Chapter 221 Very beautiful

Looking at the courtyard in front of her, Song Chunxue was overjoyed and satisfied with every part of it.

The person she should be most grateful to for being able to buy this courtyard is Lord Xie.

Now that she's here, and Lord Xie treats her as a friend, she should put aside any awkwardness in her heart.

If you have no worries on your mind, then every day is a good day.

Being overly concerned with this and that only adds to your troubles.

She hadn't expected Yao Man and Lord Xie to be so enthusiastic, each calling over two people to help Song Chunxue tidy up the courtyard.

With many hands make light work, and within two hours, they had moved all the things they had brought to the right place.

The kitchen, the main house, and the rooms on the east and west sides were also cleaned up.

As dusk approached, Song Chunxue washed her hands, rolled up her sleeves, and headed to the kitchen.

"Now that you've moved in, why don't you stay for a meal tonight?"

As she spoke, Song Chunxue looked at the fourth brother and said, "Go to the market and buy some vegetables, and some fresh pork. We'll cook a few more dishes tonight."

At this moment, Sanwa came in from outside.

"I'm going with Lao Si, but he doesn't know what to buy either," Sanwa laughed. "Mother, have you forgotten that you need to burn incense to light the stove? Why don't you start preparing first and don't rush to light the fire? I'll buy the incense and burn some incense for the Kitchen God first, how about that?"

Song Chunxue nodded, "You're so thoughtful, I almost forgot."

"The Taoist priest specifically instructed him to do this, knowing that Mother might forget in her busy schedule." As he spoke, Sanwa felt around in his pocket, realizing that he had enough copper coins on him.

Sitting on the steps, the neglected leader felt unhappy but couldn't bring himself to say it.

He really was abandoned by his mother.

No, being ignored is more painful than being abandoned.

Lord Xie also lifted his robe and sat down on the steps in the courtyard.

Seeing the smile on Song Chunxue's face, his entourage kept praising her, saying how remarkable it was that a widowed woman could afford such a courtyard.

He was born into a wealthy family and was pampered from childhood, never lacking food or clothing, and knew nothing of human suffering.

After embarking on an official career and leaving the capital, he realized the hardships of life and understood that the prosperity of the capital was nothing more than the most unreal human world in Qin Yue Kingdom.

He had been demoted before, but he was always sent to the water towns of Jiangnan or the rich northeastern border regions, or the vast plains. He had never been to such a barren and arid place as the Northwest.

He had never experienced how the small gains and losses of ordinary people could be so thrilling.

The local customs made him feel very warm.

It was as if he had once lived in the clouds, but now he was truly experiencing the realities of ordinary life, with his feet firmly on the ground.

Here, he could experience the tragedy of humanity, the utter helplessness of being helpless, the despair of crying out to heaven and earth, and how even a single copper coin could stump a hero.

Here, he learned why people revere the gods and all things.

Having experienced and felt it, he understood why everyone believes in reincarnation and that death is not the end, but rather another real and cruel world.

He used to dislike reading the Book of Changes, but under the influence of many elders, he has read it several times. Now he deeply understands that the true meaning of all things in the world is contained in this book.

He was once frustrated by his unfulfilled talents, depressed and unhappy, demoted several times, and devastated. He even considered ending it all.

Looking back now, I realize how cowardly, pathetic, hateful, and tragic I was.

During his time trapped in Zhuanglang County, he somehow learned to find joy in the mundane and chaotic place, enjoying small pleasures and moments of self-pity while gazing at the stars in the dark.

This is a real and vibrant human world, but it can also be a living hell; one thought can lead to enlightenment or damnation.

In such a desolate and barren place, hard work often fails to bring rewards, but a bowl of water or a bowl of noodles can bring children to tears of joy. After eating and drinking their fill, they can let go of everything and play freely and joyfully.

The sounds of snapping branches and burning firewood, a cleaver chopping vegetables on a cutting board, the chatter of families, and donkeys calling for hay in the pen...

As I looked up, the last rays of the setting sun gradually disappeared from the rooftops, the bright yellow tiles slowly darkened, and the deep blue sky seemed to have been washed clean. A flock of sparrows flew across the sky, chirping as they landed on the poplar trees in the distance behind the house.

Everyone in the courtyard except him was busy, because he couldn't do anything.

Before long, the two children walked into the yard chatting and laughing, and went straight to the kitchen to burn incense and light a fire.

A wisp of smoke rose from the chimney, drifting like a veil in the azure sky.

This scene is truly beautiful.

I would like to compose a poem.

Lord Xie stood up. "Sanwa, may I borrow your pen and ink?"

After burning incense, Sanwa came out of the kitchen. The young man was full of vigor and seemed to have inexhaustible energy. He would jump up as he walked.

"Yes, I'll get it right away." With that, Sanwa, wearing cloth shoes, leaped up the steps like a rabbit to the east room. "Thank you, sir. There's a table in this room."

...

Song Chunxue was busy in the kitchen. She didn't expect Yao Man to be so talkative. She talked a lot, but she didn't make people feel disgusted or annoyed. She didn't gossip, but only talked about interesting things.

Two women were busy in the kitchen, and in half an hour they had cooked eight dishes and cut long noodles.

If it weren't for the fact that the sauerkraut jar at home hadn't been brought back, she would definitely have been choking on fermented vegetable soup tonight, and had a bowl of refreshing and palate-cleansing fermented vegetable soup noodles by herself.

When the food was served, she discovered that the four people that Lord Xie and Yao Man had called to help had already gone back.

Song Chunxue was displeased. "They've already come to help, why are you sending them back? Today is our special day, it's lively with lots of people."

“I was just worried that you were working too hard, and that kneading the noodles was too much effort. Next time, when you’ve finished cleaning everything, I’ll have them stay for dinner, okay?” Yao Man pulled her to sit down. “Lord Xie’s attendants also have other things to attend to, so they’ve already gone back.”

Song Chunxue thought so too. Eight dishes were an unprecedented feast for her, but for someone who had seen the world, it might not be enough.

Next time, I'll definitely come up with something more creative to properly thank them.

The large round table in the main room could accommodate more than ten people. After the food was served, Master Xie and several children came out from the east room.

"Mother, Lord Xie just composed a poem on the spot and left us two pieces of calligraphy as a congratulatory gift. Why don't you thank him quickly?" The fourth son proudly boasted as he stepped into the house. "Our family has never received calligraphy from an important person before. Tomorrow we'll frame them and hang them in the main hall of this house."

Yao Man looked at Lord Xie with anticipation, "I wonder if you could bestow upon me a piece of calligraphy? Even just a few words would be fine."

The opportunity was rare, and if she missed it today, she would definitely not have another chance to ask for it. So she simply brazenly asked for it, so as not to regret it later.

Lord Xie nodded and sat down with a smile. "After dinner, I'll write two more pieces. My calligraphy is quite ordinary, so don't have too high expectations."

Yao Man stood up and nodded her thanks. "You are too modest, sir. I have heard that your calligraphy is of great style. As for us common people, if we could obtain a piece of calligraphy by an official like you, even if it is not well written, it can be a family heirloom. Please don't find it troublesome."

She smiled and looked at Song Chunxue, "It's all thanks to Sister Song for becoming friends with Lord Xie, otherwise I wouldn't have had this opportunity."