Large snowflakes fell down, and the world became a vast white light in a moment.

Chen Muqing ordered Mingxia with some concern: "You ask the mothers to send more charcoal to Mr. Xiao - there is no fire wall in the west wing, so the brazier must be burned more!"

Mingxia, who was sitting on the brocade beside the kang, did needlework quickly put down the objects in her hand and stood up with a smile: "Grandma, I'll go and explain it!"

Chen Muqing nodded, lowered his head to embroider the upper - she was making shoes for Dashe.

It was snowing heavily, and it took seven or eight days to fall, and the weather became very cold. But Xiao Sa had been treating the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the people from the Governor's Office of the Five Army to have dinner these days. He was often drunk and came back in the middle of the night.

I don't know how the business is doing?

Although living in the same yard, Xiao Sa either went out to do business or accompanied Chen Zhen to write in the study. The two of them didn't even have any chance of meeting each other.

Chen Muqing thought of his "plan".

I don’t know when I will show Xiao Sa.

If Xiao Sa thinks it's good, when Shi Jingshu comes, she will be more confident when she discusses with her - after all, Xiao Sa knows more about the world than herself.

After a while, Mingxia smiled and turned back.

"Auntie, Young Master Xiao just came back!"

Chen Muqing was stunned: "Why is it so early today?"

Mingxia smiled and said, "It was said that she invited Mr. Wang, the Minister of War to have dinner. As a result, Mr. Wang was unable to go if he had something to do, so he came back early."

Chen Muqing nodded, looked at it early, picked up the "plan" and got off the kang: "Let's go to Mr. Xiao's place to take a look!"

Mingxia responded and asked the little maid to take a cloak and an umbrella, and accompanied Chen Muqing to the wing where Xiao Sa lived.

Yuliang was sweeping the snow. When he saw Chen Muqing, he was shocked and hurriedly came forward to salute and said, "Young Master was called to the study by the master."

Chen Muqing sighed slightly.

How could Chen Muqing feel Chen Zhen’s defense and Yingfen and others’ attentiveness?

But she has her own knot.

This world is too tolerant of men and too harsh to women... Not to mention that she finally got rid of a marriage that made her feel suffocated, and she didn't want to jump in and be restrained anymore. She wouldn't consider it just because her partner was Xiao Sa - it's not that he was not good enough, nor that he was not outstanding enough. On the contrary, facing Xiao Sa who has a good impression, she could not look at some problems that would inevitably arise in marriage with a normal mind, such as: having sex, and for example: taking a concubine. There was also the reminder from Li.

Because there is no hope, there is no disappointment.

Because there is no love, I won’t be sad.

She was really afraid that she would be unable to help herself, so she hysterically asked Xiao Sa to cry...

Or, she is just selfish!

Just want to protect yourself from being hurt anymore!

Thoughts flashed, and Chen Muqing couldn't help but smile bitterly.

If a person has no desires, he will be arrogant. If he gives up that idea, he will naturally become open-minded.

"Let's go, let's go to the master's study." Chen Muqing smiled and ordered Mingxia, "I happened to have something to find Mr. Xiao."

After all, Mingxia has served Chen Muqing intimately for many years, and Mingxia has a vague feeling of her changes.

Before Mr. Xiao came here, my aunt's concern for him was obscure, but since Mr. Xiao came, my aunt seemed to suddenly become straightforward.

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Mingxia instinctively felt uneasy.

She carefully followed Chen Muqing to Chen Zhen's study.

*******

It was quiet in the study, and a few light smoke rose up in the cloisonné enamel and a faint sandalwood fragrance cauldron.

In front of the spacious painting table, Chen Zhen was writing his pen with his heart, while Xiao Sa was holding a painting plate and serving him.

Chen Muqing came in and got the general report. Chen Zhen did not stop writing, nor even glanced at her.

Xiao Sa has been with Shen Zhen for the past few days, and he keenly felt that Chen Zhen did not like him to contact Shen Muqing.

I don’t know if it’s the relationship between etiquette? Or is there any other reason?

He kept thinking about this.

So in front of Chen Zhen, he just nodded slightly to Chen Muqing with a smile and silent expression.

Chen Muqing smiled and blessed him, and politely shouted "Young Master Xiao".

Xiao Sa's eyes glanced at Chen Zhen, who was painting at the desk, and politely called her "Miss Chen".

Chen Zhen suddenly stopped writing and looked up at Xiao Sa.

Xiao Sa avoided Chen Zhen's gaze and looked down at Chen Zhen's unfinished painting.

