Chapter 568: New Year

End of the noon hour (before 1:00 PM)

The sun was bright,

Jiying Lane,

Sheng family,

Weirui Pavilion,

The melted snow water on the roof dripped continuously, wetting many places in the courtyard.

Under the eaves of the courtyard, there was a snow lion that Zaizhang and Changbai had piled up after the snow; at this time, it had also been 'smashed' with several holes by the dripping snow water.

Outside the main room door not far from the snow lion, Wang Ruofu and Mama Liu stood there poking their heads out. Seeing Caihuan walking quickly into the courtyard, Wang Ruofu asked: "How is it? Has the Master come over?"

A thawing day is even colder than a snowy day. Although it was a sunny day, Caihuan's cheeks were frozen red.

Hearing Wang Ruofu's question, Caihuan shook her head, bowed, and said: "Madam, Dongrong came back and said the Master won't be coming over to eat today?"

"What!? Today is the 29th of the twelfth lunar month! Why isn't the Master coming to eat? Did he go to that little bitch Lin Qinshuang's courtyard?"

"Madam, the Master didn't come home at all! He said there is an urgent official matter at the yamen."

Wang Ruofu flicked her handkerchief in annoyance and turned around, saying: "Hmph! When he comes to eat with me, there's an urgent official matter! Go, call Ru'er over to eat with me."

Caihuan responded and bowed, walking quickly toward Rulan's courtyard on the side.

And Wang Ruofu and Mama Liu walked toward the door. When passing under the eaves, cold snow water dripped onto the back of Wang Ruofu's neck, making her shrink her neck.

On the other side,

Linqi Pavilion,

Lin Qinshuang sat on the embroidery stool by the table, looked at Seeing Mo Lan who was wearing new clothes, and nodded, saying: "This outfit is not bad! It makes my Mo'er look even better."

Seeing Mo Lan looked down at her new clothes, stood on tiptoe happily, then beckoned to Yunzai and said: "Mother, look at this new cloak of mine again. Daughter wants to wear it out on the day of the Lantern Festival."

Lin Qinshuang waited for Seeing Mo Lan to put on the cloak, looked at it critically, and said: "It looks okay! But I heard Luzhong say that the Young Xiao Xiao Gongye of the Qi family studies in our house and has always liked wearing light and elegant clothes."

Seeing Mo Lan was puzzled: "Mother, isn't this outfit of daughter's just right for the elegant color?"

"Too flashy."

"Madam Zhou is here."

A little maid outside reported.

Lin Qinshuang turned her head to look to the side, where Zhou Xueniang was walking into the room clutching her handkerchief.

"You went out for the whole morning; what did you find out outside?"

Zhou Xueniang bowed to Lin Qinshuang and nodded repeatedly, her tone full of excitement: "Little Madam, it's been very lively outside these two days!"

Looking at Zhou Xueniang's appearance, Seeing Mo Lan stopped trying on clothes, took the hand warmer, and sat beside Lin Qinshuang.

"Can it be livelier than the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family making a scene at the Northern Liao post station the day before yesterday?"

Zhou Xueniang hurriedly said: "Little Madam, it's hard to say which spectacle is bigger, but someone has already had a strange encounter!"

"Oh?"

Looking at Lin Qinshuang's curious appearance, Zhou Xueniang said:

"People outside say that after someone stole many valuable things from the Chai family shop the day before yesterday, they disappeared into the Wuyou Cave of the dark canal! The Chai family demanded them back to no avail and, in a fit of rage, issued a bounty!"

"Yesterday, a ruffian wandering in the capital somehow knew about two hidden trenches that could hide people! After he told the Chai family shop about this, he got five hundred strings of silver!"

"Given directly?" Seeing Mo Lan asked in surprise on the side.

Zhou Xueniang shook her head: "Da Niangzi, it wasn't given directly! It was only after the Kaifeng Prefecture yamen runners went in to check that the silver was given. I heard that three women were rescued from the dark canal! But the Chai family's things were not found!"

Lin Qinshuang curled her lips upon hearing this and said: "Rescued, I don't know if they can still survive."

