Chapter 253: Clear Day, Chapter 229: Spring Arrives, Friends Return

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

On New Year's Eve, there was naturally no curfew; the entire Jingji region was woven into a giant lantern in the night, with streets as lantern frames and lantern skins painted with the bustling scenes of the marketplace.

Among them, a peddler carrying a pole called out, "Selling cured belly slices! Sun-dried, salted through, chewy and warming, great with wine!" A group of children chasing each other with lanterns ran toward him head-on; the peddler hurriedly twisted to dodge and shooed them, "Go, go, go..." The next moment, hearing drumbeats approaching, the peddler looked up toward the direction the children were running from.

Soon, that group of children was caught by the parents chasing after them, either like a squealing civet snatched by the nape or like a startled rabbit lifted by both ears; no matter how they flapped and struggled, they were no longer allowed to run wild and were all detained by the roadside to await the procession.

For the approaching drumbeats were the Wunü team exorcising demons in the city.

Exorcising demons by shamans on New Year's Eve was a set custom. But due to frequent shamanic curses in recent years, the emperor was suspicious and guarded, so matters related to shamans in Jingji were no longer conducted as flamboyantly as before.

Until this year, when the supremely divine Great Witch God appeared out of nowhere, and all shamans welcomed a heaven-sent turning point. The officials in charge of such affairs had always known how to read the wind; tonight's exorcism was especially grand, with a long Wunü team occupying the main street, its end invisible at a glance.

Bolstered by the existence of the Great Witch God, the shamans, under the reverent and enthusiastic welcome of the common people along the way, danced more freely, chanted more powerfully, and held firmer resolve; beneath their masks, pairs of eyes sparkled like stars, displaying awe-inspiring dignity, full of determination and confidence to expel demons and eliminate evil for the world.

At this time and scene, under gods and ghosts all living beings were equal; wherever the procession passed, no one could seize the path, and crowds and carriages all gave way.

The carriage driven by the house slave also fell into congestion for a moment. Shaowei disliked being trapped waiting, and the lively sounds outside the carriage stirred her interest, so she took two masks, one for herself and one for A Jie.

Both masks were ordinary blue ghost masks, mass-produced tools kept by the house slave inside the carriage; whenever necessary, he and his accomplices could at any time become God's Messengers to kill and set fires.

Shaowei took A Jie and jumped down from the carriage, tossing the two masks casually to the house slave and Mo Li. Mo Li, who had long smelled various fragrances, quickly put on a mask and followed. The house slave also subconsciously did the same, but just as he jumped down from the driver's seat and looked back at the carriage, he felt it was half good and half bad: bad because the carriage could not be left unattended, good because he did not like crowding into the liveliness.

The house slave sat back down. Deng Hu, who followed behind with a sense of mission and competitiveness, closely trailing the house slave whose carriage skills were profound and tricky all the way, now hurriedly informed the people inside the carriage that Jiang Jun had gotten off to play.

Liu Qi also got down from the carriage. The Crown Prince's carriage had already been changed after leaving the palace, and his robe and cloak were common attire, but as soon as he got down, before his gaze could catch up with the person he wanted to find, he was surrounded by many gazes, men and women, old and young.

Since returning to the capital, Liu Qi had never appeared publicly on such a lively street. His already striking appearance had now lost half its gloom, showing even more radiant brows and eyes, skin like moonlight, even more suited to the world's aesthetic taste. Suddenly appearing now, it was as if the moon hidden on New Year's Eve had fallen into the crowd.

Under many gazes, a figure wearing a ghost mask led another woman also wearing a ghost mask and ran over. The former, without a word, grabbed the arm of the one being watched, and the three of them, with clothes fluttering, quickly left.

Passing a stall selling masks, Shaowei spotted a White Ze mask among them and immediately picked it up.

The stall owner demanded a sky-high price. Qing Wu, who managed the money bag, was greatly surprised and haggled in a low voice. Her voice was not loud, but her posture was very firm. The stall owner keenly discerned she was a capable household manager, so he backed down, reducing the fivefold markup in Qing Wu's eyes to threefold. Qing Wu wanted to haggle further, but then thought that setting up a stall during the festival was also hard work, so she did not use her trump card of pretending to snatch the mask back from Shaowei, and reluctantly nodded and paid.

Shaowei, who had waited quietly the whole time, saw that A Jie's exchange with the person was over, then turned and handed the mask to Liu Qi.

Just as she made the motion to hand it over, Liu Qi had already put his hands behind his back, slightly bent over, stepped forward, brought his face close, and smiled gently with his eyes.

Shaowei glared slightly for a moment, but also tied the mask on for him.

