Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

In the Song Dynasty, gently touched by history, a lingering chill always remained in Li Zhen's heart, like snowflakes in winter, silently but persistently covering every corner of his memory.

In this season, it seems that nature has a special fondness for using snow as a brush, sketching out a series of silver-clad paintings on the earth. Each stroke is exceptionally generous, dyeing the world a pure white.

Snow is no longer an occasional visitor, but a constant companion in winter. It comes one after another, one after another. Before the crystal clear snow of the previous snow has fully melted into the earth's embrace, the next snow has already eagerly covered all traces, layer upon layer, piling up one story after another about cold and resilience.

Such a scene, though beautiful, is also cruel. When the night is still and the dim light of the hearth fire can barely penetrate the vast snow curtain outside the window, countless impoverished families tremble in this boundless cold, their hopes as weak and struggling as a dying ember. The harshness of winter lies not only in its biting winds, but also in its ruthless stripping away of life's most basic warmth, causing many innocent souls to quietly vanish in this silvery-white world, turning into an untold sorrow in the spring mud of the following year.

Li Zhen stood by the window, gazing at the seemingly endless snowfield outside, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

With the Spring Festival fast approaching, Li Zhen, having successfully handled the tedious affairs of the county government, and filled with the warmth and anticipation of returning home, led his men on their journey back to the mountain stronghold.

The smoke rising from the village chimneys seems to be calling softly from afar, heralding the imminent arrival of a Spring Festival filled with reunion and peace.

As the festive atmosphere grew stronger, Li Zhen felt a growing sense of concern – Zhao Yingluo, the gentle and refined woman who was about to give birth to his child, was quietly waiting for the moment of delivery.

To ensure the safety of this sacred moment, Li Zhen went to great lengths to carefully select several experienced and skilled midwives to safeguard the newborn and prevent any unforeseen events from disturbing the blossoming of this happy life.

Inside and outside the village, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, brimming with eager anticipation for the New Year and new life.

Li Zhen's steps were even more firm and powerful in this anticipation, his heart filled with longing for home and boundless hope for the future. He knew that as the New Year's bells approached, it was not only the beginning of a new year, but also a beautiful moment for the continuation of his bloodline in this era and the rebirth of hope.

Initially, Li Zhen hoped to take Zhao Yingluo back to the modern production facility, where there was advanced medical care and a carefree life. He longed to pave a smooth path for her and the unborn child.

"I want to be here, on this land that gave me birth and nurtured me, to welcome our child." Her voice was gentle yet firm, each word seemingly carrying an irresistible power, causing ripples to spread across Li Zhen's heart.

Looking at the starlight sparkling in her eyes, Li Zhen finally gave in, and the reluctance and helplessness in his heart turned into deep affection and understanding.

He gently grasped Zhao Yingluo's hand as if he were holding the whole world in his grasp, and softly agreed, "Okay, I promise you, but you're going to suffer."

"Isn't this how we women all went through it?"

During the Spring Festival, Zhao Ji was the busiest person in the entire mountain village. His beautiful calligraphy attracted countless villagers who wanted to write for him. Through this period of interaction, Zhao Ji had long since integrated into the life of the village and readily agreed to their requests.

As night fell and the stars twinkled, in a house near Li Zhen's residence, Zhao Ji appeared exceptionally weary; even the aroma of dinner failed to awaken his heavy eyelids.

He seemed utterly drained by the day's formalities and artistic pursuits, even his steps appeared unusually unsteady. This scene caused the loyal old eunuch Wang Cheng great anxiety.

Upon seeing this, Wang Cheng immediately took action. He skillfully massaged Zhao Ji's aching legs, gently kneading every inch of his tense soles. Then he turned to gently stroke his shoulders, pressing the meridians on his back with just the right amount of force, trying to dispel the fatigue accumulated throughout the day.

Li Zhen wasn't there, otherwise he would have definitely had Wang Cheng train a group of apprentices and open a few foot massage parlors in the Song Dynasty. With that kind of skill, he'd be a top-tier technician.

Finally, under Wang Cheng's careful care, Zhao Ji's brows gradually relaxed, and he managed to swallow a few mouthfuls of warm porridge, which gave him some comfort.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching Li Zhen's ears. He knew all too well that the calligraphy in Zhao Ji's possession was not merely a crystallization of art, but priceless treasures. Each piece, if placed in the hands of posterity, would cause a sensation and be invaluable. What a loss and regret it would be if Zhao Ji were to suffer any mishap due to overwork!

So Li Zhen acted swiftly, immediately sending people to dissuade the villagers who had come hoping to obtain Zhao Ji's calligraphy. The Spring Festival comes every year; couplets can be casually pasted up. If he really exhausted his living god of wealth, he'd be banging his head against the wall.

In Lijiazhai, the winding cement road, like a delicate ribbon, gently unfolds amidst the green hills and clear waters, tenderly connecting every household. The traces of the muddy paths of the past have long been quietly erased by the passage of time and the footprints of progress.

In every household, the earthen kang (heated brick bed) remains as warm as ever. Every evening at sunset, wisps of smoke rise from the chimneys, a signal to return home and a haven for the soul. Beside them, modern heating stoves stand quietly, their silent power dispelling the winter chill and filling every corner of the home with the warmth of spring.

As night fell, Lijiazhai did not fall silent; instead, it was gently embraced by soft rays of light. These were the gentle glows of solar-powered lights blooming in the night sky. Unlike the twinkling stars, they were closer to the heart, draping each night in a dreamlike yet practical radiance. Under the lights, the smiling faces of family members were clearer, their words brimming with contentment and happiness, as if all the beauty of the world had been concentrated in this moment.

The Spring Festival in Lijiazhai is a warm and splendid scene. As night falls and all is quiet, Lijiazhai quietly awakens, immersed in an unprecedented jubilation.

Li Zhen specially took out countless fireworks from his mysterious space and ordered the soldiers of the mountain stronghold to light them in batches, as if paying the most splendid tribute to the ancient times.

With a long, drawn-out whistle piercing the sky, the first firework proudly burst open in the night sky above Lijiazhai, dazzling like the rising sun, instantly illuminating everyone's eyes. Immediately following, a riot of colorful fireworks followed, some streaking across the sky like shooting stars, leaving brilliant trails; others blooming like flowers in the night, releasing layers upon layers of dazzling light. Each firework's bloom was like the most sincere blessing from the people of Lijiazhai, transforming into starlight, sprinkling the world with its warmth.

The entire Li Family Village was awestruck by this sudden beauty. Laughter and gasps of amazement mingled together, creating a moving New Year's symphony. Young and old, men and women alike looked up, their eyes sparkling with longing and love for a better life. At that moment, time seemed to stand still; all worries and sorrows vanished with the dissipation of the fireworks, leaving only a profound sense of happiness and warmth that resonated in everyone's hearts.

Standing among the crowd, Li Zhen gazed at the night sky he had personally lit up, his heart filled with unprecedented satisfaction and pride. He knew that this was not just a fireworks extravaganza, but also a beautiful symbol of the unity of the people of Lijiazhai in welcoming the New Year.