vstars Chapter 974 Happy New Year! The 7 Little Moons are already 7 years old!
Chapter 974 Happy New Year! The 7 Little Moons are already 7 years old!
She counted on her fingers, from arriving in Pingzhou with seeds and hope in the spring to the bumper harvest of the first batch of potatoes and the snow-covered grasslands, it was already the end of the year, and the New Year was just around the corner...
Thinking of the Chinese New Year, a tender longing welled up in my heart without warning.
Her seven beloved daughters have already turned seven years old in the blink of an eye; according to the traditional Chinese age reckoning, they are all eight-year-old young ladies.
When she left the capital, they were just little toddlers who could barely run. Now they must have grown quite a bit taller, right?
Are they still practicing calligraphy?
Have you ever been naughty and made your husband angry?
It's almost Chinese New Year, are you gathered around your teacher, chattering excitedly, hoping your mother will come home?
"Lady White Snake! What are you thinking about? Come! Drink some wine!" Wanyan Zongbi's loud voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
He held a huge horn-shaped cup filled with amber-colored mare's milk wine, and wore a sincere and hearty smile.
"Fourth Prince," Bai Lu came back to her senses, raised her small cup, and smiled, "I was thinking that while your potatoes have had a bumper harvest, our Pingzhou's rice has also had a great harvest."
This year, whether on the grasslands or in Pingzhou, everyone will have a good New Year.
"Well said! This is all thanks to you!" Wanyan Zongbi raised the ox-horn cup high and shouted to all the Jurchens around him, "Today, we are one with you!"
We only respect one person!
That's the White Snake Lady who brought us the divine seed!
"Homage to Lady White Snake!"
"Homage to Lady White Snake!"
A deafening roar erupted.
The Jurchen men raised their wine cups, their eyes burning with desire as they looked at Bailu.
In their hearts, this seemingly frail Han woman was already an envoy sent by the Eternal Heaven, a lucky star of the grasslands.
Bai Lu felt a surge of heroic spirit.
She knew that any refusal would be inappropriate at this moment. She stood up, raised her glass, and said loudly, "Very well! This glass is a toast to the grassland that nurtured heroes!"
"And a salute to all our Jurchen brothers who have worked hard for a better life!"
"I'll do it, you can do whatever you want!"
After saying that, she tilted her head back and drank the spicy mare's milk wine in the cup in one gulp.
"it is good!"
"Lady White Snake is so generous!"
The atmosphere instantly reached its climax.
Next, the banquet turned into unrestrained revelry.
The Jurchen girls, swinging their long braids, danced a lively and unrestrained dance.
The men then started dancing around the campfire.
Because of his military duties, Gu Liang only ate a little before returning to the camp with his personal guards.
Bailu was pulled along by enthusiastic Jurchen women, clumsily learning their dance steps; she was toasted by one tribal chief after another, and unable to refuse their hospitality, she swallowed cup after cup of mare's milk wine.
The wine had a strong aftereffect; Bai Lu felt warm all over, the campfire in front of her began to appear double, and the smiling faces of the people became blurred.
She knew she was drunk, completely drunk, thoroughly drunk...
This was one of the few times she had been completely relaxed since coming to this era.
In any case, Bai Qi and the others were watching from the sidelines, so with Bai Qi around, I could drink without worry.
After an unknown amount of time, Wanyan Zongbi saw that Bailu was unsteady on her feet and had a dazed look in her eyes, so he whispered a few instructions to his wife beside him.
A dignified Jurchen woman immediately summoned two maids, who carefully helped Bailu up.
"Lady White Snake is drunk. Quickly take her to the best tent to rest," Wanyan Zongbi said to those around him, his tone full of respect.
The crowd parted to make way for their benefactor, watching him being helped away.
Bai Lu was placed in a warm and luxurious tent.
The floor was covered with a thick, soft white shaggy carpet that made no sound when you stepped on it.
The brazier in the center was burning brightly, warming the entire tent to a spring-like temperature, and the air was filled with a faint, unidentified aroma of spices.
She was placed on a soft couch covered with brocade quilts, and in her hazy state, she heard a low conversation coming from outside the tent.
"Is everything ready?" It was Wanyan Zongbi's voice, which sounded somewhat mysterious.
"Reporting to the Fourth Prince, everything is ready."
