I am dying of old age, and I have awakened to the character of longevity.

Through the window, Xie An saw Yu He, stepping through the snow with small steps, coming to report.

With his senses further enhanced, Xie An could see Yu He's eyelashes fluttering when she blinked, and the extremely fine snowflakes clinging to them.

He could even see the texture of Yu He's delicate facial skin, and the glistening, soft down.

When Yu He stopped under the eaves and looked at Xie An, Xie An actually saw his own reflection in Yu He's eyes.

They were seven or eight meters apart!

Amazing!

Truly amazing!

Xie An repeatedly exclaimed inwardly.

Thirty meters was now the core range of his Qi perception, and also the peak range of his vision. Within this distance, Xie An truly felt like he had opened God's perspective.

This feeling was too profound and mystical…

Yu He noticed Xie An staring blankly at her and, slightly shy, waved at Xie An, "Master…"

Xie An then came back to his senses, "Understood. I'll come after changing clothes. By the way, are the New Year's goods and lucky money I asked you to prepare ready?"

Yu He smiled and said, "They're all ready. One portion for each of your two disciples, one for Madam Li, and one for Chen He. Liang Zhi, Wang Xiang, Zhou Xing, Zhang Lin, and Lin Yun from the Black Market each have a portion. I've prepared everything."

"Good, after I change my clothes and deliver the New Year's goods to everyone, I'll go to the Tang Family Fortress."

"Would you like me to come in and help Master change?"

"No need."

"Then I'll go heat up some water for Master."

"No need, I'll just use cold water."

"Oh!" Yu He's face showed a hint of imperceptible disappointment at Xie An's refusal of her service.

Xie An quickly used a bucket to draw a large bucket of cold water from the well, raised it above his head, and poured the cold water over his body.

Whoosh…

The icy well water flowed down Xie An's streamlined muscles, emitting a misty vapor. Within the hazy vapor, Xie An's tight skin appeared even more bronzed.

Each muscle contraction seemed to contain an explosive force.

Although the well water was bone-chillingly cold, as he cultivated the Crimson Palace Qi, Xie An could feel the heat flow rolling inside his chest with slight adjustments, and the heat points spreading throughout his body like fireworks, warming his muscles and bones.

He didn't feel the water was cold at all.

Comfortable!

After washing his body, Xie An changed into a dark red cotton and linen Tang suit.

The Great Qian Dynasty didn't have the term 'Tang suit,' but there were similar styles of clothing: high-waisted skirts, Tang round-neck robes, and cross-collar ruqun.

Coupled with a thin leather belt, jade pendant, and hairpin.

It was decent and dignified, refined and restrained, very suitable for middle-aged people to wear. Many young people were popularizing this attire.

He had met Lu Changshui the first time he went outside the Tang Family Fortress. At that time, Lu Changshui was still an examiner, helping Xie An deliver some of the specialty products from Black Bridge Town to Tang Qingfeng.

Although they only met once, Xie An had a deep impression. Even though Xie An was now a Branch Leader, he naturally didn't want to lose his manners, so he immediately went out to meet him in the wind and snow.

Sure enough, he saw a very luxurious and grand carriage.

The so-called parallel carriage was a large carriage pulled by two horses.

The size of the carriage frame alone was larger than Xie An's own carriage, and the wood, carvings, and curtains on the carriage were much more exquisite.

Parallel carriages had never been seen in the six towns around.

Ordinary people were not qualified to ride in them at all.

The Great Qian's Book of Rites had clear regulations on carriages:

The Emperor's carriage must be pulled by six horses.

Officials of different levels, such as feudal lords, ministers, and grand masters, had correspondingly fewer horses, namely five, four, three, and two. This system not only reflected the class system of the Great Qian society but also reflected the degree of honor of different positions.

This was the so-called "The Emperor drives six, the feudal lords drive five, the ministers drive four, the grand masters drive three, the scholars drive two, and the commoners drive one."

Even the county magistrate traveled with only one horse.

