Chapter 137 Wanxing

Shangqing Temple is a Taoist temple, and there are naturally Taoist scriptures hidden within it.

The Daocanglou was originally used for collecting books.

It's just that it has been abandoned and occupied by the Heavenly Cult for a long time. No one goes to see that dilapidated Taoist scripture, and most of it has been snatched and burned in the stove. Now, it happens to have been opened up to set up a large banquet for Jiang Xuening.

A small building with two floors up and down.

The upper part is even somewhat dilapidated.

The mat was placed downstairs.

A fire had already been lit in the room, and a pot of flower carvings had been simmered. A table of good hot dishes had already been placed on a central round table. Since there is already an extra Xiao Dingfei to stir up trouble, this meal has become a real New Year's Eve dinner. Jiang Xuening simply told Xiao Bao not to leave and to stay and have some to eat.

Xiao Bao looked at her in surprise, but upon reflection, he did not refuse.

Xiao Dingfei had met Xiaobao before in the Tianjiao, and now he snorted a few words from his nose.

Jiang Xuening didn't hear clearly: "What are you saying?"

She was taking off her crane cloak and placing it on a nearby chair, while Zhang Zhe was collecting an umbrella outside.

Xiao Dingfei leaned over to her, his voice as soft as a mosquito: "You have to thank me."

Jiang Xuening raised her eyebrows and looked at him.

Xiao Dingfei could only cast his gaze at Zhang Zhe, who was about to turn around and walk in, without a smile, and the meaning was clear enough.

Jiang Xuening instinctively looked towards Zhang Zhe.

Just now on the road, Xiao Dingfei, who had not previously fought back at her, suddenly clumped up and threw the snow at Zhang Zhemen. She couldn't see it, but Zhang Zhe could see it.

Her eyes flickered slightly, and she understood.

What Xiao Dingfei means is that he did it intentionally just now.

Xiao Dingfei had already noticed that the girl, Bingxue, was a bit clever. He proudly raised his eyebrows and smiled, "How are you?"

Jiang Xuening changed her mind and smiled, "I'll cover you up in the capital."

What Xiao Ding insisted on was this sentence. He immediately smiled and didn't say much. When Zhang Zhe entered the door, he stepped back and stretched out lazily. He collapsed on the chair next to the round table as if he were boneless. He even picked up his chopsticks and started eating: "In order to eat this meal, I deliberately didn't eat at noon and left my stomach empty. Let me try how this cook is doing first!"

At first glance, this posture lacks any manners and is used to being arrogant outside, without any rules or taboos.

Xiaobao suddenly showed an indescribable expression.

Jiang Xuening felt it was true after seeing him like this. In her previous life, her favorite thing was sitting with Xiao Dingfei and indulging in a feast. Anything she ate, slept, or talked about was nothing but nonsense.

Unexpectedly, I could still encounter it in this life.

She didn't have much resentment and just said, "Let's be more casual too."

Originally, it was just a person in Tongzhou, where several people with deep or shallow friendships and vastly different identities sat together to have a New Year's Eve dinner. It was not the aristocratic families in the capital, let alone the strict rules of the imperial palace. There was no need to be too particular.

Jiang Xuening sat next to Zhang Zhe.

The pot of flower carvings had been simmering for a long time. Xiaobao picked it up and took it over. She first filled a cup for all four people and raised her glass, saying, "Everyone can be considered in trouble in Tongzhou, surrounded by wind and snow. Even if we meet by chance, we can still be considered destined. It's possible that we will become close friends in the future. In the auspicious and snowy year, I toast first!"

Xiao Dingfei particularly praised, "You said it well!"

Xiao Bao silently gave him a white eye.

Zhang Zhe lifted his eyes and met Jiang Xuening's sparkling eyes under the dim yellow light. He picked up the small cup of wine in front of him and gently touched her. Then he saw that her face was smiling and he drank with everyone.

Hua Diao was drinking hot, with a strong taste of alcohol, like a mellow warm current melting in the throat and moistening the lungs, making people feel that their whole body slowly warmed up, but it actually reduced the slight chill they had just felt outside.

Zhang Zhe is used to being quiet, so he doesn't speak much.

Xiao Dingfei is a familiar person, knowing that he will soon be going to the capital. If nothing unexpected happens, he may become the Crown Prince of Dingguo. His attitude towards the public is unprecedentedly good, and he has to ask about the layout of those aristocratic families in the capital, as if he is already preparing to enter the capital.

Jiang Xuening knew that such a bad embryo must be the nemesis of the Xiao family. She longed for this person to be like a fish in water in the capital. She wanted to see what the Xiao family looked like after seeing Xiao Dingfei. Of course, she knew everything and spoke freely, exposing all the old secrets of the aristocratic families in the capital to Xiao Dingfei.

Who said she was a queen in her previous life?

Sitting in a high position, you can see a lot of things. Although you don't need them at the moment, you can take them out for others to use.

Xiao Dingfei nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, as if he had already mistaken Jiang Xuening for a brother.

