By Jia Xiuzhen

Let's say that Mrs. Qiao felt more and more sorry when she saw that Zhuangzi had given her family so many fish, so she tried her best to make some fish food, and picked some up to give to the chef.Everyone also knew her temperament, so they agreed with her kindness.This day, Nanny Xu hugged Xiaoqi and asked the kitchen to heat up some goat milk. Seeing Mrs. Chen drinking hot tea, everyone quickly got up and gave up their seats when they saw her coming.Nanny Xu backed away with a smile before pointing to a plate of food on the table and asked: "What is that, you guys bring it for tea."

Mrs. Chen took the plate and stepped forward: "Accordingly, I wouldn't dare to ask the supervisor to taste these rough foods, but this is a novelty." Pointing to Xiao Qi, "it was sent by his mother, and she said that she got the fish given by the village. Let us taste some food. This one is fish cake, but it is chewy, and that one is dried fish, which is a bit sweet. It is worthy of her name. We drink tea and taste it, and it is really good. Manager If you don’t mind, please try a piece.”

After hearing what she said, Mother Xu smiled and took a piece of fish cake to eat, chewed it twice and praised: "It's so thoughtful, it still has a smoky aroma." When the goat's milk came over, Nanny Xu asked the little girl beside her to hold it, and carried Xiao Qi back to the back yard.

Several women watched her go away, and sighed: "I don't know where the luck of Mrs. Qiao's family came from, and she fell into this fate. This big steward, even the son of Qiu Steward's family, doesn't feel so hurt." The other said: "I heard that the chief steward also has a daughter. Are you afraid that there will be no juniors to hurt? It's just that he is not in front of him."

Mrs. Chen said with a smile: "This kid is also a pain, but have you heard him cry? He is really sensible after being born." A daughter-in-law who just came to help said: "Auntie is right. This clever lady's family now looks like a Well, when there was no such workshop earlier this year, it was difficult. Not to mention dry rice, even porridge could not be thick. This little boy was smiling when drinking thin rice soup, and he didn’t cry when he was hungry. He hummed twice. Once Mrs. Qiao came back from the field late, and the three youngest ones fainted from hunger in the house, and this mother was so distressed that she shed tears."

Mrs. Chen recited the Buddha and said: "I'm sorry to see you, but now it's all over. Little five and little six are also children who are loved by others." Everyone naturally agreed.

It was snowing heavily in the capital, but the weather in the south was smooth. Summer and autumn grain had already been transported into Beijing by water. Although the heavy snow caused disasters, the price of grain did not soar. It was luck at last.The ordinary people who counted on buying grain to survive saw the market price so relieved, but the rich and powerful families in the capital were in a different situation.This year, the cold weather came early and fiercely, but most of the big Zhuangzi of this big family in Beijing are in the north. Originally, they would prepare new year's goods and send them to Beijing when the autumn grain was harvested.

Although the important official road has sent garrisons to shovel the snow and cover the soil, but if you put a layer of dirt, God will give you a layer of snow, and the whole thing is in vain.On the other hand, those who live in Zhuangzi in the south are better off. Although the river is frozen, but because of the booming sea transportation in the past two years, it is convenient to transfer to the land after arriving at Jinkou.Jia's mansion originally came from Jinling, and there are several Zhuangzi in the south, so it finally relieved the urgent need.

On this day, Sister Feng and Jia Lian were busy counting the New Year's goods all day, and sat down for dinner in the evening.Jia Lian breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, I've come to something promising. Otherwise, I really haven't sent it this year." Sister Feng also frowned and said, "I thought it would be because of the heavy snow, so we might all be the same and save a little bit." That's all. It's not embarrassing. It's just that we have been separated for the past two years. I don't know where those people got their things. The winter solstice festival is so far away. I have trouble with those gift lists. I told my wife several times but it didn't work, I finally made up my mind after reporting to the old lady. I'm ashamed, huh!"

Jia Lian said with a smile: "Okay, you've done enough. The old lady made up her mind, why don't you beat the side drums? Didn't you hear the other way to praise you?" Sister Feng spat at him: "Tell you the truth and you say it again. This!" Jia Lian laughed and said, "The truth? The truth is that we are not in charge after all! We are just running errands, don't worry about it!"

Sister Feng glared at him and said, "You said it was cheap! This month's money is all sent out from me, and the annual etiquette is all sent out from me. If there is a mistake, our mansion will lose face and have a headache." Shouldn’t it be me? It’s always young and easy to make mistakes! Don’t pretend that I don’t know, how many screwdrivers are waiting to see my jokes!”

