Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 441 Year after year
crackling and popping—

As night deepened, festive lanterns were hung in the backyard, adding a touch of the New Year's atmosphere.

Shen Xiangge sat listlessly on a rock in the backyard, wrapped in a light yellow jacket and a fox fur coat, looking warm and adorable.

She held a string of firecrackers in her hand, lit them but didn't let go, watching them explode close by until they were almost hitting her fingers before finally throwing them away. Several young female servants from Hu who were watching curiously from the sidelines turned pale and quickly hid.

Shen Xiangge chuckled and then snorted softly. With the Empress Dowager gone, no one cared about her. But Xiao Lengyue, as Zhao Wumian's aunt, was still an elder, even though she was always bullied by her nephew under the plum blossom tree and didn't have much of an aunt's authority.

Seeing Shen Xiangge bullying Meng Po like this, even using his master's disguise, he couldn't help but go out of the house to stop him, fearing that Shen Xiangge would make Meng Po angry and run away.

However, Shen Xiangge felt that Aunt Xiao was simply jealous... Hmph, but she was also a well-educated young lady from the capital and would not embarrass Aunt Xiao.

Su Qingqi led her horse into the backyard. She was wearing a warm white dress and a light red cloak, with a few snowflakes on her body. Her saddlebag contained some groceries, which she had just bought. Seeing Shen Xiangge looking so bored, she smiled slightly.

What would you like to eat tonight?

"Braised pork... but we'll only rest here for one night, and we'll set off back to the capital tomorrow. Can't we just have a simple meal?"

Shen Xiangge first placed her hands on her sides, and under her skirt, her long legs stretched out and swayed gently from side to side, just like a teenage girl.

Su Qingqi shook her head. "Your senior sister will be parting ways with us tomorrow. We've been traveling together for several days. Even if there's no bond, there's still a connection. Let's have a lavish meal to see her off. It's also Young Master's idea."

"Hmph, why is he so nice to Meng Po? Isn't it because he wants his fellow disciples to rise in rank?" Shen Xiangge muttered, slightly dissatisfied.

"Because she is your senior sister, the young master loves her so much that he treats her so well." Su Qingqi said softly, without arguing or bickering with Shen Xiangge as usual.

Shen Xiangge pressed her embroidered shoes into the snow, lifted her foot, stirring up a little snow mist, and instead of denying it, smiled and said, "I agree."

Guan Yunshu, wearing a gray apron and with her hair tied up, walked out of the kitchen and waved to Su Qingqi, looking like a housewife in charge.

Su Qingqi quickly led her horse over and, together with Guan Yunshu, unloaded the ingredients and went into the kitchen. Xiao Lengyue and Luo Xiangzhu were also busy inside, and their conversation could be faintly heard.

"Zhao Wumian only went to the Investigation Bureau to ask them to send a letter to the imperial court to let them know that he is safe. Why hasn't he returned yet?"

"Did someone follow them...?"

"If Miss Shen is sitting obediently in the courtyard, who would follow her to steal food?"

Shen Xiangge: ...

Meng Po stood outside the kitchen, peeking furtively inside. She knew they were busy preparing for her funeral, and felt a little uncomfortable with their enthusiasm.

She wasn't related to them, and they would part ways after tonight. There was no need to treat her so well, but such words inevitably seemed heartless, so she didn't say anything more.

Upon hearing this, she raised her hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her shoulder, left the courtyard, and went to the street to look for them.

The streets were bustling with people, lively and crowded, with people banging gongs and drums, creating a joyous atmosphere.

Hoofbeats, hoofbeats—

The sound of horses' hooves was faint. A man in white, leading a white horse, squeezed out of the crowd and walked towards this place. His handsome face had not changed much since he came from Shu.

But looking at her now, Meng Po felt inexplicably closer to her.

She raised her eyebrows slightly, lifted her skirt and strode forward, looking her up and down a few times, then narrowed her beautiful eyes.

"Zhao Wumian, you've been... drinking and carousing?"

Zhao Wumian held the reins in one hand and covered his forehead with the other. His handsome face was slightly tipsy. When he saw Meng Po, he straightened up.

"Why are you drinking and partying... I was on my way to deliver a message to the Detective Division when I ran into the General guarding the pass. He was celebrating with a bunch of his men, so of course he was very welcoming when he saw me..."

"You just went with them?" Meng Po stepped forward, supporting Zhao Wumian's forearm, her tone slightly reproachful. "You are, after all, a dignified Marquis Weiming of the Imperial Court. Who can force you to go to a banquet you don't want to attend? Are you perhaps someone who can't say no?"

