The Ascension of Ghosts

Walking hundreds of steps along the winding path in the peach forest, near the upper reaches of the stream, there is an ancient temple, because all the Taoists went to the Wuchen Temple to prepare for the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, at this time there were only two elders who were over sixty years old in front of the ancient temple. Servant guards.This ancient temple covers an area of ​​about two acres. The ancient stone walls are mottled with moss and weeds are all over the place. The front hall is dedicated to the commandant, and behind it are several large empty rooms, in which countless wooden frames are placed. Placed on it are countless spiritual bits of the dead.

In the Great Jin Dynasty, there were constant wars, the lives of the people were as low as earth, and the generals died in hundreds of battles, but they were still able to return their corpses wrapped in horse leather, and returned to their hometowns in honor and peace in the soil.Ordinary people are involved in wars, or encounter bandits, but usually they can't even find their bodies.Therefore, the common people can also find a workaround, engrave a stone spiritual tablet for relatives who cannot find their bodies or bury them, and enshrine them in the Da Si Ming Hall, hoping that the ancient god who is in charge of life and death can do more for these innocent people who unfortunately died. shelter.

This is the same as when Xie Rong was young, enshrining poems and books in the Songzi Niangniang Temple, but Xie Rong worshiped the wrong gods and Buddhas, which caused endless troubles.Da Si Ming is an ancient god worshiped by the Chu people in the past dynasties. He was born in the sky, and his origin is naturally unquestionable. The custom of worship continues to this day, so there is no need to worry about him becoming a demon.

Worshiping to the heavens and ghosts has its own time, so now the Da Si Ming Hall is empty and there are no other people, it looks very quiet.Lu Sheng just followed the path in the forest and let his horse rein in, passed by here without realizing it, and simply entered the temple to pay homage.

Unexpectedly, he thought of Xie Rong again.

Lu Sheng grasped the new saber around his waist tightly, feeling a little absent-minded.

At this moment, the door leading to the apse suddenly opened with a creak, and a tall man walked out of it.

The man was wearing a black hunting suit with narrow sleeves that is easy to move around, with moccasin boots on his feet, and his hair was fastened with a dark silver crown. At first glance, he was simple and neat, but upon closer inspection, every piece was exquisite, thick and delicate, and no one could not match a king or grandson. wear.Coupled with this person's outstanding appearance and demeanor, he is like the knight described in the legend, with extraordinary heroism and awe-inspiring murderous aura.Although holding a bucket, it seems to be equipped with a feather bow and long sword. Suddenly, there is a sense of "shooting stars and white feathers are inserted in the waist, sword flowers and autumn lotuses come out of the box. Heavenly soldiers shine on the snow and come out of Yuguan, and captive arrows shoot like sand into golden armor." momentum.

Carrying a bucket can also bring out the awe-inspiring majesty, except for Xie Rong, I am afraid that there is no one else in this world.

Lu Sheng couldn't help sighing: "...It's really a narrow road to the enemy."

Xie Rong was carrying the wooden bucket, her figure was tall and straight, and she also showed a little surprised look, but then her face darkened, "What are you here for?"

Seeing his unhappy expression, Lu Sheng became more and more annoyed, so he said casually: "I am the meritorious officer of the people, and I patrol and garrison the inside and outside of the capital. Today I worship the heavens, so naturally I have to beware of Xiaoxiao's chaos. But I don't know how to thank the eldest son Jian Clothes and wooden barrels, what are you doing here where the poor and common people gather?"

Xie Rong pretended not to hear his sarcasm, and treated herself like a young girl, just carried the bucket and walked towards the well outside the main hall, and replied casually: "...Today is my mother's death day."

Xie Rong is the eldest son of the Marquis of Weinan, and his mother is naturally the wife of the Marquis of Weinan. Even if she died young, she should be buried in the ancestral tomb of Xie's family.Why was he reduced to the Hall of the Commander-in-Chief, where he lived with innocent refugees who were displaced?

