Chapter 199 New Snow
The Junzhou Incident came and went quickly. The people only knew that on the 19th, there were shouts of killing on the street and flames from the city gate. The people didn't know what happened, so they could only close their doors and gather their families together. The noises outside became more and more frightening, and there was even an army coming in from behind. The sound of armor and swords clashing echoed in the empty streets, making people panic.
However, the situation that the people expected did not happen. No soldiers rushed into their homes to rob and kill, and no gangsters gathered to cause trouble. The noise outside lasted for half the night and gradually died down. Someone bravely stuck his head out to see that Wangxianlou, the largest wine house in Junzhou, was burned into a sea of fire. There were fully armed soldiers guarding outside the government office. There were more unfamiliar faces on the streets and alleys. They asked about the situation of the nearby residents.
Apart from the quarrel that kept them awake all night, there seemed to be no other damage.
The people were curious for a day or two, but soon forgot what happened that night and returned to their daily lives when nothing new happened. The sounds of people hawking New Year goods in Junzhou rang out again, and the familiar smell of steamed cakes wafted through the alleys. The people were busy bargaining, and no one cared where the former bigwigs of Junzhou had gone.
After several days of interrogation and pursuit, Prince Qiao was captured, and all those who participated in the rebellion were arrested and brought to justice. Ren Yao interrogated all day yesterday and did not fall asleep until midnight. She dozed off for less than two hours before getting up again to inspect the patrol. She was exhausted physically and mentally, and when she walked out of the government office, she did not look at the road and accidentally knocked down a child.
The child was playing with a bamboo dragonfly and bumped into Ren Yao without warning, falling to the ground with a thud. Ren Yao was startled and reached out to help him: "Are you okay?"
The child looked up and saw Ren Yao's cold armor, and was so scared that he started to cry. Ren Yao was stunned, standing there at a loss, trying to get the child to stop: "Don't cry."
The contrast between a Yulin soldier in armor and an unarmed child quickly attracted a lot of attention. Passersby pointed at Ren Yao and whispered to him.
Ren Yao was not good at dealing with children and was so anxious that he didn't know what to do. At this time, a pair of slender white hands picked up the wings of the bamboo dragonfly, walked slowly to the child, squatted down and asked, "Is this yours?"
The child saw the handsome man with gentle eyes and nodded cautiously. Li Huazhang smiled, put the bamboo dragonfly in the child's hand, and said softly: "Now it can continue to fly, you can go and play."
Ming Huashang also came over from behind, picked up the child, and said, "Be careful when you play this time. Go quickly, and have a healthy new year."
The child was not hurt, he was crying out of sheer fear. He immediately forgot what happened when he got the toy. He timidly glanced at Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang, took the bamboo helicopter, and ran away: "Happy New Year."
The child ran a long way in one breath before he dared to look back at them. Li Huazhang smiled and waved to him, pulled Ming Huashang up, and said to Ren Yao: "I have been busy checking documents and chasing fugitives these days, and I didn't notice that the New Year is coming. General Ren, happy New Year."
Ren Yao was stunned for a moment and couldn't help asking, "Is New Year's Eve already over?"
"No, today is the day." Li Huazhang said, "Thank you for your hard work during this period. I'll have to trouble you to bring Prince Qiao and his accomplices back to Chang'an."
Ren Yao thought of Chang'an, and her face turned pale. She hesitated to speak, and said with difficulty: "I'm sorry, I..."
"No need to explain." Li Huazhang put his hands behind his back, his eyes still clear and bright, gentle and calm, "You did nothing wrong, there is no need to feel sorry. We are friends, of course we hope you live a good life, as long as the choice comes from your heart, no matter what you choose, Er Niang and I understand you."
"Yes." Ming Huashang said, "My second brother and I, including my sister, Brother Su, and Brother Xie, have never doubted you."
Li Huazhang was still so gentlemanly, Ming Huashang was still so considerate, Ren Yao believed that they really had never blamed her. However, it was precisely because of this that Ren Yao felt even more uncomfortable.
