An outstanding emperor suddenly got water in his head and burned his most loyal minister to death, so the Cold Food Festival was born. The Cold Food Festival is not the Qingming Festival, but one or two days before the Qingming Festival. In later generations, the two festivals have long been mixed together, but

The distinction is still very clear at this point.

As the name of the Cold Food Festival suggests, you cannot light a fire to cook and must eat cold food. In the late Tang Dynasty, this unkind rule has begun to fade away, but most people still follow the traditions left by their ancestors, banning fires, worshiping ancestors, planting willows, and going outing

, even in troubled times.

Since the restaurant couldn't light a fire, it naturally didn't have to do business. Xiaocan and Aunt Liu got up early and went to the willow forest by the river. Aunt Liu used a thin hemp rope to wrap the sickle around the bamboo pole, and then tied a knot tightly.

She tied them up and stretched them to the willow tree. As she moved, soft and slender willow branches fell down one after another. The little silkworms picked up the willow branches on the ground and gathered them together.

"Aunt Liu, these are enough."

"It's not enough. I'll hook up more. I'm going to weave some wicker trays for use in the store. The willow branches in this season are soft and tough." Aunt Liu moved quickly, and soon she hooked up a big bundle, using burlap.

Tie up with rope.

The two of them were about to leave when they saw Jiubao coming towards them, "Xiaocan, Aunt Liu, you got up early enough and hooked so many willow branches, it saves me trouble."

As Jiubao spoke, he stretched out his hand to pull out the willow branch. As soon as he grabbed the willow branch, Aunt Liu slapped it away, "How can you, a young man with both hands and feet, beg for a willow branch from two of us girls?"

"Okay, okay, I'll pick it myself. I don't want yours! If you can't carry it, I'll carry it home for you."

Aunt Liu snorted and said: "That's true, but Liu Zhizi doesn't need your help at this point. By the way, where do you have any news about Xu Dalang?"

Jiubao shook his head and said with a smile: "If there is any news about him, it will be a big trouble."

"That's true, alas... I don't know where he is suffering right now." Aunt Liu said, carrying the willow branches on her shoulders, "Little silkworm, let's go home, and someday we can go to the Daxiangguo Temple to offer incense to the Buddha.

, let him keep Dalang safe and sound."

Jiubao suddenly said: "Xiaocan, can you stay? I have something to tell you."

"Oh!" Xiaocan responded and just stopped, Aunt Liu grabbed her and scolded Jiubao: "What do you want to do? Don't think that I don't know about the colorful intestines in your belly. Xu Dalang is not at home.

You are not allowed to have bad ideas about Xiaocan."

Jiubao smiled bitterly and said: "Aunt Liu, how can I have any bad ideas about Xiaocan? I am sincere to her. I have already discussed it with my father. Since he is not at home, we should take the responsibility of taking care of Xiaocan. Later

Propose marriage on the day of marriage."

Xiaocan's face turned red when she heard this, she picked up her skirt and left quickly.

"What you two said is so nice. You want to take Xiaocan as your wife while Xu Dalang is not at home. How shameless!"

"Oh, Aunt Liu, who do you think I am? During the Eastern Expedition to suppress the rebellion, Dutou personally said that he would give me the silkworm. All the brothers in Red Scarf Dudu know this."

"I know that the emperor asked you to steal the city. Xu Dalang said this after narrowly escaping death. He lived well and did countless things." Aunt Liu pointed at Xiaocan's back, "Have you seen it? When you mention Xiaocan,

If you run away, she doesn't like you in her heart. As long as I'm here, you two can't even think about making evil plans for Xiaocan!"

Aunt Liu snorted, then carried the willow branch back home, and she and Xiao Can stuck the willow branch on the door. I wonder if it was inspired by Jiubao. Aunt Liu couldn't stop praising Xiao Can for his obedient big pillar.

Filial piety, by the way, Jiubao was so naughty and annoying when he was a child.

Xiaocan didn't seem to understand the meaning of Aunt Liu's words. She just kept praising Aunt Liu for her good education. Then she picked a handful of willow branches and said that she should put some in the restaurant, and then hurriedly left Liuhe Bay.

.

After coming out of Liuhe Bay, Xiaocan breathed out a heavy breath, as if he had been relieved of a thousand kilograms of burden. A hint of sadness immediately appeared on his beautiful eyebrows, and he slowly moved towards Changle Tower.

"Xiaocan, what's wrong with you?"

An unfamiliar voice sounded next to her. Xiaocan turned around and saw a young man wearing a green shirt carrying a trunk. When Xiaocan saw the other person's appearance, he was surprised and said: "It's Hong Bao'er. When did you become so tall?"

The voice has also changed, I didn't even recognize it was you just now."

This young man is not Hong Baoer, but he is much taller than before, two fingers taller than Xiaocan, and his voice has become thicker. If you didn't look at his face, you would have thought he was an adult.

