Ninety-four Snow

  On the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Prince Ouyang Jing, the trusted nephew of King Xian, finally arrived as scheduled.

  Everyone in the Wenfu originally thought that because of Liu Jie's affair, Ouyang Jing would be met with cold treatment from the high-level leaders in the mansion.

  But it turned out that everyone was wrong ——

  Ouyang Jing, wearing a blue satin robe with a crimson border and a round collar, looked even more majestic than last year, and was still treated with great courtesy in the Yanshou Hall.

  The reason is simple: one is that Ouyang Jing brought a heavyweight guest, his cousin the fourth prince Ouyang Rui.

  The prince came to visit, this honor is truly making the Wen family's reputation flourish, the people of the Wen family are naturally favored and surprised to the extreme, where else would they dare to be even slightly slow.

  That's one thing, what about the other?

  The second is the many good gifts brought by Ouyang Jing, although leaders such as Li Taijun are not greedy for this, but isn't this someone's sincerity?

  One wouldn't hit a smiling face, let alone the declining Wen family who is most eager for someone to help them out at this time. With such a good relationship in front of them, how could they not want it?

  Moreover, Ouyang Jing was also trying to curry favor and please others, so he lowered his posture and conceded. Everyone else was older than him, how could they argue with a 15 or 16 year old youth?

  So it really proved what Queen Mother said: If you can't be relatives by marriage, then just be good relatives.

  As for Ou Yang Jing's attitude, Jiu Si Er had always been coldly observing from the side, without any thoughts.

  When we were young, didn't we also go through this for a toy we liked?

  Spent all his own lucky money without hesitation, afraid that mom wouldn't let him buy it, then acted cute and coquettish, and even pulled grandma to be the negotiator.

  But what's the point of buying that toy anyway?

  After the freshness is over, the toy is either discarded or put on a high shelf. All kinds of new and strange toys are pushing forward in waves, asking that child with too much playfulness to fall in love with only one toy, isn't that a joke?

  Could she still be proud and delighted to be treated as such a plaything, and feel sweet in her heart? This is naturally impossible. After all, she is not a woman of this era, but rather has a strong desire for independence and dignity deep down, rather than being servile and dependent...

  "Girl, the porridge has gone cold, Auntie worked hard to cook it, don't waste it, hurry up and drink it while it's hot." Just as she was thinking this, a few words from Qing An suddenly pulled her thoughts back.

  Her gaze fell on the bowl of sweet corn lily red date porridge beside her, and she picked up a spoon to slowly drink it.

  Jiuer was drinking porridge on this side, while Qing'an was adding charcoal to the brazier on that side. Suddenly, she lifted her head and looked out the window, saying, "Oh... it's snowing."

  "Is it snowing?" But unexpectedly, Jiu's daughter suddenly stood up as soon as she heard this.

  "What's wrong, miss?" Qing Xiang was startled by her movement and asked hastily.

  "I want to go out for a walk." She turned her head towards Qing An.

  "Hmm..." Qing Xing was taken aback for a moment, gazing at the snowflakes dancing outside the window, then looked at her own daughter, "But..."

  "There's nothing wrong with it, go and get me some clothes quickly." Jiuniang said again.

  Qing Xiang remained still, gazing at her.

  "Hurry up... I want to go see Auntie, it's been several days since I last went, and take a look at the snowy scenery along the way." She urged her.

  Qing Xiang reluctantly turned around and went to get her cloak for her.

  She walked to the window and looked out at the white world outside, where snowflakes were falling like pear blossoms, and smiled.

  She has been staying at home for three whole days. This snowy day is really a good chance to go out and get some fresh air, although the weather is cold and the road is not easy to walk on.

  But this has its advantages, doesn't it?

  Everyone is hiding in their houses, there are few pedestrians on the road, and you don't have to worry about running into people you don't want to meet.

  Today is already the nineteenth of the twelfth lunar month...

  Soon Qing An took out her pink brocade fur cloak and put it on, then the two of them went out together.

  It wasn't until they went outside that they realized the weather was extremely cold, with the wind blowing and snowflakes dancing straight into their necks. Qing Xing had no choice but to go back and grab an umbrella again.

  The little girl was quite puzzled as to why she couldn't go out when the sun was shining, but today she insisted on going out for a walk in the heavy snow.

  Is it really just for the snow view?

  But girls have never been so willful before...

  But looking at her own daughter's enthusiastic appearance, the little girl didn't dwell on it anymore. It's rare, these past few days the girl has been listless and preoccupied, with a lot on her mind, and when asked about it, she wouldn't say anything, which made her not have much of an appetite either.

