Ji Xiaotang took the incense stick and gave it to Qi Younian. Qi Younian took it easily, the courtyard was brightly lit, and Ji Xiaotang's smiling face became more and more charming in the warm light. Qi Younian only felt warm on his body, and this winter night was not so cold.

Seeing that Qi Younian was in a daze, Ji Xiaotang thought that he hadn't even played fireworks himself, so he smiled and asked him to see how he lit the fuse of a firework.

"That's it, it's simple." Ji Xiaotang told Qi Younian with a smile and asked Qi Younian to light another firework next to him.

It's true that Qi Younian hasn't pasted the couplets himself, but he has also lit fireworks. But he didn't correct Ji Xiaotang's opinion, but deliberately clumsy and let Ji Xiaotang pull his sleeve and slowly lit the fuse with incense.

"Ayou, why are you so stupid." Ji Xiaotang was amused by Qi Younian's clumsy movements.

Qi Younian didn't speak, just laughed, feeling that this was the happiest Chinese New Year's Eve he had ever had in years.

Ji Xiaotang taught Qi Younian how to light fireworks, so he had to compete with Qi Younian to see who acted fast and lit more fireworks. This year, Master Ji San is not at home, and because of the year, the Ji family is also very thrifty, so there are many fewer fireworks than in previous years, and there are a total of six fireworks in the yard.

Qi Younian happily agreed to Ji Xiaotang's challenge, but deliberately always slowed Ji Xiaotang by one step. Although Ji Xiaotang could see that he did it on purpose, Qi Younian's clumsy appearance and somewhat stupid eyes still made her laugh.

"Xiaotang, don't rob it, leave one for your sister." Mrs. Ji Er watched Ji Xiaotang and Qi Younian set off fireworks at the door. At this time, he laughed and said loudly.

Only then did Ji Xiaotang remember Ji Xiaoyun.

Ji Xiaoyun stood under the porch wrapped in a big wool cloak, holding the handstove in both hands and hiding it in her sleeve. A face that was already the size of a slap was mostly wrapped in a cape and hat. She has been frail since she was a child, and she is usually afraid of cold. It's rare to be able to keep the New Year with the big guys today, and also come out to watch the fireworks.

Ji Xiaotang beckoned Ji Xiaoyun to come over. There were still two fireworks in the yard that were not set off, and Ji Xiaotang ran to hug Changsheng again.

Changsheng had already slept in the back room of Mrs. Ji with the nurse, and woke up just now when he heard the New Year's bell. It was so lively outside that he refused to sleep again. Because it was Chinese New Year's Eve, Mrs. Ji agreed and brought him out to see the excitement.

Changsheng was looking at it with joy, and he was already a little eager to try. Seeing Ji Xiaotang come to hug him and say that he would let him set off fireworks, his eyes widened even more happily, and he shouted "fireworks" and "fireworks" in a milky voice.

Ji Xiaotang was wearing a thick one, and Changsheng was wrapped like a cotton ball, Ji Xiaotang reached out to hug Changsheng, only then did he realize that it was a little difficult. Changsheng was in a hurry and threw himself into Ji Xiaotang's arms, but Ji Xiaotang couldn't hold Changsheng tightly.

This way. It's really a little ridiculous, Ji Xiaotang laughed first. When she smiled, she couldn't hold her immortality even more.

When everyone saw their sister and brother like this, they couldn't help but laugh.

Only Changsheng doesn't laugh. Rush to shout.

Qi Younian walked over at this time, stretched out his hand and easily hugged Changsheng into his arms. Qi Younian is not so thick, and his arms are much longer than Ji Xiaotang.

Changsheng is very willing to be held by Qi Younian. While pointing to the fireworks next to him, he urged Qi Younian.

Ji Xiaotang gave the incense stick in his hand to Ji Xiaoyun. asked the clever little girl to accompany Ji Xiaoyun to set off fireworks, and she herself took the incense stick in Qi Younian's hand. Let Changsheng hold it, she took Changsheng's hand and lit the last fireworks.

Colorful fireworks bloomed in the air, and Qi Younian and Ji Xiaotang both looked up slightly. The two men stood very close, and each heard the other's heartbeat. Without speaking, their mood was as bright as the night sky where fireworks bloomed.

The fireworks are in the sky here, and there are also small servants at the gate of Jifu who lit firecrackers at the same time.

Second Mrs. Ji was afraid that this sound would scare Changsheng, so she hurriedly carried Changsheng back into her arms. To the surprise of Mrs. Ji, Changsheng was not only not afraid at all, but was very curious, and looked in the direction of the gate with great interest.

"This kid is bold." Mrs. Ji said.

