Quick snow

"Ma'am, are you still awake?"

Cui Zhijun's breath gently fell on the tip of Taishi Zheng's nose. Zheng looked into his somewhat erratic eyes in the darkness and yanked him down a little harder. Cui Zhijun's arms, supporting themselves on the bed, trembled slightly, and he almost lost his grip.

Zheng didn't answer. She continued, "Cui Zhijun, I'm asking you, where do you want to go?"

Cui Zhijun lowered his eyes, the scent of soap nuts from the bathroom still lingering on his slender neck. Perhaps because of too much going on today, a hint of sleepiness crept into his brows, and Cui Zhijun's head drooped again.

He said, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm just afraid of disturbing you, so I thought I'd stay in the west room..."

Taishi Zheng was speechless for a moment. Cui Zhijun's words sounded flawless, but Zheng just couldn't swallow it. "Are you worried about disturbing me? If you were worried, why did you come back so late? Cui Zhijun, are you hiding something from me—"

Zheng's hands relaxed a little, but she still held the person tightly.

Cui Zhijun felt his head feel heavy, and he was afraid he would lose control and fall, hitting the person below him. He raised his neck, intending to break free from Taishi Zheng's arms.

Zheng thought Cui Zhijun was trying to escape without reason, so she raised her hand and started to fight with him.

But as the two of them struggled, Taishi Zheng actually opened her mouth, and for a moment, a soft, gentle bite touched Cui Zhijun's Adam's apple. He subconsciously swallowed nervously, unable to fake it.

At this moment, although Cui Zhijun's eyes were still lowered, his hands, which were wrinkling the bed more and more, and the bulging blue veins on the back of his hands, could not hide his confusion.

Ran Zheng was also surprised at her own absurdity.

She couldn't understand why she wanted to bite people. She just felt that the smell of Cui Zhijun was so fragrant that it made her addicted.

Taishi Zheng slowly released the object between their lips. The warm tip of her tongue still retained his taste. The few blushes her white teeth left for the man before her concealed an inexpressible tenderness. So, this was all Cui Zhiyun's fault.

It's so quiet tonight,

It's a good time to snow.

The cold wind blew against the window frames, but the bed was hot.

Tai Shi Zheng looked at the man in front of her, completely unable to guess what he would do next, just as Cui Zhijun couldn't understand her either.

She only heard Cui Zhijun's breathing becoming heavier.

It wasn't until later, when Cui Zhijun suddenly turned over on the bed and, without a word, reached out to grab Zheng's arms behind his neck and pressed them down tightly on her head, that Taishi Zheng was completely stunned. She was so panicked that she couldn't make a sound, and her chest was heaving in parallel.

Zheng could only cry out in her heart: What the hell is he trying to do!?

But Taishi Zheng's concerns seemed unnecessary in the face of Cui Zhijun. Who was he? He was like a thousand-year-old iron tree that would never bloom. Cui Zhijun's breath slowly passed over Zheng's head, lingering on her folded palms before he suddenly released her arm.

Cui Zhijun turned over and lay down in the empty space on the bed.

Good, it turns out he just wanted to take advantage of the situation.

Zheng put away her arm that was swollen from being pressed by him, and looked at the person beside her with some dissatisfaction.

Cui Zhijun bent down and crawled into her warm bed at this moment. He saw that Aunt Wu had forgotten to collect his quilt today. Cui Zhijun rested his head next to Taishi Zheng, and he could feel Zheng looking at him. He spoke softly, "Madam, I am really tired today. We can talk about it tomorrow."

Zheng looked at Cui Zhijun's peaceful sleeping face and really didn't expect that he would fall asleep so quickly.

Zheng looked away, and although she was a little angry, she didn't bother him.

But tomorrow...

What do you want to say?

-

The stars moved, and the second day came.

But when Taishi Zheng screamed and got up from the bed, she opened her eyes and saw only Fu Yuanzi's puzzled little face. "My wife, what's wrong with you? Are you having a nightmare again? What's going on in their mansion? Is there something wrong with the feng shui? How can our wife keep having nightmares!"

