Looking to the Thirteen Rivers

A few days later, Yunhua Mountain began to shine after the rain, the sky cleared, and the world ushered in a warmer May.

The flowers in the plum garden have begun to wither, and after a spring rain, they are even more sparse, and the ground is full of red.Ji Wanshu was sitting in the gazebo, looking at various papers on the case, when Lu Huaiwei came with a food box around noon, Ji Wanshu asked her, "What do the elders say?"

Lu Huaiwei brought out the food, put it on a small table next to the desk, and replied: "The date has been agreed, it depends on what you want. The elders said that the Mingguang Palace will not be rebuilt in three months. If you want to Officially ascending to the head of the sect, you can't even have a decent palace. Just in March, the annual New Disciple Conference will be held together. With the double happiness coming, the palace will be more lively. What do you think? how?"

Ji Wanshu was thoughtful.

"I have already told the craftsmen to complete the Mingguang Palace before August," Lu Huaiwei said, "Elder Xu looked through the almanac and said that it was a good day on the eighth day of the eighth day, and it was very appropriate to hold the enthronement ceremony. It’s not a bad day, and it happens to be followed by the New Disciple Conference.”

Ji Wanshu didn't say a word, and after a while he hesitated and said: "...I didn't ask this, what about asking you to convey it for me?"

"What are you talking about?" Lu Huaiwei was puzzled at first, but then she understood, and said with a smile, "The date is fixed, do you have other ideas?"

Ji Wanshu pinched his chopsticks, not in the mood to eat, and asked, "Did you ask?"

Lu Huaiwei said: "I asked." The wind was too strong, she put down the curtain and sat opposite Ji Wanshu, "It's at this point, don't think about those unrealistic things, you are already well known The young master, besides you, who else can take over the position of master?"

"I just think it's too fast," Ji Wan sighed, "I thought no one would abdicate after seven or eight years. Who knew that she had an accident within a few days after I became the young master. To me As far as I am concerned, this fact is too hasty, and I am not mentally prepared for the fact that the leader is not a child's play. Or...in two years?"

"You said it lightly, so you can talk about it in two years?" Lu Huaiwei said, "Which Jianghu sect has not been in charge for two years? It's only the beginning of May, and you still have three months to prepare. It's enough. What's more, if you are not the leader, who will be the leader?"

Ji Wanshu said: "Uncle... isn't there still an uncle?"

"If my uncle wanted to be the master, it wouldn't be like this today," Lu Huaiwei said, "But we really have to wait for her to come back to discuss this matter. Counting the days, they should be back in these two days .”

Ji Wanshu pondered for a while, then sighed again: "I'm not without responsibility, but it's too fast, what's the difference between this and driving ducks to the shelves? Besides, I still have a wish unfulfilled. All my concerns have been resolved, and I will not be able to go anywhere in the palace, I feel out of breath when I think about it."

She is still young, and was forced to take the throne, and she has always paid little attention to the position of head. This turmoil has passed and everything has been settled. It is true that Yunhua Palace cannot have someone to fill Xie Yijun's vacancy in time.Not to mention Ji Wanshu himself, even the elders and disciples also feel that it is difficult for her, but the matter has come to this point, and it is meaningless to shirk. She is the only candidate, and her ascension to the throne is justified, and no one refuses to accept her.

"You are still reluctant, but what can you do?" Lu Huaiwei said, "Now everyone is waiting for you to take charge of the overall situation. I know that the burden is heavy and the responsibility is heavy, but I can't help you too much. I can do some trivial things to relieve your worries. But then again, every time I comfort you, I am very clear, but if I am the person who wants to be the head of the sect today, I am afraid that I am more worried than you. I understand how the senior sister feels. But right now, there is no other way but to wrong you."

Ji Wanshu was dull for a moment, and then replied: "In that case, let's wait for the uncle to come back."

"That's why you just said that there is still a wish unfulfilled," Lu Huaiwei asked, "What is the wish?"

Ji Wanshu looked at her, and was about to answer, when he suddenly saw a disciple happily running over from outside the garden, and shouted, "Senior Ji, Senior Sister Lu, Senior Uncle and Senior Sister Yin are back!"

Hearing this, Ji Wanshu and Lu Huaiwei were overjoyed, and hurriedly left the plum garden with this disciple.When the three of them walked around the Mingguang Palace, which was under construction, Man Jiangxue and Yin Qiu happened to be embraced by their disciples up the steps.

