"Big Brother Xiao, it's crooked. A little to the left."
"That's not right either, Big Brother Xiao. A little to the right."
"It still doesn't look quite right. A little lower... No, never mind, a little higher. Yes, yes, just like that."
"Then I'll stick it there."
Standing on the ladder, Xiao Mo smoothed the couplet with his hand, doing his best to make sure it had not a single wrinkle.
But just as Xiao Mo climbed down, Xiao Qing rubbed her chin. "Why does it still look a little crooked? You should've moved it a little farther left."
"Ugh!" Xiao Mo flicked her on the head. "You waited until I finished sticking it up to say that? Next one!"
"Oh, ugh."
Xiao Mo and Xiao Qing carried the ladder to another door to put up a couplet.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Bai Ruxue was cooking.
Today was New Year's Eve.
According to the customs of the Qi Kingdom, everyone put up new Spring Festival couplets today, then ate their New Year's Eve dinner at noon.
"Crackle, pop!"
"Crackle, pop!"
As noon drew near, the other families in Shiqiao Village began setting off firecrackers one after another.
Whenever a family set off firecrackers, it meant they were starting their New Year's feast.
By then, Bai Ruxue had brought out the dishes and set them neatly on the table. "Xiao Mo, Xiao Qing, the food's ready!"
"Just a moment, Sister. We're almost finished putting them up." Xiao Qing called back, then went on directing Big Brother Xiao. "A little to the left, Big Brother Xiao. Yes, yes!"
"Big Brother Xiao, everyone else has started their New Year's feast! Hurry up!"
"Don't rush." Xiao Mo smiled. "The couplets have to be straight, so we'll have peace and safety all year. Got it?"
Once they had finished putting up the couplets, Xiao Mo hung the firecrackers on the pillar by the entrance, starting from the bottom, then used a fire starter to light the fuse.
Bai Ruxue and Xiao Qing quickly covered their ears.
The firecrackers went off with a crackling roar.
The woman in white and the girl in blue watched the smoke and sparks bursting from the firecrackers in the yard, both frightened and excited.
"Pop! Pop. Pop."
As the final firecrackers hit the ground, the smoke gradually cleared.
By the stone table, Xiao Mo stood and raised his wine cup. "Today is New Year's Eve, a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. In the coming year, I wish both young ladies good health and that all your wishes come true."
Bai Ruxue's eyes curved as she raised her cup, every bit like the mistress of the household. Yet her words held a playful note. "When spring comes next year, I wish Mister Xiao top honors in the imperial examinations."
"I wish Big Brother Xiao top honors too," Xiao Qing added.
Their cups clinked, and the wine rippled gently inside.
"Let's eat, let's eat. The food will get cold if we wait any longer." Xiao Mo hurriedly sat down.
Bai Ruxue opened the rice bucket and served Xiao Mo and her younger sister, while Xiao Qing poured the wine.
Only after Xiao Mo took the first bite did Bai Ruxue and Xiao Qing pick up their chopsticks.
The wine was green rice wine Magistrate Sun had sent over.
Knowing Xiao Mo didn't drink often and that there were two women in the house, Magistrate Sun had chosen a wine that was mild and smooth, and not easy to get drunk on.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, Bai Ruxue and her younger sister cleared the dishes. Xiao Mo tried to help, but Ruxue pushed him out of the kitchen, saying that this was women's work.
Xiao Mo had no choice but to sit in the yard.
Watching the busy white figure in the kitchen, Xiao Mo couldn't help feeling a little dazed.
Before he knew it, nearly eight years had passed since the day he saved her.
The little white snake from back then had truly grown into a young woman.
"Big Brother Xiao, why do you keep looking at Sister?"
In the kitchen, Xiao Qing teased him.
Xiao Qing already knew about her sister's promise to Big Brother Xiao. Once spring came and Xiao Mo returned from the Metropolitan Examination, he would marry her sister.
Xiao Mo smiled. "Your sister is beautiful."
Compared with Xiao Mo's frankness, Bai Ruxue blushed. She gently tugged at her younger sister. "Let him look. Let's keep washing the dishes."
"Hee-hee-hee!" Seeing her sister's shy expression, Xiao Qing laughed like one of the hens in the yard.
Xiao Qing had noticed that ever since her sister came down from the mountain, she had become more and more like a woman of the mortal world.
Especially lately, after her sister had realized how she felt about Big Brother Xiao, the way she would blush and act coy from time to time was especially lovely.
In the afternoon, Xiao Mo played ring toss with the sisters.
He placed some copper coins and pieces of silver on the ground, then tossed wooden rings at them. Whoever landed a ring on something got to keep it.
If they missed, they had to stick a piece of paper to their face.