Liu Qi quietly looked at the person before him. She took every big and small matter seriously. Her eyes were round and bright, her breath was steady. I don't know what preserved fruit she had eaten in the carriage; her breath carried a hint of fresh sweetness. Under the lamps, the fine vellus hair on her face was clearly visible, looking prickly and warm.

The only bad thing was that she moved too fast, quickly tying the mask for him. Fortunately, she did not immediately turn around, but spoke to him at close range.

She was not a person of many words; most of the time she was used to expressing herself through actions. Today, from waving to him from the carriage to follow, to pulling him over, buying him a mask to wear, until now did she speak her first words, but it was to tell him: "During the exorcism, I recited the incantation many times in my heart: words not exceeding the heart, the curse leaves no trace, do not bind this place, do not deceive wronged souls."

Liu Qi stared blankly at the eyes beneath the ghost mask and asked softly: "Was it when going to Jiaofang Dian?"

Shaowei nodded with an "en" sound, then heard the crowd excitedly shouting "Arrived, arrived," and pulled A Jie, who must not be lost, to join the fun.

Liu Qi stood in place for a moment. Fire smoke swirled in the air, reddening the corners of his eyes and warming his heart. He quickly followed, grabbing Shaowei's free hand. Taking advantage of the crowded people, masks, and wide sleeves, they held hands openly and yet extremely secretly.

The Wunü team was approaching. Since entering the capital, Shaowei had been acting as a shaman all day; today watching other shamans in the capital gave her a different feeling. Seeing Qing Wu also curiously tiptoeing, Shaowei used two parts of her strength, holding A Jie with her right hand and dragging Liu Qi behind with her left, squeezing to the very front of the crowd.

The leading great shaman performed rituals with a ritual spear along the way to exorcise demons. Perhaps because he saw Shaowei wearing a ghost mask and standing straight without reverence, this great shaman suddenly spread his arms, bowed two steps, and jumped toward Shaowei. His mask was ferocious, making a threatening gesture to drive away. The two shamans beside him also jumped near with torches at the same time.

Qing Wu was startled and immediately retreated to dodge. Liu Qi had originally been protecting Shaowei from her rear side. As Qing Wu retreated, both of Shaowei's arms were pulled backward, like a frightened civet pressing its ears back, but the civet itself did not move.

The great shaman, seeing this, wanted to drive her away again. The two pressed-back "civet ears" seemed to turn into wings, forcibly taking the civet away.

Under an ordinary ghost mask, the Great Witch God was actually driven away. Qing Wu laughed and cried helplessly. Liu Qi sighed under the mask: "This is truly a flood that washed away the Dragon King Temple."

Shaowei was unwilling to accept it, but not to the point of getting angry because of it. She had just stood still because in that instant, an illusion arose that she had been discovered—as if beneath this ghost mask still hid a ghost from her previous life, to be driven away by this heaven and earth.

Or perhaps she had not yet survived the day of the calamity death from her previous life. Shaowei occasionally looked toward the direction of that mountain forest. Day after day of thinking, yesterday she even dreamed that the arrow aimed at Ming Dan in Xian Tai Gong was stabbing toward herself. The assassin who shot the arrow committed suicide on the spot, leaving no clues to pursue. To this day, it is unknown who instigated it, someone who feared the world would not be chaotic.

Heavenly secrets in a sense symbolize national fortune. It is not surprising that there are people who want to eliminate heavenly secrets. Shaowei usually also guarded against it, waiting left and right, but no one appeared to make a move... Or perhaps various parties saw the situation was decided and dared not force it anymore.

The boiling liveliness diluted Shaowei's clueless thoughts. She took one last look at the gradually receding God and Ghost procession, then heard Mo Li, who had taken a fancy to several foods ahead, call out to the Young Master.

Shaowei only agreed to buy Mo Li one sugar cake and a few ounces of dried meat; nothing else was allowed. Since entering the capital, Shaowei had resolved to seriously support the family and the civet. Since they would go to Lu Hou Fu to eat the New Year's feast later, she had to reasonably plan Mo Li's stomach.

Going to Lu Hou Fu to spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day was the result of Lu Hou, who had been recuperating for over two months, being pushed by his granddaughter to show weakness and lean on his waist in front of her.

Jiang Fu was picked up early in the morning by a carriage sent by Lady Shentu, accompanied by two child workers, Xiao Yu and Que Er.

The house slave was not used to joining such liveliness. He had originally planned to just deliver the children as usual. However, thinking of this hard-won reunion festival, a bit of human nature wanting to participate stirred within him. But he was too embarrassed to act out of character. Fortunately, the children actively forced him, and Shaowei pushed him into the Hou Mansion gate without asking.

The mansion, hung with lanterns and decorations, became even more lively the moment Shaowei stepped in. The servants smiled and welcomed her, running to report.