Old Master Tang was actually able to drive two… Xie An was truly shocked.

Lu Changshui, wearing a cotton-padded jacket, stood beside the carriage, standing straight with a very respectful attitude.

"Brother Lu, why did you trouble yourself to come?" Xie An quickly stepped forward and clasped his hands.

To Xie An's surprise, Lu Changshui actually bowed deeply to Xie An, "I am here at the request of my brother Tang Qingfeng, inviting Master Xie to spend the New Year at the Tang Family Fortress. Brother Tang originally wanted to come in person, but he is entangled in trivial matters, so he specifically asked me to convey his apologies to Master Xie."

"Not at all, not at all, Master Tang Qingfeng thinks too highly of me." Xie An greeted him on the surface, but he was shocked in his heart.

In fact, it was enough for Lu Changshui to come. It was normal for Tang Qingfeng not to come, but he still had to express his apologies… Even if it was just a polite remark, Xie An was very surprised.

Lu Changshui said, "Master Xie, please don't think that Brother Tang is just being polite. This parallel carriage was personally permitted by His Majesty after Old Master Tang killed three thousand pirates. There are only two parallel carriages in the entire Green Crow County."

No wonder Old Master Tang could use a parallel carriage, so that's how it was…

Xie An had lived in this world for thirty years and was seeing a parallel carriage for the first time. He didn't expect to be able to ride in a parallel carriage to the Tang Family Fortress… This treatment was simply amazing.

Many villagers had gathered around, obviously seeing the luxurious parallel carriage for the first time, and they started discussing it.

"The wind and snow are heavy outside, please come inside for tea, Brother Lu. I'll deliver some New Year's goods to an old friend and then go to the county town with Brother Lu, I wonder if that will delay things?"

"Master Xie cares about old friends and values ​​friendship, how could it delay things? I'll just wait inside the house."

"Yu He, treat Brother Lu well."

Leaving the three-courtyard house, Xie An carried large and small packages to Li's Pawnshop to visit his two disciples, and also to send some New Year's goods and lucky money.

There was also a saying about New Year's money in this world, but it was not called a red envelope, but lucky money. During the Spring Festival, the elders would give the younger generations some lucky money.

This year, Xie An was going to spend the New Year at the Tang Family Fortress, so naturally, he couldn't stay up all night with his two disciples, so he gave them the lucky money in advance.

The two disciples were naturally overjoyed, and they also took the initiative to tell Xie An that they had completed the redemption procedures in the county town and were now free.

"Work hard, and wait for Master to come back to see you after the New Year."

Saying goodbye to his two disciples, Xie An went to Li's Mansion to visit Madam Li and send some New Year's goods. This move made the entire Li Mansion feel flattered, and Li Ru and Li Shaoyun were even more respectful, as if commoners had seen a high official.

Compared to the day of the Little New Year, they were now even more in awe of Xie An.

There was no other reason, it was because they knew… Li Hongming and Chen Lei made the decision to add a large surname to Black Shrine—Xie.

After the news spread, the entire Black Bridge Town was boiling.

From then on, in addition to the only two remaining large surnames, Li and Chen, there was also a Xie. Everyone knew that Xie An had become an existence that could be compared with the local gentry like Chen Lei and Li Hongming.

Who wouldn't respect him?

Who would dare not to respect him?

Saying goodbye to Li's Mansion, Xie An sent gifts to Chen He, then returned to the Black Market to distribute lucky money to everyone, and then returned to the three-courtyard house in Black Bridge Town. He and Yu He got into the carriage, and Lu Changshui drove away.

Clatter!

As the sound of horses' hooves rang out, the carriage galloped forward, breaking through the wind and snow.

Only the onlookers on both sides were left behind.

"A parallel carriage! This is the first time I've seen it in my life. Branch Leader Xie's treatment is too good."

"Isn't it? The parallel carriage personally came to Branch Leader Xie's door to wait, I guess he's going to spend the New Year in the city. It's really enviable, I wish I could ride in a parallel carriage once."

