Looking to the Thirteen Rivers

A few days later, Man Jiangxue, wearing a brocade robe, rode a horse galloping along the mountain road, and rushed all the way to the gate of Yunhua Palace in the blizzard that dazzled people's eyes.

She came back quietly, and there was no letter to inform her in advance. The disciples guarding the gate showed surprises and came to greet her one after another. go.

The stone steps were covered with thick snow, and many disciples were cleaning them up. The corners of the snow skirts were drenched. They carried the skirts into the long corridor, and heard the sound of several objects breaking in the hall.

Several panicked disciples ran out one after another, and when they saw Man Jiangxue, they all stopped in unison.

"What's wrong?" Man Jiangxue asked casually as she untied her brocade robe and loosened the slightly tight neckline.

The disciples bowed and saluted, and replied in a low voice: "Since the uncle came back from outside the palace, he should know what happened in the major states and cities in the past few days. , I'm losing my temper inside."

Man Jiangxue understood, motioned for these disciples to step back, raised their legs and walked into the hall.

As usual, bright lamps were lit everywhere in Mingguang Hall, as bright as day. Xie Yijun was dressed in a crimson purple robe, standing with his back to the hall gate, and the Buddhist beads in his hands made a "click" sound.

Pieces of shattered porcelain slag were scattered around her feet, and the hot tea was splashed all over the floor, still steaming.

"It seems that you are very angry," Man Jiangxue put the brocade robe on his arms, and said as he walked, "You dropped the tea cup, what should I drink?"

Xie Yijun's hands paused, he turned around holding the beads, looked at Man Jiangxue as if he had seen a ghost, and wondered: "Why are you back?"

A disciple stepped forward to pick up Man Jiangxue's brocade robe, and quickly took a broom to clean up the mess on the ground. Man Jiangxue picked a chair and sat down, saying: "Of course I came back for the refugee matter. Now that you know, I won't say much."

"What the hell is Nangong Min trying to do?" Xie Yijun had an angry look on his face, and the anger he had just restrained came up again, "I have no intention of fighting her these years, and it's been a few years of peace. Many people insult my Yunhua's reputation, she must have a purpose!"

During the past few days on the road, although Man Jiangxue did not hang out in the town, she also heard a lot of rumors on the way. Now it has spread in the rivers and lakes. As the number of deaths increased, the reputation of Yunhua Palace also plummeted.

It is understandable that Xie Yijun became so angry.

Ye Zhilan was not there, so there was no one in charge of the Mingguang Palace, and when Xie Yijun was furious, the disciples did not dare to show up rashly, for fear of bad luck, Man Jiangxue could only take the initiative to ask someone to make hot tea again, and asked After putting on a set of clean clothes, she walked into the bedroom, changed clothes behind the screen, and talked with Xie Yijun through the bead curtain.

"I thought about it on the way. Although Nangongmin has not done anything on the surface in the past few years, he secretly took Cang County as his own and expanded the sphere of influence in the sect. It can be regarded as hurting her vitality, she patiently regrouped, she must have come prepared, taking advantage of the death of the refugees to ruin my reputation, Yunhua, is just the beginning, she must have other plans in the future."

Xie Yijun frowned deeply, paced back and forth in front of the case, and said in a deep voice: "The prestige established by the masters for generations is about to be defeated by me now. I have to sleep, lest I dream of Master at night, how can I have the face to see her old man? Jiang Xue, you came back just in time, let's discuss it, we can't let Nangong Min go on rampant any longer!"

The beaded curtains were intertwined, making a clear and crisp sound in the wind. After Man Jiangxue was dressed, she washed her face in cold water. Holding a handkerchief in her hand, she looked at Xie Yijun across the screen and said, "Before then, another There's something you need to know."

Xie Yijun raised his eyes and looked back at her, beckoning her to say.

Man Jiangxue then said: "In the middle of next month, Nine Immortals Hall will hold a general meeting in Weicheng."

As she spoke, she took out an invitation card from her faded dress, and sent it to Xie Yijun in the air.

Xie Yijun raised his hand to pick it up, browsed the contents above, frowned and said, "This is for Yin Qiu."

"That's right," Man Jiangxue came out around the screen, and poured a cup of hot tea by herself, "Meng Wugui's apprentice, Afu, approached Xiao Qiu and asked her to be invited to go next month. If she went, she would see her soon." To Senior Sister."

Xie Yijun's expression was slightly startled, and he tightened his fingers pinching the invitation: "Mandong?"

