Chapter 588 Half a Day of Floating Life
The third day after Qin Ku and Duan Tianhong left was the eighth day of November, which happened to be the winter solstice.

In the early morning, auspicious snow fell from the sky, and goose feathers flew everywhere, covering the quiet and peaceful city of Luoyang with a layer of silver.

In the Xianwang Mansion, most of the disciples had just gotten up. They yawned, stretched, and walked out of the room. When they saw the white outside, they felt refreshed and in a good mood.

Suddenly, a red figure ran out from the inner courtyard, like a lively and happy fox, shuttling between the blue sky and white snow, the green bricks and tiles. Wherever it passed, it attracted envious eyes.

She has bright eyes, white teeth, skin whiter than snow, and is wearing a red dress, looking delicate and graceful.

Luo Ningyu seemed to be in a very good mood today. She skipped and danced through the house and yard, taking the initiative to greet the disciples, and bursts of silvery laughter could be heard from time to time.

In the east courtyard, Xu Heng was leading people to clean up the snow. When he saw Luo Ningyu, he hurried forward to greet her and asked, "Master Luo, why are you here so early today?"

"Where's Xunyi?" Luo Ningyu tiptoed, looking around curiously, as if looking for Liu Xunyi in the crowd. At this time of day, he would practice in the courtyard.

"Today is the winter solstice. Su Zhishan and Lin Menzhu sent several jars of fine wine. At this moment, Hei Zhishan and Ling Qing are chatting with them in the East Hall."

"understood."

After agreeing, Luo Ningyu ignored Xu Heng who was hesitant to speak and ran towards the East Hall with great interest.

In the East Hall, Liu Xunyi, Su Tang and Lin Fangda were talking and laughing, and they were having a great time.

Ling Qing opened a jar of fine wine, filled a bowl and handed it to Liu Xunyi.

After taking a sip, Liu Xunyi was immediately filled with surprise and exclaimed, "What a refreshing wine! Where did you buy it from?"

"Liu Zhishan, you don't know that no matter how much money you spend, you can never buy this wine from outside." Su Tang smiled mysteriously, "Wine is given to the destined person. I think Liu Zhishan is also a wine lover, so I reluctantly gave it to you and gave you a few jars to try."

"In fact, the wine is brewed by us at Shangsanmen." Lin Fangda explained, "We brew a new batch every winter solstice, and also take out a batch to satisfy your cravings. Xunyi, the jars of wine you are drinking now are at least ten years old."

"Hiss!" Liu Xunyi was greatly surprised, and hurriedly bowed to Su Tang and Lin Fang and said, "Such a generous gift, I am afraid I can't afford it."

"Sharing happiness is worse than enjoying it alone. Good wine should be drunk together. We just went through a storm, but luckily it was safe, so it's worth celebrating." Su Tang said jokingly, "But there are only a few jars. Whether you have enough to drink or not, don't even think about asking us for more."

"Of course, disciples of the lower three sects can buy it with money." Lin Fang laughed, "One tael of silver for one tael of wine."

"One or two glasses of wine?" Ling Qing pouted, "I'm afraid it's not even enough to moisten my throat."

"Ha ha……"

After saying that, the four of them smiled at each other. The atmosphere in the East Hall became more relaxed and comfortable, just like the heavy snow outside.

"Xunyi, I heard someone sent you some fine wine? I'd like to try it!"

A pleasant laugh suddenly sounded from outside the hall. Then, Luo Ningyu, with a beaming face, ran into the hall and headed straight for Liu Xunyi.

Upon seeing Luo Ningyu, Su Tang, Lin Fangda and Ling Qing hurriedly stood up and saluted, but Luo Ningyu seemed to have only Liu Xunyi in her eyes. She ignored the greetings from others, picked up the wine bowl that Liu Xunyi had just drunk from, and took a gulp without any hesitation.

The wine entered Luo Ningyu's throat, spicy and stimulating, catching her off guard and causing her to cough violently, wishing she could cough out all her tears.

