Chapter 136: Before New Year’s Eve

The next morning, a thin layer of daylight shone on the steps. There seemed to be some faint noises inside the house. Dao Qin and Jian Shu had already prepared the washing utensils and were waiting outside. They didn’t dare to enter because they didn’t know if Xie Wei had woken up.

Until they heard a voice from inside asking, “What time is it?” 

Jian Shu replied, “It’s just past 7 AM.” 

There was a moment of silence inside, then the voice said, “Come in.”

When Xie Wei opened his eyes early in the morning, he felt the daylight shining through the window paper, making everything blurry. He raised his hand to his forehead and sat up, realizing he had slept until broad daylight. The cold candle had burned out, leaving some residual warmth in the room. Looking towards the corner, he saw the Emei quietly placed on the table, as if untouched.

When Jian Shu and Dao Qin entered, he had already gotten up and asked, “When did Ning’er leave last night?” 

Jian Shu replied, “Around 9 PM.” 

Xie Wei fell silent again, then said nothing more, just changed clothes, washed up, and had some porridge.

With the rebellion of the Tianjiao sect quelled, they stayed in Tongzhou for two days to handle the aftermath before heading back to the capital. However, a heavy snowstorm the previous evening had piled up, and the road from Tongzhou to the capital was buried under snow and rocks, still being cleared. It would take a day or two before they could travel. 

Additionally, Zhang Zhe, Xiao Ye, and most of the surviving soldiers were injured. After hearing the report, Xie Wei ordered to stay in Tongzhou for two more days.

All the officials, having heard that people from the capital had arrived, came to pay their respects today. The once quiet entrance of the Shangqing Temple was now bustling with activity.

Jiang Xuening had slipped out of Xie Wei’s room last night intending to visit Zhang Zhe, but seeing his room dark and quiet, she thought he must be exhausted from the recent events and decided not to disturb him. 

The next morning, she went to see him. Zhang Zhe looked better than the previous day but remained silent. With the danger behind them, their relationship was no longer as interdependent as it had been on the road. 

Despite Jiang Xuening’s lively nature, she didn’t know what to say to him. Zhang Zhe, adhering to etiquette and doctor’s orders to rest, left Jiang Xuening with little to do but visit him morning and evening.

Jiang Xuening felt content and didn’t miss home at all, always cheerful and smiling, making everyone at the Shangqing Temple feel at ease.

However, the weather was uncooperative. After two days of officials visiting and Xie Wei handling the aftermath of the Tianjiao sect’s destruction, they were ready to leave. With the New Year approaching, they hoped to return home in time. 

But on the third morning, it snowed again, and news came from the post station that the mountain road, previously collapsed, had been washed away by melting snow and was still impassable.

Jiang Xuening sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand. 

After hearing the news from Xiao Bao, she asked, “Are we going to spend the New Year in Tongzhou?” 

Xiao Bao replaced her tea and said, “It seems so, according to the master’s plan.” 

Jiang Xuening frowned. 

Xiao Bao continued, “Duke Xiao and the others can’t leave either. They discussed with the master about hosting a grand banquet at a restaurant on New Year’s Eve to reward the soldiers and lift everyone’s spirits. If you miss home, you can join the festivities.”

Miss Home?

Jiang Xuening scoffed softly. She didn’t miss home. 

Others would naturally go home for the New Year. Families would gather together, and even if there were some conflicts and quarrels usually, they would put them aside on such a good day. They would exchange auspicious words, set off firecrackers, eat rice cakes, and stay up late, hoping for a better year ahead. 

It was a rare warm time in the world.

But for her, it only felt colder. When she used to stay in the countryside with Wanniang, the rough farmers in the mountains mostly looked down on Wanniang’s background. Although they had some requests from Wanniang because they have ties with a wealthy family, they still gave them a lot of cold looks in secret. 

Wanniang also disdained to interact with those rough people.

Every New Year, while every household was bustling, Wanniang and she would live as usual, eating casually and not even staying up late, just going to bed early. When she was young, she didn’t know about this and didn’t feel anything was wrong. 

As she grew older and started playing with the village children, she realized that other families celebrated the New Year.

One year, she asked Wanniang about it. Wanniang ignored her.

Another year, she couldn’t help but follow other children to their homes, eating and setting off firecrackers. When she sneaked back home at night, she found Wanniang, who should have been asleep, sitting in the room, looking at her coldly, and locked her outside. 

It was dark and cold outside, and she was terrified. She knocked on the door hard, crying and asking why Wanniang wouldn’t let her in. Wanniang still ignored her. She cried until she was exhausted and fell asleep leaning against the door. The next morning, she had a fever, and Wanniang took her to see a doctor.

Since then, Jiang Xuening never dared to mention the New Year again. She was too scared. 

Later, when she returned to the Jiang family, they would have a reunion dinner every festival, but it seemed unrelated to her. It was like looking at flowers in the fog or the moon in the water, always feeling distant and unreal. 

