After the prosperous Tang Dynasty

In the blink of an eye, it is the end of the year, and the weather is getting colder and colder.

The Tang Dynasty did not have the global greenhouse effect at this moment, nor did it have the heat island effect of large urban agglomerations. The temperature in winter seemed to be a bit colder than that of later generations.

That night, it snowed at an unknown time. Early the next morning, Xiao Yansui woke up, yawned and looked out the window. The snowflakes are still falling silently.

Axiu had already heard the sound and walked in. She had already put all the clothes Xiao Yansui was going to wear today on the warmer to warm them up, and then brought them over. He said briskly: "The snow is still falling today. The sky is gloomy. I guess it will take some time for the snow to fall. The road outside is difficult. If you want to come today, you don't need to go to court again."

"That's right!" After Xiao Yansui changed her clothes, she suddenly came to her senses. Officials in the Tang Dynasty often took temporary holidays when the weather was bad. Like today's situation where the snow doesn't stop, it's very likely. Today's court meeting was directly cancelled.

After washing up, Xiao Yansui walked out of the house and said casually, "Then I'll go directly to Auntie's for breakfast!"

Axiu quickly took another thick fur cloak, wrapped it around Xiao Yansui's body, and said, "It's cold outside, Liu Niang must wear more clothes."

Xiao Yansui let out a casual "um", if it was normal, she might stay in her room and not go out, but it's just today, thinking that if her father Xiao Hua doesn't have to go to court today, Goro might not have to go to the academy to study Yes, it's rare that the whole family is here in the morning, so they can just sit down and have a meal together.

After Axiu carefully wrapped Xiao Yansui in the cloak, Xiao Yansui lifted up the hood of the cloak, and then covered her head, revealing only a child's pretty face. For the white and tender little face.

Although the snow has been falling outside, the stone roads in each yard have been swept clean, even if some snowflakes will fall at any time, it has not turned into water and formed a thin layer of ice at the moment, which is not true. affect walking.

After a while, after Xiao Yansui came to Pei's courtyard, the sharp-eyed maid hurriedly opened the thick door curtain, and only after Xiao Yansui entered the room did she untie the outermost curtain that was covered with thin curtains. With a cloak of snowflakes, someone stuffed a hand warmer with a suitable temperature into her arms.

Even Mrs. Pei came over in a hurry, touched her daughter's little face that was slightly icy from the cold wind, and asked softly, "Is your body still cold?"

Xiao Yansui shook her head. It is not far from her yard to Pei's side, that is, the skin on her face is directly exposed, so it feels a bit cold to the touch now. As for the clothes on her body, they have been wrapped just now. Under the thick cloak, the temperature of the original warm cage has not yet dropped.

Mrs. Pei touched Xiao Yansui's clothes with one hand, and naturally realized this, so she breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a slight smile, "Liu Niang just came together, so you came to Auntie's place?"

"That's right, come and have breakfast with Auntie just now," Xiao Yansui nodded, and continued to ask casually, "Aye and brother, are they there?"

While talking, Xiao Hua, who was not wearing official clothes, but in ordinary clothes, had already walked over, and said with a smile: "Aye is here, but Saburo and Goro haven't come yet."

"Huh?" Xiao Yansui listened, with a slightly surprised look on her face, usually, she was always the last one at home...

Mrs. Pei glanced at the still gloomy sky outside, thinking in her heart, maybe it was because the sky was getting dark, and Xiao Wu didn't have to go to the academy today, so he stayed in bed. She casually ordered a maidservant: "Go to Sanlang and Wulang. Take a look there, if you're already up, call the two of them over and have some breakfast with me!"

Not long after the maid sent by the Pei family left, she came over with brothers Xiao Heng and Xiao Wu.

After Xiao Heng entered the room, he took off his cloak and handed it to the maid beside him, explaining with a smile, "I ran into Yunyan from Aniang's place just on the way."

Xiao Hua glanced at his eldest son and second son, with a particularly calm determination in his tone, and said with a smile: "Sanlang was waiting for Goro just now, right?"

Xiao Heng nodded, looked at Xiao Wu with raised eyebrows, and then replied with a casual smile: "Well, let's see that he wears more clothes so that he doesn't get cold. It's cold today, and Goro wants to go outside to build a snowman again. Always add two more clothes."

Xiao Wu had also taken off his cloak, and then said to Xiao Yansui with great interest: "Liu Niang, shall we go out and build a snowman later?"

"...I'll watch your pile from the window!" Xiao Yansui looked at him innocently with a smile on her face.

