The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

Chapter 90 Farewell to the old and welcome the new at dusk

In a small courtyard of General Su's Mansion in Changxingfang, two quite old wintersweet trees are blooming in the snow, giving them a special feeling of New Year's Eve. Under the south-facing mullioned window of the upper room, with the slight turning of the silver scissors, in the small purple silk piece, the outline of a slim beauty wearing a double bun flower crown, hands raised, has gradually been revealed, but the silhouette is only cut to the end. When he was taking off the skirt, the hand holding the silver scissors shook for some unknown reason, and the flying skirt was suddenly cut into two pieces.

Luo Shi, who was looking down, couldn't help but stamped his feet and sighed, "What a pity!".

Liuli raised her head, sighed, and casually wanted to throw away the silk fabric. Luo Shi quickly snatched it from her hand, "It's just that the corners are a little short, but it's still good for sticking to the screen."

Liuli couldn't help but laugh, "Sister-in-law, you have so little confidence in Liuli?"

Mrs. Yu also raised her eyes and smiled, "I know you are a coincidence, but this beauty is already alive, so it would be a pity to lose it." After saying that, she picked up the silk she had cut and looked at it twice, and let out a long sigh. His tone was, "I thought my haircut was pretty good, but when I put it next to this beauty like yours, I had no choice but to sweep the floor and lead the horse for her!"

Liuli and Luo Shi looked at the thick, round-headed silk man in her hand and couldn't help laughing.

This is the first time Liuli has cut "people win". Therefore, it is said that when Nuwa created humans, she created chickens on the first day of the lunar month, dogs on the second day of the lunar month, pigs on the third day of the lunar month, sheep on the fourth day of the lunar month, oxen on the fifth day of the lunar month, and horses on the sixth day of the lunar month. People came out, so the seventh day of the first lunar month was the People's Victory Festival. Tomorrow in Chang'an City, on everyone's hats and buns, and on every screen, there will naturally be these human-shaped flower decorations "Ren Sheng" cut out of colorful silk or gold and silver paper foil.

Although Liuli had never done a haircut before, her hands were steady and careful, and after practicing for half an hour, she was able to do it well. Seeing that Luo Shi's cut off silk clothes and the one cut off by Yu were both stuck to the screen, she concentrated on cutting a few more pieces. When she put down the scissors, she felt that her arms and fingers were a little stiff.

Yu was already impatient with her haircuts. Seeing Liuli put down her scissors, she hurriedly threw away the scissors, "These are enough. Yours can be used to decorate your hair. The ones A Luo and I cut will stick to the screen. As long as it makes sense." , I'd better go to the kitchen to see how tomorrow's pancakes and longevity noodles are being prepared, otherwise your adoptive father should have said something." She said and walked out of the door hurriedly as if she was afraid that Liuli would catch her.

 Liuli and Luo Shi looked at each other and couldn't help but burst into laughter. Liuli stood up, shook her arms, and moved her fingers. The soreness became more and more obvious. Just looking at the far from luxurious room prepared by the Su family, the corners of her mouth could not help but curl up. got up.

 She never thought that she could live so happily during this New Year.

On December 18th, Mrs. Yang rushed to the palace in a hurry after receiving the news. Naturally, it was impossible for her to pursue her, and it was awkward to live in the Wu family. Fortunately, Mrs. Yu sent someone to pick her up the next day. Liu Liyuan thought that she would just stay for a few days, but she didn't expect that Wu Zetian seemed to be in poor health. Mrs. Yang simply stayed there, saying that the little prince would not leave the palace until he was full moon.

Liuli sent Ani back to inquire about the news twice a day, but she couldn't help but get excited - after living in Su's house for three days, she discovered that as long as she could withstand Mrs. Yu's persuasion to eat, everything else would be fine. Don't worry. Mrs. Yu is cheerful and straightforward, while Luo Shi is smart and easy-going. Both of them love to chat and play. Every day, they are either tinkering with all kinds of food and gadgets prepared for the New Year, or taking Liuli out for shopping and visits. Luo's precious sons Su Jin and Su Tong were at a naughty age. Although Su Dingfang and Su Qingjie both visited the emperor's mausoleum, their days were not deserted at all. After half a month, Liuli got to know many family members of the military attachés, and also met Lu Jinniang twice.

