I traveled back to the Qin Dynasty, and the First Emperor begged me to become his empress.

Chapter 279 Pasting Couplets

Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, and this will be Ying Wuyou's second New Year in the Qin Dynasty. He still vividly remembers last year's wonderful performance of harmony between the ruler and the people, which is still talked about and passed down among the people of Qin. This year, Ying Wuyou hasn't interfered much with the various arrangements for the New Year, since simply following last year's methods will ensure no mistakes. Such a cushy job would naturally attract many eager participants.

At dawn, Ying Wuyou slowly awoke. She strolled into the courtyard, gazing at the withered branches and the quiet yard, and couldn't help but feel a pang of unease: Why does it feel like something is missing from the festive atmosphere of the New Year? To truly experience the New Year, one must put up bright red couplets, set off a string of firecrackers, wear brand-new and beautiful clothes, make dumplings together as a family, sit together to stay up all night, give the children lucky red envelopes, and visit the neighbors to exchange New Year's greetings! Only then can it be considered a lively and prosperous New Year.

Thinking of this, Ying Wuyou suddenly remembered the matter of pasting up Spring Festival couplets. Just a few days ago, she had instructed her servants to prepare a large quantity of red paper. Nowadays, paper has been widely promoted and popularized in the Qin Dynasty, and it has become increasingly delicate and refined, long since becoming an indispensable part of people's daily lives. Especially when Ying Wuyou suggested having these papers dyed with vibrant colors, it attracted the attention of many officials in the court. When everyone saw the brightly colored red paper with their own eyes, they were all greatly surprised, their joy overflowing.

Ignoring the suggestions and ingenious ideas others had for improving the paper, Ying Wuyou happily took the large roll of red paper back to Chaohua Palace. Upon returning, she eagerly summoned her brothers and sisters, including Ying Gaoshan, and they sat together to prepare for writing couplets.

Although Ying Wuyou has been diligently practicing calligraphy for the past two years, her extremely busy daily life has left her with very little time to truly focus on her practice. Therefore, her calligraphy skills are not particularly outstanding; they can only be described as average.

Fortunately, with the active participation of Ying Gaoshan and others, the process of writing the couplets progressed extremely quickly. The couplets were all common pairs that Ying Wuyou had the system look up for him.

While others were writing couplets, Ying Wuyou enthusiastically wielded his brush, writing many "Fu" (福, meaning good fortune) characters. Initially, Ying Gaoshan and the others found Ying Wuyou's idea of ​​posting couplets and "Fu" characters quite novel and interesting. However, when they witnessed those bright red couplets and "Fu" characters neatly pasted on the door, they instantly felt a strong festive atmosphere wash over them.

Finding the act of pasting couplets quite interesting, the group swarmed towards the unpainted ones. They were all eager and impatient, their eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation. For a moment, the scene was as lively as a bustling market.

Before long, the Chaohua Palace where Ying Wuyou was located was filled with bright red couplets, resembling a sea of ​​red from afar, adding a festive atmosphere to the already magnificent palace. However, when people saw the few remaining couplets, they seemed to suddenly realize something, and everyone's eyes became anxious.

Ying Gaoshan was the first to act, nimbly rushing towards the pile of couplets. The others, not to be outdone, followed suit. A fierce struggle ensued! Some clung tightly to a stack of couplets, refusing to let go, while others tried to snatch their desired pair from others. Amidst the chaos, exclamations and laughter could be heard intermittently.

Finally, after a thrilling scramble, Ying Wuyou successfully snatched two couplets. Although the number was small, she was still overjoyed, as there were very few couplets left. Looking at the others, most had also gained something; some had grabbed three, while others had only managed one. However, everyone's faces were beaming with smiles, clearly satisfied with the outcome of this "battle."

After snatching the couplets, the group carefully clutched them to their chests as if they were precious treasures, then hurried back to their palaces. Ying Wuyou did the same; she held the two couplets in her hands and walked briskly towards Madam Wang's courtyard. Along the way, she was in an exceptionally cheerful mood, humming a lighthearted tune. Although she had only managed to grab two couplets this time, she knew in her heart that it wasn't because she hadn't tried hard enough, but rather because the number of red paper prepared was simply too limited to meet everyone's needs.

Carrying the two couplets and a few carefully selected "Fu" (good fortune) characters, Ying Wuyou hurried towards Madam Wang's courtyard. From afar, Madam Wang saw Ying Wuyou approaching and a surge of joy welled up within her. As Ying Wuyou drew nearer, she greeted him with a broad smile, her gaze naturally falling on what Ying Wuyou was carrying. Curious, she asked, "Jiayang, what are you carrying?"

Ying Wuyou smiled and replied softly, “Mother, these are couplets! You see, the New Year is almost here, and putting up couplets will make it more lively and festive! So I specially brought you two couplets.” After saying that, she showed the couplets to Madam Wang.

Madam Wang carefully examined the two couplets. The calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, the ink rich and dark, and the bright red paper made them exceptionally beautiful. She nodded in approval, saying, "Yes, these couplets are very exquisite and beautiful!"

As they spoke, Ying Wuyou skillfully directed the servants to paste the couplets. She checked every now and then to see if they were aligned, then looked at the other side to make sure they were pasted correctly, busy as a bee. Madam Wang stood quietly to the side, watching with eyes full of satisfaction. In no time, the couplets were neatly pasted on both sides of the door frame.

Ying Wuyou turned around, took Madam Wang's hand, and introduced with great interest: "Mother, this couplet is not only beautiful on the outside! It also has a wonderful meaning. It symbolizes that the new year will be auspicious and smooth, and that the days to come will be as prosperous and thriving as this fiery red color!"

After listening to Ying Wuyou's vivid explanation, Madam Wang felt even more that the couplet was very festive and made people feel happy. She couldn't help but smile.

The atmosphere in the entire palace suddenly became lively and extraordinary because of the couplets that Ying Gaoshan and his companions brought back. The bright red paper, the elegant handwriting, and the perfectly matched phrases decorated every palace with a festive air, as if even the air itself was filled with a strong holiday spirit.

However, all this noise and bustle seemed to have no effect on Ying Wuyou, who was focused on putting up the last couplet and a large "福" (good fortune) character for Lady Wang's palace. After completing her task, Ying Wuyou chatted with Lady Wang for a while, then turned and walked towards her own residence, Chaohua Palace.

Along the way, palace maids bustled about, preparing for the upcoming celebration, but Ying Wuyou's mind was elsewhere. As she stepped into Chaohua Palace, she was captivated by the beautiful scenery before her—the setting sun, like a magnificent painting, slowly slid down from the horizon. The orange-red afterglow bathed the palace.

Gazing at the setting sun, Ying Wuyou couldn't help but softly recite: "The sunset is infinitely beautiful, but it's nearing dusk."