Tang riddles

The sun slanted weakly in the west, and the air was a little stuffy.Shen Sui rode on the horse, looking at the dark clouds that were about to overwhelm the south, and frowned.

I'm afraid it will rain soon.

On the fourth day of the journey, we passed Luogu Pass and continued to the southwest.They have passed the boundary marker between Gyeonggi-do and Shannanxi-do, and they have entered the range of Shannanxi-do.Currently in Yangzhou, the destination tonight is the small post station in Huayang County.

After drinking all night last night, Pei Yaoqing and Liu Yucheng's faces were both blue after getting up early today.Riding a horse is absolutely impossible, so the two got into the carriage and went to rest.The only ones in the convoy who were still riding horses were Shen Sui and Hutuo, except for the guards of the Forbidden Army escorted by them.

Shen Sui himself has a good capacity for alcohol, he sweated all over last night and drank the anti-alcohol soup, so he woke up this morning fairly refreshed.It's just that she is very preoccupied and not as energetic as usual.Hu Tuo quietly followed her on horseback. He knew that Da Lang came back late last night, and his face was a little strange when he came back, but Da Lang didn't mention what happened.

"Dingling bell", in the carriage, Shen Jin rang the bell.Shen Sui came back to his senses, and galloped to the side of the car window, and saw Shen Jin handing out a writing board from the car window.This small board was made by Shen Sui himself. The planed smooth board was painted with black paint, and Shen Sui called it a "blackboard".There are pink and white characters written on it, and the tool for writing characters is a special white hard pen, which Shen Sui called "chalk".Lime is added with water and some gypsum to make a long white stick, and a handle is carved out of a wooden block, and one end of the white stick is inserted into the handle, and the handle is grasped to write, so as to ensure Does not pick up powder when writing.The handle also has a mechanism that can adjust the length of the chalk, which is very delicate. When not in use, the chalk can be hidden in the handle, pushed out when in use, and can be replaced after use.

Shen Jin usually carried the blackboard and chalk with him.On the inside of the right wheel of her wheelchair, there is a special interlayer for placing the blackboard. There are card slots on the left and right sides to fix it, and it can be taken out by pulling it out when in use.The right handle of the wheelchair is actually a box that can be opened, and the chalk is stored in it, as well as an eraser for cleaning the blackboard.These are all tools used by Shen Jin when it is inconvenient to use lip language and gestures, or when he has nothing to do to pass the time.

The writing method of chalk is different from that of brush, but Shen Jin has been using it for many years and has already become familiar with it.She even created a unique art because of it - chalk calligraphy and painting.However, this art is probably only her in this world.

At this moment, Shen Sui saw a sentence written on the blackboard handed out:

【Sister, what happened last night? ] It seems that Shen Jin also noticed that something was wrong with her sister.

After Shen Sui looked at it, he hesitated for a moment, and replied softly:

"Last night, the lotus maid tried to trick me, and finally forced me to become righteous brothers and sisters with her. I have no choice but to agree."

Shen Sui saw that Shen Jin's hand holding the blackboard shook, and he almost threw the blackboard out.She couldn't help smiling wryly, no wonder her sister was frightened, even she herself hasn't recovered yet.

The blackboard shrank back, and not long after, another line of words was handed over:

[You two really enjoyed yourself. 】

Shen Sui: "..."

The blackboard retracted again, the curtains of the car were lifted, and Shen Jin poked his head out.I saw her smiling gloatingly at her sister, saying:

【Sister, along the way, let me see how you deal with her. 】

"You little girl!" Shen Sui lowered his voice, shouted feigned anger, and stretched out his hand to grab Shen Jin, but Shen Jin stuck out his tongue and retreated into the carriage.Shen Sui shook his head amusedly, rode his horse and trotted forward two steps, but when interrupted by his younger sister, her originally gloomy mood eased a lot.

She couldn't help looking at the two-wheeled umbrella carriage ahead, with a bitter and slightly sweet smile on her lips.

At that time, Zhang Ruohan's call came from inside the two-wheeled canopy carriage:

"Wu Ya..." Her cold voice sounded hoarse, as if she had just woken up.