Several people met each other, bowed their heads and greeted each other, and turned to a meeting hall next to the Mingguang Hall.After the disciples served tea, Lu Huaiwei greeted Yin Qiu warmly first, and asked her some things about going to Brahma Heart Valley. Yin Qiu answered them one by one, and told her how good the place of Brahma Heart Valley was. The disciples also listened to it interestingly, and it was novelty.

Seeing that everyone was talking and laughing around Yin Qiu, and the atmosphere was lively, Ji Wanshu asked Man Jiangxue to move inside to talk.After the curtain was lowered to cut off some of the noise outside, Ji Wanshu went straight to the point and said, "Huiwei discussed with all the elders earlier, and the enthronement ceremony is scheduled to be held in August at the same time as the New Disciples Conference, but I still have some questions. I can't make up my mind, but my uncle came back in time, and I want to hear your opinion."

Man Jiangxue took a sip of the teacup, and said: "Since it was decided by the elders together, there should be no mistakes or mistakes. It is not bad to set it in August, but I have to instruct the craftsmen to release the Mingguang before August." The temple is finished. You can take this idea yourself, I have no objection."

Ji Wanshu probably also expected Man Jiangxue's reaction like this, and immediately said bluntly: "But it's too fast, the time is so tight, and I am completely unprepared, how can I be the master?"

Man Jiangxue glanced at her, and didn't reply quickly, but smiled inexplicably.

"What are you laughing at?" Ji Wanshu was puzzled, "Where did I say something wrong?"

The scenery outside the window is beautiful, and the flowers in the palace are in full bloom. Man Jiangxue looked at the spring scenery outside, paused for a while and said: "You just want me to be the master and come forward to persuade the elders to postpone the grand ceremony. Although I understand you Thoughts, but it’s hard to say these words.”

It's hard for anyone to say this.

A family cannot be without an owner for a day, and a country cannot be without a king for a day. Mr. Xie Yi is dead. With such a large sect as Yunhua Palace, how can it be so long without a new head?Right now is the critical moment after all kinds of turmoil have subsided. The disciples are all looking forward to Ji Wanshu's ascension to reorganize the family style, so as to calm people's hearts. There is no peace, and it will make others talk and speculate wantonly.

It's not that there are people who want to be the head, but the rules in the palace are like this, and Ji Wanshu is already the young head, no one can surpass her to ascend to the high position.Even though Man Jiangxue can understand Ji Wanshu's difficulties, she can't ignore everyone in the palace just for Ji Wanshu's sake. You can't force her by hanging high, after all, Man Jiangxue herself is also the one who never wants to be the head.

The so-called don't do to others what you don't want yourself to do to yourself, Ji Wanshu's appeal, Man Jiangxue can only maintain neutrality and let her make up her own mind.

Although the two didn't talk much, but both sides' thoughts were self-evident, Ji Wanshu could only sigh: "In this case, then I don't want to force my uncle, just follow what the elders have decided."

Man Jiangxue said "um", and briefly comforted her. After sitting for a while, she was a little tired, and asked before the door: "Why don't you see Wen Chaoyu? Shouldn't she be with you in the palace?"

"She has gone back to Shangyuan City. Xue Tan is the only one in the house. She has to go back and have a look from time to time," Ji Wanshu said with a heavy heart. There is one more thing I need your help with."

"What's the matter?" Man Jiangxue paused when she lifted the curtain, and looked back at her.

Ji Wanshu hesitated for a moment, and said respectfully: "Master Uncle's injury has not yet healed, and he has been running back and forth for several days. I shouldn't have said this at this time, but since you have come back, I will become more and more busy next time. If there is no chance to leave the palace, I can only ask you to replace me for two days."

"You want to go?" Man Jiangxue said.

"Well," Ji Wanshu sighed, and said with a heavy heart, "I want to go back to Jincheng."

Man Jiangxue showed a clear face, even if Ji Wanshu didn't say it clearly, she knew what she wanted to do.Man Jiangxue looked at her: "If Wen Chaoyu asks, do you want to tell her?"

Ji Wanshu thought for a while, then shook his head: "Don't tell her yet, just say that I went home to visit my parents, nothing else... After all, I am not sure what I want to do, lest she follow Add unnecessary trouble."

Man Jiangxue expressed her understanding, said "OK", and left here to go back to Jingyue Peak together with Yin Qiu.

After returning to the palace after many days, Yin Qiu's mood has changed a lot, and he has to look twice at every place he goes.The carriages and horses have been bumpy for the past few days, and both of them are a little tired. When they were about to take a rest after taking a bath in the soup room, the disciples outside Shen Xing Hall suddenly let out a burst of cheers, as if something was welcome. people.

