Zhan Xinjia slept until evening before waking up.
I opened my eyes groggily, still not fully conscious, but the first thing I smelled was the enticing aroma of food.
Pushing open the door, the courtyard was filled with festive red lanterns, their bright red light reflecting off the thin layer of white frost on the bluestone bricks. Snow was falling from the sky, and the faint sounds of fireworks and firecrackers could be heard in the distance.
Through a wall, the sounds of children chasing and playing, firecrackers, and laughter could be heard from outside the alley.
It was a lively, joyful, and festive New Year's Eve.
Although her family members were not by her side, and Yan Huishi and A Yue were far away in the capital, Zhan Xinjia still felt a warm sense of happiness in her heart, immersed in the warmth of everyday life, and had a sense of belonging to home.
When she entered the hall, Master Shen was standing idly in the entrance hall, exchanging pleasantries and auspicious greetings with several neighbors.
"Happy New Year! Tomorrow, Aunt Zhang and Uncle Zhang must have Xiao Hu and Cuicui come knocking on the door to wish us a Happy New Year. I've already prepared all the lucky money for you."
"Oh dear, I can't accept this!"
"It's just for good luck, no need to be polite. Besides, my wife likes a lively atmosphere, and the house is usually too quiet. It would be good for her to have more people around to keep her company."
"Then I'll thank Young Master Shen on behalf of the children. If your wife is feeling better, please come to my house for a meal tomorrow! Let's get to know each other better. Don't refuse to add a couple more pairs of chopsticks."
The group exchanged some New Year's goods with smiles, and then gradually dispersed amidst the sound of firecrackers, turning to go home.
Thinking that Ah Zhi should be awake by now, Shen Suqing turned around and saw the little girl standing foolishly in the snow looking at him, her eyes sparkling, with an incredibly happy and charming appearance.
She leaned against the plum tree with a smile, and a thin, white light fell on the treetops, illuminating her in a clear, ethereal glow. For a moment, it was impossible to tell whether it was the remaining snow or the moonlight.
"Master Xiao Shen!!"
With that sweet, crisp call, she stumbled and ran towards him through the soft, rustling snow, her outstretched arms like those of a weary bird returning to the forest.
Shen Suqing smiled and caught her, holding her tightly.
"Why didn't you wake me up? It snowed last night and we haven't had time to shovel it yet. The ground is very slippery. Your leg injury hasn't healed yet. What if you fall? It's cold outside. Let me carry you to wash up and then we'll eat."
Zhan Xinjia obediently wrapped her arms around his neck, rested her head on his shoulder, and swung her legs childishly as he moved, humming a tuneless, lighthearted tune.
Shen Suqing was also moved by what he heard, and he lowered his head to rub his nose against her face, his voice filled with laughter.
"What good thing happened? Why are you so happy? Did our Ah Zhi find money on the ground?"
Zhan Xinjia's eyes curved into crescent moons, two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks, and her eyes shone as if they were sprinkled with glittering stars.
"Hehe, being alive is so much fun! Everything is fun! Being by Master Shen's side is also very fun!"
"Silly child, are you still talking in your sleep?"
"No, Master Shen, I really think being alive is a wonderful thing. Just thinking about how something even better might happen every day makes me so excited and happy!"
However, after being happy, Zhan Xinjia felt a little guilty.
Speaking of which... who remembers that she and Lord Shen actually came to investigate the spies from Nanjun?
Even without investigating, she already had a pretty good idea of what was going on. After all, it was strange that her brother, who was supposed to be in Nian'an City, had suddenly appeared in Canghan. It was possible that Wu Lanlian was also there.
The Southern County people who infiltrated Canghan, as identified by our informant, should be them.
Anyway, her brother will find a chance to see her again, so she's not in a hurry...
Oh right! I need to explain my brother's situation to Master Shen.
Some difficult-to-understand plot points were omitted, such as the system, accumulating merit, and puppet dolls. Zhan Xinjia roughly recounted what her brother had encountered back then and some of the background information.
