Green and black floating fragrance

twenty

It was like a dream.

He was clearly in it, but he seemed to be in a dream, helpless and watching everything happening in front of him as someone else.

What he heard in his ears and what he saw in front of his eyes were all going on real, as if he was afraid that he would not believe it was true, every frame of the picture was extremely slow and clear.

"What is the difference between the same tea? Why is it that the same sect is famous all over the world and the other is unknown?"

"Conservation will only lead to stagnation, and harmony and innovation is the way to development. Doesn't Master Dezong understand this better than me?"

"Zheye, you have a unique talent in the tea ceremony, are you willing to take him and bury him in this countryside?"

A series of questions exploded in Qingfeng's mind like thunder, until he heard a familiar name, he moved his fingers reflexively, trying to distinguish that sentence.

A blank brain can't think at all, and he can't understand the meaning of these words at a loss. His extremely dull mind repeatedly recalls the final statement he grasped.

"Tetsuya, I'll wait for you to come with me."

When did Akashi meet Ah Zhe?This is wooing?Or a threat?Why do you want to involve Ah Zhe?The noise of the rain was right next to my ears, and everything I saw in my field of vision was covered by gray curtains, and I couldn't see anything clearly.

"Your Majesty of Qingfeng Banner, the mansion has arrived and the umbrella is ready, do you want to get out of the car now?" The waiter lightly knocked on the car door, obviously standing outside the ox cart, but the voice sounded vaguely as if it came from the sky.

It took Qingfeng a while to realize that the words were addressed to himself. He was stunned for a while before he recovered his voice and said, "Just leave the umbrella behind."

In front of him is a newly built mansion with white walls and black tiles, green pine and clear water. Qingfeng had thought of taking Heizi here before, and specially ordered the craftsman to leave a large piece of land for the courtyard, so that he could take care of the flowers and plants at will.He raised his head slowly, looking at the house in the rain, he felt oppressed and out of breath.

He held an umbrella but didn't want to hold it up, his mind was too chaotic and he just wanted to have a good rain, the newly planted canna shyly stuck to the wall, the leaves drooped, and the raindrops slid down the veins like lines, the green peaks ticked off. Mouth corner, set foot on the corridor.

"Ada! Why don't you hold an umbrella!" Wu Yue screamed, turned around and ordered: "Go and set up the charcoal fire in the house, and take out the clean clothes!"

The Qingfeng Mansion has only just been built, and the next duty has not yet been arranged. Seeing their sluggish hands and feet in Wuyue, she couldn't help saying angrily: "Why are you so lazy! The king of the banner is caught in the rain and cold, and he is still staring blankly, not knowing what to do !"

Only then did the crowd back down, and Wu Yue took out a square scarf and leaned over, scolding: "What a fool! You don't have an umbrella to hold it in the rain!"

Qingfeng turned his head and wiped it casually on his face, his eyes still stopped on the clump of drooping cannas, "The first time I met Ah Zhe, it was also raining, and I was much more embarrassed then than now."

Wu Yue's hand trembled, "Did you... meet Zhejun today?"

Qingfeng nodded, and simply said: "Yesterday the general asked me to go to the tea party with him. The tea master happened to be Ah Zhe's teacher, that old man Dezong who didn't care about anyone."

"Then did you talk to Zhejun? Didn't you just swallow five or six rice balls and run back?" Wu Yue joked: "After Dezong sees you, he will drive you out."

She didn't have time for Qingfeng to answer, she went straight into the house, and said: "The charcoal basin will be brought over soon, it's windy outside, let's talk about it first."

Qingfeng pushed the lattice door, saw Wuyue walking in by herself, with her back turned and refused to speak properly, finally sighed.

"I've always wanted to break out of the world by myself." He didn't care that all the water dripped on the tatami, and it gradually became a puddle, "When I come back, no one will bully you, and I can also bring Ah Zhe out , At that time, I, you, and Ah Zhe stayed together."

His tone was gentle, but his voice was no longer as vigorous as when he was young, but was obviously tired, "Mayue, what are you hiding from me?"

