To The Land of Nevernight

The bright moon shines among the pines, and the clear spring stones flow upwards.

If the sun shines on me in the future, Lu, who rides the horse, will go for the king.

This old scholar is in his fifties this year. He was admitted as a Gongsheng student more than 20 years ago and was a student in Ziyang Academy.It's a pity that every year he fails the provincial examination, but he knows the situation between the court and China the most clearly among the students present.When everyone heard what he said, they came together.

The old scholar said: "Scholar Luo is a serious member of the Songqing Party, a key talent. I think that when the late emperor was still in power, the Songqing Party members held great power in the court. Although the leader of the Songqing Party, Zhong Daru, had an accident, Half of the Songqing party members are in prison, but no one in the world knows that the Songqing party members are truly virtuous ministers who plead for the common people and benefit the people! So even if Zhong Daru conspired against the emperor, the current emperor did not execute him, but He was imprisoned for 25 years. Except for Zhong Daru, other members of the Songqing party who had nothing to do with the conspiracy were not punished, and Luo Dashi was one of them."

A young scholar said: "I've never heard of Songqing Party members."

The old scholar glanced at him: "Of course you don't know. Zhong Daru has been imprisoned for 25 years, and the Songqing Party has long since disbanded. The great Confucians among them died or scattered. I'm afraid you don't know. Master Chan Liang, you were all members of the Songqing party back then!"

"It turned out to be so!"

Tang Shen opened his eyes wide, and said in his heart: It's so!

As early as when the old scholar mentioned Zhong Daru, Tang Shen felt nervous. He guessed that Liang Song was also a member of the Songqing party.Sure enough, Liang Song is, and with his status, I am afraid that he still has a lot of prestige in the Songqing Party.

The old scholar continued: "The current majesty is so generous that he has not punished the Songqing party members. I don't know the rest, but most Songqing party members like to read "Spring and Autumn" and are good at "Zuo Zhuan". Our Master Liang is like this, I don’t know Luo Is it the same for the Grand Master?"

Everyone began to talk about the township examination next year.

After listening to the old scholar's words, Sun Yue kept it firmly in his heart: ""Spring and Autumn", okay, I will study "Spring and Autumn" carefully in the next year. If I open my eyes one day, I will be hit!"

Tang Shen suddenly sneered and said, "Not necessarily."

Sun Yue was startled suddenly, and said angrily, "Tang Shen, why did you say that I may not win!"

Tang Shen came back to his senses, only to realize that he had said something wrong just now and Sun Yue had misunderstood him.He hurriedly explained: "I'm not saying that you may not win, but I was thinking about what the scholar said just now, and I didn't notice your words for a while. My sentence is not necessarily. It is he who refuted, not you."

Sun Yue: "That's about the same. Do you think what he said is wrong? Maybe Master Luo doesn't like "Spring and Autumn"?"

Tang Shen: "How do I know this, why don't I ask Mr. Liang for you tomorrow?"

Sun Yue's eyes lit up immediately: "I'm afraid Tang Shen is not the golden boy sent by heaven to save me and help me get admitted to Juren!"

Tang Shen smiled, seeing that Sun Yue was silent, he started to think again.

The old scholar said that the Holy Spirit had the courage, and he did not blame the Songqing party members.Not necessarily!If there is no blame, why did Zhong Daru be imprisoned for more than 20 years.Why was Liang Songhui sent to Gusu Mansion as governor?Even Naluo University's bachelor, although he is well-known in literature, is just an idle bachelor of the Imperial Academy.

Big air?

not necessarily!

After class, Tang Shen came to Liang's mansion and handed in the two poems on art making and test posts that he wrote today.

After Liang Song finished his comments, Tang Shen asked Tang Shen to change a few sentences on the spot. Tang Shen said, "Sir, I heard that the examiner who will come to the Jiangnan Tributary Academy next year to invigilate the exam is the Grand Master Luo Zhenluo."

Liang Song was stunned: "It's him?"

Tang Shen: "It's just a rumor. The examiners for next year's rural examination have not yet been officially determined."

Liang Chandao: "I haven't contacted Luo Changji for 20 years. I haven't seen you for many years. I should see you next year at Jiangnan Gongyuan." Read more "Gongyang Biography"."

Tang Shen rolled his eyes: "Scholar Luo likes "The Legend of Gongyang"?"

