"The value of a gift lies not in its price, but in the thought behind it. If it's prepared with care, she will surely understand."
Although Xuanyuan Xi had only met her once, he had taken a liking to Feng Qingyi. He knew that her gift-giving was purely out of goodwill, nothing more.
After delivering the items to Xuanyuan Xi and Bai Wei, Yan Yang went to give Xue Cha her New Year's gift.
Xue Cha was deeply touched when she received the small box. She had never imagined that Feng Qingyi would prepare a gift especially for her. After all, she had only done her hair twice. She was surprised that Feng Qingyi had remembered her.
"Lord Yan Yang, is this really from Lady Qingyi?" she asked.
Yan Yang pointed to the name on the box. "It's clearly written here that it's for you. How could it be fake? Go on, open it and see."
Xue Cha carefully unwrapped the box to find a dressing mirror and a comb inside.
She held up the mirror and looked at herself. "I wonder where the young lady bought this mirror from. It reflects people so clearly!"
Yan Yang leaned in to take a look. He had seen this mirror in Feng Qingyi's house before. He had even seen things more amazing than this!
"This is a special mirror from Lady Qingyi's hometown!" he exclaimed.
Hearing this, Xue Cha asked, "Lord Yan Yang, do you know when the young lady will come again? I'd like to thank her in person."
"I'm afraid I don't know. When Lady Qingyi comes, I'll let you know. I'll take my leave now."
He was eager to see what wonderful things Feng Qingyi had sent him and hurried back to check.
Back in his room, Yan Yang hastily opened the box.
Seeing the box full of snacks, Yan Yang's face lit up with joy. Lady Qingyi really understood him; for him, nothing was more practical than food.
Curiously, Yan Yang asked Yan Chi nearby, "What gift did Lady Qingyi prepare for you?"
Yan Chi opened the paper box to show Yan Yang. "This is from Lady Qingyi, but I'm not sure what it is."
"It does look strange," Yan Yang remarked, unsure of what it could be.
Yan Chi took out a black cylinder from the box. "I feel like it might be a weapon, but I don't know how to use it."
"Why don't you ask the General? He might know," Yan Yang suggested.
Yan Chi thought for a moment. "I suppose that's all I can do now."
So Yan Chi took the gift and went to find Qin Yuchuan.
"General, could you please ask Lady Qingyi to inform me what this item is that she gave me?" Yan Chi asked.
Qin Yuchuan looked at the cup in his hand, his face displeased.
She had prepared gifts for all of them, even for a little maid who just did her hair, but nothing for him.
"It's just a cup for water," he said curtly.
Yan Chi examined the cup in his hand. "A cup? How does one put water in it?"
"Figure it out yourself."
Yan Chi couldn't understand why Qin Yuchuan's mood had suddenly soured, but he knew it wasn't the right time to linger.
Back in his own quarters, Yan Yang asked, "Yan Chi, did you ask?"
"I did. The General said it's a water cup, but how do we put water in it?"
Yan Yang observed it for a moment. "I think you just need to twist it."
The cup was a perfectly regular cylinder shape. Yan Chi twisted it up and down until he finally managed to open it.
"This cup holds water similar to a water pouch. There's some water here, pour it in and see if it leaks," Yan Yang said, also intrigued by this so-called cup.
Yan Chi did as suggested, pouring water into the cup and closing the lid. To their surprise, numbers appeared on the cup's lid.
"Why are there numbers? What does sixty-seven mean?"
"No idea."
Yan Chi turned the cup this way and that, but saw no sign of leakage. Satisfied with the cup, he decided not to worry about the numbers on the lid.
In Shengjing, New Year preparations began with the New Year's market.
Markets had specific dates, known as market days. These could be monthly, bi-weekly, every twelve days, every ten days, or every few days.
Before Spring Festival, there was the annual New Year's market.
This was the grandest market of the year, usually held around the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, lasting for three to five days with people still attending.
As a general, Qin Yuchuan didn't need to worry about these matters; the household manager would arrange everything.
However, since Xuanyuan Xi had been living in the temple for years, there weren't many guards or maids in the mansion.
The elderly household manager had no choice but to ask Yan Chi and Yan Yang to help with the shopping.
Spring Festival was a grand occasion, and bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new held great significance in people's hearts.
Sandalwood, Tibetan incense, and cloud incense for ancestor worship, offerings for sacrifices, dried fruits, New Year paintings, door couplets, candles, and gold and silver paper money were all necessities.
Yan Chi and Yan Yang wandered through the market carrying bags of various sizes.
As they passed by shops selling children's toys, Yan Yang spoke to Yan Chi.
"These playing cards, toy horses, and kites look nice. Lady Qingyi might like them. If she comes during the Spring Festival, we'll have gifts to give her."
Yan Chi looked at these items. "Lady Qingyi probably wouldn't like these childish toys. If we're buying something, we should go to a cosmetics shop."
Yan Yang replied, "I've already bought the best rouge in Shengjing for Lady Qingyi, and I chose it together with Bai Wei."
"I'm just giving you advice now. You can't possibly give Lady Qingyi money as a gift, it's not proper."
"But compared to these items, silver would be a much better gift."
He didn't think Lady Qingyi would like these childish playthings.
Seeing this, Yan Yang said no more, but Yan Chi picked up a phoenix kite and asked about its price.
It was the largest kite on the stall, with vibrant colors and tail feathers that fluttered in the wind.
In no time, Yan Chi had paid for it and was ready to leave with the kite.
"Didn't you just say Lady Qingyi wouldn't like these childish things?" Yan Yang asked.
What was he doing now? Did he buy it to play with himself?
Yan Chi replied, "I suddenly realized you had a point. Giving silver isn't quite right. This kite is beautiful and suits her well."
"..." Yan Yang was speechless. He had said it all.
But was flying a kite appropriate in the dead of winter? Was he trying to freeze people to death? He really was something else.
Although the gift wasn't suitable for the current season, Lady Qingyi probably wouldn't mind.
After purchasing all the necessary items, the carriage was packed full, and the group headed back to the mansion in grand fashion.
In the Falling Flower Courtyard, Qin Yuchuan was studying a map laid out on his desk, with a simple sand table model on a side table nearby.
Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.
Qin Yuchuan never fought an unprepared battle, and this time was no exception.
Only by truly understanding your enemy can you make the most appropriate deployment and ultimately achieve victory.
However, it was still unknown who would be appointed as the chief commander from the Southern Frontier this time.
Each general's military tactics and strategies would be influenced by their personal experiences and acquired knowledge, giving them their own unique characteristics.