But Fu Yuanzi was right, Zheng was indeed dreaming.

Taishi Zheng stretched out her hand and pinched Fu Yuanzi's face. When Yuanzi cried out in pain, she lowered her eyes and lifted her quilt to take a look. "It's okay, it's okay. My stomach is flat. If I really am dreaming, how could I get pregnant for no reason..."

Fu Yuanzi watched the person in front of him mutter to himself, reached out and rubbed his face and complained, "My wife is annoying. Why did you pinch me in your dream? Besides, what if you were pregnant in your dream? Even if you were really pregnant now, there's nothing to be surprised about!"

Fu Yuanzi is famous for his loud voice.

Just by hearing her loud voice, the people who came to borrow things from other courtyards in the courtyard stopped in their tracks.

What? Pregnant? Pregnant?

But before anyone could listen any further, Taishi Zheng suddenly covered Fu Yuanzi's mouth. Zheng pointed a finger at Yuanzi, signaling her to speak softly, "Smelly Yuanzi, why are you so loud? I'm pregnant now, so I wouldn't make a fuss, would I?"

"Why?" Fu Yuanzi muttered as he let go of Zheng's palm.

Tai Shi Zheng suddenly pulled up the quilt and buried her face in her curled knees. "Oh, you won't understand even if I tell you."

"Why don't I understand? If my wife doesn't tell me, how can I understand? My wife, please tell me, tell me why—" Fu Yuanzi shook Zheng's shoulders and asked endless questions, but how could Zheng explain this matter so clearly to her? If Yuanzi really knew, wouldn't everyone in the mansion know that she and Cui Zhijun had never consummated their marriage?

Zheng shook her head, not daring to think too much.

But when she thought about what happened last night, she immediately raised her eyes and asked, "Yuanzi, where is Cui Zhijun?"

"Choi Shik-kyung?"

Tai Shi Zheng suddenly called out his name, causing Fu Yuanzi to be unable to react for a moment, "Oh, you mean my dear, he has already been on duty."

"On duty! What time is it now, Yuanzi?" Zheng asked in confusion.

Fu Yuanzi looked at the changing light by the windowsill and replied, "Sunset."

No wonder, it’s already this time...

Taishi Zheng stretched out her legs and sighed.

Hadn't they agreed to talk about it today? Why hadn't he woken her up? Or was he just fooling her yesterday? The melancholy of last night's wild speculations came flooding back, and Zheng couldn't understand why she cared so much about such fabricated things...

Where has the indifferent and heartless girl gone?

Tai Shi Zheng looked out the window with a melancholic expression, but when she looked up, she saw snowflakes falling. "Yuanzi, look outside the window, is it snowing?"

Fu Yuanzi looked up when he heard that, and was extremely surprised. "Ah, it's really snowing. Xiao Cuocuo, when we get older, let's go play in the snow together~"

This is the first snow that has fallen in Bianjing today.

The saying goes: The royal city is covered with snow, and blessings of longevity and good harvests shine upon it.

At that time, Cui Zhijun stood outside the bamboo grove of Qinxuezhai, watching the falling snow with Zheng. He wordlessly reached out his hand, but as the snowflakes melted in his palm, his eyes reflected a pair of autumn eyes, more translucent than the snowflakes themselves...

-

Half an hour later, Taishi Zheng finished washing up and sat down on the east porch, holding Cuo Cuo in her arms, watching the snow. Two maids hurried over from outside the courtyard, leaving a trail of heavy footprints in the trackless snow.

After seeing Zheng, they bowed and said, "Second Young Master's Madam."

Cuocuo was always excited when he saw strangers, so he barked twice. Zheng quickly patted his little head and said, "Cucuo, don't bark. They are not bad people."

When Cuo Cuo had lowered his guard and stopped barking, Zheng looked at the two maids and asked, "What can I do for you?"

She didn't recognize the people in front of her, so she didn't understand why they were here.

The maids exchanged glances and said to Tai Shi Zheng, "To answer the Second Young Madam's question, I am a maid in the Old Madam's chambers. At the Old Madam's request, we have come to each courtyard to invite each household to a Kuaixue Banquet in the small garden this afternoon. I wonder if the Second Young Madam is available? If so, I will reply to the Old Madam on your behalf."

