Chapter 49: Sister, Big Brother Xiao Mo Has Already Left

"Big Brother Xiao Mo, it’s crooked, move it a bit to the left."

"That’s not right either, Big Brother Xiao Mo, move it a bit to the right."

"That doesn’t seem quite right either, move it down a bit. Actually, move it up a bit instead. Right, right, that’s it."

"Then I’ll paste it like this."

Xiao Mo stood on the ladder, using his hand to smooth out this spring couplet, trying to make it completely wrinkle-free but just as Xiao Mo climbed down the ladder, Little Green touched her chin, "How does it still look a bit crooked? It should be moved a bit more to the left."

"Ugh," Xiao Mo gave Little Green a light knock on the head, "You only say this after I’ve finished pasting it? Next one!"

"Oh..."

Xiao Mo and Little Green moved the ladder to paste on another door.

At the same time, in the kitchen, Bai Ruxue was cooking food.

Today was New Year’s Eve.

According to the customs of the Qi Kingdom, today they had to paste up new spring couplets and eat the New Year’s feast at noon.

"Pop, pop, crack."

"Pop, pop, crack."

Around noon, other households in Stone Bridge Village began setting off firecrackers one after another.

Whenever a household lit firecrackers, it meant that family was starting their New Year feast.

At this time, Bai Ruxue also brought out the dishes, placing them steadily on the table, "Xiao Mo, Little Green, the food is ready."

"Sister, wait a moment, we’re almost done pasting," Little Green responded, continuing to direct Big Brother Xiao Mo, "Big Brother Xiao Mo, a bit to the left... right, right, right!"

"Big Brother Xiao Mo, everyone else has started their New Year feast. Let’s hurry up."

"No rush, no rush," Xiao Mo smiled, "The spring couplets need to be pasted flat for peace and safety, understand?"

After finishing pasting the spring couplets, Xiao Mo placed the firecrackers from bottom to top on the pillar by the door, then lit the fuse with a fire starter.

Bai Ruxue and Little Green hurriedly covered their ears.

The firecrackers went "pop, pop, crack."

The white and green sisters watched the firecracker smoke outside the courtyard with both fear and anticipation, along with the sparks that occasionally burst from the white smoke.

"Pop, pop... pop."

With the last few sounds of the firecrackers hitting the ground, the smoke gradually dispersed.

By the stone table, Xiao Mo raised his wine cup and stood up, "Today is New Year’s Eve, out with the old, in with the new. For the new year, I wish both young ladies good health and all your wishes come true."

Bai Ruxue’s eyes curved into crescents as she raised her wine cup, looking like the lady of the house, though her words carried a hint of playfulness, "For the coming spring, I wish Master Xiao success in the imperial examinations."

"I wish Big Brother Xiao Mo success in the imperial examinations," Little Green also offered her blessing.

The wine cups clinked, and the wine in the cups gently rippled.

"Let’s eat, let’s eat. If we don’t eat soon, the food will get cold," Xiao Mo hurriedly sat down.

Bai Ruxue opened the rice container, serving rice to Xiao Mo and her sister, while Little Green continued pouring wine.

After Xiao Mo took his first bite, Bai Ruxue and Little Green picked up their chopsticks.

This wine was green rice wine sent by County Magistrate Sun.

Considering that Xiao Mo didn’t drink often and there were two ladies in the household, this wine wasn’t intoxicating and had a mild taste.

After finishing the New Year feast, Bai Ruxue and her sister cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks. Xiao Mo also wanted to help, but Ruxue pushed him out of the kitchen, saying this was women’s work.

Xiao Mo had no choice but to sit in the courtyard.

Looking at the busy white figure in the kitchen, Xiao Mo couldn’t help feeling dazed.

Without realizing it, from the day he saved her, in the blink of an eye, about eight years had passed.

That little white snake from before had truly grown into a young lady.

"Big Brother Xiao Mo, why do you keep staring at sister?"

From inside the kitchen, Little Green joked.

Little Green already knew about the agreement between sister and Big Brother Xiao Mo, knowing that come spring, when Big Brother Xiao Mo returned from the imperial examination, he would marry sister.

Xiao Mo smiled, "Your sister is beautiful."

Compared to the frank Xiao Mo, Bai Ruxue blushed and gently tugged her sister, "Let him look. We’ll continue washing dishes."

"Giggle, giggle," seeing sister’s shy appearance, Little Green laughed like the hens in the courtyard.

Little Green discovered that after sister had been down the mountain for so long, she had truly become more and more like a human woman.

Especially recently, after sister understood her feelings for Big Brother Xiao Mo, her occasionally bashful appearance was even more beautiful.

In the afternoon, Xiao Mo played ring toss with the two sisters.

Xiao Mo placed some copper coins and silver pieces on the ground, using wooden rings to toss at them. Whoever hit the target could keep what they caught.

