without me

"Is there a third?"

For some reason, I blurted out this unreasonable question, and as soon as I finished speaking, the other party looked at me with a little surprise.

He Huang put down the teacup and said embarrassingly, "...there really are. Compared with the previous two, it seems insignificant."

"It's that Shen Shijie."

Immediately, I also revealed the same surprise as the other party, but it was more prominent, and my face did not collapse, revealing a huge surprise.

Recalling that Wen Liu said that he was a frequent visitor here, the master said that Shen Shijie only likes people from Zhangtai...

"More than that." He Huang looked proud of "you are unsophisticated", but also quite disgusted.

"As long as that bastard is a girl in Zhangtai, even if you don't do this business... as long as you step on Zhangtai, he can take a fancy to you."

This... I couldn't help getting goosebumps all over my body, and I called Master Shen's good son from the bottom of my heart.

"...There may be detailed incidents."

He Huang regained his energy all of a sudden, his face twisted slightly and trembling.

"Just tell me the one closest to you. When Jiang Ci brought you here for the first time, didn't a pretty little maid come to ask you to go back?"

"Don't ask me how I know, I happened to see it when I was passing by after finishing my business."

I was about to ask aloud, but swallowed the words back.

The other party continued to talk about what he saw, "Shen Shijie was only fooled by the water peach at first, and then turned back and forth. I saw him staring at your maid, unable to move, that look... tsk tsk tsk , dirty."

After all, he couldn't hold back and rubbed his arms vigorously. I also thought that he forcibly suppressed the range in order to make the transaction serious enough, and panicked.

"There are many similar things like this," He Huang curled his lips, and said ironically, "He is really a good young master of the Shen family, Mr. Shen is really blessed, the old man lived a long life..."

He kept complaining to ease the disgust he felt in those scenes, I nodded and shouted to myself: Heroes see the same thing.

"Anyway, madam, take all precautions—"

He changed his words.

"The long girl from Yanhuayuan, three streets away, has a good figure and appearance, and her small voice is so thin... tsk tsk tsk."

In line with He Huang's amazement, I nodded silently.

I didn't continue talking until the passing guests put their arms around the two girls, moved their ears and pretended to be talking and laughing but didn't hear them, and walked a long distance.

"Your sources are reliable?"

He flicked the empty teacup with his finger and said, "Master Jiang, it's absolutely true."

"Okay." Then, I stood up.

"About the Shen family..."

"Well, I'll pay more attention and let you know as soon as possible," He Huang also got up and said, "I'll get the blueprint, wait a moment."

In just a few moments, I didn't have to wait too long to get the marked-up drawing.

"That's good, Jiang will leave first."

I put away my things and said my goodbyes when a sigh came from behind me.

"How can the emperor not know what I can know..."

Pretending not to hear He Huang's words, I secretly slowed down.

"Mostly pretending to be deaf and dumb, or..."

"... Soon, soon."

"……Oops."

Soon, probably like this, probably, it’s almost the same.

Maybe I should wait a few more days... I left Hongxing Building, asked for directions, and searched for the location on the paper by memory, and headed for the General's Mansion.

After all these years, Shen Shiyun must have changed his appearance, and he also has the vicissitudes and precipitation of being a general, so he might not be easy to talk about.

I thanked the folks who showed me the way, knocked on the door lightly, and knocked heavily when no one responded.Not long after, a young servant opened the door neatly, and a head leaked out from inside.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Shen Shiyun."

"...Who are you?"

He looked me up and down and asked politely, but as expected, he stopped me at the door.

"No need to know."

I was not in a hurry, my tentative plan was not to visit today, so I told the other party: "Tell him that Ruan Zecheng's death day will be in January, and no one will visit."

The boy waited for the next sentence, but found that I didn't say any more, it should be only this sentence.

"in this way?"

"That's all it takes... If you ask me, it's a man who passed it on."

The boy will probably tell the other party that the visit is from a woman, but that's his own business, so that's all the advice.

I got the other party's consent, and I walked back home exhausted, memorizing the journey repeatedly in my mind.

In the evening, the noise and brightness of the royal city slowly fade away, and people who have always loved cleanliness carry their whole body refreshed, whether they are holding a pen or pulling a cart, it is covered with oil and dust.

The sound of horseshoes was getting closer and closer to the mansion, the servant took out a rag and wiped away the dots and spots on the cloth, and called the attendant to come out to meet him.

The coachman reined in the rope and appeared in front of the servants first, and then he brought the stepping feet—although the master didn't use this thing, it was just a formality.

"Things, take them away."

