Chapter 852 Don't be careless.

Sanwa's words brought tears to Song Chunxue's eyes.

It was late at night, and Mulan and the children had all gone to sleep, leaving only the mother and son sitting in front of the brazier chatting.

The ground was covered with peanut and melon seed shells left by the children, and hadn't been cleaned up yet. The potatoes in the brazier had charred skins and were emitting a familiar aroma.

Song Chunxue placed her hand on the back of Sanwa's head, her tears streaming down her face uncontrollably, the more she wiped them away, the more they flowed.

This child, how could he say such a thing?

Her third child has always been the most sensible one. He was thoughtful in his past life, and now that he has the ability, he has a heavier burden and thinks even more.

She couldn't stop sobbing; all the love she had for Sanwa hadn't been in vain.

She would never forget Song Chunxue's words.

Having read books really makes a difference; I never imagined there could be such beautiful words in the world.

These words are more beautiful than any poem I've ever read.

Song Chunxue cried and then laughed, looking up at the wooden rafters on the roof, feeling calm and warm inside.

“Alright, Sanwa is right. Just treat me as Master Song, and I am just Song Chunxue.”

She couldn't help but sigh, "Studying is still the best thing. You would never have said something like this before."

Sanwa turned around, picked up a few bright black charcoal pieces and put them into the wooden basin, and then specially retrieved two new handkerchiefs from the inner room and handed them to Song Chunxue.

"It has little to do with studying. It's all thanks to my mother's good teaching. Poetry, books, and etiquette have made us upright and proper. It was my mother who made me understand that living a simple and happy life is more important."

He bent down and poked at the glowing embers in the charcoal brazier. His young face, illuminated by the firelight, was full of life, both eager and earnest.

"Mother has changed so much, but you've been so focused on moving forward that you haven't really noticed the changes. If Mother hadn't seemed like a completely different person, I wouldn't have had the courage to say this."

At this point, Sanwa scratched his ear sheepishly, "I just feel that other Taoist priests are all carefree and do whatever they want, but you've been working so hard because of us going back and forth."

“We say we want to keep Mom here, but we’re all busy with our own lives and don’t have time to visit her often. Instead, we make her worry and cause you trouble.”

Song Chunxue poured him a glass of wine. "It wasn't hard work. After all, it was my own child. You should understand now that it's impossible to completely let go."

“The past two years it was you guys who came back to see me, but this year I’m much better than last year,” she said, stretching contentedly. “That’s right, I’m very satisfied with what I’ve accomplished this year.”

Sanwa nodded, "It's better to go out more often; there are more changes and opportunities."

Song Chunxue remained noncommittal. "Would you like to go out for a walk?"

"Of course I want to, I really want to."

Sanwa smiled, a hint of alcohol on his breath, his eyes full of anticipation.

"But I don't want to give up everything I have now. Before, I only thought about managing that flock of sheep, but now, on this chaotic road, although it's tough, I've also seen a more real and expansive world."

At this point, Sanwa put his hands behind his head, leaned back, and wore a contented smile.

"Just like I can't agree with those colleagues who are anxious and restless because of the unrest in many places. They just sigh when they pick up a memorial or a case, and then make plans to go somewhere to have some fun before going home. They are just making a fuss over nothing."

Song Chunxue asked curiously, "So what are you thinking?"

"How interesting it is to stand in such a neutral position, witnessing the rise and fall, doing my best to do small things, without demanding or being attached."

He rocked his chair back and said calmly, “Even if a huge wave crashes over and drowns me, I will be just an observer. How honorable, how fortunate.”

Song Chunxue was both pleased and surprised.

After all, how old is Sanwa this year?

“It’s good to think that way, but you’re still young. Sometimes you should enjoy yourself, like people your age do.” Song Chunxue took out a small wooden box from her storage ring.

"They were all bought in the capital. They can be used as gifts to win people's hearts. It's not for any particular reason, just to make people happy. They'll definitely come in handy during the New Year. Give some to the second son too. He's very stubborn. Now that he's married a beautiful wife who's not short of money, he's got all high and mighty. You should advise him not to be too smug."

"Haha, I'll try my best," Sanwa laughed. "Second sister-in-law is also very generous; she bought us all New Year's goods. We're planning to spend New Year's Eve at second brother's house."

The mother and son sat around the stove, drinking tea and wine, chatting animatedly until midnight before finally stopping.

The next day, Song Chunxue took the things Xia Mulan had prepared for her. She saw the waterproof boots Xia Mulan had bought, as well as the undergarment and embroidered jacket that she had sewn herself. She also gave Mulan a small box containing the gold and silver valuables she had previously received.

Things sewn by hand are precious, no matter how much effort was put into them. Besides, Mulan bought and sewed them herself, making her even more reliable than Hongying.

Afterwards, she went up the mountain to see her fellow disciples.

The senior student took good care of everyone. Despite the freezing weather, his breath looked like white smoke, but the children's faces were rosy. It seems that the New Year is coming soon, and they are eating very well.

She wrapped each person in a red cloth bag and made a lucky bag containing a blessing charm and money to ward off evil spirits.

"Master, you are so generous! So much silver, enough for me to live on for a year." Changyun patted the lucky bag with a smile. "Thank you, Master. May all your wishes come true and good luck follow you next year."

Wuji was standing next to an unfamiliar child, who was probably Ye Bai, another disciple of the eldest brother.

“Your master also asked me to bring you things,” Song Chunxue said, giving each of you a red cloth bag. “They’re all things from the capital.”

Ye Bai glanced at Wuji, "Thank you, Uncle Song."

In truth, they both knew in their hearts that their master would not send so much, let alone food.

But now that they've been away from Beijing for so long, they really miss the food there, and this was exactly what they wanted.

After exchanging pleasantries, the younger generation went off to prepare for the New Year. Song Chunxue and Master Han returned inside and sat around the heavy stove, warming themselves and drinking tea.

The buckwheat rings looked very tempting, and Song Chunxue couldn't resist eating one and a half.

"Has Junior Brother gone into seclusion? He's changed so much!"

Song Chunxue then embellished the story of the crazy training she received at the beach and told her senior brother about it.

"My senior brother and Master Han showed no mercy, sending their own men to deal with me without any consideration. I almost got skinned alive. But they really know how to enjoy life and live well. They don't compromise on themselves at all. Senior brother should learn from them."

As she spoke, Song Chunxue placed a small box on the low table beside her.

"Senior brother, you must be managing the accounts now. Is it very tiring? Does the money go by very quickly?" Song Chunxue lowered her voice. "Use this first. Senior brother is very generous. We can buy more firecrackers and incense so that everyone can have a good New Year."

Master Zhang nodded with a smile, "I knew it was the magpies chirping at me from the tree this morning; it turns out my junior brother brought me some silver."

"real?"

"Of course it's true." He took out a brocade pouch from his pocket. "You might need the talismans inside in the capital. Keep them with you at all times."

Song Chunxue felt a chill run down her spine. "Will we run into trouble?"

The first month was relatively peaceful, and she thought the monk's worries were unfounded.

"Do not be careless."

P.S.: Going crazy definitely makes things worse, but I feel much better now. I'll express myself when it's time to let loose, and I'll give back any negativity that comes my way; I'm not going to be a dumping ground for negative energy. I'll update properly tomorrow~