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This year's winter came unusually early, with several consecutive days of heavy, gray clouds churning, giving the appearance of an impending snowstorm. Notices were posted like snowflakes on the bulletin board, informing everyone to leave before the heavy snow closed the mountain. The classes at the academy were also wrapping up in a tense manner, with exams from each course leaving people breathless, even the usually composed Guo Jia was worn out. The clouds above the academy grew even denser, flickering with the thunder of approaching rain, yet it still did not fall. The white frost on the mountain road grew heavier, and the academy issued another notice for students to leave before the heavy snow closed the mountain.
The students finishing their classes boarded the horse-drawn carriages and left the academy. Jia Xu did not stop writing with his pen until the candles burned out. Occasionally, he could see Guo Jia staring at the copper coins on the table, but he couldn't ask during the exam period, as long as he didn't cause trouble, Jia Xu would let him be.
As the last wisp of smoke dispersed, Jia Xu stopped writing and called for Guo Jia to go back and pack up. However, he saw him slowly tuck the copper coins into his sleeve, saying, "It's too late."
Jia Xu was about to ask what was too late when he heard a sudden exclamation from the crowd: "It's snowing!"
Jia Xu turned to look out the window, where large snowflakes were coming from the gray sky, covering the grass with a layer of white in no time.
Guo Jia smiled at Jia Xu and said, "It looks like we might be spending the New Year at the academy."
Jia Xu, as if expecting this, had already sent a letter home. Now, being snowed in at the academy, he did not seem bothered at all. He just lightly nodded and said, "Then let's go back and rest."
Upon hearing this, Guo Jia stretched and said, "Finally, I can rest properly."
A new notice was posted on the bulletin board, informing everyone that they were not allowed to enter the mountain road at will until the snow stopped, and the library was closed.
Guo Jia had long been skilled in calligraphy, but never used it for legitimate purposes. Back in Yingchuan School, he imitated the calligraphy of the Wang family's son to write sarcastic love letters to the Li family's tomboy, watching with glee as the Wang family's son got a good beating. After coming to Beiyong academy, he imitated the calligraphy of the academic advisor to write a notice of rest, deceiving everyone except the academic advisor—because only the academic advisor was working that day.
But even if he imitated the handwriting of many people, Guo Jia's writing still has its own unique style. Unlike his unrestrained and delicate scholar image, Guo Jia's handwriting is quite sharp, as if every stroke has the power to penetrate the paper.
Seeing Guo Jia's writing before seeing the man himself always brings a sense of loss. After all, in the hearts of the world, everyone should be like cold plum blossoms, elegant and noble. Guo Jia himself doesn't care about these evaluations and continues to be himself.
The snow on the mountain is always earlier and heavier than the snow below. The snow piled up on the doorstep brings a message to take a break. Guo Jia comes treading through the snow with a hand warmer, his eyes shining from the melted snow, and the fiery fox fur making him look like a red fox in the snow.
The fingertips, red from the cold, grabbed Jia Xu's wrist. The icy fingers rested on the rapidly pulsing pulse, making the blood surge. Guo Jia shouted at Jia Xu, "Let's go! Senior Xun has set up a game, let's warm the wine at the mud stove and enjoy the flying flowers!"
Amidst the howling wind and snow in the cold morning light, Jia Xu followed Guo Jia, stepping into his footprints.
On the vast expanse of white snow, there were two pairs of almost identical footprints, along with hands hidden under fox fur.
Xun Yu When I saw the two people coming, I smiled and squinted my eyes. The charcoal fire in the corridor was burning brightly. As I stepped over the steps, the snow melted on my shoulders and eyelashes.
One by one, several classmates who were digging for wine also came back. They broke the yellow mud sealing the mouth of the jar, gently pried open the oiled paper, and the peach blossom fragrance almost immediately scattered, steamed by the hot air, making one feel intoxicated before even drinking.
Someone clapped their hands and laughed three times, praising, "Wenruo's winemaking technique is truly superb!"
Xun Yu With a slight smile on his lips, Xun Yu was not overly modest among friends. He gently poured a cup for each person with a bamboo spoon, and after tasting it, everyone exclaimed in admiration. At this moment, the clay stove boiled water, and the lingering fragrance of tea filled the air. A unique cold and bitter aroma emerged from the peach blossom brew. Someone asked, "What water was used to brew this tea? It doesn't seem like clear mountain spring water, nor does it resemble deep well water."
