Lanting prelude
Chapter 11 Heaven Punishment
Chapter 11 Heaven Punishment
In the morning, the drizzle flew obliquely.
Inside Yongxing Square, Wei Zheng's carriage was rumbling along the muddy road.Not far behind, a man dressed as a businessman, riding a donkey, wearing a bamboo hat and coir raincoat, followed unhurriedly.
The man's bamboo hat was pressed down very low, his eyebrows and eyes could not be seen, only the lower half of his unshaven face was exposed.
He is Xiao Junmo.
Today is the ninth day of March, and it is also the fourth day that Xiao Junmo and his men followed Wei Zheng.Since the Wei Mansion has three gates, north, west, and south, Xiao Junmo sent Luo Biao and others to guard the north gate, south gate and along the line, and he himself sat in the west gate at the middle point. Once Wei Zheng came out from the west gate, Xiao Junmo would personally Follow up; if Wei Zheng came out from the north gate or south gate, Luo Biao and the others would follow. At the same time, several other subordinates immediately passed on the signal one by one. Then Xiao Junmo hurried over to replace Luo Biao and continued to follow.
From the first day, that is, the sixth day of March, Xiao Junmo discovered a strange phenomenon: Wei Zheng was going to the East Palace, but he didn't come out from the West Gate or the North Gate of his own house, but went out from the South Gate and went to Dongfang Gate. , and then went around in a big circle to the East Palace, and I didn't see him stopping anywhere on the way.
Xiao Junmo was puzzled, and at the same time believed that there must be a mystery here.
After that, for two consecutive days, Wei Zheng didn't make any detours. He always came out from the west gate and took the normal shortest path.Xiao Junmo once suspected that his stalking had been discovered, but after thinking about it, it was impossible, because every time he put on a different costume, and with his makeup skills and stalking methods, he would never be discovered so easily.Until today, when Wei Zheng did not take the usual path again, and started to detour to the east again, Xiao Junmo was sure that he was not exposed.
The sixth and ninth day detours, and the two days in between are normal. What does this mean?
Xiao Junmo thought for a while, and then came up with an inference: If Wei Zheng takes the usual route again in the next few days, then it can be concluded that on the thirteenth day, Wei Zheng will definitely take another detour!That is to say, every three, six, and nine are the days when Wei Zheng deliberately detours.
But why did he do this?
With his rich experience in handling cases, Xiao Junmo quickly got the answer: in the east of Yongxingfang, there must be a place where Wei Zheng and his subordinates secretly contact.Xiao Junmo believes that the purpose of Wei Zheng's detour must be to receive the signal sent to him by the contact point. Once he sees the agreed signal, Wei Zheng will definitely stop there to connect with his subordinates.
Just when Xiao Junmo was thinking this way, the carriage moved forward for a while, and suddenly stopped slowly by the side of the road.
With a thought in his mind, Xiao Junmo immediately raised his eyes and saw Wei Zheng's carriage parked in front of a teahouse named "Wangchuan".Xiao Junmo immediately recalled that three days ago, when the weather was fine, Wei Zheng's carriage was running fast, but it slowed down at this place, and continued to drive eastward after a while.
Obviously, Wei Zheng didn't see the signal that day, but today, the signal appeared!
Xiao Junmo patted the donkey and walked forward quickly, scanning the entire side of the teahouse facing the street with sharp eyes.Soon, he discovered what he expected: in the whole row of windows on the second floor of the teahouse, most of the window sills were lined with potted trees, except for a potted plant on the window sill of the first elegant room on the east side. Eye-catching rocks!
There is no doubt that Wei Zheng stopped when he saw this basin of rocks.
At this moment, Wei Zheng stepped off the carriage slowly, and was graciously helped in by two waiters in the teahouse.Xiao Junmo tied the donkey to a tree trunk, unhurriedly followed the teahouse, sat down in a remote corner, and ordered a bowl of ready-made tea.
From the corner of his eye, Xiao Junmo caught a glimpse of Wei Zheng walking up the stairs slowly, and then walked into the first elegant room on the east side.
If his father hadn't been in a hurry to send the information that night, Xiao Jun thought to himself, he must have come here to meet Wei Zheng the next day.Thinking of this, Xiao Junmo seemed to see his father in front of him.He seemed to see his father, who was elegant and elegant, with flowing clothes, walking slowly into the door of the teahouse. There seemed to be an indelible melancholy condensed between his brows, but there was a kind of grandeur and magnanimity in his eyes... Before he knew it, Xiao Junmo His eyes were blurred, and the figure of his father disappeared.
Realizing that he had lost his composure, Xiao Junmo quickly turned his head away and wiped his eyes.Fortunately, it was still early at this time, and there were not many guests in the teahouse, sitting sparsely, and no one cared about him.
A bowl of dark yellow tea was brought up, steaming slightly.This kind of ready-made tea is much cheaper than the tea brewed in the elegant room, and the taste is of course not much better.
Xiao Junmo took a sip of tea and couldn't help frowning slightly.
At this moment, a man in his 40s strode in and scanned the lobby with sharp eyes.Xiao Junmo was about to put down the tea bowl, but quickly lowered his head and continued to drink tea, covering most of his face with the tea bowl.
After a quick scan, the man found nothing unusual, so he walked up the stairs quickly.
Xiao Junmo felt that this person was very familiar, and he must be serving in the court, but he couldn't remember who he was for a while.And his back view and walking posture made Xiao Junmo feel familiar.
Suddenly, a picture flashed in front of Xiao Junmo's eyes - the man in black in the oak forest to the west of Gantang Station!
At this moment, the man lowered his head slightly and coughed.
That's right, the coughing sound is the same, it's him!
At this point, all the scattered links finally formed a closed chain: the father stole the eloquence information from Wei Wangfu, and Kui Ye sent it to Wei Zheng; Wei Zheng immediately dispatched this man to intercept him at Gantang Post in Shanzhou.In other words, my father is also a member of this mysterious force in the court, and Wei Zheng is probably the leader of this force!
At this time, the man knocked on the door of the first elegant room on the east side, and then said something in a low voice.
Although the voice was very soft, Xiao Junmo relied on his long-term keen hearing to hear the five words he said: Wangyan is ashamed.
Xiao Junmo was startled suddenly.
No need to listen to what Wei Zheng answered in the room, Xiao Junmo also knew that the next sentence was: Linchuan Xie Jiegan.
The reason why Xiao Junmo is so sure is because he has memorized every poem in "Lanting Collection" by heart these few days, and the two lines just now are from the poems of a guest in the Lanting Club.The full text of the poem is:
Sanchun pottery is harmonious, and everything is in harmony.After the Ming Dynasty, the time will be prosperous, and the driving words will reflect the Qinglan.
Quan Quan's sound is smooth, but Xiao Xiao's death is difficult.Wangyan is ashamed to take off his clothes, Linchuan Xie Jiegan.
The author of this five-character poem is Wei Pang, a subordinate of Wang Xizhi, who was then a meritorious officer in Kuaiji County.
It's "Lanting Collection" again!At this moment, this code not only has the same source as the joint code of "Mr. Ming Zang", but also the practice of using a sentence in the poem as a code is exactly the same.
Are these all coincidences?
Of course not!
Xiao Junmo's thoughts turned, and he immediately realized that the power in the rivers and lakes headed by Mingzang and the power in the court headed by Wei Zheng are bound to be closely related, and they may even belong to the same larger power, or Said they belonged to a larger secret organization!
Xiao Junmo couldn't help but gasp for such a bold inference.
If these inferences are correct, then the existence of this secret organization undoubtedly poses an extremely serious threat to the Tang Dynasty.If this organization has any ulterior motives, then once it launches an attack, it is bound to set off an unprecedented bloody storm in the entire Tang Dynasty!
The more Xiao Junmo thought about it, the more frightened he became, his breathing became short of breath, and his palms were faintly sweating.
All this must be reported to the general and the emperor immediately, without delay!
Xiao Junmo stood up abruptly.
However, just when he got up, an extremely calm voice suddenly sounded in his heart: Have you thought about it?Are you sure it's right to report?Don't forget, your father was a member of this secret organization, and he stole information about Biancai, which led to the murder at Gantang Station.If you report all this to the emperor, can your father escape the charge of treason?Won't you be implicated yourself?Even if the emperor exempted you from the death penalty because of your merits in reporting, can you get rid of the notoriety of betraying your father for glory?Even if people in the world can forgive you and think that you are thinking of the common people, can your conscience forgive yourself?A hundred years later, what face will you have to meet your father under the nine springs? !
Xiao Junmo sat back slumped, with cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
The waiter in the teahouse noticed his abnormality and couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
Realizing that if he stayed any longer, his flaws would inevitably be exposed, Xiao Junmo quickly took out a few copper coins and threw them on the food table, and hurried out of the Wangchuan Tea House.
It was raining heavily and the sky was gray.
Xiao Junmo rode on the donkey, rushed into the rain, and at the same time tore off the "beard" on his face, raised his head suddenly, let the cold rainwater hit his face, and let it flow freely along his cheeks...
In the elegant room of the tea house, Wei Zheng and Li Anyan were sitting opposite each other, and the atmosphere in the room was almost frozen.
As soon as Li Anyan returned to Beijing, the old lung disease relapsed severely, and he had to stay in bed for several days, and he delayed returning to Wei Zheng until today.Just now, he had already reported the incident in Gantang Station in detail, blamed himself again and again, and pleaded guilty to Wei Zheng again and again.Wei Zheng smiled wryly, saying that you have tried your best, so what is your fault?Then he ordered him to take care of those brothers who died, and to recuperate by himself, without thinking about other things.
The two were silent for a long time, before Wei Zheng brought up a new topic: "He Nian lost contact with me after he sent the news of Biancai that day, and I sent someone to inquire, but he hasn't been to Wei Palace for many days, nor has he returned home. This is very strange and I am very disturbed!"
Li Anyan was startled suddenly: "How could this be? Is there no news at all?"
Wei Zheng shook his head: "There is no news."
"Our brother, no one has seen him?"
Wei Zheng shook his head again.
Li Anyan frowned: "This is strange..."
"I really don't want to draw this conclusion, but there is no other explanation." Wei Zheng sighed, "I'm worried that in the Year of the Crane... he has already encountered an accident!"
"Could it be that he was exposed and was poisoned by King Wei?"
"I'm afraid that's the case." Wei Zheng said, "a few days ago, a spy named Xiaocui who was placed in the East Palace by the King of Wei also disappeared for no reason, almost at the same time as the year of the crane. I suspect that it was the King of Wei who saw through the relationship between me and the prince. It's counter-intuitive, so while killing Xiaocui, he's dealing with Henian..."