"They are the backbone of the Yan King's forces, and the Yan King is my father-in-law and Xiangzhu's father. In the future, this batch of Yan Yun Iron Cavalry will mostly be under my command... I also wanted to have a few drinks with my soldiers. I originally planned to just have a few drinks and come back, but I didn't expect the wine here to be so strong..."

Zhao Wumian let out a burp.

Meng Po frowned slightly, turned her pretty face to the side, raised her hand and fanned her face twice, then gave him a disdainful look, but did not let go of his hand that was supporting him.

To passersby, the two would have looked like an old married couple with a cross-cultural marriage.

"With your martial arts skills, how could you possibly get drunk?"

"Oh, I'm just happy, and I'm not drunk at all, I'm perfectly sober." Zhao Wumian rubbed his slightly swollen temples and glanced sideways at Meng Po.
"How did you get out?"

“I’m not familiar with your wives, and I feel like I’m sitting on pins and needles in the courtyard…”

"You've become familiar with me already?"

Meng Po glanced at Zhao Wumian, her beautiful green eyes calm and collected.

"I'm definitely more familiar with them than with your wives."

"The dignified Meng Po from the Western Regions is actually a shy and introverted person?"

"I just can't stand your enthusiasm, and since I can barely call you a friend, I can't be cold to you... But why are you being so nice to me?"

Zhao Wumian chuckled a few times and said, "You are Miss Shen's senior sister... and you are all alone in a foreign land, so this is like celebrating the New Year for you in advance."

Meng Po raised her hand and brushed the stray hairs in front of her shoulder aside. "People in the martial world live on the edge, who cares about the end of the year or anything like that? I don't care about these things."

"I care."

"Oh……"

Meng Po looked up at the fine, scattered snowflakes falling in the night sky, and her mood lightened.

Zhao Wumian yawned and returned to the house. Looking at the busy figures of women adorned with jewels and jade in the courtyard, Zhao Wumian's mind became a little clearer.

Xiao Yuanmu walked gracefully in a light purple dress, her long legs cascading down her pale waist, her proportions perfectly showcased.

"Have you been drinking?" she asked.

"Yeah, I drank some, and I still feel dizzy and lightheaded." Zhao Wumian covered his forehead.

He told Meng Po that he was very clear-headed, but told Xiao Yuanmu that he was dizzy at the moment.

"Why don't you drink yourself to death?" Xiao Yuanmu turned around, leaving behind a beautiful back view, his expression somewhat ruthless.

This is a true old married couple.

Whoosh whoosh—bang.

Fireworks would frequently shoot into the night sky above the city, accompanied by deafening roars that seemed to stretch on and on.

The backyard was brightly lit, and a sumptuous feast was served on the table, all of which were Central Plains cuisine.

Xiao Lengyue reached behind her neck, untied her apron, and folded it up to place it aside. She wasn't good at cooking, but she showed off her skills today... She simply fried an egg, but burned several batches.

She looked at Meng Po and asked, "Does Meng Po also know any Western Region cooking techniques?"

Meng Po was standing with Zhao Wumian, discussing matters of the Western Regions Holy Sect. Upon hearing this, she quickly turned around, recognizing this as the concubine Zhao Wumian had mentioned. She was very polite and spoke softly:

"I know some."

Xiao Lengyue smiled, "You're a guest tonight, so I won't let you into the kitchen. I don't know if there are any dishes you like... Next time, you'll have to show us your skills."

Will there be a next time? Even Meng Po doesn't know.

For those in the underworld, tomorrow or dying in the street is always uncertain.

But let's not talk about that now.

She smiled and said, "Definitely."

Although Xiao Lengyue had been bullied by that rebellious aunt and nephew countless times, she was still the eldest in the family and sat in the main seat.

Mu Li'er and Luo Xiangzhu stood by the table serving rice. They filled a bowl with steaming white rice using a wooden spoon and handed it to Meng Po.

Mu Li'er asked curiously, "Do you eat rice in the Western Regions too? Are you used to it?"

Meng Po accepted the bowl with both hands, and shook her head slightly upon hearing this.

"Where we live, we usually eat flatbread and dairy products made from camel milk... But I hold a high position in the Holy Church, so naturally I can eat whatever I want, and besides, I also lived in the Central Plains with my master when I was a child..."

"Flatbread?"

Zhao Wumian looked like he knew it very well, "It's naan."

"Isn't that similar to what people eat on the grasslands?"

“In places where not much grain can be grown, people generally eat things that can be stored for a long time.”

Meng Po looked at Zhao Wumian suspiciously, "Have you been to the Western Regions before?"

"No?"

"Then you seem to know quite a lot."

"I know everything."

