Little New Year
When I returned to Chang'an, it was already the end of the year.
Firecrackers crackled and popped, the year drew ever closer, and the Emperor, unusually, lifted the curfew. Men, women, and children, rich and poor, flocked to Chang'an like a flood, like ants swarming into a swarm of bees.
From then on, the East and West Markets were open all night long, with thousands of lanterns illuminating the streets and riverbanks, making it as bright as day.
Xie Lingxi returned from Jingzhou with a sense of unease. He intended to go to Zhang Liaoran's place to glean some secrets, but his waiter reported that Zhang Liaoran was overjoyed because he had received a large reward that day. He drank heavily and became so drunk that he lost all sense of direction.
"This is really a mistake."
This man never drinks early in the morning or late at night, but today he's having a little wine, as if he's deliberately going against her. Besides, business is booming on New Year's Eve, so drinking and slacking off is an even bigger offense.
Xie Lingxi thought to herself, looking at the tall and handsome young man beside her, her heart filled with a thousand thoughts—only Liu Xu had been waiting for her faithfully in both past and present lives.
Perhaps that secret was discovered through one's own efforts, rather than being casually divined by a mediocre monk.
Seeing Xie Lingxi looking at him, Liu Xu smiled back gently and said kindly, "Next time. Lingxi, have you forgotten that today is the Little New Year?"
The restaurant they stood in was bustling with activity, the high platform was full of people, and everywhere you could see distinguished guests dressed in fine embroidered robes, raising their cups and throwing flowers, drinking and singing together, celebrating the approaching New Year.
"Of course I won't forget."
They had a little disagreement a few days ago—to be precise, it could only be considered that she was unilaterally neglecting Liu Xu.
To be honest, so much has happened these past few days. Sometimes I get caught up in a strange feeling and don't even know what I'm doing.
But Liu Xu was clearly no ordinary person. Xie Lingxi dared not forget how her husband had "pry" that secret room incident out of her these past few days.
Liu Xu was always easygoing and did not worry excessively about the affairs of Jingzhong. However, he often saw Xie Lingxi frowning and deep in thought, which made him feel that he was wasting his precious youth and it was not worth it.
Hearing Xie Lingxi clench her teeth and refuse to let go, Liu Xu smiled and squeezed her hand, "What are you worried about? Wasn't that matter resolved?"
Well said.
They cleverly deflected General Pei's sudden strange behavior, abandoning their duties and deciding to flee.
Once this peak is over, a new one will surely come.
Seeing that Xie Lingxi did not answer, Liu Xu pulled her a few steps up to the third-floor pavilion.
From this vantage point, one can see snow-covered rooftops, the fiery glow of firecrackers, and lanterns bursting into bloom. The slightly dark area is Qujiang, where countless lanterns and small boats float like stars in the sky.
A bright moon hangs high in the sky, its reflection shimmering on the river.
Liu Xu lowered his head and gazed at his own moon. He reached out and smoothed the slight frown between Xie Lingxi's brows, as if he were encompassing all the spring, summer, autumn and winter they had spent together. He said, "It's a rare good time of year. We've already paid our respects to the Kitchen God. Why don't we go and enjoy the lanterns and candles?"
The young man's eyes, reflecting the various new clothes in the restaurant, shone slightly, like the flames under the stove, finally melting the snow in Xie Lingxi's heart.
She cleared her mind of all the jumbled thoughts, turned around, put on a crimson cloak, gathered up the white fur collar, and stretched out her hand to Liu Xu, "Let's go then."
The two walked slowly along the Qujiang River.
“Speaking of which,” Xie Lingxi said, linking arms with Liu Xu and casually picking up a glass bracelet from a nearby stall to examine, “this must have been our first time visiting the night market in Chang’an together.”
"yes."
This was strange. Liu Xu was about to pay when the money stopped in mid-air. "Chang'an has always had a curfew. What kind of night market is this that we can stroll around at will?"
The boss was a plump and beautiful woman with a kind heart. After listening, she explained the situation to him:
"My lord, you may not know this, but the current emperor is benevolent and enlightened. Every year on the Lantern Festival, every festival that can be named will be open for business. At that time, the market will be bustling and prosperous, and no one will dislike it."
"That's great."
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "However... this curfew naturally has its advantages, but I won't go into the details with you two."
Liu Xu was about to ask again, "Then—"
Before she could speak, Xie Lingxi grabbed her wide sleeve and pulled her away. In the struggle, Liu Xuyi grabbed her waist and asked, "What? Is there a reason that cannot be explained to outsiders?"
