On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the maids in the Qiao family set off firecrackers at the entrance of Lucky Garden.
In previous years, Qiao Mai had refrained from setting off firecrackers to avoid scaring the horses in the house. However, with their mansion now bigger, it wouldn't disturb the animals.
To celebrate the festive occasion, she had instructed Shopkeeper Niu to arrange the purchase of a cart full of firecrackers. The red firecrackers continued to burst for a whole hour before stopping.
The one-acre snow-covered area in front of Lucky Garden was adorned with red firecracker wrappers, resembling a bright red carpet, instantly uplifting the spirits of those who saw it.
The children were dressed in new clothes and eagerly waited in the courtyard to pay their respects.
Qiao Mai had stayed up late the previous night, so she mustered the strength to get up and smiled as she saw several sets of new clothes by her bed.