"They are the five best-looking young men in our tribe, each one as spirited as an untamed wild horse!" another voice replied.
"Well, that's good." Wanyan Zongbi seemed very satisfied. "Lady Bai is a great person, and she has made a tremendous contribution to us."
"We Jurchens have nothing good to offer in return, so we can only offer her our best warriors."
"Go tell those five boys that whoever wins Lady White's favor tonight will have their entire family rewarded!"
"Tell them to be smart and serve them well!"
"Yes!"
Bai Lu's drunkenness was instantly sobered up by this conversation.
What? Offering up the best warrior?
How can you win her favor?
Serve them well?
She suddenly opened her eyes, her brain racing.
Combining the Jurchens' straightforward nature and their logic of repaying kindness... she instantly understood the other party's intentions.
They're... they're sending me the most handsome young man in their tribe as a thank-you gift?!
My goodness! Bai Lu was both amused and exasperated.
She knew the Jurchens were simple and honest, but she never imagined they could be this simple!
They probably thought that a powerful and capable woman like Bai Lu must need a man by her side to relieve her loneliness.
Since most Han Chinese men are weak and frail, they certainly wouldn't catch her eye. So, they thoughtfully presented her with their proud and masculine grassland youths!
This is truly... an excessively heavy gift.
Before she could even sit up completely, the tent flap was gently lifted, and five tall, imposing figures filed in.
In the firelight, Bailu could see who had come.
They were five Jurchen youths, ranging in age from about seventeen or eighteen to their early twenties.
They had all changed into brand-new leather robes, their hair was neatly combed, and their bronze skin gleamed with a healthy glow in the firelight.
With deep-set features, a high nose bridge, and bright eyes, he was indeed a handsome young man, one in a hundred.
They stood in a row, looking somewhat shy... their eyes fixed intently on Bailu on the soft couch.
One of the young men, who appeared to be the oldest and boldest, stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in somewhat broken Mandarin, "Your...Your Excellency, Lady White Snake,"
"us......"
"They were sent by the Fourth Prince... to serve you."
Bai Lu held her forehead, feeling a throbbing sensation in her temples.
She leaned against the soft pillows, trying to make her voice sound calm.
“You…” she cleared her throat, “I appreciate your kindness.”
But this serving is unnecessary.
The five youths were stunned and looked at each other blankly.
Are they not handsome enough?
Or was it that Lady White Snake didn't like him?
The young man in the lead panicked and quickly added, "Lady White Snake, we...we are the best hunters in the tribe!"
"Ah Ying can kill a bear by throwing it to its death, Ah Bao can run faster than a deer, and I... I can chase a pack of wolves for three days and three nights without sleep!"
"We...we are really capable!!"
He thought Bailu was questioning their quality and was eager to show off her own advantages.
"Stop!" Bai Lu raised her hand to stop her, feeling both annoyed and amused.
She took a deep breath and patiently explained, "I understand what you mean, and I am very grateful for the Fourth Prince and your kindness."
"However, our Han Chinese customs are different from yours."
I don't need to be served like this.
She paused, then changed to a way they could better understand: "In my eyes, you are warriors, the future of the grasslands."
"Your value should be shown on the battlefield, in protecting the tribe, not... here."
The five young people still didn't seem to quite understand the difference, but they could sense the rejection in Bai Lu's words.
Several young and handsome faces showed expressions of confusion and frustration.
Being rejected by a woman of high standing is a significant blow to them.
Bai Lu sighed inwardly as she looked at them.
She knew she couldn't handle it too harshly, lest she hurt the self-esteem of these young people and also damage the face of the Jurchens.
She softened her tone and a gentle smile appeared on her face: "You are all good children, and good warriors."
I got drunk today, and I'm a bit tired. I just want to rest quietly by myself.
"I will personally explain and thank the Fourth Prince for your kindness."
Now, you can all go back.
She thought for a moment and then added, "Go back and tell the Fourth Prince that what I, Bailu, want in return is not a few nights with warriors, but the loyalty of all the Jurchen warriors."
"I hope you can use your strength to work with me to protect this land where everyone can have enough to eat."
"This is the best way to repay me."
Although the five young men were still somewhat bewildered, they understood the words "protect the land" and "loyalty".
They could sense that Bailu didn't look down on them; on the contrary, she had higher expectations for them!
The leading youth stood up and solemnly performed a Jurchen-style chest-touching salute to Bailu.