With him present, the meal was neither cold nor awkward.

Even Xiaobao sometimes couldn't help but interject and stab him when he heard too much of his flattery.

Xiao Ding doesn't mind either.

Who told him to know that Xiaobao is Xie Wei's person? And when others stab him with a few words and a lot of flesh, he can ignore the situation and just pass by.

Zhang Zhe has a bad tolerance for alcohol and doesn't drink much on weekdays.

When besieging the Heavenly Sect that day, due to the situation, I drank three large bowls and felt dizzy inside, but no one noticed it. Later, he was stabbed on the shoulder by someone, causing pain and waking up even when he was drunk.

Now he has been drinking several cups with me.

He tends to get drunk easily.

On that cold and solemn face, there was already a slight blush, but it was rare to reduce some of the usual stereotypes. The alcohol and drunkenness were tinged with coldness, and under the light and candles, his facial features were also upright, and his face was like a crown of jade.

Jiang Xuening glanced at the vegetables while eating, feeling startled and scared. However, she dared not look back, and even forgot what she had originally planned to talk to him.

She stood up with a glass of wine and said, "I want to toast Mr. Zhang with this glass of wine."

There was a moment of silence on the table.

Zhang Zhe and Xiao Dingfei are completely different. They are people who restrain themselves and abide by etiquette. Now they also hold a wine cup and stand up.

In this small room, two people stand opposite each other.

Xiao Dingfei had a strange smile on his face.

Jiang Xuening didn't look at anyone else, only at Zhang Zhe, and said with great seriousness, "I have come to Tongzhou through this dangerous journey. Thank you very much for your help all the way. Today, I only have one cup of thin wine in my seat. I can express my gratitude and hope you don't mind."

Zhang Zhedao said, "It's also Zhang's turn to thank Miss Er."

Of course, he was protecting Jiang Xuening in front, but in the chaos of swords and shadows behind him, if it weren't for Jiang Xuening bringing the soldiers from the government office, I'm afraid he would have died in the sword.

It's just that these words cannot be explicitly stated.

After all, there is also the involvement of the unintentional or intentional Master Xie in the middle.

Jiang Xuening brought people to save her that day, but was sternly questioned by him as to why she came back, and couldn't help feeling a bit aggrieved in her heart. I didn't expect Zhang Zhe to say such a sentence to her right now.

He knows, he remembers.

She didn't know if it was the few flower sculptures she had just drank that were boiling hot, or if her slightly damp eyes were even hotter at the moment. She quickly looked up and drank all the wine in the cups, hiding it.

Zhang Zhe looked at her silently, and also drank up a cup.

Xiao Dingfei sneered beside him, "Oh my, you two have said so deeply and sincerely. Those who know say you're having New Year's Eve dinner, while those who don't think you might think you're paying respects!"

This person always speaks without any obstruction.

Jiang Xuening frowned and said, "If you don't speak, no one will treat you as mute."

Xiao Dingfei said, "Haha, sit down quickly! Come on, I'll pour you some wine. It's boring just to eat and drink like this. How about everyone make a drink order?"

Speaking of which, he really poured wine for everyone.

After Zhang Zhe sat down, he felt a bit dazed.

The sound of setting off firecrackers came from afar in the quiet night.

He looked out the window.

The Daozang Tower is built in the mountains, with mud paths and mountain shadows outside. The ancient pine trees are piled up with snow, and the drifting snow is scattered from a high place, creating a profound and quiet atmosphere of night talk surrounded by a furnace in the snow.

Just

No matter how good the snow is, it will eventually melt.

Xiao Dingfei had already disregarded Xiao Bao's opposition and issued a drinking order. After turning around, it was Zhang Zhe's turn, but when he didn't want to look at Zhang Zhe, he saw Zhang sitting quietly at the table, silently looking out the window.

He shouted and Zhang Zhecai turned his gaze.

Xiao Dingfei was also very skilled in observing his words and expressions. He smiled and said, "It's rare to have a good holiday, but it seems that Mr. Zhang is in a daze and has something to remember."

Jiang Xuening also looked at Zhang Zhe.

Zhang Zhe lowered his gaze and slowly said, "It's snowy and cold at night, and the capital should be average. My mother lives alone in the old courtyard, but now Zhang is trapped in Tongzhou and unable to return home to serve. I feel guilty and worried."

Xiao Dingfei suddenly exclaimed, somewhat surprised.

Zhang Zhe's mother

Under the dim yellow light, in the cups held by Jiang Xuening's hand, the liquor suddenly shook, shattering a light and shadow. Her face seemed to have turned a little whiter and a little less bloody.

The house suddenly became very quiet.

Later, Xiao Dingfei broke the dull atmosphere with a smile and said several auspicious words to Zhang Zhe. He raised his glass and wished Zhang's mother in the capital good health and all the best.

Jiang Xuening became absent-minded.

I have forgotten even what I said later and what I ordered to drink, and my mind is filled with memories of my past life.