Man Jiangxue nodded: "Do you still remember Zhubing? Ever since my senior sister disappeared, Zhubing disappeared. I was looking for it in Liucang Mountain for a while."

"Why don't you remember?" Xie Yijun said, "Master's most precious twin swords were given to you and Man Dong. Why, Zhubing is in Meng Wugui's hands?"

Man Jiangxue said: "She handed it over to Xiaoqiu."

"The sword is with the people," Xie Yijun's eyes lit up upon hearing this, "Man Dong is still alive!"

Man Jiangxue took a few sips of hot tea, then sat back on the chair, and said flatly, "Not necessarily."

Xie Yijun was overjoyed at first, but when he heard Man Jiangxue's words, he looked suspicious: "Why not? Since Meng Wugui can get the ice chase, it proves that Man Dong has been with her all these years. Gui Neng broke into the main altar of the Ziwei Cult because of Yin Qiu, you and I have imagined many reasons, now that I think about it, isn't that Man Dong's idea?"

"Only with a sword, we can't make a conclusion yet," Man Jiangxue said with a calm expression, "What's more, the Ziwei Sect has returned to the Jianghu. On this critical point, Meng Wugui released the news of the senior sister again, don't you think it's strange?"

Xie Yijun thought for a while, and replied: "It's indeed a bit strange for you to say that."

The tea was filled with mist, and Man Jiangxue's face looked a little unpredictable in the white mist. She tapped the cup with her fingertips and said, "Anyway, I will be there in person for Yue Weicheng and his party. If it is death, I will take this opportunity to check it out."

It has been 16 years. In the past, there were many rumors that Shen Mandong was still alive, but those were groundless rumors, but this time it was different. It is said that Meng Wugui can get the sword of Zhubing, which proves that she must have some unknown connection with Shen Mandong.

If Shen Mandong is alive, it means that she and Meng Wugui are in the Nine Immortals Hall, and if Shen Mandong is dead, it means that Meng Wugui has seen her for the last time.

"Right now, I can already conclude that Meng Wugui must be an old member of Ruyi Sect." Xie Yijun narrowed his eyes slightly, with a deep brilliance flashing in his eyes, "Meng Wugui is not a person who has always been famous in Jiuxiantang. People, she is a rising star, but I don't understand, Man Dong refused to show up for many years, and refused to return to Yunhua to meet us, what is the reason for her? Or... is it a dream without attribution For what purpose did you hold her hostage and force her to stay in the Nine Immortals Hall?"

Hearing this, Man Jiangxue was silent for a moment: "As you said, if the senior sister was kidnapped by Meng Wugui, why did Meng Wugui confront Shang Nangong in order to rescue Xiaoqiu? Who would take the risk for a prisoner's daughter? Against Nangong Min? Isn't that contradictory."

Xie Yijun nodded slowly, pondered for a while and then said: "But since the first time she appeared for Huaiwei's repelling Qin Zheng that year, she has been wearing a veil and refused to show her true face," Xie Yijun continued to analyze, "If It's not because she's afraid of being recognized by us, why did she do this?"

Man Jiangxue did not answer.

Everything is like a thick fog, making people trapped in it and unable to find their way.

At this point in the conversation, both of them fell silent. After a long time, Xie Yijun spoke again: "I have an intuition that compared to Nangong Min, Meng Wugui is more unfathomable. She is an unpredictable and dangerous person. Unknown, and the purpose is also unclear. Jiang Xue, when you go to Weicheng next month, in addition to finding out Man Dong's life and death, you must find out the true identity of Meng Wugui."

Man Jiangxue said "Yes": "I know it well."

Xie Yijun followed closely and said: "Apart from these two things, you still have one more important task. Now you are the only person in the palace that I can trust, and you are the only one who can accomplish this."

Man Jiangxue looked up at her: "What's the matter?"

Xie Yijun sneered, looked at Feixue outside the hall, gritted his teeth, and said, "If Nangong Min also arrives in Weicheng, it's such a great time, you must do your best to kill her, so that you will never have any future troubles!"

The wind suddenly picked up, crossed the eaves of the corridor and rushed into the hall, the bright lights in the room trembled, casting shaky shadows everywhere.

Man Jiangxue reached out and took Ningshuang off, held it up to her eyes and looked at it carefully.

"I'm doing my best," she said softly.

·

There are ice hooks hanging on the corner of the corridor, the winter is bleak, the dead branches in the courtyard are broken all over the ground, occasionally there are a few plum reds, a plain hand gently picks up the remaining flowers, and puts the remaining flowers in the palm, dressed in purple and covered with white gauze The woman lowered her head slightly under the eaves, sniffing the lingering fragrance of plum blossoms.