Upon hearing this, Meng Po, the little demoness, revealed her true nature. She raised her hand to support her full breasts, which trembled like waves, causing the gold and silver ornaments on her skirt to jingle. This showed just how soft and cuddly Meng Po was.

"Then tell me, how big is this place...?"

Before Meng Po could finish speaking, she remembered that Zhao Wumian and his wives were still watching. She immediately pursed her lips, lowered her head, and sat down silently on the table without saying a word.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

The room immediately erupted in laughter and cheers.

"Hey, I've heard that in the vast deserts of the Western Regions, there are sometimes illusions like flowers in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water, seemingly close at hand but actually unattainable. Is that true?"

Mu Li'er also served Zhao Wumian a bowl of rice, and then asked curiously.

Although Meng Po felt a little embarrassed, a dignified demoness wouldn't blush, and responded to each question.

"That's right, we call it a mirage, like a dragon exhaling its breath..."

Su Qingqi nodded slightly, then smiled as if remembering something, "When Shen Xiangge and I went to the Western Regions to look for the young master, we also encountered him. He looked quite intimidating."

"Also, it's like summer during the day there, but as cold as winter at night."

"Does that mean you have to bring two sets of clothes when you go out?"

"It's better to bring several sets of clothes. The wind and sand are strong there. Once sand gets into your collar, you won't want to wear it again."

"Then we'll probably have to travel by horse-drawn carriage to the Western Regions..."

“No need.” Zhao Wumian shoveled a mouthful of rice into his mouth, looked up and smiled, “Horse-drawn carriages are inconvenient for traveling in the desert, so people usually ride camels… With a camel, you can carry as many clothes as you want.”

"Why?" Zhao Wumian drew circles with his hands, making a large outline, "There are two big packs on the camel's back, called humps... You can lift them up and put luggage inside."

Luo Xiangzhu parted her pink lips slightly, her expression curious. She had never been to the Western Regions, nor had she ever seen a camel, and she couldn't help but start to fantasize.

Meng Po propped her chin up and glanced sideways, "You're just trying to fool them."

Luo Xiangzhu looked bewildered.

Zhao Wumian retorted, "Speak with evidence. There are no camels here, so why are you saying I'm deceiving them?"

"I said it's wrong, and that's it." Meng Po rolled her eyes in a very charming way.

"I don't believe it... unless you send me a camel so I can see for myself."

"Where would I get a camel now?"

"Let's talk about it when I get to the Western Regions..."

"You said you'd come to the Western Regions after the New Year... but what specific season would you be coming?"

"Would you like me to go earlier or later?"

Meng Po opened her mouth, but said nothing.

Shen Xiangge frowned, pressed her calves together under her skirt, took off her embroidered shoes, and stepped on Zhao Wumian's leg with her white-socked feet. Her jade-like fingers, like swimming fish, nimbly pinched Zhao Wumian's calf and twisted it.

Don't flirt with her!

But then he discovered that Guan Yunshu had also quietly taken off her embroidered shoes and gently kicked Zhao Wumian's calf.

Guan Yunshu and Shen Xiangge exchanged glances.

Xiao Yuanmu chuckled a few times, clearly aware of their little scheme.

Actually, everyone knows this except for Luo Xiangzhu, who isn't very skilled in martial arts.

The room was filled with laughter and joy once again.

The next day, Meng Po left.

The group went their separate ways.

Zhao Wumian led his family south back to the capital, while Meng Po led her maids west to the desert.

Deep down, Meng Po felt a little reluctant to part with him, and Zhao Wumian also felt that having Meng Po around would make the house a bit more lively.

The mere daily bickering between Meng Po and Shen Xiangge, with their ethereal and melodious voices, is something one can never tire of listening to.

But those who live in the martial world come and go with ease.

They parted ways cleanly and decisively.

Meng Po only asked Zhao Wumian a few more questions.

What color camel do you want?

"I was just joking at the dinner table, why did you take it seriously? Are you still a vixen?"

"Go to hell."

This was their last conversation.

Meng Po didn't say anything like telling Zhao Wumian to treat Shen Xiangge well.

Whether Shen Xiangge is happy or not by Zhao Wumian's side is obvious to the naked eye, so there's no need to say more.

Zhao Wumian gave Meng Po a carriage and several fine horses that he had stolen from the grasslands.

Everyone knows how precious a thoroughbred horse is.

Meng Po felt she should reciprocate, so she gave Zhao Wumian a gold earring.

The earrings were the same pair I gave to Zhao Wumian back in Shu... Now we've finally made a complete pair.

At that time, Zhao Wumian invited Meng Po to drink a pot of wine. Not wanting to owe anyone a favor, she used one of her earrings to pay off the debt.

