The cold leaves the winter snow, and the warmth brings in the spring breeze.

On the last day of the old year, the entire Xi Mansion was busy, and Xi Yan's Begonia Courtyard was no exception. But compared to the outside, the inside of the Begonia Courtyard is much cleaner.

Early in the morning, Xi Yan got up, and saw that there were many maidservants in his courtyard who were busy sweeping back and forth.

Seeing Xi Yan come out, the subordinates put down the things in their hands one after another, and saluted Xi Yan respectfully.

"I wish Gongzi Zhilin Yiyao, and the year is auspicious; The road ahead is prosperous, and the pearls are beautiful. The voice was so neat that it was clear at first glance that it had been discussed in advance.

Xi Yan accepted their bow peacefully, and said with a smile: "You guys are good." Then he turned to Xi Yun and ordered, "Since it is the New Year, then each of them will be given one hundred taels of New Year's money." ”

The subordinates smiled when they heard this, and saluted Xi Yan again with great gratitude.

Xi Yun saw that Xi Yan was in a good mood today, so he teased him and said, "Young master, since it's the New Year, shouldn't you also send me some New Year's money?" ”

"You are old with me, what else do you need for the New Year's money?"

“……”

Seeing Xi Yun's aggrieved look, Xi Yan smiled and said, "It's better to... Take the sword in my room and use it, I see you've coveted it for a long time. ”

"Really!?" Xi Yun almost cheered, "Then I'm really welcome!" ”

Xi Yan smiled and nodded, "There is only one thing, you can hide the sword with it, don't let Qi An see it." Otherwise, he would have come to me in a stalker. ”

"I know." Xi Yun glanced at the Begonia Courtyard very happily, and said with some hesitation: "It was the New Year, but because you don't like this red color, there is nothing in our courtyard, whether it is the lanterns or the window flowers." You see... Shouldn't you get some to decorate this year, it looks like a little festive atmosphere? ”

Xi Yan looked at the Begonia Courtyard and found that it was indeed a little deserted, so he promised: "It's okay, there is only this Chinese New Year's Eve all year round, and it's nothing to arrange it well." The New Year's Festival should be a bit of an atmosphere. ”

But Xi Yan didn't expect that in just one hour, the originally plain and elegant Begonia Courtyard had completely changed its appearance.

Begonia and white plum are planted in the begonia courtyard, and the begonia does not open in winter, and the white plum melts into a scene with the heavy snow. As soon as winter begins, the Begonia Courtyard is basically the appearance of ice and jade.

At this time, a row of red lanterns hung neatly under the eaves porch, and all the doors and windows inside and outside the house were pasted with delicately cut window grilles. The maidservants did not know where to fold many red plums, which had already been planted in various vases and placed in various places in the house.

Xi Yan looked at all this helplessly, but a very warm smile was outlined on his mouth.

"Many of my vases are antiques, and they are so good that they use them to arrange flowers..."

Xi Yun smiled and said, "Who made you agree to decorate the Begonia Courtyard?" A gentleman's promise, how can there be a reason to break his word? I see... It's nice to set it up like this. ”

"Hmm..."Xi Yan nodded, looked at the Begonia Courtyard carefully, and then said a little insincerely, "Indeed... It's pretty good. ”

……

As night fell, the bell of the palace had already sounded. There are a total of one hundred and eight sounds, in order to pray for good luck and peace in the coming year. The bells echoed almost the entire inner city. In the midst of the explosion, Chongdu City ushered in a new year.

After worshipping the ancestors, the family banquet in Xifu has begun.

The courtyard is full of broken red, like clouds. In the hall, the head of the family, Xi Yuanshan, and his wife Meng sat south, and below were the younger generation led by Xi Luan, and there were two or three side rooms of Xi Yuanshan.

Xi Yuanshan, as the head of the Xi family, although he is already over half a hundred years old, he still looks energetic, and his gestures are full of grace.

Xi Yuanshan looked at his three sons with great satisfaction, and took the lead in raising his glass: "Today is Chinese New Year's Eve, and it is rare for our family to have such an opportunity to get together in a year. Xi Yan is back this year, and Xi Qing has also added the crown, which can be regarded as a good thing. I hope that in the coming year, my Xi family can also go smoothly and enjoy happiness for a long time. For the father, a toast first. ”

After saying that, Xi Yuanshan drank all the wine in the wine bottle before slowly sitting back in place.

Xi Luan, as the son of the Xi family, naturally has to take the lead in setting an example. He also raised his wine glass and said to Xi Yuanshan and Meng Shi: "Step Fu Shu Meisu, the flower roll candle red." Celebrate the new year and welcome and send off all night. My son salutes his father and mother Xinqi, and I also wish my Xi family a prosperous year. ”

As soon as Xi Luan's words fell, Xi Yan and Xi Qing also raised their glasses to greet their parents.