Liang Song patted his forehead lightly, and scolded with a smile: "You little rascal, it's good to know, if you want to speak out, it's not just asking for a beating."

Tang Shen blinked innocently.

Tang Shen told Sun Yue about Master Luo's liking for "The Legend of the Gongyang". Fatty Sun was so happy that he insisted on inviting Tang Shen to dinner, and he would eat the Boxia offering from the most famous Xixia Building in Gusu Mansion. .As soon as he finished speaking, he was stunned, and murmured: "I'm so stupid again, you, Tang Xiao Sanyuan, opened the Xixia Building. Well, you Tang Shen, you have only been in Gusu Mansion for a year and a half. But you have become a big shot, even my parents have mentioned you."

Tang Shen: "Don't eat Xixia Tower?"

"Eat, why don't you eat! Tang Xiaodong's house, can you have a King's meal?"

Tang Shen: "Oh, it's a good idea! Sun Yue, treat me!"

Sun Yue scolded: "You are a scholar who got into the eyes of money!" But he was smiling.

It was not the first time for Sun Yue to come to Xixialou. He and Tang Shen entered the restaurant and went directly to the private seat on the second floor.Seeing that it was Tang Shen, the waiter at the restaurant served him even more enthusiastically.Sun Yue ordered his favorite chicken soup pot, and ordered five more famous mutton slices from Xixialou.The two of them were sweating all over after eating, and they were extremely comfortable.

Before going out, Sun Yue saw a notice posted outside Xixia Tower.

"Huh, essay solicitation conference? Solicit essays, um...the collection of essays is for soliciting essays, which is quite appropriate. Tang Shen, what are you doing in Xixialou?"

Tang Shen glanced at it: "As you said, the collection of articles."

Sun Yue carefully read the essay rules.

"The Xixia Cup Essay Contest will collect all kinds of legends and legends from the 1th day of the twelfth lunar month until the [-]th day of the twelfth lunar month. All people in Gusu can submit articles, and the required writing is within [-] characters, and the content is not limited. No. .[-] person will get a special 'Xixia Luminous Cup' made by Xixialou..."

After reading the rules, Sun Yue exclaimed: "Good guy, Tang Shen, you have spent your money! Could it be that you suddenly became kind, instead of being a golden boy, you should become a good fortune boy, and support those poor scholars in Gusu Mansion? "

Tang Shen: "When will I not be a good boy? Tang's logistics is there, Fatty Sun, just keep your eyes open."

"No, I always think it's wrong, you can't just do good deeds so obediently."

"I did good deeds."

Sun Yue was puzzled, but Tang Shen smiled slightly.

In the next half month, Sun Yue finally knew what Tang Shen wanted to do and what he was doing.

The essay solicitation conference in Xixia Building was promoted by Tang's logistics staff, causing an uproar in the entire Gusu Mansion.There were not many novels at this time, and the reason why many scholars wrote novels was because they could not pass the examination for fame, so they could only write some articles and submit them to bookstores, so as to get some meager money for manuscripts, and barely survived by this.

In Tang Shen's essay contest, No. 1 can get a rare treasure luminous cup, and a luminous cup is worth 100 taels of silver!

The scholars in Gusu Mansion are crazy.

It's just a ghost novel, who can't write it.

Everyone wrote and submitted articles one after another. In just five days, Lin's accountant received more than 70 completed manuscripts. He said with emotion: "My little boss, your reward for the essay solicitation conference is really enviable. If I am not too old to write, I also want to write an article and participate in it!"

Children from poor families participated in the competition for prizes, and scholars from rich and noble families also participated.The reason is that a certain dandy scholar said in a certain poetry meeting: "The essay solicitation conference in Xixia Building is interesting. No one has ever done such a thing in Gusu Mansion before. It only collects strange novels. It's just a luminous cup That's all, just let these poor children write articles like crazy, a collateral cousin of my private school wrote a full five articles in ten days!"

Another dandy said: "Oh, let's not talk about their literary talents, if we don't bother to ask for a mere luminous cup, I'm afraid the top ten in the essay competition will all be ours!"

Everyone laughed.

Someone suggested: "Why don't we try and let those poor scholars know our own level."

"Try it! If I get the luminous cup, I don't want it, so I will give it to my cousin hahahaha."

