The snow was extremely heavy, accumulating to several inches thick, making it very difficult for the carriage to travel.
Upon arriving in Jingzhou, we found an inn to rest. It was already New Year's Eve.
I am afraid of the cold and my body is getting weak, so I wrapped myself in a fur coat and put on a felt hat. I sat in a chair and watched as Lou Xiyue lit the firewood in the brazier, and the room gradually warmed up.
I was a little curious, so I asked him, "In the past, did your wealthy families celebrate the New Year with great fanfare, banquets, and singing and dancing?"
He smiled slightly, and instead of answering, asked, "How have you been living your life in the past?"
I rested my chin on my hand and recalled, "It was no different from usual. We warmed some rice wine and tea, set out a few small dishes, and ate a reunion dinner around the stove. We burned incense to worship the Kitchen God, and on the Lantern Festival, we made a sheep intestine dish."
I grinned and said, "I make a pretty good longevity porridge. The Third Master and the Third Master both really like it."
Lou Xiyue poked at the fire, put two sweet potatoes in it to roast, and said with a smile, "Oh? I'll have to try some another day."
A burst of laughter erupted outside. I put on a straw hat and stepped out. I saw many people in twos and threes, setting up braziers and lighting firecrackers, which exploded with loud bangs. Women, children, and the elderly nearby covered their ears with their sleeves and happily exchanged New Year's greetings.
Lou Xiyue also became interested, so she took out some copper coins and bought a few exploding rods, then handed one over.
I stared at it for a while, then whispered, "I won't let go."
He laughed, "Scared?"
I looked at it longingly, then looked up and said, "What... what's there to be afraid of?"
He smiled, reached out to straighten my clothes, leaned closer and took my hand to hold the bamboo pole, placing the end of the pole near the fire pit, and reassured me, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'll hold it for you."
The bamboo pole in my hand seemed to tremble, and then the last section made a "crack" sound. My hand trembled, I closed my eyes and hurriedly threw the bamboo pole away, broke free from his hand, covered my ears and ran away.
Lou Xiyue laughed, "I thought you were fearless, but I didn't expect you to be such a little girl, so easily frightened by a firecracker."
I stood at a distance and watched as a smile spread across his face, and the bamboo pole in his hand snapped open section by section.
Snowflakes fell softly onto his black felt hat, and his eyes smiled, looking very beautiful.
After Lou Xiyue finished setting off the firecrackers, she patted my shoulder and said, "Let's go to the market."
Many people still gathered in the streets and alleys, either greeting their neighbors or sweeping their courtyards and removing dust and dirt with palm leaves.
Lanterns were lit at the entrance of the courtyard, peach wood charms were nailed on, and the names of the door gods Shen Cha and Yu Lei were written on them. Spring Festival plaques were pasted up, and Zhong Kui was hung up.
Passing by a pavilion called Shimei Pavilion, talented men and beautiful women would admire the plum blossoms, compose poems, or paint a picture of plum blossoms.
I saw that the winter plum blossoms were blooming very pleasingly, so I went closer and broke off a branch to take back and put in Dafengtou, so that it could have a festive New Year's Eve.
Turning around, he couldn't see Lou Xiyue. After waiting for a while, he finally saw him walking over with an oil paper package in his hand.
He unfolded the oil paper, revealing a plum blossom cake, still steaming hot. Lou Xiyue asked me with a smile, "Are you hungry?"
I stared at him blankly for a long time, then asked in a low voice, "That..."
He looked down at me. "Hmm?"
I turned my face away and said, "Would you drink the longevity porridge I make?"
He paused for a moment, then teased, "Miss, what did you just say?"
I stomped my foot, intending to walk back, thinking, "Never mind if I didn't hear you clearly."
He pulled me closer, leaned down slightly, and smiled, "Are you shy? Why are you so easily embarrassed?"
I said, "Say one more word and I'll bite you to death."
Back at the inn, I borrowed a stove. I boiled the jujubes until they were soft, mashed them into a paste, added wheat flour and water to the pot, and simmered it. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, I served a bowl of longevity porridge to Lou Xiyue.
He rested his chin on his hand, looking at me with a smile, "It tastes pretty good."
I said, "Yes."
He was quite interested and praised, "I didn't realize you were actually so virtuous."
I coughed and said, "Hmm."
Lou Xiyue raised an eyebrow and asked casually, "Then marry me and become my wife."
I said, "Yes."
Thinking back, she realized it was wrong. She got up, knocking over a chair, and pointed at him, saying, "If you flirt with me again, I'll bite you to death."
He smiled, his eyes crinkling, and then slowly sipped the porridge, saying leisurely, "Look at you, who wouldn't dare to take you?"
I thought for a long time, and after a while, I looked at the roof and said, "Yes, I also had people who admired me back then, quite a few people."
He chuckled softly, resting his hand on his forehead, and said, "Oh? Tell me, what kind of young masters are you?"
I waved my hand, "There are too many to tell in a short time. When I was saving your third uncle in Nanyang, a rich man's son took a liking to me."
He said slowly and deliberately, "So, he's the son of a wealthy family?"
I nodded seriously, "Yes, he's rich and talented."
He straightened his clothes, looked at me leisurely, and smiled, "I originally heard that you were Master Du, but now that you mention it, could it be that you are Master Du's idiotic son?"
I remained silent for a long time, then slammed my hand on the table and stood up, saying, "Spit out my porridge."
After spending some time in Jingzhou, the snow cleared, and it was already the Lantern Festival.
Children carried lotus leaf lanterns and ran around playing. The night market was bustling, and the city was lit up with lights, creating a spectacular sight.