The weather had been clear for two days, but the temperature had dropped even further. The melted snow had just seeped into the ground by half a finger before it was frozen into a hard cake by the cold wind overnight. There were also wrinkles at the foot of the wall where no one had stepped on. It was very ugly.
In the middle of the afternoon, snow began to fall again. At first, it was still fine and scattered. In less than an hour, it had become a large piece of flying catkins. In the fluttering white, the sunset in the sky blurred into a shapeless apricot yellow.
Yang Ping, who received her uncle's letter, was out of her mind for a long time. When she really couldn't continue studying, she took a leave from Old Master Meng. She stayed in the house alone for a day and a half. It was not until the next evening that she opened the door and walked out of the house to hang a few newly painted lanterns under the porch.
Jin Shi, who was standing outside the courtyard, finally let out a long sigh of relief. After giving Xiao Fei a few instructions, he called Feng Huang to leave.
Yang Ping stood in the corridor, quietly looking at the snowflakes in the orange light. She turned her head and saw Xiao Fei coming in from outside the door. Her sky-blue outer dress embroidered with cloud patterns fluttered in the wind. The youth's body was much taller, and his young face was filled with determination and steadiness that was rare among his peers. When he looked up, his black eyes quickly curved into a beautiful half-moon shape.
The young man took two quick steps forward, went around the corridor, and jumped up a few steps. He looked up at the lanterns and said with a smile,"Sis, is this your new lamp? Your drawing skills have really improved again!"
Yang Ping raised her hand to help him brush off the falling snow on his shoulder."Yeah, does it look good? Did he come back early today because it was snowing or because tomorrow was the winter solstice?”
"Both!" Little Fei thought of Old Meng's usual strict and serious appearance and shook her shoulders as she laughed.""Teacher said that after admiring the snow, I have to write a good essay.”
" Haha..." Yang Ping pulled him into the house with a faint smile,""Aren't you going to the back of the mountain to admire the snow? Aren't you afraid of being reprimanded if you don't write well?"
"How is that possible?" Xiao Fei also laughed.
"So confident?" As Yang Ping spoke, she sat back behind the desk and stared at the unfinished Eagle Painting on the Snowy Peak. After a long time, she said,"Do you want to draw lanterns? Yi 'er loves rabbit lanterns the most. Let's draw a few more and get someone to send them to her…"
The room was warm and cozy. However, in just a short while, there was a dense mist rising from their heads and bodies. The siblings started to draw on the things on the table.
After a while, Xiao Fei put down her brush and carefully looked at the painting of "Jade Rabbit Worships the Moon" that she had just drawn. After a moment, she lowered her eyebrows and probed,"Sister, I want to go with Second Uncle to find Eldest Sister next year.”
Yang Ping was stunned and stopped mixing the colors. After a few breaths of silence, she said,""Have you thought it through?"
"Yes, I have."
"Have you told Old Master and Uncle Feng?”
" No, I'll discuss it with Sister first. Sister, I have to see Eldest Sister with my own eyes before I can be at ease. Besides, it's better to travel thousands of miles than to read thousands of books. I have to go out for a walk. It's best if I can follow Second Uncle…"
Yang Ping understood. She gripped the brush in her hand tightly and heard him say in silence,"I won't neglect my homework either. I'll get Teacher to arrange my homework in advance and send it to me regularly by letter, or ask Second Uncle for advice…What do you think, Sister?”
Yang Ping was still silent. After a long time, she finally let out a long breath and said,"Actually, I was thinking of going myself, but you're indeed more suitable than me. Since you've thought it through, let's tell Sir and the others and write a letter to maternal grandfather to ask!”
Xiao Fei's eyes lit up and she nodded heavily,""Okay, Sis, what is this painting?”
"I've never seen a snow mountain before, so I can't draw it…"
The Great King Village was just as interested in the winter solstice as they were in the new year. On one hand, they were offering sacrifices to their ancestors. On the other hand, they were planning to start recruiting students on this day.
After a hasty dinner, Old Lady Wang led everyone to wrap the dumplings for tomorrow morning. They also had to check the items used to worship the ancestors one by one.
In the kitchen of the east courtyard, there were four to five pots and stoves of various sizes lined up against the south wall. On the east wall was a row of cupboards for food, plates, and bowls. In the middle were two large cases made of thick and heavy old willow wood. The winding patterns on the smooth surface shone with a warm light.
At this moment, the kitchen was brightly lit and warm as spring.
Kim's arm strength was amazing. The huge dough was kneaded into a smooth surface in her hands in just a short while. Aunt Wang praised her for her good skills. In the blink of an eye, the dough was kneaded into long strips. With a "Du Du" sound, the knife was raised and the evenly sized dough rolled down from the knife.