Zhou Xueniang nodded in agreement and continued to say excitedly:

"When this slave went out, I also heard that now the Xiao Xiao Gongye's mansions and Marquis's mansions that have a name in the capital have all issued bounties, looking like they are going to level the Wuyou Cave in Bianjing! There are even many imperial guards patrolling the streets..."

"Which army is it, do you know?"

"Little Madam, it seems to be the Xuanwu Army!"

Hearing this answer, Lin Qinshuang nodded and said:

"I remember the Master saying that an elite part of this Xuanwu Army had previously served under the Marquis of Yongyi, and many people in the army made military achievements and were promoted after returning to the capital!"

"That gang of desperadoes in the dark canal dared to provoke the Marquis's mansion's legitimate son and the Chai family; this New Year is not going to be good for them!"

After speaking, Lin Qinshuang looked at Seeing Mo Lan and said: "Mo'er, look! This is what it looks like to be powerful and prestigious! Han Wulang Young Master of the Xu family has broad social connections in the capital; when he encounters something, the Xiao Xiao Gongye's mansion and Marquis's mansion all come out to support him! If you could marry into such a family, I don't know how comfortable your life would be!"

Seeing Mo Lan on the side pursed her lips and said: "Mother, you weren't saying that when you heard about Fifth Young Master Xu the day before yesterday..."

Lin Qinshuang paused: "Yesterday, your father hadn't come home yet and explained the reasons to me; I had some deviation in my thinking."

"Oh."

Seeing Mo Lan held the hand warmer, her eyes turned, and she said: "Mother, daughter thinks that if Brother Yuanruo encountered such a thing, there would definitely be more high-ranking families coming out to support him! One is a Xiao Xiao Gongye, one is a Marquis; it's different! Brother Yuanruo still has to inherit the title in the future!"

"Besides... Xu Wu Ge Xu... after daughter heard about his affairs from the streets, daughter... daughter doesn't even dare to look into his eyes!"

Lin Qinshuang looked at her daughter: "Nonsense! I've seen the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family a few times; where is he as fierce and vicious as you say?"

Zhou Xueniang on the side agreed:

"Da Niangzi, you've thought wrong! Han Wulang Young Master of the Xu family is studying in our house for the imperial examination, nourished by literary spirit! If it weren't for this, he would have been a young general long ago!"

"This is a fate given by heaven; maybe one day when you see eye to eye, you could become the mistress and madam!"

Hearing this, Lin Qinshuang nodded with a smile, stroked Seeing Mo Lan's hair, and said: "Mo'er, you have liked poetry since you were young; the few poems written by the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family are really not bad!"

"Rulan and Minglan are untalented! If you can become his wife in the future, discussing poetry together, I don't know how happy your life will be!"

Zhou Xueniang nodded repeatedly.

Seeing Mo Lan also seemed to be immersed in the situation Lin Qinshuang described, lowering her head with some embarrassment and saying: "Mother is right."

"But... Mother, I heard that there are many noble daughters from high-ranking families in the capital who are interested in Xu Wu Ge Xu!"

Seeing Mo Lan said with some discouragement.

Lin Qinshuang shook her head with a smile: "Mo'er, they naturally have family backgrounds, but they don't have the opportunity to spend time with the brothers day and night!"

"Among the three families, Mo'er, as long as you can climb up to one, our life in the Sheng family will be easier in the future!"

"It's a pity that the eldest daughter also married into a Marquis's mansion, otherwise we would definitely be able to turn things around!"

After speaking, Lin Qinshuang sighed, beckoned to Luzhong, and said: "Mo'er, come and try this new earmuff style!"

The sun slanted to the west and gradually set behind the mountain.

After the temperature dropped, icicles gradually appeared where the eaves dripped.

At the time of lighting the lamps,

Shou'an Hall,

The Old Madam held a teacup and said: "Hong'er, I heard that the Ministry of Works also sent many people to participate in the cleaning of the dark canal?"

Sheng Hong sat below the Old Madam, drinking a warm beverage while nodding repeatedly:

"Mother is right, the Ministry of Works contributed and retrieved the maps of the dark canals in the capital over the years from the warehouse! Son thinks that with the maps, with these high-ranking families contributing money and effort, and with the imperial guards cooperating, we will definitely be able to solve the difficult problems of the Bianjing dark canal and Wuyou Cave."

