Chapter 135 Before New Year's Eve (rewritten)

The next morning, a thin layer of sunlight shone on the steps.

There seems to be some slight movement inside the house.

Dao, Qin, Jian, and Shu had already prepared their toiletries and were waiting outside. However, when they heard them, they didn't dare to go in because they didn't know if Xie Wei had already woken up.

Until I heard someone suddenly ask inside, "What time is it?"

Jianshu replied, "At the moment of Chen Zheng."

After a moment of silence inside, he said, "Come in."

===Kunning Section 177===

When Xie Wei opened his eyes early in the morning, he only felt the light shining through the window paper that day, and his eyes were blurry. I raised my hand and sat up on my forehead, only to realize that I had slept until dawn.

The cold candle has run out, and there is some residual warmth in the room.

Looking into the corner, the Emei table was quietly placed as if no one had moved it.

When Jian Shu and Dao Qin entered, he had already stood up and only asked, "When did Ning Er leave last night?"

Jian Shu said, "Around the hour of Hai."

Xie Wei was silent again, but he didn't say anything at last. He just changed his clothes, washed and used some Congee.

After the Tianjiao Rebellion was quelled, I stayed in Tongzhou for two days and prepared for the follow-up matters before setting off to return to Beijing. Unfortunately, there was a heavy snowfall yesterday evening, covering the ground. The people below reported that the official road from Tongzhou to the capital had been buried by heavy snow and falling rocks, and it was still being cleaned up. They were afraid that it would not be possible to travel for a day or two. In addition, Zhang Zhe, Xiao Ye, and most of the surviving soldiers were injured. After hearing the following report, Xie Wei ordered to stay in Tongzhou for two days.

Officials of all sizes were informed yesterday that people had arrived in the capital, and today they all took the opportunity to pay their respects.

Originally, at the entrance of a pure Shangqing Temple, there were cars and horses like flowing water, so lively.

*

Jiang Xuening sneaked out of Xie Weifang's house last night, intending to take a look at Zhang Zhe. However, as she passed by his door, she saw that the lights and candles were out and it was pitch black. She also thought that he had been running around tirelessly for days and should have had a good night's sleep, so she couldn't bear to disturb him.

As soon as she woke up the next day, she went to look for it.

Zhang Zhe's complexion naturally improved compared to yesterday, but he was accustomed to being silent. The two of them had already escaped danger and were no longer in a situation where they could engage in rights and mutual dependence on each other on the road. Therefore, Jiang Xuening was quick witted and didn't know what to say to this sullen gourd. Zhang Zhe also adhered to etiquette, not to mention having a doctor's advice to rest well. Jiang Xuening couldn't disturb him too much, so he had to take a look in the morning and at night.

I don't know how Zhang Zhe thinks.

She felt very satisfied with herself, but she didn't seem homesick at all. She was always happy and had a smile on her face, and anyone who saw her in the Shangqing Temple felt comfortable.

It's just that the heavens are not beautiful.

Officials from Tongzhou made a fuss and came to pay their respects for two days. Xie Wei also started to prepare for the aftermath of the battle to eradicate the Heavenly Cult and discussed several times with Xiao Yuan. He was planning to leave.

The New Year is approaching.

If the journey is faster, everyone should be able to go home before the festival.

Unexpectedly, on the third morning, it snowed heavily again, and news came from the post station that the mountain path that had collapsed a few days ago had collapsed again. It was snowmelt that had converged into a torrent a few days ago and was washed away, still unable to leave.

Jiang Xuening sat by the window, supporting herself with her hands. After listening to Xiao Bao's message, she couldn't help but say, "Do you also stay in Tongzhou during the Chinese New Year?"

Xiao Bao changed the hot tea for her and said, "Listen to what Mr. means, it's probably true."

Jiang Xuening frowned.

Xiaobao said, "Duke Xiao and his companions can't leave either. A few days ago, we discussed with our master and said that on New Year's Eve, we would hold a banquet at a restaurant to reward our soldiers and comfort everyone's longing. If you feel homesick and panicked, you can also join the fun then?"

Homesick?

Jiang Xuening sneered lightly.

She doesn't miss home.

When others celebrate the Chinese New Year, they naturally have to go home.

A large group of people sat together in circles, even though they had some disputes and fights in their daily lives, they all let go on such good days. Saying auspicious words to each other, setting off firecrackers, eating rice cakes, watching the New Year, hoping for a better year, is a rare and warm day in the world.

But for her, it becomes increasingly desolate.