By the end of the game, Xiao Mo's face was covered in red strips of paper, so many that he could barely see where he was going.
The sisters couldn't help laughing.
That evening, night drew its curtain across the sky.
Stars scattered across the heavens like fine sand.
The stars in winter seemed brighter than those in summer.
Bai Ruxue brought over hot water to wash Xiao Mo's feet.
Xiao Mo had wanted to refuse, but Bai Ruxue had blushed and said, "After we're married, I'll have to do things like this too."
Xiao Mo paused. Seeing her shy and gentle expression, he didn't refuse.
"All done. I'm going out now. Get some rest." Bai Ruxue dried Xiao Mo's feet, picked up the basin, and headed for the door.
"Ruxue."
Xiao Mo called her name.
"Hmm?" Bai Ruxue tilted her head in puzzlement.
Xiao Mo gathered his thoughts. "Ruxue, I might have to leave for the capital the day after tomorrow."
"The day after tomorrow?" Bai Ruxue blinked. "Why so soon?"
"Because Mr. Zhang from the court will be leaving the capital in mid-February to take up his post in Beihai Prefecture. He wants me to visit him, so I may have to leave half a month early."
As he spoke, the woman's eyes lowered.
Xiao Mo could clearly see the disappointment in her peach-blossom eyes.
Xiao Mo stood up. "Ruxue, I'm sorry—"
"It's all right." Bai Ruxue shook her head, lifted her face, and smiled. "I've heard of Mr. Zhang too. He's a venerable and respected elder, and it seems His Majesty thinks very highly of him. Wasn't it his guidance that helped you become Jieyuan?"
"That's right." Xiao Mo nodded.
"Then go, Xiao Mo." Bai Ruxue set the washbasin aside and gently took his hand. "I'm only a woman and haven't read many books, but becoming an official is your dream, isn't it? It's only half a month earlier. It's all right."
"Ruxue."
"Don't apologize again." Bai Ruxue smiled. "I really am fine. Aunt Chen said that the most important thing for a wife is to be considerate of her husband."
As she spoke, the blush on the woman's cheeks crept up to her ears. Her voice turned shy and soft. "Although we're not married yet... still, I... I should start learning."
Seeing Ruxue so bashful she looked as if she might melt, Xiao Mo was deeply moved. He gently stroked her hair. "I'll come back as soon as I can."
"Mm. I'll wait for you."
Although Bai Ruxue wanted to spend a few more days with Xiao Mo, she thought there would be plenty of time ahead.
He was only leaving half a month early. It wasn't a big deal.
She would wait for him to come back.
That night, Bai Ruxue hurried to make Xiao Mo a sachet.
She also had a new outfit to finish; she wanted to put the final touches on it that night.
She wanted Xiao Mo to be able to wear it when he went to the capital.
The candle flame flickered in the room.
Whenever Bai Ruxue grew drowsy, she ate more chili peppers or splashed cold water on her face.
"Sister... You can finish the clothes tomorrow." Xiao Qing looked at her sister, who was exhausted but insisted on staying awake, and spoke with concern.
For a snake to fight off winter sleep in the middle of winter was truly miserable.
"It's all right." Bai Ruxue shook her head, continuing to sew the garment with the needle in her hand. "I have to finish this outfit tonight so Xiao Mo can try it on tomorrow. If it doesn't fit, there'll still be time to make adjustments."
Seeing her sister, Xiao Qing knew there was no point trying to persuade her.
Whenever it came to anything involving Big Brother Xiao, her sister became especially stubborn.
"Then Xiao Qing will help you, Sister." Xiao Qing got out of bed and went over to her.
"Go to sleep, Xiao Qing," Bai Ruxue said.
"No. If you don't sleep, I won't either," Xiao Qing insisted. "Sister, is there anything I can help with?"
"All right." Bai Ruxue thought for a moment. "Sew these two pieces of cloth together for me, then embroider a bamboo stalk. I want to make him an inner pocket."
"Okay, Sister!"
Xiao Qing quickly picked up the needle and thread from the table and began sewing earnestly.
But before even half an hour had passed, Xiao Qing's eyes began to droop.
An hour later, she was asleep on the table, drooling.
"I knew you wouldn't last." Bai Ruxue's soft pink lips curved slightly. She gently tapped her younger sister on the nose and spoke tenderly.
It was already deep winter. With Xiao Qing's cultivation, she would have to return to the mountain to hibernate in a few days.
Xiao Qing had started getting sleepy seven days ago. How could she possibly stay up all night with her?
Bai Ruxue carried Xiao Qing back to bed and tucked her in.
By the light of the candle, the woman continued stitching her sweetheart's blue robe, one careful stitch at a time.