Jia Lian saw her getting angry, so he changed the subject and said, "Okay, I heard from Brother Zhen that the people from the north are coming soon. Our house is fine, but he is also the head of the clan, and he returns it to the clan every year." Brothers and nephews of my family share some things. If it’s only from the south, he won’t look very good.”

Sister Feng said: "What do you mean, don't we give it?! How many times have a vine come up, and it can't be saved anywhere." There are a lot of people coming out of the East Mansion. But then again, it’s not easy for us to go past them. Here we are filling the big hole inside.” Sister Feng nodded and said, “This time, we won’t be able to get through without even three or five thousand taels.”

Jia Lian suddenly thought of something, and asked Sister Feng, "I just thought, why is it that my sister-in-law's New Year gift is delivered to her own yard? Didn't you say it was uncle? The south of her house is a serious uncle's New Year's Eve." The gifts are all sent to us!"

Sister Feng laughed and said, "Hey! You don't know! I don't know what this merchant is thinking. When he first came here, he didn't salute the old lady! The old lady doesn't care about these things, what the wife means, this is not a serious relative, but It's like asking for something. It's not counted as relatives in the public, and the annual etiquette is prepared by the sister-in-law herself, so I don't care about it."

Jia Lian shook his head and said, "Ma'am, this business is for business. The few in the south, since their old man left, have they not come here with a clear soup and little water? They look very strong, and they are full of worthless grass, wood, bamboo, and paper." Things. I said that if you really want to be elegant, it would be nice to get a few decent paintings and calligraphy. But this, how could it not be sent by car or boat? They are not serious relatives!"

Sister Feng said with a smile: "Don't say it. I saw it this time, and my wife also felt a little regretful. The elder sister-in-law is a fool, and she doesn't like oil and salt. The two of them didn't have much to say. The wife mentioned it a little bit. Twice, I saw that my sister-in-law didn't want to get closer, so I had no choice but to give up. Or else? Can I still rush to recognize these relatives who are far away?"

Jia Lian said: "Heshengdao has never liked to stand out when doing business. He only knows that the business is big, but not many people have met their shopkeepers. In this way, it is really similar to the temperament of my sister-in-law."

Sister Feng sneered: "Sister-in-law really doesn't know what she is thinking! What is she doing with all those things in her hands? How could she be missing in the mansion? Why isn't she the highest in terms of status? Don't look at the old lady. My wife doesn't get close to her very much on weekdays, but she won't be left behind if there is any benefit. This relative belongs to the public, so it looks decent to her, doesn't it?"

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Come on, come on, don't say such cheap words! Why don't you go back to the public with your glazed screen and coral ornaments?" Sister Feng said, "It was specially sent to me by my brother and sister-in-law. How do you count it from the public school? This is all from the public school, why don’t you put all my dowry into your treasury!”

Jia Lian shook his head and said, "Isn't that what it is?! How can you talk about the elder sister-in-law's brother and sister-in-law, and they will be counted as the public again." Sister Feng said: "You are messing around, can it be the same? I am in contact with my wife's natal family. Yes, which one does not belong to the public? How can the things that are sent back and forth in private on weekdays be compared with the rituals?"

Jia Lian hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Forget it. You guys agreed not to return to the public house. Why are you in such a hurry with me this time? Besides, you see my sister-in-law taking in carts and carts. You don't know what it is. .If it’s gold, silver and jewellery, I don’t think there will be a car and a boat to send it? Besides, this kind of gift is reciprocal, and the sister-in-law still has to return the gift.”

Sister Feng patted the table down, and said in a low voice: "You're really talking! I noticed that my sister-in-law really didn't send too many things out! This is where she stays. With her little wealth, What kind of flowers can be conjured up? Fortunately, there is still a handkerchief handkerchief, and they have been frequent in the past two years. I think it means that what is sent by the east family is distributed to the west family, and what is sent by the west family is distributed to the east family. Fortunately, the One of the two is an official and the other is a businessman. If we are like our old relatives, it will be a joke! Even so, I really didn’t see her taking anything out. Yes, but not far from it.”

Jia Lian was surprised and said: "Can it still be like this? Then her brother and sister-in-law are really talkative. They do this once or twice, and they do this again? They keep sending them in, really, tsk tsk." After saying that, she looked at Sister Feng.Sister Feng picked up the beauty paddle beside the kang and gave him a moment, and said, "What do you see, it means that my brother is not as good as others!"

Jia Lian hurriedly pretended to dodge, and said repeatedly: "Look, look, the sky doesn't beat people who eat, you are more powerful than the sky. Let me tell you, don't keep watching what gifts the sister-in-law accepts. Think about it, she has nothing to do day and night, wouldn't it be nice to have a warehouse where you can count things? You can't, where are you free?"

