Chapter 22: Cold Food Festival

After returning from shooting arrows in the academy, Su Mingjue felt that her hands were sore.

Archery may not seem like a sport that consumes physical energy, but in fact there are many things that you need to pay attention to, from your hands to your eyes to your heart. The more you use your energy, the more tired your heart will be.

After Su Mingjue changed into soft shoes, she wanted to lie down and sleep. Su Xiaoliu persuaded him: "Master, why don't you take a bath to relieve your fatigue first, and then eat something before going to bed?"

Su Mingjue was tired and hungry when she got home. Xiao Liu said this without refuting, "Then let's take a bath first!"

Behind the exquisite Xiahe screen, Su Mingjue lay lazily on the tub, with a relaxed look on her face, "It's more comfortable to take a bath like this. All the sleepiness is gone."

Su Xiaoliu added some hot water and said regretfully, "It's a pity that there are no fresh mugwort leaves in the capital. Otherwise, it would be more comfortable to give the young master some mugwort leaves to take a bath with."

"The mugwort leaves" Su Mingjue wiped with a cotton towel. The hand holding the body paused when he heard these words, "Is it April so soon?"

Every April, mugwort sprouts. There is a custom in Jinling City to pick fresh mugwort leaves and take a bath, which means to get rid of illness. Drive away evil spirits.

Su Mingjue also liked to take a bath with mugwort leaves when he was in Jinling City, but it was not because of those customs, but more because he felt that taking a bath with mugwort leaves was very comfortable, relieving fatigue and relaxing.

Su Xiaoliu handed the Yi Zao Zi over and responded: "It's not April, the day after tomorrow is the Cold Food Festival. I'm afraid we can't wear mustard flowers on this year's Cold Food Festival. There are no mustard flowers here in the capital, so we can only Plug in more willow branches."

Su Mingjue heard a hint of regret in Su Xiaoliu's tone. For someone who had lived in Jinling City since childhood, he couldn't find the necessary things for the Cold Food Festival in the capital, so he had indeed brought them. A hint of homesickness.

As a modern person, Su Mingjue didn't have much feeling for this festival. To him, it was the same wherever he celebrated it.

However, when he heard what Su Xiaoliu said, he still comforted him with a few words: "Then take care of yourself and plant more willow branches in the courtyard."

Su Xiaoliu heard the words and replied: "Okay."

After bathing, he came out to eat. Huahua reported to the side: "Master, the bowl you asked me to make last time has been prepared."

Su Mingjue was a little surprised when he heard this, "So fast."

Huahua smiled and served him a few dishes: "I'm sorry, it's already done. It's been a month."

Su Mingjue said with a smile: "Now that it's done, let's make a bowl and eat it tomorrow!"

Yingying stood aside and said, "Master, have you forgotten that tomorrow is the Cold Food Festival and you have to eat cold food?"

Su Mingjue also He really forgot, he put his hand on his forehead and said: "Then we can only postpone it until after the Cold Food Festival." Yingying nodded, and then asked

: "Would Young Master Zhan Hanyan want songbirds, animals or flowers?"

Han Yan is a specific food for the Cold Food Festival. The so-called steamed Han Yan is made of flour into thumb-sized birds, animals or fruits and vegetables, then steamed and then colored on top, with some jujube tree thorns inserted on top. It can be placed in the house for decoration during the festival or given as a gift.

The appearance of the steamed cold swallow was determined according to the owner's preference, so Yingying asked Su Mingjue seriously what he meant.

Su Mingjue was not very particular about this. He said casually: "Just look at it and squeeze it, just to create a festive atmosphere."

...

When they arrived at the academy the next day, Su Mingjue had just sat down when Song Chunhe took it from under the table. He handed over a beautifully packaged food box.

"This is the steamed cold swallow made by my family. My parents insisted on letting me give one to you."

Su Mingjue accepted it with a smile. "Then I lived a simple life and didn't do this as a gift."

Song Chunhe said. Waving his hands, "No, you don't have to do it alone. Besides, giving this is just to create a festive atmosphere."

Su Mingjue nodded in agreement. He had just accepted Song Chunhe's food box, and Xiao Jamming was carrying two more The food box arrived.

He handed them to Su Mingjue and Song Chunhe, one on the left and the other on the right. Su Mingjue accepted it with a smile, while Song Chunhe said with a hint of disgust: "Isn't it you who made it with your own hands this time?"

Xiao Jamming He nodded, "The jade rabbit I made this time is more beautiful than the one I made last time. It will definitely not make you feel ugly."

Song Chunhe sneered slightly, "Whether it looks good or not, I won't know until I see it."

