We said we would experience life, fairy, how did you become real?

A letter arrived in the capital.

This letter was personally delivered to Shiqiao Village by Magistrate Sun.

The letter was written by a Hanlin scholar of the current dynasty, namely the highly respected Mr. Zhang Qianzhi.

After reading Mr. Zhang's letter, Xiao Mo seemed to have a hint of helplessness in his expression.

"Xiao Mo, did Mr. Zhang say anything?" Magistrate Sun asked, noticing Xiao Mo's somewhat complicated expression.

Xiao Mo put away the envelope: "Mr. Zhang hopes that I will set off for the capital after the New Year and wants to see me before mid-February."

"That's great news!" Magistrate Sun said happily. "I heard that Mr. Zhang will be taking up the post of Prefect of Beihai Prefecture after the New Year, which should be in mid-February. Mr. Zhang wants to see you before taking office, which shows how much he values ​​you. But why do you seem a little conflicted, Xiao Mo?"

Xiao Mo smiled and said, "I want to spend more time with my family."

“Ah, Xiao Mo, it’s a good thing to be loyal, but Mr. Zhang’s request is something that every scholar in the Great Qi dreams of. You are still young, and you will have plenty of time to spend with your family in the future.”

"Furthermore, the imperial examination is in early March. You're only going half a month early, it's no big deal. Don't be foolish."

Xiao Mo bowed and said, "I know."

"Yes, it's good that you know."

Magistrate Sun patted Xiao Mo on the shoulder.

"I learned from your village chief that you want to marry the daughter of the Bai family after you return from the imperial examination."

When you pass the imperial examination, you will ride a red horse, wear a red flower on your chest, and be part of a grand procession of red bridal procession, with lanterns adorning the entire city.

"You two, a talented man and a beautiful woman, will surely become a celebrated story in Jiangnan!"

Chapter 49 Sister, Brother Xiao has already left.

"Brother Xiao, it's pasted crookedly, move it a little to the left."

"No, that's not right either, Brother Xiao, move it a little to the right."

"That doesn't seem quite right either. Let's go a little lower, but never mind, let's go a little higher. Yes, that's it."

"Then I'll just stick it on like this."

Xiao Mo stepped onto the stairs and smoothed out the Spring Festival couplet with his hands, trying to make sure it had no wrinkles.

However, just as Xiao Mo walked down the stairs, Xiao Qing touched her chin and said, "Why does it still feel a little crooked? It should be a little more to the left."

"Ouch!" Xiao Mo flicked Xiao Qing's forehead. "You've already finished sticking them on, and you're only now saying 'Next!'"

"Oh wow."

Xiao Mo and Xiao Qing carried the stairs and changed the door sticker.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Bai Ruxue was cooking.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve.

According to the customs of the State of Qi, new Spring Festival couplets should be pasted up today, and the New Year's Eve dinner should be eaten at noon.

"Crackling."

"Crackling."

As noon approached, other households in Shiqiao Village began to light firecrackers.

When a family lights firecrackers, it means that someone is having their New Year's Eve dinner.

At this moment, Bai Ruxue brought out the food and placed it steadily on the table: "Xiao Mo, Xiao Qing, the food is ready."

"Sister, wait a minute, we're almost done." Xiaoqing responded and continued to direct Brother Xiao, "Brother Xiao, a little to the left. Yes, yes, yes!"

"Brother Xiao, everyone else has already started their New Year's dinner! Let's hurry up!"

"No rush, no rush." ​​Xiao Mo smiled. "The Spring Festival couplets need to be flattened, for peace and safety, you know?"

After pasting up the Spring Festival couplets, Xiao Mo placed the firecrackers from bottom to top on the pillar at the entrance, and then lit the fuse with a tinderbox.

Bai Ruxue and Xiaoqing quickly covered their ears.

The sound of firecrackers crackled and popped.

The two children, one in white and one in green, watched with a mixture of fear and anticipation as the smoke from the firecrackers outside the courtyard rose, along with the sparks that occasionally burst from the white smoke.

“Pah, pah. Pah.”

As the last few firecrackers landed, the smoke gradually dissipated.

Beside the stone table, Xiao Mo picked up his wine glass and stood up: "Today is New Year's Eve, a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. In the new year, I wish both of you good health and all your wishes come true."

Bai Ruxue's eyes curved into crescents as she raised her wine glass, resembling a matriarch of the household, yet her words carried a touch of playfulness: "Next spring, I wish Mr. Xiao success in his examinations."

"I wish Brother Xiao success in the imperial examination," Xiao Qing echoed.

The glasses clinked together, and the wine inside rippled gently.

"Eat, eat! The food will get cold if you don't eat soon." Xiao Mo quickly sat down.

Bai Ruxue opened the rice bucket and served rice to Xiao Mo and her sister, while Xiao Qing continued to pour wine.

After Xiao Mo took his first bite of the food, Bai Ruxue and Xiao Qing picked up their chopsticks.

This wine was a green rice wine sent by Magistrate Sun.

Considering that Xiao Mo doesn't drink often and there are two women in his family, this wine is not easy to get drunk on and is smooth on the palate.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, Bai Ruxue and her sister were cleaning up the dishes. Xiao Mo wanted to help, but Ruxue pushed him out of the kitchen, saying that this was something girls should do.

Helpless, Xiao Mo could only sit in the courtyard.

Looking at the busy white figure in the kitchen, Xiao Mo couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

Before I knew it, about eight years had passed since the day I saved her.

The little white snake from before has truly grown into a beautiful young woman.

"Brother Xiao, why are you staring at my sister?"

"Inside the kitchen," Xiaoqing joked.

