After sending away the scholar ghost, Song You returned to the building.

The cold wind was howling outside the window, but the cat opened the window a crack, pointed one eye at the crack, and stared at the night outside.

"What are you looking at, Sanhua Empress?"

"It's snowing outside."

"It's snowing heavily today, it's supposed to snow."

"I didn't get down in the temple before."

“It rarely snows in most places in Yizhou.”

"Why?"

The cat looked back at him when he asked.

"Because it's not cold enough."

"oh……"

The cat turned back to look at the snow.

The Taoist continued to sit cross-legged on the bed with his eyes closed, as if practicing spiritual enlightenment or meditating.

The cold wind blew through the cracks in the window and made a whining sound.

When he opened his eyes again, the cat was already in front of him, the window had been closed, and the night of this era was silent. The cat put its right front paw on his knee, raised its head and stared at him.

"Taoist, what are you thinking about?"

"Think of random things."

"Wanting which way to go?"

"I don't want to think about this anymore."

"Why?"

"Let nature take its course."

"Then go to sleep..."

The calico cat retracted its paws, jumped to the side, like a gopher, dove into the bed, and curled up.

Song You smiled and continued to close his eyes.

It's snowing heavily today, so I need to practice.

The heavy snowfall in Changjing is not ordinary, and it is different from the heavy snowfall in famous mountains, beautiful waters, caves, heavens and blessed places.

The heavy snowfall in Changjing is a hardship for many people, not only those who live on the streets and have no fixed place to live, but also those who have a place to live. They may also be unable to afford charcoal, thick quilts and clothes, or because of their recent income.

If you don’t have enough money to eat, you may not be able to wake up if you fall asleep.

Even those who sell charcoal may be happy that their charcoal has finally reached a high price, but at the same time they are reluctant to buy food, clothing, or burn charcoal for warmth. If they accidentally catch a cold, they cannot afford to fall ill.

Fortunately, thanks to the spiritual rain in spring, which nourishes all things, the harvest in Changjing this year is excellent, and there may be many fewer people freezing to death.

The snow didn't fall heavily tonight, and it almost melted when it hit the ground. The snow stopped before dawn. When people woke up the next morning, they could only see some hoarfrost on the roofs, but no snow.

Songyou still opens its doors to welcome guests and welcomes all kinds of scenery in Changjing.

When the mood comes, I go out for a walk and watch the prosperous winter.

If a poor person comes to ask for help, he is rarely stingy and will usually go to help. If someone he knows invites him to drink tea and listen to the piano, he rarely refuses and usually goes there.

The remaining time in Changjing is getting less and less.

…

In the late twelfth lunar month, the autumn scenery in the Cangshan Mountain painting is still the same.

In the vast plain at the foot of the mountain, a loess road runs quietly across the road.

Standing on the loess road was a young Taoist priest wearing an old Taoist robe. A calico cat squatted upright at his feet. There was a short and skinny maroon horse behind him. The reeds on the left and right were bent by the wind. The reeds behind him were bent.

Cangshan Mountain seems to have remained unchanged for thousands of years, and the man, cat and horse are standing still. If the reeds are not still swaying and the yellow-dyed clouds are still floating in the sky, the scene seems to be frozen.

Opposite them is a table with drawing paper spread out, and a middle-aged painter is painting with a brush.

"That's enough, Master Immortal."

The middle-aged painter raised his head and said to them: "The painting is already in Dou's heart. There is no need to stand still anymore."

"Thank you."

Only then did Song You smile.

"Meow~"

The cat also stretched.

Only the horse still stood still. Anyway, when it stopped, it would not move unless it was eating grass.

Song You went over to watch Master Dou paint.

The painting techniques of the Dou family are indeed somewhat different from the mainstream painting methods of current Dayan painters. Not only are the painting methods different, but the styles of the paintings are also somewhat different.

I saw him blurting out the background with his hands, and then bent down to draw his face carefully. The wind in the wilderness made the reeds sway, but could not move the drawing paper on the table.

A painting gradually appeared on the paper. The background in the distance was majestic, and the characters nearby were lifelike. It had the impression of an essay and no lack of details. Anyone who looked at it would think it was a good painting.

"It's done!"

Master Dou put the final touch.

However, there is something strange about the painting.

The heaven and earth in this painting are not allowed to be too realistic.

"Du..."

Song You tapped lightly on the drawing paper, and all the aura and mystery ceased. He blew on the paper again, and all the ink marks were dried.

Then the wind seemed to stop.

“Great painting.”

Song You then took off the paperweight, lifted up the drawing paper and looked at it carefully. After reading it once, he was very satisfied, and then he showed it to the calico cat on the ground and the bay horse next to it.

"The master's skills are superb. He may not be able to catch up with his ancestors in his lifetime."

"How dare Dou dare to chase after his ancestors? Dou just wants to find a secluded place to live a peaceful life with this "Cangshan Picture" and not to be found by people in the world again. Dou is satisfied."

"Master is humble."

Song You put away the painting and said to Master Dou: "It is already the second half of the twelfth lunar month in the outside world, and the New Year is coming soon. If Master wants to come out and experience the New Year in Changjing, please go out with me."

"Dou has already spent the New Year in Changjing. He is alone and has no place to live. How can it be called a New Year?" Master Dou smiled, "It is better to stay here. Although it is quiet, I don't know the year. At least there is time.

It is my own hut. Dou and his wife have lived in this hut for so long, so it can be regarded as Dou’s home.”

Song You nodded, expressing understanding.

"Then please master, please stay here for a while longer. I have agreed with Sanhua Empress that after the Spring Festival, we will leave the capital no later than the first lunar month. After everything has been arranged, we will invite master out."

"Meow!"

"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you, Empress Sanhua!"

"Then I would like to thank Master for his wonderful painting, and I will say goodbye to Empress Sanhua and leave."

"Master Immortal, walk slowly."

Song You turned around again, said a few words to the bay-red horse, said goodbye, and with a casual move, ripples appeared in the air. He then lowered his head and looked at the calico cat, then stepped out.

Only Master Dou and the bay red horse were left.

Master Dou was a little surprised——

Only then did he realize that the immortal master left the painting without using his brush, but just casually walked out.

Thinking about it more carefully, it seemed that the same was true when he came in. He neither brought a paintbrush nor left any arrangements outside in advance.

It was as if the world in this painting came and went with ease to him.

"..."

Master Dou was stunned for a long time.

…

In Changjing City, there is a small building on the second floor.

The calico cat looked left and right. The sudden coldness made her shrink her neck. Then she looked at the Taoist and said softly:

"It's so cold outside."

"yes."

Song You continued to pick up the painting, paused, and said to Empress Sanhua: "We should frame the painting."

"Frame it?"
To be continued...