Wuya, who was sitting on the front shaft of the car, heard the call, and quickly opened the curtain to enter, and saw his wife lying on her side in the car, with thick mats and mattresses under her body, leaning on stacked cushions and soft pillows , who was covered with a blanket, was propping himself up at the moment.

"San Niang, you're awake." Wu Ya knelt down and leaned forward to help each other.

"Hmm." Zhang Ruohan sat up straight while supporting her hand.

Wu Ya handed her tea, she drank it and asked:

"What time is it?"

"It's the end of the application period. The people in front said that there are still five miles to go before we reach Huayang County." Wu Ya replied.

Zhang Ruohan nodded and put down the teacup.

"San Niang, are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"

"I'm not hungry."

"But you haven't eaten anything at noon, you've been sleeping..." Wu Ya said helplessly, after hesitating for a moment, she still asked:

"San Niang, what happened last night? I saw Shen Si escorting you back." Wu Ya knew that San Niang returned very late last night, and probably stayed up all night, and only slept in the car during the day.

"Don't worry, I'm planning to tell you about it." After saying this, she raised her voice and asked outside:

"Qianhe, can you hear me?"

"Sanniang, tell me, Qianhe heard it very clearly." Qianhe's voice came from outside.

"Okay." She paused, and said, "Listen to me carefully, I have some ideas now, and I need you to explain them for me."

Both Qianhe and Wuya pricked up their ears to listen.

"Last night, I tested Shen Bozhao, and now I'm [-]% sure that he does know Chishi."

"Why did San Niang say that?" Wu Ya asked strangely.

"Last night I asked him if he knew someone whose nickname was 'Akashi', and he said he didn't. No matter how I asked him directly or indirectly after that, he just said he didn't know Akashi. However, this This is the strangest thing about me. When a normal person is asked about a person they don’t know, most of them will go further and ask about the person’s details. I only mentioned the baby name, but didn’t mention the correct name and characters. Why didn’t he ask? Clearly, insist that you don’t know?”

"Oh, that's true, Sanniang is really smart." Wu Ya smiled suddenly.

Qianhe on the shaft of the chariot smiled, but said nothing.

Zhang Ruohan also smiled, and said calmly: "But unfortunately, I still can't confirm whether he is Chishi. Last night... I almost regarded him as Chishi, but in the end I still felt wrong. Last night I thought For a long time, I think I may have considered the wrong direction, I have been pursuing the relationship between him and Akashi, but I have ignored who he is.”

"What does San Niang mean?" Wu Ya didn't quite understand.

"I understand, Sanniang doubts his identity." Qianhe outside responded.

Zhang Ruohan nodded: "That's right, although I have suspected his purpose of coming to Chang'an for a long time, I have never thought about it. Now I think we should consider this aspect first. This may be the most worthwhile direction to explore."

Both Wuya and Qianhe nodded thoughtfully.

Zhang Ruohan continued: "He drank too much wine last night, and his clothes were open. I saw a Nirvana pattern on the back of his neck [Note], and it spread all the way to his back. I think the Nirvana pattern is unusual. Maybe it can give us some information. some hints."

"San Niang...you saw the Nirvana pattern?" Wu Ya was surprised, and then she muttered, "How disheveled is Shen Sizhi's clothes..."

"Cough!" Zhang Ruohan blushed slightly, and gave her a stern look, Wu Ya quickly shut up.

I only heard Zhang Ruohan explain: "As far as I know, cutting off hair and getting tattoos is a barbaric habit. In recent years, although it has become popular in some aristocratic families, it is not popular. In addition, some local ruffians settled down and imitated some fugitives from the rivers and lakes to get tattoos." Face tattoos to deter others. Finally, very few people get tattoos for some special reasons, such as belief, or inheriting someone's tattoo, or to commemorate someone or something, or to cover up the scars on their bodies. Shen Bozhao This is not from a wealthy family, and he got tattoos not because of the pursuit of fashion. He is not a hooligan or a fugitive. I speculate that it may be his belief or to cover up his scars. His nirvana is very intriguing. If you have the opportunity to see it The whole picture, maybe I can deduce more things."