Originally, Qing Wu's mother and father were also invited today, but this couple, who had been drifting about, were still in the stage of calming their spirits and had not yet adapted to Chang'an's splendor. The couple were very down-to-earth; even though the nobles in Lu Hou Fu were all kind, they inevitably felt restrained. They would rather use the festival to carefully arrange their own home and cultivate a sense of belonging before feeling at ease.

To show sincerity, they sent their daughter, who originally liked to cling to Shaowei, to "socialize." Shaowei had already promised to personally send A Jie home after New Year's Eve, not delaying the New Year's Day celebration the next day.

Arriving at the front hall, Shaowei saw that the Yan father and son were also there.

These two were obviously actively coming to mooch off the festival and mooch off the meal. Yan Xiang had not expected to see the heir apparent under such circumstances. As they looked at each other, a tacit understanding seemed to arise.

Lu Hou, who outwardly claimed to still be recuperating, was radiant. He energetically ordered servants to bring a large box of exorcism money and distributed it lavishly.

Among the juniors, naturally his own granddaughter came first. Having previously listened to his daughter and wife's suggestion, Lu Hou prepared seventeen money bags filled with exorcism money for his granddaughter. Shaowei hugged a full armful at once.

Afterward came Liu Qi, who followed Shaowei up and knelt with Lu Hou and his wife and Feng Zhu. Lu Hou reluctantly found him pleasing to the eye, stroking his beard, and gave this kid a share. Qing Wu, Mo Li, Yan Chu, and others also each received a share.

The middle generation was also treated equally by Lu Hou. Feng Zhu, Jiang Fu, Yan Xiang, and even the house slave each received a share. The house slave originally felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing Jiang Fu smilingly hang the money bag at his waist, looking quite good, he silently imitated him.

Among the youngest, Xiao Yu and Que Er naturally would not be left out. Along with the mansion's stewards and servants, big and small, no one returned empty-handed.

After Lu Hou finished distributing, Yan Xiang, who had prepared early, also distributed a round. Jiang Fu could not escape either, but only Liu Qi received five shares. Smiling, he said: "Entrusted by the civet, loyal to the civet's business."

Liu Qi held the five shares of exorcism money and looked at Shaowei. Shaowei slightly raised her chin, indicating he did not need to thank her.

Liu Qi said nothing more, but seriously tied all seven shares of exorcism money around his waist.

Shaowei was unwilling to be left behind. Feng Zhu beckoned her daughter forward and properly tied eight for her daughter, only asking her to narrowly win, not needing to be waist-deep in wealth on the spot.

Thus, big and small, everyone's body jingled. Presumably, no matter how rampant the demons were, they would be suppressed and unable to be reborn for ten thousand generations.

The hour of the Rat arrived, and the banquet began.

After three rounds of wine, Yan Chu took up a flute and played an ensemble with the musicians in the hall.

Shaowei, who had already resolved not to drink again, was once more drawn in by a single sentence from Jiang Fu, whose expression did not change: "Strange, this new wine truly has not a trace of spiciness." Shaowei was not easily credulous, but seeing Mother also nod in agreement, she curiously tried a sip. The wine entered her throat, she fell for the trick, and countless newly recruited little soldiers launched the first battle of the new year in Shaowei's esophagus and stomach.

When the music stopped, the food had gone cold, yet the banquet had not yet dispersed. The drunken Jiang Fu and Lord Lu and a few others chatted idly. In the courtyard, Xiao Yu whispered with Que'er, saying her uncle had given her a great deal of yasui money, and when the time came she would split half with Que'er. Que'er, however, said she did not know what it could be used for, so Xiao Yu earnestly taught Que'er how to spend money.

As Que'er listened attentively, the sound of firecrackers suddenly erupted. Yan Chu held a burning firecracker, laughing as he teased and frightened Xiao Yu and Que'er. The two children, together with the maidservants, covered their ears and ran off laughing. Xiao Yu ducked behind Qing Wu, who had just come out of the hall. Seeing Qing Wu's startled expression, Yan Chu hurriedly tossed the firecracker aside to an empty spot and smiled apologetically.

Yan Mian, who had come out together with Liu Qi, stood under the corridor, looking toward the fleeing Xiao Yu. After a hesitation, he finally asked in a low voice for confirmation: "This child is……"

Liu Qi: "Precisely."

Yan Mian let out a low sigh: "Fortunate indeed."

Children's playful moods change extremely fast. Just now Xiao Yu had been dividing the yasui money with Que'er; now she was brandishing a peach wood sword, chasing Que'er and shouting loudly: "Bold Liqiu ghost, halt!"