Xie Lingxi suddenly felt a tightness around her waist. Looking down, she saw a hand clamping down on her from above. Her pale face flushed slightly. "What outsider? Don't talk nonsense."
"Then what am I? My wife?"
Seeing his wife blush, Liu Xu deliberately teased her, saying in a very wicked way, "Everyone says that my wife is well-versed in the classics of Confucius and Mencius, how come she doesn't even know how to address her husband?"
This is deliberately making things difficult.
Xie Lingxi raised an eyebrow: "What do you want to hear, husband?"
"Hey!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the man immediately agreed, then let out a hearty laugh, finally suppressing his flirtatious air, and becoming as gentle as a swaying green bamboo: "Alright, I won't say anymore."
He pointed to the basket on his back, "It smells so good—do you like it?"
"Hmm..." Xie Lingxi looked closely and saw a little girl huddled at the end of the alley, calling out a basket of pale yellow winter plum blossoms.
She bent down and asked softly, "How much is it per branch?"
When the young girl saw someone arrive, she sat up straight on the floral cloth and said eloquently, "It's not expensive. If you buy more, madam, I can give you two more."
Seeing that she was still energetic, Xie Lingxi asked again, "Did you pick them yourself?"
After listening to the girl chatter on about how she and her mother had gone to pick flower branches that day, she said that everything was new and interesting.
Fearing that Xie Lingxi might not believe her, she even took out a sprig of plum blossom from her hair, which was emitting a delicate fragrance.
Xie Lingxi chuckled, "Then I'll buy them all."
She pointed at Liu Xu, "My husband paid for it."
The young girl never expected to meet such a kind-hearted man and woman. She thanked them profusely, took the money, packed her things, and went home.
The wintersweet was so fragrant and refreshing that Xie Lingxi let Liu Xu hold the flowers while she smelled them herself. She then plucked another blossom and carefully placed it in her hair.
Is it pretty?
"Beautiful," Liu Xu said with a smile, "My wife is both beautiful and kind-hearted."
Xie Lingxi said, "I just like flowers."
It's not the behavior of a pitiful person.
Liu Xu nodded: "A beautiful flower and a beautiful woman are a perfect match."
"Plum blossoms are not delicate flowers."
The winter plum blossoms brave the snow and frost, showing no interest in vying for spring's favor. They find their own tranquility even in the fierce winter winds. How could they be considered delicate flowers?
It is 'pride', not 'spoiled'.
"OK!"
Xie Lingxi realized that this man was teasing her again. She secretly used a homophone, like guessing a riddle, and tugged hard at his sleeve and the forearm hidden inside. "You're getting more and more arrogant, Liu Chengzhi!"
"Hahahaha..."
The two playfully followed the path and eventually arrived at the wall where they first met, now covered in snow.
A new couple moved in, and before they had gone out to enjoy themselves, their laughter and chatter could be heard overflowing from the small courtyard.
Xie Lingxi relaxed her eyes. "A year has passed just like that. It's so fast."
How bleak was the last winter? In just one year, it has become a completely different scene.
She lamented the ruthlessness and kindness of time, understanding that one's fate in this world is truly unpredictable, yet even so, one must still strive upwards.
Like flowers and trees, life goes on and on.
When Liu Xu first came to Chang'an, he stayed at Yangliu House. One day, he saw a woman who was as beautiful as a butterfly and as lovely as a flower. From then on, he could never look up at her again.
"You fell from here that day," Xie Lingxi said, pointing to the snow-covered tiles.
Liu Xu: "It's truly a sin that my wife got hurt."
"..." Xie Lingxi covered her face.
Now that her husband was pretending, she suddenly realized, "My husband is right. My body and heart are aching terribly. You have to compensate me in some way."
Liu Xu looked down at her and said gently, "What do you mean by compensation?"
The alleyway in front of me was now adorned with colorful lights, making it bright and cheerful. Withered grass and snow were piled up in the corners of the walls, mixed with some burnt-out firecrackers.
Xie Lingxi looked up and suddenly met Liu Xu's soft, bright eyes, which held a hint of spring warmth like melting snow.
She hesitated for a moment: "I...haven't thought about it yet."
"Tell me when you think of something later."
"good."
...
Previously, the area was teeming with tourists. Xie and Liu bought a basket full of food and toys, until their hands were too tired to carry any more, and finally they leisurely walked onto the Mingyue Bridge.
Along the bridge and riverbank, countless lanterns are scattered like stars in the river, each depicting a blessing and a prayer. Cranes and plum blossoms embrace, one hanging down, the other traversing the Milky Way and the heavens.