"But Sanniang, how do you want to see the whole picture. Shen Sizhi won't take off his clothes in front of you..." Wu Ya said subconsciously, but when he said this, he realized that he didn't have to be so upright, and sent a servant to serve Shen Sui Isn't it clear?So she denied what she said just now, "It seems, maybe not necessarily?"

But when she said this, she felt that something was wrong. She looked at her wife in horror, and saw that Sanniang was staring at herself with her lips pursed, her expression was ashamed and annoyed, Wu Ya blushed, and hurriedly kowtowed road:

"San Niang's redemption, Wu Ya's slip of the tongue!"

"Copy the Shurangama Sutra ten times tonight." Zhang Ruohan's voice was very cold and angry.

"San Niang..." Wu Ya wanted to cry but had no tears, wishing he could slap his mouth.

Zhang Ruohan pursed her lips and said, "I don't have a clue how to see the whole picture of the nirvana pattern on his back, otherwise why would I ask you to help me with the details?"

Wu Ya was silent like a cicada, she was afraid to speak anymore.At this time, Qianhe's calm voice sounded outside: "San Niang, don't bother. Although Qianhe can't check this matter with his own eyes, there are still ways, but it may take some opportunities."

"Oh?" Zhang Ruohan's eyes lit up.

"Leave it to Qianhe." The blind girl sitting on the shaft waved her whip and continued to drive the horses to pull the cart, with a sly smile on her lips.

***

The journey on the fourth day ended safely, and the group checked into the Huayang County Post Station.That night, as expected by Shen Sui, it rained heavily.This is an early spring rain, nourishing everything after a winter of frost and snow.With a spring rain, the weather will start to warm up.

That night, Hu Tuo noticed Wu Ya wandering furtively outside Shen Sui's room.Before leaving the next morning, he informed Shen Sui of this matter.Shen Sui smiled and nodded to show that he understood.

On the fifth day, they set out in the rain.Shen Sui stopped riding the horse, and sat in the car with Shen Jin.The accompanying guards and servants all put on coir raincoats and bamboo hats, and rode on horses and carts against the wind and rain.On this day, he had to rush from Huayang County to Xingdao County, and had to cross Luoshui on the way.Luoshui Bridge is a wooden bridge, which has been around for a long time and was built in the previous dynasty. After the war at the end of the Sui Dynasty, it suffered a lot of damage.In the past two years, the Yangzhou government has also allocated funds to repair it several times, but it can only treat the symptoms but not the root cause.Nowadays, for the transportation of bulk goods, a large number of horses and horses cross the Luoshui River. They dare not walk across this bridge, and have to use ferries to pull it across.

Around noon, Shen Sui and his party arrived at the Luoshui Bridge. They planned to cross the bridge right away, but were stopped by kind locals and reminded them that the bridge was not safe. Seeing that their carriages were heavy, it was better to cross the river by ferry.

For the sake of safety, after discussing with Pei Yaoqing and Liu Yucheng, Shen Sui decided to find a boatman to cross the river.In the heavy rain, the leader of the guards ran all over the ferry with several guards, but no boatman was willing to take them across the river.Pei Yaoqing and Liu Yucheng were very surprised, especially Pei Yaoqing. He was going to inspect the canal during his trip. Seeing this situation, he didn't care about the pouring rain outside. One foot to the ferry.He has to ask himself to understand.

Shen Sui also held up an umbrella, and followed behind silently.In fact, she saw the doorway with just one glance.The ferry boats at this ferry crossing are probably controlled by the local big clans. Crossing the river depends on people and money. The same is true if the bridge is not repaired well. If the bridge is finished, who will pay to cross the river?It is not uncommon for magistrates to be controlled by local wealthy families. It is not uncommon to be a magistrate in the territory of Shandong aristocrats and Longyou nobles.