On the afternoon of the third day of the lunar new year, the Su family and his son finally drove back to the city. The Su family became more and more lively. In the past three days, the family had received five or six groups of female guests, and they also found time to go out and visit two families and friends, but Liuli always felt a little empty. : The lonely man next door, after leaving the government office, will he guard the empty house, or will he deal with the clansmen who don't agree with him every day? Every time I think about it, my heart inevitably feels blocked—maybe it’s because he’s here and it’s inconvenient for him to even come here.

Seeing that it was getting late, Liuli cut out a dozen more Rensheng of various textures and colors and some flowers and plants. After thinking about it, she chose two pairs of Rensheng and took them in her hand. She whispered to Luo Shi, " Sister-in-law…”

Luo Shi was startled for a moment, then understood immediately, took it in his hand with a smile, and found a seven or eight-year-old girl to come over, "Go and give these to Pei Jiulang next door, let him cherish them."

The little girl blinked her eyes strangely, and then ran away with a crisp response. Liuli's face felt hot, so she had to lower her head and continue cutting the silk. Luo Shi came up and took her hand, "Good sister, you can continue cutting tomorrow." My hand must be hurting. Can you let me go? Let’s go out and take a look. By this time, dinner should be ready.” Liuli had no choice but to throw away the scissors and follow her to the upper room. Sure enough, the food table was already there. Five or six large bowls were placed, the lids were fastened, and seven pairs of bowls and chopsticks were set. Su Jin and Su Tong were jumping around in the room. The room was full of excitement. I couldn't help but sigh in my heart. Pei Xingjian's voice with a faint smile seemed to be heard next to him, "It's been several years since anyone has eaten with me."

When Su Dingfang walked in, he looked at Liuli up and down thoughtfully. When he saw Liuli looking up at her, nodding and smiling at her, Liuli felt that his smile seemed a little weird, but when he looked carefully, that feeling disappeared. After finally having dinner, Luo Shi went out for a walk, then turned around and pulled Liuli into his room. He smiled, picked up the two men's cards and put them in her hands, "It's rude to come and not return."

Liuli looked at the two small gold-leaf figures on hand and couldn't help but be stunned. She could see that they were two bun dolls, one male and one female. Although the outlines were simple, they had an ancient and elegant charm - just like his calligraphy. Same. He actually knows how to cut people off! And it’s such a good cut? Liuli was stunned for a long time, and couldn't help but put her forehead on her forehead and smiled bitterly.

On the second day, the Su family was naturally busy again. They ate red beans, drank seven kinds of soup, cooked long-lasting noodles, and gave out pancakes. This polite exchange lasted all day. After the National Day, the most boring days of the year in Chang'an City ushered in: every household had to work hard to make lanterns, young men and women had to work hard to prepare fancy clothes, and housewives naturally worked hard to prepare for various festivals. of eating.

 Mrs. Yu started making the most suitable "Jiao Cao" one day in advance. Liuli was somewhat curious and couldn't help but go to the kitchen to take a look. But I saw the Su family's cook had prepared a pot of noodles with sesame oil, prepared a pot of stuffing, and boiled a pot of water and oil. When actually making the "rough zi", I first grabbed a ball of stuffing and put it into the oil dough. I squeezed it with my hands, then scraped it slightly with a grate, and it became a round dough with the stuffing in the middle. Then, throw it into the water and cook it, drain the water and throw it into the oil pan to fry it twice. The golden **** that are still rolling on the plate appear in front of you.

Liuli suddenly realized: isn’t this just fried glutinous rice balls? She had eaten it a few times at Kudi's house, but the appearance was so different that she didn't even notice that the so-called "Jiaocang" was just a different way of eating glutinous rice balls!