"You can forget about it, you haven't even ridden in a carriage, and you still want to ride in a parallel carriage?"

"I… I'm just thinking about it, can't I?"

"Then why don't you want to ride in the Emperor's six-horse carriage?"

"That's obviously impossible."

"You know that too? Is a parallel carriage possible?"

"It's no fun talking to you…"

At this time, Li Hongming and Chen Lei came over with gifts, intending to visit Xie An, but… they happened to see Xie An board the parallel carriage and leave.

Chen Lei was greatly stimulated, "A parallel carriage! If I remember correctly, there are only two parallel carriages in the entire Green Crow County. One is in the Tang Family Fortress, and the other is in the hands of the Thousand Household Lord of the Garrison. Old Li…"

Li Hongming sighed, "I didn't expect it, Old Master Tang didn't come, but he let his own parallel carriage come to pick him up. This honor is something that few people in the entire Green Crow County have. Branch Leader Xie… is about to soar into the sky."

…

Because parallel carriages were too scarce, they were legendary things for the villagers, and many people came to the roadside to watch along the way. It had the feeling of being seen off for miles.

After leaving Black Bridge Town, the surroundings became quiet.

The snow was getting heavier and heavier.

But the carriage was particularly warm, and the space inside was spacious. There was also a long table with some fruits and snacks on it.

Although the carriage was large, it didn't know what kind of cushioning and shock absorption equipment was used, but it was particularly stable. There was not much shaking, and even if there was shaking, it was very gentle and not particularly stiff. It gave people a very comfortable experience.

But Xie An's heart couldn't calm down.

He was very clear that this trip to the Tang Family Fortress would have a great impact on him.

It might be a journey that would change his destiny.

How could his heart be calm?

As the carriage got closer and closer to the county town, Xie An's heartbeat gradually accelerated. He lifted the curtain of the side window and looked out, seeing the snow-covered, silver-white ground, and the fields were empty.

Tonight was New Year's Eve, even the poor farmers had finished work early and were at home reuniting with their families.

However, Xie An saw a farmer wearing a straw raincoat sitting on the snowy ground by the roadside, smoking a pipe in a semi-reclined position, blocking the carriage.

Lu Changshui tugged on the horse's reins, slowing it down, and shouted, "Hey, old man, move, move quickly."

However, the old man remained unmoved, appearing very lazy.

Xie An was shocked because, at this speed, they wouldn't be able to stop.

Just then, the old man in the straw raincoat suddenly turned his head and blew a puff of smoke towards the carriage.

It was clearly an ordinary puff of dry tobacco, but after being blown out, it turned into a gust of wind, loudly blowing up the carriage's curtain, and the horse was startled, neighing loudly.

Then, Xie An saw that beneath the straw raincoat was a middle-aged man's stern face, and a pair of deep eyes, staring intently at him.

Just one look, and Xie An felt like he had been seen through.

Xie An immediately became alert, thinking he had encountered bandits. However, just then, the old man revealed a faint smile, then stood up, shouldered his hoe, and walked away, humming a folk song.

"Really reckless, too dangerous."

Lu Changshui, still in shock, muttered to himself, then urged the horse to continue forward.

Xie An always felt that this farmer was very unusual, his behavior strange, and couldn't help but stick his head out of the side window to look back. He saw the farmer wearing a straw raincoat, walking in the snow, humming a clear and melodious folk song, which was very pleasant to hear.

The most ⊥ new ⊥ small ⊥ say ⊥ at ⊥ six ⊥ 9 ⊥ ⊥ book ⊥ ⊥ bar ⊥ ⊥ first ⊥ hair!

"Master, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Not long after, when the carriage passed the river bridge, they unexpectedly encountered a fisherman holding a scull, standing at the bow of a sampan, rowing the boat. He was also wearing a straw raincoat, humming a song.

This folk song was different from the farmer's, but the melody was of the same lineage.

Xie An opened the side window to look, and then saw the fisherman use the scull to splash a spray of water. Although it was dozens of meters away, the water spray flew towards the carriage like a sharp arrow, also tearing open the carriage's curtain.