"Could it be that King Wei imprisoned him secretly?"
"I also guessed this point. But according to Henian's temperament, he would rather commit suicide than suffer humiliation, let alone say any word that King Wei wants to hear! So..." Wei Zheng couldn't continue, his eyes were full Slightly flushed.
Li Anyan was sad: "It's all my fault! He Nian risked his life in exchange for information, but I returned without success..."
Wei Zheng waved his hand: "There is no need to blame yourself anymore, it is useless to say these things now."
"Sir, how about we make a plan and rob the debaters?"
Wei Zheng smiled wryly: "The man is already in the hands of the Holy Master, how easy is it to rob him?"
"Sir, since I am on duty with the Holy One, the chances are great!" Li Anyan suddenly became a little excited, "As long as we make a proper plan..."
"Stop talking!" Wei Zheng stared at him coldly, "He Nian has already lost his life for this matter, and I don't want anyone to follow in his footsteps!"
Li Anyan's lips moved a bit, and she wanted to say something, but she didn't say anything.
When Xiao Junmo returned home drenched and embarrassed, he saw Huan Dieyi in casual clothes standing on the porch with his hips akimbo, looking at him gloatingly.
"Ah... sneeze!" Xiao Junmo still sneezed again and again until he came out of the bedroom after changing into clean clothes.
Clothes are easy to change, but hair is not easy to dry. Xiao Junmo took a linen face towel and rubbed his loose long hair vigorously.Huan Dieyi lit a brazier for him and told him to go over to warm it.Just as Xiao Junmo leaned over, his hair was almost set alight by the charcoal fire, and he jumped away in fright.
"Look at you, clumsy!" Huan Dieyi rolled his eyes at him, grabbed the linen towel from his hand, and wiped it vigorously for him, "Sit down, how can I wipe it when you are so tall?"
Xiao Junmo smiled, sat down, closed his eyes and let her wipe.
"Dieyi, you came just in time. The Holy One gave me a lot of satin, but I don't need it. You can use some to make clothes."
"Didn't you send all the satin to the homes of those brothers who died in the line of duty?"
"The Holy Majesty rewarded you last year, and there are still a lot left."
"Keep it by yourself, it's rare for me to wear it again."
"I think you still look good in girls' clothes."
Huan Dieyi was slightly happy, but deliberately annoyed: "Who asked you to see it? I won't wear it in the future, I will wear Xuanjiawei's clothes!"
"It's up to you, you look good in whatever you wear anyway."
Huan Dieyi was overjoyed again, but still said in his mouth: "I think you just have no intention of talking, and you are talking good things to deceive people."
"You have wronged me. I never say anything insincere."
"Isn't it? Brother Xuanjiawei number 2000, I think you are the most deceptive!"
"Where do you start with this?" Xiao Junmo couldn't help opening his eyes.
"If you weren't the best at deceiving people, how could you lure Biancai back to the capital?"
Xiao Junmo was startled, and smiled wryly: "That's the responsibility, you can't help yourself, it's not like you don't know."
"Then you have to be able to deceive people, otherwise you won't be able to pretend if you insist?"
Xiao Junmo had no choice but to close his eyes again: "Whatever you say, anyway, I have a clear conscience." I don't know why, when Huan Dieyi mentioned this topic, Chu Lisang's figure appeared in front of his eyes. How's it going.Originally, Xiao Junmo felt sorry for her, and her mother died in Gantang Yi, Xiao Junmo felt even more uncomfortable.
"Calling you a liar is absolutely not wronging you, you even lied to me!"
"How did I lie to you?"
"Didn't you say that day that you would tell me about your uncle's whereabouts no matter what you found?"
"I... haven't found anything yet."
Huan Dieyi was displeased, and threw the towel on his face: "You lied again in front of your face! If you really didn't find anything, why are you following Wei Zheng?"
Xiao Jun was at a loss for words, and after a while he said: "I won't tell you because I'm afraid you will worry."
"If you don't tell me, wouldn't I be more worried?!" Huan Dieyi stomped his feet, "You said that day that you would ask me for help at any time, but in the end, you asked Luo Biao and dozens of brothers to monitor Wei Zheng, but you just didn't Find me!"
"Okay, okay, it's my fault, calm down." Xiao Junmo apologized with a smile on his face, "How can I be willing to let you do that kind of rough work?"
"You speak nicely, but I think you just look down on me and always think that I'm not as capable as your men!"
"I definitely don't think so! In my eyes, you are the second princess of Pingyang, the only heroine in Chang'an City, the heroine of women! What are Luo Biao and the others? Dozens of Luo Biao tied together can't compare to you! "
Huan Dieyi was delighted to hear that, and finally broke into a smile: "Empty words and white teeth don't count, tell me, what task do you send me?"
After thinking about it, Xiao Junmo suddenly had an idea: "Wait a minute, I'll draw a portrait for you to see." As he spoke, he took the pen and paper, and started drawing at his desk. After a while, he outlined Li Anyan's face with simple and smooth lines The outline of the body and the facial features are simple but very vivid.
"Help me find out, who is this person and what is his official position in the court." Xiao Junmo handed over the portrait.
Huan Dieyi took a look, and smiled disdainfully: "Is there still a need to check? I can tell you now."
"You recognize him?" Xiao Junmo was delighted.
"Of course I recognize him! Li Anyan, the general of Zuo Tun Wei Zhonglang, is responsible for the safety of the Holy Majesty's guards and palace guards."
Only then did Xiao Junmo suddenly think of Li Anyan, and couldn't help cursing his own memory.Immediately afterwards, he was terrified in his heart and almost cried out—the general of the imperial army who was in charge of the emperor's personal safety turned out to be a member of a secret organization, so where did the emperor's safety come from?If this person wants to hold the emperor hostage or simply kill the king, wouldn't it be easy? !
Seeing him suddenly stunned, Huan Dieyi asked suspiciously: "What's the matter?"
Xiao Junmo came back to his senses: "Oh, it's nothing, I was frightened by your amazing memory. There are thousands of Chinese and Chinese martial arts, and you can remember everyone's face, I really admire it!"
Huan Dieyi was a little proud: "So, why don't you ask me for help?"
Xiao Junmo thought of something again, and said, "Of course I want to find you." He wrote two more words on the paper and handed it to her.
Huan Dieyi saw that there were two words written on the paper: Wei Pang.
"Who is this Wei Pang?"
"A meritorious officer in Kuaiji County during the Yonghe period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty." Xiao Junmo said, "You can help me find out what kind of relationship he has with Wei Zheng. Could it be... his ancestor."
"Wei Zheng again?" Huan Dieyi frowned, "Why do you keep checking him lately?"
"Because, I suspect, he has something to do with my father's whereabouts."
When Huan Dieyi heard it, he immediately cheered up: "Wrap it on me!"
There is a strange scene in Chang'an City at night: when the streets and thoroughfares of the whole city are quiet due to the night ban system, the nightlife in Lifang in the city has just begun, and everywhere is brightly lit and bustling.Among them, the Lifang in the south is mostly the residence of low-level officials and civilians, which is relatively deserted; while the Lifang in the central and northern parts is full of high-ranking officials, wealthy businessmen and wealthy businessmen, so brothels, restaurants and teahouses prosper accordingly. These inner squares are all crowded with cars and horses, and the crowds are bustling, which is in stark contrast to the dark and silent streets outside the squares.
Among all the feasting Lifang, the most prosperous one is Pingkangfang.
Pingkangfang is located on the south side of Chunmingmen Street, adjacent to Dongshi City in the east, and across the street from the southeast corner of the Imperial City in the northwest corner. Because of the convenient transportation and superior location, it has always been the place for applicants, candidates, and people from other states and counties to enter Beijing. Therefore, the brothel prostitution industry is particularly developed.In the square music, the red sleeves are swaggering, the fragrance of pink and daisy is wafting, the noise is loud day and night, and the lights are endless.At that time, people called it "all the workshops in the middle of Beijing, no one can compare them with others", and praised it as "Merry Souze", which means that this workshop is a gentle hometown of singing, singing, swallows and dancing, and also a cave for selling gold.
At nightfall that day, Wei Wang Li Tai came to a brothel in the south of this square by car.
Li Tai got off the carriage, looked up, and there were three beautiful characters written on the plaque on the lintel: Qihuang Pavilion.
Tonight, Li Tai came here to have a secret meeting with Fang Xuanling's second wife's bereaved love.Since he formally entered the Wude Hall ten days ago, the honorable sons of the court have expressed their affection to him one after another, including Fang Xuanling's son Fang Yiai, Du Ruhui's son Du He, Chai Shao's son Chai Lingwu and others.Although Li Tai is quite proud of this, it is by no means that all comers will be rejected.Those who want to curry favor with him must first of all be someone he can admire, and secondly, they must present something of weight and interest to him, otherwise they will all be out of the question.
For example, tonight, Fang Yiai promised to give him two extraordinary gifts.
Beforehand, Li Tai asked him what he was going to give, but Fang Yiai mysteriously said that he would know when he got it, and would never let him down anyway.Li Tai's curiosity was aroused, so he came to Pingkangfang before the sound of the evening drum.Of course, he wasn't afraid of the night ban, but he didn't want Wu Houwei or more people to know his whereabouts.After entering Pingkangfang, he purposely turned around elsewhere in case there was a "tail" behind him.He didn't order the driver to drive here until he was sure that no one was following him.
As soon as they arrived at the gate of Qihuang Pavilion, Fang Yiai, who was beautiful and well-dressed, greeted her in person, and said with a smile on her face, "A moment in spring is worth a thousand gold, why did Shiro come so late?"
In order not to expose each other's identities, they agreed to match each other's ranks.
"I can't be more at ease than Erlang." Li Tai said, "I'm just a hard worker, and I'm entangled in a bunch of messy things every day."
"That's Shiro, it's hard work for you!" Fang Yiai smiled, and approached him in a low voice, "My father often said that among so many princes, you are the most intelligent and capable, not only talented, but also knowledgeable. And with lofty aspirations, he is most like the Holy Majesty back then!"
Thousands of wears and thousands of wears, flattery does not wear.Although Li Tai has long been used to hearing these words, they are still very useful.As he walked, he pretended to be reserved and said: "You don't dare to say such words casually, it would be bad if it spreads to the ears of outsiders."
When Fang Yiai heard Li Tai's tone, she seemed to regard him as "one of my own", and was immediately overjoyed: "What Shiro said is true, I have my own measure."