The confusion in his eyes faded, replaced by a solemn respect that came with being recognized.
“We…understand,” he said in a deep voice. “We won’t let you down.”
After saying this, he and the other four respectfully withdrew from the tent.
Inside the tent, silence was finally restored.
Only the occasional crackling of the charcoal in the brazier remained.
Bai Lu let out a long sigh of relief and collapsed onto the soft couch.
She rubbed her aching temples, a helpless smile on her face.
"What a bunch of... adorable silly boys," she murmured to herself.
Outside the window, the wind and snow are still blowing.
But inside the tent, it was warm as spring.
That night, Bai Lu slept exceptionally well. In her dream, she seemed to see the smiling faces of her seven daughters.
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting golden light upon the snow-covered grassland, making everything sparkle and translucent, like a world of crystal.
White Dew awakens to the sound of birdsong.
The headache from the hangover has subsided.
The fire pit inside the tent had long since gone out, but the thick felt blankets still kept the cold out.
She stretched, and the absurd scene from last night flashed through her mind, causing a smile to involuntarily creep onto her lips.
She got up, dressed, and lifted the curtain.
The crisp air rushed in, carrying the unique fresh scent of snow.
Not far away, Wanyan Zongbi was standing with several tribal leaders. When he saw her come out, he immediately strode over with a slightly embarrassed and honest smile on his face.
"Lady White Snake, you're awake? Last night... I hope I didn't scare you?" He rubbed his hands, clearly having learned about the return incident from the five men.
Bai Lu smiled gently and said gracefully, "Fourth Prince, you are too kind."
Bai Lu appreciates your enthusiasm and sincerity.
"But I would much rather see them on horseback than those five handsome warriors... that would be the best reward for our cause."
Upon hearing this, Wanyan Zongbi's eyes flashed with admiration, and then he burst into laughter: "Lady Bai is right! I, Wanyan Zongbi, had been thinking too simply!"
"Rest assured, our Jurchen sabers will become the northernmost wall of Pingzhou from now on!"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Bai Lu returned to Pingzhou City with Gu Liang's guards.
Stepping into her familiar room, the first thing she did was wash her hands and burn incense. Then, she took out the finest Chengxintang paper and a stick of Huizhou ink from a locked, exquisite wooden box.
She picked up her pen, the tip of which was fully dipped in ink, and the ink fell onto the paper.
"To Master Gongsun of Bailudong Academy, Qingzhou:"
The letter begins with a brief address to the headmaster of the academy, inquiring about his well-being and thanking him for his guidance of his daughters.
Then she started a new page.
To my seven little moons in the family:
January, February, March, April, May, June, and July—seeing this letter is like seeing you in person.
Pingzhou is deep in winter, and the grasslands are covered with snow. I imagine that in Qingzhou at this time, plum blossoms may be just beginning to bloom.
Your mother is well here, so please don't worry.
Spring has passed and winter has come; half a year has gone by in the blink of an eye. I wonder how tall my Qibao is now?
Is your academic performance improving...?
As the year draws to a close, everything is renewed.
Although Pingzhou is not as prosperous as the capital, its northern scenery, with its thousands of miles of ice and snow, has its own unique charm.
Your mother has already sent Uncle Bai Qi on horseback to bring you all north to Pingzhou for a family reunion during the New Year.
I hope to be able to enjoy fireworks with my family in July on New Year's Eve and stay up together around the stove to welcome the new year.
The journey is long, so you must follow Uncle Bai Qi's instructions and not act willfully or recklessly.
Pack plenty of clothes, as the north is bitterly cold.
Mother, written by Bailu herself.
After a letter was written, a few drops of water fell on the paper and quickly spread.
Bai Lu realized that her eyes were already brimming with tears.
She carefully dried the letter, folded it, and placed it in two different envelopes.
"Somebody come!"
A bodyguard entered in response.
"Send this letter to Bailudong Academy in Qingzhou by express courier!" She handed the letter to her guard and then took out a token from her bosom. "Use this token to find General Bai Qi in the army."
"Tell him that after the letter arrives, he must, absolutely must, bring my seven daughters to Pingzhou unharmed!"
"If anything goes wrong on the way, I'll answer you with my head!"
"Yes, sir!" The guard took the letter and token, not daring to be negligent in the slightest, and turned to run away.