"I am an adult, so naturally my voice will change as I grow taller. Are you going to plant willows in Changle Tower?"

Xiaocan nodded and said, "Yes, are you going to a private school?"

"No, there are no classes today. I'm going to go for an outing with my classmates." Hong Baoer's eyes swept over Xiaocan's face, "Looking at your listlessness, are you sick?"

Xiaocan shook his head and said, "I'm not sick, I'm just a little upset."

"Are you worried about Brother Zhixian? Don't worry. After a year and a half, when the news has passed, Brother Zhixian will be back." Hong Baoer suddenly lowered his voice and said: "Besides, no one can do anything in this troubled world.

I can’t guarantee how long this court can last, maybe the court will fall before this year, but Brother Zhixian has become a hero, and the new king will definitely make great use of him.”

Xiao Can waved her hands repeatedly, "Hong Bao'er, don't dare talk nonsense, you will be sued if people hear it."

Hong Baoer said helplessly: "I wanted to make you laugh, but I actually scared you."

"So you're making me laugh? Haha, I've already laughed. You should go out for an outing in the city as soon as possible. Don't keep your classmates waiting."

"Yes!" Hong Bao'er nodded, "My second sister hasn't gotten up yet, so you can go and play with her when you come back."

Hong Baoer was about to leave and then came back. He took off the basket on his back and took out a paper bag. "I made sausages made by my mother and roasted them over the fire to give them a different flavor. I wanted to give them to my classmates to try.

I’ll give it to you to satisfy your cravings.”

Before Xiao Can could refuse, Hong Bao'er had already stuffed the paper bag into her hand, and ran away in a hurry while carrying the box. Xiao Can looked at the oily paper bag in her hand and said, "Hong Bao'er is really tall."

Big."

The Cold Food Festival is not only a festival for the people, but also a festival for the heavenly family. After all, it was originally established by the emperor to express gratitude to his loyal ministers, and Guo Wei also had to celebrate it.

Today is a legal holiday for the imperial court. It is rare that he does not have to go to court in the morning. Guo Wei slept until dawn before getting up. He personally broke a few willow branches from the willow tree beside Taiye Pond and walked along the trestle to the small attic that was just completed some time ago.

.

Brother Yang came out of the attic on his short legs, pouting his mouth and saying dissatisfiedly: "Grandpa, why don't you come over for dinner? My grandson is already hungry."

"Haha... When grandpa inserts the willow branch, we will eat it immediately." Guo Wei stood on tiptoes and tried to insert the willow branch into the gap in the door frame. However, he was not tall enough, so he picked up Brother Yang and sat on his neck.

"Do Grandpa a favor and put the willow branch in!"

Brother Yang immediately became interested, but unfortunately his hand strength was too weak. It took the grandfather and grandson a cup of tea to insert the willow branch, but it was still crooked.

Guo Wei didn't mind either. He praised Brother Yang's ability and carried him into the attic before putting him down. Breakfast was already laid out on the table in the attic. Guo Wei was already frugal and couldn't light a fire, so there was nothing good to eat.

.In addition to glutinous rice, green rice, and a pot of bamboo shoots, there are only a few colored snacks and a pot of water.

Uncle Abao ate when he was hungry. He never waited for anyone. He sat on the stool and peeled the bamboo shoots with his paws. After peeling, he put it into his mouth and chewed it.

An old lady in palace attire looked at A Bao with a smile. Seeing Guo Wei come in, she pointed at A Bao and said with a smile: "Your Majesty's stupid pig is really spiritual, just like a human being. No wonder Your Majesty loves it!"

This woman was Guo Wei's only concubine, Concubine Dong De. Although she was not a queen, she had the highest position in the palace and was considered the master of the harem.

Guo Wei laughed and said: "The stupid pig is a bit spiritual when eating, but also very naive when he is around. The old owner has not visited him for several months, and he has not seen him thinking about it."

Seeing Brother Yang trying to get closer to Ah Bao, Guo Wei stopped him and said, "How many times have I told you that silly pig is very ferocious, so stay away from it."

Concubine Dong De also said: "No, it can chew bamboo as thick as its arms. It seems to be more powerful than tigers and wolves. Brother Yang, listen to your majesty, stay away from the stupid pig and come and sit here with me!"

Concubine Dong De brought Brother Yang over, took a jujube cake and put it in his mouth, but Brother Yang shook his head and said, "My dear, I haven't drunk the sweet wine yet!"

Concubine De covered her mouth and laughed, "I almost forgot that our Brother Yang never drinks and has fun. Fortunately, I have already made preparations for it."

Guo Wei also laughed, "He is like this at a young age. When he grows up, he will be a hero who can drink a thousand cups."

The three people and one animal were enjoying themselves in a peaceful scene, but something happened to ruin the scenery. Li Tingfang suddenly came in and said to Guo Wei: "Your Majesty, Mr. Wang is asking for an audience in the back cabinet!"
Chapter completed!