Chapter 274 Years

Before it gets dark, the good-hearted people set off fireworks and firecrackers in the city. The noise was so noisy that the officials in the county government were distracted from their work. Chen Heng could naturally see it. Although these people are still sitting in their seats, their thoughts may have already flown far away.

In this case, it is better to be an adult and beautiful An Le Gong. The parents' official of Huating County made a decision. As soon as they arrived in Shenshi, they announced that everyone would be released from office and go home as soon as possible to be with their families.

"Your Excellency is wise!"

A group of middle-aged men cheered, and when Chen Heng turned to leave, they couldn't wait to get up and run out of the courtroom. Therefore, it is beneficial to study more and compare with them. The military officers headed by Liu Xianglian are still patrolling the streets in the cold wind.

There is nothing we can do about this. Today, the whole city, young and old, is out in force. The north of the city is under the jurisdiction of Lou County, and Chen Heng cannot control it. In the south of the city, he would never allow a fire to occur or a child to be lost.

Since we cannot wrong the people, we can only work hard as government officials. But for Liu Xianglian, it may not be a bad thing. He was free and easy by nature, but now he is weighed down by worldly affairs. After the initial discomfort, I am now doing well.

In addition to the officers in the county government office, the security guards and men in each street also had to obey Liu Xianglian's orders. In terms of majesty, Liu Xianglian, who has been hanging out all year round, is much more famous than ordinary officials in the county government. The people in the city all know that there is a class leader in the Huating County government office, who is more beautiful than Pan An and similar to Xie Yu in appearance.

After leading Xinda and Pan Youan around the county government office, Chen Heng found a secluded corridor and admired the falling snow last night. After the civil servants left, there was rarely such a quiet moment in the county government office. As I sat there, the cold wind passed by, and I could occasionally hear the plop of snow falling from the branches.

The sound of firecrackers from far to near carries a strong flavor of the New Year. Enjoy the scenery and relax. Chen Heng suddenly turned his head and said to Xinda and Pan Youan: "Have you ever had a snowball fight?"

Second brother, why are you going back as you live longer? Xinda rolled his eyes and said solemnly: "Sir, I have to go to the City God's Temple to worship and pray for blessings during the Xu period."

Chen Heng looked down at his brand new official robe and couldn't help but muttered "disappointment". Pan You'an came from Rongguo Mansion. In his early years, he had a problem with serving others. After thinking about it, he carefully replied: "Why don't you go to the snow and play for the adults?"

"Hahaha." Chen Heng laughed and shook his head to reject Pan Youan's kindness. He waved his hands repeatedly and said: "No, no, no, no one can bully people like this. I just thought about it casually." He thought for a moment and asked Pan Youan again. He asked, "Can you swim again?"

"Sir, this little guy really doesn't know how to do this."

Chen Heng nodded and then led the way towards the county government's back house.

"When the weather gets warmer, you can find a river beach to practice."

Hearing the adult's frivolous words, Pan You'an stood there dumbfounded. How could he properly ask people to learn this?

Before he could react, Xinda, who was chasing after Chen Heng, whispered "congratulations" as he walked past him. Only then did Pan Youan realize that it was Mr. Chen who had decided where to go.

Chen Heng, who had already walked to the front, turned to one side and saw Pan Youan dancing on the corridor. He glanced at the silent Xinda strangely, and then scolded Pan You'an: "Why are you silly? Why don't you catch up."

"Yes, sir."

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Probably because he had done too many things in Huating County at the end of the year, Chen Heng and Daiyu discussed it and decided that he would attend the evening ceremony alone.

"This is our family's first year in Songjiang. If I go with my husband, I will definitely have to entertain guests." Daiyu has already thought about her words, "When the time comes, I won't answer the questions in the temple. It's up to me. It’s not good to leave. We can’t neglect the big families in the city, and we can’t delay the people from offering incense and worshiping the gods.”

She took a bright red cloak from Zijuan and put it on Chen Heng. A pair of jade hands stopped on Xianggong's chest, twisting two ribbons to tie them tightly, "There will be times when we have to deal with each other in the future, so there is no need to cause trouble to the people tonight."

"Madam, what you said makes sense." Chen Heng couldn't help but nod his head, and felt extraordinary pride in his heart. My wife, I am very measured in matters of right and wrong. Tonight can be said to be the first time that the county magistrate's wife appears, and the female relatives of various wealthy families must be indispensable in complimenting her. It's really admirable that Daiyu can still turn a blind eye to such a prominent moment in the limelight.

"Then I will come back immediately after worshiping God. Tonight, we will keep vigil together. Did Zicuckoo buy the horse tag?"