After saying that, he opened the food box. The rabbit made of steamed Hanyan was indeed lifelike, even the rabbit's hair was painted in detail.

Xiao Jamming looked at Song Chunhe with a satisfied look on his face and said, "Well, you did a good job this time!"

Song Chunhe reluctantly praised, "It's an improvement over last year. Last year's Begonia flowers were really ugly. "

Jamming Xiao defended: "I've told you many times, I didn't steam it well last year." As he said, Jamming Xiao stretched out his hands to Song Chunhe, "Where's mine, you won't forget it again, will you?

Song Chunhe took out another food box from his book bag and handed it to Xiao Jingming, "Well, I didn't forget it this year." When

Xiao Jingming saw the other party handing over the food box, a smile appeared on his face, "Forget it . You still have some conscience this year."

Song Chunhe curled his lips, "It's like I was apologizing for not accompanying you on the outing last year."

Seeing that Song Chunhe was a little unhappy, Xiao Jamming quickly coaxed, "Yes, yes, you were last year. You are very interested in taking me to fly a kite."

Song Chunhe asked: "By the way, speaking of spring outings, Su Mingjue, do you have any activities during the Cold Food Festival?"

Su Mingjue shook his head, "I'm going to spend it at home."

Song Chunhe said. "I'm too bored at home. I have three days off during the Cold Food Festival this year. Why don't we invite you to go out and play together!"

Su Mingjue had no objection. After all, he was idle. He asked, "Where can we go to play?"

Song Chunhe held up his hands. Holding his chin, he said: "I don't know. I usually go out for an outing, but we are tired of playing in the suburbs of the capital. Xiao Jamming, do you have any good places to go?"

Xiao Jamming pursed his lips, "There will be a boat cruise on the Liuhe River this year. We can go there for an outing."

Song Chunhe's eyes lit up after hearing this, and he looked at the two people next to him and said, "I've never done an outing on a cruise ship, so let's go there!"

Su Mingjue nodded. Xiao Jamming said: "Then you have to get up earlier, don't make us wait for you."

Song Chunhe said with a smile: "I know, I know, I will get up early that day."

...

Due to the Cold Food Festival Because of this, classes in the academy ended early today. When Su Mingjue returned to Mingyuan, everyone in the academy was busy.

Huahua and Yingying were preparing food for the Cold Food Festival, while the two sweepers were responsible for cleaning. Su Xiaoliu and Mu Li got off the carriage, went into the house, took out a bunch of willow branches, and placed them in various places in the house.

Su Mingjue felt that everyone was busy except himself.

Feeling free, he put down his book bag, rolled up his sleeves, and wanted to help.

Su Mingjue didn't understand that there was something special about inserting willows, so she went directly to Huahua and Yingying to help prepare cold food.

Seeing him coming, Huahua showed some surprise on her face, "Master, these servants can just come."

Su Mingjue said with a smile, "It doesn't matter, it's idle anyway, it's better to do it together faster."

Yingying looked at Su Mingjue from the side and looked eager to try. She took some molds and gave them to Su Mingjue. "Then the young master will be responsible for printing the patterns!"

Su Mingjue took it and said, "This one suits me very well."

Several people in the room performed their duties. I was busy, and soon I heard someone knocking on the door outside the hospital.

Su Xiaoliu heard the sound and went to open the door, but returned a moment later with a gift box in hand.

Su Mingjue raised his head and asked, "Who knocked on the door just now?"

Su Xiaoliu put the gift box on the table and responded, "It was sent by Mr. Rong next door."

"Rong Zheng"

He is studying in the academy these days. Haven't seen him for a long time.

Su Mingjue modeled the gift box and said, "Open it and take a look. What are the gifts? See if you want a gift in return."

Su Xiaoliu opened the gift box. The first layer was steamed swallows according to the custom, and the ones made were plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. Four Gentlemen, it looks very elegant. The second layer opens and a yellow flower appears. The color is bright, as if it had just been picked.

Su Xiaoliu was very excited when she picked it up, "It's yellow mustard flowers! There are five of them!"

"Yesterday, I regretted that there were no yellow mustard seeds in the capital, but I didn't expect that Mr. Rong actually sent them over."

Su Mingjue looked at the yellow and orange flowers, The corner of his mouth curled up with a smile, "He is quite thoughtful. The five people in Mingyuan prepared exactly five flowers, and none of them were left behind."

The Cold Food Festival is used to commemorate Jie Zitui. There is a common custom of wearing mustard flowers and inserting willows in the Jinling area. Rong Zheng, a person from the capital, actually thought of giving him mustard flowers, which was indeed very thoughtful.