Looking to the Thirteen Rivers

"It's you?" Bai Ling was puzzled, looking at the person in front of him again and again.

There was an uproar in the courtyard.

"Why is she?"

"Isn't she in charge of boiling water in the boiler room?"

"That's right. He used to be from the palace, but later his face was disfigured. He has been here in Yao Dingcheng for almost two years?"

The disciples were greatly surprised, and they all showed shock at the same time. Everyone whispered, and they all looked at the female disciple, but the female disciple was calm and calm, gently brushing off Bai Ling's hand, calmly Ask: "What?"

"You..." Bai Ling turned his head to look at Man Jiangxue, who hadn't spoken for a long time, and then looked at Lu Huaiwei, "Senior Sister, this..."

The disciples all turned their eyes to Lu Huaiwei again.

This female disciple was able to come to Yao Dingcheng to seek a job in the boiler room, precisely because Lu Huaiwei felt pity for her after learning what happened to her, so she was arranged here. I didn't expect that this person would be a spy of the Ziwei Sect!

Naturally, Lu Huaiwei couldn't hide her astonishment, she looked at the female disciple for a moment, then immediately turned around and asked: "You see clearly, it is definitely her?"

Just now that Liu Bahou shouted hoarsely and was very determined, but when he saw the whole picture of the female disciple, he changed his firm attitude before, hesitatingly said: "This, why..."

"Don't hesitate!" Seeing him like this, Bai Ling couldn't help shouting, "Yes or no, just tell me!"

Liu Baru was struck by lightning, and trembling his lips, he said: "I... the person I saw that night, his face was clean, without scars..."

Hearing his words, everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"It's really scary, can't you see it clearly before identifying it?"

"Exactly! You can decide a person's life or death with just one sentence, so let's talk after you think about it!"

"Our senior sister doesn't go out of the door all the time. Where can I collude with the Ziwei sect? You're talking nonsense!"

That Liu Babai had a pale face, and the glimmer of hope he grasped just now was shattered again. He was hit hard at this moment, knowing that he was doomed this time, and murmured: "Yes, I'm sorry... I was in a hurry before, In a blink of an eye, she looks similar, I, I..." When he said this, his throat tightened, and he burst into tears again.

The female disciple was very calm, she didn't ask any more questions when she saw this scene, she just bent her body expressionlessly, shrinking herself habitually, blocking her appearance intentionally or unintentionally.

"According to what you said," Lu Huaiwei said, "the real culprit is a woman?"

Liu Ba was out of his wits, and choked with sobs: "No, it's not... It's a man, he looks pretty handsome, as long as he's in front of me, I'll be able to recognize him."

Since he is handsome and has a good appearance, if this young man sees that person, there is no reason for him not to recognize him. It can only mean that the real murderer is indeed not here.

Bai Ling said: "We don't have many male disciples in the station, just a few, why don't you take a look?"

As soon as she finished speaking, all the male disciples came out knowingly and stood in a row.

Liu Ba swept them away, hung his head in despair, and didn't speak.

Seeing his behavior, the two officials stepped forward again and captured Liu Ba, saying: "Okay, since you don't have any murderers here, then I won't bother you anymore, let's go!"

The willow was like a puddle of mud, and was dragged straight out of the door, and quickly disappeared from everyone's sight amidst a series of curses from the officials.

·

The snow was getting heavier and heavier, and the clothes were almost soaked. After this little episode, Lu Huaiwei ordered the disciples to return to their respective positions. She held up her skirt and went up the stone steps, and heard Man Jiangxue say: "Call her over."

Lu Huaiwei was slightly startled, and it took a moment for her to react. She turned her head to the female disciple who was picking up the barrel and said, "Junior Sister Cheng, come here."

The female disciple put the barrel on the side of the fence, and walked to Man Jiangxue with low eyebrows, with her head buried low, she bowed and said: "I have seen the uncle."

Man Jiangxue didn't talk to her, just looked her back and forth for a while, and finally said: "What's your name?"

The female disciple replied: "Cheng Xiu."

Man Jiangxue asked again: "Which peak is it originally from?"

The female disciple still replied: "Liu Lifeng."

Liulifeng?

"Are you from Liuli Peak?" Before Man Jiangxue could answer, Bai Ling who was standing beside him said, "I'm also a disciple of Liuli Peak, but why haven't I heard of you?"