As they spoke, the two of them passed through a group of Yingying and Yanyan, strolled to the second floor, and walked into an elegant room with luxurious decoration and spacious space.The elegant room was divided into two rooms, inside and outside. Fang Yiai respectfully invited Li Tai to sit down in the outside room. A waiter had already served wine and dishes, and the table was filled with fine wine and delicacies.Li Tai glanced at it, but saw a woman sitting in the room, with a lacquered and colorful silk brocade sitting in front of her, but unfortunately there was a bead curtain between the two rooms, so the woman's face could not be seen clearly.
Fang Yiai saw it, pretended not to see it, and only patted her palms lightly twice.The woman in the middle moved in response to the sound, raised her hand to wipe lightly on the string, and then lightly picked it up slowly, a string of unvoiced sounds flowed out from her slender fingers.
Li Tai immediately turned his gaze to the inside.
A passage was played before, and the woman gently opened her red lips, and began to sing slowly along with the string music: Yoyo Luming, the apple of the wild food; I have a guest, playing the lute and the sheng...
Li Tai is also a person who is good at playing the qin and playing the zither, so he can recognize it as soon as he hears it. This is the ancient song "Deer Ming", the lyrics are taken from the "Book of Songs", and the melody is also an existing zither score since ancient times. The style of the song is light and cheerful. Love is a occasional work for gatherings and banquets.Although the woman playing the zither was skilled and her voice was clear and melodious, she sounded not much different from the singers in Pingkang Fang, and there was nothing attractive about it, so Li Tai lost interest after only listening to a few words.
But Fang Yiai didn't notice Li Tai's subtle reaction, raised the wine cup and respected: "Silang, this is the 'Jiuyun' brewed by my special staff using 'Jiming Wheat'. It is fragrant and mellow, and I invite Shiro to taste it!"
"Chicken wheat?" Li Tai laughed. "It's the distiller's song that people in Jin said 'soak wheat with water, sprout it on Sanxi, and use it when chicken crows in Pingdan'?" I heard that brewing in this way is time-consuming and laborious, Erlang You really have time to spare!"
"Shiro is indeed well-informed, I admire you, please!"
Li Tai smiled, picked up the wine cup, took a sip, smacked it a few times, and immediately praised: "The aroma is strong, slightly bitter but sweet, good wine!"
"If Shiro likes it, I'll have someone pull a cart for you tomorrow." Fang Yiai said.
But Li Tai put down the wine cup and looked at him: "Erlang, you invited me here today, isn't it just to give me this gift?"
Fang Yiai smiled mysteriously: "Of course not."
"what is that?"
"The first gift was given by my father. I think this Shiro must be interested."
"Don't be a fool." Li Tai was a little impatient, "What is it?"
Fang Yiai picked up the wine cup, stood up and came to Li Tai's case, then sat down on the buttocks, and approached him: "Silang, you have heard of the case of Lu family extermination in the ninth year of Wude, right?"
Li Tai was slightly startled, staring at Fang Yiai suspiciously, not knowing what kind of medicine he was selling in the gourd, he said after a while: "Is it appropriate to talk about this kind of thing in this kind of place?" He pouted at the woman in the room.
"She plays hers, we talk about ours, the two don't get in the way." Fang Yiai said with a smile, "Besides, this kind of thing should only be discussed in this kind of place, and that's what my father meant."
Li Tai knew that Fang Xuanling's arrangement was of course to use sensual entertainment to deceive others, so as to convey an important message to him.In fact, as soon as Fang Yiai mentioned the "Lu family extermination case", Li Tai had already realized that the "gift" that Fang's father and son were going to give him today was absolutely extraordinary!
At this moment, the woman in the middle was still playing and singing intently, without even raising her eyelids.Li Tai glanced at her, and said to Fang Yiai: "What you want to talk about is the clue that Lu Shiheng left to the emperor before his death on June [-], the ninth year of Wude?"
Fang Yiai gave him a thumbs up: "Shiro is really transparent!"
Li Tai remembered that Du Chuke once told him that Fang Xuanling was one of four people who accompanied his father to meet Lu Shiheng. "Tell me, what clue?"
"Back then, Lu Shiheng left three and a half words in blood on the Holy Majesty, and even made an action."
"Three and a half?" Li Tai narrowed his eyes, "Which three and a half words?"
Fang Yiai moved the dishes on the food table to make room for a small space, dipped some wine from the wine cup with her index finger, and wrote four characters on the table one after another: Lan, Ting, Tian, Gan.
"'Lanting' should be the Preface to Lanting, but what is the meaning of the word 'Heavenly Stems'? Could it mean Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches?" Li Tai was puzzled.
"My lord and my father were also misled by the word 'dry' at the beginning." Fang Yiai said, "In fact, the word 'dry' is not a full word, but a half word, and Lu Shiheng died before he could finish writing it. At the beginning, my father first discovered that the character was incomplete, and the vertical line of "gan" was slightly to the left, so he reminded the emperor. Later, my father thought, since the vertical line of the character "gan" is to the left, is it Lu Shiheng's original intention? Want to write another vertical on the right?"
As Fang Yiai said that, he added a vertical line to the word "dry" and it became "kai".
"And then?" Li Tai stared at him closely.
"Then we will talk about Lu Shiheng's action before he died."
"What action?"
"Before Lu Shiheng died, he exhausted his last strength and grabbed the Holy Majesty's saber."
Li Tai couldn't help frowning: "Caught the emperor's sword?! What's the meaning of this?"
Fang Yiai smiled, and pointed to the word "open" on the table: "Silang, what do you think it will become if you add a knife to the right of it?" As he spoke, before Li Tai could answer, he wrote in "" Two strokes are added to the right of "Open".
Li Tai took a closer look, and suddenly there was a word "punishment" on the case.
"Heavenly punishment?!"
Fang Yiai nodded: "My father said that he thought about it for a long time, and then he happened to pass by the palace gate and saw the scene of a soldier with a sword opening the palace gate, and he realized it immediately - the action of Lu Shiheng before his death was just thinking about it. Tell your majesty that he still has a "beside the sword" that he didn't write in time. According to my father's speculation, the majesty himself and the other three ministers who knew about this matter should have guessed what Lu Shiheng meant later."
Li Tai stared at the word, becoming more and more confused: "But what does 'Heavenly Punishment' mean?"
"This is what we should do next." Fang Yiai said, "My father said that if we can decipher the full meaning of these two characters, I will be able to solve the mystery of "Orchid Pavilion Preface"!"
On the east side of the Ganlu Hall of Taiji Palace, there is a Foguang Temple, which belongs to the royal temple within the forbidden palace.
After Biancai was sent to the palace, he was naturally placed in Foguang Temple.At this moment, in a quiet meditation room behind the Sutra Pavilion of Foguang Temple, Emperor Li Shimin and Biancai sat face to face on the futon.
Biancai has returned to his monastic appearance, he is wearing a khaki monk's robe, and on the top of his shiny head can faintly see the scars left when he was ordained.His eyes were lowered and his expression was calm, while Li Shimin was staring at him with piercing eyes.
"Master, do you really plan to let me sit with you like this until dawn?"
"The poor monk dare not." Biancai replied indifferently, "Who in the whole world would dare to let the emperor sit with him?"
"Aren't I accompanying you now?"
"The poor monk has begged many times just now. It is late at night. Please take care of the dragon body and return to the palace to sleep."
"This is the third time I've come to see you, but you don't answer any questions, how can I go to bed with peace of mind?"
"The poor monk knows nothing about your majesty's question, so he can't answer it."
"'Never lie' is one of the five basic precepts of Buddhist practice. Even lay Buddhists who are new to Buddhism can keep it, but a master who has held the 250 great precepts of monks for many years dares to lie in front of me. How can he be worthy of the Buddha? "
"Your Majesty's words are true! However, the poor monk did not lie."
"You say you don't know the whereabouts of the "Lanting Preface" at all, this is a lie!"
"Your Majesty, the poor monk really doesn't know."
Li Shimin sneered: "Okay, then let's not talk about this for now, let's talk about the fact that you have been hiding in Yique for so many years! You have stolen other people's identities, impersonated them, and deceived the government. Isn't this violating the precepts against stealing and lying? You Didn’t you violate the precept against adultery by marrying a wife and having children without officially returning to the vulgar? Didn’t you violate the precept against drinking when you lived a layman’s life as a layman? If you died, didn’t you indirectly violate the commandment of killing? Arguing, I want to ask you, how can you deserve to be called a ‘mage’ when you have violated all five precepts?!”
The eloquence was slightly startled, and after a while he said: "It is a last resort to steal someone else's identity, the poor monk repents! But the poor monk apparently married a wife and had children, but in fact he has not had sex with his wife for so many years, and the daughter is not the poor monk's own. In addition, The poor monk has been a vegetarian for 16 years, and has never drunk or eaten meat. I hope His Majesty will be aware of all these things! As for the death of so many people in Beijing this time, the poor monk is indeed guilty, but the poor monk does not want this kind of killing. It is also powerless to stop this tragedy, not to mention, the poor monk is definitely not the initiator of this killing and tragedy!"
Li Shimin's face darkened: "According to what you mean, I'm the one who started this?"
"When discussing matters in the Dharma, the first thing is to start. If your majesty is doing these things for the sake of the common people and not for your own selfish desires, then even if your majesty is really the one who initiated the crime, it can't be wrong."
Hearing this, Li Shimin's tense expression relaxed, and he said, "I am so relieved that Master can see this way! Since Master knows that I do all this for the sake of the common people, then I shouldn't hide anything from me."
The debater sighed: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for saying that the good and the evil in the world are inherently mixed, and if there is a benefit, there is a harm to life! That's why Lao Tzu said, 'Saints are not benevolent, and they regard the people as dogs', and Zhuangzi also said that' The sage never dies, and the thieves never stop'. Since we respect Taoism, we should govern the country with the spirit of Taoism's natural inaction. As the saying goes, governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. If it is restless, it will cause many harms. If it is quiet, it will be true. The world may not be the blessing of the common people."
"According to what you say, should I just watch those evil forces endanger the world and bring chaos to the court?"
"Good and evil are rewarded, and the cause and effect are clear. Everyone repays what he does. Even if the perpetrators are rampant for a while, they will eventually kill themselves, but if your majesty uses power to ward them off, use force to punish them, and force them to take risks, it will be unavoidable. Let’s fight again! If the jade and stone are burned in the end, wouldn’t the gain outweigh the loss? The Taoist saying, ‘The country will grow bigger, and its lord will become quieter’, and it also said ‘take the world with nothing to do’, both mean this, please think twice, Your Majesty!”
Li Shimin looked at him deeply: "Biancai, it seems that you really know everything, but you just don't want to tell me, is that so?"