Of course, there's also the most important thing about Pei Yi. She doesn't want to have any misunderstandings with Lord Shen; the two of them won't be adversaries.
It just sounds rather bizarre and fantastical.
Furthermore, she also wanted to tell him that she never intended to play him for a fool.
Perhaps there are people in the world who are skilled enough to maneuver among several people to gain benefits and still emerge unscathed, but Zhan Xinjia knew from the beginning that she was a fool. She never had the ability to make anyone fooled. She only believed in exchanging one sincere heart for another.
There were no lies, no pretense, and no weighing of pros and cons.
Liking something is the purest and most unadulterated thing.
She had thought that after she finished speaking, Lord Shen would have some doubts, since some of the things she said sounded far-fetched to her. But he just sighed and held her tighter in his arms, speaking softly and tenderly.
I'm very worried about you.
Perhaps there will be more storms and more treacherous conspiracies ahead, and the road ahead will be full of hardships and difficulties, but at least for this moment he can still hold her hand tightly and selfishly put everything aside.
Let's preserve this sense of peace for now.
He brushed aside the stray hairs that had blown into her cheeks by the wind, tucked them behind her ears, and gently warmed her slightly reddened face with his cold hands.
"Alright, don't think about unhappy things during the New Year."
It was already late at night after the New Year's Eve dinner. Zhan Xinjia originally planned to stay up all night, but after sitting side by side with Lord Shen on the steps in front of the courtyard for a short while and enjoying the snow, she became so sleepy that she swayed and couldn't sit still.
Just as Shen Suqing was about to carry her back to her room, a sudden, urgent knocking came from the door—
"Hehe! Happy Chinese New Year!!"
As soon as the door opened, four or five heads popped in at once.
Yan Yuyao, ever the friendly type, barged in. He was sallow and thin, with sunken cheeks and bluish-gray cheekbones, looking like a starving ghost about to be reincarnated and about to mutate. He practically crawled on the ground.
"Is there anything to eat... Holy crap, please give me a bite!!"
"Oh my god, I finally managed to get leave from General Qu, and I rode a horse with these useless bastards into the city. We got lost, encountered wolves, and even had an avalanche along the way. It's like we're playing a survival game in the wilderness!"
While the slower ones were still crawling on the ground, Wangcai and Cui Wanzhao had already rushed to the table and started eating with their hands, not caring about any leftovers. Now, even if there was a bucket of swill in front of them, they would taste it to see if it was salty enough.
Only Qiaoqiao was a decent person; even when she was so hungry that she was delirious, she still knew to go to the kitchen to find a set of bowls and chopsticks.
Shen Suqing, standing to the side, frowned, three black lines appearing on his forehead. Speechless, he raised a finger to his forehead, subtly grinding his back teeth.
What's the meaning of these people showing up uninvited? I should have just left them to rot in the ground. I was hoping to coax Azhi into continuing her punishment of copying tonight, but now my dream is shattered.
Zhan Xinjia, unaware that he had narrowly escaped disaster, was stunned by the situation.
No, is there a famine outside?
"When did you arrive? It's only a half-hour ride from the camp to Canghan City! General Qu didn't give you any food?"
Qiaoqiao struggled to lift her head from the bowl, chewing with two clumps of rice still in her cheeks. She looked so happy after eating that she almost fainted, and tears were welling up in her eyes.
"We actually came with you and Lord Shen the day you set off for Canghan City, but we're only arriving now..."
What should have been a half-hour journey took these young geniuses five days.
Holy crap, I'd eat anyone.
Zhan Xinjia fell silent.
Her drowsiness was mostly dispelled. She thought that since everyone had gathered and it was lively, why not bring a few jugs of apricot blossom wine and go out to set off fireworks and firecrackers together? However, just as she was about to step forward, she was quickly grabbed by Master Shen.
Looking up blankly, before she could even ask what was wrong, a giant orange chicken leg, its hazard lights flashing, suddenly pounced towards her from the horizon!
"Meow!!"
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