We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 983 The Emperor's New Year Day 1 (Part 2)

After dinner, the three children couldn't contain themselves any longer.

The little princess, clutching a cloth tiger shaped like a pine tree, tugged at Li Che's sleeve and asked in a childish voice, "Father, Father, the firecrackers outside are so loud! Can I go see them?"

Li Che bent down and lifted his youngest daughter onto his lap, gently rubbing her rosy cheeks with the stubble on his chin, making the little princess giggle.

"Not now, those firecrackers are dangerous. Tonight, Father will take you to the city tower to see even more beautiful fireworks, okay?"

“Your Majesty, please don’t spoil her.” Chang Xuening said gently, but her eyes were full of smiles. “This girl is getting bolder and bolder. The day before yesterday, she even wanted to climb a tree to steal birds’ nests.”

Li Che raised an eyebrow and smiled, "What's wrong with climbing trees? When I was a kid, I not only climbed trees, but I also climbed onto roofs and removed tiles! It's good for girls to be lively; it's better than being frail."

At this moment, Li Cheng and Li Hao also came over.

Li Chengyue displayed the composure of a crown prince, respectfully bowing before saying, "Father, I have heard that at today's grand court assembly, envoys from all nations bowed their heads and honored you as 'Heavenly Khan.' I am filled with pride. I will certainly study diligently in both literature and martial arts to live up to your expectations."

Looking at his eldest son's earnest face, Li Che felt gratified and patted him on the shoulder: "It's good to have such ambition, but there's no need to overwork yourself. This is the age for playing and having fun, so it's best to combine work and rest."

Li Cheng was clearly surprised, but also delighted. He secretly glanced at his mother before replying, "Yes, Father."

Li Che glanced at Chang Ningxue beside him, already knowing what was going on.

Even if Li Cheng is precocious, he is still a child under six years old. How could he not love to play?

His old-fashioned manner was probably taught by his mother.

Li Che was also helpless about this, as he simply couldn't be in two places at once when it came to family education.

However, Li Cheng is just a bit calm and doesn't have any extreme behaviors. As long as you don't put too much pressure on him, he shouldn't force things to grow too fast.

Li Hao, with a more carefree personality, blinked curiously and asked, "Father, among the rare treasures sent by those envoys, were there any interesting things? I heard that the envoys from the Western Regions sent birds that can mimic human speech?"

"You're such a playful person," Li Che said with a laugh, but still patiently added, "Those tributes have all been put into storage and registered. I'll have Huai'en take you to see them another day."

"However, you must not let playthings distract you from your studies. If you dare to neglect your studies, I will punish you."

"Your subject understands!" Li Hao stuck out his tongue and quickly assured him.

As the family was chatting and laughing, an announcement came from outside the palace: Prince Yan, Li Lin, had arrived.

He didn't bother with formalities, striding in, still carrying the chill from outside, but holding two food boxes in his hands.

"Your Majesty!" He gave a perfunctory bow, placed the food box on the table, and grinned at the children, "Cheng'er, Yue'er, Hao'er, your fourth uncle is here!"

Li Che said helplessly, "Why aren't you at home with your sister-in-law? What are you doing here?"

"I know there are many rules at banquets in the palace, and you can't eat to your heart's content. These are some of the specialties of my cooks. Try them while they're hot!"

When a eunuch saw Li Lin bringing in food from outside the palace, he tried to retrieve a silver needle to test for poison, but Huai En kicked him in the buttocks.

You blind fool, you dare to examine the things that the Prince of Yan brought?

Li Che couldn't help but chuckle at Li Lin's behavior: "You rascal, would I ever mistreat my own family's stomachs?"

Chang Xuening smiled and said, "Fourth Brother, you're so kind. Please sit down and warm yourself up."

Otherwise, how could Chang Xuening have secured her position as the top concubine? She strictly adhered to etiquette with the other members of the imperial family, but she showed a familial closeness to Li Lin.

It was because he knew that in the emperor's heart, Li Lin's status was different from everyone else's; he was a true family member.

Li Lin didn't stand on ceremony. He pulled up a stool, sat down, poured himself a cup of hot wine, drank it all in one gulp, and then said:

"Sixth Brother, let me tell you, my house is almost ready, just waiting for Tenth Brother to come back."

"I even had a small workshop set up for him in the yard, I guarantee he'll love it!"

Li Che nodded: "You've thought of everything. Tenth Brother is quiet by nature, so it's really good for him to have his own place."

The atmosphere of the family banquet became even more lively with Li Lin's arrival. The children surrounded Li Lin, asking him all sorts of interesting things that happened outside the palace.

Li Lin was quite the character, vividly describing the street performances and lantern festivals, eliciting gasps of amazement from the children.

Looking at the scene before him, Li Che felt a surge of warmth in his heart, finally experiencing a bit of the New Year's feeling.

Halfway through the banquet, Huai En quietly entered and whispered a few words in Li Che's ear.

Li Che nodded slightly, then smiled at everyone and said, "The time to bestow blessings has come."

The so-called "blessing" refers to the bestowal of the character "福" (fu, meaning good fortune) upon important officials, nobles, and even palace servants. Receiving a "福" character personally written by the emperor was a great honor.

Li Che got up and went to the desk next to him where writing materials had already been prepared.

The eunuchs waited to the side, holding stacks of cut-up red paper slips with characters on them.

Li Che picked up his imperial brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write.

He first wrote the largest ones and bestowed them upon Chang Xuening, Yelü Xian, Yan Shi, and Li Lin.

Then he wrote one for each of the three children.

Then, it was written for the important officials who were unable to attend.

Zhuge Zhe, Huo Duanxiao, Qian Bin, Du Fuchen, and even Yang Zhongsi, Wang Sanchun, and He Conglong, who were far away in the south, were not left out.

Li Lin held his still-wet "Fu" character and exclaimed in amazement, "Sixth Brother, your calligraphy is getting better and better. It's much better than my scribbles. I'll frame it and hang it in the main hall of my Prince's Mansion."

"Some people use your portrait to ward off evil spirits and protect their homes. With your calligraphy hanging in the house, ghosts and spirits will surely stay away."

Li Che said helplessly, "This was originally the work of the two divine generals, Shen Tu and Yu Lei, but I took it from them. They are probably complaining to me from heaven."

In other words, Li Che didn't care. Ordinary emperors' portraits aren't just hung up like that; they're hung on the door.

As night deepened, the family dinner drew to a close amidst warmth and laughter.

The children were taken to rest by the palace maids, and Chang Xuening and the other two women also got up to take their leave. Only Li Che and Li Lin, who was still leisurely sipping wine, remained in the hall.

Looking at the scattered sky lanterns rising outside the window, Li Lin suddenly sighed, "If my second brother and the others were here too... it would be so lively."

Li Che was silent for a moment, then walked to his side and looked up at the night sky with him: "They chose their own path. What we can do is to make the living better and to prevent bloodshed in this world from happening again because of brothers fighting each other."

Li Lin nodded heavily and downed the remaining wine in his cup in one gulp: "You're right. When Tenth Brother comes back, the three of us brothers will have another good drink!"

"Okay," Li Che replied.

Outside the palace, the faint sounds of people's laughter and firecrackers could be heard.

Inside the palace, the old year has passed and the new year has arrived.

The chapter of the Daqing Dynasty is quietly turning a new page.