Chapter Fifty-Four: Fragrant Smoke and Fire Herald the Arrival of Spring
“Yes, that’s wonderful.” Cen Xun also understood something from Zhong Lishuo’s abrupt stop. She looked up at Zhong Lishuo with a smile, reached out and touched his cheek, then took his hand, turned to look at Xue Chang, and changed the subject, “So Master, are you going back to Jiangnan for the New Year?”
Xue Chang, who had just been smiling kindly at the two of them, was taken aback for a moment, then smiled helplessly, "Tongxi, why are you so good at interrupting?" He picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and looked up with a smile, "The affairs of Jiangnan are complicated. If we leave Mr. Cen alone in Jiangnan, I'm afraid he will be working day and night during the New Year period, right?"
“That’s right, then I won’t keep you any longer.” Cen Xun nodded with a smile, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes. “When you return to Jiangnan, please be sure to thank my father for me.”
"You," Xue Chang shook his head with a helpless smile, "Don't worry, I'll definitely deliver the message to you."
Zhongli An looked at the group with a smile, poured a cup of hot tea into his teacup, and looked up at Xue Chang, "So, according to you, we're setting off today?"
Xue Chang smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute. "I originally intended to stay here for a few more days, but unfortunately time is tight, and Jiangnan is too chaotic. I can't leave anyone behind, so I'm afraid I'll have to return tonight."
Zhong Li'an frowned upon hearing this. "Winter nights are long, sir. Please be careful on your journey. Safety is the most important thing. I will send someone to escort you to Jiangnan."
“There’s no need for such trouble,” Xue Chang said with a smile, clasping his hands in a fist salute and glancing at Qi Kun. “At that time, you can just send Gu Fan to deliver it.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Kun crossed his arms and laughed, "It's not like I wouldn't see you off even if you hadn't said anything. You're already here, shouldn't you at least show some respect?"
“Hey,” Xue Chang said with a smile and waved his hand. “As the magistrate’s strategist, it is only right that I entrust you with the task of explaining my stance. Today is meant to bring good news to everyone. If I were to talk about my stance at this time, wouldn’t that be too opportunistic?” As he spoke, he turned to look at Zhong Li’an. “Don’t mess things up and leave a bad impression on the magistrate on our first meeting.”
“How could that be?” Zhongli An straightened his sleeves, stood up, and walked towards Xue Chang with a smile, gently patting his back. “I’ve already heard about your help to Gu Fan in Jiangnan. I’m so grateful to you, how could I possibly have a grudge against you over a few words?”
Upon hearing this, Xue Chang clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhongli An and said with a smile, "With such magnanimity as Your Excellency, how can we worry about the stability of our great undertaking?" He then clasped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd who had stood up beside him, "It's getting late, everyone, I must take my leave now."
Until we meet again!
"Master, please be careful on the road!"
The crowd surged forward, offering their congratulations to Xue Chang in a flurry of chatter.
Zhong Li'an stood at the door, cupped his fists towards Xue Chang who was retreating, and said, "Mr. Xue, until we meet again!"
Xue Chang turned around and bowed to the crowd. "If I am still alive, we will surely meet again!" After saying this, he smiled and waved to the crowd. "Everyone, Happy New Year! See you again someday!"
Qi Kun watched Xue Chang's carefree retreating figure and couldn't help but chuckle. He turned to Zhongli An and said, "My lord, I'll see him off."
“Okay,” Zhong Li’an nodded with a smile and patted Qi Kun on the shoulder. “Take care on your journey, and come back as soon as Che Yan gets on the ship.”
Qi Kun raised his hand, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and smiled, "As you command."
-
Although Xue Chang had left in haste, the festive atmosphere in Ji Province remained undiminished. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the people celebrating the New Year in the streets were even more enthusiastic.
Time flies, and before dawn, someone lit the first string of firecrackers. The crackling and popping sounds, along with the red sparks flying everywhere, announced that the last day of the year had arrived.
Awakened, Yang Xiao frowned in annoyance, but without even opening her eyes, she rolled over, clutching the blanket, and drifted back to sleep. However, she hadn't been asleep long when firecrackers began to explode throughout the city, even the military camp was filled with a lively and bustling atmosphere.
She reluctantly rubbed her eyes, then suddenly realized it was New Year's Eve. Her drowsiness vanished instantly with the bursts of laughter and chatter. Overwhelmed with excitement, she quickly dressed and ran to the door.
The door was pushed open with a bang, and a lively, festive atmosphere filled the air, with soldiers running around excitedly. Her eyes lit up with delight, and she strode towards the crowd.
"Hey? General, you're awake?" It was probably one of the sharp-eyed soldiers who spotted Yang Xiao, and the others rushed over with laughter, bowing and wishing him a Happy New Year!
"Happy New Year, everyone!" Yang Xiao smiled and clasped her hands in greeting. "It's a rare day when you don't have to train, so you can have a good few days of fun and rest."
Zhang Ping smiled and nodded, "General, you too. While you were still unconscious, the other generals and strategists had already gone to see the lord."
“I guessed it,” Yang Xiao patted Zhang Ping on the shoulder. “I’ll go right away.”
Seeing Yang Xiao turn to leave, Zhang Ping quickly stopped her. "Hey, General, please wait a moment," he said, smiling at Yang Xiao. "It's New Year's Eve today, and Mu Fei has been busy in the kitchen since early this morning..."
Before she could finish speaking, a figure came running hurriedly from a distance. Yang Xiao looked up and realized who it was—it was Mu Fei.
