New Year's Eve Dinner

At the same time, a light, white snowflake drifted down and landed gracefully on a plate of braised pork on the dining table, making it quite eye-catching.

The sharp-eyed Lin Ying was the first to notice, pointing to the snowflakes on the rosy flesh and saying:

Oh my, it's snowing!

As she spoke, the snowflake had already melted from the steaming aroma of the braised pork.

But then, countless snowflakes followed, fluttering down in a flurry.

Seeing this, Liao Pantu his hand, and an invisible protective shield was set up above everyone's heads, blocking the falling snow.

Seeing this, Mo Yuanjiao quickly placed a heating array under the table to keep the food warm.

After Jiang Youfu had served all the dishes, he quickly ran over and sat down.

Today, Sun Yigao's father Landlord Sun, bought a lot of good wine and carried it up the mountain. He is currently serving wine to everyone.

Even the two little girls Liu Shengsheng and Lin Ying, were given a glass of fruit wine.

Then, without touching their bowls and chopsticks, everyone turned to look at Lin Xiao expectantly.

Seeing everyone looking at him, Lin Xiao lowered his head and smiled, then raised the wine glass in front of him and said:

"In the new year, I wish us all to achieve even greater heights in our cultivation, further improving our lives and those of the village. May our Lingxian Sect prosper ever more!"

As if in response to Lin Xiao's words, a series of firecrackers suddenly broke out in Xiushui Village at the foot of the mountain.

This is also the time when the villagers are having their New Year's Eve dinner.

Before eating, the villagers like to throw a bunch of firecrackers into the bonfire to create a lively atmosphere.

The continuous sound of firecrackers from the village reached the ears of everyone on the mountain.

Liu Yunan slapped his forehead in frustration and said:

"Oh no, we forgot to prepare firecrackers!"

On ordinary days, my mother would prepare all the things for the New Year. Moreover, in the past, my family was poor, and it was enough for us to eat a slightly better New Year's Eve dinner than usual. We didn't have the leisure to prepare firecrackers.

So Liu Yunan couldn't recall this thing at all.

He bought quite a lot of things like Spring Festival couplets and melon seeds, things he saw others buying in the town and county and decided to follow suit.

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Lin Xiao waved his hand:

"Eat, eat! Listening to the village noises is the same for everyone. Eat and drink well, everyone. Fuzi's food is in high demand, so grab it while you can!"

Before he finished speaking, he took the lead and started grabbing.

Seeing this, everyone picked up their chopsticks and began to work hard at the dinner table!

--

Liaoju Prefecture.

In the backyard of the government office, Tong Shuzheng was having their New Year's Eve dinner with his advisor Xue Chengfeng.

As Xue Chengfeng ate the food prepared by the hired cook, he found it somewhat bland. He looked up and asked Tong Shuzheng, who was standing beside him:

"My lord, when will your wife arrive?"

When Tong Shuzheng heard him ask that question, he knew that the man was complaining that the cook's dishes were always the same.

Because Tong Shuzheng's wife is a skilled cook, she would always prepare the dishes in different ways during festivals, making them delicious and novel.

Looking at Xue Chengfeng, who seemed rather unaware of his appetite, Tong Shuzheng smiled and said:

"Then you'll have to wait a while. Your daughter is still young, and your sister-in-law doesn't dare to leave her alone. It's inconvenient to travel with her all over the country. It will only be possible in a couple of years when she's a little older, or when I'm transferred back to a place near my hometown."

Xue Chengfeng knew all this; he just wanted to vent.

After hearing Tong Shuzheng's words, he sullenly picked at the food in his bowl.

"How about you change the cook? We can try something different?"

Seeing his sudden childlike demeanor, Tong Shuzheng and said:

"That cook, An, comes from a poor family. Her entire family depends on her meager salary at the yamen (government office) for survival. You were the one who saved her back then, begging me to give her a way to live. What, do you not want to save her anymore now?"

Xue Chengfeng knew all this, but for some reason, he felt uneasy during the New Year and just wanted to vent.

Tong Shuzheng looked at him and suddenly joked:

"Speaking of which, Chengfeng, you're not getting any younger now, aren't you planning to find a wife? If you had a wife, wouldn't you have someone to change things up for you every day?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Chengfeng waved his hands repeatedly:

"My lord, please don't make fun of me. You know perfectly well that I..."

His words were interrupted by a servant's report from outside.

"Your Excellency, an urgent dispatch from the imperial court has arrived, requesting your personal presence."

Upon hearing the report, Tong Shuzheng immediately put down his chopsticks and said to Xue Chengfeng:

"You eat first, I'll go check on things."

With that, he got up and strode out of the house.

Seeing this, Xue Chengfeng lost all appetite and quickly got up to follow.

"I'll go with you!"

The two arrived at the front of the government office, where they saw a man dressed in close-fitting clothes waiting in the hall. Upon seeing them, the man gave Tong Shuzheng a proper salute.

"Greetings, Lord Tong."

As he spoke, he showed his identity token to Tong Shuzheng to verify his identity, and then took out an official document from the imperial court and handed it to Tong Shuzheng.

After Tong Shuzheng personally accepted it, the man took his leave.

So Tong Shuzheng took the official letter and returned to his study in the backyard with Xue Chengfeng.

They opened the letter, huddled together, and quickly read through the contents.

After reading it, both of them showed delight.

Tong Shuzheng put down the official letter in his hand, stood up straight with his hands behind his back, and said:

"That immortal sect was originally called the Lingxian Sect."

After skimming through it, Xue Chengfeng went back and read it carefully, word by word. Hearing Tong Shuzheng's words, he nodded and said:

"Yes, that's indeed a legitimate immortal sect. From now on, we can interact with them openly and honestly."

Tong Shuzheng clasped his hands together, somewhat excitedly, and said:

"With the Lunar New Year approaching, Chengfeng, what do you think? Shouldn't we send some New Year's gifts over?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Chengfeng thought for a moment and agreed:

"What you say is absolutely right, sir. In any case, the court's current intention is for us to try our best to be on good terms with the Lingxian Sect. Sending New Year's gifts is a way of showing goodwill. Moreover, given that little immortal's character, I think this immortal sect must be very good, and they will definitely reciprocate. In this way, if we maintain this exchange of gifts with the Lingxian Sect, we can gradually build up our relationship."

Unable to stand still, Tong Shuzheng to wander around the study, thinking as he did so, and then he spoke:

"It seems the imperial court intends to further strengthen its ties with this sect. Carefully consider the implications of the official letter; I think it differs slightly from its previous attitude towards the three major sects."

Hearing this, Xue Chengfeng lowered his head and pondered each word, then said with slight surprise:

"As I thought, Your Excellency's insight is indeed keen!"

Then he pondered:

"So, it seems the imperial court may be intentionally changing its long-standing approach to dealing with these sects?"