Lu Sheng couldn't hide his curiosity. He had naturally inquired about it, but it was just a secret of the Xie family, and it was not enough for outsiders, so it was only in vain.He also asked his master Wei Su for advice, but Wei Su said: "This matter was a tragedy in the past, and the Xie clan naturally kept it secret. Since you are on good terms with Xie Rong, when did Xie Rong tell you personally? I will introduce you as a close friend. Do you want to listen to the teacher, or wait for Xie Rong to talk?"

Lu Sheng naturally didn't want to listen to what Master said.

Now even though he is angry with Xie Rong, he still has a little bit of curiosity. Xie Rong hesitated and only mentioned this sentence, which made him feel like he was scratching his heart. If the two hadn't had a grudge before, Lu Sheng might have caught up with him long ago. .

Xie Rong stopped at the door, turned her head and said, "Baoyang, would you like to meet my mother with me?"

Lu Sheng muttered, "This..."

Xie Rong chuckled lightly and said, "It's rare to have visitors in the Da Si Ming Hall, and my mother would be delighted to come."

Lu Sheng's heart softened when he heard his tone of voice faded. He thought to himself, this son is surly and rebellious, but he can't blame his mother who died young, the old man and the old man, so it's human nature for him to worship with him.

Then he straightened his face and said, "It's up to you...to see Lingtang."

Xie Rong smiled and said nothing, the two each carried a bucket of water, walked through the apse and came to the courtyard.

The backyard is vast, and the blue brick tombs are neatly arranged. Xie Rong led the way ahead and arrived at a tomb made of white stones, surrounded by pines and cypresses, and the shrubs were neat.The two went back and forth several times, watering all the grass and trees in the front and back carefully, and just offered incense candles and worshiped solemnly.

The tomb was extraordinarily neat and spacious, but the inscription on the tombstone was: Tomb of Xizhen Bai, family of Hexia Village.

Naturally, Lu Sheng had heard of Hexia Village. Hexia Village is located in Xunyang County, less than two hundred miles away from the capital.About 18 years ago, bandits attacked Hexia Village, burned, killed, looted, and even slaughtered the villagers. Later, the governor of Xunyang County issued a letter asking for help from the imperial court. , killing 180 people and capturing more than [-] people alive, which relieved the serious worries of the people in Xunyang County for hundreds of miles.

Afterwards, Wei Su fought for years and smashed dozens of bandit strongholds one after another, so that the people of Dajin would be less intruded by bandits and bandits, and his reputation spread far and wide.

So he was surprised and said: "Lingtang is from Xunyang County?"

Xie Rong said, "My mother is the only daughter of a teacher in the Bai Clan School of Hexia Village."

Lu Sheng's heart skipped a beat suddenly, recalling what Wei Su had mentioned to him: "Whenever Xie Rong told you personally, that's when he introduced you as a best friend."

Xie Rong turned her head to see his excited expression, but she smiled softly and said, "Baoyang, would you like to have a glass of wine with me?"

At this moment, Lu Sheng naturally couldn't say it was bad, so he followed Xie Rong out of the ancient temple and walked deep into the peach forest. Soaking the green bamboo can maintain the green color of the bamboo house, which will remain unchanged for several years, which is very elegant.

Ruoshuang Ruoyu was outside the bamboo house, warming wine by the small red clay stove.

The two climbed up the steps, entered the bamboo house, and sat on the couch. Xie Rong talked about his life experience with Lu Sheng in detail all the way up to now.

However, this matter dates back to a major case of treason and usurpation 29 years ago.

The court was turbulent and complicated, so there is no need to go into details, but it only involved Xie Yi, the father of Xie Rong who was still the son of the Marquis of Weinan at that time.

Xie Yizao made a marriage contract with Miss Wang's family. Before getting married, he was ordered by his father to go to Jingzhou to deal with family affairs. When he was passing through Xunyang County, he was ambushed by gangsters. He escaped from death and was rescued by Mr. Bai from Hexia Village.It's just that he was hit hard on the head, and he forgot all his past, and fled in a hurry, not even leaving a token on his whole body.

Seeing that he was born with extraordinary appearance, Mr. Bai thought he was not an ordinary person, so he kindly kept him at home, and only waited for his relatives to come to find him. After waiting for three years, nothing happened.

