New Year's Eve Dinner

Meanwhile, a light, pristine snowflake drifted down, landing delicately on a piece of braised pork on the dinner table, highly conspicuous.

The sharp-eyed Lin Ying was the first to notice, pointing at the snowflake atop the glistening piece of meat and said:

"Oh, it's snowing!"

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

But soon, countless snowflakes followed, fluttering down in abundance.

Seeing this, Liao Pantu waved his hand, conjuring an invisible shield above everyone’s heads to block the falling white snow.

At this, Mo Yuanjiao quickly set up a heating array beneath the table to keep the dishes warm.

After Jiang Youfu had brought out all the dishes, he swiftly came over and took his seat.

Today, Sun Yigao's father, Landlord Sun, had bought plenty of fine wine and carried it up the mountain. He was now pouring drinks for everyone.

Even the two young girls, Liu Shengsheng and Lin Ying, were given small cups of fruit wine.

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

Seeing everyone’s gaze on him, Lin Xiao lowered his head with a smile, then raised his own cup and said:

"A new year—may our cultivation reach new heights, may we better improve our lives and our village, and may our Lingxian Sect flourish more and more!"

As if echoing Lin Xiao's words, the sound of crackling firecrackers suddenly rose from Xiushui Village at the foot of the mountain.

It was also the time for the villagers to have their New Year’s Eve dinner.

They liked to throw a bunch of firecrackers into a bonfire before eating to liven things up.

The sound of firecrackers from the village drifted unceasingly into the ears of those on the mountain.

Liu Yanan slapped his forehead in annoyance:

"Aw, I forgot to prepare firecrackers!"

In the past, everything for the New Year was prepared by his mother at home. Back when the family was poor, the New Year’s Eve dinner was just a little better than usual—who had the spare mind to think about firecrackers?

So Liu Yanan simply didn’t remember to bring any this time.

They had bought plenty of Spring Festival couplets and melon seeds—things he had picked up by watching others prepare in the town and county seat.

Hearing this, everyone at the table burst into laughter, looking at one another.

Lin Xiao waved his hand grandly:

"Eat, eat! Listening to the village’s noise is just as good. Everyone, enjoy the meal! Fuzi’s dishes go fast—slow hands go hungry!"

Before he even finished, he grabbed his chopsticks and started eating first.

Seeing this, the others all reached for their chopsticks and began their culinary struggle.

At the Liaoju Manor.

In the back courtyard of the government office, Tong Shuzheng was enjoying his New Year’s Eve dinner with his advisor, Xue Chengfeng.

Xue Chengfeng chewed on the dishes made by the hired Cook An, finding them a bit bland. He looked up and asked Tong Shuzheng:

"Sir, when will the lady of the house be coming over?"

Tong Shuzheng knew as soon as he asked that he was tired of Cook An’s repetitive meals.

Because Tong Shuzheng’s wife had excellent cooking skills, always making festive dishes flavorful and inventive.

Looking at Xue Chengfeng, who seemed somewhat dissatisfied with his meal, Tong Shuzheng laughed:

"Then you’ll have to wait a long time. Nannan is still young at home; your sister-in-law can’t let her go yet. Traveling across these vast distances isn’t convenient with her. Only when Nannan is a bit older in a couple of years, or if I get transferred back closer to home."

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

Hearing Tong Shuzheng’s reply, he gloomily poked at the food in his bowl:

"Why don’t you change cooks, sir? Let’s try something different?"

Seeing his sudden childish mood, Tong Shuzheng said with a smile:

"Cook An’s family is poor; the whole family relies on her salary from the yamen to survive. She was originally someone you saved, and you begged me to give her a chance. What, don’t want to help her anymore?"

Xue Chengfeng knew this too. He just felt that during the New Year, for some reason, he was a bit unsettled in his heart and wanted to complain.

Tong Shuzheng looked at him and suddenly teased:

"Speaking of which, Chengfeng, you’re not young anymore. Aren’t you planning to find a wife? If you had a wife, wouldn’t you have someone to switch things up when you wanted a change in taste?"

At this, Xue Chengfeng waved his hands repeatedly:

"Sir, don’t make fun of me. You know I…"

His words were interrupted by a servant’s report:

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

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

"You keep eating. I’ll go see what it is."

With that, he got up and quickly walked out of the room.

Seeing this, Xue Chengfeng lost all appetite for food. He also rose and followed:

"I’ll come with you!"

The two arrived at the front office of the yamen, where a man in sturdy clothing was waiting in the hall. Seeing them come out, he gave Tong Shuzheng a formal salute:

"Greetings, Sir Tong."

He then presented his identification token for verification, and after that, handed over an official document from the court.

Tong Shuzheng took it personally, and the man withdrew.

Tong Shuzheng then carried the document with Xue Chengfeng to his study in the back courtyard.

Opening the letter, the two put their heads together and quickly skimmed the contents.

After reading, both showed expressions of delight.

Tong Shuzheng set down the document, clasped his hands behind his back, and stood upright:

"So that immortal sect is called the Lingxian Sect."

After Xue Chengfeng gave it a quick glance, he went back to read it word for word. Hearing Tong Shuzheng, he nodded:

"Yes, it truly is a legitimate immortal sect. From now on, we can interact with them openly and properly."

Tong Shuzheng clapped his hands with some excitement:

"This being the New Year, don’t you think, Chengfeng, we should send them some New Year gifts?"

Hearing this, Xue Chengfeng thought for a moment and agreed:

"Your Excellency is right. Since the court’s intention now is to have us build good relations with the Lingxian Sect, sending New Year gifts is a gesture of goodwill. And given the character of that young immortal, I believe this sect must be excellent as well. They will certainly reciprocate with gifts. In this way, with an exchange of courtesies, our relationship with the Lingxian Sect can gradually develop."

Unable to sit still, Tong Shuzheng paced in the study. As he walked, he said:

"I think the court seems inclined to further the relationship with this sect. If you carefully consider the tone of the document, I feel it’s somewhat different from their previous attitude toward the Three Major Sects."

Hearing this, Xue Chengfeng bent his head to scrutinize the words again, then said with slight surprise:

"Indeed, Your Excellency has sharp eyes!"

He then mused:

"If so, it seems the court may be considering a change in the way it deals with these sects."