Xie An and the fisherman made eye contact.

How… is it a similar feeling?

"What are you doing? Didn't you see this is Master Tang's carriage!?" Lu Changshui pretended to be fierce. The fisherman ignored him, using the scull to push the sampan away, leaving only the folk song echoing around, clear and long.

The carriage crossed the river bridge and continued forward, but Xie An became restless.

All of this was too unusual.

Many bandits in the icy and snowy weather?

But they don't seem like bandits. It seems like they just wanted to… take a look at me?

Finally, the carriage arrived at the county town gate.

The county town was different from the countryside. The flow of people entering the city was endless. Even on New Year's Eve, many vendors still set up stalls at the city gate, doing some business, which was very bustling.

Clang clang clang!

Among them, a blacksmith's shop was particularly eye-catching. The harsh sound of metal colliding seemed to be aimed at Xie An, making it particularly grating to the ears.

The blacksmith was a burly man with a bushy beard, bare-chested, with strong, knotted muscles on his arms, swinging a hammer like it was a toy.

When the carriage passed the blacksmith's shop, the blacksmith suddenly raised the large hammer high and slammed it heavily on the anvil, making an unprecedentedly harsh sound. It also smashed out a gust of wind, sweeping towards the carriage, violently lifting the carriage's curtain.

Then, the blacksmith turned his head and glanced at Xie An, their eyes meeting directly.

Again…

Just as Xie An became alert and prepared, the blacksmith had already turned back, continuing to hammer the iron block "clang clang clang", ignoring external affairs. He was also humming a folk song.

This is the third time…

The carriage continued forward, entering the city gate.

Xie An could no longer remain calm, and asked Lu Changshui outside the carriage, "Brother Lu, do you know who this blacksmith is?"

"How would I know? There are many strange things at the end of the year, Master Xie doesn't need to worry about it. This is Master Tang's carriage, no one in the entire Qingwu County dares to be unfavorable to the carriage. Sit tight, we'll be at Tang Family Fort soon."

Even Lu Changshui doesn't know… Xie An didn't ask any more questions.

After entering the city, things went much smoother. They crossed the bustling and lively streets, frequently attracting countless onlookers.

The scarcity of shared carriages was the same in the county town as it was in the countryside.

Xie An half-lifted the curtain of the side window, looking at the pairs of fiery eyes looking over from the crowd, and felt a myriad of emotions in his heart.

The last time he came to the county town, he was just a small assistant appraiser who had to pay money to bribe the guards to enter the city, and had to tread on thin ice while holding a chamber pot. Now, he was stepping into this prosperous county town again, but he was riding in a two-horse carriage, envied by everyone.

A little over a year, things really have changed.

After traveling several miles, they arrived at the gate of Tang Family Fort.

A special place for parking sedan chairs and carriages was set up at the entrance, and it was now full of carriages and sedan chairs.

Countless masters and gentry wearing luxurious brocade robes were entering and leaving the gate of Tang Family Fort, carrying gifts in their hands… needless to say, they were all there to give gifts to Tang Family Fort.

Suddenly, a commotion came.

It was four porters carrying a grand sedan chair, which happened to coincide with the two-horse carriage Xie An was riding in.

A rude porter said, "Move aside quickly, didn't you see this is the County Magistrate's sedan chair."

The County Magistrate…

That was the local official of Qingwu County. Besides the Thousand Household of the garrison, the County Magistrate was the highest. However, the Thousand Household did not manage internal affairs, but was only responsible for training soldiers to guard the border, so the County Magistrate's influence was more direct.

Lu Changshui weighed it slightly and decided to give way. He drove the carriage to the side.

Just then, a full-bodied voice sounded, "No need, let's give way first."

"Master…"

"Give way!"

"Yes."

The porters did not dare to disobey, and carried the sedan chair to make way for the two-horse carriage.