There was a green figure hiding on the beam in front of his eyes to hide the sound, Meng Wugui straightened up, with his palm slightly tilted, watching the residual petal fall into the soil, and said without looking back: "I want you to send an invitation to Yao Dingcheng!" , After sending these geniuses back, the older you get, the more playful you become, I indulge you too much."

As soon as she finished speaking, the figure on the beam floated down. Afu put her hands behind her back, walked slowly, and said with a smile: "There is a Liaoping County between Yaoding City and Jinhuai City. I love horseback riding. I was not afraid of rushing, so I went to Jinhuai City to have a look, why is Master so petty? Anyway, I have done what you told me to do."

The courtyard is full of plum blossoms, but Meng Wugui has no intention of admiring the red plums in full bloom, just repeats the act of picking up the remaining flowers and throwing them away. She seems to think this is very interesting, but the eyebrows and eyes that are exposed outside are calm and indifferent.Meng Wugui said, "Did you see your senior sister?"

Afu hurried back to Weicheng, didn't eat both breakfast and lunch, she bought two steamed buns at the market, squatting on the steps, chewing on them, and said vaguely: "She is a very busy person." Ah, how could I see it. Then the owner of Fu finally cared about her? He locked her up in the secret road of Fu’s family all day long and practiced the mind method day and night. I have been squatting in Mingyue Tower for several days, but I have never seen her come out. , I can only come back."

Meng Wugui turned her head and glanced at her, the plum blossom in her hand was pinched and the juice came out, the fragrance of the flower was a bit bitter, she paused for a moment, then suddenly said: "After eating the buns, you go to Jinhuai City again."

Afu said, "Oh...huh?"

"Send a letter to your senior sister," Meng Wugui stood with his hands behind his back, with a calm tone, "Ask her to come to Weicheng to participate in Mozitai next month, I will write an invitation and send it to Mingyue Tower, you have to tell her, call her We must persuade Fu Cen to stay, and it is best if she comes by herself."

The word "doubt" was written all over Afu's face: "But didn't you say you wouldn't let senior sister get involved? She stayed well in Mingyue Tower, and Mozitai has nothing to do with her. How about abdicating, how many people want to see our Nine Immortal Hall's tricks at the ten-year conference, how can she persuade her father not to come?"

"That's your senior sister's business," Meng Wugui said, "If the young host doesn't even have the right to speak, then her efforts in the past few years will be in vain."

Afu seemed to understand, she scratched her head and asked, "Then what if she asks me why?"

"Mission," Meng Wugui said, "she will understand."

Afu let out an "oh", settled the buns in her hands in two or three bites, got up and said, "That's all right, I'll be on my way."

"One more thing, tell her not to come here with a lot of fanfare," Meng Wuhui urged again, "try to keep a low profile, this time is different from the past, some people may not be able to sit still."

Afu's eyes flickered, and she realized the meaning of her words, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I understand!"

After she finished speaking, she leaped onto the wall, leaped outwards, and quickly disappeared.

Meng Wugui went up the stairs with her skirt in her hand, and the plum blossom in her hand was blown down by the wind, and fell weakly to the ground, and was gently lifted by the wind the next moment, and floated to the sky in a whirl.

·

A broken red shadow came from far away, maybe it was covered with snow foam, and looked a little heavy. Standing under the eaves, Yin Qiu raised his head and stretched out his hand towards the red shadow. It has a slight bitter taste.

The red plums seemed to have been rubbed by someone, the incomplete petals were covered with scars, spread out in the palm of the hand, the whiteness of the skin and the redness of the flower complement each other, creating a somewhat poignant sense of brokenness.

Yin Qiu looked at the dome, his eyes were full of snow, and he looked at both sides of the street, but he didn't see any red plums climbing the wall. He didn't know where the little plum blossoms came from.

She was silent under the eaves, staring at the plum blossom involuntarily. After a while, Bai Ling walked out with Meng Jing, carrying a burden. Looking angry.

"Still not willing?" Yin Qiu asked, turning his head.

"It's so unreasonable!" Bai Ling folded his hands, his eyebrows were not friendly, "Which inn is this? The business is so good in heavy snow days? Everyone said that the hotel was full, and they wouldn't let us stay in the inn!"

Yin Qiu passed the two of them and looked into the hall. It was clear that there were few diners inside, there were empty tables everywhere, and the business was not booming. The servants and shopkeepers in front of the counter were obviously pretending to be busy. But he secretly looked at Yin Qiu and the other three with a slightly arrogant expression.

