Chapter 106

The atmosphere at today's banquet was great; even Gu Xixi joined in drinking three small cups, only Mu Nan Zhao didn't touch a drop.

He should be quite sober.

But Gu Xixi didn't see a hint of reluctance on his face, not even the slightest pity.

Until Gu Qingye's receding back faded into the night and disappeared from sight.

Mu Nan Zhao noticed Gu Xixi staring at him, turned to her and asked, "Anything?"

"You…" Gu Xixi had just opened her mouth when she suddenly felt there was no need to continue asking.

She then laughed and said, "What filling do they eat for the floating sweet rice balls at the Capital City's Lantern Festival?"

Mu Nan Zhao blinked, "Why would you ask that?"

Gu Xixi gazed at the night sky, a longing smile on her face, "I heard Jing Lan say that in the Capital City's Lantern Festival night there is no curfew; the whole city celebrates together, streets filled with fire trees and silver flowers, lights brilliant, gorgeous and beautiful like a dream."

Mu Nan Zhao fell silent for a moment, then muttered, "I don't know."

Gu Xixi looked at him in surprise, "You've been an official in the Capital City for years—how could you not know?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "I've never gone out for the Lantern Festival, so naturally I don't know."

Gu Xixi stared, bewildered, "Why?"

"Such a wonderful sight—who wouldn't want to go out and join the fun? Especially since you were once a young lad; how could you stay home during the Lantern Festival?"

Mu Nan Zhao pressed his lips, his gaze drifting aside, "Yeah, I need to go take my medicine."

Gu Xixi watched him walk away, frowning in confusion—his reaction just now… was he feeling guilty?

The next day, before dawn, it started snowing again.

Millet‑sized snowflakes fell thick and fast, laying a thin layer on the ground.

Two porters carried a slightly worn red‑silk sedan chair, stepping quietly through the snow as they left Huachi Du Cun.

Gu Qingye sat inside the sedan, holding only a small bundle with her clothes.

At that time most households in the village were still asleep; no one was celebrating, no one offering wedding congratulations.

Not even a single person came to see her off.

In the afternoon, Gu Xixi put down a bottle of water that had been clarified and separated from the soil, picked up the hot water bottle, and let out a sigh.

The first step of the task entrusted to her by the Northwest Army finally bore fruit.

Without modern equipment, she could only analyze the retrieved soil samples layer by layer using rudimentary methods.

Apart from the fatal drawback of saline-alkalinity.

The soil is loose, has low compaction, and its inherent fertility is moderate.

Overall, the composition is relatively suitable for planting grains like wheat, millet, and sorghum.

Considering the local climate, winters are too cold, making it unsuitable for planting winter wheat.

So the final choice should be……

Knock knock knock on the door, Zhang Shen pressed her ear to the panel and whispered, "Xi, are you still busy?"

Usually, when Gu Xixi shuts the door to work, Zhang Shen carefully avoids disturbing her.

So Zhang Shen's visit now surely means she has something to say.

Gu Xixi snapped back to reality, "It's fine, Auntie, come in."

Zhang Shen slipped inside, closing the door behind her, and said, "Your second uncle has come."

Gu Xixi frowned, puzzled, "How did he come? Did he say anything?"

Zhang Shen said, "He just said he missed you and came to pay a visit."

Gu Xixi was speechless.

In the past few days, guests came one after another, yet none bore the surname Gu.

Seeing the year's festivities almost over, it's surprising that Gu Erye, of his generation, would personally come calling again.

While rising to tidy the table, she asked, "Besides your second uncle, who else?"

"None." Zhang Shen shook her head, displeased, "That's why this matter is difficult."

"This year we didn't go to pay New Year calls on others; he came alone, without bringing any junior generation."

"It makes our family seem ignorant of propriety!"

Gu Xixi pondered, "It doesn't matter; let's see what he wants to say."

When Gu Xixi had conflicts with Gu Daye and Gu Lao San's families earlier, Gu Erye appeared to be mediating, but in fact he still sided with Gu Daye and Gu Lao San.

So Gu Xixi's failure to pay New Year calls was not due to negligence.

But rather she had long decided to avoid excessive contact with them.

When leaving, Gu Xixi whispered to Zhang Shen, "Change the pot of tea, use the cheapest tea leaves, just a few slices will do—don't waste."

Zhang Shen covered her mouth and chuckled, "Okay!"

In the main hall, only Shitou sat helplessly on the kang, keeping the guest company.

Seeing Gu Xixi enter, Shitou felt as if pardoned, "Xixi sister!"

Gu Xixi smiled and waved at him, "You weren't supposed to go out to play with someone? Hurry up."

Shitou understood, "Oh right, I'm going to find Gouwa!"

Just now he was talking with that old man, and it was almost boring to death, so he hurried off!

Gu Xixi greeted Gu Erye with a smiling bow, "The roads are slippery in the snow; why did you come yourself, Second Uncle?"

Gu Erye's face flickered with slight discomfort, "It's been too long since I saw you; I just came to have a look."

He said, half-joking, "How come? Don't you welcome Second Uncle?"

"Nowhere." Gu Xixi sat leisurely on the edge of the kang.

She poured a cup of tea, placed both hands before Gu Erye, and then said nothing more.

Since the old coot said he's just come to have a look, let him look his fill.

Gu Erye finished a cup of tea, and Gu Xixi immediately refilled his teacup.

Gu Erye then drank three cups of weak tea in a row, his belly stuffed.

Seeing the teapot spout coming at him again, he hurriedly pushed it away, saying, "Don't pour any more."

Gu Xixi, however, was obedient, gave an "oh", set down the teapot, and continued to stare at Gu Erye.

Finally, Gu Erye could no longer hold back, gave a dry cough, still keeping a stern face for fear of lowering his status.

"Your feud with your third uncle's family and your great-grandfather's has nothing to do with our two families, right?"

Gu Xixi smiled and nodded, "Mm."

Seeing Gu Xixi's lukewarm attitude, Gu Erye could only continue, "Actually, Grandfather Second cares for you in his heart."

"But in the past, I was stuck in the middle and had to keep things even."

Gu Xixi snorted inwardly, "That's not keeping things even—you're playing favorites."

Seeing Gu Xixi say nothing, still smiling, Gu Erye assumed she believed him.

Thus he continued to put on the airs of an elder, saying, "Last year your corn had a bumper harvest, and the reputation spread to other villages."

"Those relatives and friends have all come to me, asking me to ask you: just how do you manage to produce so much corn?"

Gu Xixi had not yet spoken.

Gu Erye then said, "I know you're busy, you don't need to bother—just tell me now, I'll note it down and later tell everyone, so everyone will remember your kindness."

Now Gu Xixi could no longer hold back, putting a sneer on her face.

"'What else haven't I said, and you've already arranged it for me?'"

Gu Erye opened his mouth to speak, but Gu Xixi cut him off, saying, "It's simply to have everyone remember my kindness."

"Or is it that you yourself have heard I have a secret formula, not just for home use, but that you want to go out and curry favor?"

"'You! What are you saying?!' Gu Erye stammered, his old face flushing red."

Gu Xixi spread her hands innocently, "I'm not like some people, whose words are certainly sensible."

Now Gu Erye had to admit that Gu Xixi truly wasn't prepared to give him face.

He instantly flew into a rage from shame, "Xixi lass, are you trying to alienate all your kin?"