Man Jiangxue lay down just now, and when she heard the movement, she didn't bother to get up again. Yin Qiu stepped on the wooden clogs and lifted the curtain of the bedroom. Wen Zhaoyu just pushed the door and entered the outer hall. When she saw her, he smiled and said, "Yo, this is not us. Good little niece, how are you getting along with your father these days?"

Yin Qiu welcomed her in, poured tea and said, "My father Yunyou has gone to treat his illness, and I don't know when he will be back."

"I got the letter and asked him to come to the palace. The man who came back from the dead is an old acquaintance again. I want to see him too." Wen Chaoyu took his seat, holding a cup of tea and glanced at Man Jiangxue on the couch , said, "You either sleep in all day long, or you are on the way to sleep in. You don't know how to get up to greet distinguished guests when they come. Do you know etiquette?"

"Honored guest," Man Jiangxue was so sleepy that she couldn't open her eyes, but patiently joked with her, "What's the important thing for this honored guest?"

Wen Zhaoyu said: "It's nothing important. I heard that you are back, so I can't come over and have a look?" After that, he added, "I just came from the city, and I heard from Lu Huaiwei that Wanshu is here with you. Why didn't I see you?" Her?"

Yin Qiu yawned, rubbed his eyes and said, "Senior Sister Ji is not at Jingyue Peak, she was busy after meeting us during the day, and didn't come with us."

Wen Chaoyu was quiet for a while, and said: "That's weird. I searched in many places, but I still can't see her. Lu Huaiwei said that she just claimed not long ago that she wanted to come to Jingyue Peak to talk to Man Jiangxue. How could she Didn't come?"

Yin Qiu looked at Man Jiangxue, Man Jiangxue turned over, hid in the tent and said: "She left the matter to me and went down the mountain by herself."

Wen Chaoyu raised his eyebrows: "Going down the mountain...where are you going?"

Man Jiangxue said: "Go back to Jincheng. August is the enthronement ceremony, and she will rarely have the opportunity to leave the palace in the future. Go back and have a look now, so that it will be more difficult to get out after becoming the head."

Wen Chaoyu rolled his eyes and muttered to himself, "Back to Jincheng at this time?"

Yin Qiu looked at her for a while, and asked, "Is there any problem? My uncle and I just came back. Senior sister Ji doesn't have to worry about no one to handle official business for her, so I just go home with peace of mind. Isn't it safer to go back to Jincheng at this time?" ?”

"Then she should tell me?" Wen Chaoyu was suspicious, and rushed to the bed to remove the curtain, "Are you covering for her, why isn't she going back to do something that I can't let me know?"

Man Jiangxue said: "I don't know anything, don't disturb my sleep."

"You must know!" Wen Chaoyu raised his voice, "You've always lied without blushing, and you're the one who slips the most out of nonsense, I believe you'll be weird!"

Man Jiangxue gave her a cold look, turned her back and ignored her.

Wen Zhaoyu let out a low hum, and left Shen Xingdian in a hurry without saying a word.Seeing her leaving in such a hurry, Yin Qiu couldn't help worrying: "It's over, Senior Sister Ji has repeatedly asked not to reveal too much to Uncle Wen, why doesn't Uncle coax her more?"

"It's a lesson from heaven and earth, I didn't reveal anything, what I said was Wan Shu's original words," Man Jiangxue said, "I can't be coaxed, and I'm too lazy to coax, come here to sleep."

Yin Qiu took off his shoes, got into the quilt and lay down next to Man Jiangxue, and asked, "So what is Senior Sister Ji going back to do? Uncle Master hasn't told me yet."

Man Jiangxue turned over to face Yin Qiu again, hugged her in her arms, and said, "You don't believe me either? Wan Shu didn't tell me, and I just guessed a thing or two, but I'm sure what she is going to do." I don't know."

Yin Qiu wanted to ask again, Man Jiangxue chuckled twice, patted her and mumbled a few words, Yin Qiu didn't understand, and when she continued to listen, Man Jiangxue quickly fell asleep .

The sky gradually darkened, the disciples outside the hall all went to other places, Jingyue Peak returned to its usual silence.Yin Qiu's eyelids were heavy, he squeezed into Man Jiangxue's arms, and then fell asleep.

·

When Ji Wanshu arrived in Jincheng, it was already a dusk five days later.

The setting sun hangs in the sky, and the afterglow of the setting sun is reflected in the street, as if dyed with a layer of light beacon fire.The horse's hoof smashed the light and shadow, and galloped on the stone road for a while, leaving behind a thin string of dust and mist. The Ji's mansion stood upright in a colorful glow, magnificent and magnificent.

