Xie Ming

Chapter 829 Lonely Soul Under the Moon

The Duke of Jingguo's mansion is now incredibly powerful, and its current state is no longer what it once was, with few visitors at its door.

Then it was said that the year-end was fast approaching, and all the officials, gentry, and fellow villagers in the court, regardless of their status or connections, would want to visit each other.

The last festival of the year, ostensibly a matter for the government, was in fact, arguably, the best opportunity for a political alliance.

Therefore, the simple act of offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God is unlikely to be entirely without merit.

From the moment the sun rose, officials, gentry, and powerful families from various prefectures came and went, delivering gifts without stopping.

There were some things that Xiao didn't like to decline, so he politely declined them.

However, there were some things that were really difficult to refuse, and Duke Jing had to step aside to go through the motions.

It was almost the beginning of the Xu hour (7-9 PM), and the sky was gradually darkening.

The people who had been visiting gradually quieted down and returned home.

The gate of the Duke's mansion was bolted shut from the inside.

Only when there is celebration and festivities inside can one dare to make a big commotion.

At the second quarter of the hour of Xu (7:45 PM), the ritual for offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God inside the gate can begin.

Xiao Jingchuan was dressed in fine clothes by Yu'e, and he personally presided over the ceremony in the back garden.

The formal attire exuded a sense of solemnity and dignity.

After the ceremony, the servants and maids were actually busier than usual.

The ceremony included offering sacrifices, cleaning the courtyard, and preparing a banquet.

Hongyu managed things in a generally orderly manner.

The dishes and seating arrangements were all meticulously prepared and thoughtfully arranged.

During the family banquet, a stage was set up in the back garden. Although no outside actors were invited, the opera troupe was too conspicuous and it would be difficult to say otherwise if word got out.

However, several young maids in the mansion who knew opera began to play instruments and sing, their skills quite impressive, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.

And so, everyone in the mansion enjoyed a feast with food and drinks.

During the banquet, Xiao distributed some New Year's money as gifts, and everyone, young and old, received a share, which was quite generous.

They all flattered the Lord's family, praising His grace and virtue, and spoke eloquently.

There were times for playful banter, and this celebration continued until half past midnight. They had had their fill of laughter and joy.

Xiao'e was exhausted and sleepy, so everyone was finally able to leave and rest.

Bright lanterns and torches illuminate the terraced platforms, and the fragrant aroma of brocade mats fills the painted pavilions.

As the snow of winter fades and the night watchman's drum runs out, the spring breeze arrives first, accompanied by colorful lanterns.

The sound of stringed instruments from the high-rise building was faint, and the shadows of the small group on the carpet lingered.

On this most glorious day of receiving imperial favor, we are urged to raise our cups one after another.

After a joyous celebration, the atmosphere gradually faded into silence as the night deepened.

At the end of Hai hour, the snowfall stopped early, and the moon hung on the withered branches.

After arranging for the garrison soldiers to rest in their barracks in the front yard, the jinx was still not at ease. He made one last round of inspections, watching until the lamps were blown out and the soldiers were snoring. Only then did he stagger around to the outhouse by the corner gate to relieve himself.

He drank quite a bit tonight.

After a round of commotion with his brothers, he was urged to drink but couldn't fall down. His face was flushed and his footwork was off track, only then did he pass the test.

After a few more strolls, the inspection was over, and he relieved himself. It was a rare moment when the mansion was completely quiet again at night.

Alone, facing the moon's shadow, he staggered back to his own doorstep.

But before he could go in, he unexpectedly leaned against the door and slumped onto the brick steps.

Even now, fueled by alcohol, the jinx is still humming and chanting a little tune.

He searched his body with both hands.

After struggling for a while, his eyes were darting around and his hands were trembling, he finally managed to grab something and pull it forward from his lower back.

He casually swayed his shoulders and fiddled with it for a while.

Looking closely by the moonlight, I realized it was a long tobacco pipe filled with tobacco leaves, intended for a puff.

This object was not originally meant to be his jinx; look, it is undoubtedly the heirloom of Second Master Liu, Liu Zhecheng.

Plop, plop.

The drunkard, now slumped against the wall, got a kick out of it. After only a couple of puffs, he coughed violently, choking and tearing up.

Clearly, the flavor is quite strong.

"Zhecheng, I'm a few years older than you, so I'm kind of your older brother, huh?"

"It's Chinese New Year! We drank quite a lot today."

"I know you're craving alcohol. Here, let me pour you some too, have a couple of sips."

As he spoke, the jinx reached to his side and pulled out his wine gourd. He'd drunk a lot of wine during the banquet, intending to use it now. *Beep—*

With a crisp snap, the stopper was pulled out, and several streaks of liquid spilled onto the brick floor.

Unconsciously, others began to laugh to themselves.

"Hehehe, how about it? Not bad, right?!"

His face was flushed red, and he spoke incoherently, his words slurred and unclear.

After pouring it out, he took two more sips into his mouth.

Hehehe

"What a pity, what a shame!"

"Died too young."

The alcohol was getting to him, and he leaned back against the door.

Sighing and muttering to themselves, they still knew to keep their voices down.

Even now, I'm still afraid someone might overhear, which wouldn't be good.

He paused twice, then grumbled and complained for a while.

"Brothers in the camp, things are much better now."

"They all act all high and mighty."

You, you...

Turn over and straighten up again.

"Oh right, there's something I've been thinking about and I've already taken care of for you, so I just have to tell you about it."

He forced himself to straighten his posture, strained his eyes, and stared intently at the wine stains on the ground.

"We've found your older brother, Liu Zheli."

"The warlord privately said that it was not easy to find him. He was also a famine refugee from Shandong, so he was extremely difficult to find."

"Take it back to Nanjing when it's done."

"He was granted a house, rewarded with money, and also found a job for him in the military garrison in Zhenjiang, appointing him as a grain official."

He muttered to himself, counting on his fingers, "In detail."

"Not long ago, he took office."

"I, I delivered it myself."

He patted his chest, standing alone in front of the quiet prison cell, accompanied only by the moon's shadow, talking to himself in the empty space in front of him.

"Heh, I know, you're a tough nut to crack."

"Your kind of thing, who else would have done that? This, this..."

"Never mind, never mind, I won't say anything more."

He started rambling on and on, but then he suddenly remembered that Master Liu was most averse to others mentioning his outrageous deeds, so he kept quiet and changed the subject to explain the rest of the story.

"In short, the Governor is very considerate."

"We've done everything we were supposed to do for you, including the rewards and the things that were supposed to be done."

"Just tell your older brother, there's only one condition."

"Let you, Liu Zhecheng, return to your roots, in a dignified and upright manner, right?!"

“Your name must be included in the Liu family’s genealogy.”

"Hey, how about that? Feeling relieved now?!"

"What's this called? It's called recognizing one's ancestors and returning to one's roots."

"You, you're not bad."

"Not bad, I think it's not bad."

"Now, I've fulfilled your wish. Be content."

"The warlord has been very kind to us."

After all that rambling, it's clear that this jinx has drunk too much today; his tongue is starting to feel numb.

Her eyes were glazed over, and it went on and on.

The moonlight, like a ribbon, poured down coldly.

In the innermost corner of a few low-ceilinged cells, against the wall, jinxed a man held a wine gourd askew in his hand.

The quietness in private was even more eerie.

He was oblivious to his own demeanor, yet he always appeared so bleak and dejected. (End of Chapter)