"I have been away from the palace for six years," Cheng Xiu said, "You are a junior, so naturally you don't recognize me."

Seeing this, Lu Huaiwei took the initiative to explain: "Uncle Hui, that's the case. Junior Sister Cheng is indeed a disciple of Liuli Peak. Six years ago, a group of them went down the mountain to perform a mission. When they were resting in the ruined temple in the mountain, they met Ziwei Sect and were taught They set fire to the temple and blocked it. Many people were lost at that time. Junior sister Cheng was one of the few who survived, but her appearance was also destroyed by the fire. She planned to retire and leave the sect, but her family has already She has no relatives, and I pity her for being helpless, so I arranged for her to stay at the Zhoucheng Post Station, a few years ago in Qingluo City, and only recently came to Yaoding City in the past two years."

Listening to her eloquence, Bai Ling showed an expression of reminiscence, and said slowly: "...I remembered it, it seems that there is such a thing."

Man Jiangxue got up from the wooden chair, she was tall and tall, her lowered eyes seemed to be scrutinized, wandering on the face of the female disciple, Man Jiangxue said: "Raise your head."

Cheng Xiu hesitated for a moment, then raised her head gently.

Man Jiangxue said again: "Get your hair done."

Cheng Xiu's expression was hesitant, showing some resistance, but she knew what Man Jiangxue's intention was, so she obediently shaved her messy hair, barely revealing her damaged face.

That face was covered with scars, like paper crumpled by blisters, almost no part of the skin was intact, even the neck area was not spared, it looked really terrifying, but it was unavoidably pitiful.

Where did Bai Ling and the others have the chance to see what she looked like?Seeing it now, I couldn't help but "thump" in my heart, quickly glanced twice and then looked away.

Only Man Jiangxue never pretended to evade, her scrutinized gaze was straightforward and frank, without the slightest hint of euphemism, watching Cheng Xiu gradually felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles, and wanted to lower her head, but because of Man Jiangxue's momentum, she dared not take it easy action.

After a long time, I heard Man Jiangxue say: "Meng Jing."

Suddenly being called by name, Meng Jing paused, and hurried forward and said, "Master Uncle."

"You are a medical student," Man Jiangxue said, "Look at the wound for her, and see if there is room for healing."

Hearing this, Meng Jing's eyes flickered slightly, and she was briefly puzzled.

Not to mention that he, Meng Jing, is not some miraculous doctor who can rejuvenate, even if Elder Xu did it himself, even six years ago, he might not be able to cure this face, let alone six years later?

Meng Jing was originally distracted by her thoughts, but she realized it in an instant. She responded respectfully, approached Cheng Xiu with her usual expression, and raised her hand to touch her cheek.

Even though this action was truly offensive, the disciples present all had a clear mind, so they tacitly kept silent.

Seeing Meng Jing stretching out her hand towards her, Cheng Xiu struggled, her eyes were reddish, but she gritted her teeth and restrained the urge to retreat, closed her eyes and let Meng Jing check the injury.

Not long after, Meng Jing withdrew her hand. She didn't speak, but shook her head at Man Jiangxue.

Man Jiangxue understood, and immediately said: "Go down."

Cheng Xiu's whole body was tense, and when she saw this, she breathed a sigh of relief, saluted as calmly as she could, and retreated with the barrel in hand.

As soon as she left, Meng Jing said: "Old wounds, medicine and stones will not work." After a pause, he continued, "It's not like a fake."

Man Jiangxue gave a "hmm" and didn't comment much.

"Uncle Master suspects Junior Sister Cheng?" Although Cheng Xiu had left, Lu Huaiwei still lowered her voice, "I saw her with my own eyes when she was injured in the past."

"It's about the meticulous work of the Ziwei Sect, so don't take it lightly," Man Jiangxue looked sideways at Bai Ling, "You are a disciple of Liuli Peak, find out the truth of this matter and report it to me as soon as possible."

Bai Ling nodded: "Master, don't worry, I know what to do, and I will keep an eye on her."

Man Jiangxue nodded slightly, and paused again when she walked into the hall, then turned her head and said: "Tell her that the disciples are forbidden to drink alcohol in the palace, and I will not make an exception."