Wu Yue bit her lip tightly, her eye circles slowly turning red.

Qingfeng sighed again.

He has always been cheerful, although a little lazy, but very reliable, the whole person is like a small ball of light.Even when he was beaten at that time, Qingfeng still gritted his teeth and remained silent.But now he looked tired, and his whole body was dimmed.Has Wuyue ever seen such a weak Qingfeng?Tears welled up in clusters at once.

"I just want to help……"

"Help me, what's the matter with Azhe?" Aomine grabbed her wrist, "Why did Akashi go to him? Why did he want Azhe to come over? Is it because Dezong was a retainer of the Fujiwara family?" ?”

"No, no." Wu Yue choked and said, "This is my idea, Ah Da, don't think too much about it."

"Ada, you don't want to be like this..." She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, and then slowly clenched Qingfeng's fingers, just like when she was a child, "I'm so afraid of you like this..."

She seldom cried, except for the grievances she suffered when she was a child, Qingfeng also reported for her one by one, but now she was crying so hard that she couldn't breathe, her cheeks were flushed, and Qingfeng's heart softened, but when he thought of Heizi, The softness also seemed to have been drenched in cold rain.

He pressed his temple and asked coldly, "Why did you hide it from me? If you hide it, tell me."

"...I...I can't say..."

Qingfeng opened her fingers, and said lightly: "Then, you go, I want to be alone."

"Ada, don't be like this..." Wu Yue burst into tears, "I promise His Highness not to say anything...but nothing will happen..."

"I like you...I also like Zhejun...you believe me..."

"Akashi is going to bring Azhe into the curtain! Why is it okay!" Qingfeng shouted violently: "How can he come in!"

Now entering the scene, except for the soldiers who followed Akashi and licked blood with the tip of the knife, they are all talented old foxes.Heizi lived in the countryside since he was a child, and because of Emperor Dezong, he didn't see people often. Although he knew the truth, he didn't know the world. How did such a person enter the shogunate? !How can you protect yourself? !

"This is impossible!" Wu Yue exclaimed in surprise, and muttered to herself, "This is impossible..." She looked up at Qingfeng, with tears still on her face, "Ada, what did your highness say?"

The sentence whirling all the way in his mind sounded again, Qingfeng could even feel him chuckling in that determined tone, as if he knew that the other party would not refuse.The speaker raised his head slightly, and the haughty expression of the raised chin and the pair of long and narrow dark eyes once again appeared in front of his eyes.

"'Tetsuya, I'll wait for you to come with me.'"

"This is not right...not right!" Wu Yue bit her lip, "It shouldn't be like this...!"

"It should be Dezong's...why did it become Zhejun..." She said to herself anxiously, and then grabbed Qingfeng's sleeve suddenly, "Did Zhejun not mention anything to you?"

"What letter?" Qingfeng looked at Wuyue suspiciously, "No letter...just..."

"There must be something wrong..." Wu Yue pursed her lips, "When I was discussing with His Highness, I was talking about Dezong..."

Qingfeng couldn't understand what she said, but it was definitely not good. Seeing her distraught appearance, she clamped Wuyue's shoulders and shook her hard, "Wuyue, what's going on!"

"My Highness and I are talking about Dezong!" Wuyue shouted at Qingfeng, her lips trembled slightly, and she took a step back, "Your Highness is quite controversial because of his birth, the shogunate has not yet been completed, and the veterans under the Fujiwara clan objected [Samurai group has long believed that only the descendants of Genji and Hera are eligible to open the ceremony.], I thought Dezong was originally the tea head of the Fujiwara family. If he is willing to follow His Highness now, he will be able to win the hearts of his ministers... let alone eight Xiaolu’s family is also gone now, and the trend of folk sencha is in full swing... Dezong advocated that the sencha ceremony and the matcha ceremony should be paralleled, which can also appease the hearts of the people..." She covered her lips, and the next words were almost at a loss, "how, how could it be It's...Zhe Jun..."