She didn’t like Jiang Xuehui or Madam Meng. They didn’t see each other on regular days, but during the New Year, they had to annoy each other. How could it be pleasant?

As for later in the palace… it was even more meaningless. The New Year’s Eve banquet was all about the etiquette between the emperor and his ministers, and the concubines competed for attention. 

Even on happy days, everyone was scheming against each other. What was the point? Moreover, not everyone in the court attended the New Year’s Eve banquet. Some officials were too low-ranked to attend, and some could attend but chose not to.

For example, Xie Wei, who was already the Grand Tutor, almost always claimed to be ill and never attended. And Zhang Zhe, who always disregarded the emperor’s grace, submitted a memorial to apologize, saying he had to stay home to serve his mother. 

So, Jiang Xuening had never seen Zhang Zhe on New Year’s Eve.

With her fingers on the cold window sill, Jiang Xuening’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. 

She turned to ask Xiao Bao, “Where is Lord Zhang?” 

Xiao Bao was stunned, “What?” 

Jiang Xuening suddenly felt nervous, “Is Lord Zhang not returning to the capital for the New Year?” 

Xiao Bao then understood what she was asking and replied, “The other day, Lord Zhang asked about the snow and landslides on the road and mentioned returning despite the snow. But the road is dangerous and he is still injured. The doctor said he needs to rest for a few more days. Master Xie did not agree, saying that no one could bear the responsibility if something happened to Lord Zhang.”

Zhang Zhe would also spend the New Year in Tongzhou. A warm feeling slowly rose from her heart, and Jiang Xuening’s fingers trembled slightly. 

Xiao Bao was puzzled, “Do you want to go back too?” 

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xuening seemed not to hear, stood still for a moment, then suddenly turned and walked out without even taking an umbrella. 

Xiao Bao was startled, “Where are you going?” 

Jiang Xuening wanted to go out but realized she didn’t know the way in Tongzhou. 

She turned back and asked, “Are there any good wine shops or restaurants in Tongzhou? How do I get there? Where are they?” 

Xiao Bao was speechless. 

Jiang Xuening’s previously uninterested face seemed to light up with a radiant glow, and she smiled, “Take me there.” 

Xiao Bao didn’t understand what she wanted to do.

However, Young Master Jian Shu had instructed him to take good care of Miss Jiang and ensure she didn’t encounter any mishaps like before. He didn’t dare let Jiang Xuening wander around the city alone. 

Despite his doubts, he took an umbrella and accompanied her.

The big restaurants in the city were still open, and some good chefs were hired by wealthy families to prepare New Year’s feasts. The Jiang family would invite the chef from De Yue Lou to cook a good meal for the holidays. 

Jiang Xuening knew about this and asked Xiao Bao to lead the way.

On the way, they saw some shops still open, mostly selling New Year’s goods. Previously, she wasn’t very interested, but this time she stopped to take a closer look. She even bought a few red lanterns, a small embroidered pouch with the character “Fu” (fortune), a good seal, and exchanged some money for gold and silver ingots shaped like auspicious symbols.

Xiao Bao watched from the side, wondering who she was preparing for the New Year. They delayed a bit on the way and finally arrived at Si Hai Lou, the best restaurant in the city. When they asked the manager, they found out they could indeed hire a chef, but the price was high.

Buying lanterns and pouches didn’t cost much, but the seal and gold and silver ingots were expensive. 

Jiang Xuening counted her remaining silver and frowned, “A hundred taels? Why is it so expensive?” 

The manager explained politely, “To be honest, our osmanthus wine is famous and not cheap even on regular days. This year, we have only a few jars left. Other chefs were hired early by other families. The chef we have left is our head chef, Master Xu, who was planning to go home to his family. But if you can afford the price, we won’t refuse. If you can pay this price, I’ll arrange it for you.”

A hundred taels wasn’t much for Jiang Xuening. She usually spent money without blinking. She realized the manager was taking advantage of the situation to raise the price for an unfamiliar customer, but it wasn’t worth arguing over such a small amount. 

She said, “Alright. But I don’t have that much silver with me. Here’s twenty taels as a deposit. You can send someone to Shangqing Temple later to collect the rest. I’m staying there, and the New Year’s Eve feast will be held there.”

The manager was surprised and looked at her. 

It was well-known in the city that something big had happened at Shangqing Temple, with officials coming and going. Those staying there were definitely not ordinary people. He immediately became respectful and agreed.

Xiao Bao watched, wanting to say something but hesitated. 

After leaving the restaurant, Jiang Xuening asked, “Why the face?” 

Xiao Bao replied, “It’s too expensive, and where will you get that much money?” 

Jiang Xuening’s current money was the hundred taels he had given her earlier, as instructed by the master. 

He didn’t have more. Jiang Xuening had agreed to the price without hesitation, which seemed unreliable to Xiao Bao.

Jiang Xuening smiled confidently, “No money? I have plenty of money!” She put the seal and gold and silver ingots into the pouch, hid it in her sleeve, and walked back to Shangqing Temple with a light step.