The Liqiu ghost was one of the strange ghosts Xiao Yu had recently heard of while listening to the "Lüshi Chunqiu." It was said this ghost excelled at transforming into the shapes and faces of relatives and friends to bewilder people; therefore Xiao Yu made Que'er play this ghost.

Zhan Zhan, startled out of the house into chaotic flight by the firecrackers, also shouted along: "Liqiu ghost! Liqiu ghost!"

Zhan Zhan collided about like a dizzy fly, bumping into Qing Wu, and in her cries flapped onto Liu Qi's face. Yan Xiang was also not spared; the panicked bird still cried chaotically: "Liqiu ghost! Liqiu ghost!"

Shaowei ran over, caught the disgraceful bird with both hands, and handed it to a passing house slave for discipline, safekeeping, and proper warmth.

Liu Qi showed an apologetic look to Yan Xiang, reached out, and plucked a bird feather that had fallen on Yan Xiang's shoulder.

Feng Zhu, supported out of the hall door, could not help but smile at the sight.

Before long, a game of Eagle Catches Chickens broke out in the courtyard. Liu Qi played the eagle, Shaowei was the head chicken, behind her was Qing Wu, then Mo Li, Yan Chu, Que'er, Xiao Yu.

Shaowei lacked experience in this sort of game. She was determined to win, standing ready in a strict formation. On her first dodge, because her movement was too fast and her strength too great, she flung the little chicks behind her flying, and they fell scattered everywhere.

Liu Qi seized the opportunity to catch. Shaowei was both startled and ashamed, and hurriedly spread her arms to block, but in the end could not protect them all. Liu Qi reached for Xiao Yu, setting off a burst of squeals and uproarious laughter.

After two more rounds, Shaowei grasped the knack, and Liu Qi repeatedly hit a wall. The courtyard was filled with laughter. When everyone had had their fill of fun, maidservants smilingly brought towels to wipe sweat. The lantern-hung courtyard was also spread with many mats.

As Shaowei sat wiping sweat, the force of the wine was actually stirred up by the sweat. Her mind grew slightly dazed. She saw the lights and smoke spiraling all around, all sounds diminishing and growing distant, as if it were an illusion.

Madam Shentu had already gone to rest. The drunkard Jiang Fu was nowhere to be seen. Lord Lu, who had just been laughing loudly and boasting of his granddaughter, seemed also to have been helped away. Shaowei felt inexplicably uneasy. At this moment, something suddenly flew out of the smoke. Shaowei abruptly snatched at it, but saw it was only a withered yellow bamboo leaf.

Liu Qi was walking toward Shaowei when Yan Chu stopped him with a laugh, saluting and chatting idly: "I must thank Your Highness for forcing me to learn a smidgen of martial arts back then. Once while traveling abroad, I owed my life to this three-legged cat kung fu……"

"Now all affairs are settled. In the future, when at leisure, I imagine I can still ask Your Highness for pointers……" Yan Chu's tone held a few threads of longing.

But Liu Qi strode past in pursuit of Shaowei.

Shaowei suddenly stood up and ran toward the long corridor. That corridor was also shrouded in smoke, looking like a gloomy ghost corridor. Mother was being pushed in a wheelchair within it. Shaowei's heart was uneasy, and she hurriedly ran over.

"What's the matter?"

Feng Zhu smiled and asked her daughter who had run over, but saw her daughter throw herself down kneeling, hug her tightly, and press her face against her front.

"You're drunk……" Feng Zhu said with a smile: "Next time I won't coax my child into drinking wine again."

As if sensing something, she gently stroked her daughter's head: "There, there, don't be afraid…… there will be many more days like this in the future."

Fear born of love — a child who had never known such happy times, suddenly faced with them, would instead feel some unease.

Feng Zhu's eyes were full of pity, and also glistened with tears. She plucked another yellowed bamboo leaf from her daughter's hair.

Yan Mian, pushing the wheelchair, watched Feng Zhu place the bamboo leaf in his hand. He let out a long breath, and the bamboo leaf was blown away.

The withered leaf rode the wind, brushing past a small patch of bamboo grove outside the corridor. This breath exhaled by Feng Zhu, tolerant and steadfast like Mother Earth, brought the warmth of spring, brushed over the bamboo grove, and coaxed new buds to sprout.

By the twentieth of the first month, accompanied by newly sprouted moso bamboo shoots, more definite itinerary news arrived in the capital on the spring wind — the victorious army that had completely pacified the Liang Guo rebellion in the twelfth month would reach the capital in approximately three days.

?? Good night everyone~

? Thank you everyone for the rewards, monthly tickets, and comments! Will organize the reward list next chapter. Finally done with the busy period, thank you everyone for your tolerance!

? (No update on 12.9, don't wait okay)

? (Because I'll be catching bugs and revising sentences, some comments on original paragraphs might get swallowed — not deleted~)