The dinner was served in the plum garden, which was already warm as spring with charcoal fire. There were not many people in the Shen family, and Shen Xingwan only set up two big tables, one for the elders and one for the juniors.
Shen Xingwan went to pick up Shen Qingran in person. When the two arrived, everyone was almost there.
Shen Mochen personally helped the old lady over, and sent the old lady to the main seat and settled her down.
Li Xi arrived belatedly, and like a real guest, he smiled and said hello to his elders.
He was talking about the old lady and how good the fourth master is.
It is no longer the grandmother and fourth uncle of the past.
A change in title means a change in identity.
The person standing there now is not the sweet-tongued and fun-loving Shen Qishao.
It is King Fusang, who controls the brave Fusang Army and is the sword in the emperor's hand.
The old lady did not show any discomfort and said with an unchanging expression, "Go and sit with your sisters."
They are all members of the same family, so there is no distinction between men and women.
Li Xi sat next to Shen Mochen, and no one spoke for a while.
Shen Qingran smiled and eased the atmosphere, "I can't drink on New Year's Eve this year."
"Then you have to eat more, otherwise you will suffer big losses." Shen Xingwan answered.
Although Fourth Uncle Shen is well-read in poetry and books, he is not old-fashioned. On the contrary, he talks very interestingly.
While drinking, I told them some interesting anecdotes and anecdotes about New Year's Eve, and the atmosphere gradually became better.
During the second half of the drink, Fourth Uncle Shen's literary spirit flourished, and he felt that such a day had no flaws in music.
Shen Xingwan washed his hands, burned incense, and played a few songs in person.
In the melodious music, Li Xi felt as if he didn't know what year it was.
In the past, Chinese New Year celebrations in Jiangnan were even more lively than this. A group of people gathered together and played all kinds of tricks.
Tossing pots, fighting poems, making wine orders...
If only time could stop at that moment.
The sound of the piano stopped and Li Xi's eyes sobered up. He raised his head and drank all the wine in the glass.
Shen Mochen said, "It's almost time, let's go to the yard and watch the firecrackers set off."
Everyone put on their cloaks and came to the yard. The whole yard was brightly illuminated by lanterns. The snow had stopped and there was a thick layer on the ground.
As soon as midnight came, the sound of firecrackers started one after another.
On the Shen family side, Fourth Uncle Shen personally lit a long string of firecrackers spread out in the corner.
The New Year is ushered in with the sound of firecrackers.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Official and folk fireworks flew together, and the whole sky was lit up.
Shen Qingran looked up with bright eyes, "It's so beautiful."
Fourth Master Shen said calmly, "If you want to sleep, go to sleep. If you want to play all night, you can do it."
Then he said, "Mom, I'll take you back to the yard."
The old lady said, "You go about your own business, I don't need you to worry about it."
Fourth Master Shen didn't say much, waving his sleeves and walking away coolly. Their literary club had activities in the middle of the night.
Li Xi took the initiative to reach out and support the old lady, "I have something to ask the old lady for advice."
The old lady didn't say much and was helped away by him.
After walking not far, Li Xi suddenly turned around and said, "Come Wanwan, too."
Shen Xingwan rubbed his head, which was a little dizzy from drinking, and followed.
After entering the old lady's courtyard, a maid immediately served me a hangover soup.
Shen Xingwan lowered his head and drank.
Li Xi did not move, but looked at the candlelight in a daze.
"If you want to know anything, just ask." The old lady took the initiative.
Li Xi asked with clear eyes, "The Shen family has been making small moves in recent years, especially their relationship with me, which has made His Majesty very dissatisfied."
Li Xi paused for a moment when he said this, "Why do you do this? You know it is very dangerous to the Shen family..."
If it were any other family, Li Xi might think that he was interested in that supreme chair.
But it’s impossible for the Shen family!
If they had had that intention, they would not have waited until today. There had been many good opportunities, but the Shen family did not choose to take that path.
I won't suddenly lose my mind and go crazy now, and have that thought.
This is what Li Xi can't figure out the most.
Shen Xingwan stopped drinking the soup and immediately cheered up, looking at the old lady with burning eyes.
Although she had some guesses in her mind, she still wanted to hear what the old lady would say.
The old lady looked as if she had aged ten years in an instant, and said tiredly, "The Shen family certainly has their own reasons for doing this, but it's just not the time to talk about it yet."
Li Xi was a little disappointed.
"Okay, it's getting late. Let's all go back and rest." The old lady started to chase people away, not giving them a chance to talk.
Shen Xingwan personally sent him to the door.
Li Xi got on the carriage and turned around to ask, "What do you think is the reason that would make the old lady avoid you?"
Shen Xingwan lowered his eyes, "I don't know."
————————————————————
The fireworks ended and the night became quiet again.
Qin Xuejian closed the window and looked at the shameless person, "It's late at night, it's time for the Ninth Young Master to leave."
Min Xijian pretended to be drunk and refused to answer.
Qin Xuejian exposed him ruthlessly, "You can drink ten drinks and you won't get drunk."
Min Xijian held her chin up and looked at her with blurred eyes, "So you still remember."
Qin Xuejian had a headache, "What are you doing here tonight?"
He actually came to her place on New Year's Eve, and they hadn't gotten to know each other that well.
Min Xijian drank all the remaining wine in the cup before slowly speaking, "Something's not going right over there at Min Xilin recently. Please remind the Shen girl to be careful."
Qin Xuejian frowned, "What does he want to do?"
"I don't know, but it's definitely not a good thing." Min Xijian said.
"I understand, thank you for running and lying down." Qin Xuejian politely thanked him.
Min Xijian couldn't take his eyes away from her face, and suddenly felt a little dry in her mouth, "Just saying thank you is not enough."
"Then what do you want?"
"I want..."
"Forget it, let's keep it for now and wait until I think about it."
Qin Xuejian thought for a while and said, "If there is any news, you have to inform me as soon as possible."
"good."
Qin Xuejian was a little sleepy, "I'm going to rest, you should go back too."
Min Xijian immediately showed a pitiful look, "It's snowing outside and it's still so cold. My sister actually drove me away. You are so cruel."
Qin Xuejian was choked and felt helpless, "Today is New Year's Eve, so it's not good for you to stay here."
"What's wrong? I'll be alone when I go back anyway."
The snow outside is indeed quite thick, and it is also very cold at night in winter.
Qin Xuejian could only say, "If you want to stay, just stay."
Then he told Mengyu, "Find a room for him to live in."
After saying that, she dragged her long skirt and returned to her room.
Min Xijian looked at her back and murmured, "Sister, have you let it go?"
Qin Xuejian kept walking and said, "I forgot a long time ago..."
Min Xijian couldn't help laughing.
Forgot...
Only by forgetting can he start over and have a chance.
Min Xijian hummed a little tune all the way and followed Mengyu towards the room, the corners of her mouth rising uncontrollably.
Mengyu wondered if he was drunk, otherwise why he suddenly became happy.