After Prince Yong left the capital, the situation in Chang'an was reshuffled. None of the heroes of the Shenlong coup had a good ending, except her. But Ren Yao knew very well that she was able to take the throne because others disdained to be in the same company with Queen Wei and Princess Anle.
In order to show her status, Empress Wei deliberately promoted many female officials and generals to prove that women could rule the world. Ren Yao was the banner that hit the cusp. Xie Jichuan and Su Xingzhi were both more talented than her, but just because Ren Yao was a woman, she was promoted and reused.
She once hated her female identity because she was a girl and even if she had mastered all the skills, she could not inherit the mansion. However, now, also because of her female identity, she was able to rise to the top and enter and leave the palace.
But Ren Yao was not happy at all. She finally understood that her grandmother was right. Serving the emperor was like serving a tiger. Too much attention was not necessarily a good thing. She watched Empress Wei play power games and sell official positions every day, but she did not allow others to disobey her. Ren Yao was tormented every moment, but for the sake of Pingnan Marquis Mansion, she had to greet her with a smile.
She refused to admit it, but in fact, Li Huazhang, Ming Huashang and others were her only friends. She didn't care if others scolded her for being ungrateful, but she didn't want them to think so.
She didn't want to lose these friends. The more reasonable Li Huazhang was, the more guilty Ren Yao felt.
Li Huazhang saw what Ren Yao was thinking, sighed, and took advantage of the fact that no one was around to whisper: "I understand your situation. In that position, there are many things that have to be said and done, but as long as you have a clear conscience, you don't have to care about your reputation. I'm glad that you were not affected, so you can protect more people. If it wasn't you who came this time, I don't know how many Xuanxiao Guards would have died in vain in order to stop King Qiao."
Li Huazhang understood Ren Yao's approach very well. It was inevitable that Weihou would attack Junzhou. Since the situation was irreversible, it would be better for her to take the lead. At least the intensity of the battlefield could be controlled, and there would be room for maneuver if something really happened on the front line.
In fact, Ren Yao also did it.
Ming Huashang also said, "Yes, that night when we were in Wangxian Tower, we were about to lose control of Prince Qiao. Thanks to you bringing troops to support us, we were able to resolve the mutiny. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't dare to implement this plan. Prince Qiao and the Jiannan Jiedushi colluded with each other, and I don't know how many people would be harmed. Look how good it is now. The people are busy preparing for the New Year, and the turmoil in Prince Qiao's mansion has not affected the people at all. All this is your credit."
Ren Yao was moved. She had never hated her poor speaking skills so much in her life. She could only bow to the two of them and said, "I, Ren Yao, will recognize you two as my friends for life."
Ming Huashang smiled, stepped forward and took Ren Yao's arm, saying with a smile: "We were just talking about the fact that it looks like it will snow again tonight, and the roads will be difficult to travel on. Why don't you go to Shangzhou to rest for two days? It's just right that we can celebrate the New Year together, so you can leave on the second day of the New Year. Sister Ren, what do you think?"
Ren Yao was smiling at first, but he looked suspicious after hearing this. Li Huazhang thought Ren Yao was afraid of getting too close to him, so when the news reached Weihou's ears, he added, "Don't worry, it's just a private banquet, no one else will be there. If you are asked, just say that I didn't know that Prince Qiao was going to rebel, and I was invited to Junzhou as a guest. I almost became a hostage, but thanks to you for arriving in time, you saved us. My husband and I are holding a small banquet to thank you for saving our lives, and it won't violate the taboos of Chang'an."
Ren Yao shook his head, hesitating, "I'm not afraid of people knowing that I'm close to you, it's just... forget it, it's already in the past, why bother about it. Okay."
Ren Yao's words were somewhat inconsistent, but Ming Huashang inexplicably understood that Ren Yao didn't want to celebrate the New Year with them not because he was afraid of Queen Wei's suspicion, but because he didn't want to face Jiang Ling.