"I bought it." Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled, then smoothed her husband's clothes. Chen Heng's mind was a little distracted. He looked around the room for a while and saw a half-opened book on the table. After his wife confirmed that his clothes were correct, he walked to the table in a few steps, picked up the book and read through it. After a while, he smiled and said, "Madam, are you looking at ancient rituals?"

Mrs. Chen's wife, who was the head of the family for the first time and had to preside over New Year events, looked a little shy. He said slowly: "Although my mother sent me to cook, I can't understand anything. If there are any mistakes, it won't make people laugh if they spread the word."

The contents of the ancient books are exactly the etiquette for new years and festivals, starting from the Tang Dynasty and continuing to the Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. There were many customs in various dynasties and places, and Chen Heng also wanted to read them.

"Who dares?" Chen Heng raised his eyebrows and chuckled again, "As long as we are comfortable ourselves, we don't have to care about what others say."

"Okay, okay, just follow what my husband said."

"But this book is good. When you finish reading it, let me take it and have a look." Chen Heng turned over a few pages and put the book down while mumbling.

Perhaps it was the coming of the festival. Seeing her husband in a red robe and looking so majestic, Daiyu suddenly felt as if she were in a dream. Last year on this day, she was still at her parents' knees at home in the capital. When she turned around, she was already married.

Chen Heng's intuition has always been sharp. When he saw that his wife didn't reply, he immediately felt Daiyu's emotional changes. He stepped forward and took Daiyu into his arms, feeling the warmth at the moment. He whispered: "Father-in-law and mother-in-law must be thinking about us too."

Daiyu, who was about to complain that her clothes were messed up again, calmed down instantly after hearing the words. She couldn't help but rest her head on her husband's shoulder, "Yeah."

"Wait for me to come back." Chen Heng comforted Daiyu. Xinda and Pan Youan had been waiting at the door for a long time, so he couldn't delay.

"Okay, husband, go early and come back early. My sister and I will wait for you at home."

Hearing this, Chen Heng was eager to go home before he even went out.

There is indeed a person and a place in this world waiting for him to go back.

This feeling is really good.

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There were already a huge crowd of people in front of the City God Temple. The City God Temple of Huating is not far from the City God Temple of Lou County. People from the south and north of the city also worship in their own temples. However, Huating County is the leader of the counties in Songjiang, and the regulations of this City God Temple are much more magnificent than the later built City God Temple of Lou County.

When Chen Heng arrived, there were already a huge crowd of people here. Even the carriage of the county government could only be parked far away. He walked here under the escort of Liu Xianglian and Xinda. When he arrived at the door, Xiao Ping had already brought the gentry and temple priests from the south of the city to wait here.

Seeing that the people around were separated by the officers, Chen Heng saw it and hurriedly said to the people who greeted him: "Don't be polite, go in first."

There is still some time before the worship starts at the hour of Xu. Under the guidance of the temple priest, Chen Heng led a group of people to quickly pass through the screen wall and went to the main hall again. Seeing his master coming in, Liu Xianglian hurriedly went outside to remove the yamen runners so that the people could enter the temple corridor first and start worshipping various gods outside.

"Your Excellency doesn't know that the vase in the lower left corner of the mural has three halberds inserted in it, which means 'three levels of promotion'." The temple keeper was still introducing the murals on the screen wall, which were old antiques left over from the Tang and Song dynasties. But it's nothing special, there are many of these things in this land.

Hearing the temple keeper's compliment, Chen Heng smiled lightly. There is no need to embarrass others to highlight his own nobleness. He joked very appropriately: "So, there is a monkey standing on the big tree with a seal in the northwest corner. Does it mean 'hanging the seal to become a marquis'?"

"That's right." The temple keeper nodded repeatedly. On this good day, there was no need to be polite when talking about auspicious things.

Among the gentry who followed closely behind him, someone said, "Sir, after your instructions, I also understand the painting in the upper left corner." The man pondered for a moment and said, "A phoenix holds a scroll in its mouth, which must mean offering the heavenly book."

Ha, brother, you are a local of Songjiang. Chen Heng smiled at him, turned his head and gestured to the temple keeper, asking him to continue to take him around the main hall. The colorful paintings on the corridors are mostly familiar stories. For example, Xue Rengui's three arrows conquered Tianshan, and there are also three visits to the thatched cottage, and the tree is set as a letter.

After strolling around like this, it was almost time for the ritual to begin. The temple keeper apologized and left first, and called a proud disciple to continue to guide Chen Heng.