Xiaoqing already knew about her sister's agreement with Brother Xiao, and that when Brother Xiao returned from the imperial examination in the spring, he would marry her sister.

Xiao Mo smiled and said, "Your older sister is beautiful."

Compared to the outgoing Xiao Mo, Bai Ruxue blushed and gently tugged at her sister, saying, "Let him watch, let's continue washing the dishes."

"Cluck cluck cluck," Xiaoqing laughed like a hen in the yard, watching her sister's shy expression.

Xiaoqing noticed that her older sister, who had been down the mountain for so long, was becoming more and more like a woman from the human world.

Especially recently, after my sister realized her feelings for Brother Xiao, her shy and bashful demeanor became even more beautiful.

In the afternoon, Xiao Mo played ring toss with the two sisters.

Xiao Mo placed some copper coins and silver scraps on the ground, then used a wooden ring to try and ring them; whoever landed the ring on it would keep it.

If the mask is empty, then you have to stick a piece of paper on your face.

By the end of the game, Xiao Mo's face was covered in red paper strips, making it almost impossible for him to see the road ahead.

The two sisters couldn't help but burst out laughing.

As night fell, darkness enveloped the sky.

The stars are scattered across the night sky like fine sand.

The stars seem to appear brighter in winter than in summer.

Bai Ruxue brought hot water to wash Xiao Mo's feet.

Xiao Mo wanted to refuse, but Bai Ruxue blushed and said, "This kind of thing will still be done after we get married."

Xiao Mo was taken aback for a moment, but seeing her shy and gentle appearance, he did not refuse.

"Alright, I'm going out now. You get some rest." Bai Ruxue dried Xiao Mo's feet, picked up the basin of water, and was about to leave.

"Like snow."

Xiao Mo called out her name.

"Hmm?" Bai Ruxue tilted her head in confusion.

Xiao Mo mentally prepared his words: "Ru Xue, I may be leaving for the capital the day after tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow?" Bai Ruxue blinked. "Why so soon?"

"Because Mr. Zhang from the imperial court is leaving the capital in mid-February to take up his post in Beihai Prefecture, he wants to invite me to meet him, so I may need to come half a month earlier."

As she spoke, the woman's eyes lowered slightly.

Xiao Mo could clearly see the disappointment in those peach blossom eyes.

Xiao Mo stood up: "Ru Xue, I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Bai Ruxue shook her head, raised her head and smiled. "I've also heard of that Mr. Zhang. He's a highly respected old gentleman, and he seems to be very favored by His Majesty. It seems that he was the one who recommended you for the top scholar title, Xiao Mo?"

"That's how it is." Xiao Mo nodded.

"Then Xiao Mo, go ahead." Bai Ruxue put the washbasin aside and gently held Xiao Mo's hand. "Although I am just a woman and have not read many books, isn't becoming an official in the court your dream? It's only half a month earlier than expected, it's alright."

"Like snow."

"Don't apologize anymore," Bai Ruxue smiled. "I'm really fine. Aunt Chen said that the most important thing for a wife is to understand her husband."

As she spoke, a blush crept up the woman's cheeks to her ears, and she said shyly and softly, "Although we are not married yet, I... I should learn some things too."

Looking at Ru Xue's shy and delicate appearance, Xiao Mo was touched and gently stroked her hair, saying, "I will definitely come back as soon as possible."

"Well, I'll wait for you."

Although Bai Ruxue wanted to spend a few more days with Xiao Mo, she felt that there was still a long way to go.

He only left half a month early, it's alright.

I will wait for him to come back.

That evening, Bai Ruxue hurriedly made a sachet for Xiao Mo.

There's one more new outfit; I'll be finishing up on it tonight.

Bai Ruxue wanted Xiao Mo to be able to wear it when he went to the capital.

The candlelight flickered in the room.

If she felt sleepy, Bai Ruxue would continue eating chili peppers, or she would wash her face with cold water.

"Sister, let's make these clothes tomorrow," Xiaoqing said with heartache, seeing her sister so sleepy yet insisting on staying up.

The snake race suffers from drowsiness in winter but tries to stay awake, which is really tough.

"It's alright." Bai Ruxue shook her head, continuing to thread the fine needle through the clothes. "This garment needs to be finished tonight, and Xiao Mo can try it on tomorrow. If it doesn't fit, there will still be time to alter it."

Seeing her sister's expression, Xiaoqing knew that her sister wouldn't listen to her.

Whenever it involves Brother Xiao, my sister becomes especially stubborn.

"Then Xiaoqing will help her sister." Xiaoqing got out of bed and walked to her sister's side.

"Xiaoqing, you should go to sleep," Bai Ruxue said.

"No, if Sister doesn't sleep, Xiaoqing won't sleep either," Xiaoqing insisted. "Sister, is there anything I can help you with?"

“Alright.” Bai Ruxue thought for a moment, “Then you can help your sister sew these two pieces of cloth together and embroider a bamboo stalk. Your sister wants to make an inner pocket for it.”

"Good sister!"

Xiaoqing quickly picked up the needle and thread on the table and began to sew carefully.

But in less than half an hour, Xiaoqing felt her eyes getting heavier and heavier.

An hour later, Xiaoqing was already asleep on the table, and even drool was dripping from her mouth.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to hold on." Bai Ruxue's delicate pink lips curved slightly as she gently tapped her sister's nose and spoke softly.

It's already deep winter, and given Xiaoqing's level of cultivation, she'll be going back to the mountain to hibernate in a few days.

Xiaoqing started feeling sleepy seven days ago, so how could she possibly stay up all night now?

Bai Ruxue carried Xiaoqing back to bed and covered her with a blanket.