Perhaps, I am afraid to face it.
Since Ming Huashang invited Ren Yao, there was no way she would leave out Xie Jichuan and Jiang Ling. By then, everyone would be sitting in the same room, and it would be unavoidable. It would be too embarrassing for those who hadn't let go.
Ming Huashang understood but pretended not to know, and said with a smile: "Great, let's go quickly. If we set out now, we can reach Shangzhou in the evening."
The evidence was almost collected, and Ming Huachang had arranged for the Xuanxiao Guard to leave the city. Now there were only the Shangzhou soldiers brought by Li Huazhang and the 500 Yulin soldiers brought by Ren Yao in Junzhou. The Shangzhou soldiers were going home for the New Year, needless to say, and the Yulin soldiers were going to escort the prince Qiao and other criminals back to Chang'an, and they would also pass through Shangzhou, so they would go to a safe place to rest for two days. No one objected. Li Huazhang reorganized the team, and with a command, everyone went to Shangzhou together.
Li Huazhang guessed correctly. Snowflakes really fell in the sky in the afternoon. Fortunately, they were not far from Shangzhou. After entering Shangzhou City, the camp had received Li Huazhang's message long ago, and food and shelter were ready. Li Huazhang knew that the soldiers had been working non-stop for several days and were already exhausted. After a simple headcount, he let the local soldiers go home and arranged for the soldiers from other places to return to the camp to rest.
By the time everything was settled, it was already dark. Li Huazhang invited Ren Yao and Jiang Ling to stay at their mansion. Xie Jichuan, Ming Yuji, and Su Xingzhi were not supposed to be in Shangzhou, so they had already entered the government office in advance. Ming Huashang also went back to the mansion to arrange the guest rooms, so now only Li Huazhang, Ren Yao, and Jiang Ling were left on the road. Ren Yao walked with Jiang Ling, and Jiang Ling was also quiet all the way. Li Huazhang was originally very calm, but they behaved like this, and even he was a little embarrassed.