When we used to be in the countryside with Wanniang, most of the rough farmers in the mountains and countryside looked down on Wanniang's background. Although they came from wealthy families and had some requests for Wanniang, they secretly gave her a lot of favor.

Wanniang also disdains dealing with rough people.

During the Chinese New Year, every household is lively and bustling, but Wanniang takes her with her as usual. She eats something casually and doesn't even observe the New Year, so she goes to bed and sleeps.

When she was young, she didn't know about this and didn't feel anything was wrong.

As I grew older, I started playing with the children in the village and talked to them before realizing that someone else's family was celebrating the Chinese New Year.

One year she went back to ask Wanniang.

Wanniang didn't even pay attention to her.

Another year during the Chinese New Year, she couldn't help but go with other children to someone else's house, have dinner, set off firecrackers, and when she was about to sneak home at night, she pushed open the door and found Wanniang sitting inside, who was supposed to go to sleep. She looked at her coldly and even locked her outside the door.

It was black and cold outside, and she was frightened.

She raised her hand and slammed hard on the door, crying and asking Wanniang why she didn't let herself in.

Wanniang still ignored.

She cried and tired, so she leaned against the door and fell asleep. The next morning, she had a fever, and Wanniang took her to see a doctor.

From then on, Jiang Xuening never dared to mention the Chinese New Year again.

She is really too scared.

Later on, when I returned to the Jiang Mansion, I would have a reunion dinner every New Year, but it seemed to have nothing to do with her. Looking at flowers in the mist and the moon in the water, separated by a layer of unreality.

After all, she doesn't like Jiang Xuehui or Meng Shi.

Can it be enjoyable for everyone to not see each other on weekdays, but have to add obstacles to each other during the Chinese New Year?

As for later arriving in the palace

That's even more boring.

On New Year's Eve, banquets are given, and the court and the public attend to the etiquette of the monarchs and ministers. The concubines compete for excellence, and even on happy days, everyone is calculating with each other. What's the point?

Moreover, not everyone from all walks of life comes to the New Year's Eve banquet.

Some officials are too low to come.

There are also some who can come but don't come by themselves.

For example, Xie Wei, who was already the current Grand Tutor at that time, almost fell ill every year and never arrived;

For example, Zhang Zhe, who refused to bring in oil and salt, always regarded the emperor's grace as nothing and apologized by offering sacrifices, saying that he would serve his mother at home.

So, Jiang Xuening has never seen Zhang Zhe on a day like New Year's Eve

With her fingers resting on the cold windowsill, Jiang Xuening's heart suddenly jumped and she turned to ask Xiaobao, "Where's Mr. Zhang?"

Xiaobao paused for a moment and said, "What?"

Jiang Xuening suddenly became nervous and said, "Mr. Zhang, won't he return to the capital for the Chinese New Year?"

Xiaobao only then realized what she was asking and replied, "The day before yesterday, someone asked about the snow and landslides in the road, and mentioned going back in the snow. However, the road was not clear and it was already dangerous. Besides, he still had injuries, and the doctor said he would have to take care of him for a few more days. Mr. Xie did not agree, only saying that if Mr. Zhang had an accident, no one could afford it."

Zhang Zhe also wants to celebrate the Chinese New Year early in Tongzhou.

A warm breath slowly gushed out from the bottom of her heart, and Jiang Xuening's fingers trembled along with it.

Xiao Bao asked, "Do you also want to go back?"

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xuening didn't hear anything and didn't move for a moment. After a while, she turned around and walked out without even holding an umbrella.

Xiaobao was startled and said, "What are you going to do?"

Jiang Xuening wanted to go out, but after walking a few steps, she realized that she didn't even know the way to Tongzhou city. She turned around and said, "Is there a good restaurant in Tongzhou? How can I get there? Where is it?"

Xiao Bao: "..."

Jiang Xuening's originally dull face seemed to have been lit up, and with this radiant radiance, she smiled and said, "You take me there."

Xiaobao didn't understand what she wanted to do.

Ke Jianshu, the young master, has instructed him to take good care of Jiang Er and not to make the same mistakes as before.

He dare not let Jiang Xuening wander around the city alone.

Although she was full of suspicion at the moment, she had no choice but to take the umbrella and accompany her.

At this time, the big restaurants in the city had not yet closed down, and some good chefs would go to help some wealthy families make meals during the Chinese New Year. Jiang Mansion always invites the chefs from the Moon Tower to make a good table in the mansion during holidays and festivals.