Seeing this, Liu Xunyi hurriedly patted her back with his hand. Luo Ningyu took the opportunity to grab Liu Xunyi's arm, coughing non-stop, and almost leaned her delicate body in Liu Xunyi's arms.

Luo Ningyu's movements were friendly and natural, without any hesitation or defense, as if she had completely abandoned her female reserve and shyness in front of Liu Xunyi. Just like... a couple who knew each other well.

Lin Fangda saw this scene and felt an indescribable pain in his heart again.

At this moment, he wished that the man who was fully trusted by Luo Ningyu was not Liu Xunyi, but himself.

"This wine... doesn't taste good at all." Luo Ningyu complained.

"You drank too much." Liu Xunyi said with a smile, "You should savor it slowly to appreciate its sweetness and fragrance."

"is it?"

"If you like..." Lin Fangda mustered up his courage and said intermittently, "I can move a few jars to your place."

Hearing this, Luo Ningyu moved her eyes away from Liu Xunyi and said nonchalantly: "Thank you. But I'm not interested in wine, it would be a waste to give it to me."

What Luo Ningyu said was true. She was indeed not interested in wine. What really interested her was the people who drank.

If she hadn't been playing with Liu Xunyi, she wouldn't even have looked at the wine, let alone guzzled it.
Seeing Lin Fangda's embarrassment and dilemma, Liu Xunyi coughed twice, took a step back unnoticeably, and asked Luo Ningyu: "What are you doing..."

"That's right!" Luo Ningyu suddenly realized and said hurriedly, "Today is the winter solstice. Mother made a special trip to invite you to celebrate the festival with us at noon."

"Madam invited me?" Liu Xunyi was stunned and said in disbelief, "No way?"

"What are you talking about?" Luo Ningyu looked unhappy, "Mother meant well, you should not be ungrateful."

"How dare I?" Liu Xunyi's mind was full of thoughts, but he pretended to be calm on the surface, "Thank the Madam for her hospitality for me. I will definitely go there at noon."

"Noon?" Luo Ningyu widened her eyes.

"This……"

"Of course, go now!"

After saying that, Luo Ningyu gave Su Tang and Lin Fangda an apologetic smile, then pulled Liu Xunyi and walked out.

"Su Zhishan, big brother, I..."

"Since the madam has invited you, Liu Zhishan naturally cannot delay." Su Tang said considerately, "Don't worry, I will keep these jars of wine for you." Su Tang and Ling Qing laughed endlessly, but Lin Fangda stared at the backs of Luo Ningyu and Liu Xunyi who were arguing endlessly, feeling unspeakable bitterness in his heart.

"Ning Yu, I'll go with you, just let me go first!"

"No!" Luo Ningyu said stubbornly, "What if you run away?"

"How can I possibly run away?" Liu Xunyi said helplessly, "Besides, where can I run to? Let go quickly. How can you and I be pulling each other in public?"

"So what?" Luo Ningyu didn't care. "We will soon be a legitimate couple. Let alone tugging and tugging, even if you kiss me, what can I do?"

"Ningyu, you..."

"Who dares to look? Who dares to laugh?" Luo Ningyu looked around fiercely and threatened, "If you dare to look, I'll dig out your eyes. If you dare to laugh, I'll cut off your tongue."

Just these words made the curious disciples around them change their expressions. They hurriedly retracted their gazes, pretending nothing happened, and "wandered" around Liu Xunyi and Luo Ningyu like zombies.

Liu Xunyi was both angry and amused by this, and didn't know what to do for a moment.

After a while, the two came to the back hall.

At this moment, the servants had already prepared the water, noodles, stuffing and other ingredients. Ling Xiaoxiao sat quietly at the table, wrapping the "jiaozi" meticulously.

I don't know why? When Liu Xunyi looked at Ling Xiaoxiao's appearance today, she always felt that she was not as energetic as before, but rather a little haggard, as if she relied entirely on makeup to deceive the eyes of outsiders.

"You are here."