At dawn the next morning, the rooster crowed. Only then did Bai Ruxue look up and rub her shoulders.
The blue robe in her arms was finally finished.
As soon as Xiao Mo got up, Bai Ruxue hurriedly asked him to try it on.
Seeing how well it fit him, the woman finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is it comfortable?" Bai Ruxue asked. "Is there anything that needs changing?"
"It's very comfortable." Xiao Mo looked at the blue robe. "There's nothing to change. It fits perfectly."
"Big Brother Xiao, good thing it fits. Sister stayed up all night. If it didn't fit, she'd probably spend another whole day fixing it," Xiao Qing said from the side.
"You're so talkative." Bai Ruxue patted her younger sister on the back of the hand.
"Ruxue, you really don't have to make clothes yourself from now on. We're not short on money anymore," Xiao Mo tried to persuade her.
"It's fine." Bai Ruxue stepped forward and straightened Xiao Mo's sleeves, waist, and collar. "Clothes made by someone else are still made by someone else. I wouldn't feel at ease."
"..." Xiao Mo's throat bobbed. He wanted to say so much, but in the end, all he could manage was, "Ruxue, you've really worked hard."
Bai Ruxue's eyes curved. "Between us, there's no need to talk about hard work."
Xiao Mo's gaze grew gentler as he looked at Bai Ruxue.
Although Xiao Mo knew this was only an experience in the Book of a Hundred Lives, if he really had a wife like her, what more could a man ask for?
"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" Bai Ruxue asked.
"At the hour of the Dragon. Magistrate Sun will send a carriage to pick me up."
"I've heard the road to the capital is far. Will anyone escort you there?"
"Magistrate Sun said he'd make arrangements. Don't worry, Ruxue."
"That's good." Bai Ruxue nodded. "I'll give you your bundle tomorrow. There may be a lot of things in it, but don't complain that it's too much. They'll all come in handy."
"All right."
Whenever Xiao Mo went on a long trip, Bai Ruxue prepared plenty of things for him, all sorts of things, though there really was a lot.
She even packed him a sachet to keep the mosquitoes away.
Seeing Xiao Mo agree, Bai Ruxue smiled and led Xiao Qing to the kitchen to cook.
On the first day of the new year, Bai Ruxue went about her housework as usual.
At mealtimes, she wore a smile, deliberately hiding how reluctant she was to let Xiao Mo go.
But Bai Ruxue wasn't good at hiding her feelings.
Xiao Mo and Xiao Qing could both see the sadness in her heart.
Early the next morning, Bai Ruxue woke up and prepared breakfast for Xiao Mo.
Before long, a carriage stopped outside the yard, with several constables on horseback beside it.
They had come to pick up Xiao Mo.
After breakfast, Bai Ruxue walked with Xiao Mo, step by step, out of the village.
Xiao Mo was leaving in such a hurry that few people knew about it, so the Village Chief and the others hadn't come to see him off.
The constables were also very considerate. They walked far ahead, leaving the two of them space to be alone.
"Once you're in the capital, make sure you eat properly. Don't just make do."
"I know."
"It's getting colder and colder. Be sure to wear more clothes."
"Don't worry. The winter clothes you made are very thick."
"Take these two jars of honey with you. They aren't worth much, but they're a token of my affection. You can't visit Mr. Zhang empty-handed."
"Don't worry."
"And you're not allowed to visit brothels."
"I won't."
"If you don't do well in the examinations, it's all right. Don't lose heart. I'll be waiting for you at home."
"Okay."
Xiao Mo stopped and turned around to look at the woman before him. "Ruxue, let's say goodbye here."
The woman gently bit her lip. "I... I'll walk a little farther with you."
Xiao Mo shook his head. "You've already walked five li with me."
"..." The woman lowered her head, her fingers clasped tightly together, her long, curled lashes trembling gently.
After a long while, the woman lifted her head and looked at him. "Go, and come back soon."
Xiao Mo stepped back twice, stood before the woman, straightened his collar, and gave her a solemn bow.
Straightening up, Xiao Mo said no more. The more he said, the harder it would be to part.
He turned and walked ahead, then climbed into the carriage.
"Hyah!"
Escorted by several constables, the carriage carrying Xiao Mo gradually made its way through the fields.
Bai Ruxue took an instinctive step forward, but in the end, she held herself back.
The carriage traveled farther and farther away, until it dwindled to a black speck and vanished from the woman's sight.
"Big sister, Brother Xiao has already left. Let's go back," Xiao Qing said to her sister.
"Not yet. I'll look a little longer."
"But Brother Xiao is already out of sight."
"It's all right."
The woman clenched her skirt in her hands, still gazing into the distance.
"I-I'll look a little longer..."
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