After Ji Xiaotang finished setting off the fireworks, he asked for firecrackers again. Qi Younian naturally followed, while quietly protecting Ji Xiaotang, afraid that she would be accidentally injured by firecrackers.

Ji Xiaoyun let off a firework, and her eyes lit up with joy, but she didn't dare to light firecrackers no matter what. Changsheng was not afraid to look at it, but Mrs. Ji Er hugged him and didn't let go.

"You're still too young, wait until you grow up." Mrs. Ji Er coaxed Changsheng.

Mrs. Ji coaxed Changsheng, and then greeted Ji Xiaotang again.

"After playing outside for half a day, I'm going crazy, and I'm not afraid of people's jokes. Leave the rest to the girls, come in and get warm. ”

"Whoever laughs at me here, who is it, come out and show me." Ji Xiaotang said with a smile, but obediently handed over the incense stick to the little girl, and went to the house with Qi Younian.

Chinese New Year's Eve is over, it is the New Year.

Everyone in the Ji family first sacrificed to their ancestors, and then the second master Ji led the New Year's greetings to Mrs. Ji.

Mrs. Ji dressed up newly, sat on the kang and received the gift of the big guy, Ji Xiaotang, Ji Xiaoyun and Changsheng all got a purse, and inside the purse were four small gold bills with pen ingots.

Subsequently, Ji Xiaotang, Ji Xiaoyun and Changsheng kowtowed to Ji Er and Ji Er to pay New Year's greetings, and still got a purse.

Qi Younian spent the New Year at Ji's house, and he also came to pay New Year's greetings early in the morning.

Mrs. Ji also gave Qi Younian a purse, like Ji Xiaotang's sisters, it was four small gold bills. When they arrived at the second master and the second wife of Ji, the two of them refused to hold it up, and gave Qi Younian pen and ink and robes as gifts.

Everyone worshipped together, and Qi Younian said that he would return to Ren'an today.

Staying in Qingyuan for the New Year is already his selfish intention, but now he wants to go back to Ren'an City immediately, whether it is Ren Anwei, or the thief who robbed grain and grass in Eagle Jumping Gorge, there are too many things that he urgently needs to deal with.

No one knows Qi Younian's responsibilities better than Ji Xiaotang, so he doesn't keep it, but only asks when Qi Younian will leave.

"There is still something going on in the county office. I have arranged for someone to dispose of it, and I am scheduled to leave at noon. Qi Younian told Ji Xiaotang.

That is, there is still an hour. At this time, Qi Younian should have stayed in the county office, but he deliberately arranged to stay in the Ji family. It also shows that he is reluctant to leave.

The guests who came to Ji's house to pay New Year's greetings have already arrived one after another, and the second master Ji has already gone to the front study. Ji Xiaotang thought about it, and took Qi Younian to the library pavilion.

“…… There are a few books that you should enjoy. Along the way, Ji Xiaotang said to Qi Younian.

Soon, the two arrived at the library pavilion.

The library pavilion is cleaned up every day by the henchmen of the second master Ji, although it is early in the morning, the charcoal basin has long been gathered in the house, although it is not as warm as the old lady Ji's house. As soon as you enter the house, there is a warm fragrance.

This incense is not incense, but the fragrance of books, and the faint woody fragrance of the tables, chairs, and books in the house.

Ji Xiaotang likes the library very much, she feels that as long as she steps here, her heart can be at peace.

"This is the atmosphere that can only be accumulated by generations of scholars." Qi You said in a young voice.

Ji Xiaotang nodded lightly, she also agreed with Qi Younian's words. The Ji family has been a book lover for generations.

"Daddy was still sighing that day, saying that there were too few books this year." Ji Xiaotang first led Qi Younian to see the new collection of books of Master Ji Er. Because of natural disasters, there were a lot fewer books printed last year, which can make Master Ji Er's eyes. Even fewer are in the library.

Then, Ji Xiaotang led Qi Younian up to the second floor and stopped in front of the bookshelf against the wall. Ji Xiaotang asked Qi Younian to go to the side and get a wooden ladder to come over.

"Right here." Ji Xiaotang pointed to the top shelf.

The books stored on the second floor of this library are all old. And Master Ji Er usually doesn't look at it. The upper floor of the bookshelf is quite high, not to mention Ji Xiaotang, it is Qi Younian's size. Don't even think you can reach out and get it, you have to use a ladder.

A ladder in the library cabinet. Different from the ladders commonly used outside, they are all specially made by the Ji family. Not only can it climb high, but it is also enough for one person to sit on it steadily.

Sometimes after Ji Xiaotang took the book with a ladder, he didn't come down, he simply sat on the ladder and finished reading the book, and then put it back in its place.

Qi Younian followed Ji Xiaotang's instructions and climbed up the ladder.