The gatekeepers were overjoyed when they saw Ji Wanshu coming on horseback from the corner of the street, and hurriedly passed the news inside.Ji Wan got off his horse, and when he entered the front yard, the Ji couple was already waiting under the eaves. The three members of the family met at the intersection of light and shadow, and they all smiled at the same time.

"Why did you come home all of a sudden?" Mrs. Ji was overjoyed, both joyful and unexpected, "I didn't know to send a letter in advance before I came, and your father and I didn't prepare anything. Hurry up and go in with Mother." Sit down, I'll ask someone to make you a table of your favorite food, are you hungry?"

For the past five days, Ji Wanshu has been almost non-stop, rarely resting on the way, he is naturally tired.However, she was covered in dust and didn't have time to take it off, and she didn't have much intimacy with her parents when she met her. Ji Wanshu lifted her skirt and robe, and knelt down at the bottom of the steps.

"What are you doing?" Mrs. Ji looked surprised, looked at Master Ji, and hurriedly supported Ji Wanshu, "It's just a great gift when we meet, did something important happen? Get up quickly, let's wait Slow down."

There are bright lanterns hanging under the eaves, and the candlelight is flickering. Ji Wanshu didn't get up, but looked at the old man calmly and said: "I have two things to tell you when I come back this time. First, you should have heard about it. The head has passed away, and I will take over Yunhua Palace in August and become the new head."

Speaking of this, Mrs. Ji's face was flushed red, and even Master Ji's brows were rare and gentle.

"Your father and I have heard about this for a long time, Wan Shu, you have a bright future, we are happy for you," Mrs. Ji couldn't hide her smile, and said gratifiedly, "I have heard a lot about your deeds outside these days. Every time you go out with your father, you will receive a lot of praise, you have given our Ji parents face. Good boy, stop kneeling and get up and talk."

Ji Wanshu still didn't move, and said slowly: "I can't have today without the careful nurturing and teaching of my father and mother. When I become the master, I will go home less and less frequently. It is my sin that the children of other families serve their filial piety all the time, I kowtow to my parents here, and I hope you will understand and don't blame me." After finishing speaking, he solemnly kowtowed three times.

Master Ji remained silent, maintaining the behavior that a strict father should have. Mrs. Ji smiled from ear to ear, persuading again and again: "Okay, okay, of course we understand your filial piety, and you have said it, head I knocked too, should I get up now?"

"Don't worry, it's not too late to talk about one more thing after you've heard it," Ji Wanshu raised his head and said calmly, "Secondly, it's about my marriage. Discuss with your parents."

Hearing this, the couple were even more delighted, quite surprised, but Ji Wanshu's next words made the couple froze with smiles on their faces, speechless.

Ji Wanshu said: "I have decided not to get married in this life, but to serve my teacher as much as I can. I have a loved one, and my father and mother should know it. Although I don't ask you two to be perfect, but as a child, I should always meet you face to face Explain," she clenched her palms tightly and said with a firm expression, "Wen Zhaoyu and I have already known each other's feelings, although we haven't made it public with much fanfare, but it is known to everyone. If parents still want to find a husband for me, it is better to give up this idea as soon as possible. I said a long time ago that I don't want anyone except Wen Chaoyu."

The moment her words fell, Mrs. Ji and Master Ji froze in place in astonishment, and the maids and servants nearby couldn't help being surprised when they heard this, they looked at each other, and kept silent.

Needle dropping could be heard all over the courtyard, and no one dared to make any movement anymore. The cheerful and cheerful atmosphere just now disappeared, and it was once extremely cold.

"Wanshu, you...do you know what you're talking about?" After a long time, Mrs. Ji came back to her senses, and trembled, covering her lips.

"I know," Ji Wanshu knelt upright, neither humble nor overbearing, "I know exactly what I said, and I am also responsible for what I said."

When the light in front of his eyes dimmed, Master Ji's face was ashen, he strode down the steps, rushed to Ji Wanshu and shouted: "I also thought that you have grown up and are sensible, and you know that you will care about your parents when you come back. I didn't realize that this was your idea. !" He suddenly raised his hand, as if he wanted to slap Ji Wanshu across the face, but he didn't put his hand down.

"That's the demon girl, that's the demon girl who killed so many people!" Master Ji was furious, his hands froze in mid-air trembling slightly, "I've told you countless times, but you can't listen Take it to heart! In the past, forget it, but now you are going to be the head of Yunhua Palace, how can you still hang out with people from the Ziwei sect? You don't want this face, don't you want me and your mother too! "

Ji Wanshu said frankly: "She has left the Ziwei Sect and returned to Yunhua Palace. She is not a demon girl." After saying this, he added, "Never has been."