It was cold outside, and A Xiu had put a thick cloak on her body just now, Xiao Yansui had no doubt that if she was going to play outside for a long time later, she would probably be wrapped up. ball.To be honest, Xiao Yansui actually likes to wear light clothes. Although the winter coat is warm, it is too thick after all, and it is inconvenient to move after wearing it, especially now that she is young and small, so she should be thicker If there are two more layers of clothes, it will be directly thick into a ball...

"Okay! I can also build a snowman for your yard!" Xiao Wu immediately agreed, his words were full of excitement.

Although it was cold outside, after a hot breakfast, the family sat together happily.

At this moment, the snowflakes outside are still falling profusely, Xiao Hua glanced at it, feeling emotional in his heart, and said with a smile: "Auspicious snow heralds a good year, this snow is the right time."

It is now the middle of the twelfth lunar month, and in a few days it will be the Spring Festival. The snow will finish at this time. As long as it doesn’t keep falling, it will just melt slowly in the next few days. After New Year’s Eve, the snow on the road will almost disappear. It can be cleared, and it just doesn't affect the banquets of various families in the first month.

Xiao Yansui looked at Xiao Wu, and asked curiously: "The New Year is coming soon, Goro, do you still need to go to the academy to study in the next few days?"

Xiao Wu: "..."

Immediately, Xiao Wu looked at Mrs. Pei eagerly.

In the end, Mrs. Pei smiled and did not answer. Instead, Xiao Heng smiled and explained simply: "In three or two days, the academy will naturally be on vacation. Everyone has to prepare for the New Year."

After hearing this, Xiao Wu cheered up instantly.

The whole family chatted and chatted, and even after breakfast, the maid took away the dishes, and they didn't get up immediately, but continued to sit indifferently.

After a long time, the snow outside seemed to be a little smaller, and Xiao Wu, who was only thinking about building a snowman, regained his energy, and couldn't hold back his excitement, and proposed, "Liu Niang, let's go to your yard to build a snowman? "

"Success!" Xiao Yansui nodded, and also stood up from the crescent bench.

Pei's eyes glanced over, and he ordered softly: "Take the cloaks of both of them and wear them thicker before going out." After speaking, she walked to Xiao Yansui's side again, and touched her daughter's soft ear Hair, softly asked: "Liu Niang just said that you want to watch Wu Lang build a snowman from the window?"

Xiao Yansui nodded, "It's too cold outside."

Mrs. Pei laughed, "That's fine, but the wind is cold at the windows, so even if you're indoors, you should dress warmer."

"Yes." Xiao Yansui nodded.

As a result, before Xiao Wu and Xiao Yansui could go out, a servant from the gatehouse hurried over and reported back: "Your Majesty, Ma'am, just now a servant from the Xingqing Palace came by car to deliver a letter, and I have already invited you." Come in and serve hot tea, the servant said, the sage invites the gentleman to enter the palace immediately to discuss something."

A trace of solemnity flashed in Xiao Hua's eyes, and he immediately got up and said: "Can you send a letter to Aye?"

The porters nodded hurriedly, and replied, "I've already left just now."

Xiao Hua also got up immediately, and said: "I will go to Aye's place now."

Before Mrs. Pei went there in person, she had already baked the warm cloak in a warm cage, helped Xiao Hua put it on, and didn't say much, just said softly: "Go, be careful on the road."

Xiao Hua nodded, and hurried out.

Xiao Yansui and Xiao Wu looked at each other, and for a while, neither of them mentioned the matter of rushing back to build a snowman.

On the other hand, Xiao Heng, after thinking for a while, surmised softly: "The sage invited Ah Weng into the palace at this moment, presumably it has something to do with Tubo's plan."

After all, although Xiao Song sat firmly in the prime minister's position, he was famous for never taking care of things. However, no matter how other officials complained behind his back, Xuanzong always treated Xiao Song The letter is more important, that is, Xiao Song is always submissive and has no ideas in political affairs, and has no ability to govern the country. Xuanzong has always turned a blind eye and never criticized him.In addition, Xiao Song's age is indeed not too low. At his current age, if he is a little older, others really can't do anything about him...

However, Xiao Song's contribution to saving Hexi and defeating Tubo in those years was real. Xiao Song served as Prime Minister for several years and never had any opinion on political affairs. However, the only thing Xuanzong will discuss with Xiao Song is the border war.

What Xiao Heng said, Xiao Yansui had already thought of it just now.It's just that she only gradually learned about the battlefield between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo after she traveled there. As for the centuries-long battle between Tang and Tubo in the history recorded by later generations, Xiao Yansui didn't know anything about the major events that happened during this period...

——Oh, by the way, she still knows a Princess Wencheng who once married far away, although she doesn't remember the specific time and events.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yansui was startled suddenly.Some time ago, there was news from a Tubo businessman that Princess Jincheng, who was married to Tubo, was seriously ill. Xiao Yansui also heard about it from her elder brother Xiao Heng and grandfather Xiao Song.