Xie An, sitting in the carriage, heard that the County Magistrate had taken the initiative to give way, so he lifted the side window and took a look, and happened to see the County Magistrate in the opposite sedan chair also lift the side window, and they made eye contact.

Xie An felt that the County Magistrate was very young, about thirty years old, with a heroic appearance, very extraordinary.

As for the County Magistrate's name, Xie An knew it.

Wen Zaiqing.

A civil and military scholar in the Jingtai Dynasty, who later passed the civil and military Jinshi examination. He was sent down to Qingwu County to be the County Magistrate. This was definitely a high configuration for Qingwu County.

He only needed to gain experience for a few years, and he would definitely be promoted.

What Xie An never expected was that such a Jinshi would give way to a two-horse carriage.

What surprised Xie An even more was that Wen Zaiqing even nodded and smiled at Xie An.

So courteous and respectful?

Xie An also nodded in return.

Giddy up.

Lu Changshui slapped the horse's back with the reins, and first drove the two-horse carriage into the gate of Tang Family Fort.

After getting off the carriage, Lu Changshui led Xie An to a separate courtyard to rest. Along the way, Xie An witnessed what a truly wealthy family was like.

The wealthy merchants, rich businessmen, and dignitaries who came to pay their respects were countless.

They lined up to pay their respects to Old Master Tang.

It was estimated that most of the dignitaries of Qingwu County had come.

This is what it means to celebrate the New Year!

After entering the courtyard, Lu Changshui was even busier with hospitality, for fear of neglecting Xie An. He kept emphasizing that the two elder brothers Tang Qingfeng and Tang Qingyun were busy receiving guests, and asked Xie An to wait a moment.

It was not until dusk that Xie An clearly heard the noisy and lively sounds outside disappear, and he estimated that those dignitaries who had come to pay their respects had left.

After all, the evening was the time for the New Year's Eve dinner.

The dignitaries were all sensible and needed to leave time for the Tang Family Old Master to reunite with his family, so it was not convenient to disturb them any longer. Moreover, they also had to go home to reunite with their families.

"Brother Xie, sorry, sorry, I'm late."

As a familiar voice came, it was Tang Qingfeng who hurried over, covered in dust. He was very enthusiastic after seeing Xie An, "It's not that I intentionally neglected you, but my adopted father specifically instructed me that I needed to spend a lot of time receiving Brother Xie."

Xie An was shocked by this grand gesture, and quickly got up and cupped his hands, "Master Tang is too polite, I am here, disturbing you."

After a few pleasantries, Tang Qingfeng said, "If Brother Xie has rested well, please come with me. My adopted father is already waiting for you in the main hall."

"Okay."

Xie An took a carefully prepared gift box and followed Tang Qingfeng out, while Yu He tactfully stayed in the courtyard.

Passing through layers of separate courtyards, and winding corridors, they arrived at the central courtyard of Tang Family Fort.

Tang Qingyun was waiting at the door early, and greeted Xie An with cupped hands.

After a few pleasantries, Tang Qingfeng stretched out his hand and gestured towards the courtyard door, "Brother Xie, please go in. My adopted father is waiting inside."

Xie An took two steps, stepped over the threshold, and found that Tang Qingfeng had not followed, so he turned back and said, "Master Tang, aren't you coming?"

Tang Qingfeng smiled and said, "My adopted father has important arrangements today, so it's not convenient for me to go in."

What important matter is it that even Tang Qingfeng, the adopted son, and Tang Qingyun, the biological son, are not convenient to go in?

Xie An, with curiosity, walked in.

The courtyard was very large, with ponds, rockeries, pavilions, and towers, all beautiful and magnificent.

What attracted Xie An the most was that there was a very large artificial lake inside. A gazebo was set up by the lake, and an old man with white hair was sitting by the gazebo, fishing.

And there were three people standing next to the old man.

It was the farmer, fisherman, and blacksmith that Xie An had seen before…

Suddenly, Xie An understood something.

If the righteous sun does not die, the azure sky will remain, how dare the bandits cross the azure sky…

Is it this old man fishing?