The curtain was quickly blocked to open a way out. Compared with the coachman, the tall man jumped over the stepping feet and landed in two or three steps.Following the sound of the waiter, he rushed to the front and stretched his arms to catch a large package that seemed to "fall from the sky".

A smile appeared on the slightly blunt and discordant face of the other party, and he patted the other party's shoulder lightly, "Your mother gave it to me, and I will bring it to you. After a while, you and the old housekeeper can go to the countryside together to see Your sister is gone."

After speaking, he patted his back vigorously, and the attendant couldn't help saluting with joy.

"My lord, someone came to visit today to pass on a message." The servant tidied up at the side, recalling the person who had just visited.It's a little strange that women look like men in men's clothes, and their temperament is not close to women. It seems that they deliberately pretend to be a very different image from their usual ones.

Could it be... a villain!I heard that the current situation is turbulent recently, is this someone's idea to hit the master?

Shen Shiyun didn't take this matter to heart, "What are you talking about?"

"One month later, no one will visit Ruan Zecheng's death day."

The young man tried his best to recall this sentence, making sure that he did not omit anything and said nothing wrong. Turning around, he quietly saw Shen Shiyun's expression froze, and his movements stopped visibly. He pretended to be calm and asked: "See the other party's appearance clearly?" gone?"

"A woman with sword eyebrows and... um, not very handsome, dressed in men's clothes, she doesn't look like a girl from an ordinary family."

"Age?" Shen Shiyun thought for a moment, and seemed to remember something.

"Well, it should have reached the age of the weak crown, but she is quite tall, so...she specifically asked me to tell you that the visitor is a man, I am not sure."

The date of Ruan Zecheng's death is roughly like this...

"Understood." He ordered to wash his hands and walked to the lobby.

…………

There is still a week to go, and I wanted to pinch my fingers and plan it out.

I can’t see Jiang Ci lately—it’s not just him, people who usually dangle in front of their eyes and can only force themselves to see and not worry, gradually have a lot of things to "worry", but they don’t care much. We can meet each other.

Even so, life is still going on, isn't it?It's just that the hurried pace seems to have passed for a long time.

I suddenly remembered, how long did Zhuiyan stay in Yuanshan Temple?I haven't seen it since my No. 20, 23... [-] penalties.

It's better to go and have a look. In case of any changes, you need to know in time to take care of them.

"Ugh……"

I can only worry about going to the coachman in the mansion to arrange the itinerary. At this time, I don't need to take care of the master. After all, there is no room for maneuver. The most likely thing is to let me act.It doesn't matter whether he is still "caring" about Zhuiyan, or he has returned to his normal posture.

The second time I went to that place, I saw a faint sense of familiarity along the way, and this is the hometown of my mother and fourth aunt, and I have a sense of closeness.

The local accent that needs more thinking to deal with has played a role again. I was very curious why the group of monks in Yuanshan Temple could speak the language near Wangcheng. Although it is not very authentic, at least even Jiang Ci can understand it. There will not be too many obstacles in chasing swallows.

Without the wooden sign, will the little monk open the door for me to visit?In fact, it is also okay to call out Zhuiyan.

I'm afraid that if something goes wrong, I won't be able to get the protection of the Yuanshan Temple. The most basic thing is to confirm whether Zhuiyan is really in the temple - it should be the same depending on the master's reaction.

I didn't stop at the post station, let the coachman wait below, and locked the door again by myself.

Coincidentally, the only thing I can do these days is visit around, and I feel that the next step will be even more embarrassing.

Let's take a step by step.

In the crack of the door is a different face, a different person, with the same clean bald head.

He was waiting for my action, so I could only say: "Jiang came here to look for someone. Some time ago, my sister fled here, just for a visit."

After a while, the novice monk listened to me very politely, explained in a few words that it is difficult to do things without a wooden sign, and advised me to go back as soon as possible.

I repeatedly confirmed to him whether there was such an existence in the temple, and after getting an affirmative answer, the boulder hanging in my heart fell safely.Just as he thought that the plan had failed and he had to settle for the next best thing, it was time to leave, the sound of methodical footsteps behind him got closer and closer, and he saw the novice salute with his hands clasped together.Suppressing his curiosity, he turned around and prepared to go back to the carriage, when he met an old monk with his head shaved and wearing cassock.

He clasped his hands towards the door and saw that I was paying attention to him, even if it was only from the corner of my eye.

I bowed down to the other person politely, but I felt hands on my shoulders to stop and help me up.After being silent for a long while, I don't know what to do, the old monk retracted his hand because of his white face and thin face, and entered the door after saying a few words with the novice.

"Donor? Donor!"