But because the Marquis of Weinan was involved in court disputes at that time, and all the houses were eyeing the hereditary marquis position, he was unable to take care of the disappearance of his eldest son.

Xie Yi forgot what happened before, and spent three years in Hexia Village, teaching for a living, but he was also open-minded, so he made up his mind to die in the village.Later, they gradually fell in love with Mr. Bai's only daughter, Bai Xizhen, and the two secretly communicated with each other, so they proposed to Mr. Bai.

Although Mr. Bai was worried about his beloved daughter, there would be many hidden dangers in marrying this son whose identity is unclear. However, the two loved each other very much and had a deep friendship. If they refused to marry each other, Mr. Bai had no choice but to agree.

After Xie Yi and Mrs. Bai got married, they had a deep love. One year later, Mr. Bai died of illness. At that time, Mrs. Bai was pregnant, and Xie Rong was born eight months later.

However, the good times didn't last long, when Xie Rong was six months old, the cronies of the Marquis of Weinan finally found Hexia Village.

If the family of three returned to the Hou Mansion, it would be a good story.However, the Miss Wang, Wang Shu, who is engaged to Xie Yi, is a very assertive woman. Since six years ago, when Xie Yi's life and death were unknown, Wang Shu's parents intended to withdraw their marriage for their beloved daughter, but Wang Shu said that she was very grateful in this life. It's better not to marry, now Xie Yi's whereabouts are unknown, she wants to see people when she is alive, and sees corpses when she dies, if Xie Yi dies, she will remove the hairpin and keep the chastity for Xie Yi for the rest of her life.

Wang Shu's parents saw that she was determined to be like this, but they had no choice but to let her go.It's just that when people in the capital mentioned it at that time, they often sighed more and praised less.The folk customs of Dajin are open-minded and do not advocate women's integrity. Wang Shu also made a vow to be Xie Yi's wife for the rest of her life because she had a deep-rooted love for Xie Yi when she was young.She is affectionate and affectionate, although it is a good news, but six years of Zhaohua wasted in vain. Fortunately, Xie Yi returned to the capital safe and sound.

Xie Yi was taken back to Weinan Marquis Mansion together with his wife and children. The old Marquis invited a famous doctor to treat him. After all, he gradually recalled the past when he was young, and even remembered his childhood sweetheart and fiancée who swore to each other forever.

However, in this way, Bai's identity became more and more subtle.

Xie Yi is sincere to Wang Shu and Bai Shi, not to mention that it is normal for a man to marry a wife and take a concubine, so he is naturally willing to keep the two of them together.

The Bai family is Xie Yi's official wife who is currently married to Mingmei in Hexia Village, and now Xie Yi has given birth to Xie Yi's eldest son, Xie Rong.However, Wang Shu, a dignified daughter of the Wang family, was brought up like a princess, how could she be willing to be a concubine?What's more, she had a marriage contract with Xie Yi in the first place. If it wasn't for the trick of fate, how could she get a rural woman from the Bai family to marry Weinan Hou Shizi?

Therefore, the two families of Wang and Xie negotiated together several times, and they asked the Bai family to give up the position of wife. Xie Yi married Wang Shu and Bai Xizhen as a concubine. Xie Rong naturally became the eldest son.In the eyes of everyone, it is a good deal for rural women to exchange their names for a lifetime of prosperity and wealth.

It's just that Wang Shu is arrogant and arrogant, but the Bai family is not a weak woman. She only needs Xie Yi to record her son in the genealogy, establish his identity as the eldest son, and then divorce with Xie Yi.After Xie Rong's full moon, Bai kept his promise and returned to Hexia Village alone.

Five years later, the tragedy of Hexia Village being massacred by bandits happened. Xie Rong was only six years old at that time.

The eldest son, the eldest son of the concubine, although there is a difference of one word, what is hidden behind it is Bai's noble and pure disposition, which is better than the whole, and there is a heart of motherly love for Xie Rong's overall plan.

Even if Xie Rong is named Luo Hu's evil son, even if he is neglected and alienated, even if he is deprived of the right to inherit the marquis, he is still the eldest son of the Marquis of Weinan, and he does not have to be subservient, and his biological mother is still the former wife of the Marquis of Weinan. , raise the case to the same level as eyebrows, and help each other, not a concubine who serves others with sex and is at the disposal of the mistress.