The eloquent was silent.
Li Shimin suddenly smiled: "Talking with you is better than reading ten years of books! The mage's profound understanding of Buddhism and Taoism is admirable! If the mage does not give up, I will issue an edict tomorrow to make you a national teacher. How about it?" ?”
Biancai smiled lightly: "Thank you for your kindness, but the poor monk has no morals and talents, and he really can't bear the job."
"If you don't want to be a national teacher, you can also return to the vulgar again. With your moral character and talents, it is more than enough to be a minister!" Li Shimin stared at him, "What do you think, Master?"
The debater smiled again: "Your Majesty loves you so much, the poor monk is sincere and terrified! But if the poor monk really abandons his personal principles for the sake of fame and gain, will your majesty still think that the poor monk's virtue is worthy of being a minister?"
"Debate!" Li Shimin's face darkened instantly, "There is no one in the world who dares to reject me again and again! I advise you, don't challenge my patience without limit! I will give you another three days, If you still can't give me a satisfactory answer, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
After finishing speaking, Li Shimin suddenly got up, flicked his sleeves, and walked out of the meditation room.
Biancai remained motionless and quietly closed his eyes.
In the elegant room of Qihuang Pavilion, Li Tai and Fang Yiai were still talking in low voices, unaware that the sound of the piano and singing had stopped, let alone that the woman had pushed aside the bead curtain and walked quietly. beside them.
When Li Tai raised his head inadvertently, he was taken aback, and hurriedly erased the words written with wine on the food table.
Fang Yiai was also surprised, and said displeasedly: "Jinse, you are so rude, didn't you see that Shiro and I were talking?"
The woman named Jinse smiled sweetly: "Yes, the two lords were so busy talking, they regarded the slave family as nothing, and the slave family played too boringly, so I simply stopped playing, so as not to disturb the two lords talking."
Li Tai didn't see the woman's face clearly until then, and his heart trembled.
The woman's face is like peach blossoms, her skin is like creamy fat, her long skirt is dragging to the floor, her figure is graceful, her bright eyes look forward to brilliance, her style is full of charm, but she is still dignified and reserved. With a cold and aloof.Li Tai has seen countless fireworks women in his life, but he has never seen such a stunning and refined woman, and he was stunned for a moment.
Fang Yiai's expression darkened when she heard the words: "Jinse, what you say is not like your Qihuang Pavilion's way of hospitality!"
"It's not the first time Erlang has come here." Jinse laughed, "If you don't like my way of hospitality, Su Jinse, you can find someone else. Anyway, the most indispensable thing in Qihuang Pavilion is a laughing girl!"
Fang Yiai got a little angry, and was about to reprimand, when Li Tai suddenly laughed and said, "Miss Jinse, since you don't laugh, what are you doing in Pingkangfang?"
"My slave is selling art!"
"Purchasing?!" Li Tai chuckled, "With your looks, you might be able to earn a few copper coins by showing off. If you're talking about performing arts, please forgive me for telling the truth, I'm afraid you won't be able to support yourself."
Su Jinse heard the words, instead of being angry, she giggled: "That's right, the art of the slave family only sells the refined scholars, not the common people. I would rather be a high-ranking man than grandstanding! As for whether I can support myself, I don't need to bother Shiro. "
Li Tai laughed loudly: "As for your song "Deer Ming" just now, can you talk about high and low?"
Su Jinse also laughed: "Do you think the song just now, Mr. Lang, is very vulgar?"
"Yes, very vulgar, vulgar!"
Su Jinse glanced at Fang Yiai: "Erlang, did you hear that? This gentleman also said that you are vulgar, but it's not just the servants who say that about you."
Fang Yiai was immediately embarrassed, and said to Li Tai: "The piece just now was...I asked Jinse to play it."
Hearing this, Li Tai became serious, and took another look at Su Jinse: "Since that's the case, then I'm willing to listen to what Miss Jinse has to say."
"Gaoqu is for the expert, does Shiro think he is an expert?"
"I'm not talented, but I have some experience in the sound of the zither. I sincerely ask Miss Jinse to enlighten me!"
Su Jinse's eyes turned and stayed on Li Tai's face for a while, and then smiled brightly: "Everyone said that they should do their part, it seems that the slave family really can't hide tonight."
Li Tai saw her eyes rolling and smiling, his heart trembled again, and he quickly made a gesture of invitation to cover up his heart throbbing.
Su Jinse turned around lightly, walked into the room, and sat down again.Li Tai inadvertently smelled the body fragrance she exuded when she turned around, and his mind was shaken again, and he couldn't help fluffing his nose.
Soon, the zither's string sounded again.Li Tai was stunned, and found that he had never heard of this score, so he couldn't help but stare at Su Jinse, waiting to hear her next singing.
Along with the melody, Su Jinse's singing sounded again.As soon as Li Tai heard it, she felt completely different from just now. She only felt that her clear and distant singing voice seemed to come from outside the sky, without the slightest breath of human fireworks.
"The other millet is lili, the seedling of the other millet. The walking is sloppy, and the center is shaking. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who don't know me say what I want. The sky, who is this?"
Li Tai knew that the lyrics of this song were taken from the "Shu Li" in "The Book of Songs", which was originally an ancient Sepu, but Su Jinse obviously only kept the lyrics and re-composed the melody himself.
The literary meaning of this song "Shu Li" was originally full of sadness and desolation, containing the protagonist's endless thoughts about the homeland, as well as the sigh of the rise and fall of the family, the country, and the world. The sound of Tian Lai's singing is set off again, making people even more sad, and I don't feel the urge to cry up to the sky and burst into tears.
"The millet is lili, the ears of the millet. The pace is sloppy, the heart is drunk. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who don't know me say what I want. The heavens, who is this?"
When the second verse of the lyrics was sung, Li Tai was completely intoxicated by it, and couldn't extricate himself from it.
Fang Yiai saw all this, secretly smiled, and without saying goodbye to Li Tai, quietly retreated out and closed the door behind her.
"The other millet is separated, the reality of the other land. Walking and walking is exhausting, and the center is like choking. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who don't know me say what I want. The heavens, who is this?"
This piece of song sighed three times, full of sadness, until Su Jinse got up after singing, Li Tai was still wandering, his eyes were wet unconsciously.
"Shiro..."
Su Jinse walked up to him, and called out softly, calling Li Tai's soul from the sky back to the world.
Li Tai came back to his senses, and wiped his eyes in embarrassment: "I'm sorry, I... I lost my composure."
Su Jinse looked at him deeply: "Shilang, you really know how to play a song. I have played this piece no less than dozens of times, but you are... the first person to cry for it."
Li Tai raised his eyes and met Su Jinse's eyes.
A kind of emotion like Boya Ziqi, high mountains and flowing water slowly flowed in the eyes of the two.At this moment, Li Tai suddenly realized that this amazing and talented woman in front of him must be the second "gift" that Fang Yiai wanted to give him.
The light rain wet a wooden bridge and also wet a person standing on the bridge.
Xiao Junmo was dressed in casual clothes and had been standing on the bridge for more than half an hour.
He stared blankly at the Yong'an Canal under the bridge, completely ignoring the surprised eyes of passers-by.
The wooden bridge is located in the north of Yankangfang. The water of Yong'an Canal flows through Yankangfang from south to north, and then flows from this bridge to Guangdefang in the north.In other words, if something flows out of the canal in the Wei Palace, it will flow under this bridge.
I don't know why, Xiao Junmo has always had a strong intuition these days, thinking that he can find clues related to his father here.
Under the bridge, on the bank of green grass, there is an old man wearing a bamboo hat and coir raincoat, fishing leisurely.
Xiao Junmo watched him for so long, but he didn't catch a fish, or even saw the fish bite the hook half a time, but this didn't seem to hinder the old man's interest at all.
"Old man, can you catch fish here?" Xiao Junmo walked up to the old man and struck up a conversation.
The old man turned his head and glanced at him: "If you sit for a long time, you can catch it naturally."
"In this rainy day, the fish all sink, don't they bite the hook?"
"So be patient."
Xiao Junmo smiled, and couldn't help admiring the old man.He looked up at the rippling water of the canal, and found some sundries occasionally floating on the surface of the water, such as rotten vegetable leaves, rags, old brooms, and so on.
"Old man, I heard from friends who like fishing that they often fish by the water, and they will catch some weird things from time to time, isn't it?"
The old man chuckled: "That's true."
"What have you ever fished?"
"I've fished everything except dead people."
Xiao Junmo's heart suddenly trembled, and he forced a smile: "If there are dead people, they will think you are small and won't eat hooks."
The old man laughed, and glanced at him again: "You young man is too busy to do business, but you are here to talk nonsense with my old man."
"I'm just curious to know what you've caught."
"To be honest, I really caught something two days ago."
"what?"
"A shoe."
Xiao Junmo was taken aback for a moment, and his heart beat faster for some reason: "Shoes? What kind of shoes?"
"The black leather boots are a bit old, but they look like those worn by officials."
"Then you... threw the shoes back?"
"How can it be?" The old man rolled his eyes at him, "Everyone is throwing things in it. Isn't the water in this canal already smelly?"
"Then you took it home?"
"Hmph!" The old man snorted coldly, and gave him another look, "No matter how greedy I am, I can't wear a shoe on the street, right?"
"That's not what I meant." Xiao Junmo hurriedly apologized, "You always look like a broad-minded person, even if you caught a pair, you wouldn't look straight at them, am I right?"
The old man smiled when he heard it, and then he turned to a bush not far away and said, "Here, I threw it there."
Xiao Junmo rushed over immediately, so fast that the old man was startled.
"This young man, isn't he sick?!"
In the courtyard of the Xiao Mansion, He Chongjiu was holding a black leather boot, his hands trembling slightly.
Xiao Junmo looked at him solemnly: "Uncle Jiu, are you really sure that this shoe belongs to my father?"
He Chongjiu's eyes were red, he nodded, and pointed to a certain place on his boots: "The last time my lord got wet from wading in the rainy day, I took it to the brazier to roast, and accidentally burned a piece of it, right here, look."
Xiao Junmo didn't look at it, but suddenly turned his head and walked outside.
It wasn't because he completely believed in Uncle Jiu's eyesight, but because he was afraid that he couldn't hold back the tears in his eyes.
(End of this chapter)
In the morning, the drizzle flew obliquely.
Inside Yongxing Square, Wei Zheng's carriage was rumbling along the muddy road.Not far behind, a man dressed as a businessman, riding a donkey, wearing a bamboo hat and coir raincoat, followed unhurriedly.