  Due to the weather, there were indeed very few pedestrians on the road. Even when some women and children passed by occasionally, they were all fully armed and walking hastily.

  "Green apricot, cold? Come on, I'll hold the umbrella."

  The ninth sister turned her head to look at the small face of Qing An, who was frozen red, and felt a bit uneasy, reaching out to take the umbrella from her hand.

  "It's okay, we'll be there soon." Qing Xing naturally didn't give it to her.

  "Thank you, Qing Xing!" She didn't insist anymore, just a soft sentence.

  Qing Xiang was taken aback, and then laughed. "Miss, don't say that, be careful of your feet..." But before she could finish speaking, she almost tripped herself, startling her into a cry of surprise.

  "Hehe......" Jiujier hastily helped her up while laughing.

  "Girl..." Qing Xing scolded her.

  "Besides, we have to hurry." Jiuniang said as she briskly pulled her arm, and the two of them walked hand in hand through the snow...

  "It's a big snowy day, hurry up and get on the kang, warm up."

  In the back house, Aunt Xu was mending shoe soles with Auntie Xu on the kang. Seeing her daughter arrive, she felt both delighted and heartbroken, and quickly pulled her to sit down.

  Aunt Xü also brought over some refreshments and tea, and the mother-daughter pair sat down at the warm kang to chat.

  "Auntie, is this what you're preparing for my brother?" Jiuniang asked unintentionally after seeing a pair of men's shoe samples that Na had brought.

  "Yes!" Aunt Xu nodded, "Your aunt's household is poor, and she was afraid that your cousin would dislike it, so she asked me to give him two pairs. After all, he's already sixteen years old, and now that he's grown up, he can't just make do like before."

  "Oh..." After hearing Aunt Xu's words, Jiu Si'er suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, how is Big Brother's studies going? Does he plan to take the imperial exam next spring?"

  There were indeed two candidates for the imperial examination in the mansion, and they were both her brothers, but she was most concerned about her cousin Xu Wei.

  Nothing else, there is a balance of interests between others, only with relatives is truly unaccounted for any relevance.

  Unfortunately, her elder cousin was not generous enough. When his uncle asked him to drop out of school and start a business, he refused, but after reading books for several years, when it came time to take the exam, he became hesitant and afraid to enter the examination hall, so this spring he missed the opportunity to take the spring exam.

  "Oh, speaking of which I forgot to tell you...". Unexpectedly, upon hearing her words, Xu Niang couldn't help but smile with delight, "Your cousin has made up his mind and decided to take the exam next year."

  "Really?"

  "Of course, it's actually all because of what you said to him on that autumn day. 'Since ancient times, there has never been a scholar who is not concerned with worldly affairs.' Who would have thought that it would hit his weak spot? He went back and thought about it repeatedly, and indeed felt that this was the case." Madam Xu smiled again.

  "That's for the best." Jiuniang couldn't help but nod in delight as well.

  In autumn days, she went to the mountain forest with Jiang's family to collect white wax. She had met her cousin Xu Wei once before and then talked about taking the imperial examination.

  This book-loving but exam-fearing cousin was naturally filled with all sorts of shame and inferiority, so she consoled him for a while.

  It seems that being a teacher for many years in her past life wasn't in vain, this ideological work is actually quite effective, and now even her silly brother has been persuaded.

  She said a few more words to Aunt Xue, and Jiu's mood improved significantly. She looked outside and saw that it was already a vast expanse of white, so she didn't stay any longer. She put on her cloak and walked back with Qing Xing.

  The roof and withered branches were already covered with a thick layer of snow, and the sound of "crunch" came from underfoot on the frozen road. The wind was even more biting, and the two masters naturally quickened their pace.

  "Master?!?" But suddenly Qing An exclaimed in surprise as she walked beside him.

  Upon hearing this, Jiu's heart skipped a beat, and she turned her head to see the tall and handsome figure gradually walking towards them.

  Wrapped in a dark-colored, intricately patterned silk cloak with a crane design, his head was adorned with a jade crown. He walked towards us, his footsteps light on the snow-white ground, and the tassels and jade rings hanging from the golden buckle of his leather belt swayed gently to the rhythm of his bold and unrestrained strides. His entire being exuded an air of elegant refinement and majestic demeanor that was both refined and unyielding.

  Yes, indeed others have a charm that can intimidate and fascinate people!

  Not only was the little girl stunned by the green apricot, but even Jiu Si Er, who had been avoiding him with all her might, couldn't help but have a moment of distraction.