Blinking her eyes uncertainly, Xiao Yansui said softly, "Could it be Princess Jincheng..." died of illness.

Xiao Heng was startled when he heard this, then nodded slightly, and said in a deep voice: "When Ah Weng comes back, the matter will be settled."

The news that will be sent in a hurry at this time and in this weather is naturally very important, and the safety of Princess Jincheng who was married to Tubo Zanpu Chidezuzan before will definitely affect The situation between Datang and Tubo...

For a moment, Xiao Heng's face also showed a bit of solemnity.

As for Xiao Yansui, she didn't say anything more. Seeing that the atmosphere in the house had become sober, Xiao Yansui was still a little uncomfortable. After a while, she took the initiative to pull Xiao Wu and whispered Said: "Shall we go to build a snowman?"

"Ah? Good!" Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, then nodded quickly.

Xiao Yansui then said to Mrs. Pei and Xiao Heng: "Aniang, brother, Wulang and I went to build a snowman."

Pei Shi nodded and asked the maid to open the curtain and send the two of them back.

Immediately, although Xiao Heng was a step slower, he also stood up and said, "I'll go with the two of them too!"

Mrs. Pei glanced at him with a smile, "Alright, in case the two of them are too young to play together and ignore it, you just happened to be able to keep an eye on them a little bit."

"Don't worry, Aunt." Xiao Heng put on the cloak himself, smiled slightly, and followed Xiao Yansui and Xiao Wu, and headed towards Xiao Yansui's yard.

After Xiao Yansui arrived at her yard, she went directly into the house, and then lay down in front of the window looking at the cheerful Xiao Wu outside, commanding a group of servants to help build a snowman.

After Xiao Heng came over, Xiao Yansui and Xiao Wu noticed him at the same time and looked up together.

Xiao Wuyu said in surprise: "Why are you here too, are you here to help me build a snowman?"

"Anyway, I have nothing to do." Xiao Heng smiled slightly, pointed to Xiao Yansui who was lying on the window looking at the two of them leisurely, and said with a smile: "I will stay with Liu Niang for a while, wait a minute I'll help you make a snowman."

"Okay!" Xiao Wu immediately nodded and agreed. A young boy of this age has always been full of expectations for people who are willing to play with him.

"Drink tea." After Xiao Heng entered the room, Xiao Yansui turned around to look at him, and then gestured towards his desk.

——As for this tea, it was red bean milk tea with Tang Dynasty characteristics that Xiao Yansui had given a rough idea of ​​the taste before, and then asked the extraordinary cooks in the kitchen to cook it with fresh milk, red beans, and tea leaves.

Seeing the unfamiliar color of the milk tea, and the exquisite white porcelain cup with one or two red beans hanging on the rim when pouring the tea, Xiao Heng picked it up and took a sip, then raised his eyebrows slightly.

Although they are all teas, the difference between sweet and salty tastes is particularly obvious when compared at this time...

The taste of milk tea is not sweet, but it is full of the fragrance of tea leaves and the aroma of milk. Only the red beans inside are full of grains, pickled with honey, each one is sweet and soft, and the aroma of boiled tea is fragrant and milky Paired together, the warm taste spreads on the taste buds, leaving a lasting fragrance on the lips and teeth.

"Give Wulang a cup too, to warm your hands." Xiao Yansui gestured to Axiu, and said, she also picked up her own cup, and gently stirred it twice with a white porcelain spoon. After turning over the sunken red beans, he lowered his head slightly and took a sip.

Holding the teacup, Xiao Heng walked to Xiao Yansui's daily writing and reading desk. Apart from the Four Treasures of the Study, a pen holder, paperweight and other things, a few books were casually placed beside him.

Xiao Heng flipped through it casually, and found that in addition to the "Tang Materia Medica" he had seen once before and books for literacy, there were actually two more "Qi Min Yao Shu", "Materia Medica Collection Notes", There is even an essay on Taoist alchemy's small gains. I don't know where she found it. As for her younger sister's interests and preferences, as she grows up bit by bit, Xiao Heng is also early. I just don't understand...

He raised his head and glanced casually at Xiao Yansui's study room. It has always been neatly tidied up. The original exquisite and precious porcelain handicrafts on the museum shelf have been pushed aside at some point and placed on the most convenient floors. On the contrary, there are some bottles and cans that can be sealed and don't know what they are used for.

As for the needle and thread embroidery that is necessary in an ordinary daughter's house, it does not exist at all in Xiao Yansui's place...

Shaking his head and smiling, Xiao Heng put down the book in his hand, and asked Xiao Yansui, "Do you play chess?"

"You teach me?" Xiao Yansui glanced at him and asked seriously.