In the afternoon of the same day, Luo Shi took out several more lanterns, saying they were "children's lanterns" and wanted to give them to relatives and friends who wanted to have children at home. Liuli understood what he heard and hurriedly mixed the cinnabar and painted a lantern on each lantern. Mrs. Yu and Luo Shi naturally clapped and applauded the simple and festive picture of a baby playing, and the servants who delivered the lanterns were all smiling when they came back: holding the lanterns brought a lot of limelight along the way, and it was even more popular at the homes of relatives and friends. a reward.

On the 14th day, after breakfast, Liuli smiled at Ani and said, "This Chinese New Year, I asked you to stay with me for more than ten days, and the family is not allowed to be reunited. You will go back in these two days. After the 16th Just come back." A Ni said naturally that it was not necessary. After all, she couldn't defeat Liuli, but she secretly went back after receiving the reward. Liuli breathed a sigh of relief, thinking about what Pei Xingjian said that day, "As long as you come out to watch the lanterns, I will naturally find you." Her face couldn't help but heat up again.

When she arrived at the upper room, she saw that Luo was asking several maids to clean several stacks of masks. She saw that they were all extremely exquisitely made wooden masks, some made of animal faces and fangs, some made of King Kong's angry eyes, and some. The ones made into toothless harlequins have exaggerated shapes and are different from each other. The most popular one was a mask of an old man with a white beard. There were five or six of them. Liuli tried to put it on, but it fit well and was light. There were holes for his eyes, mouth and nose, so he could see and speak without any hindrance.

Su Jin and Su Tong also grabbed one, but their faces were too small to wear these masks. Liuli hurriedly found two pieces of cardboard, used scissors to cut out two small masks, and cut out eyes according to their facial features. For the mouth, they ground the ink again, mixed cinnabar and orpiment, and painted the mask into two exaggerated little tiger heads. They punched holes in the ears and tied the paper masks to their ears with red strings. Everyone in the room clapped and applauded, and Su Jin and Su Tong were so happy that they ran around the room when they put on their masks.

Seeing that it was getting dark, Mrs. Yu hurriedly brought up all the prepared charcoal, pink fruits, and dough cocoons. The pink fruits were also small round pastries with sweet fillings, and the dough cocoons were made into shuttle shapes. Everyone took one of the noodles, and Su Tong ate it the fastest. He spat out a small piece of wood with a small ingot painted on it, and everyone burst into laughter. Su Dingfang actually ate a piece of wood painted with a gold seal, and Luo Shi laughed and said, "Isn't Aweng going to lead the expedition this year?" Su Dingfang just laughed. Liuli knew the mechanism inside, and took a careful bite in the middle of the meal. Sure enough, she bit a hard object. She quickly took it out and took a look. It was a flower crown painted on the wood piece. Mrs. Yu and Luo Shi immediately clapped their hands and laughed. , "This is the occasion!"

After finishing the meal indiscriminately, Liuli hurriedly went back and changed the clothes he had gone out with. He found a smooth silver hairpin and put the pair of golden hairpins on the hairpin and inserted it into the bun. He couldn't help but feel that Already a little nervous, I went back to the upper room and was stunned: there were four slender maids standing in the room. They all wore the same old mask with white beards on their faces. At first glance, they looked like quadruplets. Seeing Liuli come in, Luo Shi couldn't help but put one on her, and took five identical white cloaks to put on them all. He stood a few steps away and looked at them for a few times, clapped his hands and said with a smile, "I won't do it anymore." Can’t tell the difference!”

Liuli was suddenly confused. But when the door curtain was raised, Su Dingfang walked in, looked at several people carefully, nodded silently, and suddenly saw Ren Sheng on Liuli's head, his eyes lit up, and a strange smile appeared on his face.

Many thanks to my dear classmates Mizongquan, Tonga, verycooldog and Aaxuexue.

 (End of this chapter)