In a short while, the sound of chimes continued in the hall. Seeing that the time was almost right, the little Taoist hurriedly led the county magistrate and everyone to the front of the hall. The previous temple keeper had changed into a brightly colored Taoist robe and stood in front of the altar chanting.

In the hall, the statue of the god sat high on the altar. He was wearing a golden robe and holding a magic weapon. His face was solemn, which made people feel awe at first sight. The county government had arranged what should be done, and Chen Heng only had to kneel down and burn incense.

While the temple keeper was chanting, Chen Heng led the people in the hall to perform the ceremony accompanied by drums and scriptures. After three bows and three kowtows, the scriptures praying for good weather and good harvests were dipped in a few drops of holy water and then put into the fire basin to show that they were reporting to the heavens and the earth.

After the ceremony, the temple keeper had to stay and continue chanting scriptures and perform the ritual until the first day of the new year. However, Chen Heng had to change his route to the gate to watch the dragon and lion dance performances. When the southern lion came to him with a colorful ball in its mouth, he accepted it. The ceremony was also completed.

There was also an interesting story about the colorful ball among the people of Dayong. Afterwards, the young Taoist priests in the temple would hang the colored balls high with bamboo poles, and only allow children under the age of fifteen to hit them with small stones. Whoever could get the colored balls down would have a good future.

Although it might not be reliable, it could not only win the favor of pilgrims, but also attract more people to burn incense, so why not?

Chen Heng took out a few copper coins and stuffed them into the colored balls to add some joy, and then handed them to the Taoist priest beside him. He chatted with the gentry behind him for a few words, and then set off to go home in a hurry.

The people outside the temple had been delayed for too long, and it would be impolite to stay any longer.

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Back at the county government office, Daiyu had already arranged the quiet room for ancestor worship. The portraits of the great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were hung in the center of the room, and an incense burner was lit on the table, with four colors of cakes and four colors of dried fruits. Holly, cypress branches, and ingots cut from red paper were also inserted into the bowls and plates, symbolizing evergreen, wealth, and peace.

As soon as the master returned home, the family affairs began. Chen Heng was in the middle, leading Daiyu, Yinglian and others to worship their ancestors, praying for God's favor and blessing the family reunion.

After finishing the work, it was inevitable to have a meal. Four tables were reserved outside the county government office, just for Liu Xianglian who had finished patrolling the streets. Chen Heng went over to drink a glass of wine, and soon returned to the backyard to play mahjong with the two ladies, spending the last night of the fourth year of Jianping together.

Among the family, Xueyan has the worst skills but the best luck in playing cards. First, Qingwen lost everything, and then Zijuan and Yinglian. Seeing that the copper coins in front of Xueyan were getting more and more, Chen Heng, who refused to admit defeat, took another hundred coins and gave them to Qingwen and Zijuan, asking them to continue the fierce battle.

They were having a great time playing, when they suddenly heard fireworks outside, and the sound of firecrackers was mixed with the deep and long sound of bells. The colorful beams of light shone into the house through the screen window. The flashing colors reflected the different expressions of everyone. There were expectations for the coming year, thoughts for family members, and cherishment of the current peace and happiness.

Everyone smiled at each other and said the first New Year's greetings to each other. Daiyu had prepared gift money for several maids, one for each person, and no one was left out.

She sent Qingwen, Zijuan, and Xueyan away, and she took Yinglian to Chen Heng. The latter pretended to be happy and said, "Even I have a share? Madam treats me very well."

"What are you thinking, sir?" Daiyu rolled her eyes at him, and then spread her hands and smiled, "Sir, don't be secretive, everyone should have a share."

"My money is all in your hands." Chen Heng shrugged, feeling helpless.

"Sir, don't tell me that I don't have any private money..."

Seeing Daiyu's eyes rolling around, Chen Heng had to surrender. He took out two prepared red envelopes from his arms and said helplessly, "I have only saved this little money this year, and I gave it all to you two."

"Hahaha." Yinglian laughed, and took the gift rather embarrassedly, and said, "Who said you are the head of the family?"

Hearing this, Chen Heng smiled and nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right."

Seeing his proud look, Daiyu was amused and whispered something in Yinglian's ear, and the two of them laughed together again.

But no matter what, the first day of the fifth year of Jianping finally came. The three of them faced each other, and they all knew that they would have to keep walking on the road of life in the future.

On the first day of the first lunar month, the cocks crowed and they got up, dressed properly, and worshipped the heaven and earth and ancestors. Then they worshipped neighbors and relatives. What neighbors could there be next to the county government? Ordinary people did not dare to accept the worship of the old man.