Chen Zhen frowned almost invisibly.

Chen Muqing saw it clearly, sighed in his heart, and had to pretend to be ignorant, and walked to the painting table with a smile: "What are you painting?"

Chen Zhen put down his pen and smiled and said, "Yuan Yu celebrates his birthday for two days. I will draw a painting for him as a birthday gift. Come and see, how is my painting?"

He painted a picture of snow plum blossoms proudly in the cold.

A few red plums stretched out beside the two staggered Taihu stones.

Others say that calligraphy and painting are not divided, but Chen Zhen is an exception. His handwriting is very well written, but his paintings are not satisfactory.

Yuan Yu was a famous painter in the Great Zhou Dynasty. On his birthday, he must have painted many people, and most of the people present were literati and poets who were famous in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Chen Muqing thought for a while and finally decided to tell the truth: "Master, the layout is a bit dull, especially the two stones under the plum blossoms, which are less rugged!"

Chen Zhen put down his pen and sighed.

Seeing that Chen Zhen was a little nervous, Xiao Sa became very frustrated by Chen Muqing's words, and hurriedly said, "How about we move a Taihu stone to paint?"

Chen Zhen didn't say anything, put down his pen and sat on the drunkard chair beside him and went to have tea.

What is this attitude?

Chen Muqing looked at Xiao Sa with a little embarrassed look and smiled and relieved him: "Mr. Yuan has helped me a lot before. I should do my best to do my best to his birthday. Master, I will draw, and you can help me write, okay?"

"Forget it," Chen Zhen was a little depressed, "I am not good at drawing flowers and birds at first, so this is just a practice writing. I can write a piece of calligraphy on Yuan Yu's birthday!"

He said that, but his tone was still a little depressed.

This matter has been decided. But Xiao Sa jumped out, rolled up his sleeves, and smiled and said, "I'll go to the garden to bring you a Taihu stone..."

Chen Muqing glared at him: "It's a cold day, why are you moving Taihu stones? Besides, Chinese paintings are freehand paintings, not realistic."

Xiao Sa ignored her and walked straight out: "I'll be fine soon!"

Chen Muqing was still trying to say something, but suddenly realized: Chen Zhen had never made any sound!

In other words, he did not object to Xiao Sa's decision to move stones!

She looked at Chen Zhen in amazement.

Chen Zhen's mouth was lightly raised, and he was flipping through the Buddhist scriptures at hand with a comfortable expression.

Is it because I am used to being an official... I have to wait and see someone from time to time?

Or, just want to make things difficult for Xiao Sa?

Chen Muqing was in a state of confusion in his heart and helped Chen Zhen pack up the paper on the painting table.

Chen Zhen chatted with Shen Muqing.

"What are you doing?" There was a hint of doubt in his tone.

Chen Muqing pouted and smiled, "I'll come to find Xiao Sa."

"Oh?" Chen Zhen sat upright in shock, "What are you looking for him?"

Chen Muqing told Chen Zhen about his desire to ask Xiao Sa to help him manage how to run Yiwen tea shop, and also took out the "plan" to Chen Zhen: "...I am working behind closed doors. He is a businessman. I will help me see it. I have a better grasp."

Chen Zhen opened the "Plan" and looked carefully.

Chen Muqing made this "plan" according to his previous work flow, what should he do in what month, and then what kind of tea should be launched according to the season, and what kind of advertising slogans to be produced... Everything is fine and detailed.

Chen Zhen's expression was a little distracted at first, but gradually became solemn.

It can be seen that Chen Muqing has spent a lot of effort on this, and some measures can even be said to be quite bold, which is a method that has never been seen before.

Although Chen Zhen does not know how to do business, he understands politics and has the eyes and strategies of a politician.

He quickly saw the weight of this "plan".

If she helped Mu Qing, she might become a successful female businessman, but if she really did business and stole the limelight from a man, wouldn’t it be even more difficult to marry?

Chen Zhen hesitated, Xiao Sa had already brought in a Taihu stone.

"Uncle, see, where is the best place?"

The snowflakes fell on his face and turned into water stains. The snow on his hair and shoulders also began to melt when they met the heating in the house. He looked wet and his hands holding Taihu Stone were red.

Chen Zhen stood up slowly and hesitated: "Let me see where is it? I put it in front of the desk? It blocks the way. It is placed in the main hall? It is too far from the painting table. Where is it?"

While he was thinking about it, Xiao Sa stood there with the Taihu stone in his arms.
To be continued...