"Release lanterns?"
Xie Lingxi shook her head. "No need."
"I have already witnessed the world's prosperity and happiness."
"Do you want to release it?"
Liu Xu smiled and took the brush and ink. "Then I'll put one down. Would you please help me carry these things, my lady?"
There were just too many people. Xie Lingxi clung tightly to Liu Xu's arm, picked up the stack of paper bags, and peered out to see what he had written, but the man deliberately turned away.
Seeing Liu Xu light a lamp and put it in the river, he couldn't help but ask, "What did you write?"
"Shhh."
"secret."
"ah?"
"Then I want to see it."
"If you know it, it won't work."
...
A gust of cold wind swept in, lifting the hoods of countless young men and women. The stall owner hurriedly packed up the lanterns, and the two of them walked away hand in hand. The boat that belonged to Liu Xu on the river dispersed, and several large characters were faintly revealed:
"May my wife enjoy happiness, longevity, and good health, and be free from worry and separation."
...
Another year has passed.
Liu was promoted to Assistant Minister of Revenue.
Apart from the turmoil in Jingdi last year, Chang'an was peaceful and tranquil. The Liu family had added many new things and was thriving when an uninvited guest arrived.
Although it was noon, the man wore a dark hood, obscuring his face. He was tall and very upright, and his every move exuded refinement and nobility, yet he also carried an air of gloom.
Upon hearing the maid's report, Xie Lingxi casually tied up her hair, wrapped herself in an outer garment, and hurriedly went to see the guest.
The two drank fresh tea together, speaking in hushed tones, their brows furrowed, looking quite troubled.
Liu Zhi clung to the pillar and eavesdropped for a long time, but couldn't hear anything. Trembling, she asked someone to call Liu Xu, but Bai Shi stopped her, saying, "It's best not to get involved in your master's affairs."
"That won't do! I absolutely cannot betray my lord!"
Bai Shi rolled his eyes: "Do you know who this person is? He's the eldest princess's son, the famous Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Xiao Yin! Your husband hasn't done anything wrong, what are you afraid of?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhi became even more nervous, glancing sideways into the room. "What do you know?! The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, we need to be even more wary of him..."
"No, I have to go tell my husband right away, lest this person steal his love away!"
"--you!"
The two were struggling and nearly bumped into Liu Xu, who was returning home from his official duties, at the door.
"What happened? Why are you in such a panic?"
Liu Zhi cried out, “That lord has arrived! That… Lord Xiao!”
"ah?"
"That lady's childhood sweetheart!"
"..."
Liu Xu remained calm and unhurried. He put down his book box and stepped into the room, only to hear Xie Lingxi say coldly, "Don't say anything more. I can't help you with this."
Xiao Yin was about to say something when he turned his head and saw Liu Xu, nodding: "Brother Chengzhi."
Liu Xu returned the greeting, speaking in a gentle and refined manner: "I heard a few days ago that Lord Xiao has gone missing?"
Xie Lingxi said, "Someone plotted against him."
According to Xiao Yin, he was discussing matters in Jingzhong with Xie's father in his room that day. They talked until late at night when suddenly there were thieves outside the door, brandishing knives and arrows, intending to kill him to silence him.
"Later, my father claimed to be ill and stayed home, and you know what happened next."
“Yes,” Liu Xu suddenly realized, “So that’s what it was about. I originally thought Father wanted to avoid the factional strife in the court.”
Xiao Yin picked up the conversation: "Both are true."
“I hid outside for months, disappearing without a trace. Everyone said that the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had disappeared, some said that I had died and vanished into thin air, and some said that I had amnesia and had been deceived. In short, this matter is far from as simple as imagined.”
Liu Xu: "Who is the murderer?"
"A junior official in the Ministry of Revenue."
"?"
The current Assistant Minister of Revenue is none other than Lord Liu Chengzhi, who stands before me.
Before Liu Xu could speak, Xiao Yin gritted his teeth and sneered. His expression was no longer as carefree as before, and his eyebrows lowered. "I was just joking."
"I have come today to ask Lingxi for advice on matters between men and women."
He stood up, wrapped himself up tightly, revealing only his sharp, cold eyes, and bowed to Xie Lingxi: "Since Lingxi can't help me, I'll take my leave."
Xie Lingxi rubbed her temples: "Don't act rashly."
The latter flicked his sleeve and said, "I'm leaving."
...
After the person left, Liu Xu pulled Xie Lingxi aside, looking puzzled: "What was he saying?"
Xie Lingxi sneered: "Xiao Zixuan is sick, ignore him."
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