Even the few diners were whispering to each other, and the gazes that fell on Yin Qiu and the three of them were full of contempt and disgust.

Pointing and whispering, not daring to reveal, but also afraid of missing the reveal.

Yin Qiu saw it, but didn't care. She looked away and smiled slightly, and said to the two people behind her, "Let's go."

Since Yao Dingcheng left, they have always been looked down upon and despised by the people along the way. The news about the refugees has spread all over the rivers and lakes, and Yunhua Palace has also stood on the cusp of the storm, and as expected, it has become the target of public criticism.

In the past, Yunhua disciples were respected wherever they went, but now the situation is different, and the treatment is different. Although the disciples in the major states and cities are angry, they have nothing to do. They can only behave more humbly and try to avoid conflicts with others. Disputes, so as not to worsen the reputation of Yunhua Palace among the living population.

It wasn't until nightfall that the three of them finally got an inn to stay in the most remote place in this place. The three second-class rooms cost more than the first-class rooms. If it wasn't for the cold winter, Bai Ling wouldn't Can't swallow this breath, who is willing to live in his dilapidated inn?With the sky as the quilt and the ground as the mat, you can still sleep comfortably!

After a short rest, when the three of them wanted to go downstairs for dinner, they were told that the cook had returned home and they had to cook it by themselves if they wanted to eat. Next, after a lot of apologies, I was not kicked out.

"The smell of the food next door has drifted into my room!" Bai Ling was still angry, and said with his hands on his hips, "They clearly did it on purpose! They deliberately made things difficult for us! Yes, the refugees are dead, but that's not it. We Yunhua Palace killed, we are also the victims! I am so mad!"

"It's different today, just bear with it." Yin Qiu stood in front of the vegetable basket holding a spatula and looked at it, smiling gently, "Senior Brother Meng, Senior Sister Bai, what do you want to eat?"

Seeing her nonchalant appearance, Bai Ling held his breath in his chest, finally sighed, and said convincedly: "How did you develop the temper that you don't worry about when the sky is falling?"

"What's the rush? I've experienced even the greatest malice," Yin Qiu rummaged through the vegetable basket and said, "I want to eat shredded potatoes, how about you? Three dishes and one soup are enough."

Bai Ling also leaned his head over, "Then...then I'd like shredded pork with green peppers. I don't have the strength to walk without meat."

The two huddled together to discuss what to eat, only Meng Jing didn't participate. Because of Yin Qiu's words, "I have endured even the greatest malice", she suddenly became preoccupied.

Only two small oil lamps were lit in the kitchen, and Yin Qiu tilted her head in the dim light. The smile on her face was as warm and warm as springtime. She said to Meng Jing: "Your diet is light, I will cook some vegetarian dishes." I'll eat it for you."

Meng Jing clenched her sleeves subconsciously, looked away and said, "Okay."

The three of them set up a small table in the stove, and when they were full, they made hot water and went back to the room. Yin Qiu pushed open the wooden door, and when he lifted his legs, he saw Meng Jing standing in the porch watching silently. Looking at her, he asked, "What's the matter?"

Meng Jing hesitated to speak, but finally just said "Go to bed earlier", and then entered the room.

Meng Jing often makes people feel that he is full of thoughts and can't speak, Yin Qiu has long been used to it, and he doesn't care about it at the moment. After closing the door, he washes in hot water, then takes off his clothes, lays down on the couch and begins to fall asleep.

Sleeping in the middle of the night, a gust of cold wind suddenly hit the window, Yin Qiu was shocked, and immediately woke up from sleep, she touched Zhubing under the pillow immediately, and looked at the window calmly in the dark past.

It was quiet in the middle of the night, no one was moving around in the inn, only a few flickering lanterns hung on the porch, the windows were closed by Yin Qiu before going to bed, but now they are wide open.

Yin Qiu narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at the place with light breath. After a long time, he didn't hear any movement, let alone anyone showing up. After waiting for an incense stick, Yin Qiu relaxed a little, got up gently and walked to the window , took a look at the scenery outside.

Did she remember wrongly, she forgot to close the window before going to bed?

Yin Qiu frowned, and was about to return to the couch to sleep peacefully, when he turned around, he heard a slight sound behind him.

Like someone moved a step.

Yin Qiu's eyes froze, and she immediately clenched Zhubing in her hand, and a chill ran up her back in an instant. She didn't panic, but stood calmly in front of the window, and didn't turn her head hastily.

Unexpectedly, the person behind him took the initiative to say: "What are you doing in a daze, guess who I am?"