Records of the Cattle and Horses of Chang'an

They were in Wannian County. If they wanted to return to Yong'anfang, they had to cross Zhuque Street. Fortunately, all the people were gathering in Pingkangfang. At first, they had a hard time walking, but after passing through a market, they finally felt that they could breathe smoothly.

Xia Zhenying was wearing a new sheepskin coat, and her forehead was covered in sweat. The two sisters had no habit of bringing handkerchiefs when going out. Those things were not even as good as cotton cloth. What could they use to wipe?

At this moment, she carefully rolled up her sleeves and wiped the sweat off her face with her innermost shirt: "As expected of Chang'an City, there are so many people here. I'm afraid everyone in Chang'an has come out, right?"

The people of Chang'an are indeed too comprehensive. They can give birth to so many people, which makes Chuzhou lose ground in terms of population!

Jiang Shangxian is stronger than her, and with Cui Bianxu blocking the way in front, she can just leave some living space. However, she vaguely felt a little sweat in her armpits, so she must take a good bath at night!

"That's why they say big cities have more opportunities. Cousin, if you hadn't come to Chang'an, how could you have met so many people?"

Having said that, she looked back at the direction she came from, still feeling a lingering fear. Tsk tsk tsk, it was comparable to a zombie siege.

Cui Bianxu was also sweating from the heat. He did have a handkerchief, which was fumigated with spices. When he took it out, a gust of fragrant wind blew. Three pairs of eyes were fixed on him. He was not embarrassed by being looked at like that. He thought Jiang Shangxian wanted it. "This handkerchief is from the New Year gift sent by the Cui family. There is a box. If you like it, I will give you some later."

He had no maidservants, so every time his mother sent someone to deliver something, she would prepare clothes, shoes, and handkerchiefs and bring them along.

"Thank you, Shaoqing!" Jiang Shangxian was happy again. No matter what it was, as long as it wasn't shit, it was a gift! She just loved receiving gifts!

The closer you get to Yong'anfang, the fewer people you'll encounter. Gradually, you'll only run into children chasing each other around the square with lanterns in their hands.

At some point, snowflakes began to fall silently from the sky. Unlike the previous snow, which was cold and stinging when hitting the face, the snowflakes were much gentler, like willow catkins in spring. Jiang Wangri and Xia Zhenying were walking in front, and were originally arguing about how many dumplings to eat for breakfast on New Year's Day tomorrow.

Seeing the falling snowflakes, everything else was forgotten, especially Xia Zhenying. It rarely snowed in Chuzhou. Even if it did, it was wet and cold snow that turned into water when it fell to the ground. There was no such beautiful scene.

It was the first time for Jiang Shangxian to see it. He thought that the snowy day was wonderful. There were lanterns of various colors everywhere, reflecting the snowflakes that seemed to be swaying in the sky as if they had slowed down. It was really beautiful.

Cui Bianxu and Jiang Wangri reacted quickly. They each pulled one person and sped up the speed. The snowflakes were big enough. If they were late, snow would have accumulated on the road.

"Fortunately, we didn't go to Pingkangfang to squeeze in, otherwise it would be difficult to walk after the snow." Jiang Wangri was originally still regretting that he didn't see the free performance. When he started to set up the stall again, he had one less thing to talk about when chatting with customers, and now he felt a lot more relaxed.

Cui Bianxu watched Jiang Shangxian stretch out a small, still chubby hand to catch the snowflakes. Thinking of the letter from home, he opened his mouth to speak, but suppressed it. "I'd like to invite Wang Hui and Zhao Shan to dinner on the second day of the New Year. Are you free that day?"

? ? ? ?

Jiang Shangxian felt so sad that her chubby hands froze. Even the long winter night in Chang'an was not as cold as her heart.

"You said you had something to tell me, is this it?"

No way, bro? That's it?

Open your eyes and take a look. In such a good atmosphere, it would be fine if you don’t engage in some romance or love affairs, but why are you only thinking about stealing Manager Wang’s girl?

It was hard for her to just want to lower her limits, and she had already thought of the words to accept the confession: If we were to get wet in the snow together today...

She was about to refuse with dignity when she heard him speak again: "When the time comes, the four of us will eat together and have a good time together. I'll ask the two of them to pack you some gold and silver ingots for good luck."

Gold and silver! Ingots! Jiang Shangxian's heart was shamefully moved. Love was just a diversion, but gold and silver were a necessity!

"What about you, Shaoqing?" She tried to be reserved and didn't agree right away. Good sisters should be loyal to each other. If she could get something out of the stingy Zhao Shan this time, she would definitely get some for Li Xueyan as well!

(The words "New Year's money" or "Ya Sui money" did not exist in the Tang Dynasty. They only appeared after the Song Dynasty. At that time, the elders would not prepare New Year's money for the younger ones. However, families with money or who loved their younger ones would prepare specially made gold and silver items, or jewelry and silks, to give to children during the New Year and other festivals for good luck.)

Seeing that she was about to waver, Cui Bianxu made his position clear without hesitation: "I prepared it for you a long time ago. I specially asked someone to make a gold chain for you. I also happened to have a box of pearls and gems. I made them all for you."

He just couldn't believe that this young lady wouldn't be moved even though he was so sincere!

Jiang Shangxian was truly tempted, his heart pounding! Gold, pearls, gemstones—help! Any of these would be fatal! Tang Dynasty jewelry featuring these three elements was undeniably exquisite. Dazzled by the opulence, Jiang Shangxian immediately puffed out his chest and assured, "Don't worry, Shaoqing! I'll take care of this!"

What's wrong with that? It's just a meal! There are so many people who can cook, why doesn't he ask someone else? It must be because he's special! People just need to have confidence!

Yuanzheng (New Year's Day)

The Jiang family was still busy. They got up at dawn to eat dumplings, completed the flag-hanging ceremony, and then started preparing for the banquet without stopping.

This is something that every household has to prepare. There are no rigid regulations on the dishes, and each family makes it according to their ability. When neighbors greet each other during the New Year, they will eat it from house to house. This is the tradition of the first day of the first lunar month in the Tang Dynasty - passing on the seat.

Although it is based on one's own strength, who doesn't care about face? They will try their best to make the banquet look good. Otherwise, if people come in, eat a few chopsticks and leave, wouldn't it be embarrassing?

Jiang Shangxian was still the chef for this banquet, Xia Zhenying was helping him, and Jiang Wangri was working hard to welcome guests at the door.

The gate to the courtyard was wide open, and the sounds of people coming and going could be heard clearly. Over and over again, they were just the same two sentences: "May blessings extend to the new day, and may you celebrate your longevity without limit." "May blessings and celebrations be renewed, and may your longevity and wealth be extended."

Jiang Wangri's face was almost frozen from smiling. The neighbors had finally arrived at their house. Soon he, his grandmother, and his cousin would go to someone else's house with the neighbors for a feast!

Old Madam Xia was quite willing to go and chat with others, but Jiang's mother wanted to stay at home in case someone else came over and someone had to entertain them. Jiang Shangxian simply didn't want to have dinner with so many unfamiliar people.

Hearing that someone was coming, Jiang Shangxian and Xia Zhenying hurriedly brought over the dishes that were warm on the stove. Old Madam Xia and Jiang's mother warmly invited them to drink. Jiang Wangri, as the youngest person present, had to drink first, and the last person to drink was the oldest, and had to drink three cups in a row.