The love of the parents is far-reaching.

Ruo Shuang quietly went in and out of the bamboo house, and had already given the two of them four pots of pear flower white.

However, Lu Sheng suddenly put down his wine glass and burst into tears. The crystal clear tears were like glass beads, dripping on the back of his hand one by one.

Xie Rong's face became a little cold again.

He mustered up his courage, opened his heart to Lu Sheng, and told the past, but not in exchange for a few tears of pity from Lu Sheng.

——Just thinking about it like this makes me feel anger burning in my heart.

Therefore, Xie Rong refused to comfort him, but said bluntly: "Don't feel sorry for me..."

"Poor? Who is pitiful?" Lu Sheng blinked, his eyes were drunk and misty, but his nose and eye circles were moist and red. He raised his hand to wipe his eyes clumsily, but his eyes became even more red, and followed Lin Yuan The snow-white rabbits raised in the middle of the country are average.

Xie Rong was at a loss for words for a while, so she got up with a sigh, sat next to Lu Sheng again, embraced him in her arms, and said in a low voice, "Then why are you crying?"

Lu Sheng leaned against Xie Rong, buried his face in his lapel, and said in a muffled voice, "I miss my mother..."

Xie Rong looked down at the person in her arms, and felt tenderness in her chest gradually overflowing, even the resentment towards his indecisive, weak and incompetent father could not be tolerated.

He lightly stroked the back of Lu Sheng's head, and said softly, "Dignified Habayashi Wei, why are you crying so easily?"

Lu Sheng snorted, and said: "Doing things rashly is called Tao, and obtaining one's nature is called virtue. My master is a moral and virtuous Habayashi guard."

Xie Rong couldn't help laughing, seeing him getting more and more drunk, she simply picked him up, put him on the bamboo bed beside him, and took off his shoes, socks and outer clothes with his own hands.He also ordered Ruozhu to deliver a message for Lu Yuan and his wife, saying that Lu Sheng had other important matters and would return home later.

He just sat on the head of the bed, and Lu Sheng rolled into his arms spontaneously as if he had found a source of heat. Perhaps because he didn't have to face each other, Lu Sheng talked more and became more courageous. He grabbed the clothes around Xie Rong's waist , whispered: "Ah Rong, you are willing to confide in me, I am so happy."

Xie Rong didn't say a word, Lu Sheng said again: "It's just... You gave me the hanging pot, are you really trying to harm me?"

After waiting for a long time, I heard Xie Rong say: "It won't happen in the future."

Not in the future, but in the past.

Lu Sheng didn't know what was going on in his heart for a while, sourness and bitterness came up, but Xie Rong caressed his back, and said again: "Baoyang, I was... wrong. No one is a sage, no one can do anything wrong, Baoyang, just forgive me once."

Lu Sheng squinted at him, and sneered with some alcohol: "Young Master Xie has a day to apologize...why did you speak so hard before?"

Xie Rong smiled wryly, lowered her eyes and said: "...I'm afraid that if I say it, you won't forgive me."

Lu Sheng frowned and said, "Why aren't you afraid now?"

Xie Rong said: "Now that I know, you are willing to forgive me."

Lu Sheng didn't know why, but suddenly his face was red with embarrassment, and he turned over and shrank to a corner of the bamboo bed.

Xie Rong smiled, and leaned over to hug him again, but Lu Sheng suddenly opened his eyes and stared at him, saying seriously: "Ah Rong, I regard you as a confidant, and I would like to be your best friend from now on. As for splitting peaches and breaking sleeves, I'm not at all interested."

Xie Rong withdrew her hand, but her expression remained the same, she said: "It's not unusual for a close friend to sleep on the same bed. You can rest at ease, and I'll take you back when you wake up."

He didn't hear Lu Sheng's reply, he thought the young man was still blushing, and said again: "Be at ease, I won't force you anymore."

Lu Sheng still didn't speak, Xie Rong leaned over to look, only to find that the young man had already fallen asleep.