"Are you making springtime dishes?"

Yin Wenjiao looked at the crystal-clear white expanse outside the window with some confusion, and couldn't help but laugh:

"Why are you so mischievous? It's almost the end of the year, why are you already thinking about making spring dishes? They say 'being near the kitchen means getting good food, being near the people means getting help,' and now that I've eaten so many new and fresh dishes with you, my clothes are getting a bit tighter."

"Sister Yin, you're mistaken. It's clear that you were happy to see the Tripitaka Master, and now that you're free of any lingering resentment, you naturally ate more. Why are you blaming me again? I won't stand for it."

Xu Milu yawned lazily. Inside the house, a fire spirit was coiled in a brazier, so even though the outside was covered in snow, the inside was still as warm as spring all year round.

The topic of the next competition is related to "spring," and she plans to take the opportunity to give herself a break and stay in the Journey to the West world until the snow melts in spring before returning.

It was winter in the Tang Dynasty. A heavy snow had fallen the day before, and the snow in the courtyard had not yet melted. In some places, the snow was a foot deep, and stepping on it made your legs feel cold.

The wisteria flower fairy had not yet taken human form, and it would shiver from the cold in winter. Xu Milu simply buried all its branches in the soil, so from a distance, only a bare top bud could be seen emerging.

Mo Xuan has been behaving well lately, so Xu Milu gave him leave to go back to Donghai to visit his family. Fortunately, people don't like to go out in winter, so there aren't many customers, and she can manage.

"This year there was a heavy snowfall. I wonder how the people outside the city are getting through the winter. I've been sewing more cloth shoes since I have some free time at home. I'll send them out to the city for charity. I hope I can do my part."

Yin Wenjiao was sitting next to him embroidering cloth shoes. Since the estrangement between her and Sanzang and his mother had been resolved, their relationship had gradually improved.

Xu Milu could occasionally see the monk Sanzang, who had transformed into a mortal, sweeping the floor in the Yin family mansion. Although the mother and son did not get along as intimately as ordinary mothers and sons, their relationship was still warm.

"Is the snow in Chang'an this heavy this year?"

Xu Milu sat up, her brows furrowing:

“I heard from Old Hu the other day that the snow in the mountains was heavy and that his litter of newly hatched fox cubs almost froze to death. He also said that there were many hunters in the mountains this year, and the fox clan had all moved into the deep mountains. Didn’t they expect that there were already disaster victims?”

Yin Wenjiao shook her head and said gently:

"With the imperial court in charge and the gods and Buddhas protecting our Great Tang, there shouldn't be any major problems. If you're worried about it, sister, please donate some old mattresses, quilts, old clothes, and old shoes. These things are more useful than money right now."

Xu Milu nodded:

“Alright, I’ll gather some old bedding. It just so happens that the young master of the Wei family and the young master of the Cheng family are coming to visit today. They hold official positions and should know more than we do. I might as well ask around.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Wei Ying's banging and shouting came from the back door.

Perhaps due to her past experiences, Yin Wenjiao disliked meeting strangers. Upon seeing that a guest had arrived at Xu Milu's house, she took the unfinished cloth shoes home and gave her a few words of advice before leaving:

“Good sister, things have been a bit unsettled in the city these past few days. Make sure to bolt the doors and windows tightly in the morning and evening. If any thieves enter the yard, just shout loudly. There are people living in the neighborhood, so even if there are thieves, they should be wary.”

Having spent so much time together, even though she had personally witnessed Xu Milu interacting with gods, ghosts, and monsters, Yin Wenjiao still unconsciously regarded Xu Milu as a delicate and fragile little child.

"Okay, I'll remember. I'll go find Sister Yin after I've found out about the donation."

Xu Milu escorted Yin Wenjiao to the door and watched her go inside before turning around to open the back door for Wei Ying and the others.

...

...

With Mo Xuan away and no one at home to shovel snow, Xu Milu opened the back door, and a clump of snow "plop"ed down, landing right on the back of Wei Ying's neck as he knocked on the door, making him shiver from the cold.

"How frightening! Madam Xu, I was just urging you a few times because I was cold. You didn't have to tease me like this, did you?"

"I'm not that petty. Mo Xuan went home to visit his mother, and no one swept the snow off the roof. It wasn't my fault."

Xu Milu rolled her eyes before she could see Wei Ying's attire clearly. He was dressed in a thick fur coat, wearing waterproof deerskin boots, and covered with a cloak, exuding an air of nobility.

Cheng Chumo wore a blue Hu-style robe with a woolen jacket over it; it was unclear what kind of leather it was, but it looked quite warm.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Madam Xu."

Cheng Chumo was clearly more polite, and he cupped his hands slightly in greeting.

Wei Ying, a civil official, was unconventional and unrestrained, and did not inherit Wei Zheng's uprightness and integrity at all. Cheng Chumo, a military general, was refined and straightforward, unlike his father, the "mischievous devil" Cheng Yaojin.

If it weren't for the fact that the two people's ages didn't match, Xu Milu would have suspected that the two families had switched babies.

"It's cold, come in quickly. I have something to discuss with you. I bought half a good mutton from Ma San Niang's house the other day, so I'll cook it today."

Xu Milu waved for the two to go in first, then turned around and pulled out half a lamb bone with meat still attached from the snow pile in the corner, before going into the kitchen.

Seeing her so composed, Cheng Chumo felt somewhat uneasy.

Although he knew that this "Madam Xu" was no ordinary person, she was still a woman after all. Besides, there was no reason for guests to be busy while the host was idle.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Wei Ying shrugged: "Madam Xu is a recluse, she wouldn't care about such formalities. If you feel it's inappropriate—"

His eyes darted around, and a sly smile crept across his handsome face.

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