Mrs. Xi Meng smiled rarely, and said softly: "Sit down, it's all a family, and you can't be so formal." ”

Xi Yuanshan also nodded approvingly on the side, "Not bad, since it's Chinese New Year's Eve, then it's good for our family to be reunited." As for those false courtesies, don't worry about it. ”

……

After three rounds of wine, the dishes are not yet complete. Xi Luan said a little abruptly: "Father, mother, son... I couldn't drink enough, so I wanted to go back first. He looked at Xi Yan again and said to him gently, "You guys have fun, big brother will go first." ”

"Brother..."

When passing by Xi Yan's side, Xi Luan motioned for the little guy to stop. He gently patted Xi Yan's shoulder, and Xi Yan immediately stopped talking.

Xi Yuanshan didn't say anything, but Mrs. Meng Shi was a little gloomy, "Luan'er, you... Alas..."

Everyone watched Xiao Xiao push Xi Luan out of the flower hall in a wheelchair.

When Xi Luan's figure completely disappeared outside the door, Meng Shi said a little sadly: "He has been like this for more than ten years, why don't you miss Lingjun too much..."

Xi Yuanshan also sighed: "Lingjun's kid... It is true that the grievances of walking. Luan Er is a person of great affection again, but..."Speaking of just, Xi Yuanshan refused to say any more, leaving only a long sigh.

"Alright." Xi Yuanshan raised his glass again, "Today is Chinese New Year's Eve, don't mention those old things..."

The atmosphere at the banquet was harmonious again, but Xi Luan's departure still added a touch of atmosphere to this originally subtle atmosphere. Hindering his father Xi Yuanshan, Xi Yan and Xi Qing did not dare to be presumptuous, and they hid needles in the cotton several times, and they did not dare to show too much on the surface.

……

After the feast, the crowd dispersed. Only Xi Yan was called to the study by Xi Yuanshan, which was the first time since Xi Yan came back, the father and son talked alone.

"Father."

Xi Yuanshan was not in a hurry to pay attention to him, but slowly sat down on the chair before saying, "It's been three years, and you haven't come back once." Is it that if I don't write to you back this time, you are ready to stay in Lingjiang for the rest of your life? ”

"I..." Xi Yan didn't know how to respond for a while, so he simply kept silent.

"Why don't you speak?"

Xi Yan lowered his gaze to the ground, "Child... I don't know what to say. ”

Xi Yuanshan seemed to be a little angry, and asked rhetorically: "Then do you know why you went to Lingjiang back then?" ”

"I know..."

"Why?"

Xi Yan took a deep breath before slowly saying, "I contradicted my father." ”

"Is that all?"

How could it be just that? In addition to confronting his father, the main thing is that he doesn't want to be arranged like this in the future, and he doesn't want to be a son on the chessboard...... But it seems that there is no need to say these words again.

His father's questioning just now was the same as back then, but Xi Yan pondered for a long time, but he still stubbornly responded, "Yes." ”

Xi Yuanshan didn't seem to expect him to be so resolute, and he was speechless for a while.

After being silent for a long time, Xi Yuanshan said helplessly: "In the past three years, you have not admitted your mistake once. You call me... How can I forgive you? ”

"Father..."Xi Yan lowered his head and said thoughtfully, "As your son, I am also a descendant of the Xi family. In the hundreds of years of our Xi family, which dynasty was not ranked as the third prince? Even if we are younger, my brother has long been a marquis. The child has always taken his brother as a role model, and wants to fight on the battlefield and protect my rivers and mountains..."

"Okay..."When Xi Yan said this, he was interrupted by Xi Yuanshan raising his hand, "My father knows that you have a high heart, a purple robe and a golden crown, and a marquis to worship the prime minister." Since ancient times, what boy wouldn't want to do that? But... What the battlefield is like, it's not that the father doesn't know. Don't talk about it from afar, you only look at your brother, although he has a knighthood. But for the rest of his life, he will be confined to that wheelchair. ”

Xi Yan lowered his eyes a little gloomily, but Xi Yuanshan's voice that was neither light nor heavy but struck his heartstrings came again, "My Xi family has done too much for Da Zhao in the past hundred and ten years, and my father doesn't want you to go to such a dangerous place again." Your brother like that... One is enough. Since you stayed, let's do a good job in Chongdu. This court... But it's no easier than fighting on the battlefield. ”

"The child understands." Xi Yan bowed his head and said respectfully, "Back then, the child was ignorant and collided with his father. Also please father... Forgive. ”

Xi Yuanshan nodded, "Let's go down." ”

There was no moon on the night of Chinese New Year's Eve, but Xi Yan's heart became clear.