Li Huazhang couldn't help but miss Ming Huashang. It would be great if she was still here. With her around, any knot in his heart would be dissolved. Thinking this way, he stepped over the threshold, but suddenly felt something was wrong and took a step back.
A bucket of snow had been placed on the door beam at some point, and it fell off when they entered, with soft, crystal-clear snow particles splashing down and splashing all over the people below.
Because Li Huazhang was familiar with the environment, he stepped back in time and was lucky enough to escape with only some snow falling on his sleeves. Li Huazhang brushed off the snow helplessly, turned around, and saw Su Xingzhi who was also helpless.
蘇行止嘆息道：“我也不想的，但是二娘非要讓我來偷襲你們。”
明華裳藏在樹後，看到這一幕哈哈大笑，謝濟川遠遠站在回廊上，恨不得将“和我沒關系”這幾個字刻在臉上。明雨霁顯然有些尴尬，試着挽回：“你們沒事吧？”
江陵抹去臉上的雪，咬牙切齒道：“明華裳，我和你沒完！”
江陵從地上抓起一捧雪，撸起袖子就朝明華裳沖去，明華裳一邊躲一邊用早就準備好的雪球回擊。江陵看到明華裳竟然準備了一桶雪球，氣得吐血：“你……你早回府這麽久，就在幹這些？”
是的，明華裳的快樂就是這樣簡單直白。
江陵接連被明華裳砸了好幾下，氣上心頭。他注意到明華裳一直繞着樹跑，他心生一計，趁明華裳不備，猛地朝樹幹踹了一腳。樹桠上的積雪被驚動，頓時如雪山崩裂般下墜，不光明華裳被蓋了一頭，連回廊上觀戰的明雨霁、謝濟川都被揚了一身雪。
謝濟川擡手，看到衣袖上的雪漬，磨了磨牙，已經在忍耐邊緣。蘇行止見明雨霁衣領裏都進了雪，忙走過來對江陵說：“你看準了再打，不要波及無辜。”
江陵可沒忘了剛剛就是蘇行止澆了他一頭雪，他從地上團起雪球，毫不客氣朝蘇行止扔去。明雨霁本來不想摻和這麽掉份的事，但看到江陵竟然攻擊蘇行止，忍無可忍打了回去。
李華章正心疼地幫明華裳擦頭發，突然雪球密集了起來，他們站在中央，免不得受到波及。李華章身上接連挨了好幾下，他知道始作俑者是故意失手的，默默忍了。明華裳早就看江陵不順眼了，她發現那厮還故意往李華章身上扔，憤怒道：“你完了，江陵！”
明華裳和江陵仇人見面，分外眼紅，而兩人都是倒數第一的有力競争者，準頭都不好，沒一會，門庭裏碎雪亂飛，不知道誰在打誰，所有人都卷入這場亂戰中。
李華章站在回廊上，看着明華裳趁江陵和旁人對打時，從地上抓了一把雪往江陵脖子裏塞，江陵被冰的叽哇亂叫，回頭追着明華裳就跑，明華裳忙往任遙的方向躲，任遙本能攻擊，漸漸和江陵打了起來，哪裏還記得路上的尴尬。另一邊，蘇行止護着明雨霁往清淨之地走，不欲摻和那群人的混戰，可是總會有雪球打歪到他們身上。
李華章輕輕笑了聲。他沒有看錯，她實在很擅長人情世故，總會以一些出其不意的方式，為身邊人排憂解難。
一個人站到李華章身邊，李華章沒有回頭，已經從呼吸聲判斷出來人。李華章眸中還帶着笑，他伸手接住一片雪，問：“你打過雪仗嗎？”