Regardless of the reason for participating in the paper solicitation conference, after the submission period ended, Accountant Lin received a total of 250 manuscripts.These novels range from ghost myths to scholarly and charming girls.There are even a few articles with colors!

The manuscripts for the audition were reviewed by Tang Shen, Accountant Lin, and some talents from Tang's Logistics.Tang Shen suddenly saw a small obscene article, and he didn't react at first. When he understood it, he silently took the article out of the manuscript, and took it to his room at night to read it.

"Looking back and embracing it always makes sense...Trying and reinventing..."

Tang Shen blushed.

day!This ancient man writes small yellow essays, but he still wants to talk, why does he feel more emotional than modern people!

After the new year, Tang Shen is 15 years old, and he could marry a wife in ancient times.He watched Xiao Huangwen all night, thinking that he might have dreamed something he shouldn't have.Unexpectedly, there was no dream for one night, and even woke up the next day feeling refreshed and sleeping very soundly.

Waking up in the morning, Tang Shen looked at the few pornographic articles, and sighed expressionlessly: "As expected, I'm still too upright."

Burn all the little Huangwen.

After the audition, Tang Shen, Accountant Lin and others selected thirty articles.

No one thought that they actually sent these articles to Gusu Bookstore and published them directly in the daily newspapers!

Seeing their articles appear in books and newspapers, the scholars who contributed the articles were stunned, and they hurried to read the notice issued by Xixia Building.

"Whoever submits a manuscript, Xixia Building has all the right to handle it."

Scholars: "..."

This little Tang Sanyuan is too good at business!

If they lived for thousands of years, these scholars might use a more appropriate sentence to describe Tang Shen: "Evil capitalist!" But now, they can only sigh helplessly.But soon, they discovered that Tang Shen didn't really want to send their manuscripts to bookstores to make money.

"That's right. You can earn some money by contributing books and newspapers, but Tang Xiaosanyuan came out with a luminous cup."

Ten manuscripts are published in books and newspapers every day, and they are all published in three days.

On the fourth day, there was an additional notice of the paper solicitation conference on the newly published books and newspapers. The scholars who submitted the papers burst into laughter after seeing this notice.

"It turns out that the Essay Contest can do this!"

All the people in Gusu who bought the books and newspapers in the previous three days are the judges of this essay competition.Which article you like, you only need to cut out that article, and cut out the dates of the next three books and newspapers at the same time.Paste the articles together with the dates of the three issues of books and newspapers, and send them to the bookstore, which will be regarded as voting.

Where have the people of Gusu seen such a novelty?They are just ordinary people, and there are not many who can read and write. Those who can buy books and newspapers are all educated at home.Most of these scholars did not submit manuscripts. They only bought books and newspapers when they heard that there was an essay-calling conference.

Contributed by others, judged by yourself.

It was as if I had become an examiner myself!

In the past, others were the examiners, and I was the examinee.How could they still be examiners in this life?

For a while, all the books and newspapers that were not sold out a few days ago were sold out, Gusu Bookstore received countless votes, and the name of Xixia Building became the talk of the people of Gusu once again.

A luminous cup worth a hundred taels of silver was exchanged for such a sensational marketing in Gusu Mansion.

Even Liang Song knew this, and smiled and said: "You boy, there is a reason why you don't want to study, you are very cunning."

Tang Shen said aggrievedly: "Who said that the kid doesn't want to study anymore? After writing so much homework every day, the master also said that I don't want to study!"

Liang Song: "You can just let it go!"

"Mister slandered the boy, the boy feels wronged, can't you say it?"

"Tang Shen."

"gentlemen?"

"You're done!"

"Okay!"

In the second year of coming to Gusu Mansion, Tang Shen spent his time reviewing manuscripts in the Xixia Cup Essay Contest.

On the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, there are lanterns all over Gusu Mansion. At temple fairs and in rivers, there are exquisite lanterns everywhere.Tang Shen brings Tang Juan to the temple fair to guess lantern riddles.The little girl has been studying for a year, although Lin Accountant only teaches some enlightenment, but Don Juan learns very fast, and now she can guess a lot of these lanterns.

The Xixia Cup Essay Contest ended, and No.1 turned out to be a poor student. He wrote an article about a scholar, and he was the only poor student among the top five.It stands to reason that there are so many people who write about Scholar and Girl, that the common people in Gusu are tired of reading it, and rarely vote for this kind of novel.However, even Tang Shen didn't expect that this scholar would actually write a scumbag!