Xiao Heng naturally smiled and nodded in agreement, "Naturally."

Go is easy to learn, but difficult to master.Xiao Yansui is now at the level of a rookie who knows the rules on the chessboard, but is at a loss as to where to place and how to lay out the pieces.In addition, on weekdays, she has never seriously studied life and death problems. When she really wanted to learn, she was basically tortured by Xiao Heng...

"That's all right," Xiao Yansui walked over holding the cup, then sat down comfortably with her legs outstretched, and said, "Axiu, go get the chessboard."

Axiu should immediately claim to be.

As a result, Xiao Yansui and Xiao Heng's chess game with an explanation had just started. Xiao Wu, who had been excitedly building a snowman outside just now, had already ran over "stomping and staring", lay on the doorway He opened the door curtain and looked at his brother and sister who were playing chess inside, and said sadly, "How about watching me make a snowman?"

A gust of cold wind with a breath of ice and snow hit outside the house, which lifted Xiao Yansui and Xiao Heng's spirits at the same time.

"Hmm—" Xiao Yansui, who was indeed watching from the window before, turned her head and blinked at Xiao Wu, feeling that she was a bit wronged.

Xiao Heng looked calm, without even turning his head, he just laughed softly and said, "I'll go out and build a snowman with you later."

"Okay then!" Xiao Wu, who got another promise, put down the door curtain and ran out again.

When Xiao Heng and Xiao Yansui finally finished their game of chess, Xiao Wu's snowman was almost finished.

This time, Xiao Yansui walked out of the study with Xiao Heng, and watched carefully.

Xiao Yansui was wrapped in a cloak, and the fluffy fur edge made her face even smaller, except for a pair of bright eyes. "Axiu, go to the kitchen and bring a radish with leaves." Xiao Yansui ordered casually.

"What is Liu Niang going to do?" Xiao Heng asked curiously.

Xiao Yansui pointed to the snowman's head, on which Xiao Wu painted eyes, noses and other traces, which could not be seen clearly at a distance, and said with a smile: "Put the radish in the snowball, just right to make a snowman nose!"

"It makes sense!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and he simply went to find two dark stones of about the same size, and put them on them as if they were snowman's eyes.

"Two more branches, as arms." Xiao Yansui suggested irresponsibly.

Xiao Wu was full of energy, "This is good!"

Even the little dog who had been lying in the den to watch the fun, seeing Xiao Yansui coming out now, couldn't help but ran out of the den, wagging its tail vigorously at Xiao Yansui, and was also curious. I circled the snowman twice.

After the snowman in Xiao Yansui's yard was completely completed, it was almost noon.

Xiao Heng pulled Xiao Wu from the outside into the house, watched him change into warm clothes, closed Xiao Wu and drank a large bowl of freshly brewed ginger soup to drive away the cold, and then smiled and said: "Madam let me take care of you." you."

Xiao Wu, whose mouth is full of spicy ginger, looks hopeless.

It was not until evening that Xiao Song returned to Xu Guogong's mansion in a snowstorm.

The reason why Xuanzong urgently ordered him to enter the palace today was the news that the frontier garrison had just rushed six hundred miles away. Princess Jincheng had passed away a few days ago, and the envoy of Tubo to report the funeral was already on his way to Chang'an. up.

Xiao Song felt emotional, a stern look flashed in his eyes, but he just sighed: "The border between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo, the current trend, let's see what the Tubo envoys come here for!"

Xiao Hua frowned, and said softly: "Will it be a marriage proposal again? Or a declaration of war?"

Xiao Song glanced at him, nodded, but shook his head again, "Yes, but it won't be so fast. As for declaring war? You can fight whenever you want, but at least, you have to wait until next spring."

The last few days of the new year passed quickly, no matter what state affairs Xuanzong and the important officials in the court had in mind, the new year has arrived amidst the sound of lively firecrackers.

Most of the snow on the road has melted, and the snowman in Xiao Yansui's courtyard has also shrunk several times.

Early in the morning, Xiao Yansui was woken up from the bed by Axiu, and changed into new clothes of a particularly festive and lively color. On the corridor in the courtyard, some red lanterns were additionally hung.

The three generations of grandparents and grandchildren gathered together, and even the grandmother He Shi, who had always been rather displeased with Xiao Yansui, did not continue to put on a cold face, but showed a rather slight smile meaning.

The family has to be busy worshiping ancestors, Xiao Yansui is a child, so he has to pay New Year's greetings to the elders in the family, and then there will be lucky money or gifts from the elders to the younger generations...

As for Mrs. Pei, who is the mistress, she is so busy all day that she has no time to spare. However, everyone in Xu Guogong's house is full of joy, as if blowing away all the thoughts of the past few days. average.