The man's bamboo hat was pressed down very low, his eyebrows and eyes could not be seen, only the lower half of his unshaven face was exposed.
He is Xiao Junmo.
Today is the ninth day of March, and it is also the fourth day that Xiao Junmo and his men followed Wei Zheng.Since the Wei Mansion has three gates, north, west, and south, Xiao Junmo sent Luo Biao and others to guard the north gate, south gate and along the line, and he himself sat in the west gate at the middle point. Once Wei Zheng came out from the west gate, Xiao Junmo would personally Follow up; if Wei Zheng came out from the north gate or south gate, Luo Biao and the others would follow. At the same time, several other subordinates immediately passed on the signal one by one. Then Xiao Junmo hurried over to replace Luo Biao and continued to follow.
From the first day, that is, the sixth day of March, Xiao Junmo discovered a strange phenomenon: Wei Zheng was going to the East Palace, but he didn't come out from the West Gate or the North Gate of his own house, but went out from the South Gate and went to Dongfang Gate. , and then went around in a big circle to the East Palace, and I didn't see him stopping anywhere on the way.
Xiao Junmo was puzzled, and at the same time believed that there must be a mystery here.
After that, for two consecutive days, Wei Zheng didn't make any detours. He always came out from the west gate and took the normal shortest path.Xiao Junmo once suspected that his stalking had been discovered, but after thinking about it, it was impossible, because every time he put on a different costume, and with his makeup skills and stalking methods, he would never be discovered so easily.Until today, when Wei Zheng did not take the usual path again, and started to detour to the east again, Xiao Junmo was sure that he was not exposed.
The sixth and ninth day detours, and the two days in between are normal. What does this mean?
Xiao Junmo thought for a while, and then came up with an inference: If Wei Zheng takes the usual route again in the next few days, then it can be concluded that on the thirteenth day, Wei Zheng will definitely take another detour!That is to say, every three, six, and nine are the days when Wei Zheng deliberately detours.
But why did he do this?
With his rich experience in handling cases, Xiao Junmo quickly got the answer: in the east of Yongxingfang, there must be a place where Wei Zheng and his subordinates secretly contact.Xiao Junmo believes that the purpose of Wei Zheng's detour must be to receive the signal sent to him by the contact point. Once he sees the agreed signal, Wei Zheng will definitely stop there to connect with his subordinates.
Just when Xiao Junmo was thinking this way, the carriage moved forward for a while, and suddenly stopped slowly by the side of the road.
With a thought in his mind, Xiao Junmo immediately raised his eyes and saw Wei Zheng's carriage parked in front of a teahouse named "Wangchuan".Xiao Junmo immediately recalled that three days ago, when the weather was fine, Wei Zheng's carriage was running fast, but it slowed down at this place, and continued to drive eastward after a while.
Obviously, Wei Zheng didn't see the signal that day, but today, the signal appeared!
Xiao Junmo patted the donkey and walked forward quickly, scanning the entire side of the teahouse facing the street with sharp eyes.Soon, he discovered what he expected: in the whole row of windows on the second floor of the teahouse, most of the window sills were lined with potted trees, except for a potted plant on the window sill of the first elegant room on the east side. Eye-catching rocks!
There is no doubt that Wei Zheng stopped when he saw this basin of rocks.
At this moment, Wei Zheng stepped off the carriage slowly, and was graciously helped in by two waiters in the teahouse.Xiao Junmo tied the donkey to a tree trunk, unhurriedly followed the teahouse, sat down in a remote corner, and ordered a bowl of ready-made tea.
From the corner of his eye, Xiao Junmo caught a glimpse of Wei Zheng walking up the stairs slowly, and then walked into the first elegant room on the east side.
If his father hadn't been in a hurry to send the information that night, Xiao Jun thought to himself, he must have come here to meet Wei Zheng the next day.Thinking of this, Xiao Junmo seemed to see his father in front of him.He seemed to see his father, who was elegant and elegant, with flowing clothes, walking slowly into the door of the teahouse. There seemed to be an indelible melancholy condensed between his brows, but there was a kind of grandeur and magnanimity in his eyes... Before he knew it, Xiao Junmo His eyes were blurred, and the figure of his father disappeared.
Realizing that he had lost his composure, Xiao Junmo quickly turned his head away and wiped his eyes.Fortunately, it was still early at this time, and there were not many guests in the teahouse, sitting sparsely, and no one cared about him.
A bowl of dark yellow tea was brought up, steaming slightly.This kind of ready-made tea is much cheaper than the tea brewed in the elegant room, and the taste is of course not much better.
Xiao Junmo took a sip of tea and couldn't help frowning slightly.
At this moment, a man in his 40s strode in and scanned the lobby with sharp eyes.Xiao Junmo was about to put down the tea bowl, but quickly lowered his head and continued to drink tea, covering most of his face with the tea bowl.
After a quick scan, the man found nothing unusual, so he walked up the stairs quickly.
Xiao Junmo felt that this person was very familiar, and he must be serving in the court, but he couldn't remember who he was for a while.And his back view and walking posture made Xiao Junmo feel familiar.
Suddenly, a picture flashed in front of Xiao Junmo's eyes - the man in black in the oak forest to the west of Gantang Station!
At this moment, the man lowered his head slightly and coughed.
That's right, the coughing sound is the same, it's him!
At this point, all the scattered links finally formed a closed chain: the father stole the eloquence information from Wei Wangfu, and Kui Ye sent it to Wei Zheng; Wei Zheng immediately dispatched this man to intercept him at Gantang Post in Shanzhou.In other words, my father is also a member of this mysterious force in the court, and Wei Zheng is probably the leader of this force!
At this time, the man knocked on the door of the first elegant room on the east side, and then said something in a low voice.
Although the voice was very soft, Xiao Junmo relied on his long-term keen hearing to hear the five words he said: Wangyan is ashamed.
Xiao Junmo was startled suddenly.
No need to listen to what Wei Zheng answered in the room, Xiao Junmo also knew that the next sentence was: Linchuan Xie Jiegan.
The reason why Xiao Junmo is so sure is because he has memorized every poem in "Lanting Collection" by heart these few days, and the two lines just now are from the poems of a guest in the Lanting Club.The full text of the poem is:
Sanchun pottery is harmonious, and everything is in harmony.After the Ming Dynasty, the time will be prosperous, and the driving words will reflect the Qinglan.
Quan Quan's sound is smooth, but Xiao Xiao's death is difficult.Wangyan is ashamed to take off his clothes, Linchuan Xie Jiegan.
The author of this five-character poem is Wei Pang, a subordinate of Wang Xizhi, who was then a meritorious officer in Kuaiji County.
It's "Lanting Collection" again!At this moment, this code not only has the same source as the joint code of "Mr. Ming Zang", but also the practice of using a sentence in the poem as a code is exactly the same.
Are these all coincidences?
Of course not!
Xiao Junmo's thoughts turned, and he immediately realized that the power in the rivers and lakes headed by Mingzang and the power in the court headed by Wei Zheng are bound to be closely related, and they may even belong to the same larger power, or Said they belonged to a larger secret organization!
Xiao Junmo couldn't help but gasp for such a bold inference.
If these inferences are correct, then the existence of this secret organization undoubtedly poses an extremely serious threat to the Tang Dynasty.If this organization has any ulterior motives, then once it launches an attack, it is bound to set off an unprecedented bloody storm in the entire Tang Dynasty!
The more Xiao Junmo thought about it, the more frightened he became, his breathing became short of breath, and his palms were faintly sweating.
All this must be reported to the general and the emperor immediately, without delay!
Xiao Junmo stood up abruptly.
However, just when he got up, an extremely calm voice suddenly sounded in his heart: Have you thought about it?Are you sure it's right to report?Don't forget, your father was a member of this secret organization, and he stole information about Biancai, which led to the murder at Gantang Station.If you report all this to the emperor, can your father escape the charge of treason?Won't you be implicated yourself?Even if the emperor exempted you from the death penalty because of your merits in reporting, can you get rid of the notoriety of betraying your father for glory?Even if people in the world can forgive you and think that you are thinking of the common people, can your conscience forgive yourself?A hundred years later, what face will you have to meet your father under the nine springs? !
Xiao Junmo sat back slumped, with cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
The waiter in the teahouse noticed his abnormality and couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
Realizing that if he stayed any longer, his flaws would inevitably be exposed, Xiao Junmo quickly took out a few copper coins and threw them on the food table, and hurried out of the Wangchuan Tea House.
It was raining heavily and the sky was gray.
Xiao Junmo rode on the donkey, rushed into the rain, and at the same time tore off the "beard" on his face, raised his head suddenly, let the cold rainwater hit his face, and let it flow freely along his cheeks...
In the elegant room of the tea house, Wei Zheng and Li Anyan were sitting opposite each other, and the atmosphere in the room was almost frozen.
As soon as Li Anyan returned to Beijing, the old lung disease relapsed severely, and he had to stay in bed for several days, and he delayed returning to Wei Zheng until today.Just now, he had already reported the incident in Gantang Station in detail, blamed himself again and again, and pleaded guilty to Wei Zheng again and again.Wei Zheng smiled wryly, saying that you have tried your best, so what is your fault?Then he ordered him to take care of those brothers who died, and to recuperate by himself, without thinking about other things.
The two were silent for a long time, before Wei Zheng brought up a new topic: "He Nian lost contact with me after he sent the news of Biancai that day, and I sent someone to inquire, but he hasn't been to Wei Palace for many days, nor has he returned home. This is very strange and I am very disturbed!"
Li Anyan was startled suddenly: "How could this be? Is there no news at all?"
Wei Zheng shook his head: "There is no news."
"Our brother, no one has seen him?"
Wei Zheng shook his head again.
Li Anyan frowned: "This is strange..."
"I really don't want to draw this conclusion, but there is no other explanation." Wei Zheng sighed, "I'm worried that in the Year of the Crane... he has already encountered an accident!"
"Could it be that he was exposed and was poisoned by King Wei?"
"I'm afraid that's the case." Wei Zheng said, "a few days ago, a spy named Xiaocui who was placed in the East Palace by the King of Wei also disappeared for no reason, almost at the same time as the year of the crane. I suspect that it was the King of Wei who saw through the relationship between me and the prince. It's counter-intuitive, so while killing Xiaocui, he's dealing with Henian..."
"Could it be that King Wei imprisoned him secretly?"
"I also guessed this point. But according to Henian's temperament, he would rather commit suicide than suffer humiliation, let alone say any word that King Wei wants to hear! So..." Wei Zheng couldn't continue, his eyes were full Slightly flushed.
Li Anyan was sad: "It's all my fault! He Nian risked his life in exchange for information, but I returned without success..."