After she finished speaking, she left the place without thinking, leaving the remaining three people with different expressions.

"Drinking?" Bai Ling frowned, "Did Senior Sister Cheng drink just now?"

Lu Huaiwei spread her hands: "Although I haven't smelled it, but since Master Uncle mentioned it like this, there must be something."

Bai Ling thought for a while: "I didn't hear it either, how about you?"

Meng Jing said, "I don't even have one."

"Uncle Shi is really amazing," Bai Ling laughed. "It's just that his swordsmanship is extraordinary, and his nose is so good. Otherwise, he is Uncle Shi, and we are idiots."

Lu Huaiwei covered her mouth and smiled lightly, and said, "Okay, don't talk about Master Uncle behind your back, Bai Ling, you remember what Master Master told you, I'll go down and remind Junior Sister Cheng."

Bai Ling replied "OK" and watched Lu Huaiwei leave. She pondered for a while what to do next, and when she was about to leave for the room, she caught a glimpse of Meng Jing leaning against the wall without saying a word, with a dazed expression on her face , then pushed her and said: "Hey, why are you in a daze, let's go."

Meng Jing shrank her fingers, feeling the sticky and warm sugar water in her sleeves, and sighed softly.

·

The night fell quietly without knowing when, Yin Qiu opened his eyes on the couch, and his mind went blank for a moment.

The wind and snow outside the post station were thick, and the snow covered the sky and fell endlessly. The whole Yaoding City was covered in silver, as if it was covered with a large snow coat.

The hazy halo came across the curtains, reflecting the bed a little yellow, Yin Qiu rubbed the forehead, stared at the curtains above her head for a while, and she turned her head to the tents after the drowsiness subsided. Looking outside, Man Jiangxue was sitting on a rattan chair covered with soft satin, with a scroll in his hand, and a small stove by his legs. Something was still boiling on it, and it smelled very fragrant.

Seeing that familiar figure, Yin Qiu paused rubbing his forehead.

Why did she fall asleep in the uncle's room?

There was a little doubt in his brows, Yin Qiu stood up with his arms propped up, glanced out of the window, and couldn't help being stunned again.

Why is it dark?

Didn't she just take a bath in the soup room?How long has it been before it gets dark?

Yin Qiu was stunned, and sat on the couch for a long time like a wooden chicken, still trying to understand what happened that day.

She was secretly remembering, when she suddenly heard Man Jiangxue say outside: "Come here to drink soup when you wake up, what are you doing in a daze."

Yin Qiu was at a loss, but immediately put on her shoes and got off the couch. Her footsteps were flimsy, she staggered after taking two steps, and she couldn't stand still. Yin Qiu had to hold on to the screen beside her and jump straight The temple said: "I seem to have caught a cold..."

Man Jiangxue glanced at her, and said blankly, "Why did you catch a cold?"

"I don't know..." Yin Qiu looked bewildered, panting for breath while holding on to the screen, "My head hurts so much, and I can't exert myself."

Man Jiangxue watched her quietly, did not answer, and waved after a while: "You are not catching a cold, come here."

Yin Qiu took a deep breath, staggered to the side of Man Jiangxue and pulled a chair to sit down. She was still a little unresponsive, and she was in a kind of ignorance after waking up, looking like she had lost her soul .

"Drink this." Man Jiangxue poured out a bowl of hot soup and handed it to Yin Qiu.

Yin Qiu lowered his head and sniffed, the expression on his face finally became more vivid, and he asked curiously: "What is this?" She took two sips of the hot soup as she spoke, and as soon as she swallowed it, Yin Qiu's face changed and he lost his voice. , "Cough...it's so hard to drink!"

Man Jiangxue put the scroll down, and the oil lamp on the table was reflected in her eyes. She leaned back in her chair and said plainly, "The hangover soup is naturally bad."

Hangover soup?

Holding the bowl, Yin Qiu looked at Man Jiangxue inexplicably: "...What hangover soup?"

"As the name suggests," Man Jiangxue looked back at her, "it's the soup for sobering up, do you need to ask?"

Yin Qiu didn't quite understand what she meant, and said in confusion, "I know, but I'm not drunk, why did my uncle give me this?"

Man Jiangxue seemed a little speechless, paused for a moment before saying slowly: "This is a good question, if you are not drunk, I really don't need to give you this."

