The big red lanterns and green trees and silver flowers all over the streets are telling you that the New Year is here, and the festive atmosphere deliberately created in Tokyo is very strong.
The night market outside Zhongwa is brightly lit, with vendors setting up stalls along the street to sell all kinds of goods from the north and south, including ceramics, cloth, women's rouge and powder, and accessories, and even swords, guns, sticks and clubs.
The most common items are various snacks and delicacies, including rice porridge, meat soup, and dried goods. Moreover, all the snacks here are not expensive and can be afforded by most families.
With the arrival of the festival, more and more women appear on the streets.
In the Song Dynasty, people were relatively tolerant of women. Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism had just begun at that time, and the restrictions and confinement on women were not so strict. This is why there was the famous poem "The moon is above the treetops, and we make appointments after dusk."
Just imagine, if a woman can’t go out, what’s the point of making a date?
As long as they are accompanied by their family, women can go shopping freely, and it is not uncommon to see them visiting night markets alone.
Zhang Shixun saw it now.
A woman was squatting under a lantern at a used bookstall, reading a book intently.
She was dressed elegantly and gracefully, with a dignified demeanor. She wore a lake blue skirt and a fitted bright red satin front-opening jacket.
She was in the bustling city, her mind focused, just squatting on the ground reading quietly, giving people a strong contrast.
Like an intellectual woman in a later city.
This kind of scene is really rare in this era.
Zhang Shixun couldn't help but look at the woman again and again.
The woman raised her head and lifted her drooping temples, and her eyes met his.
There was no way to avoid it, so Zhang Shixun nodded to her politely and then looked away.
Even after walking a long way, Zhang Shixun was still thinking about that woman, without any other thoughts or distractions.
When the woman raised her head, he could see clearly that she was about thirty years old, which was not considered young in that era. Her temperament was so elegant that it was unforgettable at first sight.
Liang Hongyu, who was walking behind him, suddenly said, "Shixun, that woman is already married to someone else, so don't bother with her."
"What's the point?" Zhang Shixun didn't understand.
"You looked at the woman reading the book several times just now, and then you looked back after you walked away."
"I did glance at her several times. I just thought she was different. There was nothing else to it."
"I even saw you nod to him."
"No!" Zhang Shixun subconsciously denied it.
"Really?"
"Really... no, I don't know her, why would I nod?"
"I really don't have any other intentions towards her."
"Really not."
"That's not right. If you didn't have any other intentions, why did Po Han Wu call you a few times, but you acted as if you didn't hear anything?"
"Really?" Zhang Shixun turned his head and looked at Han Shizhong.
Han Shizhong said: "Of course, I called you several times just now."
Zhang Shixun explained awkwardly, "This... I was just thinking about something else. It has nothing to do with that woman."
"You'd better give up. If it has nothing to do with that woman, why do you keep looking back at her?" Liang Hongyu pursued him relentlessly, leaving him no room for maneuver.
"I really..." Zhang Shixun's old face turned red and he simply shut his mouth. The more he talked about this matter, the worse it would get.
"Shixun, don't be tempted by other women. You and Saisai are a perfect match, talented and beautiful. She is the perfect match for you."
Zhang Shixun discovered that Liang Hongyu was definitely a woman who loved to argue and was stubborn. She would never give in even if she was right. Once she caught someone's weakness, she would never give the other person face.
Han Shizhong tried to smooth things over: "Alright! Shixun has a deep affection for Saisai, Hongyu, don't expect the worst."
"Isn't it enough for me to tell him a few words?" Liang Hongyu glared at him. "Don't say anything."
"There are so many people in the night market. How do you know Shixun was looking at that woman? Maybe he was looking at the person buying books nearby."
"Humph! I'm sure he's looking at that woman. What can you do to me?"
"Does what you believe in necessarily mean it's right?"
"certainly."
"Only women and villains are difficult to raise."
Han Shizhong shook his head, put his hands behind his back, and hurried a few steps to walk shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Shixun.
Zhongwan was bustling with people and extremely lively. Lanterns were hung in the brothels of all sizes, gongs and drums were beating in the showrooms, and firecrackers were ringing one after another, creating a festive and harmonious atmosphere.
At the door of the peony shed, people were packed together and there was almost no room to step.
Above the door, there are several wind-killing lanterns hanging high, illuminating the area below.
Seven or eight strong men lined up in a row to prevent anyone from breaking the rules.
Liang Hongyu stood on tiptoe, looking at the huge crowd in front of her, and asked, "Can we squeeze in?"
Han Shizhong said, "My lady, don't worry. With Shixun and I here, even a huge army can't stop us from charging in."
Liang Hongyu rolled her eyes at him and said, "You are not allowed to act wildly here. This is a competition venue."
"Hehe! I'm just talking, don't worry, my lady." Han Shizhong smiled and held her hand.
A man approached Zhang Shixun and asked, "Sir, do you have any extra sticks to sell? I'd like to buy them at a high price."
Zhang Shixun shook his head: "No."
People came to ask one after another, most of them wanted to buy entrance tickets, and there were also some who were selling tickets, but the prices were several times the actual prices, which were ridiculously high.
Zhang Shixun sighed inwardly: A typical scalper.
Han Shizhong grabbed a man selling sticks and asked, "Hey! I want to ask you, why is it so lively today?"
The man tried to break free from Han Shizhong's grip, but couldn't. He could only reply, "Today is New Year's Eve. Many people have come to see Lady Ding sing. Plus, with Master Li adding to the fun, it would be a blast... Man, please let go, or you'll interrupt my business."
Han Shizhong released his hand and asked Zhang Shixun, "There are so many people, and we can't force our way in. What did Saisai say to you?"
"Haha! Don't worry, uncle. I always come into the Lotus Pavilion through the back door... Follow me." Zhang Shixun led the two of them around to the back door. After knocking twice, someone inside shouted, "Who's knocking? Tell me your name!"
"It's me." Han Shizhong grinned when he heard the voice and shouted inside: "Brother-in-law, it's me, splashing Han Wu."
Father Ding asked through the door: "Oh! Are you alone? Where did that kid Zhang go?"
"He's right next to me."
The back door opened with a bang. Without a word, Father Ding reached out to Zhang Shixun and said, "Give it to me!"
"What?" Zhang Shixun was completely confused.
"Wine!" Father Ding was quite impatient.
"Haha! Brother-in-law, Shixun is thinking of you and brought you a lot of holiday gifts, of course, wine." Han Shizhong stretched out his arm, and a large cloth bag appeared in front of Ding's father.
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