Qingfeng let go of his hands, turned and left.

"Most of the dignitaries in Beijing tend to follow others, and they are very respectful on the surface, but they are sneering and sarcastic in private. Ever since I became the daughter of Momoi Dai Nagan, I have heard many people speak sarcasticly behind my back." Wu Yue tried hard to hold back her crying, and said loudly: " I don't want you to be called a 'country samurai' in private, I want Zhe Jun to be your tea ceremony attendant, and we were together at that time, isn't that right?!"

Qingfeng gripped the lattice door tightly, almost crushing the wooden frame with so much strength.

"There's nothing wrong, May." His palms were bleeding, "You're thinking for my own good."

"It's just that I'd rather go back to the countryside and stay with Ah Zhe in that backyard."

The wind whizzed past, and the night rain was even louder. It came fiercely, hitting the body like a stone.Qingfeng rode his horse and galloped wildly, not having time to raise his hand to block the torrential rain in front of him.

There was a burning pain on his cheek, and his horse couldn't stand the heavy rain, so he turned his head several times, snorting and wanted to go back.

Qingfeng clamped the horse's belly tightly, hugged the horse's nape in a consoling manner, raised the whip with his backhand, leaned down and shouted: "Drive—"

It was dark and rainy, and there were not many pedestrians on the road. Qingfeng drove all the way, and finally saw the lantern with the words "Akashi Mansion" hanging high.

He turned around and jumped off the horse, ignoring the splash of water on half of his boots, and rushed over, slamming on the door, the doorkeeper opened a gap, holding a lantern and shouting: "Who is it! Who is it! This was shot hard!"

"Me!" Qingfeng pressed the crack of the door, "Where is General Akashi?"

His wet hair was all stuck to his forehead, his face was heavy, the rain was dripping down his face, only a pair of eyes were surprisingly bright.The little attendant who opened the door was startled by him, and took a few more lights with the lantern before answering pantingly: "It's the king of Qingfeng Banner..."

"Where's Akashi!" Aomine punched the door, "Is he inside?"

"No...not here..." The little waiter trembled with the hand holding the lantern, and then replied tremblingly: "My lord is not here...what's the matter..."

"Where are the others? Where did they go!"

"I... I don't know..." The waiter cried and said, "Didn't my lord go to the tea party with you?"

Obviously they left together at that time, but Akashi hadn't returned home yet... Aomine groaned in his heart, jumped on his horse and whipped him hard.

To Chirato...to Arjuna!

"The rain is increasing and the road is dangerous late at night. Please come back earlier, Your Highness." Dezong put down his tea bowl and said calmly.

"In that case, why didn't Master Dezong let me rest here for the night?" Akashi picked up a green ball, "Besides, I have already retired from the service, Lu Yao is tired, and it would be a bit boring if there is no one to accompany me. "

If it was said that the two of them still had scruples about each other at the beginning, it was just that there was something in their words, but now they have completely made it clear.Dezong tilted his head and ordered in a deep voice, "Zhe Ye, go get some refreshments."

Heizi nodded in agreement, straightened up from the futon to collect the tea tray in front of Akashi's knees, Akashi tapped his fan bone lightly, and the bell-shaped chess piece was at his fingertips again.

He pressed the chess piece into the tea tray, leaned over, and whispered in a whisper that only the two of them could hear: "Zhe Ye, how about giving you another chess piece?"

Akashi placed the chess pieces very fast, but spoke slowly on purpose, and he was very intimate with each other. Heizi didn't need to turn his head to know that Dezong was staring at him fiercely.He pushed the chess piece into his palm and held it tightly, picked up the tea tray and exited the room.

The rain continued, and the courtyard was completely dark, except for the orange lanterns hanging on the stone pillars, showing a hint of warmth amidst the wind and rain.Heizi turned to a corner of the corridor and spread his palms.

The chess piece in the palm of his hand was covered with heat, and under the dim orange light, Heizi finally saw the inscription on it clearly.

"Guima."