Xun Yu tapped the fan in his hand and pointed at Guo Jia, who had been leaning on the cushion since entering the room and drinking. He said, "Of course it's Fengxiao. He secretly sent me some rare wine in the middle of the night, saying he's planning to set up a game and win against all of you."
Upon hearing this, everyone remembered Guo Jia's remarkable performance at the summer poetry gathering, where he faced multiple opponents and ultimately engaged in a three-round drinking contest with Wenhe. They all hesitated and showed reluctance, seemingly considering leaving.
Guo Jia, who was called out, chuckled as he held his wine glass and said, "Alright, alright. Can we make this a painting competition this time? Senior Xun, with so many flowers and plants in your courtyard, let's create a winter scene with flowers and birds."
Guo Jia paused and continued, "It's best for Wenhe to reward the painting, with his vision set above ours. Let Wenhe be the judge, how about that?"
With Guo Jia saying this, everyone's interest was piqued, and they all asked what the prize for the winner would be. Guo Jia looked around, and his gaze fell on a peach tree in the courtyard. He slammed the table and said, "Buried under that peach tree is Teacher Cui's vintage wine, aged for ten years. Last time, I won this wine from academic advisor in a bet. Today, let's use it as the prize. What do you think, gentlemen?"
Teacher Cui's vintage wine was something that even people in the academy and the capital couldn't get a taste of. Now, with a whole barrel as the prize, how could they not vie for it? So, everyone started calling for paper and pen.
Everyone was painting without restraint, some lying on the table, some lying on the ground, except for Guo Jia, who was still leaning on the soft cushion, sipping wine from the cup, his gaze falling on the snow reflecting the sunlight outside the corridor. Meanwhile, Jia Xu sat with lowered eyes, helping Xun Yu tidy up the scattered fruits and snacks on the table. When Jia Xu touched the jade button that had fallen from Guo Jia at some point, his fingertips trembled, and it was only when the warmth of his fingertips warmed the jade that he slowly and decisively put the jade button into his sleeve. Half an hour later, all the finished paintings were hung up one by one, and everyone joked that Guo Jia still hadn't started painting, wondering if he was planning to hand over the wine. It was only then that Guo Jia slowly got up and splashed the steaming Tea water into the snow.
The scalding hot tea water left varying depths of imprints on the white snow field, with a few green leaves mixed in. Then Guo Jia lowered his eyes, made a sudden stroke, and freely depicted the withered plum blossom, which leapt vividly onto the paper from Guo Jia's brush, sprouting new leaf buds, presenting a vivid image of the harshness of spring.
Admiration and respect for the genius! Someone said, and everyone nodded tearfully.
Then they all sat down again to continue drinking. After three rounds of drinks, they engaged in lively discussions and shared some interesting stories about the academy, slowly dispersing before noon.
After everyone dispersed, the pavilion was left with only three people, which seemed a bit desolate. The most adept at drinking, Guo Jia, was also lying drunk on the table. Xun Yu patted Guo Jia to ask him to go back and sleep, but Guo Jia grabbed a cup of wine and suddenly stood up. The wine spilled out like blooming white plum blossoms. Guo Jia swayed and let out a belch, saying, "Life is as short as a sudden spring, and human emotions are as faint as autumn clouds. Fortunately! Three cups of wine bring good words, and a spring flower is always new! I, Guo Fengxiao, offer a toast to you two!" After speaking, he drank it all and passed out completely drunk.
Helplessly, Jia Xu had to carry the drunk Guo Jia back to his room to settle him down. After finishing the remaining matters, Xun Yu sent someone to deliver Guo Jia's painting to Jia Xu. Jia Xu held the painting for a long time, so long that Guo Jia turned over three times before slowly putting the painting down. He stamped Guo Jia's private seal on the blank space of the painting and placed it at the bottom of all the paintings.
Beiyong The winter on the mountain is very cold, the cold air seeps in seamlessly from the cuffs and collar, piercing the bone marrow and causing unbearable pain. Guo Jia always complains about the cold, and only when he clings to Jia Xu can he sleep peacefully, even though the charcoal fire in the room is burning so vigorously. Jia Xu strokes his hair, thinking about his affectionate eyes, which are captivating even when closed.
At the beginning of the new year, Guo Jia had a very long dream.