Wei Zheng waved his hand: "There is no need to blame yourself anymore, it is useless to say these things now."
"Sir, how about we make a plan and rob the debaters?"
Wei Zheng smiled wryly: "The man is already in the hands of the Holy Master, how easy is it to rob him?"
"Sir, since I am on duty with the Holy One, the chances are great!" Li Anyan suddenly became a little excited, "As long as we make a proper plan..."
"Stop talking!" Wei Zheng stared at him coldly, "He Nian has already lost his life for this matter, and I don't want anyone to follow in his footsteps!"
Li Anyan's lips moved a bit, and she wanted to say something, but she didn't say anything.
When Xiao Junmo returned home drenched and embarrassed, he saw Huan Dieyi in casual clothes standing on the porch with his hips akimbo, looking at him gloatingly.
"Ah... sneeze!" Xiao Junmo still sneezed again and again until he came out of the bedroom after changing into clean clothes.
Clothes are easy to change, but hair is not easy to dry. Xiao Junmo took a linen face towel and rubbed his loose long hair vigorously.Huan Dieyi lit a brazier for him and told him to go over to warm it.Just as Xiao Junmo leaned over, his hair was almost set alight by the charcoal fire, and he jumped away in fright.
"Look at you, clumsy!" Huan Dieyi rolled his eyes at him, grabbed the linen towel from his hand, and wiped it vigorously for him, "Sit down, how can I wipe it when you are so tall?"
Xiao Junmo smiled, sat down, closed his eyes and let her wipe.
"Dieyi, you came just in time. The Holy One gave me a lot of satin, but I don't need it. You can use some to make clothes."
"Didn't you send all the satin to the homes of those brothers who died in the line of duty?"
"The Holy Majesty rewarded you last year, and there are still a lot left."
"Keep it by yourself, it's rare for me to wear it again."
"I think you still look good in girls' clothes."
Huan Dieyi was slightly happy, but deliberately annoyed: "Who asked you to see it? I won't wear it in the future, I will wear Xuanjiawei's clothes!"
"It's up to you, you look good in whatever you wear anyway."
Huan Dieyi was overjoyed again, but still said in his mouth: "I think you just have no intention of talking, and you are talking good things to deceive people."
"You have wronged me. I never say anything insincere."
"Isn't it? Brother Xuanjiawei number 2000, I think you are the most deceptive!"
"Where do you start with this?" Xiao Junmo couldn't help opening his eyes.
"If you weren't the best at deceiving people, how could you lure Biancai back to the capital?"
Xiao Junmo was startled, and smiled wryly: "That's the responsibility, you can't help yourself, it's not like you don't know."
"Then you have to be able to deceive people, otherwise you won't be able to pretend if you insist?"
Xiao Junmo had no choice but to close his eyes again: "Whatever you say, anyway, I have a clear conscience." I don't know why, when Huan Dieyi mentioned this topic, Chu Lisang's figure appeared in front of his eyes. How's it going.Originally, Xiao Junmo felt sorry for her, and her mother died in Gantang Yi, Xiao Junmo felt even more uncomfortable.
"Calling you a liar is absolutely not wronging you, you even lied to me!"
"How did I lie to you?"
"Didn't you say that day that you would tell me about your uncle's whereabouts no matter what you found?"
"I... haven't found anything yet."
Huan Dieyi was displeased, and threw the towel on his face: "You lied again in front of your face! If you really didn't find anything, why are you following Wei Zheng?"
Xiao Jun was at a loss for words, and after a while he said: "I won't tell you because I'm afraid you will worry."
"If you don't tell me, wouldn't I be more worried?!" Huan Dieyi stomped his feet, "You said that day that you would ask me for help at any time, but in the end, you asked Luo Biao and dozens of brothers to monitor Wei Zheng, but you just didn't Find me!"
"Okay, okay, it's my fault, calm down." Xiao Junmo apologized with a smile on his face, "How can I be willing to let you do that kind of rough work?"
"You speak nicely, but I think you just look down on me and always think that I'm not as capable as your men!"
"I definitely don't think so! In my eyes, you are the second princess of Pingyang, the only heroine in Chang'an City, the heroine of women! What are Luo Biao and the others? Dozens of Luo Biao tied together can't compare to you! "
Huan Dieyi was delighted to hear that, and finally broke into a smile: "Empty words and white teeth don't count, tell me, what task do you send me?"
After thinking about it, Xiao Junmo suddenly had an idea: "Wait a minute, I'll draw a portrait for you to see." As he spoke, he took the pen and paper, and started drawing at his desk. After a while, he outlined Li Anyan's face with simple and smooth lines The outline of the body and the facial features are simple but very vivid.
"Help me find out, who is this person and what is his official position in the court." Xiao Junmo handed over the portrait.
Huan Dieyi took a look, and smiled disdainfully: "Is there still a need to check? I can tell you now."
"You recognize him?" Xiao Junmo was delighted.
"Of course I recognize him! Li Anyan, the general of Zuo Tun Wei Zhonglang, is responsible for the safety of the Holy Majesty's guards and palace guards."
Only then did Xiao Junmo suddenly think of Li Anyan, and couldn't help cursing his own memory.Immediately afterwards, he was terrified in his heart and almost cried out—the general of the imperial army who was in charge of the emperor's personal safety turned out to be a member of a secret organization, so where did the emperor's safety come from?If this person wants to hold the emperor hostage or simply kill the king, wouldn't it be easy? !
Seeing him suddenly stunned, Huan Dieyi asked suspiciously: "What's the matter?"
Xiao Junmo came back to his senses: "Oh, it's nothing, I was frightened by your amazing memory. There are thousands of Chinese and Chinese martial arts, and you can remember everyone's face, I really admire it!"
Huan Dieyi was a little proud: "So, why don't you ask me for help?"
Xiao Junmo thought of something again, and said, "Of course I want to find you." He wrote two more words on the paper and handed it to her.
Huan Dieyi saw that there were two words written on the paper: Wei Pang.
"Who is this Wei Pang?"
"A meritorious officer in Kuaiji County during the Yonghe period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty." Xiao Junmo said, "You can help me find out what kind of relationship he has with Wei Zheng. Could it be... his ancestor."
"Wei Zheng again?" Huan Dieyi frowned, "Why do you keep checking him lately?"
"Because, I suspect, he has something to do with my father's whereabouts."
When Huan Dieyi heard it, he immediately cheered up: "Wrap it on me!"
There is a strange scene in Chang'an City at night: when the streets and thoroughfares of the whole city are quiet due to the night ban system, the nightlife in Lifang in the city has just begun, and everywhere is brightly lit and bustling.Among them, the Lifang in the south is mostly the residence of low-level officials and civilians, which is relatively deserted; while the Lifang in the central and northern parts is full of high-ranking officials, wealthy businessmen and wealthy businessmen, so brothels, restaurants and teahouses prosper accordingly. These inner squares are all crowded with cars and horses, and the crowds are bustling, which is in stark contrast to the dark and silent streets outside the squares.
Among all the feasting Lifang, the most prosperous one is Pingkangfang.
Pingkangfang is located on the south side of Chunmingmen Street, adjacent to Dongshi City in the east, and across the street from the southeast corner of the Imperial City in the northwest corner. Because of the convenient transportation and superior location, it has always been the place for applicants, candidates, and people from other states and counties to enter Beijing. Therefore, the brothel prostitution industry is particularly developed.In the square music, the red sleeves are swaggering, the fragrance of pink and daisy is wafting, the noise is loud day and night, and the lights are endless.At that time, people called it "all the workshops in the middle of Beijing, no one can compare them with others", and praised it as "Merry Souze", which means that this workshop is a gentle hometown of singing, singing, swallows and dancing, and also a cave for selling gold.
At nightfall that day, Wei Wang Li Tai came to a brothel in the south of this square by car.
Li Tai got off the carriage, looked up, and there were three beautiful characters written on the plaque on the lintel: Qihuang Pavilion.
Tonight, Li Tai came here to have a secret meeting with Fang Xuanling's second wife's bereaved love.Since he formally entered the Wude Hall ten days ago, the honorable sons of the court have expressed their affection to him one after another, including Fang Xuanling's son Fang Yiai, Du Ruhui's son Du He, Chai Shao's son Chai Lingwu and others.Although Li Tai is quite proud of this, it is by no means that all comers will be rejected.Those who want to curry favor with him must first of all be someone he can admire, and secondly, they must present something of weight and interest to him, otherwise they will all be out of the question.
For example, tonight, Fang Yiai promised to give him two extraordinary gifts.
Beforehand, Li Tai asked him what he was going to give, but Fang Yiai mysteriously said that he would know when he got it, and would never let him down anyway.Li Tai's curiosity was aroused, so he came to Pingkangfang before the sound of the evening drum.Of course, he wasn't afraid of the night ban, but he didn't want Wu Houwei or more people to know his whereabouts.After entering Pingkangfang, he purposely turned around elsewhere in case there was a "tail" behind him.He didn't order the driver to drive here until he was sure that no one was following him.
As soon as they arrived at the gate of Qihuang Pavilion, Fang Yiai, who was beautiful and well-dressed, greeted her in person, and said with a smile on her face, "A moment in spring is worth a thousand gold, why did Shiro come so late?"
In order not to expose each other's identities, they agreed to match each other's ranks.
"I can't be more at ease than Erlang." Li Tai said, "I'm just a hard worker, and I'm entangled in a bunch of messy things every day."
"That's Shiro, it's hard work for you!" Fang Yiai smiled, and approached him in a low voice, "My father often said that among so many princes, you are the most intelligent and capable, not only talented, but also knowledgeable. And with lofty aspirations, he is most like the Holy Majesty back then!"
Thousands of wears and thousands of wears, flattery does not wear.Although Li Tai has long been used to hearing these words, they are still very useful.As he walked, he pretended to be reserved and said: "You don't dare to say such words casually, it would be bad if it spreads to the ears of outsiders."
When Fang Yiai heard Li Tai's tone, she seemed to regard him as "one of my own", and was immediately overjoyed: "What Shiro said is true, I have my own measure."
As they spoke, the two of them passed through a group of Yingying and Yanyan, strolled to the second floor, and walked into an elegant room with luxurious decoration and spacious space.The elegant room was divided into two rooms, inside and outside. Fang Yiai respectfully invited Li Tai to sit down in the outside room. A waiter had already served wine and dishes, and the table was filled with fine wine and delicacies.Li Tai glanced at it, but saw a woman sitting in the room, with a lacquered and colorful silk brocade sitting in front of her, but unfortunately there was a bead curtain between the two rooms, so the woman's face could not be seen clearly.
