing.
That was when Xingren understood:
Their Consort might appear stricter than anyone, but in reality, he was softer-hearted than most.
In contrast, Zhige, who often accompanied the Prince to the military camps, couldn't tolerate the slightest irregularity.
Seeing that Zhige was still frowning, Xingren added:
"Stop overthinking it. If it really bothers you, you can remind them tomorrow."
Just then, a whistling sound came from beyond the courtyard wall:
"Whoosh—"
Hearing it, Xingren looked up at the sky:
"Let's watch the fireworks first."
"Bang—"
As soon as Xingren spoke, a brilliant spark bloomed in the night sky, stunning against the dark backdrop.
Though the firework was fleeting, after the first one faded, more whistling sounds followed one after another.
Streaks of light shot into the sky, and soon fireworks blossomed everywhere, filling the entire nightscape.
Watching the scene, Zhige finally accepted Xingren's advice:
Since it was New Year's Eve and the Consort had given everyone a break, let them enjoy the night. He could save the reminders for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Gu Yanshu was also watching the magnificent fireworks display.
Seeing the smile on Gu Yanshu's face as he gazed at the night sky, Qin Lu also looked up:
"Does my Consort like this?"
"Yes."
Gu Yanshu nodded slightly. Though compared to the diverse and colorful fireworks of his previous life, those in Tianqi's sky were much simpler, he still found them beautiful.
Perhaps it was because the person watching them with him was different.
Unaware of Gu Yanshu's thoughts, Qin Lu was silent for a moment before speaking softly:
"Today's fireworks aren't actually the most impressive."
"Oh? There are better ones?" Gu Yanshu turned to look at him.
"During the Lantern Festival, the court sets off specially made fireworks that will fill the entire capital's sky."
Qin Lu nodded, then paused slightly before adding:
"From the Star-Gazing Tower, you can see the entire display. If my Consort is interested, you could go then to watch."
Gu Yanshu sensed a hint of nervousness in Qin Lu's tone.
He thought it might be his imagination, but just then another round of fireworks bloomed in the sky. By its light, he clearly saw Qin Lu's reddened ears.
It was then that Gu Yanshu suddenly realized:
The Lantern Festival was also known as Lovers' Day—a tradition since ancient times in China, and Tianqi had the same custom.
During the festival, Tianqi would hold lantern fairs, and the capital would unusually lift its curfew.
Moreover, many young women secluded in inner chambers were allowed to join the street festivities that day.
Because of this, the Lantern Festival often sparked love at first sight.
For married couples, attending together was seen as a sign of affection.
Even the Star-Gazing Tower Qin Lu mentioned was renowned as a matchmaking spot.
Legend said that if two people watched the Lantern Festival fireworks together from the tower, they would receive the Matchmaker God's blessing—ensuring a loving, lifelong partnership.
So what Qin Lu really meant wasn't just for him to go watch the fireworks alone…
This man was as reserved as ever.
Thinking this, Gu Yanshu couldn't help but laugh softly. Finally, under Qin Lu's slightly anxious and uncertain gaze, he spoke slowly:
"Going alone would be rather dull. Would Your Highness be willing to accompany me then?"
He clearly saw Qin Lu's expression relax instantly.
Then, Qin Lu's lips curved into a rare smile:
"How could this Prince refuse an invitation from my Consort? It would be my pleasure."