The other party stopped me suddenly, and I watched the call until the novice monk slowly opened the door, saluted with one hand and stretched out the other.

They let me in!

Thinking about it, he did secretly glance at me while he was talking, maybe the old monk helped to speak.

I went straight to the topic and asked the other party to take me to Zhuiyan. He hoped to place me somewhere, so he stayed under the shade tree in the courtyard last time and waited.

Sighing that the pure green leaves here also have a golden color. Most of the time, I think this color is extravagant, but at this time it is not inferior to the vitality and peace.

Seeing a familiar figure stumbling towards me from a distance, I stood up and straightened my posture, habitually spreading my arms.Sure enough, she threw herself forward with all her strength.

"Why did brother come to see Zhuiyan?"

Before I could speak, Jiang Zhuiyan rubbed her face self-consciously, "Zuiyan is very good, the old monk always seems to know that this will happen, so let's arrange it like this first, and then he will return to his own place. .”

I am not different about this, the wooden sign was obtained from Master Ci Hai at the beginning, maybe this is the arrangement of fate, the old monk's help is part of the fate of Chasing Yan.

She asked worriedly, "Is my father still stubborn and unwilling to take back his decision in recent days?"

I don't know much about this issue. I spend almost every day on the bed, and only Yingxiu and Jiang An can say a few words about many things when they come to take care of me.

"I still feel that way, but it seems that I have restrained a lot these two days, and I no longer pursue you like I did at the beginning."

But the blame lies here... When Zhuiyan said the word "decision", I remembered another decision made by the master, and suddenly became a little uncomfortable.

Chasing Yan breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, I'm afraid I won't be able to go back for a long time, although the old monk's attitude is very peaceful and the arrangements are very proper, but I will still miss you..."

"By the way, where is my brother? How is he doing recently?"

I shook my head, "Jiang Ci has been staying behind closed doors recently, and occasionally disappears when he goes out, which is very weird. Just in time, I'm going to confirm your situation, so I'll catch him and ask him a question."

For the time being, that's the plan, to arrange Zhuiyan and Jiang Ci well, if they can be fine in the end... It's best that I'm fine too, and everyone is fine, maybe this is not something that can be imagined at the moment.

"Brother, when can Zhuiyan go back?"

I looked at the worried and missing girl in front of me, and after some hesitation, I gently stroked her head.

"Brother, I have something to ask you, can I?"

The other party blinked his moist and bright eyes and nodded seriously.

"That's it..." I tried hard and asked tiredly, "Can Zhuiyan stay in the temple for a while longer?"

Then there was a puzzled look, and I solemnly told her that the current situation outside was turbulent. The master is a member of the court, first of all, a member of the quagmire. Telling the other party this matter will definitely have something to do with it, and even implicate her. Scars, the consequences of not paying attention are unimaginable.

Just like in Hongxinglou, He Huang said "soon".

If a person can know the truth by inquiring, how can the person in charge of the world not know?The master has already started to scold the eunuchs secretly, each of them is a fool.

There are actions in the surrounding area, isn't it fast?

Seeing Zhuiyan frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded to me very sensiblely, I suddenly felt distressed spreading everywhere.

This little girl and her brother have been playful ancestors since they were young. It can be said that even when Fourth Aunt was alive, she had never seen Jiang Ci to worry about it, let alone... Chasing Yan and Jiang Ci are so similar, and they love to play so much.Now one has begun to worry and selfishness that I have not explored, and the other has shown in front of me a cuteness that I have not seen for many years.

It looks good, it's really fast...

I listened carefully to the other person’s novelty about the experience of vegetarianism in the temple, and complained about the day-to-day chanting and meditation in class, and I felt boring just looking at it. The little apprentice picked up had a very distant face and was very funny.

Still, I was homesick.

I couldn't help biting my lip several times, and said goodbye to Jiang Zhuiyan cruelly. Seeing the other party watching my departure from the door, I couldn't smile on my face, until the monk closed the door, my eyes dimmed for a moment, and I walked back. go.

……

"Ugh."

Jiang Zhuiyan paced back and forth, still sitting where she was chatting, quietly looking up at the big tree that wasn't short but not thick, holding her face with her elbows on her knees, muttering .

In a daze, he didn't notice the footsteps, and didn't turn his head until the voice was very close to him. Seeing that it was Ci Hai, he was relieved, and suddenly saw a strange old monk standing beside him, who was also silently watching Own.

Ci Hai spread his palms towards Jiang Zhuiyan, and he and the old monk didn't know what they were talking about.The other party's gaze stayed on his face for a moment and then retracted. There was no change in expression on his face, but he didn't look numb. He could vaguely detect some complicated and incomprehensible expressions. He nodded again, and then shook slightly.