Fang Yiai saw it, pretended not to see it, and only patted her palms lightly twice.The woman in the middle moved in response to the sound, raised her hand to wipe lightly on the string, and then lightly picked it up slowly, a string of unvoiced sounds flowed out from her slender fingers.
Li Tai immediately turned his gaze to the inside.
A passage was played before, and the woman gently opened her red lips, and began to sing slowly along with the string music: Yoyo Luming, the apple of the wild food; I have a guest, playing the lute and the sheng...
Li Tai is also a person who is good at playing the qin and playing the zither, so he can recognize it as soon as he hears it. This is the ancient song "Deer Ming", the lyrics are taken from the "Book of Songs", and the melody is also an existing zither score since ancient times. The style of the song is light and cheerful. Love is a occasional work for gatherings and banquets.Although the woman playing the zither was skilled and her voice was clear and melodious, she sounded not much different from the singers in Pingkang Fang, and there was nothing attractive about it, so Li Tai lost interest after only listening to a few words.
But Fang Yiai didn't notice Li Tai's subtle reaction, raised the wine cup and respected: "Silang, this is the 'Jiuyun' brewed by my special staff using 'Jiming Wheat'. It is fragrant and mellow, and I invite Shiro to taste it!"
"Chicken wheat?" Li Tai laughed. "It's the distiller's song that people in Jin said 'soak wheat with water, sprout it on Sanxi, and use it when chicken crows in Pingdan'?" I heard that brewing in this way is time-consuming and laborious, Erlang You really have time to spare!"
"Shiro is indeed well-informed, I admire you, please!"
Li Tai smiled, picked up the wine cup, took a sip, smacked it a few times, and immediately praised: "The aroma is strong, slightly bitter but sweet, good wine!"
"If Shiro likes it, I'll have someone pull a cart for you tomorrow." Fang Yiai said.
But Li Tai put down the wine cup and looked at him: "Erlang, you invited me here today, isn't it just to give me this gift?"
Fang Yiai smiled mysteriously: "Of course not."
"what is that?"
"The first gift was given by my father. I think this Shiro must be interested."
"Don't be a fool." Li Tai was a little impatient, "What is it?"
Fang Yiai picked up the wine cup, stood up and came to Li Tai's case, then sat down on the buttocks, and approached him: "Silang, you have heard of the case of Lu family extermination in the ninth year of Wude, right?"
Li Tai was slightly startled, staring at Fang Yiai suspiciously, not knowing what kind of medicine he was selling in the gourd, he said after a while: "Is it appropriate to talk about this kind of thing in this kind of place?" He pouted at the woman in the room.
"She plays hers, we talk about ours, the two don't get in the way." Fang Yiai said with a smile, "Besides, this kind of thing should only be discussed in this kind of place, and that's what my father meant."
Li Tai knew that Fang Xuanling's arrangement was of course to use sensual entertainment to deceive others, so as to convey an important message to him.In fact, as soon as Fang Yiai mentioned the "Lu family extermination case", Li Tai had already realized that the "gift" that Fang's father and son were going to give him today was absolutely extraordinary!
At this moment, the woman in the middle was still playing and singing intently, without even raising her eyelids.Li Tai glanced at her, and said to Fang Yiai: "What you want to talk about is the clue that Lu Shiheng left to the emperor before his death on June [-], the ninth year of Wude?"
Fang Yiai gave him a thumbs up: "Shiro is really transparent!"
Li Tai remembered that Du Chuke once told him that Fang Xuanling was one of four people who accompanied his father to meet Lu Shiheng. "Tell me, what clue?"
"Back then, Lu Shiheng left three and a half words in blood on the Holy Majesty, and even made an action."
"Three and a half?" Li Tai narrowed his eyes, "Which three and a half words?"
Fang Yiai moved the dishes on the food table to make room for a small space, dipped some wine from the wine cup with her index finger, and wrote four characters on the table one after another: Lan, Ting, Tian, Gan.
"'Lanting' should be the Preface to Lanting, but what is the meaning of the word 'Heavenly Stems'? Could it mean Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches?" Li Tai was puzzled.
"My lord and my father were also misled by the word 'dry' at the beginning." Fang Yiai said, "In fact, the word 'dry' is not a full word, but a half word, and Lu Shiheng died before he could finish writing it. At the beginning, my father first discovered that the character was incomplete, and the vertical line of "gan" was slightly to the left, so he reminded the emperor. Later, my father thought, since the vertical line of the character "gan" is to the left, is it Lu Shiheng's original intention? Want to write another vertical on the right?"
As Fang Yiai said that, he added a vertical line to the word "dry" and it became "kai".
"And then?" Li Tai stared at him closely.
"Then we will talk about Lu Shiheng's action before he died."
"What action?"
"Before Lu Shiheng died, he exhausted his last strength and grabbed the Holy Majesty's saber."
Li Tai couldn't help frowning: "Caught the emperor's sword?! What's the meaning of this?"
Fang Yiai smiled, and pointed to the word "open" on the table: "Silang, what do you think it will become if you add a knife to the right of it?" As he spoke, before Li Tai could answer, he wrote in "" Two strokes are added to the right of "Open".
Li Tai took a closer look, and suddenly there was a word "punishment" on the case.
"Heavenly punishment?!"
Fang Yiai nodded: "My father said that he thought about it for a long time, and then he happened to pass by the palace gate and saw the scene of a soldier with a sword opening the palace gate, and he realized it immediately - the action of Lu Shiheng before his death was just thinking about it. Tell your majesty that he still has a "beside the sword" that he didn't write in time. According to my father's speculation, the majesty himself and the other three ministers who knew about this matter should have guessed what Lu Shiheng meant later."
Li Tai stared at the word, becoming more and more confused: "But what does 'Heavenly Punishment' mean?"
"This is what we should do next." Fang Yiai said, "My father said that if we can decipher the full meaning of these two characters, I will be able to solve the mystery of "Orchid Pavilion Preface"!"
On the east side of the Ganlu Hall of Taiji Palace, there is a Foguang Temple, which belongs to the royal temple within the forbidden palace.
After Biancai was sent to the palace, he was naturally placed in Foguang Temple.At this moment, in a quiet meditation room behind the Sutra Pavilion of Foguang Temple, Emperor Li Shimin and Biancai sat face to face on the futon.
Biancai has returned to his monastic appearance, he is wearing a khaki monk's robe, and on the top of his shiny head can faintly see the scars left when he was ordained.His eyes were lowered and his expression was calm, while Li Shimin was staring at him with piercing eyes.
"Master, do you really plan to let me sit with you like this until dawn?"
"The poor monk dare not." Biancai replied indifferently, "Who in the whole world would dare to let the emperor sit with him?"
"Aren't I accompanying you now?"
"The poor monk has begged many times just now. It is late at night. Please take care of the dragon body and return to the palace to sleep."
"This is the third time I've come to see you, but you don't answer any questions, how can I go to bed with peace of mind?"
"The poor monk knows nothing about your majesty's question, so he can't answer it."
"'Never lie' is one of the five basic precepts of Buddhist practice. Even lay Buddhists who are new to Buddhism can keep it, but a master who has held the 250 great precepts of monks for many years dares to lie in front of me. How can he be worthy of the Buddha? "
"Your Majesty's words are true! However, the poor monk did not lie."
"You say you don't know the whereabouts of the "Lanting Preface" at all, this is a lie!"
"Your Majesty, the poor monk really doesn't know."
Li Shimin sneered: "Okay, then let's not talk about this for now, let's talk about the fact that you have been hiding in Yique for so many years! You have stolen other people's identities, impersonated them, and deceived the government. Isn't this violating the precepts against stealing and lying? You Didn’t you violate the precept against adultery by marrying a wife and having children without officially returning to the vulgar? Didn’t you violate the precept against drinking when you lived a layman’s life as a layman? If you died, didn’t you indirectly violate the commandment of killing? Arguing, I want to ask you, how can you deserve to be called a ‘mage’ when you have violated all five precepts?!”
The eloquence was slightly startled, and after a while he said: "It is a last resort to steal someone else's identity, the poor monk repents! But the poor monk apparently married a wife and had children, but in fact he has not had sex with his wife for so many years, and the daughter is not the poor monk's own. In addition, The poor monk has been a vegetarian for 16 years, and has never drunk or eaten meat. I hope His Majesty will be aware of all these things! As for the death of so many people in Beijing this time, the poor monk is indeed guilty, but the poor monk does not want this kind of killing. It is also powerless to stop this tragedy, not to mention, the poor monk is definitely not the initiator of this killing and tragedy!"
Li Shimin's face darkened: "According to what you mean, I'm the one who started this?"
"When discussing matters in the Dharma, the first thing is to start. If your majesty is doing these things for the sake of the common people and not for your own selfish desires, then even if your majesty is really the one who initiated the crime, it can't be wrong."
Hearing this, Li Shimin's tense expression relaxed, and he said, "I am so relieved that Master can see this way! Since Master knows that I do all this for the sake of the common people, then I shouldn't hide anything from me."
The debater sighed: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for saying that the good and the evil in the world are inherently mixed, and if there is a benefit, there is a harm to life! That's why Lao Tzu said, 'Saints are not benevolent, and they regard the people as dogs', and Zhuangzi also said that' The sage never dies, and the thieves never stop'. Since we respect Taoism, we should govern the country with the spirit of Taoism's natural inaction. As the saying goes, governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. If it is restless, it will cause many harms. If it is quiet, it will be true. The world may not be the blessing of the common people."
"According to what you say, should I just watch those evil forces endanger the world and bring chaos to the court?"
"Good and evil are rewarded, and the cause and effect are clear. Everyone repays what he does. Even if the perpetrators are rampant for a while, they will eventually kill themselves, but if your majesty uses power to ward them off, use force to punish them, and force them to take risks, it will be unavoidable. Let’s fight again! If the jade and stone are burned in the end, wouldn’t the gain outweigh the loss? The Taoist saying, ‘The country will grow bigger, and its lord will become quieter’, and it also said ‘take the world with nothing to do’, both mean this, please think twice, Your Majesty!”
Li Shimin looked at him deeply: "Biancai, it seems that you really know everything, but you just don't want to tell me, is that so?"
The eloquent was silent.
Li Shimin suddenly smiled: "Talking with you is better than reading ten years of books! The mage's profound understanding of Buddhism and Taoism is admirable! If the mage does not give up, I will issue an edict tomorrow to make you a national teacher. How about it?" ?”
Biancai smiled lightly: "Thank you for your kindness, but the poor monk has no morals and talents, and he really can't bear the job."