"Quick Snow Feast?"

Zheng scratched the puppy's head, confused, while Cuo Cuo lazily leaned on the fox fur blanket beside Zheng's legs. Aunt Wu happened to come out of the house. As soon as she saw someone coming to Changshouzhai at this time, she knew what they were doing.

She walked up to Zheng, casually pulled out a piece of unsalted dried meat, and dangled it in front of Cuo Cuo, teasing him. "Madam, don't you know about the Snow Festival? Every year when the first snow falls, the wealthy families in Bianjing City like to hold such a snow-viewing banquet. They call it elegance. Didn't your family hold one in the past?"

Cuo Cuo was attracted by Aunt Wu's dried meat and stuck her head out.

Zheng turned around and replied, "No."

There is no Fengya in his house, only the mutton stew pot that is always there when it snows.

Zheng thought that since she was free now, she might as well go. Being left alone would make her mind wander. "Since the old lady is hosting a banquet, there's no reason for a junior like me not to go. Please give my regards to the old lady and tell her that I'm leaving."

"Yes, we understand. As for the Second Young Master's wife, we still have to go to the next house, so we won't bother you any further."

The two maids lowered their eyes and responded.

Seeing this, Aunt Wu put down the dried meat that was teasing Cuo Cuo and said to the two of them, "I'll take you out."

The three of them retreated, following the same footsteps they had come in.

Zheng picked up the dried meat that Cuo Cuo had finally gotten and started playing with the puppy. But as she was pinching the dried meat, she looked up at the snow falling in the sky and muttered to herself, "Snow soon, snow soon, when will the snow stop..."

-

It is said that the Bo family is a wealthy and noble family.

The decision to hold the banquet was just made in the morning, but by noon a shed had already been erected in the small garden.

At Yinzhu Yatang, Taishi Zheng had nothing else to do and had already taken Cuo Cuo out. However, the little one seemed to be walking on snow for the first time and was extremely excited wherever they went. In just a moment, Zheng dragged the playful Cuo Cuo as far as the door of Yinjianju.

Unexpectedly, they happened to run into Cui Zhijian and Cang Yi going out.

Zheng Yi saw the loving couple, and although she felt disappointed, she still smiled and said, "Brother and sister-in-law, what a coincidence! Are you also going to the Kuaixue Feast? Let's go together - Cuocuo, Cuocuo, come and pay your respects to uncle and aunt."

Upon hearing this, Cuo Cuo happily walked forward to the couple's feet and sniffed them.

It wouldn't have been a big deal if she hadn't smelled it, but the smell frightened Cang Yi so much that she kept hiding in Cui Zhijian's arms. As she hid, she exclaimed, "Ah, Dalang, it's coming, it's coming. Zheng, when did you get a dog?"

Zheng was afraid of causing trouble for Cang Yi, so she quickly pulled Cuo Cuo back and asked, "What's wrong? Is sister-in-law afraid of dogs?"

Seeing Cang Yi burst into laughter, Cui Zhijian reached out and patted Cang Yi on the back, explaining to Zheng, "Afraid? Your sister-in-law isn't afraid of anything. Whether it's flying in the sky or swimming in the water, as long as it's a living thing, she's afraid of everything. But don't worry, daughter-in-law Zhijun. Your sister-in-law has no ill will towards you, little dog."

Zheng nodded and said, "It's okay, big brother. Since sister-in-law is scared, I will let Cuo Cuo stay away from her."

It seemed that after their winter solstice gathering, Cui Zhijian had grown closer to his relatives. His words were no longer harsh, and the couple's relationship seemed to be smoothing over. Zheng was very pleased, and the three of them walked together towards the small garden.

However, even though Cuo Cuo was blocked by Cui Zhijian and Tai Shi Zheng on the far left, Cang Yi still hid in Cui Zhijian's arms and did not come out all the way.

At the end of the corridor, the three of them stopped for a joke.

