Looking to the Thirteen Rivers

The snow fell on the pavilions, and the wind swept across the city.

Another year is approaching, the lanterns in the city are hung up early, the shops are booming, there is a long queue at the door, many people have started to buy new year's goods, the market is crowded with people, and the surrounding is a busy scene. Lively and noisy.

"Senior Sister! Why don't we come back later!"

Among the crowd, a disciple of Yunhua was sweating. Standing in the crowd, he rushed to a young woman not far away and shouted: "It's too crowded here! There are so many people! Guys don't pay attention!"

Lu Huaiwei was wearing a heavy cloak and a thick winter coat inside. She seemed to come out wrapped in a quilt. She coughed in the cold wind for a while and struggled to speak, so she could only wave to the disciple to signal him to come over.

"I was so mad just now!" The disciple leaped up in the air, opened his mouth and complained to Lu Huaiwei, "At this time in the past, all the shops would have their things ready and sent them directly to the post station, but this year They all seemed to have made an agreement. Not only did they not take the initiative to deliver the goods, but they also deliberately left us alone, saying that they had to wait for the people to go first, and the sects of the Jianghu were behind. They didn’t want to do business with us at all, but they told us to wait on the sidelines again, it’s really unreasonable!”

Lu Huaiwei passed him and looked ahead, and at a glance, he saw the disciples of other sects were welcomed into the store by the shop boy very enthusiastically, and no one was asked to wait in line. In less than a month, the reputation of our Yunhua Palace has not improved, so it is expected that we will be left out in the cold."

"Then what should we do?" The disciple was indignant, "It won't be long before the end of the new year, and they won't sell us anything. Wouldn't it be a bad year for the disciples?"

Lu Huaiwei said: "Then come back later, you can't really compete with the common people, besides, there is no impossible business in this world, but when you come later, you must remember to be humble and don't want to fight with others." Red face, many things can be tolerated, so let's go back now."

Hearing what she said, although the disciple was angry, he responded repeatedly, turned around and gestured to the disciples, and the group followed Lu Huaiwei on the way back to the post station.

"The few of us got nothing, but the senior sister bought a lot of things." The disciple took the initiative to take the goods in Lu Huaiwei's hand and asked, "What are these? It's quite heavy."

"Some gifts, I will give them to others after returning to the palace," Lu Huaiwei said, pausing, "By the way, I bought a pair of white jade earrings at a jewelry store near the south gate two days ago, you can get them for me later "I can't stay in Jincheng for two days, I guess I'll have to go back to the palace soon, if the boss hasn't finished yet, please ask him to hurry up and remind me."

The disciple first agreed, and then said with a smile: "Who are you going to give, Senior Sister? White jade earrings are not cheap, and Senior Sister is willing to spend this money. It seems that the person must have a very good relationship with you. Is it Senior Sister Ji?"

"It's not her. I've already delivered the gift from Senior Sister Ji," Lu Huaiwei said, "The pendant is for Xiaoqiu. She went to Weicheng and experienced some adventures. You all know about the disciples of the dark guard. I didn't accompany her when she was sick, and I didn't do much to help, so I could only give her a small gift afterwards to show her relief, which can be regarded as a kindness from me."

The disciple was half envious and half admiring: "Senior Sister is really a good person. Speaking of which, Junior Sister Yin is indeed very dangerous this time. Then Senior Sister saw her after returning to the palace, so please remember to convey our greetings for us."

Lu Huaiwei said happily: "Don't worry, I will definitely bring your thoughts to you."

A few people walked in the crowded street for a while, and they rushed back to the post station after a while. Lu Huaiwei drank the medicine in the front hall and sat for a while before seeing Ji Wanshu coming on horseback. As soon as he entered, he said to her: "Clean up. , while it’s still early, we’re going back to the palace right now.”

"Now?" Lu Huaiwei was slightly surprised, "What are you in such a hurry for?"

Ji Wanshu took out a letter from his arms and said, "I received a letter from my uncle earlier, and they are already on their way back to the palace. They said that Senior Sister Ye will be publicly interrogated after returning, and they want us to rush back as soon as possible." Listen in."

Lu Huaiwei looked at the letter, frowned and said, "Senior Sister Ye's matter is full of doubts, and many things have not been clarified yet. Why is this going to a public trial?"

"Maybe the uncle has other evidence?" Ji Wanshu said, "I have been with you these days, and I don't know much about the situation with the uncle. Anyway, since the uncle told us to go back, there must be her The truth is, let’s do what we say.”

Lu Huaiwei said: "Alright, let's go on the road today, but you have to wait with me, I haven't picked up the gift for Xiaoqiu yet, so sit down first."

Ji Wanshu sat down, and Lu Huaiwei poured her a cup of tea and asked, "You came back on horseback just now, where did you go?"

Ji Wanshu took the teacup, but didn't drink it. After a moment of silence, he said, "Go back and sue someone."

Lu Huaiwei looked at her and said, "You look like this...are you quarreling with your uncle again?"