謝濟川默默看着他，懷疑李華章剛剛被砸壞了腦子。李華章不在意謝濟川的目光，自言自語道：“六歲之前我打過，所以我知道，打雪仗要用新雪，不疼，而堆雪人卻要用隔夜的雪，好攥。”
謝濟川靜了靜，試圖破解李華章在隐喻什麽：“然後呢？”
“沒有然後了。”李華章回眸，很認真地說道，“我在和你分享打雪仗的經驗。”
這個回答着實讓謝濟川沉默了。他靜了會，道：“所以，你終究還是喜歡六歲前的生活？”
李華章搖頭，看着庭院中自在笑鬧的明華裳，慢慢道：“我更喜歡現在的生活。”
這一次謝濟川也安靜了。兩人默然看着下面幾人抱在一起玩雪，謝濟川低不可聞說：“于是你寧願将現成的功勞，全拱手讓人？”
望仙樓發生了什麽不為外人所知，城門為什麽那麽快就能打開、均州軍營為什麽沒有及時反應，李華章不說，也不會有人知道。在旁人看來，李華章是被谯王騙到均州的，多虧任遙及時趕到才救下他們夫妻。谯王交由任遙押走，參與造反的逆賊也是李華章提供信息後，由任遙帶兵追捕。李華章所做的事全都隐于水下，世人只會看到奇跡般以少勝多、力挽狂瀾的平南侯任遙。
李華章望着庭中揚起的雪霧，淡道：“都是朋友，不必計較，何況這些虛名我不需要，但她需要。”
“呵。”謝濟川冷笑，“你當她是朋友，焉知來日她會不會為了功名利祿出賣你。”
李華章緩慢搖頭，聲音平靜而篤定：“她不會。”
謝濟川挑挑眉，不再繼續這個話題。他轉而問：“任遙什麽時候走。”
“不知道。”李華章不在意道，“裳裳請他們留下來過年，可能初二，可能初三，看任遙心情。”
“那你呢？”
李華章眉梢輕輕動了下，回頭看向謝濟川：“什麽意思？”
“現在是李重福，下一個就是你。”謝濟川攏着袖子站在廊庑下，嘈雜歡樂的打鬧聲就在眼前，他的聲音卻清冷疏離，似乎與所有熱鬧置身事外，“他們不仁，你為什麽還要固守君子之禮，被無用的道德束縛？谯王已經落網，你擔心的商州生靈塗炭不會出現了，趁現在趕快回長安，還來得及。”
李華章不置可否，反問道：“商州可能不會有戰亂，但是，劍南呢？別忘了，現在只是李重福被俘，劍南節度使還好好的。他被我們使計欺騙，但遲早會反應過來，不解決劍南節度使，造反就不算真正根除。”
謝濟川挑眉，不可思議道：“但他可是節度使，手握劍南軍政大權，手下有三萬精兵，憑你一人如何與他抗衡？不如回長安，讓朝廷發诏書将他解職，朝廷的事，就該交由朝廷解決。”
“若他不肯聽朝廷的話呢？”李華章道，“他手握重兵，深踞劍南，我們不得不防備最壞的情況。如果他生出異心，不再聽朝廷號令，而是擁兵自立，屆時劍南動蕩，吐蕃趁機入侵大唐，才是真正生靈塗炭。真到了那一步，商州、均州就是長安的屏障，我更不能走。”
謝濟川道：“這只是一種可能，并且是最壞的，未必會發生。”
“如果不做防備，就很可能會發生。到那時，一切都晚了。”
謝濟川定定看着他，問：“僅僅一個可能，比皇位還重要嗎？”
李華章望着半空飄舞的亂瓊碎玉，低聲道：“世界上總有些事，比争權奪利更重要。”
謝濟川看着李華章，良久後道：“你已經決定了？”
“是的。”李華章聲音輕而平靜，“據鎮國公說，我的名字是章懷太子起的，他只看了我一眼，就讓鎮國公将我帶走。我未曾見過他，不知他是怎麽想的，但我覺得，他只是希望我做一個君子，從未指望我能争皇位。若他能在謀反風波中全身而退，自然會把我接回來，皇位該由我的兄長繼承，輪不到我；若他都無法自保，我僅活着就已經不易，談何繼承大統？可能這就是命中注定，我和他，都不是當皇帝的料。”
謝濟川道：“那是因為武後篡唐，若不然，章懷太子定會成為一位賢君。”
“可是歷史沒有如果。”李華章道，“歷史選擇了則天皇帝，她亦創造了歷史。我确實是高宗皇帝現存最名正言順的孫子，但如今的大統是則天皇帝，而不再是高宗。則天皇帝兒子尚在，如何輪得到孫子？”
身邊很多人都和李華章說過，他是最正統的皇室血脈，高宗皇帝的長子長孫，但李華章自己清楚，他早就和皇位無緣了。
章懷太子再賢德也只是太子，他生前沒能登上皇位，死去二十年後，皇位如何能輪到他的兒子？則天皇帝在位這麽多年，她死後，皇位該由她的太子繼承，而不是翻二十年前的老黃歷。
李顯是則天皇帝晚年親自承認的太子，相王也在宮中做了十來年皇儲，這兩人遠比空有名聲的章懷太子占理。李顯駕崩，皇位該由李顯的兒子繼承，若李重茂被韋後害死，後面還有相王。除非李顯、相王的兒子全都死光了，才會輪到李華章。
這顯然不會是一件能自然發生的事情。大唐已經經歷了太多動亂了，從則天皇帝退位至今，短短兩年，已經發生了神龍政變、重俊政變、均州叛亂三場變故，兩個皇子、半數朝臣牽涉其中。如今民生動蕩，邊患嚴重，官場人人自危，則天皇帝在位期間，竟成了大唐最穩定的時候。朝廷急需休養生息，而不是陷入無窮無盡的皇族內鬥中。以謝家之能，或許能輔助他鬥倒其他人，但是，有必要嗎？
