Chapter 49 Sister, Brother Xiao is gone (4000 words)
"Brother Xiao, it's crooked, move it a little to the left."
"That's not right, Brother Xiao, move a little to the right."
"It doesn't seem right. A little lower. Never mind. Let's go up a little. Yes, that's it. That's it."
“Then I’ll just stick it like this.”
Xiao Mo stepped on the stairs and smoothed out the couplets with his hands, trying to make them wrinkle-free.
But when Xiao Mo walked down the stairs, Xiao Qing touched his chin and said, "Why does it feel a little crooked? It should be a little further to the left."
"Woo!" Xiao Mo gave Xiao Qing a slap on the head. "I've already put them on, and you're just saying this? Next one!"
“Oh.”
Xiao Mo and Xiao Qing moved the stairs and changed the door sticker.
At the same time, in the kitchen, Bai Rushue was cooking.
Today is New Year's Eve.
According to the customs of Qi State, new Spring Festival couplets should be posted today and New Year's Eve dinner should be eaten at noon.
"Crackling."
"Crackling."
As noon approached, other families in Shiqiao Village began to light firecrackers.
Whenever a family lights firecrackers, it means that they are about to have the New Year's Eve dinner.
At this time, Bai Ruxue also brought out the food and placed it steadily on the table: "Xiao Mo, Xiao Qing, the food is ready."
"Sister, wait a minute. We're almost done." Xiao Qing responded and continued to direct Brother Xiao, "Brother Xiao, a little to the left. Right, right, right!"
"Brother Xiao, everyone is having their New Year's Eve dinner, let's hurry up."
"No hurry, no hurry." Xiao Mo smiled, "Spring Festival couplets must be smooth and peaceful, understand."
After pasting the Spring Festival couplets, Xiao Mo placed the firecrackers from bottom to top on the pillar at the door, and then lit the fuse with a fire stick.
Bai Ruxue and Xiaoqing quickly covered their ears.
The sound of firecrackers "crackling" rang out.
One Bai and one Qing looked at the smoke from firecrackers outside the yard with fear and anticipation, as well as the sparks that occasionally burst out from the white smoke.
“Pah, pah. Pah.”
As the last few firecrackers fell to the ground, the smoke gradually dissipated.
Beside the stone table, Xiao Mo stood up with his wine glass in hand. "Today is New Year's Eve, we bid farewell to the old and usher in the new. In the new year, I wish you two good health and all your wishes come true."
Bai Ruxue's eyes curved as she raised her wine glass, acting like the mistress of a house. However, her words were a little playful: "Next spring, I wish Mr. Xiao success in the imperial examination."
"I wish Brother Xiao success in the imperial examination." Xiaoqing also sent her the same blessing.
The wine glasses clinked together, and the wine in the glasses rippled gently.
"Eat, eat. If you don't eat now, the food will get cold." Xiao Mo sat down quickly.
Bai Ruxue opened the rice bucket and served rice to Xiao Mo and her sister, while Xiaoqing continued to pour wine.
Only after Xiao Mo took the first bite of the food did Bai Ruxue and Xiaoqing pick up their chopsticks.
This wine is the green rice wine sent by County Magistrate Sun.
Considering that Xiao Mo doesn't drink often and there are two female relatives in his family, this wine is not easy to get drunk and is mellow on the palate.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Bai Ruxue and her sister were cleaning up the dishes. Xiao Mo also wanted to help, but Ruxue pushed him out of the kitchen, saying that this was a girl’s job.
Xiao Mo had no choice but to sit in the yard.
Looking at the busy white figure in the kitchen, Xiao Mo couldn't help feeling a little dazed.
Before I knew it, eight years had passed since the day I saved her.
The little white snake from before has really grown into a big girl.
"Brother Xiao, why are you always looking at my sister?"
In the kitchen, Xiaoqing joked.
Xiaoqing already knew the agreement between her sister and Brother Xiao. She knew that when Brother Xiao returned from the imperial examination in the spring, he would marry her sister.
Xiao Mo smiled and said, "Your sister is pretty."
Compared to the straightforward Xiao Mo, Bai Ruxue blushed at this moment and gently pulled her sister: "Let him watch, we continue to wash the dishes."
"Cluck, cluck, cluck" Looking at her sister's shy look, Xiaoqing smiled like a hen in the yard.
Xiaoqing found that her sister had been down the mountain for so long and was really looking more and more like a human woman.
Especially recently, after my sister realized her feelings for Brother Xiao, her shy look from time to time has become even more beautiful.
In the afternoon, Xiao Mo took the two sisters to play ring toss.
Xiao Mo put some copper coins and silver pieces on the ground, and used a wooden hoop to trap them. Whoever caught the coins would own them.
If the mask is empty, you will have to stick a piece of paper on your face.