Ji Wanshu gave a "huh" and said in a blunt tone: "He told me to get out, and told me not to go back to Ji's house from now on."

Ever since she learned of her life experience and who Wen Chaoyu was that day, Ji Wanshu has never stayed at Ji's house. These days, she has been hiding in the inn without going out, but she thought about running away Cang County looked for Wen Zhaoyu, but she didn't know what to say when she saw Wen Chaoyu, so she could only silently dismiss the idea.

Lu Huaiwei sighed and said: "Uncle is just still angry, what he said is just angry words, senior sister, don't take it to heart."

Ji Wanshu looked at the hot tea in the cup and sneered softly: "Come on, he didn't like me since he was a child. He said he didn't want me to go back, so he really didn't want me to go back. It just so happened that I really didn't want to go back either. , that's not my home."

"How can Senior Sister say that? If it's not your home, whose home is it?" Lu Huaiwei frowned and couldn't help preaching, "Even if uncle and aunt are wrong, but this mistake has nothing to do with you, then It's between them and Wen Chaoyu. It is said that the grace of nurturing is greater than the sky. You can't have a quarrel with your uncle and aunt because of Wen Chaoyu. They owe you nothing. Sister, you are really a little ignorant in this matter. "

In fact, how could Ji Wanshu not know the truths she said?After these days of calmness and thinking, she had thought it through a long time ago, but she had received a letter from Man Jiangxue before, and when she learned that she would soon leave Jincheng and return to Yunhua Palace, Ji Wanshu still went back after a lot of deliberation The Ji family bid farewell to the second elder, but she didn't expect that Master Ji would drive her away as soon as he saw her. Every sentence in his mouth became more and more unpleasant, and Ji Wan was furious when he scolded him. It's a big deal, and I'm still not happy until now.

"Okay, okay, come and teach me one by one," Ji Wanshu drank the tea, and threw the cup hard with a cold face, "I'm a doormat! Every mistake is my fault, satisfied gone?"

Seeing her appearance, Lu Huaiwei could only laugh: "Look, you are going to lose your temper after you can't say a few words, but you are feeling uncomfortable now, so you should vent it quickly, don't bring your anger into the palace, now Senior Sister Ye is in a bad situation, as the chief disciple, you must behave better when you go back, so as not to disappoint the master again."

Ji Wanshu was one head and two older, and said impatiently: "Why are you so wordy? It really annoys me, I have to take care of everyone, why is no one coming to take care of me?"

Lu Huaiwei coaxed her: "Am I caring about you, don't be angry."

The two had tea in the front hall, and the disciple brought the white jade earrings from the jewelry store earlier. Although Lu Huaiwei's illness had improved, she still couldn't ride a horse or stand the cold wind, so Ji Wanshu drove After getting a carriage and acting as coachmen, the two of them bid farewell to the disciples in the post station one by one, then left the city immediately and rushed to Yunhua Palace.

·

Bai Ling waited at the pigeon station all morning, and finally got a letter from Feige near noon. She read the contents of the letter, bought a few buns by the roadside, and returned to the post station to report the letter to Man Jiangxue after eating. .

"The news from Jincheng has arrived. Senior Sister Lu and Senior Sister Ji are on the road together. Counting the days, they should have been gone for two days. Very good!"

Yin Qiu set the bowls and chopsticks, scooped out a bowl of soup for Man Jiangxue, and said, "It's good that people don't get suspicious. With Senior Sister Ji here, even if she doesn't know the truth, there shouldn't be any accidents."

Bai Ling was faintly excited, gearing up his fists and said, "Yes, yes, I can't wait any longer, uncle, when are we going back to the palace?"

In fact, the group of them had already set off from Yao Dingcheng, and now they have arrived in Shangyuan City, but Man Jiangxue did not choose to return to the palace immediately, but stayed at the Yunhua Station in Shangyuan City, and did not ask anyone to pass it to the palace. letter.

"Tomorrow morning," Man Jiangxue said, "I have other things to do today."

Yin Qiu was curious: "What's the matter? We've all arrived in Shangyuan City, so we should tell the master."

Man Jiangxue glanced at her, with a faint smile on his face, and said, "No need, you can go out with me after dinner, and you'll know when the time comes."

Yin Qiu saw that she was mysterious, so he didn't ask any more questions, so he turned to Bai Ling and said, "Master Wen and brother Xue are still in the guest room, please send them the food for me. I have told people not to announce that they are here, but it will be the end of the year soon, and there are many and mixed disciples coming and going in the station, so I still have to ask people twice more when I see people, so that there is no mistake."

Bai Ling took the food box and replied, "Understood!"

After dinner, Man Jiangxue asked for a horse, took Yin Qiu out, and Bai Ling followed other disciples to help buy new year's goods. The group left the post at the same time, but headed in different directions Let's go, and soon the crowded crowd can't see each other.