He took out another chess piece from his sleeve pocket. The two chess pieces are both made of cypress wood. The texture of the wood feels very similar, so they should be from the same board.

Heizi fixedly looked at the two chess pieces side by side, and lightly stroked the "Xing Che" [Xing Che: ie Xiang Che in Japanese. ] Words, closed his eyes.

Since Akashi brought Aomine-kun here today, he must know about the two of them.The general suspected Mr. Aomine, and alluded to the Fujiwara family in his words. If Dezong was determined to have a different intention, the three of them would be in danger.His heart tightened, he could only abandon it, could it be that the general wanted to...!

He suppressed his uneasiness, and concentrated on thinking about the implication of another chess piece: Xiangche refers to Lord Qingfeng, but who does Guima refer to?

Wang, Fei, Long, Jin, Quan, Gui, Xing, と [と: (To) are upgraded from infantry. ] There are eight kinds of chess pieces, the Guima is not unusual, and there are only two jumping directions. If it matches the corner row, there is a wonderful color, but if there is only one, the only rare thing is that it can jump over your own and the opponent's pieces.

Leaping over... Does it mean not being within this matter?He didn't know many people, apart from Dezong and Qingfeng, Taojing was the only one he had a close relationship with.

"Think about Ah Da's matter again and again, only Zhejun can trust you."

The bell-shaped tip stimulated the tender flesh of the palm, and Kuroko opened his eyes, no, not Momoi.

Although Aomine-kun was placed on the chessboard first, Momoi was the first among the three of them to realize this game.If it is said that Akashi suspects that Qingfeng-kun has two minds, and on the one hand, he brought Qingfeng-jun to Dezong to taste tea, and on the other hand, asked Momoi to sidestep him, hoping that he could be his tea ceremony attendant under Qingfeng's mansion, then, Qingfeng-jun, Momoi, and himself three People are already restraining each other on the chessboard, shouldn't Akashi be more concerned about the teacher?Why did he have to name him alone at the end?

Although Guima's movements are limited, he can escape from the two sides, and in a sense he can be said to be very comfortable.Heizi hadn't learned shogi before, so he thought about the features he only remembered several times, but he couldn't figure it out.

Momoi's letter was still stuffed in his pocket.Heizi pulled out the letter paper and put it on the candle lamp.

The tongue of fire licked the thick white paper, a corner of the letter was rolled up, and the scorched marks slowly spread inward. Heizi quietly watched the ashes fall to the ground, and put the chess piece into his sleeve pocket.

Aomine-kun probably didn't know about that letter.

Since Momoi secretly stuffed the letter under the food plate, he must have wanted to avoid Aomine-kun, not to mention that the anxiety on Aomine-kun's face had not subsided throughout the tea party.

Speaking of it, it seems that I have never seen such an eager Aomine-kun.Kuroko suppressed the bitterness in his heart, and that idiot clearly showed the impatience and worry in his heart, because he was afraid that Akashi would not know the relationship between the two acquaintances, so he wanted to make the general suspicious?

Fortunately, there are still people in the village who praise him for being fearless, courageous and resourceful in times of trouble. If others saw the self-blame and remorse just now, wouldn't they startle them?With such a sluggish appearance on the battlefield, I'm afraid it will shake the morale of the army and ruin the big event, right?

How does a tea tree grow?Heizi wondered wildly, is it like him, giving a piece of land, watering, pruning, fertilizing and taking care of it on time, and then it can grow under the warm sunshine every day?

Faint candlelight spilled on the back of his hand through the lattice door, Heizi moved away from the paper door, and the pawn in his sleeve hit his wrist with his movements.

During the rainy season, the tea trees can continue to grow and produce tea leaves. After the rain, the sun shines again.But I have only this beam of warm light, and I just want to be illuminated by this only beam of light.

He took a deep breath, and the bright red straight dress was in front of his eyes.

Although Jiuhu is under the jurisdiction of Kyoto, it is extremely remote. Most of the villages are built against the mountains, and the dense forests and wild land are extremely wide, making travel very inconvenient.Qingfeng abandoned those flat official roads that detoured long distances, and charged into the woods on his horse.