Jiang Zhuiyan instinctively felt that he should find out more, and he didn't suppress his curiosity, so he stood up and walked over obediently.

There is no intention of hiding anything, whether it is Jiang Zhuiyan or Ci Hai.

After he expressed his doubts and curiosity, Ci Hai smiled peacefully, and he could clearly see the angle of his beard from under his beard.

"Ah, this..."

"Ah." The old monk raised his hand to stop Ci Hai's introduction, stroked his long gray beard, and showed the same smile.

"My old man, Wen Ren."

She belatedly saluted again, and when the other party spoke again, she still had that reassuring expression.

"If the benefactor needs to settle down, he can come to our Huguo Temple."

Huguo... Huguo Temple!

"Yes, is it the one in Wangcheng?"

Wen Ren nodded, palms together.

Jiang Zhuiyan was subconsciously delighted that Wang Cheng would have the opportunity to meet his elder brother.Then I thought about it, is it really going to Huguo Temple?

She felt a little bit of distrust, although she would dispel part of it when she looked at Wen Ren.

The other party seemed to see her embarrassment, and explained: "It's okay, the benefactor can think about it for three days, there is no need to be impatient."

Thanks to Wen Ren for his kindness, Jiang Zhuiyan started a fierce psychological struggle.

The voice behind her still continued, she vaguely heard some, and understood the reason for Wen Ren's visit to Yuanshan Temple: the two are really acquaintances, and his junior brother is an ascetic monk, who passed away here the day before yesterday, so she asked Ci Hai to talk about the funeral.

It didn't take long for three days. Jiang Zhuiyan clearly realized the importance in her heart of being able to still be protected in the royal city and being able to meet her brother so easily, she turned her head and agreed to go to the Huguo Temple together, secretly lamenting that she was really worthless promising.

After finishing all the affairs, Jiang Zhuiyan followed Wen Ren honestly and set out for the royal city. Along the way, he experienced the monk's lifestyle and self-cultivation. He remembered those "big immortals" and "fake monks" he had seen on the street before. Can't help but want to scold "liar".

The Huguo Temple is similar to what I imagined—maybe I didn’t expect too much because of this name, but it is actually enough to make people feel awe.

Wen Ren summoned a person with a bright head from behind, turned around and walked in, only to find that it was a bhikkhuni.

"This female benefactor will take care of you." He saluted slowly.

The other party also repeated this gesture of bowing together, and said to Jiang Zhuiyan in a soft and warm voice: "Lonely lamp."

"Jiang Zhuiyan."

She looked around, only to feel a strange feeling quietly and slowly flowing into her limbs.

The round-trip driving distance was a little shorter than the first time. I went back to the mansion just as I had said to Zhuiyan, and I went directly to scare Ajiu and asked about Jiang Ci's actions. As an attendant, he didn't know much. Currently not in the mansion.

This is almost like a ghost...

However, I got my wish and stopped this kid in the middle of the night, but I paid a small price-I moved the horses and sat at his door for a whole day, and finally squatted in the middle of the night when Jiang Ci came back and saw When I was sitting by the door, my body was visibly paused, and I walked towards me stiffly.

"Uh, sister..."

I was trying to put on a bit of a dignified look, when I suddenly heard a little hoarseness in his throat, and then I leaned over a few unextinguished candles to take a closer look, the eyes were also swollen up and down the skin, I don't know if it was red.

He tried to explain, but he hesitated for a long time before he could utter a word. Seeing Jiang Ci's appearance, I suddenly thought of something, and quietly grabbed his wrist and went into the room.

"Shunshun first, don't choke while talking."

Both parties agreed that there must be an explanation, as expected, they looked like they had cried, but the time was not short.

I don't know if it's the tacit understanding that I've gotten along with in the past 20 years, I sighed to the gaze that was looking for answers.

"That's right, father chose the dangerous path."

Maybe saying that would make him feel more at ease?You can't tell Jiang Ci that the master turned to the rebel party because he was afraid of public wrath - this is the conclusion drawn from the observation some time ago and the words that have slightly collapsed in the government many times recently.

When those words reached my ears, I couldn't help laughing: "I just said, how dare he rebel?"

It turned out that he was afraid of offending another "monster".

But some things are not good to tell Jiang Ci who just cried. I know that this kid is not easy to lose control. He often controls too much so that he can't communicate with his wife and servants as if outside.

"Sister... Did you already know?"

I tilted my head slightly, "Well, it's not too early."