Enter Chang Xiangsi and help Jingzhai fight

I walked over with a guilty conscience.

He patted the stool next to him and said, "Sit down. Don't be afraid, I don't mean to force you. If you don't want to learn, then don't learn. I just think it's a pity that you have literary talent and are the world-famous Mr. Snow Mountain Flying Fox, but you can't write a single word. At least you should know your own name, right? I have nothing to do today, so I will teach you how to write your name."

When I heard it, I realized it was only three words, so this job was easy to complete. So I sat beside him with peace of mind.

He took a new piece of paper and laid it out, then wrote three words in a winding manner. He looked at me with a wandering gaze and said, "Have you learned it? Come and try it."

The last time I held a brush was in calligraphy class in elementary school. I took the brush from him and copied the three words almost exactly.

There was too much ink, and the paper was soaked as soon as I started writing. I was so nervous that I stretched my arms and legs to write the two words. Compared with his handwriting, one was as light as clouds in the sky, and the other was as muddy as the ground.

I glanced at him nervously, fearing that the Buddha of Qingqiu in heaven and on earth would be displeased.

He coughed lightly and said, "Yes, according to the first time I wrote it."

I exclaimed, "Ah?", a little bit unable to believe my ears. Could it be that my amazing cursive calligraphy, by some strange coincidence, met the aesthetic standards of the time?

He blinked his eyes and continued, "Think about it. Those who are writing for the first time are all children. It is rare for you to write without missing any strokes and with straight horizontal and vertical lines."

I felt something was wrong from what he said, and then I looked at him. He pursed his lips and looked like he was trying not to laugh.

Then it dawned on me: "Okay, you're comparing me to a six-year-old?!"

He cleared his throat and said, "No, no, my people are very smart, most of them started learning to write at the age of three or five."

I snorted and pouted, "I thought you were praising me, but it turns out you were making fun of me."

Seeing me like this, he came closer and said, "Don't be angry, it's indeed not bad. If it's here -" He held my hand and the tip of the pen made a curve on the paper, "It would be better if it was written a little longer here and had some strokes."

After saying that, he let go of my hand, but the heat remained on the back of my hand for a long time.

I didn't dare to look up at him, I just lowered my head and pretended to practice, but in fact my attention was all on the back of my hand. Maybe it was because of the wine, his palm was very hot, and he held my hand with some force, I didn't even have time to compare whether my hand was whiter or his hand was whiter...

He folded the dried note beside him, sealed an envelope, handed it to me and said, "Write your name. It's a good opportunity for practice."

I practiced a few times, and now I was confident enough to write my name on the envelope. He took the envelope, looked at it, blew on the ink, and said with a smile, "You are a teachable kid."

I was a little shy, so I took the letter without asking him, ran out to give it to Chunying, and asked her to send a letter back to Tushan Mansion for me. I also asked for some hot water and helped Tushan Jing wash up. Then we both went to bed early.

The next morning, Jingye came rushing over to the sound of firecrackers. She worked with me to put layers of clothes on Tu Shanjing. Then she combed her hair, put on a crown, and wore a sword and a pendant as usual.

Fortunately, he had enough sleep yesterday, so even though it was still early, Tu Shanjing still looked energetic. He glanced at the mirror and nodded, and Jingye took the mirror away.

Seeing that everything was ready, I tentatively asked Jingye, "Sister Jingye, I haven't seen Senying much recently..."

She paused while covering the chest of clothes, then replied, "She made a mistake and is now in the woodshed. The young master just came back, and there were so many things to do during the New Year that she didn't have time to report."

Tu Shanjing had just finished a cup of Tremella and Red Date Yogurt. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said, "This is not right. Senying has been with us for quite a while. No matter how many things there are at the end of the year, you can report them to me."

Jingye looked a little embarrassed and said awkwardly, "But I..." and that was all.

Tu Shanjing waved his hand and said, "I don't mean to blame you. I'm just talking about the facts. Well, it's almost time. We have to wait until the ceremony is over and we have the New Year's Eve dinner at home before we can discuss it. Come with me to worship the God of Wealth first."

"Jingye knows. I will report the details to the young master later." Jingye knelt down and saluted, then put on his outer robe for him.

He turned to me and said, "Please pack up and have breakfast with them, then you can go back to the mansion and wait for me. I'll leave a carriage for you at the east gate."

I answered yes and sent them out of the courtyard. Then I turned around, asked Chunying to take me to have breakfast, and got on the carriage that Tushan Jing had left for me and went back to Tushan Mansion.

As soon as I entered the yard, I met Xiao Hui and Xiao Wei, who were talking and laughing while holding a few gold paper ingots in their hands.

I walked up to him and said with a smile, "Xiao Hui! I haven't seen you these past few days. Are you used to doing your job? Xiao Wei, where did you get the gold ingots?"

Xiao Hui saluted me in a formal manner, and his usual timidity was much less evident: "Hello, young lady. Happy New Year to you. Thanks to you, and with Brother Ruofeng leading the way, I have been able to accomplish my mission these past few days."

I praised: "You are becoming more and more handsome! You have some of Ruofeng's style!"

Xiao Wei showed me the gold paper ingots in her hand: "Girl, Ruiyang took us to the God of Wealth Temple early in the morning, saying that we should worship the God of Wealth on the second day of the Chinese New Year. This was my first time going out during the Chinese New Year, and it was so lively there! Ruiyang said that bringing back gold paper ingots means that you have 'borrowed' ingots from the God of Wealth, and you will make a fortune this year!"

I laughed and said, "You little money-grubber! You are not a businessman, how can you make a fortune?"

Xiao Wei's eyes turned and she said, "Although I don't do business, the young master does! The young master makes a lot of money, and he rewards me a lot in return, so I will be rich!"

I nodded: "That makes sense! By the way, do you know where Manying is now? I have something to ask her." Feishu was given to Manying yesterday. I wanted to ask her if she saw Senying when she went to the woodshed to deliver the letter, and how Senying was doing.

"Man Shengqi and Ruo Feng went to deliver the Five Sects' offerings to the store early in the morning. They said that they would be used when the young master offered sacrifices to the God of Wealth, and they would not be back until noon!"

When I heard this, I couldn't wait any longer and followed them to the room.

When we were almost at the room, Ruiyang came out from the end of the corridor holding a food box and two bags in his hands.

Xiao Hui hurried forward to help him and took the two bags that looked quite heavy.

Ruiyang saw that it was us and smiled, "Girl, you're back? I was just looking for you!"

I replied, "Yes, I just got back. What do you want to talk to us about?"

Ruiyang said, "Tomorrow is the third day of the first lunar month, and it is the day for the 'rat wedding'. After nightfall, we must turn off the lights and go to bed early to let the rat family hold the wedding. We also have to spread some salt and rice everywhere in the mansion to share the money with the 'rat'. Look, I got the salt and rice, and I want you to help share them, otherwise the bags are too heavy and you will be exhausted after dragging them out. Also, isn't the third day of the first lunar month the birthday of millet? People offer sacrifices and pray for a good harvest, and do not eat rice. I also brought the rice cakes."