夠了，李家複國，絕不是為了給這片江山帶來動亂。他更想用有限的餘生，陪伴真心相愛的人，做一些有意義的事。
謝濟川覺得十分諷刺，他父親犧牲仕途保下來的少主無心争位，那謝家這二十年，算什麽？謝濟川停頓良久，短促地笑了聲：“所以，你試都不想試，就放棄了？”
“本就不該是我的東西，談何放棄？”李華章說，“這些年，感謝你們護我長大，也感謝你們一直籌謀，沒有忘記章懷太子。但是，所謂複興大業，只是一場虛無缥缈的夢，該醒了。”
其實謝濟川如何不知道呢，謝慎此生做得最錯的一件事，就是錯誤估計了對手。他以為章懷太子的對手會是李顯、李旦兩位皇子，他有信心鬥倒這兩人，所以義無反顧救下東宮的幼主，萬萬沒有想到，他真正的對手是武後。武後登基後，所有事情都不一樣了，謝慎押上全副身家救李華章這一步棋，就顯得尤其臭。
然而事已至此，謝家能怎麽辦呢，只能硬着頭皮走下去。李華章在法統上遠不及相王有優勢，但争一争，未必不能改命。謝家願意迎難而上，李華章卻已經退出游戲了。
謝濟川長長嘆了口氣，心裏竟然也沒有很意外。他看向李華章，目光中沒有臣對君的恭敬，也沒有這些年謝家耳提面命令他僞裝出來的親近，只有平靜到漠然的審視，審視他名義上最好的朋友。
李華章不覺得冒犯，平靜地任由謝濟川打量。謝濟川看了好一會，道：“我一直相信，人不為己，天誅地滅，人的本性就是自私，但你是一個例外。在認識你之前，我不相信有人這麽傻，會在皇位和道義之間選擇後者。”
李華章笑了笑，輕聲道：“大唐如今最需要的是太平和安穩，我身份不正，若執意争位，只會将朝堂扯入無盡的內鬥中。這不是我所願，如果天下太平總要有人退步，那就我來吧。”
“但你怎麽知道，你主動退出，其他人會領情？”謝濟川說，“若你沒有掌握高位，你做的這些事只是一廂情願。萬一下一任當權者荒唐而猜忌，你連自身都保全不了，談何天下太平？”
李華章正要說話，這時候他感覺到什麽，沒有躲開。一個雪團擦着他的衣擺而過，重重砸在欄杆上。李華章和謝濟川一起回頭，明華裳偷襲失敗還被當事人抓了個正着，十分尴尬，江陵渾身狼狽站在旁邊，嫌棄道：“這麽近都打不中，明華裳你行不行？”
明華裳惱怒：“你行你來！”
“我來就我來。”江陵上前，活動了活動肩膀，還真要扔。李華章悠悠然從旁邊折了節樹枝，擲到廊前松樹上。松柏終于不堪重負，抖落一層積雪，江陵被迷了眼睛，叫道：“等等，你竟然偷襲！誰在打我！”
李華章看着趁人之危的明華裳，十分無奈，但等江陵揉好眼睛，轉頭反攻時，李華章覺得他們鬧得太久了，徑直朝二人走去。越過謝濟川時，李華章低不可聞道：“以後，就拜托你了。”
謝濟川垂袖而立，看着前方比小孩子還鬧騰的明華裳、江陵，和有意拉偏架的李華章，心生疑惑。
他實在無法理解，韓颉當年編隊時，為什麽會把他們分在一個隊伍裏。
他看着像是和他們一個智商的？
這場打雪仗鬧劇最終以無人幸免收場，幾個出門在外都要被人稱長官的人因為玩雪渾身濕透，悻悻回屋換衣服。片刻後，衆人煥然一新，這時他們得知，雖然明華裳提前回府，但她為了準備雪球，沒來得及吩咐人做飯。等他們打完雪仗，廚房的人已經回家過年去了。
衆人：“……”
明雨霁只能挽起袖子，親自上陣。她最看不慣什麽活都不幹、坐在桌前等吃的飯桶，于是毫不客氣使喚另外幾人。然而明雨霁發現，這幾個人非但什麽都不會，講究還很多，這個不吃那個忌口，最後明雨霁煩了，幹脆統一吃餃子，喜歡什麽餡自己調。
明雨霁這樣說，但拌餡這種技術活最後還是落到她頭上。她不止用暗器麻利，用菜刀也非常利索，案板被剁得砰砰直響，沒一會幾盆餡料就調好了。其他人要負責揉面、包餃子，江陵心想他可是羽林軍的人，天生神力英勇無比，當然該幹揉面這種力氣活。他揉了一會，面硬了加水，水多了加面，最後被明雨霁忍無可忍趕去搓劑子，揉面還是交給了有經驗的蘇行止。
江陵心不甘情不願地加入另一夥，然而這裏的狀況也不容樂觀。明華裳、任遙是女子，手指靈巧，被分去包餃子，李華章和謝濟川負責擀皮。江陵本以為掉鏈子的會是任遙，然而任遙在明華裳手把手的示範下，竟然也能捏得像模像樣，反而是另外兩人，上知天文下知地理，能文能武通古博今，卻不會擀餃子皮。
明華裳和任遙只能無奈等待，江陵左右看了看，說：“照這種速度，我應該能趕上明天的午飯。”
最後還是蘇行止看不過去，主動過來幫忙。李華章和謝濟川什麽時候受過這種待遇，兩人都覺得遇到了奇恥大辱。李華章暗暗觀察蘇行止的動作，終于能完整地擀出餃子皮，客客氣氣“請”蘇行止回去了。江陵無聊地揪劑子，看着謝濟川磕磕絆絆擀皮，逐漸和旁邊的李華章拉開差距，他稀奇道：“你也有不會的東西呀？”