If they missed, they had to put a piece of paper on their face.

By the end of the game, Xiao Mo’s face was covered with red paper strips, making it almost impossible to see the path ahead.

The two sisters couldn’t help laughing out loud.

In the evening, night fell across the sky.

Stars scattered across the night sky like fine sand.

Winter stars seemed brighter than summer ones.

Bai Ruxue brought hot water to wash Xiao Mo’s feet.

Xiao Mo initially wanted to refuse, but Bai Ruxue said with a red face, "After we’re married, I’ll need to do these things anyway."

Xiao Mo was stunned, and seeing her shy and gentle appearance, he didn’t refuse.

"Alright, I’m going out. Rest well," Bai Ruxue dried Xiao Mo’s feet, picked up the basin, and was about to go outside.

"Ruxue..."

Xiao Mo called her name.

"Mm?" Bai Ruxue tilted her head questioningly.

Xiao Mo organized his words, "Ruxue, I may have to depart for the capital the day after tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow?" Bai Ruxue blinked, "Why so soon?"

"Because Master Zhang from the court will leave the capital in mid-February to take up his position in Beihai Province. He wants to invite me over to meet, so I may need to go half a month early..."

By the end of his explanation, the woman’s eyes had gently lowered.

Xiao Mo could clearly see the disappointment flowing in those peach blossom eyes.

Xiao Mo stood up, "Ruxue, I’m sorry, I..."

"It’s fine," Bai Ruxue shook her head and raised her head with a smile, "I’ve also heard of Master Zhang. He’s a highly respected elderly gentleman and seems to be greatly valued by His Majesty. Your county graduate success was also his guidance, wasn’t it?"

"That’s right," Xiao Mo nodded.

"Then Xiao Mo, go ahead," Bai Ruxue set the basin aside and gently held Xiao Mo’s hand, "Although I’m just a woman who hasn’t read many books, isn’t becoming a court official your dream? It’s only half a month earlier, it’s fine."

"Ruxue..."

"Don’t say sorry anymore," Bai Ruxue smiled, "I’m really fine. Aunt Chen says that as a wife, the most important thing is to understand your husband."

Speaking, the woman’s cheeks gradually blushed up to her ears, her tone shy yet gentle, "Although we haven’t married yet, but... but I... I should start learning these things."

Xiao Mo looked at Ruxue’s bashful appearance, almost dripping with sweetness, and felt moved. He gently stroked her hair, "I’ll definitely return as soon as possible."

"Mm, I’ll wait for you."

Although Bai Ruxue also wanted to spend a few more days with Xiao Mo, she felt they had a long future ahead.

He was only leaving half a month early, it was fine...

She would wait for his return.

That night, Bai Ruxue hurriedly finished making a sachet for Xiao Mo.

And a new set of clothes that also needed final touches tonight.

Bai Ruxue wanted Xiao Mo to be able to wear it when he went to the capital.

Candlelight flickered in the room.

Whenever she felt drowsy, Bai Ruxue would continue eating chili peppers, or splash cold water on her face.

"Sister... finish this clothing tomorrow," Little Green said heartbrokenly, seeing sister fighting sleep while persisting.

For snake clan members, fighting drowsiness in winter while refusing to sleep was truly uncomfortable.

"It’s fine," Bai Ruxue shook her head, the fine needle in her hand continuing to weave through the clothing, "This outfit must be finished tonight. Tomorrow I’ll have Xiao Mo try it on, and if it doesn’t fit, there’ll still be time to alter it."

Seeing sister’s appearance, Little Green knew that sister wouldn’t listen to what she said.

Whenever it involved Big Brother Xiao Mo, sister would become especially stubborn.

"Then Little Green will help sister," Little Green got off the bed and walked to sister’s side.

"Little Green, just go to sleep," Bai Ruxue said.

"No, if sister doesn’t sleep, Little Green won’t sleep either," Little Green insisted, "Sister, is there anything I can help with?"

"Alright..." Bai Ruxue thought for a moment, "Then help sister sew these two pieces of cloth together and embroider a bamboo. Sister wants to make him an inner pocket."

"Yes, sister!"

Little Green hurriedly picked up the needle and thread from the table, carefully sewing but in less than half an hour, Little Green felt her eyes getting heavier and heavier.

An hour later, Little Green had already fallen asleep on the table, even drooling.

"I knew you couldn’t persist," Bai Ruxue’s tender lips curved slightly as she gently tapped her sister’s nose and said tenderly.

It was already deep winter now. With Little Green’s cultivation level, she would need to return to the mountain to hibernate in a few more days.

Little Green had started getting drowsy seven days ago. How could she possibly stay up all night now?

Bai Ruxue carried Little Green back to bed and tucked her in.

Under the candlelight, the woman continued stitch by stitch, carefully sewing her beloved’s blue robe.