  "Hello, brother!" But she quickly regained her composure and bowed to Ou Yang Jing Fu, who was already standing still, with a respectful demeanor, but her tone revealed an undisguised aloofness.

  "Good cousin!"

  Ouyang Jing's scorching gaze in his black-gold eyes, which had fallen on her, slowly retracted and was replaced by a respectful attitude.

  It's been a year since he last saw her, and he couldn't help but feel excited.

  If five years ago she was a small bean sprout, thin and dry; then a year ago she was a small green bamboo, slender but upright; and now? Now she is a lotus flower with closed buds, still tender but that elegant fragrance and delicate beauty can't be hidden.

  His young heart was completely captivated by her, to the point of losing himself...

  "Nice to meet you, Master Shizi!" Qing Xiang bowed to Ouyang Jing.

  "Uh-huh." Ouyang Jing also had no choice but to move his gaze away from Jiu Jie and nodded at her.

  And Ninth Sister on the other side had already looked up at the snowflakes floating beside her, with an expression that didn't say much but was about to bid farewell.

  "By the way," Ouyang Jing suddenly became a bit anxious and hurriedly added, "I wanted to ask my cousin, I hope my cousin can tell me."

  As for his attitude of speaking without a word, Jiujie truly felt disgusted, but constrained by etiquette, she could only say, "What's the matter, Brother-in-law? Please speak, Xiaojiu will certainly tell you everything."

  "What is the effect of this red radish and how can it cure eyes?"

  Listening to her strained tone and looking at her frozen, crimson face, Ouyang Jing also understood that this was not a good time for conversation, but he still said.

  Because he was really unwilling to let go of this conversation opportunity, it's hard to see her, and the arrogant him had to lower his posture, even asking his four older brothers to come out and help.

  But in these three days of living in the mansion, he had even seen Liu Si, but he hadn't caught a glimpse of her shadow.

  It's finally heard that the personal attendant has come to report her departure, but it's such a heavy snowfall.

  Could it be that she's intentionally avoiding him, still holding a grudge from last year's rude prank, but all of that was just ignorance in their youth...

  After hearing Ouyang Jing's question, Jiu Jie'er couldn't help but frown secretly in her heart. She was so familiar with her affairs that she must have been paying attention to her all along.

  Unfortunately, she didn't like this attention, which reminded her of a hunter and his prey.

  "This red radish has a miraculous effect, I read it in a book!" Jiujie said calmly and concisely, then deliberately clapped her hands, and asked Qing Xiang in a low voice, "Is it cold?"

  Qing Xiang was taken aback, and quickly looked at Ouyang Jing, then again at Jiu Jie Er.

  Miss, what's wrong with you? Although it's indeed a bit cold outside, but acting like this is also somewhat impolite, isn't it?

  But...

  She couldn't help but take another look at Ouyang Jing, but to her surprise, this arrogant and proud young master didn't show any signs of annoyance on his face, instead, he had a slightly embarrassed flush.

  This... seems off, and the way this young master is looking at the girl also seems off...

  "The weather is bad, so I won't chat much more, Brother Biao. Farewell!" Jiujier's patience had finally been exhausted along with the speculation in her personal maid's eyes, and she bid farewell to Ouyang Jingyi.

  "Oh..." Ou Yang Jing's dark golden eyes flashed with a hint of obvious disappointment, but he still nodded politely, "Sorry to keep you waiting, sister. The road is slippery, so be careful on your way!"

  Jiuer looked at him again, her eyes falling on the young man's hair that was wet from the snow and his slightly dark face, and suddenly a wave of compassion rose up in her heart.

  I remember reading a sentence like this before: be grateful to the person who likes you, say thank you to him, no matter what, it's all a kind intention and a sincere heart.

  But she really can't!

  Can't control one's own destiny, every step is like walking on thin ice, being extremely cautious, how can one dare to respond to his emotions.

  Besides, this is not what she wants. Even if he likes her, what can he do? Not to mention that the two families are now in a mess because of the marriage, even without any discord, with her being just a small concubine-born daughter, how can she still think of marrying into the royal family's Wang Fu as a princess consort?

  Uh...

  Is she still a princess?

  You seem to have been infatuated with this young man's innocent love, and then Jiuniang couldn't help but deeply despise herself in her heart.

  In fact, this person just wants to make you one of his many women, and even if he dotes on you, it's not based on equality. At that time, you'll just be one of his complete accessories...

  As she thought of this, the lingering regret in her heart gradually dissipated with the wind and snow, leaving only the footsteps that trod forward without hesitation.