"If you don't want to be a national teacher, you can also return to the vulgar again. With your moral character and talents, it is more than enough to be a minister!" Li Shimin stared at him, "What do you think, Master?"
The debater smiled again: "Your Majesty loves you so much, the poor monk is sincere and terrified! But if the poor monk really abandons his personal principles for the sake of fame and gain, will your majesty still think that the poor monk's virtue is worthy of being a minister?"
"Debate!" Li Shimin's face darkened instantly, "There is no one in the world who dares to reject me again and again! I advise you, don't challenge my patience without limit! I will give you another three days, If you still can't give me a satisfactory answer, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
After finishing speaking, Li Shimin suddenly got up, flicked his sleeves, and walked out of the meditation room.
Biancai remained motionless and quietly closed his eyes.
In the elegant room of Qihuang Pavilion, Li Tai and Fang Yiai were still talking in low voices, unaware that the sound of the piano and singing had stopped, let alone that the woman had pushed aside the bead curtain and walked quietly. beside them.
When Li Tai raised his head inadvertently, he was taken aback, and hurriedly erased the words written with wine on the food table.
Fang Yiai was also surprised, and said displeasedly: "Jinse, you are so rude, didn't you see that Shiro and I were talking?"
The woman named Jinse smiled sweetly: "Yes, the two lords were so busy talking, they regarded the slave family as nothing, and the slave family played too boringly, so I simply stopped playing, so as not to disturb the two lords talking."
Li Tai didn't see the woman's face clearly until then, and his heart trembled.
The woman's face is like peach blossoms, her skin is like creamy fat, her long skirt is dragging to the floor, her figure is graceful, her bright eyes look forward to brilliance, her style is full of charm, but she is still dignified and reserved. With a cold and aloof.Li Tai has seen countless fireworks women in his life, but he has never seen such a stunning and refined woman, and he was stunned for a moment.
Fang Yiai's expression darkened when she heard the words: "Jinse, what you say is not like your Qihuang Pavilion's way of hospitality!"
"It's not the first time Erlang has come here." Jinse laughed, "If you don't like my way of hospitality, Su Jinse, you can find someone else. Anyway, the most indispensable thing in Qihuang Pavilion is a laughing girl!"
Fang Yiai got a little angry, and was about to reprimand, when Li Tai suddenly laughed and said, "Miss Jinse, since you don't laugh, what are you doing in Pingkangfang?"
"My slave is selling art!"
"Purchasing?!" Li Tai chuckled, "With your looks, you might be able to earn a few copper coins by showing off. If you're talking about performing arts, please forgive me for telling the truth, I'm afraid you won't be able to support yourself."
Su Jinse heard the words, instead of being angry, she giggled: "That's right, the art of the slave family only sells the refined scholars, not the common people. I would rather be a high-ranking man than grandstanding! As for whether I can support myself, I don't need to bother Shiro. "
Li Tai laughed loudly: "As for your song "Deer Ming" just now, can you talk about high and low?"
Su Jinse also laughed: "Do you think the song just now, Mr. Lang, is very vulgar?"
"Yes, very vulgar, vulgar!"
Su Jinse glanced at Fang Yiai: "Erlang, did you hear that? This gentleman also said that you are vulgar, but it's not just the servants who say that about you."
Fang Yiai was immediately embarrassed, and said to Li Tai: "The piece just now was...I asked Jinse to play it."
Hearing this, Li Tai became serious, and took another look at Su Jinse: "Since that's the case, then I'm willing to listen to what Miss Jinse has to say."
"Gaoqu is for the expert, does Shiro think he is an expert?"
"I'm not talented, but I have some experience in the sound of the zither. I sincerely ask Miss Jinse to enlighten me!"
Su Jinse's eyes turned and stayed on Li Tai's face for a while, and then smiled brightly: "Everyone said that they should do their part, it seems that the slave family really can't hide tonight."
Li Tai saw her eyes rolling and smiling, his heart trembled again, and he quickly made a gesture of invitation to cover up his heart throbbing.
Su Jinse turned around lightly, walked into the room, and sat down again.Li Tai inadvertently smelled the body fragrance she exuded when she turned around, and his mind was shaken again, and he couldn't help fluffing his nose.
Soon, the zither's string sounded again.Li Tai was stunned, and found that he had never heard of this score, so he couldn't help but stare at Su Jinse, waiting to hear her next singing.
Along with the melody, Su Jinse's singing sounded again.As soon as Li Tai heard it, she felt completely different from just now. She only felt that her clear and distant singing voice seemed to come from outside the sky, without the slightest breath of human fireworks.
"The other millet is lili, the seedling of the other millet. The walking is sloppy, and the center is shaking. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who don't know me say what I want. The sky, who is this?"
Li Tai knew that the lyrics of this song were taken from the "Shu Li" in "The Book of Songs", which was originally an ancient Sepu, but Su Jinse obviously only kept the lyrics and re-composed the melody himself.
The literary meaning of this song "Shu Li" was originally full of sadness and desolation, containing the protagonist's endless thoughts about the homeland, as well as the sigh of the rise and fall of the family, the country, and the world. The sound of Tian Lai's singing is set off again, making people even more sad, and I don't feel the urge to cry up to the sky and burst into tears.
"The millet is lili, the ears of the millet. The pace is sloppy, the heart is drunk. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who don't know me say what I want. The heavens, who is this?"
When the second verse of the lyrics was sung, Li Tai was completely intoxicated by it, and couldn't extricate himself from it.
Fang Yiai saw all this, secretly smiled, and without saying goodbye to Li Tai, quietly retreated out and closed the door behind her.
"The other millet is separated, the reality of the other land. Walking and walking is exhausting, and the center is like choking. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who don't know me say what I want. The heavens, who is this?"
This piece of song sighed three times, full of sadness, until Su Jinse got up after singing, Li Tai was still wandering, his eyes were wet unconsciously.
"Shiro..."
Su Jinse walked up to him, and called out softly, calling Li Tai's soul from the sky back to the world.
Li Tai came back to his senses, and wiped his eyes in embarrassment: "I'm sorry, I... I lost my composure."
Su Jinse looked at him deeply: "Shilang, you really know how to play a song. I have played this piece no less than dozens of times, but you are... the first person to cry for it."
Li Tai raised his eyes and met Su Jinse's eyes.
A kind of emotion like Boya Ziqi, high mountains and flowing water slowly flowed in the eyes of the two.At this moment, Li Tai suddenly realized that this amazing and talented woman in front of him must be the second "gift" that Fang Yiai wanted to give him.
The light rain wet a wooden bridge and also wet a person standing on the bridge.
Xiao Junmo was dressed in casual clothes and had been standing on the bridge for more than half an hour.
He stared blankly at the Yong'an Canal under the bridge, completely ignoring the surprised eyes of passers-by.
The wooden bridge is located in the north of Yankangfang. The water of Yong'an Canal flows through Yankangfang from south to north, and then flows from this bridge to Guangdefang in the north.In other words, if something flows out of the canal in the Wei Palace, it will flow under this bridge.
I don't know why, Xiao Junmo has always had a strong intuition these days, thinking that he can find clues related to his father here.
Under the bridge, on the bank of green grass, there is an old man wearing a bamboo hat and coir raincoat, fishing leisurely.
Xiao Junmo watched him for so long, but he didn't catch a fish, or even saw the fish bite the hook half a time, but this didn't seem to hinder the old man's interest at all.
"Old man, can you catch fish here?" Xiao Junmo walked up to the old man and struck up a conversation.
The old man turned his head and glanced at him: "If you sit for a long time, you can catch it naturally."
"In this rainy day, the fish all sink, don't they bite the hook?"
"So be patient."
Xiao Junmo smiled, and couldn't help admiring the old man.He looked up at the rippling water of the canal, and found some sundries occasionally floating on the surface of the water, such as rotten vegetable leaves, rags, old brooms, and so on.
"Old man, I heard from friends who like fishing that they often fish by the water, and they will catch some weird things from time to time, isn't it?"
The old man chuckled: "That's true."
"What have you ever fished?"
"I've fished everything except dead people."
Xiao Junmo's heart suddenly trembled, and he forced a smile: "If there are dead people, they will think you are small and won't eat hooks."
The old man laughed, and glanced at him again: "You young man is too busy to do business, but you are here to talk nonsense with my old man."
"I'm just curious to know what you've caught."
"To be honest, I really caught something two days ago."
"what?"
"A shoe."
Xiao Junmo was taken aback for a moment, and his heart beat faster for some reason: "Shoes? What kind of shoes?"
"The black leather boots are a bit old, but they look like those worn by officials."
"Then you... threw the shoes back?"
"How can it be?" The old man rolled his eyes at him, "Everyone is throwing things in it. Isn't the water in this canal already smelly?"
"Then you took it home?"
"Hmph!" The old man snorted coldly, and gave him another look, "No matter how greedy I am, I can't wear a shoe on the street, right?"
"That's not what I meant." Xiao Junmo hurriedly apologized, "You always look like a broad-minded person, even if you caught a pair, you wouldn't look straight at them, am I right?"
The old man smiled when he heard it, and then he turned to a bush not far away and said, "Here, I threw it there."
Xiao Junmo rushed over immediately, so fast that the old man was startled.
"This young man, isn't he sick?!"
In the courtyard of the Xiao Mansion, He Chongjiu was holding a black leather boot, his hands trembling slightly.
Xiao Junmo looked at him solemnly: "Uncle Jiu, are you really sure that this shoe belongs to my father?"
He Chongjiu's eyes were red, he nodded, and pointed to a certain place on his boots: "The last time my lord got wet from wading in the rainy day, I took it to the brazier to roast, and accidentally burned a piece of it, right here, look."
Xiao Junmo didn't look at it, but suddenly turned his head and walked outside.
It wasn't because he completely believed in Uncle Jiu's eyesight, but because he was afraid that he couldn't hold back the tears in his eyes.
(End of this chapter)
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Corpse Retriever
Chapter 159 8 hours ago -
Simultaneous travel: Starting from returning to the main god space
Chapter 114 8 hours ago -
Origin Player
Chapter 358 8 hours ago -
Unrivaled in Immortality
Chapter 503 8 hours ago -
The Master Behind the Scenes Starting from the Twin Cities
Chapter 633 8 hours ago -
Realms: Only I Traverse Through the Anime Multiverse
Chapter 480 8 hours ago -
I was assassinated by the reborn at the beginning, and I became a god on the spot
Chapter 483 21 hours ago -
The End of the World: I Have a House of Beautiful Tenants
Chapter 253 21 hours ago -
Naruto: I am invincible after simplifying the basic training
Chapter 152 21 hours ago