Sheng Hong had lived in Bianjing for many years when he was a child and had also studied in the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Ling's study, so he had heard a lot about the Wuyou Cave in the capital.

The Old Madam nodded and said: "I hope so! Hong'er, was it decided in the court today how to deal with Jing'er?"

Sheng Hong shook his head: "Mother, it hasn't been decided yet! Son thinks that the Emperor and the Grand Secretaries are mostly going to use a 'delay' tactic!"

The Old Madam smiled and said:

"Hmm! This Northern Liao post station digging a tunnel to the dark canal privately is in the wrong!"

"If Jing'er had brought a dozen people to fight into the Northern Liao post station, it would be hard to speak about; but unfortunately, he was the one who knocked down dozens of Northern Liao people by himself! Haha, Northern Liao is ashamed to even say it out!"

"By the way, Hong'er, wasn't there an old man injured by Jing'er? Where is he sent now?"

Sheng Hong put down the teacup, looked at the Old Madam with some admiration, and said: "Mother, there is no news about this matter. You said yesterday that there was something fishy inside, and son was still half-believing, but now looking at it—"

The Old Madam nodded.

After talking for a while, Sheng Hong said goodbye and left.

Walking to a fork in the backyard, Sheng Hong thought for a while and turned onto the corridor leading to Linqi Pavilion.

"The Master is here."

Amidst the maid's report, Sheng Hong smiled and entered the main room of Linqi Pavilion.

When setting the meal, Lin Qinshuang called Seeing Mo Lan, who was wearing new clothes, into the room, looked at Sheng Hong, and said: "Honglang, look at this outfit of Mo'er's?"

Sheng Hong nodded with a smile: "Mo'er's outfit is very elegant! Wear this one on the second day of the New Year!"

Looking at Lin Qinshuang's puzzled appearance, Sheng Hong continued:

"At noon, the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Qi found me and said that the Young Xiao Xiao Gongye and the Second Son of the Gu family wanted to come to our house to pay respects to Scholar Zhuang on the first day of the New Year."

"I told the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Qi that since arriving in the capital, Grand Tutor Yu and his wife would come to our Sheng family on the second day of the New Year."

"Grand Tutor Yu is highly learned; it would be better for the children to come on the second day, so they can ask for more advice."

Lin Qinshuang nodded with a smile: "Honglang is thoughtful."

Sheng Hong was very pleased and laughed.

"Then, Honglang, you let Mo'er wear such a beautiful outfit, is it for..."

Before Lin Qinshuang could finish, Sheng Hong said with some emotion: "The children have been studying together for so many years; on the second day, let Mo'er go to help serve water and tea to leave a good impression."

"Those families are all Xiao Xiao Gongye and Marquis families; after Mo'er marries in the future, having such a friendship from studying together, her path will be easier to walk." Sheng Hong said.

Hearing Sheng Hong's words, Lin Qinshuang nodded repeatedly.

Sheng Hong meant that with the friendship of studying together, it would be convenient to ask for help if Mo'er's husband had any affairs in the future.

But Lin Qinshuang's eyes kept turning, and her expression looked quite happy.

New Year's Eve,

Early morning,

In front of the Northern Liao post station,

The adopted son of the Emperor's chief eunuch, the eunuch Eunuch Huai Bao, walked out of the carriage with a sad face.

Looking at the many wounded people limping inside the post station gate, Eunuch Huai Bao had to close his eyes and take a deep breath before he could keep his expression from losing control.

After getting off the carriage,

Eunuch Huai Bao changed the direction of the whisk in his hand and walked forward with the Ministry of Rites official.

A moment later, entering the courtyard of the post station, Eunuch Huai Bao bowed to the Northern Liao chief envoy with tears in his eyes and said: "Envoy Liu, please accept my condolences!"

Looking at Eunuch Huai Bao in front of him, the Northern Liao chief envoy frowned: "Eunuch, what do you mean by this?"

