Chapter 843: Chapter 836: Indulgence Once in a While

Xiao Yixun has never been one for holiday rituals, so even on New Year’s Eve, she was the first to retire to her room.

Seeing Xiao Yixun had already gone to rest, Lin Wanwan noticed that little Qingyu and her group of maids and companions were still playing wildly in the village. It was already three quarters past eleven, so she sent someone to collect the children and send them to bed.

To Lin Wanwan, staying up on New Year’s Eve wasn’t a necessary ritual.

Last year, she stayed up all night because there were people to keep her company in leisure, making peach charms, practicing calligraphy, and listening to music, which was quite enjoyable.

This year, there were fewer people at home to pass the time with, so she couldn’t endure staying up long.

Even though there were dozens more servants than last year, the hierarchy was distinct, and they couldn’t engage freely with Lin Wanwan.

Once midnight passed, Lin Wanwan began to yawn repeatedly.

Though the exorcism troupe outside was still bustling, Lin Wanwan felt sleepy.

She gathered her books and said to Hong Yan and Yun Shang, who were attending to her, "It’s late at night, you should go rest too."

Yun Shang rubbed her eyes and said, "Mistress, I’m not sleepy, I will stay up with you."

Hong Yan nodded beside her, "Mistress, I’ll keep you company too."

Lin Wanwan stretched long and luxuriously, "It’s a new year after midnight, no need to stay up anymore, I’m going to rest too."

"Oh, then let us assist the mistress in washing up."

"Okay."

Lin Wanwan returned to her room to rest, but the palace lamps downstairs remained lit.

Tonight being New Year’s Eve, torches and candles burned all night, not just in Lin Wanwan’s house; every household in the village left their lights on.

For Lin Wanwan, New Year came twice; once the Great Tang New Year ended, after half a month back in the modern era, it was New Year’s Eve again.

However, tonight, she wouldn’t be traveling through time, instead she planned to have a good sleep and greet the first ray of sunlight of the New Year in the Great Tang.

Perhaps thinking of that sea sunrise scenery, Lin Wanwan suddenly woke up early in the morning.

She reached for the mechanical watch hidden in her bedside compartment to check the time; it was already 5:50 AM.

Since the Great Tang lacked an observatory to broadcast sunrise times, and there was no one in the Lin family with astronomical knowledge, she wasn’t sure exactly when sunrise would be.

A thousand years later in Yongcheng, the sunrise time in this month was around six to seven o’clock, so it should be about the same for the Great Tang under the same latitude.

At this time, the noise on the village paths had quieted down; most of the clan members, after a night of revelry, had returned home to catch up on sleep.

Lin Wanwan got up, donned the New Year outfit made for her by the maids, and quietly opened her room door, guided by the light outside.

Hong Yan, who was sleeping on the night shift couch outside, perhaps because of staying up too late last night, was still sound asleep; Lin Wanwan’s movements didn’t wake her.

However, little Yan from the sleepless Xingluo vigil outside, with her keen ears, heard the sounds of Lin Wanwan moving around.

Soon after, the door to the outer room was opened.

Lin Wanwan was very used to seeing little Yan standing outside. These young women, for Lin Wanwan’s safety, insisted on the all-night "night shift."

What boss wouldn’t appreciate such loyal and dedicated spirit?

"You’ve stayed up all night, hurry and get some rest."

"I’m not tired, I’ll rest after the shift changes at dawn."

Lin Wanwan said, "No need, go rest. What could possibly happen at Lin Family Manor? Outsiders can’t get in."

And indeed, because of the terrain and the difficult mountain road, entering Lin Family Manor meant either risking the danger of mountain crossing or taking the village road Lin Wanwan built.

Lin Wanwan’s residence, being in a more internal plot of the village, would require passing through a large part of the village, and the village lookout was established at a workshop; it wouldn’t go unnoticed.

But little Yan, having undergone rigorous training with the Xingluo members, regards staying up all night as minor training to enhance her inner strength, so it wasn’t hard for her.

Lin Wanwan’s concern still warmed her heart, because no matter how trained she was since childhood, she was still just a girl under twenty.

"Thank you for your concern, Mistress, but I’m really not tired."

Ironically, when it feels safest, that’s often when something unexpected happens, so little Yan wouldn’t go to sleep prematurely.

Once it was bright, she could switch shifts safely, there’s no need to rush a few moments.

Since the other party insisted on continuing her vigil, Lin Wanwan let her be.

The people of the Great Tang, always so earnest, all dedicated workers who don’t know how to slack off, refusing even rest.

But actually, this was a misunderstanding of Lin Wanwan’s; there were plenty of slaves and servants in wealthy households slacking off, embezzling money, and using influence for personal gain.

Some had been slaves and servants for generations, forming their own circles, even to the point of slaves oppressing the masters.

However, the workforce around Lin Wanwan was assembled within the last two years, without roots or background, relying solely on one master.

Coupled with Lin Wanwan’s compensation, though standard, the provisions matched those of nobility.

Just the basic toiletries—soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and pure cotton face towels—surpassed what other nobles offered.

Thus she inadvertently practiced "high salary to resist corruption," a "priceless loyalty" approach.

In such circumstances, naturally, the servants were devoted.

Being the first generation following the founder’s start-up, it’s always easiest to be passionate and zealous.

After Lin Wanwan finished washing up, she ate a bowl of barley lily fish glue, and soon Xiao Yixun came down.

This girl was always a light sleeper.

"Happy New Year, little Xun, come have some fish glue; let’s watch the New Year sunrise together later," Lin Wanwan greeted with a smile.

Xiao Yixun replied indifferently with a simple "Hmm," and walked over gracefully. Despite her calm exterior, her inner self was likely cheering.

This little girl had a classic case of being outwardly cold but inwardly warm towards Lin Wanwan.

The two quickly finished their bowls of barley lily fish glue, wrapped themselves in brand-new ermine capes, and headed toward the sea cliff side by side.

Following them were their respective maids, one mute, the other accustomed to silence, and both very quiet with low presence.

The village was lit up everywhere with torches, full of light. Though it was dawn, it wasn’t deserted, with quite a few people playing cards and drinking to stay awake.

Approaching the seashore, a familiar tall silhouette suddenly caught Lin Wanwan’s eye.

Though the sea was engulfed in darkness, the silhouette was so distinct that even with only its outline visible, Lin Wanwan wouldn’t mistake it.

"Cousin..."

Xiao Chong had already noticed them approaching, gazing at the sea without turning back. Upon hearing Lin Wanwan’s voice, he finally turned around and greeted, "Cousin, Happy New Year."

Lin Wanwan and Xiao Yixun returned the greeting, and the former stepped forward, saying, "Cousin, when did you arrive?"

"Not long ago, I recalled how beautiful the sea sunrise is here and came to see."

Getting closer, Lin Wanwan caught the scent of alcohol on his body.

"Cousin, have you been drinking again?"

Xiao Chong chuckled carefree, "It’s New Year’s Eve; indulgence is allowed."