"Hey, hey, hey, let me take a look, let me take a look. What's going on? Big brother and sister-in-law, you two are inseparable, aren't you?"

A hearty laugh rang out, and the three of them knew who it was without turning around.

Cang Yi felt embarrassed and just as he mustered the courage to pull away from Cui Zhijian's protection, he instantly retreated after meeting his anxious gaze. Song Mingyue walked over, warmly took Tai Shizheng's arm, and asked curiously, "Brother, what's wrong with my sister-in-law? Are you two so affectionate now and don't betray others?"

Cui Zhijian still didn't like listening to Song Mingyue. He always felt that his wife Zhichou was not a decent person.

Zheng noticed that he looked a little unhappy, so she quickly said, "It's all my fault. I didn't know that my sister-in-law was afraid of dogs, so I took Cuo Cuo out without permission. If it doesn't work out, I'll just send Cuo Cuo back to save my sister-in-law from getting scared."

Zheng turned around to leave, but was pulled back by Song Mingyue.

Seeing Song Mingyue speaking with a lot of bad intentions, she said, "Hey, sister-in-law, this little thing is so cute. Look at it, it's furry and doesn't bite, why are you afraid of it? Come on, let me help you desensitize you~"

As Song Mingyue spoke, she bent down, picked up Cuo Cuo and brought her to Cang Yi.

Cui Zhijian reacted quickly this time. Before Song Mingyue could bring the dog forward, he quickly led Cang Yi out of the corridor. Their movements were so swift that Song Mingyue and Taishi Zheng didn't even notice them clearly before they vanished without a trace.

Song Mingyue turned around and asked, "Where are they? Were they still here just now?"

Zheng sneered and shook her head.

Song Mingyue pouted and casually put the cao cao down. The fun was over, so she naturally stopped making trouble and turned around to hold Zheng's arm again. Song Mingyue dragged Taishi Zheng towards the small garden.

When they arrived, the eldest sister-in-law and her husband were just standing outside the shed. At this time, the second wife and the elders had not arrived yet.

Zheng looked out at the scene in the garden and couldn't help but exclaim.

This, this is too grand.

But look at the seasonal flowers blooming in the snow, and under the pale yellow shed covered with flying snow, small sandalwood tables are neatly arranged. Beside each table is a cauldron of golden beasts smoking with goose pear fragrance. The silver utensils on the table for each room are even more magnificent in this elegant environment.

Song Mingyue was no longer surprised. She tugged at Zheng's sleeve and whispered, "Second sister-in-law, Cui Laosan isn't home. Can I sit next to you today? I really don't want to deal with those people from the second house. I feel uncomfortable all over when I hear them talking. But I heard that our eldest sister is coming today too."

"Big sister?" Zheng seemed to have seen her before, but couldn't remember where.

Song Mingyue nodded. "She's the eldest brother's sister, the second brother's and my third child's sister. She, the eldest brother and my third child all have the same mother. But the eldest sister is closest to the second brother. Forget it, I guess you've forgotten. I'll tell you when someone comes. The eldest sister lives far away, so it will probably take some time for her to come. And as for that annoying guy in his family, I don't know if he'll let anyone come. Let's find a place to sit first."

"Okay." Tai Shi Zheng smiled and didn't care much.

However, before the two of them could choose a seat, a large group of people came in from outside the small garden.

Zheng took a quick look and saw that it was the same group of palace retainers who were taking advantage of the power of others.

But even without Taishi Zheng saying anything, Song Mingyue chuckled, patted her arm, and whispered, "It's really strange, Second Sister-in-law, just wait and see. Today, the county lady and the county horse are together. We're finally here, and we'll have something to see."

"Why?" Zheng didn't understand.

It was not until Song Mingyue pouted that Tai Shi Zheng looked back.

Qi Yijun, surrounded by her retainers, was beaming with joy as she took Cui Zhilin's arm. They arrived in front of the bright shed, and she whispered to her husband, "Lin Lang, please choose where we shall sit today. I will do whatever you say."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zheng got goosebumps all over her body.

She couldn't believe it...

Oh my God, is this person still the Qi Yijun from before?