At the end of the game, Xiao Mo's face was covered with red notes and he could hardly see the road ahead.
The two sisters couldn't help laughing.
At night, the night fell on the sky.
The stars are scattered on the night sky like fine sand.
Winter stars seem to appear brighter than summer stars.
Bai Ruxue brought hot water and wanted to wash Xiao Mo's feet.
Xiao Mo wanted to refuse, but Bai Ruxue said with a blushing face, "After getting married, this kind of thing has to be done."
Xiao Mo was stunned for a moment, then looking at her shy and gentle appearance, he did not refuse.
"Okay, I'm going out. You should have a good rest." Bai Ruxue wiped Xiao Mo's feet, picked up the basin of water and was about to go out.
"Like snow."
Xiao Mo called out her name.
"Hmm?" Bai Ruxue tilted her head in confusion.
Xiao Mo mentally composed his words: "Ruxue, I might be leaving for the capital the day after tomorrow."
"The day after tomorrow?" Bai Ruxue blinked. "Why so soon?"
"Because Mr. Zhang from the imperial court will be leaving Beijing in mid-February to take up his post in Beihai Prefecture, he wants me to come over and meet him, so I might need to come half a month earlier."
As she spoke, the woman lowered her eyes slightly.
Xiao Mo could clearly see the disappointment in those peach blossom eyes.
Xiao Mo stood up: "Ruxue, I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Bai Ruxue shook her head, raised her delicate head and smiled, "I've heard of that Mr. Zhang too. He's a highly respected old gentleman, and seems to be highly regarded by the current emperor. It seems that he was the one who recommended you, Xiao Mo, to be the top scholar?"
"That's right." Xiao Mo nodded.
"Then Xiao Mo, you go ahead." Bai Ruxue put the washbasin aside and gently held Xiao Mo's hand. "Although I'm just a woman and haven't read many books, isn't it your dream to serve as an official in the court? It's only half a month early. It's okay."
"Like snow."
"Don't say sorry anymore." Bai Ruxue smiled, "I'm really fine. Aunt Chen said that the most important thing for a wife is to be considerate of her husband."
As she spoke, the blush on the woman's cheeks crept up to her ears. She said in a shy and gentle tone, "Although we haven't gotten married yet, I... I should also learn a little bit."
Xiao Mo looked at Ruxue, who was so shy that she was about to shed tears. He couldn't help but feel touched and stroked her hair gently: "I will come back as soon as possible."
"Well, I'll wait for you."
Although Bai Rushue also wanted to stay with Xiao Mo for a few more days, she felt that there was still a lot of time left.
He only left half a month earlier, it's no big deal.
I will wait for him to come back.
In the evening, Bai Ruxue hurried to make a sachet for Xiao Mo.
There is also a new dress that needs to be finalized tonight.
Bai Ruxue wanted Xiao Mo to be able to wear it when he went to the capital.
Candlelight flickered in the room.
If she felt sleepy, Bai Rushue would continue eating chili peppers or wash her face with cold water.
"Sister, let's make this dress tomorrow." Xiaoqing said distressedly as she saw her sister was very sleepy but refused to sleep.
It is really uncomfortable for the snake tribe to feel sleepy in winter but force themselves not to sleep.
"It's okay." Bai Ruxue shook her head, and continued to thread the clothes with the fine needle in her hand. "This dress must be finished tonight, and Xiao Mo will try it on tomorrow. If it doesn't fit, there's still time to alter it."
Looking at her sister's expression, Xiaoqing knew that her sister would not listen to what she said.
Whenever it comes to things related to Brother Xiao, my sister becomes particularly stubborn.
"Then Xiaoqing will help my sister." Xiaoqing got off the bed and walked to her sister's side.
"Xiaoqing, just go to sleep." Bai Ruxue said.
"No, if my sister doesn't sleep, Xiaoqing won't sleep either." Xiaoqing insisted, "Sister, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Okay." Bai Ruxue thought for a moment, "Then help me sew these two pieces of cloth together and embroider a bamboo. I want to make an inner pocket for it."
"Okay, sister!"
Xiaoqing quickly picked up the needle and thread on the table and started sewing seriously.
But less than half an hour later, Xiaoqing felt her eyes becoming increasingly heavy.
An hour later, Xiaoqing fell asleep on the table, even drooling.
"I knew you couldn't hold on." Bai Ruxue's pink thin lips curled up slightly, gently tapped her sister's nose, and said gently.
It is already deep winter. With Xiaoqing's level, he will have to go back to the mountains to hibernate in a few days.
Xiaoqing started feeling sleepy seven days ago, so how could she possibly stay up late with me now?
Bai Ruxue carried Xiaoqing back to bed and covered her with a blanket.