The fine snow was flying, the cold wind was howling, the streets were crowded with people, and the horses were walking slowly. Yin Qiu sat in front of Man Jiangxue, holding the saddle with both hands, and asked her, "Where is Uncle Master taking me?"

Man Jiangxue put her chin on Yin Qiu's head, held the rein with one hand, supported Yin Qiu's waist with the other, and said, "There is a Xifeng Mountain outside the city, have you been there?"

Yin Qiu thought for a while: "I've heard of it, but I haven't been there before." She looked back at Man Jiangxue and asked, "What is the uncle going to do there?"

Man Jiangxue said, "Go see an old friend."

old friend?Yin Qiu was a little surprised: "I have never heard my uncle mention any old person, who is it?"

Man Jiangxue smiled: "I won't tell you yet, you'll know when you go."

Crossing this long street with people coming and going, the road going down will be much wider. Man Jiangxue speeded up and drove Yin Qiu out of the city.

Xifeng Mountain is located on the west side of Yunhua Mountain. Although it is not as majestic as Yunhua Mountain, it is better than Yunhua Mountain with beautiful mountains and clear waters and pleasant scenery. There are several temples built on that mountain. In the middle of the twelfth lunar month, there are more pilgrims going to the mountains to pray and fulfill their wishes than usual.

Going all the way up the mountain path, the trees are scattered on the way, and the mountain road is twists and turns. Although there is no fragrance or color of flowers, the lush greenery in the vast snow scene is a different kind of beauty.

Seeing that several temples passing by were full of snow and did not stop, Yin Qiu looked at the gradually quiet mountain forest in front of him, and couldn't help asking: "This road is almost coming to an end, where is Master Uncle going?"

Man Jiangxue pointed her in the direction and said, "Did you see that small building?"

Yin Qiu raised his head and looked into the distance, and sure enough, he could see a looming building on the mountain, with the corners of the eaves flying up and the copper bell shaking slightly, bathed in the wind and snow, like ink and wash painted by Bai Xuan.

The fine snowflakes stained the eyelashes, dizzying a small piece of coldness, Yin Qiu was about to ask, but Man Jiangxue stretched the reins at this moment, and the dismounted horse galloped instantly, and the two rushed into the dense forest against the wet and cold wind , leaving a series of coherent horseshoe prints behind him.

Yin Qiu was out of breath, and she couldn't sit still while holding on to the saddle. Man Jiangxue hugged her tightly and smiled while riding the horse. Yin Qiu said loudly in the wind: "Uncle! Run slower!"

Man Jiangxue lowered her head slightly, glanced at Yin Qiu, and seeing her panicked face, she couldn't help but joked: "You are too timid, why are you afraid of running a horse?"

Yin Qiu was blown by the cold wind and couldn't open her eyes. In her blurred vision, there were many shadows of trees that were quickly receding. She said loudly, "There are too many trees here, and the road is narrow. What if I bump into them accidentally?"

Man Jiangxue said: "If you were to ride, you would have to hit a tree. I won't do it," she said, and suddenly gave Yin Qiu the rein in her hand, and said, "Come on, my uncle will teach you how to ride a horse."

Yin Qiu felt as if he was facing a formidable enemy, he held the rope as if he was holding something hot, and said in shock, "No...I can't!"

"You can do it," Man Jiangxue whispered in her ear, "How did I teach you before? Be confident."

Yin Qiu raised his voice and said, "I can't do this! I've never been good at riding!" She took two breaths of cold air while speaking, and coughed violently, "Master——!"

Man Jiangxue laughed heartily and cheerfully. She held Yin Qiu's hand, reversed the horse's galloping situation in time, and said to Yin Qiu: "There are few mountains outside the pass, and most of them are plains and deserts. When I was young, I love running horses with my mother the most, and when I am free, I will take you outside the pass to have a look.”

Yin Qiu's face turned pale with fright, but he still responded happily when he heard this: "Okay...Okay!"

Man Jiangxue turned her head and kissed Yin Qiu on the cheek. When the horse rushed out of the dense forest and went to a high place, she hugged Yin Qiu firmly again, and led Yin Qiu to straighten up on the horse's back. Tap lightly, leap into the sky, and step on the tip to face the wind.

A few unknown white birds flew around, the snow-covered mountain forest seemed to be covered with a layer of snow, and the eyes were full of clean and white winter scenery. Yin Qiu hugged Man Jiangxue's neck tightly, and the two looked like It is a free and uninhibited wind, traveling freely and freely between the heaven and the earth.

The wind lifted the black hair of the two of them high, and there was a faint fragrance in the frost. Yin Qiu looked back, as if seeing the sea of ​​clouds and pines, and the mist like smoke. She fell on Man Jiangxue's shoulder and laughed heartily. , Said: "Master, this place is so beautiful!"

Hearing her laughter and exclamation, Man Jiangxue also turned her head to look at the scenery behind her. After a while, she turned her head again, and put her soft eyes on Yin Qiu's face.

Man Jiangxue looked at Yin Qiu and said, "It's very beautiful."