Heavy snow fell, its flakes like goose feathers.
They fluttered and swirled, dancing across the sky.
They veiled the distant woods and blurred the overlapping mountain ridges.
A full-bearded man trudged through the wind and snow from afar.
It was Wei Wu, a constable from the county.
"Brother Li! The tabloid you wanted."
The little mountain village was almost cut off from the outside world, peaceful but isolated.
Only the county's monthly Court Gazette brought occasional news from outside.
There was also a tabloid that published rumors.
But the news in that tabloid was a mixture of truth and falsehood.
So Li Ping'an had asked Constable Wei Wu to bring him that month's Court Gazette whenever he came on his monthly inspection.
"Brother Wei, cold out there, isn't it?" Li Ping'an said warmly. "Come in and warm yourself up."
Snow drifted outside, a fire burned inside, and pork stewed in the pot.
A large piece of firewood crackled as it burned, filling the room with the aroma of meat and pine resin.
Wei Wu shook the snow off himself.
"What smells so good?"
"Pork. Brother Wei, take some home once it's cooked."
Wei Wu politely declined. "My family doesn't like that stuff."
Li Ping'an could naturally tell what was mere politeness, and the two chatted for a while.
Once the pork was cooked, he packed a box for Wei Wu.
"All right, I'll thank you on behalf of your sister-in-law and nephew."
"No need to stand on ceremony with me."
Wei Wu left with the pork.
Old Ox spread the newspaper on the table and began reading it closely.
Although Great Sui had suffered a crushing defeat at Sal'er Pass, it had won two battles in succession after adjusting its strategy.
The newspaper overflowed with praise for the eldest princess,