These days, Xie Wei hadn’t called her to learn the qin. It was said he was busy with affairs, as many officials came to visit in Tongzhou. Moreover, for the past two days, the Grand Tutor claimed to be ill with a cold and didn’t see visitors.

Jiang Xuening quickly realized it was just an excuse. Someone who could shoot an arrow through a person’s shoulder couldn’t possibly be a weak scholar who got sick every winter. He probably just didn’t want to deal with the officials in Tongzhou.

As soon as she returned to Shangqing Temple, she boldly walked towards Xie Wei’s courtyard. Jian Shu had just come out with a tray of cold tea and looked at her as if he had seen a ghost. “Second Miss, why are you here?”

Jiang Xuening coughed and glanced at the tightly closed door behind him, lowering her voice, “Is the master asleep?” She looked a bit sneaky. Jian Shu hesitated and said, “He’s asleep. Do you want to see him?”

“No, no, no…” Jiang Xuening didn’t want to seek trouble! She pulled Jian Shu aside. “I can just talk to you.”

Jian Shu saw her pale hand tugging at his sleeve, his eyelid twitched, and he felt a chill. “Speak, but don’t touch.”

Such a petty man! Jiang Xuening didn’t think much of it, let go of his sleeve, and put on a very kind expression. “You must have brought money with you when you came with your master, right? Just give me a few hundred taels.”

A few hundred taels… Jian Shu’s mouth twitched. “You—”

Jiang Xuening quickly said, “You know!”

Jian Shu asked, “Know what?”

Jiang Xuening knew that Jian Shu and Dao Qin were Xie Wei’s trusted aides and were well aware of his affairs. She put her hands on her hips, “Your master still owes me tens of thousands of taels. Asking for a few hundred isn’t too much, right? I think your master is sick and it’s not good to disturb him. Just give it to me and tell him later.”

“…” Jian Shu feared that agreeing would get him killed by his master, but the person in front of him was special, and he didn’t dare refuse. He hesitated.

Jiang Xuening urged him, “Otherwise, I’ll go disturb your master!”

Seeing their usual demeanor, it didn’t seem like they dared to disturb Xie Wei. She thought she could easily get some money. But Jian Shu stared at her for a long time and then said, “Then go ahead.”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

Is this the Jian Shu I know? Something seems off! She was stunned.

Jian Shu turned to knock on the door, saying, “I’ll inform him for you.”

Jiang Xuening panicked and quickly pulled him back, “No, what are you doing!”

At that moment, the tightly closed door creaked open. Xie Wei stood behind it, wearing a light robe, his tall figure leaning against the door frame. He seemed to have just gotten up, with a few loose strands of hair falling on his white collar, looking unusually relaxed.

However, there was a hint of coldness in his eyes. His gaze fell on the two people at the door, then on Jiang Xuening’s hand that was still holding Jian Shu’s arm. Jiang Xuening didn’t feel anything, but Jian Shu felt a chill down his spine, as if he had walked through the gates of hell. He quickly pulled his hand back and bowed, “Master, Second Miss Jiang just…”

Xie Wei said calmly, “I heard.”

Jiang Xuening felt a chill down her neck. She looked up at Xie Wei. Although his face was a bit pale, he didn’t look like someone too sick to deal with visitors. She suddenly had a fleeting thought: he was definitely pretending.

Xie Wei looked at her, “You want money?”

Jiang Xuening had originally planned to ask Jian Shu directly, knowing that their master owed her money and wouldn’t refuse. She thought they would tell Xie Wei later, and he wouldn’t be stingy. But unexpectedly, he came out himself…

She stammered, “Yes, I heard you were sleeping, so I didn’t dare to disturb you.”

Heard he was sleeping? Xie Wei knew this little liar never told the truth and didn’t bother to expose her little tricks. 

He smiled and asked, “You really care about that money. What do you need it for?”

Jiang Xuening opened her mouth to speak, but her cheeks turned slightly red before she could say anything. Xie Wei had been smiling, but seeing her reaction, the warmth in his eyes gradually faded. The smile on his lips remained, but it no longer felt as pleasant as before. 

He saw through her, “For Zhang Zhe?”

Her liking for Zhang Zhe was no secret to Xie Wei.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t say it earlier because she was embarrassed.

Since Xie Wei had already guessed, Jiang Xuening decided to be straightforward. 

She thought that since Xie Wei knew, she might as well be honest. 

She looked up with a bright smile and said, “I can’t hide anything from you, Master. I know Lord Zhang wanted to go home, but the heavy snow has blocked the roads, so he has to stay in Tongzhou for the New Year. I want to plan something lively for him. Otherwise, he would be alone on New Year’s Eve…”

Xie Wei saw her standing under the eaves, her eyes and brows filled with joy like a budding flower. Looking past her, the courtyard’s unswept snow was glaringly white. 

He felt a cold, mocking smile in his heart, but his words remained gentle, “You are quite thoughtful.”

Jiang Xuening thought he was praising her and happily asked, “So you agree?”

Xie Wei smiled softly, “It’s your money, so of course, you should have it.”

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