謝濟川怎麽都無法把餃子皮擀圓，正自己和自己生氣，江陵這厮還火上澆油。謝濟川眯了眯眼，涼絲絲道：“今日之前我沒進過廚房，不會很正常。”
江陵啧了聲：“可是，李華章也沒下過廚，但他就學會了。”
謝濟川面上還是薄涼淡然、毫不在意的模樣，但手指已經捏緊了。江陵絲毫沒察覺到危險，還在雷區反複橫跳：“明華裳，你見過李華章下廚嗎？他也是第一次擀餃子皮吧。”
明華裳記得往年鎮國公府都會在餃子裏包糖，誰吃到就寓意着接下來一年順遂無憂，運勢亨通。今年他們有七個人，該包七塊糖，明華裳惦記着找糖，聽到江陵的話回頭：“你說什麽？”
“以前李華章做過飯嗎？”
明華裳回想後搖頭：“我父親就是把我扔去廚房燒火，也不可能讓他下廚。哎，我要幹什麽來着？”
明華裳用手背敲腦殼，怎麽都想不起來自己原本要做什麽。李華章看到，默不作聲去隔間将準備好的糖拿出來，放在明華裳手邊。明華裳和江陵說了會話，低頭看到整整齊齊的糖塊，猛地拍手：“哦對，我要找糖！”
李華章回去繼續擀面皮，什麽話都沒說。這個插曲再小不過，很快就淹沒在明華裳和江陵的廢話中，但明雨霁和任遙都注意到了。
連謝濟川也無聲地瞥了眼糖塊。自己都說不清楚的事，對方卻能準确理解意思，并默默做好，這兩人沒有說一句恩愛的話，但已經足夠讓人窺見他們的日常生活。
心意相通，無需言語就能表達的愛意，其實比那些海誓山盟更打動人心。
謝濟川忽然覺得孤獨，這是他從未得到過，卻十分向往的感情。世間還有這樣的愛情，真好。
幾個新手包餃子，折騰了一晚上，總算下鍋了。煮餃子不需要那麽多人，其餘人陸陸續續轉移到廳堂等，明華裳吩咐人搬桌子、擺餐具，沒一會，廚房那邊也出鍋了。
李華章對明華裳說：“這邊有我，你去叫他們來吃飯。”
明華裳知道李華章辦事比她細心多了，放心地交給他。她走到側廳，發現只是一會沒見，江陵這貨居然睡着了？
明華裳驚訝：“他睡着了？”
“是的。”謝濟川冷冰冰說，“我喊過了，叫不醒。”
要是放在以前，任遙一巴掌就扇過去了，保準一叫一個準。但現在，她面對江陵還有些別別扭扭，不好意思再動手動腳。明華裳嘆了聲，道：“我來吧。江陵，醒醒。”
江陵睡得安詳，絲毫不為所動。明華裳連喊了幾聲，有些火了，猛地道：“吃飯啦！”
“啊？”江陵倏地直起腦袋，眼睛都睜不開，卻能準确找到說話的方向，“吃什麽？”
明華裳無語地看着他：“吃你個頭。”
“裳裳。”隔扇後傳來熟悉的聲音，他溫溫柔柔，耐心細致，道，“餃子已經給你盛好了，是你喜歡的餡料。快來嘗嘗。”
明華裳立刻抛下江陵這個傻子，忙不疊跑過去：“別動，我自己盛！”
李華章的聲音低柔含笑：“知道你在餃子上做了記號，放心，包着糖的那個放到你碗裏了。”
“你怎麽知道我做了記號？”
“看到了。”
“什麽？”這是任遙不可置信的聲音，“你也做了？唉謝濟川你放下，那個是我的！”
江陵揉了揉眼睛，慢悠悠去旁邊吃飯。過了這麽久，其實他已經不餓了，但他聞着熱騰騰的香氣，忍不住露出笑意。
This was the most hasty New Year he had ever spent. There were no extravagant banquets, no dazzling singing and dancing, no father, stepmother, younger brother, or retainers. There were only a few friends and a pot of dumplings that he made by hand. But Jiang Ling felt that this New Year had a more festive atmosphere than any other time.
May the people in heaven and on earth enjoy joy and pleasure every year tonight.
.
The third year of Jinglong, New Year's Day.