"But she's your older sister!" Master Ji was very angry, and said coldly, "Sisters are in love, if it gets out, what face do you want our Ji family to have in Jincheng!"

"She's not my sister," Ji Wanshu said, "You have never recognized her, she is not from our Ji family, and no one outside knows."

"You—!" Master Ji couldn't bear it anymore, and finally couldn't help but slap him hard, but was stopped by Mrs. Ji in time on the way.

"If you have something to say, the child is so old, why are you beating her?" Mrs. Ji said sadly, "Injustice...it really is an injustice!"

"I don't agree to this!" Master Ji gritted his teeth, and walked into the corridor with a flick of his sleeves, "Whether you want your parents or her, you can decide for yourself! You value the teacher's family more than this family, you want to be with her." Make a private decision for life, then don't come back, and I will treat you as my daughter!"

Expecting them to react like this, Ji Wanshu didn't argue with his parents as usual, but just knelt quietly.

"You come in too!" Master Ji pushed open the door, looked at Mrs. Ji and said, "She is going to do that thing that is ridiculed by others, if you and I can't control it, let her go!"

Mrs. Ji covered her face and wept bitterly, at a loss for what to do. After all, Ji Wanshu couldn't bear it, and said softly: "Mother, go in and rest, and leave me alone."

"When are you going to kneel?" Mrs. Ji said, "Your father will not agree, and he will never let go of this. Wan Shu, Wan Shu, who do you like, why do you like her? Dad It’s true that Mother has done wrong things, but at this age, we can’t face her face, let alone apologize to her and admit our mistakes, let alone allow you to be together. There is no way for us to reconcile with her in this life, and she must You won't forgive us. You put me and your father on the fire, what do you want us to do?"

Ji Wanshu's throat choked, and he lowered his head and said: "I said, I don't want you to be successful. In fact, whether there is Wen Zhaoyu or not, I will not marry others. Although the head of the sect has made mistakes, he has also made mistakes that should not have happened. Sha Nie, but she did her best for the sake of her master and never got married in her life. This is what I admire. If she can do it, I can do it too."

"You don't get married and don't have children. Your father and I have heard these words a long time ago, and it's not that we can't rely on you." Mrs. Ji burst into tears, both distressed and sad, "But you are with her, you are like this Can you last long? Mother is worried about you. She knows that you are her sister. She should avoid suspicion, but she gets close to you on purpose. Niang thinks too much, maybe it's because she is narrow-minded, but have you ever thought about whether she is lying to you or trying to use you to revenge us?"

Ji Wanshu shook her head: "No, she's not that kind of person," Yan Ba ​​smiled, "I don't know, she's actually a very, very good person, compared to her, I'm nothing."

Mrs. Ji burst into tears and had nothing to say.

"I know my mother loves me, please help me persuade my father," Ji Wanshu said, "My daughter is not filial, but I feel that I have not disobeyed the two elders in more than [-] years, the only thing I want to make up my own mind. Dad You don't have to stay with me when you get angry and hurt yourself when you are old, just go with him."

"Wan Shu, what do you want us to do..." Mrs. Ji sighed, helplessly, "It's okay, it's okay..."

The figures dispersed one after another, and the joy when they came disappeared like a cloud of smoke.The door of the room was closed tightly, and at first a few angry shouts could be heard, but gradually, all the voices fell silent, and the yard became deserted and lonely, and no one came again.

The setting sun disappeared under the west mountain, and the magnificent sunset glow was replaced by night. Ji Wanshu knelt alone in the courtyard, staring at the closed door all the time, motionless.

In the middle of the night, the evening wind was cold, the flowers and plants in the courtyard were rustling, insects were gradually singing, and there were soft footsteps behind him.If Ji Wanshu felt something, she turned her head slightly, but before she could see who was coming, a corner of dark blue clothes suddenly flashed in her eyes, Wen Chaoyu took off her bamboo hat, and knelt down beside her without saying a word.

Ji Wanshu's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he said in a daze, "You..."

"Where are you going in the future, remember to tell me," Wen Chaoyu shook the flagon in his hand, and poured down the last sip of wine, "Let's face something together, don't carry it behind your back alone, See you outside, don't you?"

Ji Wanshu had mixed feelings, and said after a while: "Why are you kneeling? You stand up."

"You can kneel, why can't I kneel?" Wen Chaoyu grinned, pinched Ji Wanshu's chin and kissed her, "Besides, I don't kneel to the sky or the ground, I'm only here to accompany you."