Early the next morning, when the rooster crowed, Bai Ruxue finally raised her head and rubbed her shoulders.

The blue robe in her arms was finished.

After Xiao Mo got up, Bai Ruxue quickly had him try it on.

Seeing how well it fit Xiao Mo, the woman finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is it comfortable?" Bai Ruxue asked, "Is there anything that needs improvement?"

"It’s very comfortable," Xiao Mo looked at this blue robe, "Nothing needs improvement, it fits perfectly."

"Big Brother Xiao Mo, good thing it fits. Sister didn’t sleep all night. If it still didn’t fit, sister would probably have to alter it for another day," Little Green said from the side.

"You talk too much," Bai Ruxue patted her sister’s hand.

"Actually Ruxue, you really don’t need to make clothes yourself anymore. Our family isn’t short of money now," Xiao Mo advised.

"It’s no trouble," Bai Ruxue stepped forward and adjusted Xiao Mo’s sleeves, waist, and collar, "Clothes made by others are still made by others. I don’t feel at ease."

"..." Xiao Mo’s throat moved. He wanted to say something, but thousands of words could only become one sentence, "Ruxue, you’ve really worked hard."

Bai Ruxue’s eyes curved, "Between you and me, why speak of hardship?"

Xiao Mo looked at Bai Ruxue with increasingly gentle eyes.

Although Xiao Mo knew this was just experiencing life in the Book of a Hundred Lives, if he truly had such a wife, what more could a husband ask for?

"What time will you leave tomorrow?" Bai Ruxue asked.

"Tomorrow at chen hour, County Magistrate Sun will send a carriage to pick me up."

"The road to the capital is said to be far. Will anyone escort you there?"

"County Magistrate Sun said he’ll arrange it. Ruxue, don’t worry."

"That’s good," Bai Ruxue nodded, "Tomorrow I’ll pack your bundle. There might be a lot of things, but you’re not allowed to complain about too much. They’re all useful items."

"Alright..."

Every time Xiao Mo went on a long journey, Bai Ruxue would prepare many things for him, comprehensive in variety, though indeed quite a lot.

She even brought mosquito-repelling sachets for him.

Seeing Xiao Mo agree, Bai Ruxue smiled slightly and pulled Little Green to the kitchen to cook.

On this first day of the New Year, Bai Ruxue did housework as usual.

During meals, Bai Ruxue’s face carried a smile, deliberately not letting Xiao Mo see her reluctance but Bai Ruxue wasn’t someone who could hide her feelings.

Both Xiao Mo and Little Green could see the loss in her heart.

Early the next morning, Bai Ruxue woke up early to prepare breakfast for Xiao Mo.

Soon after, a carriage stopped outside the courtyard, with several mounted constables beside it.

These were the people who came to pick up Xiao Mo.

After breakfast, Bai Ruxue walked with Xiao Mo step by step out of the village.

Xiao Mo had to leave rather urgently this time, and not many people knew, so the village chief and others hadn’t come to see him off.

The constables were also very tactful, walking far ahead to give the two private space.

"After you reach the capital, make sure to eat well, don’t just make do."

"I know."

"The weather is getting colder, make sure to wear more clothes."

"Don’t worry, the winter clothes you made are very thick."

"Take these two jars of honey with you. Although they’re not worth much, they’re a token of affection. When you meet Master Zhang, you can’t go empty-handed."

"Don’t worry."

"Also, don’t go to brothels."

"I won’t."

"If you don’t do well on the exam, it’s fine too. Don’t be discouraged. I’ll always be waiting at home for you."

"Good."

Xiao Mo stopped walking, turned around, and looked at the woman before him, "Ruxue, let’s part here."

The woman gently bit her thin lips, "I... I’ll see you off a bit more..."

Xiao Mo shook his head, "You’ve already seen me off for five li."

"..." The woman lowered her head, her fingers tightly clenched, her curved and upturned eyelashes trembling slightly.

After a long while, the woman raised her head and looked at him, "Go early and return early."

Xiao Mo stepped back two paces, stood before the woman, straightened his clothes, and bowed solemnly.

Straightening up, Xiao Mo said nothing more. More words would only mean more reluctance.

He turned and walked forward, getting into the carriage.

"Giddy up!"

Escorted by several constables, the carriage Xiao Mo was riding gradually drove toward the fields.

Bai Ruxue instinctively stepped forward, but finally stopped herself.

The carriage moved farther and farther away until it became a black dot, disappearing from the woman’s eyes.

"Sister, Big Brother Xiao Mo has already left. Let’s go back," Little Green said to her sister.

"No rush, let me look a bit more..."

"But Big Brother Xiao Mo’s shadow is already gone..."

"It’s fine..."

The woman tightly gripped her dress hem, still gazing into the distance.

"I... I’ll look a bit more..."