At night in the palace, she pulled Zhang Zhe's sleeve and begged him to help her; In the Kunning Palace, upon hearing of his defeat, he was falsely accused and imprisoned by Zhou Yinzhi and others; Then came the bad news from Zhang Zhe's home during the first snow season

That old woman, Jiang Xuening has never seen before.

Unexpectedly, despite being humble and in a difficult situation, the son who was raised was so pure and upright. He should be both a loving mother and a strict mother, a respectable good person.

She thought, when Zhang Zhe heard the bad news in his previous life in prison, would he look back on all the reasons and hate her?

She spent those days tormenting herself with fear and guilt.

The last death can be considered liberation.

Now I suddenly heard him mention his mother from Zhang Zhe's mouth, and Jiang Xuening's regrets in her previous life almost immediately flowed out, making her feel inferior.

Fortunately.

Everything can be redone.

She couldn't help but feel grateful for the gift from heaven, but no matter how much she tried to force a smile, this drink, a meal, after all, it was a bit tasteless to eat.

As the banquet was over and he was about to leave, Xiao Ding didn't know if he had any clue. After looking at her for a moment, he whispered, "Why is Miss Er also in a daze?"

Jiang Xuening did not answer.

Xiao Dingfei felt that he knew the new, new, and old group of people with a bit of affectation. He snorted softly, "You're too lazy to say that I'm too lazy to listen! I just want to tell you that there are fireworks set off at the Tongzhou Ferry at midnight, and the whole city is out to see."

After finishing speaking, he chuckled and turned around to walk outside.

When everyone comes together, they naturally return together.

When I passed by Xie Wei's small courtyard on my way back, I couldn't see Jian Shu's figure anymore, and the house was still pitch black.

Xiao Dingfei pulled Xiao Bao and said he had something to ask him, so he took a fork in the road first.

Jiang Xuening knew that this person was creating an opportunity for herself again, implying that she invited Zhang Zhe to go to the ferry to watch the fireworks. She was just holding things in her heart, and at this critical moment, she had all kinds of hesitation and timidity.

That rushing courage seemed to have been extinguished.

Until bidding farewell to Zhang Zhe, I couldn't say what I had originally prepared.

She walked back to her own house alone.

A thick layer of snow has already covered the steps.

Jiang Xuening walked up and raised her hand to push the door.

But the door frame had already been frozen cold, and at a touch, it was so cold that it startled her heart, making her originally chaotic head suddenly clear up——

What is she doing?

What is there to hesitate about?

Reviving one's life is about making up for the regrets of the previous life and avoiding those mistakes?

Since you want it, then go pursue it, then go beg for it. Being shy is not her style!

The lucky bag and purse that were previously prepared but not sent out were originally hidden in her sleeve, with some well intentioned melon fruit shaped gold and silver ingots inside. Jiang Xuening took it out and could clearly feel the thin piece of paper inside.

I will turn my heart to the bright moon.

Her chest suddenly boiled hot, and at this moment, she made up her mind not to even push the door. She quickly walked back along the long road, following the path that had not yet been covered by snow, and headed towards Zhang Zhe's residence.

The cold wind causes pain on the face.

She was completely numb.

But when they arrived in front of Zhang's shelter, it was pitch black inside, with no lights on or any noise.

Jiang Xuening couldn't help but be taken aback.

The round trip didn't take long, has Zhang Zhe already fallen asleep?

After hesitating for a moment, she reached out and gently knocked on the door, "Has Mr. Zhang fallen asleep?"

There was no sound inside.

The only response to her was the pitch black window frames and the sound of the wind blowing the cedars in the courtyard.

After a moment, Jiang Xuening gently knocked on the door again and said, "Is Mr. Zhang there?"

The door remained silent.

She thought to herself, Zhang Zhe was injured and his tolerance for alcohol was not good. Perhaps he had fallen asleep, right? Perhaps he was not in the room and was pulled by someone to reward the soldier with everyone.

Just a sudden emptiness in my heart.

Her eyebrows and eyes drooped, and she looked at the brocade bag in her palm, only saying that she was hesitant. She had hesitated before, so now she doesn't even have the opportunity to express her feelings in person.

But I have made up my mind and will not back out.

Jiang Xuening thought for a moment, then gently tied the brocade bag embroidered with the word "fu" to the small copper doorring on the left, hoping that he would see it tomorrow morning. Then she smiled and suppressed her nervousness. She looked outside the door for a while before turning back.

Three rows of footprints extended from the snow in the courtyard.

The snow has accumulated thick on the branches, pressing down on them and falling softly.

Suddenly, there was a scream in the dark blue night sky.

On the other side of the city, towards the ferry crossing, brilliant and beautiful fireworks rose into the sky, exploding with a loud bang, shining brightly.

Zhang Zhe leaned back against the door leaf, bent his legs and sat on the cold ground, listening to the footsteps outside the door and disappearing. Outside the semi open window, the light of fireworks shone in, spreading on his cold and defined face, and falling into his dark eyes, only reflecting a remnant of ashes after being burned.