The two men turned off the stove and locked the door, then rode their donkeys and horses and chased Zhong Lu to Changhuai Township.
Passing by Nanshan Academy, Xu Jiang went to return the horse and saw the three members of the Cao family talking with Master Lin. She did not want to disturb them, but called Lin Hongchu out and gave the horse to her.
When Lin Hongchu learned that they were going to participate in the village's La Festival, he took out some offerings from the house and asked Xu Jiang to present them on his behalf to bless his mother's health and happiness.
Xu Jiang took the offering, patted her head, and promised, "Don't worry, I will convey your sincerity to the gods."
Afterwards, Xu Jiang said goodbye to her and rushed out of the city with Lou Yunchun.
On the way to Changhuai Township, they had to pass through Jinguang Gate. On the way, they ran into Zeng Zhui, who was on his way to Yuan's house. When Zeng Zhui heard that they were going to the township community's La Festival, he quickly changed his route and left the city with them.
On the way, he heard Xu Jiang say that he was going to present tribute on behalf of Lin Hongchu, and then he snatched the offerings that Lin Hongchu had entrusted to him, insisting on doing it himself. Xu Jiang stared at him for a few seconds, saw an unnatural blush on his face, and then said "Oh", and immediately understood.
Lou Yunchun knew the way, and with him leading the way, the three of them quickly caught up with Zhong Lu. Zhong Lu peeked through the curtain of the sedan chair and saw Zeng Zhui coming too, so he called him forward to speak.
Zeng Zhui, the chatterbox, was feeling bored, so he left Lou Yunchun and Xu Jiang behind and left without a second thought.
The two people in front were chatting happily, and the two people behind were not idle either. Lou Yunchun was introducing the places and villages along the way to Xu Jiang, and Xu Jiang listened with great interest.
The suburbs are different from the city. Someone is shoveling the snow, and all you can see is a vast expanse of silver snow that seems endless.
Xu Jiang took a deep breath and felt a coolness in her seven orifices. She said to Lou Yunchun, "It's refreshing to go out of town for a walk every now and then."
Seeing her red nose from the cold, Lou Yunchun reached out to touch it. Xu Jiang quickly covered her nose and glared at him.
Lou Yunchun laughed instead.
Xu Jiang stared at him in a daze, and witnessed what it meant to be as beautiful as snow.
"The Lou family has a farmhouse up ahead and some spare land, which is currently unused. We can grow some vegetables and fruits and raise some chickens and ducks in the spring. If you want to get out of town and relax, you can stay here for a while."
"I guess it's Mr. Lou's vulgar taste again."
"Well, a couple of years ago, the trend of returning to the countryside became popular in the capital, so my father bought an abandoned house here and had it rebuilt, hoping to emulate Mr. Qian and retire to the countryside. But after spending half a year building it, he only lived there for less than half a month before returning home."
Xu Jiang asked curiously, "Why?"
Lou Yunchun mercilessly exposed his father's true identity, "He's afraid of insects."
Xu Jiang laughed out loud.
Seeing her happy, Lou Yunchun also raised his lip and continued, "Although my father usually enjoys the fun of the countryside, because of this natural nemesis, he can only sigh in despair. Later, he converted the Lou Mansion into Ziranxuan and left this house to me to manage."
Xu Jiang asked with a smile, "Are you afraid of insects?"
"No."
"So, do you come here often?"
"I come to stay occasionally."
"Why? Could it be that you also wish to return to the garden?"
"It didn't exist before, but it exists now." If I could work from sunrise to sunset with her, it would be the greatest pleasure in the world.
Xu Jiang understood the hidden meaning in his words and smiled, "Then we will come over to farm after the spring."
Lou Yunchun couldn't help but reach out and touch her nose again.
"good."
When the group arrived at Changhuai Township, they saw a winding stream, cold mountains surrounding the village, fields and paths, and groups of haystacks. As they got closer, they heard the crowing of chickens, barking of dogs, and faint human voices.
When they looked up, they saw hundreds of farmhouses nestled against the mountains and beside the water, some scattered around, some close to each other, looking very leisurely.
Xu Jiang sighed and said, "This is a good place."
Lou Yunchun said, "Our farmhouse is no worse than this one."
He said this as if he was afraid that she would not go, and Xu Jiang was very happy.
Zeng Zhui had a keen nose and followed a wisp of fragrance on the wind for a long time. He touched his stomach and said, "Who is cooking braised pork? It smells so good."
Zhong Lu replied, "On the La Festival, every household is cooking." He then pointed to a memorial archway ahead and said, "See? The village community is over there, and the villagers are all rushing there. I think the sacrifice is about to begin. Let's go over there quickly."
"Let's go!" Zeng Zhui pulled the reins and rode the donkey to the front.
The closer he got to the village, the more villagers he saw. Most of them knew Zhong Lu and greeted him. They then threw dried meat, fruits and vegetables into his carriage. Even Lou Yunchun and Xu Jiang, who were following Zhong Lu, were not spared and were stuffed full.
Zeng Zhui was the only one who didn't collect any fruit. He blended seamlessly into the crowd of villagers, chatting with them enthusiastically and making all sorts of overt and implicit overtures. Seeing him holding an offering, the villagers assumed he was a relative or young man, and gave him nothing.
Seeing that he seemed to want to say something but hesitated, Xu Jiang covered her mouth and laughed behind him.
Several people arrived in front of the memorial archway and dismounted from their horses and carriages. Seeing the distinguished guests arrive, the village chief hurriedly led the elders of various tribes to greet them. Zhong Lu saluted the elders first, then, surrounded by the crowd, headed towards the altar.
A few dark-skinned, honest-looking men came to help them move their horses and donkeys. Lou Yunchun thanked them and then, pretending to protect Xu Jiang, followed the crowd in. As for Zeng Zhui, he had already shamelessly clung to a villager and walked ahead.
As more and more people gathered, Lou Yunchun grabbed Xu Jiang, fearing that she would be separated.
As Xu Jiang was being led by him, she couldn't help but think of the Lantern Festival sacrifice. Lou Yunchun led her out of the crowd and held her tightly, fearing that she would be squeezed away.
She was pulled out of the crowd at a loss by him, and also into an intoxicating romance.
She would occasionally think that she had traveled thousands of miles not only to see the prosperous Kyoto, but also to meet him.
After finally squeezing to the front of the altar, both of them were sweating. Xu Jiang noticed with sharp eyes that Zeng Zhui squeezed to the front row and placed Lin Hongchu's offering in the very center.
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