The dense forest was pitch black, and the wind and rain were noisy. Even though Qingfeng was already short and careful to avoid the horizontal branches, he was scratched several times, and his face and sleeves were scratched.The dense bushes blocked the horse's way, and the dense thorns pierced the front hooves. The black horse neighed impatiently, and its hooves flew into the air. Qingfeng held the rein tightly, comforting the painful black horse.

The horse has been running for almost a night, the blue bricks and stone slabs in Kyoto are not suitable for horses to run, and there are thorny bushes in the back, the black horse snorted and stomped all four hooves violently, no matter how much Ren Qingfeng comforted him, he refused to move forward half a step.

The hunting clothes were already soaked, half of the boots were soaked with water, Qingfeng wiped the rainwater from his face, threw the reins, turned and ran towards the depths of the dense forest.

"Back then, the method of drinking matcha tea was very popular, but there were very few people who made green tea. Now that the wind of green tea is popular, why doesn't the Venerable Master re-enter the government? Besides, newcomers and new blood, why are you willing to spend your whole life shackled in the wilderness?"

"I discuss tea with tea, and Your Majesty discusses tea with chess. The way of tea is best to let nature take its course, and the principles are easy to connect. Therefore, there are many different etiquettes in the tea ceremony, but they can all tend to one. The way of chess is the evolution of chess pieces. Utilization is the highest, chess is like a human being, and it is difficult for people to be compatible with each other. Monarchs and ministers have precepts, etiquette and patriarchal laws, and gossip is disturbed, and many are restricted. This is the biggest difference between the tea ceremony and the human way, so different ways do not seek each other."

"I made up my mind not to become an official again, but after all, I was honored by the Fujiwara clan for protection. After I left Kyoto, I vowed to stay away from official affairs and have no second thoughts. I hope Your Highness will preserve the way of loyalty."

Akashi leaned against the screen, propping up one foot, even in this leisurely and lazy posture, he still looked very noble, he held the fan and tapped his wrist, and said with a smile: "I also want to protect the Master's loyalty , so I don't want to embarrass the Master, so I hope that Zhe can also come under my shadow."

Dezong bowed deeply, "I regret two things in my life. One is to enter the Fujiwara clan and be his tea ceremony attendant; the other is to force Tetsuya to avoid personnel affairs. It makes him ignorant of world affairs, and it is difficult to discipline him. If he is entrusted with a big task, he may disappoint His Highness's high expectations, and I implore His Highness to think twice."

What Dezong said was extremely serious, but Akashi didn't show any expression of joy or dislike on his face, he just said slowly: "The Venerable Master sees it clearly, but I just want to drink a cup of tea amidst all these gossips. For the time being, there are worldly turmoil. Although Zheye is simple in nature, he has unique insights and is brave and wise. I hit him off right away and talked very happily. Wouldn't the master refuse to do so?"

He said while looking at Heizi.Heizi's heart trembled, but he still bowed his head and remained silent.

At the beginning, Heizi only guessed that Dezong had served the Fujiwara family. If Tokuzong followed Akashi and carried forward the Taken family school, then Akashi could use the tea ceremony to win over his former ministers and appease the hearts of the people all over the world.

He remembered the last time Akashi had said that he had useless things that Akashi didn't have.So, is Akashi doing it for the same reason now?

People who communicate with each other don't have to think about it.If it refers to knowledge, Akashi must be several times higher than him.He taught calligraphy, painting, chess and tea in Germany, and he is only a little proficient in tea ceremony, and he is even more ashamed to sell incense and flower arrangement.

Heizi suddenly remembered that Akashi was the son of daimyo, and was sent to Kyoto with his biological mother because he was a proton.He silently recalled the rumors he heard when he went to the street, Akashi seemed to be about the same age as him when he arrived in Kyoto.

When you are young, you should be cautious in your words and deeds, and watch your face and demeanor. Looking back at your time, although Dezong was strict, there was still a small courtyard where you could play freely.