"Ayou, Prince Jing'an came to the Library Pavilion that day......" Ji Xiaotang suddenly said.

Qi Younian stopped on the ladder and looked down at Ji Xiaotang.

Ji Xiaotang raised his head slightly, facing Qi Younian's gaze.

"He mentioned 'Seeking War' to me, and he seems to have seen it somewhere." Ji Xiaotang looked at Qi Younian's eyes and said.

A trace of consternation flashed in Qi Younian's eyes, and then there was a look of understanding. He didn't speak immediately, but steadily got down from the ladder and stood beside Ji Xiaotang.

"Xiaotang, did he say that he saw it from me?" Qi Younian asked Ji Xiaotang.

Ji Xiaotang shook his head slightly.

"How could he say that!"

"Yes." Qi Younian understood even more, "Of course he won't understand what he said, but as long as he hears what he said, he will think so, right?" ”

Especially in Ji Xiaotang's ears, this is even more so. The ancient book of "Seeking War", the only one volume in the world, knows that it is in the Ji family, and people who have seen it with their own eyes can count it on one hand.

Qin Zhen could only have seen this book from Qi Younian, and even, it should be Qin Zhen that Qi Younian told him.

Ji Xiaotang gave this book to Qi Younian at the beginning, although she did not explicitly ask him to keep it secret, but she and Qi Younian both knew the meaning of this book. Coupled with the family history of the Ji family that was gradually revealed, as well as the secret order on Qin Zhen's body, Qi Younian's purpose and intention of revealing this book to Qin Zhen can be considered very much.

From Ji Xiaotang's standpoint, this is equivalent to betrayal and cannot be forgiven.

And continue to think about it deeply, compared with Qi Younian and Qin Zhen, there is no need to hesitate at all, in Ji Xiaotang's mind, there will be obvious results.

"Xiaotang, it's been so long, why didn't you come to ask me at that time?" Qi Younian asked again.

"Ayou, what do you say, why am I?" Ji Xiaotang did not answer the rhetorical question.

Qi Younian's question actually didn't need an answer, because the answer had already been placed in front of him.

Qin Zhen would never have said more than this to Ji Xiaotang at that time, but Ji Xiaotang did not ask Qi Younian for verification, but Qi Younian was not estranged. In fact, not only is there no estrangement, but there is more intimacy and trust.

Even Master Ji's attitude towards Qi Younian has changed a lot.

Ji Xiaotang has never hesitated between him and Prince Jing'an. No matter how clever Prince Jing'an's skills are and how noble his status is, Ji Xiaotang always believes in him.

Because of trust, there is no need to ask him for verification at all.

"The ancient scroll of "Seeking War" is rare, I don't dare to destroy the heavens, and when I returned to Beijing, I hid it in my small study. At that time...... "Speaking of this, Qi Younian paused, and then continued, "Someone came in and saw it." I didn't give her the scroll, but while I was fighting, she probably saw the words on the cover. ”

Qi Younian got the ancient scroll from Ji Xiaotang, not that he didn't want to share it with his father and brothers, after all, this book is precious and rare, and it is extremely beneficial to the men of the Qi family.

However, because it was given by Ji Xiaotang, this book came with some other things, which Qi Younian didn't want to share with anyone. Therefore, Qi Younian finally decided to hide the book and not tell anyone, not even his dearest parents.

One day in the future, he may take out this book, but that must first ask Ji Xiaotang's consent. Moreover, Qi Younian's private plan, at that time, Ji Xiaotang should have become a member of his Qi family.

It's just that this plan in his heart can't be explained to Ji Xiaotang now.

"Ayou, I believe everything you say. However, you are a little marquis, and you have always done things safely. If you want to keep books, you will naturally take them away. Who can trespass into your house and dare to compete with you, and even rob you and read the title of the book? ”

Qi Younian's words, there are no flaws in the first half, but the second half is full of flaws. If he is lying, he can only say that his lies are too insincere.

Ji Xiaotang asked Qi Younian, but he didn't condemn it, but instead had a playful expression.

Under Ji Xiaotang's gaze, Qi Younian's face turned slightly red, obviously showing an embarrassed look.

Ji Xiaotang blinked his eyes and stared at Qi Younian.

"Yes, it's Changning." In the end, Qi Younian had no choice but to say.

"Changning." This is the first time Ji Xiaotang has heard this name from Qi Younian's mouth, "Changning, but Prince Jing'an mentioned it, and Changning, who was your childhood sweetheart, and specially asked him to give you a letter?" ”

Qi Younian's face has recovered now, but his forehead is slightly sweaty.

It turned out that Ji Xiaotang had stopped listening to everything in her ears, and she still remembered it so clearly, she just didn't ask him.

Does this mean this, Ji Xiaotang actually cares a lot? ! (To be continued......)