  Standing in the swirling snow, Ouyang Jing quietly watched as that figure gradually disappeared into the distance, his handsome face filled with melancholy and confusion.

  Does she like him? I don't think so...

  After all, he had been like that to her before, how could she possibly like him? He couldn't help but feel ashamed and regretful.

  However, he won't give up. He has been working hard for her, just like this time, he came to the Wenfu to repair it despite his father and grandmother's opposition.

  As for what to do next, he still doesn't have any specific ideas or plans, after all, things with Liu Jie had ended so unpleasantly.

  But he believed that one day she would change her mind about him, and he would eventually win her heart...

  Thinking of this, the youth standing in the snow couldn't help but faintly smile, lower his head, and then pull out a small, exquisite butterfly-embroidered shoe from his bosom to examine it carefully.

  The dense snowflakes floated down, falling on the young man's straight sword eyebrows. The young man didn't notice at all until a distant footstep sound came, and he hurriedly brushed off the snowflakes on his embroidered shoes, then put them back in his arms.

  "Master, Master..." The young servant who ran quickly through the snow was a bit out of breath. "It's such a big snowfall, how can you stand here? Be careful not to catch a chill."

  "A Fu, you think I'm made of paper?" Having been interrupted, Ouyang Jing was naturally displeased, and glared at the young man with a bad temper before turning around and leaving.

  "Your Highness..." The little servant caught up again, "Just now the Fourth Prince sent someone to say that he's inviting you over for drinks tonight."

  "Uh..." Ouyang Jing responded with a faint voice, looking uninterested.

  "Wei Yuan Wang Ye is also going." The little servant said again.

  "Oh..." Upon hearing the young man's words, Ouyang Jing immediately turned his head and looked at him with a delighted expression, "Really? Is Master also going?"

  "Of course, the person who came to deliver the message just now said that Prince Weiyuan's carriage has already departed and may be in the palace by now... Ah, ah... Young Master, wait for me, you're walking too fast..."

  Before he could finish speaking, Ouyang Jing had already walked away swiftly like the wind, and the young man could only chase after him, shouting...

  ……

  It was night, and the entire ??i Vi?t kingdom was shrouded in a silver veil. The white vastness and the magnificent lanterns reflected each other, rendering the entire palace even more majestic and beautiful.

  "Jingdi, you're becoming more and more unpleasant as you grow older. At the age of 10, you could already drink a few cups, but now you're so timid and hesitant. It must be because you've been learning from this Fourth Uncle of yours, haha... Let me tell you, don't learn from him, or your life will be too boring."

  In the warm pavilion of Zhengyang Hall, the fourth prince Ouyang Rui, with a dazed and drunken expression, held a blue ceramic wine cup in one hand and pointed at Ouyang Jing across the table with the other.

  Ouyang Jing just smiled and looked at Yang Guofeng beside him, who was wearing a black brocade robe.

  "I just went to my aunt's place, and she said she would come over to see Jing'er on her way back from the Empress Dowager's palace." But Yang Guofeng's expression didn't change at all, he only spoke after Ouyang Rui finished speaking.

  "Why... why didn't you say so earlier?"

  Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rui's face suddenly changed color, and he quickly stood up, turning his head to instruct a palace maid to prepare water for him to clean himself.

  "Master, you're the only one who can!" Not until Ou Yangrui's figure disappeared into the inner chamber did he look at Yang Guofeng with a face full of admiration.

  Yang Guofeng did not respond to this praise, but instead lowered his head and personally poured a cup of wine for Ouyang Jing, then asked, "When are you going back?"

  As soon as he heard this, Ouyang Jing immediately thought of the determined and delicate figure in the snowy scene at dusk, and a complex expression flashed across his face.

  "What's wrong?" Yang Guofeng's sharp eyes immediately fell on his face.

  Ouyang Jing didn't say a word, shook his head, and then picked up the cup of wine and drank it all in one gulp. After finishing, he poured himself another cup and continued drinking.

  Yang Guofeng's gaze fell on the cup that had already been empty for a few moments, and he slightly furrowed his brow.

  "Master, you drink too—"

  Yang Guofeng looked at him, Ouyang Jing immediately smiled and leaned over to pour wine for him, but accidentally bent down for a moment, something fell out of his arms.

  Yang Guofeng was taken aback, his deep and sharp eyes instantly falling on the embroidered shoe that had fallen to the ground...

  ……

  Digression

  Ouyang Jing now is just a simple love and liking, the future has no direction yet, sigh...