Jiang Xuening knew about this and directly asked Xiao Bao to lead the way.

I saw some shops still open on the road, mostly selling New Year's goods. When I saw her a few days ago, she wasn't very interested, but this time she stopped and looked carefully. She even bought a few red lanterns, a small lucky bag embroidered with the word "fu", a good seal on one side, and went to the silver bank to exchange a gold and silver ingot that was cast into auspicious patterns such as blessings, melons, and fruits.

Xiaobao watched from the side, pondering who she seemed to be planning to celebrate the Chinese New Year for.

The two of them delayed on the way for a while before arriving at the best Four Seas Restaurant in the city for cooking.

When asked the shopkeeper, it was indeed possible to invite the cook.

It's just that the price is not low.

It doesn't cost much to buy a lantern lucky bag, but there are quite a few seals and gold and silver ingots. Jiang Xuening picked up the remaining silver in her hand and frowned, "One hundred taels, how could it be so expensive?"

The shopkeeper was kind and explained to her, "To be honest, the osmanthus wine in this building is famous, and the usual price is not cheap. There are only a few jars left this year. Other chefs have also been invited to other places for a long time, and the one left behind is Master Xu, the head chef of our building. He was originally planning to go back to warm up the kang for his wife and children, but when the business arrived at the door, he naturally did not refuse to offer a higher price. If you can afford this price, I will help you negotiate a deal."

One hundred taels is not a big deal for Jiang Xuening.

I used to spend it without blinking an eye.

She could tell at a glance that the shopkeeper was taking advantage of the opportunity to raise prices and kill strangers, but for such a small amount of money, there was no need to haggle with him.

With a rolling expression in her eyes, she said, "That's okay. But I don't have so much silver on me. Look, I have these twenty taels left in my hand and I'll pay you a deposit. The rest will be sent to Shangqing for observation later, and I'll stay there. I'll also make the New Year's Eve banquet there."

The shopkeeper suddenly gave her a surprised look.

The news has spread throughout the city, and there has been a big event happening at the Shangqing Temple. These days, I have been watching the official sedan chairs coming and going in front of the temple. Nowadays, those who live in Shangqing Temple are by no means ordinary people.

He immediately showed respect to Jiang Xuening and quickly agreed.

Xiaobao looked at it, hesitating to speak.

After leaving the restaurant, Jiang Xuening asked him, "Why is this expression on your face?"

Xiao Bao said, "It's too expensive. Besides, where do you have so much money?"

You should know that the money Jiang Xuening has now is the one hundred taels he gave earlier, which was entrusted to him by his husband, and he doesn't have much on him either. Just now, Jiang Xuening agreed to that price with just one bite, it's simply

Anyway, Xiaobao thinks it's unreliable.

Jiang Xuening raised her eyebrows and smiled, rarely gaining some color: "No money? Miss, I have plenty of money!"

She put the seal in her hand and put all the gold, silver, and rhymes into her lucky bag. She placed them heavily in her sleeve and hid them, so that no one could see them. She then walked briskly back to Shangqing Temple.

These days, Xie Wei hasn't even asked her to learn the piano.

I heard it's because things are busy.

After all, there are too many officials from Tongzhou who have come to pay respects, so I'm sure I can't spare time to train her. And a few days ago, this young master claimed that he was sick, contracted a cold, and did not see outsiders.

Jiang Xuening knew immediately that this was an excuse.

===Kunning Section 178===

A single arrow can pierce a person's shoulder, how could he be a weak scholar who falls ill every winter?

I think it's just lazy to socialize with officials like Tongzhou.

As soon as she returned to Shangqing Temple, she made an unprecedented move towards Xie Wei's courtyard.

Jianshu had just brought out the removed cold tea and saw her as if she had seen a ghost: "Why did Miss Er come?"

Jiang Xuening coughed and looked at the tightly closed door behind him. She lowered her voice and asked, "Did you sleep, sir?"

This looks a bit sneaky.

Jianshu hesitated for a moment and said, "I've fallen asleep. Do you want to see me?"

"No, no, no, no..."

Are you joking? Jiang Xuening doesn't want to take the initiative to seek death!

She raised her hand and pulled the sword book aside.

"I'll tell you that."

Jian Shu saw her lifeless hand tugging at his sleeve, his eyelids twitched, and a chill surged in his heart as he said, "Speak up, don't do anything."

The big man is so stingy!

Jiang Xuening didn't think deeply either. She put down her hand and put on a very kind expression, saying, "You must have money with you when you come out with your husband? Give me a thousand or eight hundred taels of envoy."