Eunuch Huai Bao sighed: "Envoy Liu, yesterday someone in the Imperial Hospital neglected their duty and didn't watch the stove mouth of the underground heating system well. Fire burned out from the stove mouth and accidentally ignited a wooden building. That old man from your mission was in that wooden building. He has already... turned to ash! Alas!"

The Northern Liao chief envoy's eyes widened, his face full of anger as he looked at Eunuch Huai Bao, saying: "You, you..."

Eunuch Huai Bao bowed: "Please accept my condolences, Envoy Liu! The person who neglected their duty has already been punished."

"The source of this matter is the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family. When this slave came, the Emperor had already issued an imperial decree ordering the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family to be grounded today, and at the same time to pay compensation to your mission. If the old man's family needs more silver, my Great Zhou can also pay compensation!"

Looking at Eunuch Huai Bao's appearance, Envoy Liu of Northern Liao was like a mute eating coptis—he had bitterness he couldn't speak of!

He knew that the old man was mostly not dead!

But he couldn't shout, "That old man is the Chief Envoy of my Northern Liao Garrison Prefecture; it concerns a major matter! You must hand over the person!"

Because he didn't know whether the old man was still gritting his teeth and enduring Great Zhou's interrogation, not telling Great Zhou his identity.

Whether it was possible that the old man had fabricated an identity and was currently dealing with Great Zhou's Imperial City Division.

Everything had to wait for Northern Liao's orders.

The Northern Liao chief envoy gritted his teeth, cupped his hands, and said: "I have troubled you, Eunuch. I will report to Xijin Prefecture before giving an answer!"

Eunuch Eunuch Huai Bao nodded and said: "Good! Please accept my condolences!"

After speaking, he bowed and left the post station with his people.

Sending people to the gate of the post station and bowing to the departing ones, Northern Liao Envoy Liu walked back to the post station with a straight face.

End of the noon hour (before 11:00 AM)

Inside the post station, Envoy Liu, who was from Changping in Northern Liao, looked at his subordinates and said with some anger: "You said the Zhuangfo Terrace is unwilling to lend a helping hand?"

"Yes, Envoy. The person who contacted this subordinate said that the pieces of the Zhuangfo Terrace are of great use and hidden very deeply. Unless Xijin Prefecture sends a message, they will not take the initiative to inquire about the news of the mission members."

Hearing this,

Envoy Liu took several deep breaths before he didn't lose his composure.

"Understood, you may go!"

Quyuan Street,

Marquis of Yongyi's mansion,

In the horse-racing field,

Lu Zezong was walking slowly side by side with Xu Zaijing on his horse.

"Righteous Brother, can we really not go to see the Da Nu ceremony today?"

"Hmm, the Emperor just grounded me."

"Oh!" Lu Zezong nodded repeatedly and said: "Actually... I've seen it for two years in a row, and I don't think there's anything new."

"Right, Righteous Brother! Uncle said that in the future, all entrances to the Bianjing dark canals will be fitted with iron railings, and there will be special people from the Canal Division patrolling! Once the Wuyou Cave is cleared, it won't be able to make a comeback."

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile on the side: "That would be best!"

"Righteous Brother, I heard from Grandfather that you encountered desperadoes from the Wuyou Cave during the heavy snow before?"

"Hmm! I encountered them a bit late, and they harmed several good families." Looking at Lu Zezong's somewhat sad appearance, Xu Zaijing patted him on the shoulder and changed the subject: "Let's go, let's go see the fireworks you brought!"

"Hmm!"

Bianjing City,

Outside the Nanxun Gate,

There was still white snow that hadn't melted in many shaded places,

Gu Tingye rode on his horse, looking at the Da Nu ceremony procession of over a thousand people arriving here from the Xuande Gate not far away. He turned his head and said to Qi Heng, Liang Han, and other noble sons who also came to watch the ceremony: "Sigh, Jing'er isn't coming, and I'm still a bit unaccustomed to it!"

Liang Han on the side said: "Second Brother Gu, without Jing'er here, we can race horses to our heart's content!"

Gu Tingye: "Haha, Sixth Young Master is right!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 569 =====