In a novel of only [-] words, the scholar described an extremely scumbag and pretty scholar and an extremely cheap young lady. The dog blood and the abused stalks flew together, and the abuse made the readers shout out. Juechen's number of votes became the first.

Tang Shen bought a lantern, but before he gave the money, he heard a passer-by say, "That scholar just has a good face. He used to be a poor scholar. If Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't given him the travel expenses to go to Beijing to catch the exam." , he can be the number one scholar in high school? But he actually despised Lin Xiaoxiao to such an extent, is he still human!"

"Yes! In the end, Lin Xiaoxiao got an incurable disease. Seeing the picture of the scholar kneeling in front of the bed and weeping bitterly, this is my favorite ending."

Even through thousands of years, readers' tastes have never changed!

"The story of Zhang Shusheng and Lin Xiaoxiao is just that good. I don't think so."

Hearing this, Tang Shen lowered his head and looked at Tang Juan in surprise: "Ah Huang, have you read that article?"

Don Juan suddenly felt guilty, but then he said confidently: "Why can't I read the articles published in books and newspapers."

Tang Shen didn't speak, he looked at the little girl meaningfully.Walking to a stall that made rabbit lamps, Tang Shen carefully picked out one of the most exquisite red-eared rabbit lamps.He paid the money and gave the lamp to Don Juan.The little girl thought it was a gift from her brother, but this rabbit lamp was the most beautiful in the whole stall.

Tang Shen said suddenly: "You will definitely not get the Luminous Cup, you are still far away. This rabbit lamp is a consolation prize."

Tang Juan was stunned, she raised her head and stared blankly at Tang Shen.

After a long time, she said: "Brother, how do you know, I also write manuscripts."

Tang Shen laughed, and patted her forehead with his fingers: "Is it possible that I can't see the stinky characters like ghostly symbols on your hand?"

"..."

"Tang Shen!!!"

"……Cried?"

"No, Don Juan, are you crying?"

Tang Shen suddenly panicked, he squatted down nervously, coaxing him in various ways, but Tang Juan just ignored him.Not far away, Yao San and Aunt Yao saw this scene and smiled knowingly. "I've never seen Xiao Dong's family look so flustered. He really loves Ah Huang."

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Ziyang Academy started classes again.

Early in the morning, Tang Shen woke up. Instead of going to the academy, he came to the Liang Mansion with a New Year gift.

Two days ago, my husband just came back from Jinling Mansion, Tang Shen didn't bother me.Yesterday was the Lantern Festival, and my husband was busy with the affairs of the Gusu Mansion, Tang Shen didn't come.Today, he brought some essential oils and soaps from Zhenbao Pavilion, and some pens, inks and inkstones from Mrs. Tang, which was said to be brought from Shengjing, and came to Liang Mansion.

When Tang Shen entered, Steward Liang was not there, but the concierge had already known him and let him in directly.

Liang Song was originally from Gusu, and this garden was not the official residence of the governor of Gusu, but the old residence of the Liang family in Gusu.After entering the door, go left and enter the Shimen Cave of Mount Tai, and you will see a blue pond.Nineteen camellias were planted on the edge of the pond, and in the pond were withered and broken lotus leaves.Fortunately, there was just a heavy snowfall last night. The silver snow wrapped the square stones by the pool and covered the flowerless camellia branches, which gave the beauty of white snow as flowers.

When Tang Shen crossed the pond and came to the yard of Liang Song's study, he almost slipped accidentally.He raised his head, just in time to see the butler come out of the study.Tang Shen called him, and the steward looked at him blankly, as if he didn't know why he came here.When he saw the gift box in Tang Shen's hand, the butler bowed and said, "Young Master Tang, Your Excellency is inside. You came suddenly, so I need to inform you."

It is rude to come to the door without asking.

Tang Shen nodded, the butler went in to report, and soon let Tang Shen in.

It is cold before the frost and cold after the snow.

It was so cold outside that Tang Shen's hands turned purple, and when he entered the study, a pot of silver charcoal was burning in the hollow stove in the center of the room.Seeing Tang Shen shivering from the cold, Liang Song smiled, handed him the stove in his hand, and said, "Shouldn't I go to the academy? Why are you here?"