In his dream, he walked in a sea of mist, the endless road ahead shrouded in fog. Soon, he began to see bones along the path, with familiar tokens hanging from the decayed white bones. First, it was the academic advisor, Miss Linn, Miss Man, Little sparrow, the mother of song tower, and the owner of the noodle shop. Then came the senior students of academy, Xun Yu, and Jia Xu. But there were many more he did not recognize, unfamiliar white bones densely covering the path in the mist. The sky was gray, and crows perched on the dark, withered trees. The crows then said, "This is the fate of all people."
Guo Jia nodded and replied without surprise, "This is the fate of everyone."
The raven said again, "They died because of you."
So Guo Jia stood in place, looking at the familiar bodies on the ground.
The once beautiful faces now bore a lifeless, ashen pallor. Crows feasted on the decaying flesh of the corpses. Jia Xu's bow had snapped in two, an arrow lodged in his chest, blood trickling like a winding river. Xun Yu's hand clenched tightly, ashes clinging to his fingertips, black blood seeping from his seven orifices. Guo Jia asked, "What kind of ending is this?"
The crow flapped its wings and flew away, dispersing the thick fog, revealing a corner of the building. Guo Jia watched as an arrow came from a distance, piercing Jia Xu's chest, causing him to fall from his horse, lifeless. He watched Xun Yu burn the writings, drink poison, and die in despair.
He watched as the flames spread across the entire land, burning everyone to ashes, melting the corpses. Guo Jia continued walking through the mist, the flames spreading to his feet. Then a huge blood-red eye appeared in the sky, its pupils rolling and scanning over everything on the ground before finally settling on Guo Jia. The raven appeared again and said, "You can see Him."
Guo Jia picked up a piece of broken bone from the ground and threw it at a crow, saying, "I want a world that has everyone in it."
The crow flapped its wings, and its black feathers fell off as it screeched, "Ignorant! Foolish!"
Then Guo Jia woke up from the dream and saw Xun Yu dozing off at the footstool.
Guo Jia just moved slightly and woke up the lightly sleeping Xun Yu. Xun Yu looked at Guo Jia waking up and finally breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "You finally woke up. You had a fever for seven days, really scared everyone."
Guo Jia showed a faint smile and said, "I saw it again."
Xun Yu's face turned serious, after some thought, he asked, "What did you see?"
Guo Jia's mouth moved but made no sound, yet Xun Yu recognized that Guo Jia was saying, "The fate of everyone."
Fate will not deceive anyone.
On Beiyong Mountain, it is forbidden to set off fireworks and sky lanterns, so everyone went down the mountain to set them off on the evening when the snow stopped. Guo Jia, who had just recovered from a serious illness, walked slowly behind everyone, with Jia Xu by his side, holding a tasseled umbrella.
Jia Xu looked at Guo Jia's disheveled hair and keenly felt that he seemed different from before, but couldn't quite put a finger on what had changed.
Guo Jia turned his head as if sensing something, and looked at Jia Xu with an unrelenting look of inquiry in his eyes, smiling as he said, " Wenhe, I don't want to leave."
On the mountainside, the pine forest rustled in the cold wind, and a small animal that had once run with its tail curled in the autumn was perched on a branch.
Jia Xu nodded and said, "Then let's watch here."
Guo Jia widened his eyes in surprise, then reached out and held Jia Xu's hand with a smile.
Sitting side by side on the steps of the mountain path, with a crimson fox fur cushion underneath them, Guo Jia and Jia Xu heard the fading voices of their senior brothers, followed by the sound of fireworks bursting in the sky.
The gentle breeze passes through, rustling the leaves in the woods, filling the world with both silence and commotion.
Guo Jia rests his head on Jia Xu's shoulder and says, " Wenhe, let's be together for a lifetime."
Jia Xu responds slowly, "Sure, if you dare to leave on your own, I'll kill you."
Guo Jia chuckled and leaned on Jia Xu's shoulder, laughing until tears rolled down his cheeks. He said, "Well, if you kill me, then we'll truly be together forever." Fireworks bloomed from the foot of the mountain, illuminating the young men sitting side by side on the mountain path. Promises are like curses.
Time seems to be passing faster and faster, pushing everyone forward unsteadily. The death of the Emperor Ling, the succession of the young Emperor, and the turmoil in the court will lead to division in the empire. The academy has seen an increase in the number of carriages, with some coming to pay respects to Master Chen Gong and others coming to meet with certain students.