Could it be... Heizi vaguely felt that he was about to guess something, but heard Akashi mention his name again.

"Even if I bring Zhe Ye into the court, there must be a strategy to protect him. I have heard that the Master made Zhe Ye swear never to become an official. Is this too arbitrary?"

Heizi raised his eyes slightly, only to hear De Zong say indifferently: "Zhe Ye has his own wishes, even if it is a teacher, it is difficult to help the students make more decisions. I implore Your Highness to listen to Zhe Ye's thoughts before making a decision." He said sharply: "Zhe Ye!"

"Yes."

"Who is your tea born for? Maybe it will make the best tea in the world?"

Somewhere on the forehead seemed to become hot, and the soft touch flashed past.

...When you come back, I will definitely become...an excellent tea master...

He heard his own voice sounding unhurriedly, but his tone was extremely firm:

"I only hope that two or three people will sit and drink together, and enjoy the moon and snow together."

Dezong straightened up, bowed deeply to Akashi again.

"It's disrespectful to disregard the students' wishes, and it's disloyal to have two minds. Although I'm not talented, I will never be a person who is ashamed of loyalty and etiquette. If His Highness threatens you with this." His eyes are as bright as flames.

"The only way to thank you is to die."

Heizi opened his eyes wide.

Even when I marched day and night, I never felt so tired.

His mind was terribly clear, and he directed his numb legs to continue running, his arms kept pushing aside the branches that protruded, wet clothes hung on his body, and half of his boots were too heavy to lift.

The rain gradually subsided, and the drizzle gently brushed on Qingfeng's cheeks.

The top of the mountain gradually turned white, and the mist lingered upwards, revealing the farmland faintly in front of our eyes.

The body seemed to regain strength, Qingfeng walked faster, the grass under his feet was crushed, and the fragrance of green grass was released.

The door of Dezong's dark brown courtyard was close in front of him, and Qingfeng stretched out his hand to push the door regardless of the layer of moisture covering his body.

The seemingly heavy door was pushed open with ease, and the doorman didn't know where he went. Qingfeng stared blankly at his hands, and walked in slowly.

He walked through the long corridor and entered the backyard. The tip of his nose was filled with a faint smell of blood. The morning wind blew, and the leaves of the cherry trees in the courtyard rubbed against each other, causing a shower of leaves.

Spring rain shouldn't be this big.

"The floating world is uncertain, floating here and there for a while, I only hope that two or three wabi people will sit and drink together, and enjoy the moon and snowflakes together."

The appearance of that person saying these words with a serious face ten years ago is still in front of my eyes.

He has missed ten years, missed the ten years when A Zhe shone a little bit.

He has lost Azhe's ten years of growing up, and he can no longer lose his future.

Whether it is loneliness or habit, at that time the trees were full of flowers, and when he saw the familiar figure turning his head sideways in the rain of cherry blossoms, he knew that he could never leave.

Qingfeng clenched his fists.

I have come here as promised, and I am determined not to enter Kyoto again. Whether it is spring rain, cherry blossoms, summer fog, duckweed, autumn frost, winter snow, I just want to share with you, and now, say this sentence What about you?

The drizzle does not know when it will stop, and the hazy sun shines on the cherry trees through the mist, and the little golden light slantly passes through the rockery cave, the drizzle gradually turns higher, and in the hazy rain and mist, the light tea fragrance seems to slowly fade away. haunt around.

"Moss has grown on the rockery, and I will enter and exit in another place in the future."

"Mr. Qingfeng, I'll wait for you."

"The first bowl of tea is dedicated to the samurai Aomine Daiki."

This is his last pure land, and he has brushed against death countless times in the past ten years, just for that one sentence.

"Mr. Qingfeng, you are back."

Just for this one sentence.

The fragrance of tea gradually filled the small backyard.

He suddenly turned around, and seemed to see the blue-haired boy standing under the tree again, holding Chun Yu in his arms, and smiling at him.

The fragrance is still there.