Hearing Luo Ningyu's voice, Ling Xiaoxiao said without turning her head, "Sit down for a while. I'll ask them to prepare the copper furnace later so we can start cooking."

After saying that, Ling Xiaoxiao glanced at the reserved Liu Xunyi and said softly, "Xunyi, are you hungry?"

Liu Xunyi had never been treated so gently by Ling Xiaoxiao. Seeing her attitude change drastically, she was shocked and said hurriedly: "I just drank rice porridge, and now I'm not hungry at all..."

"Cough cough!"

Luo Ningyu coughed twice to remind Liu Xunyi not to talk nonsense.

Liu Xunyi was stunned, seemingly unaware of his slip of the tongue, but he did not dare to speak rashly, so he muttered to himself: "I did drink rice porridge, that's right..."

"Mom, we're here to help you!"

Luo Ningyu rolled her eyes at Liu Xunyi, then sat down next to Ling Xiaoxiao like a spoiled child, wanting to help her with the work.

"You guys go down first!" Ling Xiaoxiao ordered the servants, "We don't need your help here."

"Yes." They responded in unison, and three or five maids respectfully left the back hall.

Liu Xunyi glanced at them lightly, and suddenly his eyes changed. He thought to himself, "Why do these maids look so unfamiliar? It seems... they are not the Madam's former maids."

"Xunyi, you come and help too." Seeing Liu Xunyi sitting there like a wooden stick, Luo Ningyu couldn't help but feel angry and reminded him in a bad tone, "Looking at how clumsy you are, you can only knead the dough."

"Oh."

Liu Xunyi was absent-minded and subconsciously agreed, pouring a bowl of water from the table into the basin. In an instant, the flour turned into a thin paste.

"Oh!" Luo Ningyu was angry and annoyed, complaining, "Liu Xunyi, did you do this on purpose..."

"Yu'er!" Ling Xiaoxiao interrupted, "Xunyi is a man, how could he have done this kind of work? Don't blame him, just go to the kitchen and get some flour."

"I understand, mother." Ling Xiaoxiao spoke, and Luo Ningyu naturally did not dare to contradict her.

In fact, Luo Ningyu was not really angry. She was worried that Ling Xiaoxiao would get angry and become dissatisfied with Liu Xunyi, so she took the initiative. It seemed that she was blaming Liu Xunyi, but in fact she was helping Liu Xunyi out of the predicament.

"Go quickly! Mix the dough first and bring it here to save trouble."

At Ling Xiaoxiao's urging, Luo Ningyu winked at Liu Xunyi, then left the back hall mumbling.

In the blink of an eye, only Ling Xiaoxiao and Liu Xunyi were left in the back hall.

Ling Xiaoxiao wrapped the coins skillfully and slowly. Liu Xunyi sat aside with embarrassment, staring blankly at Ling Xiaoxiao's skillful hands, placing the beautiful coins neatly on the table.

For a long while, neither of them spoke. In the quiet back hall, the atmosphere gradually became a little weird.

"Ahem..." Liu Xunyi couldn't hold back his inner anxiety and complimented, "Madam, your wrapping is really beautiful..."

"It doesn't matter if it looks good on the outside. What's important is that the filling inside is delicious." Ling Xiaoxiao put a "corner" on the table, slowly raised her head, stared straight at Liu Xunyi, and said with a smile, "But if you don't taste it yourself, you will never know whether it is just for show or not."

"Madam is right. Haha..."

"It's the same with 'jiaozi' and people." Ling Xiaoxiao smiled in a mysterious way, "Xun Yi, what do you think?"

"I..." Liu Xunyi didn't understand Ling Xiaoxiao's thoughts, so he didn't dare to express his opinion easily, and evaded, "I think Madam is right."

"Qin Ku said that you are a person who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment and likes to 'exchange hearts'." Ling Xiaoxiao changed the subject and said, "Now that Qin Ku is gone, I don't know who to ask about your recent situation. I simply called you here and asked you in person. By the way... I'm exchanging hearts with you. I hope you won't let me down."

……

(End of this chapter)