Tang Shen took the stove, Liang Song beckoned him to come and sit, and he obediently took the upper seat.

Liang Song poured him a cup of tea: "Drink some hot tea."

Tang Shen took a big sip, his heart warmed up, and holding the stove in his hand, he also warmed up.He said aggrievedly: "I came to see you. You are the Governor of Gusu Mansion. You will go to Jinling Mansion to apply for office during the New Year, and you will not come back until the Lantern Festival. After you come back, you will still be in charge of the Lantern Festival in Gusu Mansion. I don't want you anymore, sir." Well, I'll come as soon as you are free, sir, aren't you welcome?"

Liang Song looked at him intently, sighed and said, "You boy, I heard from others that you are in Zhenbao Pavilion and Xixia Tower, but you are the majestic Tang Xiaodong. Why do you act like a rascal and pretend to be a child every time you come to my place? "

Tang Shen thought to himself: It's because you eat my tricks!

Tang Shen: "I'm only fifteen, and I'm just a kid."

Liang Song nodded and said, "Yes, you are fifteen, and it's time for you to get married and have children as a co-author."

Tang Shen: "..."

"Mister bullied me!"

Liang Song laughed out loud.

But after laughing, Liang Song said solemnly: "It's fifteen, and you have to take the provincial examination this year. After passing the provincial examination, you will go to Shengjing next year in Chunwei. Fifteen, you will be a handsome gentleman."

Tang Shen: "Pianpian is true, a gentleman's words... the kid didn't say he wanted to be a gentleman."

"You're done!"

"Eh!"

Liang chant: "Come back!"

Tang Shen came back again.

This time Liang Song's expression became much more serious, and Tang Shen gradually sat upright, not daring to be careless.

Liang Chandao: "You are fifteen years old, and there is not much I can teach you as a teacher. As for learning, I am just your guide. How to learn more is ultimately up to you. If you just want to take the exam, There is no need to study further. It has been two springs and winters since we met in Zhaojia Village two years ago."

Tang Shen wondered, "Sir, why did you say this all of a sudden?"

"If a gentleman is not respectful, he will not be powerful, and if he learns, he will not be solid. I want to give you a word for you as a teacher."

"Take the word?" Tang Shen was startled.

In ancient times, most men took characters at the coronation ceremony at the age of 20, but Mr. He suddenly wanted to choose characters for him.

Liang Song glanced at him: "What are you thinking? You have been out of shape since you were a child, and I gave you a word to make you study hard and be a good person, you know?"

Tang Shen: "..."

"I'm thinking that I'm obviously not a good person..."

"What are you mumbling about?"

Tang Shen: "No! No!"

Talking about choosing words, Liang Song thought about it carefully, and said, "Your name is Tang Shen, and you are cautious in your words and deeds, so why not call yourself cautious?"

"Tang Jinyan?" Tang Shen read it twice by himself, "I think it's good."

Liang Song snorted coldly: "I'm afraid you think it's good no matter what it's called."

Tang Shen chuckled.

Anyway, with Liang Song's knowledge and face, it is impossible to choose a random word for him, and it must be a good word, so he doesn't have to worry about it.

"Let's call it Jing Ze."

Tang Shen was taken aback: "Jing Ze, what do you mean?"

Liang Song: "You have always been cautious in your words and deeds, and you have never made mistakes. As a teacher, I have never worried about you. As for the scene...you can go on your own."

Tang Shen was very aggrieved: "I've never seen anything like this, take the words but don't say the meaning, sir, why are you like this!"

"I'm not very knowledgeable, I don't understand, so blame me as a teacher?"

"Mister bullied me again!"

Liang Song scolded with a smile: "You can do it!"

Tang Shen snorted, turned and left, he was indeed going to the academy to attend class.

When he reached the door of the study room, Liang Song asked, "By the way, who is teaching at Ziyang Academy today?"

Tang Shen turned his head and said, "It seems to be Qian Sinian's lecture."

Liang Song: "Qian Jiangxi is good at "Spring and Autumn", you have to listen to it carefully."

Tang Shen: "In the entire Gusu Mansion, it's not my husband who is best at "Spring and Autumn"."

Liang Song smiled: "A sycophant!"

Tang Shen chuckled and thought: You don't like me kissing your ass?