Everything turned out as she expected, even if Pei Yaoqing, Liu Yucheng and others took out the public survey issued by the imperial court, they could not shake the boatmen at these ferry crossings.They only accept money, and they ask for ten cents per person, and the weight of the carriages and horses is calculated as ten cents per catty.This is simply a big mouth for a lion. Pei Yaoqing and the others are traveling on business, and there are post stations along the way for free board and lodging. At most, they can bring some emergency money. Looking at the cars and horses, they don't have enough money to pay a small change.

Shen Sui is very rich, but she will not spend such wronged money, let alone show off her wealth in front of her colleagues.She remembered that there seemed to be a Guiyan Inn nearby, maybe it would be more useful to go there and ask about the situation.

She gave Hutuo a look, and Hutuo understood immediately, and turned to the carriages waiting in the distance.He explained a few words to Shen Jin and Blue Robin, and after a while, an inconspicuous black sparrow flew out from the carriage, headed towards the designated direction, and soon disappeared in the wind and rain.

Pei Yaoqing, Liu Yucheng and this gang of unscrupulous boatmen wrestled for a long time, until they were so hungry that their stomachs rumbled before they gave up angrily.Shen Sui comforted them, saying to rest first, and then think of a way, then she suggested to go to the nearby Guiyan Post to rest, maybe people there could have a way to cross the river.

Pei Yaoqing and Liu Yucheng agreed.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier, almost becoming a torrential downpour.Oil-paper umbrellas could not keep out the rain, and the robes of officials and guards were all wet.When turning the carriages and horses to leave the ferry, Zhang Ruohan's two-wheeled canopy carriage suddenly had an accident. The left wheel got stuck in the muddy beach and couldn't get out for a while.No matter how you whip the horse, it gets deeper and deeper.Wu Ya jumped out of the car, stepped on the muddy ground, came to the back of the car and pushed, Qianhe was pulling the horse in front, the two of them were soaked through immediately, stained with mud, they looked extremely embarrassed.

The chariots and horses of Pei Yaoqing and Liu Yucheng walked in front, and they didn't notice what was going on behind them for a while.On the contrary, Shen Sui, who was following behind, noticed everything.

She also didn't care about wearing a bamboo hat and coir raincoat, and she lost her umbrella, so she called Hutuo to go up and help quickly, and then ordered the bluebird to call the people in front to come back quickly.

Shen Sui and Hu Tuo helped Wu Ya to lift the wheels of the carriage stuck in the mud.

"One, two, three!" Just as he was struggling, he suddenly heard Zhang Ruohan's call from inside the car:

"Wait a minute, I'll get out of the car!"

"Sanniang, don't get down, just stay in the car! We'll push it right away." Wu Ya was in a hurry.

Shen Sui also said:

"Third Lady, don't get out of the car, it will be over soon!"

Then the three of them worked hard together again, Qianhe in front whipped the whip hard, the horse neighed, and the carriage suddenly left the muddy ground and galloped forward.Qianhe failed to pull the rein and was knocked to the ground immediately. Shen Sui, Hutuo and Wuya who were pushing the cart behind all fell into the muddy water due to inertia, their bodies covered in filth.The horse was frightened, the speed was extremely fast, and the ground was uneven. During the gallop, the right wheel of the carriage suddenly bumped into a piece of bluestone exposed on the mud. Turned over, even the horse was brought down, fell to the ground and neighed endlessly.

"San Niang!" Wu Ya and Qian He didn't care about being covered in mud, they only felt the explosion in their heads, they stumbled to their feet, and rushed to the place where the accident happened.

"Lotus maid!" But there was someone who was faster than them, only heard Shen Sui exclaimed, and already raised the lightness kung fu, and rushed out like an arrow.

The author has something to say: just a preview, one chapter will be updated this Saturday, two will be updated on Sunday, and there will be another chapter next Tuesday.

[Note] Nirvana, or Nirvana, actually means tattoo, which is the name of tattoo in ancient China. "Nirvana" originally refers to the rock that can be used as black dye.It is extended to dye objects with black and paint objects with ink.Nirvana word, Nirvana face, Nirvana teeth.