It was flying all day long, and the entire capital was wrapped in a vast blanket of silver.
Today is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month in the 18th year of Yongle. It is a festive day for the people of the Ming Dynasty to welcome the Kitchen God. Every household is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Candles are lit on the table under the wall next to the portrait of the Kitchen God, and on the incense burner in the middle.
Three pillars of fragrance were lit, and the curls of green smoke drew peaceful patterns one after another in the air.
There was a "squeaking" sound on the snow, and Xiao Chen, dressed in soap clothes, slowly walked to the door of a house in the suburbs of Beijing.
The two lanterns at the door flickered brightly and dimly, illuminated by candles.
Compared with the festive atmosphere of other homes, this place seemed much deserted. Apart from the absence of children laughing and chasing each other, not even the voices of adults were heard.
"Why is it snowing so heavily today?"
Xiao Chen muttered and stamped his feet wearing fast boots several times until all the snow on them was stamped off. Then he raised his head and slapped the closed door twice.
"Who is it?" A man's voice came from the courtyard, followed by a creaking sound as he walked towards the door.
With a clang of the door latch being pulled off, the door was opened a gap.
"Today is the Lunar New Year. If you are not celebrating the festival at home, why are you knocking on the door?" the person inside said impatiently.
Xiao Chen didn't say anything, he just flashed the waist badge with a small word "WE" engraved on it to the crack of the door.
Seeing the badge, the door suddenly opened.
"Sir, please come inside." The man who opened the door had a slightly arched figure, and his head was so low that it almost touched his chest.
Xiao Chen was not polite, put his hands on his back, let the saber on his waist sway from side to side, and stepped into the door with one step.
Seeing Xiao Chen enter the door, the man hurriedly bolted the door again, stood tremblingly at the side, bowed his body again, stretched out his right hand, pointed to the main room lit by candlelight, "Sir, please come this way."
He looked cautious and cautious, as if facing a wild beast.
"Xiao Liu, who is it?" a voice came from the main room.
The man known as Xiao Liu hunched over, guiding Xiao Chen the way, and replied in a low voice: "People from the imperial court!"
As soon as these four words were spoken, there was a rustling sound in the room, followed by a "bang", as if something was tripped.
Xiao Chen remained unhurried, he just stretched his neck and coughed a few times.
The sounds inside suddenly stopped.
Walking into the room, looking at some papers scattered on the table and a chair leaning on the ground, Xiao Chen smiled slightly at the middle-aged man at the table who had a pale face and beads of sweat on his forehead, "Mr. Liu, Xiao Chen
Happy New Year."
Ignoring the trembling and speechless appearance of the middle-aged man, he sat down on the chair next to him, took off the sword from his waist and placed it on the table, took off the black official hat on his head, and slapped the soles of his feet in the courtyard.
There was fresh snow in it.
"Your Excellency, you suddenly came to visit. I don't know why?" After a moment, Mr. Liu seemed to have regained his composure, lifted up the chair that had fallen on the ground, held it up with both hands, and gave Xiao Chen an official salute.
Intentionally or unintentionally, he swept the messy papers on the table, Xiao Chen put on the black official hat again, and then raised his head, "It's okay, Xiaonian, everyone in the guardhouse is on holiday. Those with families, all
I went back to have a reunion. I had nothing to do, so I transferred to you."
Hearing what Xiao Chen said, Mr. Liu calmed down a little.
Although I don't know who this person is, the way he is dressed is clearly that of a military officer in royal robes.
However, Jin Yiwei always handles cases with great fanfare, and I have never heard of anyone acting alone. Could it be that this person is just taking advantage of his youth to use this outfit to get some benefits.
Thinking of this, Mr. Liu put his right hand into his sleeve, fumbled for a banknote, and put it in front of Xiao Chen with both hands, "It's snowing heavily today and the weather is freezing cold. Sir, you have to work hard and patrol everywhere to serve the country. Xiao Chen."
It’s not a big deal, adults, just buy some wine to warm yourself up.”
Xiao Chen took it over easily and put it in his arms, "Master Liu is really generous. He rewarded you with wine money when we first met. It seems that he will come to trouble you more often in the future."
Hearing these words, Mr. Liu's heart skipped a beat. This Jinyiwei was really greedy. A thousand taels of silver notes and an ordinary school captain could not earn a lifetime salary.
However, since you have accepted my banknote, no matter how big your appetite is, I am afraid that you will eat or digest it.
With a cold snort in his heart, Mr. Liu turned around, sat on the chair he had just raised, and raised his voice, "Xiao Liu, serve tea to Mr. Liu. It's so cold that I don't have any eyesight."
Xiao Chen sat quietly on the cold slant-backed chair. He put his left hand on the table, bent his index finger, and tapped it gently. He glanced at Xiao Liu intentionally or unintentionally. He watched him bring in a pot from outside the door.
hot water, and took out two tea bowls with tea leaves from the room, filled them carefully, and bowed to the side.
"It's snowing heavily today and the temperature has dropped sharply. Sir, please drink a cup of hot tea to drive away the cold." Mr. Liu smiled broadly, picked up the tea bowl on the table, made a gesture of invitation, then held the lid of the bowl in his right hand and fiddled with it gently.
Tea leaves floating on top.
"Please." Xiao Chen smiled slightly, picked up the tea bowl with his left hand, and turned over the lid with his right hand. The sterling silver ring on his little finger that he had been wearing since Jin Yiwei was transferred to Dongchang was in the tea.
Dip it lightly.
Looking at the ring that was gradually turning black, the smile on Xiao Chen's face became even stronger: "This year's snow will kill a lot of pests. Next year, my Ming Dynasty will have another good harvest."
As he spoke, he lightly covered the tea bowl and placed it on the table.
"What? Your Excellency, you don't like my tea? This is the real West Lake Longjing. It was brought to me by someone who was my classmate who was the prefect of Yangzhou a while ago." Mr. Liu smiled and seemed to be pulling.
He said in a homely and gentle voice.
Xiao Chen waved his hand: "What the hell! Tea is good tea, but my stomach is not good. The higher the quality of herbal tea, the more it tastes like poison in my stomach, and I will have to suffer from stomach upset for three or four days."
"
Master Liu frowned, then opened his eyebrows again: "Since you can't drink this Longjing, I will ask Xiao Liu to make you another bowl of San Paotai."
Before Xiao Chen could refuse, Xiao Liu had already ran into the house. After a moment, he came out with another tea bowl and placed it on the table. Without saying a word, he picked up the kettle and filled it up. He pushed it forward and said, "Sir, please use it."
.”
"Do you have to drink it?" Xiao Chen looked at Xiao Liu who had poured the tea but did not move away, but stared straight at him, and smiled faintly.
"This is a small piece of my heart." Xiao Liu bowed and said with a smile.
"Okay." Xiao Chen stood up slowly, "It's cold and you've been working very hard running around. I'll reward you with this bowl of tea."
As he said that, he took off the bowl lid with his left hand and put the steaming tea directly to Xiao Liu's mouth: "Here, drink it."
Seeing such a scene, Master Liu, who was calm and composed just now, suddenly changed his expression.