Perhaps this is now used to pay off debts.

An ordinary day, except for the heavy snowfall.

Crunch, crunch—

The carriage slowly traveled along the mountain path. As they got closer to the Western Regions, the road became increasingly desolate, and sometimes they would travel for a long time without seeing any signs of human habitation.

Even if you do meet him, he'll just be a lost soul in the martial world, burdened with the deaths of many people, unable to survive in the Central Plains.

The path was lined with snow-covered trees, a pristine and beautiful sight.

Meng Po raised her hand to lift the carriage curtain, wrapped herself in a pure white cloak, bent down and stepped out of the carriage. She stood in front of the carriage frame, looked up at the heavy snow in the sky, her red lips exhaling white breath, her expression somewhat lonely.

Having traveled with Zhao Wumian's family for several days, he was now alone again. Although he had some maids with him, the contrast between the two made him feel somewhat down.

A lonely woman, a lonely carriage, yet they pass through a village that is not lonely at all.

The village was shrouded in heavy snow, quiet and still, but red lanterns hung from the eaves of houses and doors, and festive couplets were pasted up. There were many charred marks on the compacted yellow earth, which were left by firecrackers.

The children gathered in twos and threes, playing together. When they saw the carriage enter the village, they scattered, but couldn't help but hide in a corner and watch curiously.

Some even have high noses and blue eyes, possessing facial features that combine those of people from the Central Plains with those of people from the Western Regions.

Mixed-race.

Meng Po knew that as they got closer to the Western Regions, such sights would become less and less surprising.

She glanced at the large red lanterns a few times, then summoned the village chief and inquired about matters concerning the Western Regions.

Having been away for so long, I wonder if anything major has happened in the Western Regions.

The village chief explained everything in detail. Meng Po nodded slightly, gave him a reward, then bent down and stepped into the carriage. The maidservant helped the horse, and the carriage slowly drove away from the village.

The village chief looked at the carriage with a hint of fear, knowing that Meng Po was probably from the Western Regions. He dared not delay and insisted on waiting until the carriage was out of sight before leaving.

Meng Po, accustomed to the fear and apprehension others held towards her, paid no heed. But then, remembering something, she drew back the curtains, turned to look at the village chief, and asked:

"Is the reason your village is so festive because you received the good news that Marquis Weiming caused such a ruckus in Mingdu?"

The village chief paused slightly, glanced at Meng Po with a somewhat blank expression, and then said:

"My lord, today is the end of the year."

These words struck Meng Po's heart like a heavy hammer, and a look of astonishment appeared in her beautiful eyes.

"The end of the year?"

"Yes, it's an annual festival, we can't be wrong. Adults are people of the martial world, this kind of festival should be a time for family reunion, but instead they have to go out on business, sigh..."

Meng Po was in a daze, unaware that the carriage had already driven away from the village.

It turns out that she and Zhao Wumian had parted ways a month ago.

She was used to others' fear and apprehension of her, to the intrigue and backstabbing of the underworld, and to bloodshed, murder, and corpses.

At this moment, however, I suddenly find it hard to get used to being alone away from home during the Lunar New Year, unable to return.

She wasn't like this before.

But where is home?
The Western Regions?
She had no relatives in the Western Regions.

Where else could that be?
Meng Po didn't know.

She only felt lonely.

Outside the carriage, snow was falling heavily, as if all the snow in the world had fallen, silent and tranquil.

Meng Po also fell silent.

She suddenly felt like writing a letter.

She wanted to write a letter to Zhao Wumian, but she didn't know what to say in it.

She and Zhao Wumian had nothing to say to each other.

I just wanted to write a letter.

She opened the window and caught a snowflake in her hand.

What is Zhao Wumian doing?

Zhao Wumian returned to the capital. He rode his horse through the wind and snow, quickly returning to the inner palace. In the white stone square in front of the Taiji Hall, he saw Luo Chaoyan, who was lifting her skirt and rushing to meet him.

They ran toward each other.

He picked up Luo Chaoyan, lifted her legs off the ground, and spun her around in the air.

The surrounding palace maids stood with their heads bowed, not uttering a word, watching Marquis Weiming embrace the current emperor.

The two laughed.

"I just made sure to return to Beijing right around the end of the year, I'm not kidding, am I?"

Luo Chaoyan chuckled:
"If we had waited another day, it would have been a crime of deceiving the emperor."

"It won't be too late."

"Why?"

"If I can't come back, I'll use my light-footed skills to run here."

"Really?"

"real."

Luo Chaoyan smiled happily.

The snow fell heavily, layer upon layer.

Today marks the end of the year.

(End of this chapter)