In fact, this date is not accurate. The previous emperor passed away, and Prince Wen succeeded to the throne. Empress Wei took over the throne and ruled the country. Jinglong was the reign title of the previous emperor, so we should not use Jinglong anymore. But the court report has not been delivered yet, and we don’t know what the new emperor’s reign title is, so we will use Jinglong for the time being.
There was a lot of noise last night. Because of the national mourning period, fireworks could not be set off, so Er Niang and Jiang Ling set off rats in the yard and burned a hole in the clothes.
The kitchen was a mess because of their mischief. I wanted to clean it up last night, but Er Niang refused, saying that we should enjoy life today and wait until next year to deal with next year's affairs. But she fell asleep and slept through it. When I got up this morning, she was still motionless. I met Ren Yao on the way and he said that he would return to Beijing today to report, so he came to resign. Xie Jichuan is gone. I think he left last night.
I was going to wake her up, but Li Huazhang said she had just fallen asleep, and Ren Yao also said there was no need to wake her up and we could see each other another day.
I thought so too. The new emperor will definitely summon Li Huazhang back to the capital when he holds a ceremony to celebrate the emperor's arrival. We can meet in Chang'an in a few days, so there is no need to rush.
But seeing them leave with my own eyes, I still felt a little sad. It was so lively last night, but in the blink of an eye, only the empty courtyard was covered with snow, and half of the wine in the corridor had not been finished. Li Huazhang said that he would take this wine to Chang'an, and next time he saw them, he would let them drink more wine, and they would not leave until they were drunk.
I hope that next time I see them, they will be more skilled at making dumplings and won’t waste so much flour.
The rain stopped in the morning, at the Shangzhou Governor's Mansion.
——The sixth case, “The Curse of the Serpent,” is finished.