The young boy came running up, panting, his breath rising as a white mist.
"Mu Fei?" Yang Xiao looked at the still-childish face and couldn't help but smile. "You've grown another year older. Happy New Year!"
"General," Mu Fei clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yang Xiao, feigning exhaustion, but his burning gaze showed no sign of weariness, "I'm exhausted. I was dragged to the kitchen before dawn and have been here ever since."
Yang Xiao saw through his pretense at a glance, smiled and tapped his nose, "Stop talking nonsense, what delicious food did you make?"
"Sesame leaves, steamed buns, and glutinous rice balls." Mu Feilian straightened up and stood there reporting, his complaining expression turning serious. The next second, he regained his previous resentment and said aggrievedly, "Who knew that they would eat them all in no time after I made them! I can accept the sesame leaves and steamed buns, but the glutinous rice balls were eaten as soon as they were steamed and hadn't even been fried yet."
"Hahahaha..." Yang Xiao couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. She pointed to the group of soldiers surrounding her, "We haven't skimped on your rations before, so why are you so hungry during the New Year?"
"Exactly!" Mu Fei retorted, putting his hands on his hips and tilting his head back at the crowd.
“You can’t blame us for this,” a soldier beside him said with a smile, scratching his head. “It’s just that Brother Mu Fei’s cooking is so delicious, anyone would be unable to resist…”
Yang Xiao smiled and shook her head, "You guys, Mu Fei didn't even get a single bite before you snatched it all. Remember to let him have a taste first next time before you take it."
"Yes, sir," the soldiers beside him replied with smiles.
"Everyone! The sesame leaves are ready!" Before the words were finished, the curtain was lifted from the direction of the kitchen, and a soldier ran towards the group carrying a basin. The basin was steaming with white smoke, which filled the view of the newcomer.
Seeing this, Yang Xiao went to greet him, then smiled at Mu Fei and asked, "Have you taken on a disciple?"
Mu Fei chuckled and scratched his head. "I just grabbed a few people to help me out, otherwise I really wouldn't be able to handle it all."
“I see,” she smiled and tilted her head at Mu Fei. “When I come back from the lord’s place, I’ll learn a few tricks from you. I’ve never been to the stove before.”
"You want to learn from me?" Mu Fei stared at Yang Xiao with wide eyes in disbelief. "Really?"
Seeing this, Yang Xiao couldn't help but laugh, "Is this even a lie?"
"That's great!" Mu Fei suddenly became motivated, looked up at her and nodded, "General, don't worry, I guarantee it! After tonight, you'll be the second best cook in our camp."
"Look at what you're saying..." Before Yang Xiao could finish speaking, the soldier carrying the basin ran up to her breathlessly. The freshly cooked sesame leaves were steaming hot, and the aroma of sesame and flour mixed with the aroma of ghee immediately filled her lungs.
"General, please have a taste." The soldier who ran over smiled and handed the basin to Yang Xiao. "This is the second batch that Mu Fei has fried."
Yang Xiao bent down and sniffed, then nodded in satisfaction. "As expected of you guys, just the smell is enough to whet my appetite."
Mu Fei, standing to the side, smiled and urged, "General, please try it. We can correct any mistakes."
The basin was full of golden sesame leaves. Yang Xiao gently picked up a piece, took a bite, and the crisp texture immediately burst between her lips and teeth. The salty aroma of sesame and the sweetness of the sesame leaves mixed together and filled her mouth.
The sesame leaves were already crispy, and they were even crispier when they were fresh out of the pot. Yang Xiao chewed on the sesame leaves in her mouth, gesturing with delight to Mu Fei, and praising them indistinctly.
In no time, the sesame leaves in the basin were completely devoured, and the aroma of sesame filled the air, with praises rising and falling incessantly.
Mu Fei looked at the empty basin, then at Yang Xiao with a wronged expression, and then at everyone else, "You guys didn't leave any for me!"
Laughter erupted outside the tent. Yang Xiao patted Mu Fei's shoulder with a smile, "Alright, alright, next time you'll get to eat first." She then took Chi Lian from a soldier nearby; the chestnut-red warhorse looked even more festive in the New Year. She smiled and patted Chi Lian's head, then turned to the crowd, "I'm going to wish the lord and the others a Happy New Year first. I'll come back and help you with the work!"
After speaking, he mounted his horse and waved to the crowd with a smile.
"Alright, General, take care on your journey." The crowd gathered around, bowing to Yang Xiao. She raised her head, turned around, pulled on the reins, and spurred her horse to gallop away.
That red figure, carrying Yang Xiao's joyful heart, galloped towards the governor's office. Before long, Chi Lian, amidst the city's jubilation and celebration, raised its hooves high in front of the office and let out a long neigh.
The governor's office was bustling with activity; even through the curtains, one could see the lively atmosphere inside.
"My lord, Master!" Before even dismounting, Yang Xiao called out into the house, "I'm late, Happy New Year everyone!"
Upon hearing this, Cen Xun smiled and came out of the house. "I heard you shouting from afar. Come in quickly, the lord is writing Spring Festival couplets."
"What a coincidence!" Yang Xiao excitedly took Cen Xun's arm. "Come on, let's go take a look."
As soon as she lifted the curtain, a familiar warm fragrance wafted towards her. Yang Xiao didn't even have time to take off the cloak around her neck before she ran towards Zhong Li'an, who was writing Spring Festival couplets at the table.
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