Facing Man Jiangxue's indifferent gaze, Yin Qiu was stunned for a moment, and finally recalled many scenes at this moment.

She was startled, a bit of panic suddenly appeared on her face, she subconsciously clenched the soup bowl in her hand, and lowered her head like a quail.

The small window was half-closed, and the night wind poured in continuously through the window, flickering the oil lamp on the table.

There was silence in the room.

After a long time, Man Jiangxue said again: "You have grown up. As a disciple of Jingyue Peak and a half-disciple of the head, you despise the palace rules and drink privately with your fellow sect. What should you do?"

Yin Qiu bit his lip, not daring to look at Man Jiangxue, and lowered his head silently.

"Ask you." Man Jiangxue straightened up, hooked Yin Qiu's chin with her fingertips, and made her face herself, "What should I do?"

Yin Qiu's breath was stagnant, his eyes dodged and he said, "I..."

Man Jiangxue said: "You?"

Yin Qiu felt extremely guilty, and felt that Man Jiangxue's gaze was particularly hard to look directly at. She was forced to raise her head, her body froze for a moment, and said weakly, "Uncle Master..."

"It's useless to be coquettish," Man Jiangxue didn't let go, looking down at her, "Tell me the truth."

Yin Qiu had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "I, I... oh no, I took a bath in the soup room in the morning, and I didn't warm up, so I asked the senior sister in the boiler room for a couple of drinks, thinking to drive away the cold. catch a cold..."

Man Jiangxue looked at her expression, and asked again: "Did you ask for it, or did she give it to you?" After saying this, she immediately added, "Tell the truth."

Yin Qiu originally wanted to cover for the female disciple, but she thought that she had good intentions after all, so it would be difficult to confess her, but Man Jiangxue knew her too well to lie, so Yin Qiu had no choice but to be as small as a mosquito. Zudao: "Yes... it was given by the senior sister..."

Seeing that she was still honest, Man Jiangxue stopped and said flatly: "Then tell me, how should I deal with you?"

Yin Qiu frowned, and said in a gentle voice, "Will Master Uncle punish me?"

Man Jiangxue frowned slightly: "Otherwise?"

Yin Qiu muttered for a while, then lowered his head again: "I know I was wrong...Uncle, can you read that I am a first-time offender and forgive me once?"

Man Jiangxue said, "No."

Yin Qiu saw that she was a little serious tonight, so she guessed that Man Jiangxue would not let go easily, she sighed, peeked at Man Jiangxue and said, "Then how will the uncle punish me?"

Man Jiangxue thought for a moment, then replied: "According to the palace rules, if a disciple knowingly commits a crime of drinking in private, he must be whipped three times as punishment."

When Yin Qiu heard this, he couldn't help feeling cold: "Uncle Master, is it true? I have been in the palace for so long, and I have never been whipped."

"That can't be helped," Man Jiangxue looked at her, "Who made you make a mistake?"

Yin Qiu observed Man Jiangxue's expression, and tentatively said: "But it's late at night, where can I find a whip to beat me? Or we can talk about it tomorrow..."

Before she finished speaking, Man Jiangxue reached out and took a long whip from her side.

This is well prepared.

"Finish the soup," Man Jiangxue stretched out his long whip, with a serious look, "After drinking, stand up and turn around."

Yin Qiu saw that she was really going to do something to him in this posture, and the fluke that she had had at first disappeared in an instant. She stared at the whip and sat silently for a while, and gave up if she wanted to beat her. At worst, she would lie on the bed for two days. The uncle still has to take care of her!

Thinking of this, Yin Qiu's heart broke, and he drank the rest of the hangover soup in one breath, and then he threw himself into Man Jiangxue's arms, pressed against her chest and said, "Master uncle really wants to beat me, so I'll take it. You should be punished for violating the palace rules, it’s best for the uncle to be stern and unselfish, but don’t show mercy, you can’t let others know that you are unfair and deliberately favor me, but three whips, I can bear it.”

Man Jiangxue listened to her generous confession, and it was hard to take back the hand holding the whip for a while.

"I didn't intend to beat you at first," Man Jiangxue said after a moment of silence, "but since you put me in a place where I can't be unfair, then you will have to suffer the beating if you don't want to."