Under the candlelight, the woman continued to sew the blue shirt for her beloved carefully, stitch by stitch.
The next morning, the rooster crowed at the dawn. Bai Rushue then raised her head and rubbed her shoulders.
The blue shirt in his arms is already ready.
After Xiao Mo got up, Bai Ruxue quickly asked Xiao Mo to try it.
Seeing how Xiao Mo fit in, the woman finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is it comfortable to wear?" Bai Ruxue asked, "Is there anything that needs improvement?"
"It's quite comfortable." Xiao Mo looked at the blue shirt, "There's nothing to improve. It fits me perfectly."
"Brother Xiao, it's a good thing it fits. I haven't slept all night. If it doesn't fit, I'm afraid I'll have to change it another day." Xiaoqing said from the side.
"You're the only one who talks too much." Bai Ruxue patted the back of her sister's hand.
"Actually, Ruxue, you don't have to make clothes yourself in the future. Our family is not short of money anymore." Xiao Mo persuaded.
"No problem." Bai Ruxue stepped forward and straightened Xiao Mo's sleeves, waist, and collar. "Clothes made by others are still made by others. I am worried."
"." Xiao Mo's throat rolled, and he wanted to say something, but thousands of words could only be condensed into one sentence, "Ruxue, you have worked so hard."
Bai Ruxue's eyes curved: "Between you and me, there's no need to talk about hardship."
Xiao Mo's eyes became softer as he looked at Bai Ruxue.
Although Xiao Mo knew that this was just Bai Shishu's experience of life, if he really got such a wife, what else could he ask for?
"When do we leave tomorrow?" Bai Ruxue asked.
"Tomorrow at noon, County Magistrate Sun will send a carriage to pick me up."
"The road to the capital is said to be long and arduous. Is there anyone who can escort you there?"
"County Magistrate Sun said he would make arrangements. Ruxue, you don't have to worry."
"That's good." Bai Ruxue nodded. "I'll give you the bag tomorrow. There might be a lot of stuff in it, but you can't complain. They're all things you can use."
"All right."
Every time Xiao Mo went on a long trip, Bai Ruxue would prepare a lot of things for him, covering a wide range of things, but it was indeed a bit too much.
Even mosquito repellent sachets were brought to him.
Seeing Xiao Mo agreed, Bai Ruxue smiled slightly and pulled Xiaoqing to the kitchen to cook.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Bai Ruxue was doing housework as usual.
While eating, Bai Ruxue had a smile on her face, deliberately trying not to let Xiao Mo see her reluctance.
But Bai Ruxue is not someone who would hide her feelings.
Xiao Mo and Xiao Qing could both see the disappointment in her heart.
The next morning, Bai Ruxue woke up early and prepared breakfast for Xiao Mo.
Not long after, a carriage stopped outside the courtyard, followed by several mounted constables.
This is the person who came to pick up Xiao Mo.
After breakfast, Bai Ruxue walked Xiao Mo out of the village step by step.
Xiao Mo was in a hurry to leave this time, and few people knew about it, so the village chief and others did not come to see him off.
The constables were also very tactful and walked far ahead, leaving the two of them some space to be alone.
"After arriving in the capital, you must eat well and not just deal with it casually."
"I know."
"The weather is getting colder, so be sure to wear more clothes."
"Don't worry, you made a very thick winter coat."
"You can take these two jars of honey with you. Although they are not worth much, they are a token of your appreciation. You can't go to see Mr. Zhang empty-handed."
"Don't worry."
"Also, you can't go to a brothel."
"No."
"It's okay if you don't do well on the test. Don't be discouraged. I'll always be waiting for you at home."
"good."
Xiao Mo stopped, turned around, and looked at the woman in front of him: "Ruxue, please stay here."
The woman bit her thin lips lightly: "I'll see you off again."
Xiao Mo shook his head: "You have already walked five miles."
"." The woman lowered her head, clenched her fingers tightly, and her curved eyelashes trembled slightly.
After a long while, the woman raised her head and looked at him: "Go early and come back early."
Xiao Mo took two steps back, stood in front of the woman, straightened his clothes, and bowed solemnly.
Standing up, Xiao Mo said no more, as saying more would mean he was reluctant to leave.
He turned and walked forward and got into the carriage.
"drive!"
Under the escort of several constables, the carriage that Xiao Mo was riding in gradually drove towards the fields.
Bai Ruxue subconsciously took a step forward, but finally stopped herself.
The carriage went farther and farther away until it turned into a black dot and disappeared from the woman's eyes.
"Sister, Brother Xiao has left, let's go back." Xiaoqing said to her sister.
"No rush, I'll take a look."
"But there's no trace of Brother Xiao."
"It's fine"
The woman held the hem of her skirt tightly and continued to look into the distance.
"I'll take another look."
(End of this chapter)
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