Just give a thousand or eight hundred taels of envoys

The corners of Jianshu's mouth twitched and he said, "You..."

Jiang Xuening said in a timely manner, "You know that!"

Jian Shu said, "What do I know?"

Jiang Xuening knew that Sword, Book, Sword, Sword, and Qin were all confidants of Xie Wei. Both of them had a clear understanding of Xie Wei's affairs, so she crossed her hips and said, "Your husband still owes me tens of thousands of silver. It's not too much for me to ask for a thousand or eight hundred taels, is it? I think your husband has contracted a cold and his health is not good, so it's not easy to disturb him. You gave it to me, and I'll tell him later."

"..."

Jianshu was afraid that he would be beaten to death by his own master if he promised to come back, but the master in front of him was really a bit special. He didn't dare to refuse, which made him hesitate.

Jiang Xuening urged him, "Otherwise, I'll go and disturb your master!"

Judging from their usual demeanor, they don't seem to dare to disturb Xie Wei casually.

She felt that she could easily get a sum of money that belonged to her.

Unexpectedly, Sword Book Youyou stared at her for a while and said, "Then you go."

Jiang Xuening: "..."

Is this still the sword book I know? There seems to be something wrong!

She was stunned.

Jianshu turned around to knock on the door and said, "I will pass on the message for you now."

Jiang Xuening was startled and quickly went to pull him, saying, "Don't worry, what are you doing?"

At this moment, the tightly closed door opened with a creaking sound.

Xie Wei stood behind the door, wearing a light robe and a slender figure. His hand was still resting on the edge of the door, as if he had just stood up. His loose hair fell into a few strands on his snow-white collar, and his posture was a bit unusually lazy.

However, there was a clear chill between the eyebrows and eyes.

His gaze fell on the two people in front of the door, and then on Jiang Xuening's hand, which was still holding the sword book's arm.

Jiang Xuening didn't feel anything about it.

Upon seeing Jian Shu with this glance, his cold hair stood up on his back, almost as if walking in front of the Yan Wang Hall. He quickly pulled his hand back and bowed, saying, "Sir, Miss Ning Er just..."

Xie Wei said calmly, "I heard you."

Jiang Xuening's neck suddenly cooled down.

Looking up at Xie Wei, although his face was a bit pale, it didn't look like he had contracted a cold disease and couldn't come out for socializing. Suddenly, he took a break and muttered to himself, "Indeed, he's pretending.".

Xie Wei looked at her and said, "Want money?"

Jiang Xuening originally wanted to directly ask for Jianshu, but it is a fact that their husband owes him money, and there is no reason not to give it. Let them go back and tell Xie Wei that Xie Wei should not be stingy in seeking to argue with him.

Who would have thought he came out

She hesitated and said, "Yes, I heard the gentleman is sleeping, so I didn't dare to disturb him."

I heard he's sleeping?

Xie Wei knew that this little scammer was full of truth and was too lazy to expose her little trick of putting gold on his face. He smiled and asked her, "You really care about that little money. After all, what's the use of it?"

Jiang Xuening opened her mouth to speak, but before she could speak, her cheeks turned slightly red.

Xie Wei was originally smiling. Seeing her expression, the warmth in his eyes gradually dissipated. Although the smile on his lips was still there, it had lost the scent of being bathed in spring breeze just now. He actually saw through her and said, "For Zhang Zhe?"

She likes Zhang Zhe, and it's not a secret here with Xie Wei.

Jiang Xuening couldn't say it just now, it was just embarrassing.

But since Xie Wei had guessed everything, she became calm and thought that Xie Wei knew anyway. She raised her head and smiled, saying, "I can't hide it from you, sir. I think Mr. Zhang originally wanted to go home, but the road was blocked by heavy snow and he couldn't leave. He wanted to stay in Tongzhou for the Chinese New Year, so she wanted to plan well and have a lively atmosphere. Otherwise, he wouldn't go out on Chinese New Year's Eve and would be alone..."

"..."

Xie Wei saw her standing gracefully under the eaves, with a hint of joy in her eyes and eyebrows, like delicate flowers and buds on branches. Looking behind her, the snow in the courtyard that had not been cleaned in time was dazzling white.

His heart was filled with a chilling smile.

But his words remained gentle: "You're quite thoughtful."

Jiang Xuening thought he was praising himself and said happily, "So you agreed?"

Xie Wei smiled softly and said, "It's your money, I'll give it to you."