Yang Ping kneaded the dough, Old Lady Wang rolled the dough, Uncle Wang and Mr. Feng wrapped the dumplings, and Little Fei, Wang Qi, and Feng Huang also walked around the place a few times. They crushed a few dumplings and were chased away by Old Lady Wang in disdain. Old Mr. Meng enjoyed the lively and harmonious atmosphere very much. He leisurely sat on a small stool with a book and leaned against the stove. From time to time, he would look up and tell everyone a few stories about the winter solstice. It was a peaceful atmosphere.
The heavy curtain was lifted up, and the wind blew snowflakes into the room. Everyone looked up and saw a tall and handsome figure following behind Uncle Cheng. His eyes were gentle and his aura was noble. The black cloak made his figure look even more slender. When he looked up and looked around, his dark and deep eyes were filled with hope and a little unnatural.
Uncle Cheng didn't say much and pointed at the air."Let's see what he can do."
The person nodded politely at everyone. The dimples at the corner of his mouth were faintly discernible, and he was gentle and elegant. When he met Old Mr. Meng's eyes, he was surprised for a moment, but he hid it well.
Old Meng remained calm and collected. After a short glance, he withdrew his gaze from the book in his hand. Old Lady Wang and her daughter-in-law could not help but show some discomfort. However, they were comforted by Jin Shi beside them. Yang Ping raised her head and smiled generously at the person before continuing her work.
Kim's movements were as smooth as flowing water. He turned his head as if he was talking to his own family."Little Jing, right? What would he do? Why don't you come over and press the pancake too?"
Aunt Wang also reacted and said,"Yes, this room is hot. Take off your big clothes and sit here!”
Zhao Jing, who was called Little Jing, followed her instructions and revealed a crow green cotton robe in addition to his cloak. It was made by Aunt Wang. After washing his hands, he sat beside Old Lady Wang and pressed the evenly distributed dough into a round and flat shape under her guidance.
Yang Ping looked at it and suddenly laughed." Aunt, the only job I know how to do has been snatched away. Can I quit now?"”
Aunt Wang compared the work done by the two of them and smiled."Every time you make dumplings, you press the pancake. You're here, but you're not as good as someone who's done this for the first time!”
"Isn't it good? I think it's pretty good!" Yang Ping looked at herself and then at the others. Suddenly, she flashed a bright smile at that person."Hehe, it does seem better than mine. How about it, Brother Zhao? Brother Zhao, just do it!"
Zhao Jing was shaken by this smile and replied,""Good!"
Today was the first time he walked out of the small courtyard where he was recuperating. He originally thought that Master Cheng was just taking him out for a walk while it was dark. He did not expect Master Cheng to bring him directly into their lives. He even arranged a place for him in the study. Although it was simple, it was complete with everything. He even prepared a few sets of daily clothes.
While he was recuperating, he had felt that the people here were not ordinary. They did not seem to be ordinary farmers. However, no matter how he guessed, he did not expect to see this great scholar who had once been an official, a grand tutor, and a scholar who had taught the princes knowledge here.
Thinking of the two people who usually took care of him, and thinking of the calmness when Uncle Cheng taught them kung fu without any concern for him, Zhao Jing felt relieved.
He didn't plan to go back. Moreover, he had already revealed all the clues to Uncle Cheng. With his cautiousness, it seemed that there was nothing to worry about outside. Even if something really happened in the future, he would bear it alone and definitely wouldn't implicate them.
Zhao Jing thought about it as he focused on the dough in his hand. After thinking it through, he tilted his head to look at Uncle Wang beside him and said sincerely,"Little nephew thanks uncle for saving my life. Little nephew has nothing to stay here with. In the future, if there is anything that can be used, I will do my best!”
Uncle Wang did not expect this person to still remember him. He hesitated for a moment before smiling sincerely." It's alright, it's alright…"
Yang Ping, on the other hand, looked at Mr. Feng quietly. She understood that Zhao Jing wanted to stay here and make a promise to everyone. His intention had already been conveyed through Uncle Cheng. It was also discussed by everyone to bring him here today. It was of course a good thing that Zhao Jing could put down his body and take the initiative to integrate. Even if he couldn't, Yang Ping and the others just treated him as a passerby.
Feng Nianen looked up at Uncle Cheng, who was pouring a bowl of water and sipping it slowly, and asked with a smile,"Old Brother Cheng, come and try to make two. Just now, Auntie said that if you don't work, you won't have food to eat. Didn't you see that the three boys outside didn't know how to make dumplings and were sent out to chop firewood…and Ping girl, even if you make a flower out of that piece of noodles, it won't turn into dumplings by itself.”
"Then I'll cook dough balls, dough balls with flowers!”
Everyone laughed, and the room became lively again.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。