Shen Lie walked out of Aunt Li's house and bought a meat pie from a roadside stall. While chewing the pancake, he looked around cautiously.
At this time, the scenery of Willow Street changed. It was a little different from the past. In the shops on both sides of the street, many workers were busy putting up window paper and hanging lanterns.
There are also more stalls selling rice cakes, couplets, incense candles and yellow paper on both sides of the street. The noise is peaceful and there is a hint of joy.
Shen Lie's eyes flashed with sadness, and he murmured to himself: "In a blink of an eye... the New Year is almost here."
Feeling the strong flavor of the Wanli New Year, Shen Lie's mood became relaxed. While walking slowly on the street, he looked at the various stalls selling New Year's goods on the roadside.
Walking in this bustling street, Shen Lie instinctively looked into the crowd, hoping to encounter that peerless beauty...
But this is a luxury wish.
How could such a noble official lady come out to the public? The last time I met her in a tailor shop, it was just a coincidence.
Over the past month, Shen Lie has also inquired about Zhang Kui and some clues about the official lady, but he has gained nothing after a month.
Gradually, Shen Lie gave up the idea of finding her.
So what if I find it?
Shen Lie shook his head, driving away the appearance of the stunning woman from his mind, and quickly returned to reality. After a month of hard work, half of the more than ten taels of silver he had earned had been spent.
As the New Year's Eve approaches, the pedestrians on the street become bustling, Shen Lie's eyes become bright, and he quickly walks back to Aunt Li's house.
Pushing open the door of the wing, Shen Lie smiled at Yun'er, who was mending clothes, and said, "Take some tidying up, let's... go out to the stall!"
The limelight has passed and it’s time to return to daily life.
Yun'er quickly agreed: "Hey."
After the two of them packed up the remaining groceries, they went to the grocery store to buy some New Year's goods, and then set up a small stall selling rings at the entrance of the alley.
As the days returned to calm, Shen Lie took Yun'er back to the days of setting up stalls and saving money every day. After a heavy snowfall, the New Year's Eve of the eighth year of Wanli gradually came.
On New Year's Eve, there was peace and tranquility.
The crackling sound of firecrackers rang out in the streets and alleys of the Ming Dynasty capital. After a whole year of busy work, all living beings could finally stop their various livelihoods.
Every household, old and young, gathered together to have a New Year's Eve dinner.
Shen Lie and Yun'er, who had closed the stall early, bought a table of delicious food and called the lonely Aunt Li over. The three of them had a good meal.
Shen Lie also made an exception and drank a few glasses of water and wine.
The wine was Cangzhou rice wine, which was very spicy and not high quality, but with the crackling firecrackers, there was a joyful atmosphere everywhere, which also reflected the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.
Such a strong festival atmosphere made Shen Lie feel that he was integrating into this era, and even had a sense of belonging.
Midnight, in the wing room.
The landlady, Aunt Li, was old and went to bed early.
After eating and drinking, Shen Lie, a bit drunk, lay on the bed with his back stretched out, listening to the increasingly chaotic sound of firecrackers outside.
Yun'er was busy on the small bed next to her, counting the few taels of silver coins left, and carefully hiding the silver beans and strings of copper coins.
Then she added a few pieces of charcoal to the charcoal basin, opened the window a little more, blew out the oil lamp, and climbed into her little bed contentedly.
Then the warm woodshed fell into darkness.
In silence.
Yun'er suddenly asked softly: "Master, are you asleep?"
Shen Lie responded softly: "Yes."
But in his mind, he couldn't help but think of her sudden appearance in the clothing store that night, her bright eyes, elegant and dignified face, and her graceful and graceful figure...
lingering in his mind and never dissipating, Shen Lie spent his first New Year's Eve in this era peacefully amidst the crackling of firecrackers.
After New Year's Eve.
Instead of fading away, the festive atmosphere in the capital became even more lively. Soon Shen Lie felt that the new year of this era was different from that of later generations.
It's like the festival has just begun after New Year's Eve.
The first lunar month is the year.
Starting from the first day of the new year, the government and various businesses organized various entertainment activities in the city. This festive atmosphere opened Shen Lie's eyes.
The business of the stalls continues to be booming. As the Lantern Festival approaches, the streets are filled with all kinds of lanterns, couplets, lantern riddles...
After closing the stall in the evening, Yun'er dragged Shen Lie around again, walking through the dazzling array of lanterns in front of numerous shops.
Looking at the riddles on the lantern, Yun'er begged in a sweet little voice: "Master, can we also hang some riddles?"
Shen Lie thought for a while and said dotingly: "Okay."
After scratching Yun'er's little nose, Shen Lie's heart moved. It didn't cost much to make a few lanterns and write a few lantern riddles, and it could also increase the popularity of the stall.
Just do it.
So the next night.
The wing of Aunt Li's house was filled with lanterns, big red paper, pens, inks, paper, inkstones and other items. Under the light of the flickering oil lamp, Shen Lie held the brush and dipped it in some ink.
But he encountered a big problem. His calligraphy was pretty good. He had practiced it in a calligraphy class when he was a child, but...
Although his handwriting is not ugly and can be considered average, he can write too few traditional Chinese characters. At best, he is probably equivalent to the level of a seven or eight-year-old child in this era.
Shen Lie scratched his head and scratched his head for a long time, but after all, he had limited ink in his stomach, so he had to put the brush aside and said awkwardly: "Wait until tomorrow, Master. I will find some copybooks."
At this moment, Shen Lie's old face turned slightly red.
Embarrassed.
This word needs to be practiced carefully, otherwise, it will be difficult to get along in this era.
At this time, Yun'er, who was mending clothes, looked at him and suddenly pursed her lips and snickered: "Giggle."
Shen Lie was greatly embarrassed and pretended to be angry: "You are such a little maid, how dare you laugh... If you rebel against you, do you believe that I will take care of you, young master?"
When it comes to family law.
Yun'er's pretty face turned slightly red, she twisted her little body a few times, put down her needle and thread, pursed her lips, and said in a proud voice: "Young Master... I can write."
That cute little look seems to be saying something.
Come and praise me.
Shen Lie was stunned for a moment, then lightly slapped his head.
"correct."
How could I forget this girl? Before she lived in Jiaofangsi, she was the daughter of the county magistrate, and she was actually a talented girl who came from an official family.
Shen Lie was beaming for a moment, and when he got excited, he picked up his little maid and kissed her hard little face.
Then he watched her pick up the writing brush, lie on the bed with her little butt raised, and look at Shen Lie with wide, clear eyes, waiting for Shen Lie to tell the mystery.
then.
Shen Lie paced slowly in the woodshed and muttered: "One..."
a long time.
Yun'er didn't start writing.
But Shen Lie urged: "Write."
Yun'er was stunned and called out softly: "Ah?"
It took her a long time to understand. It turned out that the young master had created this lantern riddle, and the riddle was just one word. This riddle was too strange.
