On New Year's Day, the first thing every household does when they open the door is to set off firecrackers.
Amidst the explosions all over the city, Zeng Zhui and Xu Jiang prepared some hot steamed buns and had breakfast with the three members of the Lin family. Just after they finished eating, students came to pay New Year's greetings. Master Lin has been very busy since then.
Zeng Zhui and Xu Jiang helped Lin Hongchu put away the miscellaneous items, and talked with Mrs. Lin for a while before saying goodbye and leaving.
Zeng Zhui was going to rush back to Du's house to pay his New Year's greetings to him before he entered the palace, and then he would visit other scholars and other families to pay New Year's greetings. Xu Jiang also wanted to visit various families to pay New Year's greetings and give gifts. Knowing that Zeng Zhui was going back to Du's house, she asked him to take the gifts and New Year's greetings to Du Hui.
Thinking that all the gentlemen had to go to the palace for a banquet today, and that there were many people and things to do at home, it would be a pity to disturb them. Therefore, Xu Jiang prepared holiday gifts and New Year greetings and delivered them to the homes of all the gentlemen to express her blessings and respect.
After the court is closed, he will go to the palace in person to offer congratulations.
After sending Zeng Zhui away, Xu Jiang lit the firecrackers she had bought the day before in front of the door, which made Yue Nu flee all over the house. Then she harnessed her donkey to a cart, loaded the gifts, and went out to pay New Year's greetings.
Starting from Shopkeeper Wang's house and ending at Yuan Zu's house, she left with a full load and returned with a full load.
Finally, she passed by Master Lin's house and saw that it was crowded with people. She said hello to Lin Hongchu, who was welcoming guests at the door, and turned back to the shop. After returning to the shop, she found that there were also many holiday gifts piled up in front of the door. She thought that friends came to pay New Year's greetings and left them at the door because she was not there.
Xu Jiang collected everything and separated it with the cart that had brought it back. There were treats for Uncle Cao, Xu San, Hu Xu, and many of the neighbors, including snacks, food, and toys. She had also visited their home today to celebrate the New Year, but only saw their family members, not the main person. They must have been out visiting.
What Hu Xu had given her was easy to identify; it was a painting. She unfolded it and saw a flower, a red sword-leaved flower with a white streak running down the leaves and petals. It was called the Fragrant Mountain White Rib.
It means auspiciousness.
Hu Xu's painting skills have always been superb, and Xu Jiang really couldn't bear to keep this painting hidden, so she hung it up.
It’s really good, beautiful and auspicious.
The first dinner of the new year was eaten at Shopkeeper Wang’s house. The food was ordinary, not elaborate but delicious, and full of the flavor of the New Year.
After dinner, the boy from Shopkeeper Wang's family couldn't sit still and kept wanting to run out. During the Yuanzheng period, not only would the palace host a banquet for officials and envoys from various countries, but temple fairs and market fairs were also allowed. There were no restrictions on the various markets, and everyone was welcome to go.
Not only him, but even Xu Jiang was itching to see such a grand spectacle. After Wang and his family had packed up, she returned to the market to get the donkey and the money, and the group happily headed out to the street.
Yonghefang had opened a night market, a first for Xu Jiang in all her time in the capital. Entering the market, familiar faces filled the streets, with food stalls, acrobatics, lanterns, and riddles, all offering half-price buy-half-get-free deals, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.
Suddenly, the crowd gasped in surprise. A Nuo opera was about to begin. Unlike the solemn and dignified Nuo operas performed in the mountainous regions of the southwest and northwest, this one was more lively. A demon-faced "evil spirit" moved through the crowd, driven away by the "gods." Wherever it hid, the people there cried out in surprise, making way for it or pushing it away until it was driven off the streets by the "gods."
When the "god" succeeded in exorcising the nuo, the people would throw their copper coins into the bowl in his hand, both as a reward and for good luck. Soon, the bowl in the hand of the "god" was filled with copper coins.
Xu Jiang also threw one in, then touched his chin and thought, this money comes easily, why not find a master to learn Nuo opera?
Her master's ugly face popped up in her mind, and she shuddered. Forget it, it's better for her to just stay in her bookshop.
Shopkeeper Wang and his family walked slowly, and Xu Jiang, who was leading the donkey, soon became separated from them. Xu Jiang simply rode the donkey towards Zhuque Street.
I heard Suzaku Street was bustling today, not only with carriages and horses from foreign envoys presenting treasures, but also with parade chariots from the Imperial City. These chariots featured dancing, music, rituals, treasures, and Buddha statues... Their purpose was to demonstrate national prestige, bring peace to the people, and win the submission of foreign envoys.
Zhuque Street was crowded with people, and Xu Jiang was glad that she had wisely brought the donkey with her. When people saw the donkey's sullen face, they knew it was a beast not to be trifled with. They were afraid that it would kick its hind legs, so they naturally kept their distance from it.
Riding on a donkey also afforded a wide field of vision. At this moment, the carriages of foreign envoys were slowly advancing towards the imperial city, their carriages piled high with tributes of rare treasures, uncommon auspicious animals, and even beautiful Hu girls and brave Kunlun slaves.
These treasures dazzled the people and they cheered loudly.
Xu Jiang also saw a group of monks from the Western Regions following the tribute procession, chanting Buddhist scriptures. This reminded Xu Jiang of the group of monks who had interacted with the Dongling Sect disciples. He wondered if they had arrived in Kyoto like these monks before him.
She stared intently at the monks when she suddenly spotted a familiar figure among them. She thought she was dazzled by the bright lights, so she rubbed her eyes vigorously and looked again.
It was really him—Mo Ming!
Mo Ming is here, but where is Wuluolan? Xu Jiang looked around the team but didn't see any trace of Wuluolan.
Seeing Mo Ming was about to walk away, Xu Jiang waved vigorously and called his name, "Mo Ming! Mo Ming!"
Mo Ming heard someone calling him, so he turned around, but there were too many people and he couldn't find the person calling him.
Maybe it's an illusion?
Xu Jiang saw him turn around and waved even more eagerly, but she never met his eyes. She watched him walk away with the group. She was filled with doubts and worries. She didn't know what had happened to Mo Ming in the past few years, and she didn't know what the situation would be like after Wuluolan went to Furong City.
The lover she longed for has now become a monk.
Xu Jiang was carried by a donkey, wandering freely without letting the reins run wild. She didn't come to her senses until she reached the gate of the imperial city. She hurriedly pulled the donkey back, fearing that she would bump into the guards who were blocking the people.
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