Seeing that he was talking too much, Sister Feng blushed and ignored him, and just lowered her head to eat.Seeing that she was ashamed and annoyed, Jia Lian continued to coax her with all kinds of sweet words, and asked Ping'er to boil wine for a drink, but it was his words again.

In the snowy night, there are only a few stars in the dark sky, and the light looks colder and colder.In the dilapidated temple of Xishan, there was no incense in the past few days. Suddenly, a figure flashed, and a monk appeared at the door together. The two of them looked around before walking in.The Taoist waved his hand casually, and a few residual candles ignited.The scarlet-headed monk let go of his spiritual sense to explore, and saw that the temple was really empty, so he said to the Taoist: "Look at the snow, the cold air, that beast is really good."

The lame Taoist shook his head and said, "What is this little effort? If you say it has a bit of courage, no one can do anything to catch it!" The monk said: "It is also a bit smart. If you think about it, you can deal with it." I guess it’s okay and I’m too lazy to attack it. If it’s not as strong as it is, even if it wants to, it’s not afraid.” The Taoist smiled and said: “You have insight. It’s just a water worm. If you can’t kill it with one punch, take it away. Neidan, you really can't make any money."

The monk said: "No, this group of things are the most greedy by nature, and they put everything directly in the body shell. If they are no match, they will be turned into fly ash in a moment of death. It is really a waste of strength." The Taoist opened his eyes. Looking at the sky, a smile appeared on his face, and said: "It didn't expect to meet you and me." Stretching out his hand and shaking, a black round bottle appeared on his fingertips, and said: "I still have a drop of Lieyang here!" Lu, let's just let it go."

The monk clapped his hands and laughed and said: "Wonderful, wonderful, let the cold escape away, and see where it can escape." He reached out and took the bottle and said to the Taoist priest, "Since you have paid, then I will come." Use your strength." He said with a smile, he threw himself into the air and disappeared, a black vortex of cold air was slowly turning in the sky thousands of miles above the capital, the monk threw the bottle into the air without thinking too much, pinched it He said the formula silently, and with one finger popped out, the bottle went straight to the center of the vortex, and he stretched out his hand to grab it and put it away, and scolded: "Rong!" A mass of golden red, extremely bright, just like lava and fire.

The monk waved his hand, and the scattered starlight returned to his hand, he no longer wanted to fight, and hurried away.When he retreated away, the golden red ball had been sucked into the vortex, and the slowly rotating cold air suddenly stopped, and gradually dyed red in the middle, quickly invading in all directions, just like sparks scorching through holes in paper.

In the Oolong Courtyard in the deep mountains of the northeast, the incense was in full swing, a jet of black air rushed out from a piece of black wood on the altar table in the main hall, and went into the air, and instantly turned into a human figure, dressed in dark clothes, he looked up at the sky, his face was pale , After a while, the fishy smell in the throat was suppressed.

The next day the sky cleared, and the snow that had accumulated for a long time melted rapidly under the sun.The emperor led civil and military officials to sacrifice to heaven, and the princes and princes naturally also offered gifts to thank heaven.In one mansion, a man's breath was gloomy. After a while, a servant in green clothes came in. He knelt down and said, "Master Cang Pu got up and asked the sky. This is the scriptures translated by the Taoist priest." The document in his hand was presented to the man on the seat, the man opened it and saw that it said: "The power of the vow is exhausted, and the time will return." Then he twitched the corners of his mouth and said lightly: "For power, kill pigs and cattle Isn't it easy?"

In the illusion, there is a maidservant in colorful clothes who is talking about it: "Master Boundless and Daoist Miao Miao used Lieyang dew in the lower realm to dissipate the snow in the capital, and the grievances on the love list have no effect." The beautiful woman in the shirt said: "I knew they would not be reconciled last time. We don't want to get involved in these beatings and killings."

Another girl in green robe nodded and said: "What's more, Fairy Jing Huan is going to celebrate the birthday of Empress Tianji, and there is no one in charge. Let's just take care of our own affairs, and leave others alone." After hearing this, everyone nodded their heads in agreement. .The beauty in yellow asked another beauty next to her, "Sister Jianmei, don't you have a clone in the lower realm? Is it important that this little maid came back just now?"

The beauty was full of spring, and when someone asked her, Fang lazily replied: "There are only so many things in the world, and the wind, snow and sunny days are natural, so what's so strange about it. When my sister left, she only told us to practice hard and take care of our respective departments. What do those monks and priests have to do with demons and goblins?" After hearing what she said, everyone was more relieved, and they just waited for Fairy Jing Huan to come back and tell them all.