Guo Jia is no longer at the academy for more time, and Xun Yu has temporarily returned to Yingchuan due to family matters. The only one left at the academy for the time being is Jia Xu.
When Guo Jia returned, he was wearing a peach-colored outer garment. He sat on the steps by the door, leaning wearily against the pavilion pillar because the door was locked.
Jia Xu stood not far away, holding a bamboo slip and observing Guo Jia. He had changed a lot, seemingly shedding some of the youthful sharpness from the academy, and becoming more polished.
He tentatively called out "Guo Jia" and Guo Jia stirred but still kept his eyes closed, just making a soft sound of agreement. After Jia Xu unlocked the door, he poked Guo Jia and said, "Go in and sleep."
Guo Jia began to have frequent dreams, frequently seeing how fate changed because of his decisions. He started writing letters, some of which were delivered to the hands of strategists, and some to Xun Yu.
When Xun Yu returned and saw Guo Jia, his expression was somewhat solemn, but Guo Jia just smiled lightly at him.
At the same time, Guo Jia began to smoke tobacco. A prominent family who wanted to invite Guo Jia to be their advisor on his birthday gave him a Hetian jade lotus pipe, which he liked. More senior students, whether entering officialdom or serving as advisors, decided to gather again before completely leaving the academy. The early summer poetry gathering was not as hot as in midsummer, and the lotus flowers had not yet fully bloomed. Some senior students sighed, lamenting that after just a few years, they would have to part ways with everyone, and if they were to meet as enemies in the future, they should spare each other's lives.
At that time, Guo Jia always seemed absent-minded, as if unable to distinguish between dreams and reality. He always seemed tired while doing things, and when asked, he never mentioned a word. Guo Jia leaned on the railing of the corner pavilion, gazing at the emerald green lake, thinking, wanting to jump into the lotus pond, hating the cicadas' summer. The scorching sun made people gasp for breath, but made the lotus even more beautiful. The lotus swayed in the wind, with hollow branches and the river water covered with green duckweed. Jump in.
Guo Jia Suddenly seemed to see a snake, which said to him, "Jump down, sink into the water, and you will find the answer you seek." So, before anyone could react, Guo Jia flipped over the fence and splashed heavily into the water. The water snake was scared and fled, leaving Guo Jia feeling powerless. However, a snake with red eyes and a beautiful purple color wrapped around him. Jia Xu struggled to drag the suddenly crazy Guo Jia back to the surface of the water.
Bursting out of the water, air filled his lungs, and Guo Jia coughed forcefully, almost coughing out his lungs. Jia Xu's wet hair stuck to his face like winding snakes, and Guo Jia laughed, "Ah, it looks like a snake woman..." Jia Xu viciously twisted Guo Jia's arm resting on his shoulder, ruffled his soaked hair, and dragged him back to the shore. Suddenly, Guo Jia remembered that Jia Xu must like lotus flowers, as the lotus from beyond the borders was rarely seen to be so overwhelming.
After the lotus withered quickly once it lost water, every time Guo Jia returned from the lake, it wouldn't last long. So, at the time when Jia Xu woke up, Guo Jia placed freshly picked lotus flowers and leaves by Jia Xu's bedside.
When Jia Xu opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the dew-covered pink petals. He sat up in amazement, finding the whole bed covered with them, as if he had been sleeping in a lotus pond.
In the early hours of the summer night, there were many mosquitoes. Guo Jia had small red dots all over his face and hands, like bright cinnabar, imprinted on his pale skin.
Jia Xu held a piece of green grass ointment and carefully applied it to Guo Jia, saying, "Don't do this next time."
Guo Jia asked in confusion, "Why?"
Expecting to hear a response like "because it's stealing," Jia Xu instead just lowered his eyes and earnestly applied the ointment to the mosquito bite on Guo Jia's neck, saying, "What if you fall into the water again? It's late at night, and if you start floating, you'll stink."
Guo Jia responded slowly, then fell silent for a moment before asking, "Do you want to come back to Yingchuan with us?"
Jia Xu paused in his finger movements and asked, "What's going on?"
Guo Jia shifted position and revealed another mosquito bite, saying, "Because many seniors have left, Chen Gong has given everyone a two-month summer break. The seniors said they would take us to the the Xun tea plantation to escape the heat."
Jia Xu nodded and said okay.
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