Cry of the Midnight Jackdaw

Chapter Seventy-six,
Around a Fire

Fu Zhan Chuan was not considered wrong, Xiao Zuo stopped at the entrance of the manor, and could not help lament. That manor was extremely big, the entrance was planted with a big tree so thick it would need two people to wrap around it, from a rough glance, he could not see what variety it was, the crown of the tree blocked the skies and moon, while cold-green leaves rustled as it swayed in the winds, the winding branches coiled upwards, with the surface of it climbing with thin and small branches, with the imposition of Peng Zu[1]. Standing in front of this ancient creation, people would always easily have some thought of revering the divine.

Once they entered through the gates, the scenery inside had a much of the charm of a garden. But they just entered winter right now, the ground only had chrysanthemums that did not lose to the frost still blooming, however, if a few more days pass when the first snow comes, there would be another place to admire plums while snowing.

Xiao Zuo thought like this, and saw the door of the main house open. Inside, Qing Shuang loosely draped on an outer robe, though he was still of an indifferent look, the tray he was holding instead placed with a plate of pickled peppers with chicken feet, making him look to be dyed in mortal airs compared to before.

Seeing them come, Qing Shuang faintly smiled and greeted them, “You guys are here, hurry in, I’ve been waiting for you two a long time now.”

“What good is there to eat this time? Last time, the chef you guys had here had quite some good skills, after going home, I couldn’t even eat the food at home.” Fu Zhan Chuan excitedly glanced around inside from the gaps of the door, then turned his head and looked at the chicken feet in his hand, with a look of saliva about to drip down from him.

“Once the kitchen has finished prepping, I will have Yun Lan bring it over.” Qing Shuang said to Xiao Zuo, “It’s a’Zuo’s first time here, have a taste of the chef’s skills, it certainly is not bad.”

“Alright.” Xiao Zuo’s gaze also could not help but glance towards the gap of the door, Qing Shuang made way to the side, and said, “Come in, it is cold outside.‘

The two of them shivered in the cold winds for a good while already, so when they heard these words, they both anxiously pushed open the door. Fu Zhan Chuan first headed at the front, the entranceway stood with a bronze crane with open wings, the craftsmanship was meticulous, where even all its feathers emerged with detail.

Xiao Zuo secretly gasped in admiration, further in hung with bamboo curtains, to the side of the bamboo curtains was a golden beast, the inside was burning with incense, winding up from that beast’s mouth, like a cloud-breathing divine beast.

Qing Shuang probably went to the kitchen, and did not follow the two inside. Fu Zhan Chuan lifted up the bamboo curtains, inside, they saw a person sitting straight in front of the long table, their back fairly straight, with features as sharp as an unsheathed sword, Liu Wen Xun.

Last time when Fu Zhan Chuan came here, he only saw Qing Shuang- he originally thought Qing Shuang had broad connections, and a certain friend lent their residence for him to receive guests, but did not think it was actually Liu Wen Xun’s manor.

Liu Wen Xun was sitting on a cushion drinking tea. Seeing the two come in, he politely nodded his head as a signal, and said, “Please have a seat.”

The two only saw Liu Wen Xun a few times, and was not too close. Other than being eagerly attentive to Qing Shuang, Liu Wen Xun had a distant indifferent look, to the point that even though the image was a warm one, having a chat in the night around the stove, Xiao Zuo who was within it instead felt the atmosphere freeze up to an extreme.

“I forgot to tell you guys, this manor is Wen Xun’s. It just so happens to be the first of winter for the next few days, and I thought, it has been a long time since we have gathered together, so Wen Xun suggested to stay in the manor for two days and have a chat.” Qing Shuang lifted up the curtains and came in, his eyes were smiling, and very naturally sat beside Liu Wen Xun. Xiao Zuo saw Liu Wen Xun’s cheeks go red, to think a tall man could actually slightly uneasily rub his hands, he could not help but choke on some water in attempts to hold in his laughter.

“Yun Lan will bring the dishes in a moment, let us wait at the table at the back.”

The north’s winter was mostly cold and frosty, fresh vegetables did not easily survive, so during autumn and winter, at most, there would only be white cabbage for soup. The crown prince residence was a bit better off than common families, the vegetables sent from the south could still be saved, but now He Yang was still fiercely eyeing everyone, one could not loosen up, so they would not eat too many [vegetables] in a single meal. So when Xiao Zuo saw the various fresh fruits and vegetables on the table, he did not know where to start for the time being.

Qing Shuang had extremely strict upbringing, and was particular on not speaking during eating or sleeping. The four sat around the table and ate, with only the sound of clashing bowls and chopsticks. After eating, Qing Shuang had Yun Lan bring up a jar of wine, that wine was newly brewed, and was contained in a lazuli bowl, and looked quite nice.

Qing Shuang poured each person a full cup, Xiao Zuo took one sip, it was somewhat sour, and had a slight mouthfeel of grape wine.

After having their fill, the four became a bit drowsy. The manor was fully furnished inside, the back had a bed for napping, with the inside burning with quite a few pans of charcoal, the stove was burning quite strongly too, and was all warm. Xiao Zuo wrapped himself in a small blanket and slept on a small couch to the side, and within the crackling sounds of the charcoal fire, soon, his eyelids turned heavy. In between being half dreaming and half awake, Xiao Zuo seemed to hear rustling sounds outside the room, like light echos of snowflakes falling on the eaves.