After drinking a cup of hot tea in Liang's mansion and hugging the stove again, Tang Shen no longer felt cold.Along the way, he kept thinking: "What is the meaning of Jing Ze? Mr. never chooses words for me at random. There must be a reason for him to choose words. Jing Ze, Jing Ze...what does it mean?"

When he came to Ziyang Academy, Sun Yue was reading "Gongyang Biography" over and over again.

Tang Shen sat down next to him: "Everyone says to hug Buddha's feet temporarily, Fatty Sun, it's really early for you to hug, there are still eight months left."

Sun Yue said unhappily: "I'm not you, Tang Xiaosanyuan. If I want to be admitted to Juren next year, I have to work hard. After finally knowing who the examiner is in advance, of course I have to prescribe the right medicine. In all likelihood, Luo University What the scholars wrote is the title in "The Legend of Gongyang."

"Sun Yue, why are you still a Bachelor of Luo University?"

Tang Shen and Sun Yue raised their heads together, and the person who spoke was a scholar from a scholarly family.He turned his head and sighed: "Last year we all said that the chief examiner of Qiu Wei this year is a scholar of Luo University. It is true, it should be him. But Sun Yue, don't read "Gongyang Biography" now, Luo University You can no longer be our chief examiner."

Sun Yue: "What? Why can't you do it again. You say it's him, and you say it's not him. What do you mean?"

The scholar said: "You still don't know? University scholar Luo committed suicide yesterday! I heard that he committed suicide in his study yesterday morning, and it was only discovered when he arrived."

Sun Yue's eyes widened: "No way!"

Tang Shen: "You slay yourself? Why did Bachelor Luo slay himself?"

The scholar sighed and said: "Why else? In the middle of the night before yesterday, I heard that Zhong Daru in the prison had gone! University scholar Luo is Zhong Daru's student and his loyal supporter, but who would have thought that he would just follow him like this?" let's go."

Sun Yue threw "Gongyang Zhuan" on the desk, and said angrily: "I have read "Gongyang Zhuan" for two months, and I have read it thoroughly. Now it is good, it is all scrapped! Alas, Tang Shen, you How can I be so pitiful? Huh? Tang Shen, what's wrong with you, why don't you talk? Tang Shen? Hey, Tang Shen!"

When Qian Jiangxi entered the school, he happened to meet Tang Shen rushing out the door. He was hit hard by Tang Shen, and the book in his hand fell to the ground.

Qian Jianji said with a displeased expression: "That's Tang Shen? Why, you don't want to go to class and left in front of the old man?"

Sun Yue didn't know what happened to Tang Shen either, so he could only speak kindly for him: "Something happened suddenly at his family."

Qian Jian gave a cold snort and began to give a lecture.

In the bitter cold wind, Tang Shen was wearing a thick cotton coat and running fast.He left Ziyang Academy, headed east all the way, followed the footsteps he had just walked in the morning, and ran to Liang Mansion.The concierge said he wanted to find the butler for him, but Tang Shen stared at him, pushed him away without saying a word, and ran in by himself.

The concierge was unknown, so he hurried to find the butler.

Pass through the door opening of Taishan Stone, walk along the Xuechi Pavilion, and walk another ten meters, and you will arrive at the courtyard of the study.The door was tightly closed, Tang Shen was about to go up, but the butler hurried over: "Young Master Tang, what's the matter?"

Tang Shen didn't answer him, he strode to the study and pushed open the door.

After the snow, the sun came out, and the sunlight reflected the snow and poured into the room.There was no light in the study, but it was brightly illuminated by the snow.A three-foot white silk was hung on the beam of the room, the silver silk charcoal in the charcoal basin was quietly burning, and the pen, ink and inkstone that Tang Shen gave were still on the table.What Liang Song was wearing today was a long gown with wide sleeves. The long sleeves hung down and swayed slightly, covering the Huimo inkstone that Tang Shen had given him.

The butler looked at the scene in front of him in horror, and he stumbled out the door: "Come on, come on!"

Tang Shen's hand stroked the carved door of the study, he looked up at Liang Song, and suddenly fell powerlessly to the ground.

In the charcoal basin, one of the silver thread charcoal was burnt, making a clicking sound, which was very clear in the silent study room.

The snow had stopped, but he was colder.