Breakfast was sugar rice cake. After breakfast, the family took advantage of the county government’s holiday. They changed into casual clothes and went out shopping and playing with Chen Heng.

The road was full of people congratulating each other. The severe cold in winter could not stop everyone’s enthusiasm for the festival. The parade in the first month of the lunar year would not be held until the evening. Many children who got up early were picking up firecrackers that were not set off last night.

I have seen the first floor of Yunjian, where Lu Xun came during the Three Kingdoms. I went to the temple to burn the first incense, and then worshiped the God of Joy according to the old almanac. The schedule of the first day of the first lunar month is coming to an end.

When the parade ended in the evening, Chen Heng took Daiyu and Yinglian back home, and the two of them were already looking forward to the lanterns of the Lantern Festival in the first month of the lunar year.

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Although the county government began to work on the fifth day of the first lunar month, the New Year atmosphere did not fade away until after the Lantern Festival. In the past few days, no one came to the county government. In addition to reading, Chen Heng wrote congratulatory letters to his old friends every day, saying a happy new year.

On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, he was still looking through official documents in the study, but Pan Youan suddenly came in with a visiting card, and said in a very nervous tone: "Sir, sir. It's an invitation and letter sent from Jinling."

Jinling? Chen Heng frowned slightly, he didn't have any friends there. He took the things and looked at them. The first one was a gold-plated red card, which was obviously from a wealthy family. When he unfolded it, the content on it was actually from the Zhen Mansion, which said: On March 23 of this year, the old lady in the family will celebrate her birthday. Invite cousin and cousin-in-law to come to the house for a chat.

Are the Zhen family and the Lin family related? Chen Heng shook his head and let it go for now. He picked up two more letters and opened them. The first one was actually written by Jia Lian, and the cover was written as "from cousin-in-law".

This strange thing is fine. Although he didn't know why Jia Lian wrote to him, Chen Heng still picked up the second letter first. It would be fine if he didn't read it, but it was really a headache.

The cover was written by cousin, and the name and seal of Baoyu were written in a mess. Good guy, Chen Heng frowned when he saw it. He really couldn't understand it. Not only Daiyu was married, but even Baoyu himself had married Baochai. Why didn't Jia Baoyu give up?

Chen Heng was helpless, but after all, it was a letter from his wife, so he didn't want to open it directly. He just gave it to Pan Youan and asked him to send it to Zijuan in the back and let Zijuan pass it on.

Chen Heng opened Jia Lian's letter, which was full of family talk. He just said that he came to Jinling to congratulate, and the old lady in the mansion asked him to bring some gifts to Chen Heng and Daiyu and his wife, all of which were from the old lady's heart, and asked his cousin-in-law to come and get them, etc.

Jia Lian invited him in his heart with all kinds of cordiality, and insisted on inviting him to the Zhen family. Chen Heng wanted to laugh when he saw it. This Jia Erye was really not afraid of big things. He had arrested many wealthy families in Huating County during this period, and also dealt with many families. I don't know how many people secretly scolded Chen Heng as a county magistrate who loved to confiscate property.

With such a good reputation spreading outside, how could Jia Lian have the nerve to persuade him to come to the door as a guest?

Chen Heng shook his head and asked someone to go out and inquire. Only then did he know that the Zhen family not only sent him an invitation, but also received it from officials of all sizes in Suzhou, Yuhang, and Songjiang.

"Is the Xiao master going to go?" Chen Heng asked.

Xiao Ping shook his head, smiled bitterly, and said frankly: "It's not that I'm being self-deprecating. If a small official like me goes there, I'm afraid I won't even have a place to sit."

Chen Heng smiled and said nothing more. He had made up his mind to go and see the Zhen family's pomp and circumstance. He could also see Zhen Baoyu and Jia Baoyu on the way. Just thinking about it was very interesting.

But there were still two months left. Chen Heng shook his head and only told Xinda to write it down and remind himself later. The latter suddenly remembered and asked, "What gift should our family prepare for this visit?"

"What gift is there? Giving a copy of my calligraphy is a small gift but a big sentiment." Chen Heng said strangely. Although his family was rich, they didn't have a penny to spend on the people of the Zhen family.

Xinda had to laugh awkwardly after hearing this. He already knew about Baoyu's letter, and he knew that Chen Heng didn't show it on his face, but he must be unhappy in his heart.

He began to count the days and waited for it, but Chen Heng waited for an unexpected visitor in early February.

The updates have been irregular recently, all because of overtime. The end of the year, the end of the year, it's really a headache. When I get back to the empty space, I will use the burst to make up for it. Brothers, please bear with me.