Looking to the Thirteen Rivers

At exactly the right time, Yin Qiu was awakened by Man Jiangxue's voice from his sleep.

The wind outside the hall was strong, and it came from nowhere, and the remnants of Fangfei were mixed in the shaking red maple.The sunlight is broken in the gaps between the branches and leaves, casting a scattered shadow, like stars falling all over the ground that can be touched easily.

The eaves of the corridor blocked the light from the rising sun, and the lights in the room were not lit, so the light was a little dim.Yin Qiu got up wrapped in the quilt, and looked out the window sleepily. Man Jiangxue washed her face with a handkerchief, and said, "Wake up, it's time to get up."

The top of the mountain is no better than the bottom of the mountain. It is already getting warmer in May in the world, but Yunhua Mountain is high and the spring comes late. Even though the time has advanced to May, it is still cool.Yin Qiu slept a little dazedly, sitting on the couch with her legs crossed for a long time and didn't feel relieved until Man Jiangxue fished her out of the quilt and hugged her horizontally, Yin Qiu said in surprise: "Uncle!"

There is hot water in front of the dressing table, and the white mist is lingering, blurring the copper mirror.Man Jiangxue put Yin Qiu on her lap, sat down with her in her arms, and said, "gargle."

Yin Qiu stared in a daze, rinsed her mouth, put on her clothes, and Man Jiangxue took the wooden comb to comb her hair again.Yin Qiu wondered: "It's not even past the hour yet, what are you doing up so early? I haven't woken up yet."

In the absence of Yueji Wanshu and Wen Chaoyu, all matters in the palace fell on Man Jiangxue, and Yin Qiu had to follow her to busy schedules. After returning from Brahma Valley, the two of them simply rested for a while. In the evening, he got up early the next day to take over Ji Wanshu's official duties.For more than ten days, Man Jiangxue has been getting up early and staying late every day, and the injury can't be well taken care of. Yesterday, I heard Lu Huaiwei said that there is nothing to do today, so I can relax and have a good sleep. Man Jiangxue was dragged out of bed so early today.

The courtyard was full of wind and flowers, and it was a bit of a waning spring tone. The thin light finally bent and came over the eaves of the corridor, enveloping the two of them.Man Jiangxue stood by Yin Qiu's side, braiding her pigtails wholeheartedly, and replied, "Didn't you say you wanted to live in the house in Xifeng Mountain for two days? After packing up, go there."

Yin Qiu was overjoyed at first, but then hesitantly said: "But Senior Sister Ji hasn't come back yet, although I have free time today, if we leave, who will deal with any emergency in the palace?"

Man Jiangxue said: "I've come back, I've been here before, if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have woken up so early."

"Have they been to Jingyue Peak?" Yin Qiu said, "Why didn't I hear anything?"

"You've been tired these days too, and you've slept soundly." Man Jiangxue sized up the little braid, seemingly satisfied, took the red string on the table and tied it at the end, and looked at it from the bronze mirror Yin Qiu.

"But they just came back, and we're going to go out to play, isn't it good?" Yin Qiu said.

Man Jiangxue changed the direction, stood on Yin Qiu's left side, continued to braid her, and said, "It's nothing bad, didn't they leave when we first came back? Besides, it was proposed by Wen Chaoyu, she And I brought you a present."

Yin Qiu's eyes lit up: "What gift?"

Man Jiangxue looked at her, for some reason she showed an inexplicable smile, she raised her chin towards the desk, Yin Qiu followed her line of sight, and saw a colorful little kite on the desk.

"Ah, it's been so long since Lichun. I haven't flown a kite yet this year." Some distance away, the surface of the kite reflected light, and it was hard to see what patterns were painted on it. Yin Qiu suppressed his inner excitement. , After Man Jiangxue combed her hair, Yin Qiu cheered and ran over quickly.

However, when she stood in front of the desk and saw what the kite looked like, the joy and excitement that filled Yin Qiu's eyes disappeared immediately, and then she froze there like a chicken.

"I heard that it is a specialty of Jincheng. There are many craftsmen who make kites there." Man Jiangxue cleaned his hands and watched Yin Qiu's reaction with interest. Bring you a present—why do you seem unhappy?"

Yin Qiu looked troubled, turned around with the kite in hand, and asked the sky with a speechless expression: "How should I say..."

Reflecting the sky, the whole picture of the kite finally appeared: at first glance, the colors were messy, with red, green, purple, and everything painted very scribbled and somewhat wild, as if the person who painted the kite saw some color. The ink was just smeared up randomly.And under closer inspection, this thing has hands, feet, and a head. Even under such heavy ink, it is not difficult for people to tell that it is a naive little pig with a funny smile.

If you want to use any words to comment on it, it can only be extremely ugly and appropriate.

"...Is this a special product of Jincheng?" Yin Qiu looked at Man Jiangxue with a bright expression and said, "Are you making fun of me? I think Uncle Wen must have made this thing himself."

"Then you can ask her," Man Jiangxue said, "I don't even look good."

Yin Qiu said: "But this is a good intention..." After a pause, he continued, "Maybe Uncle Wen is coaxing me? Maybe there is something else in her place. Let's go find her!"

Man Jiangxue smiled and said "Okay", Yin Qiu took her hand and left Shen Xingdian.When the two arrived at the plum garden, Wen Zhaoyu and Ji Wanshu were already sitting in the garden. Seeing Yin Qiu running over excitedly holding the kite, Wen Zhaoyu laughed loudly and said, "It's over, Master Xing is here to ask the crime, Wan Shu Block it for me!"

"Uncle Wen!" Yin Qiu strode into the gazebo, slapped the kite on the table, and asked eagerly, "Are you kidding me? You must have brought me other beautiful kites. This is yours." Where is the one who lied to me?"

"What's real or fake?" Wen Zhaoyu smirked, "That's it."

Yin Qiu stuck his shell and said, "I don't believe it, you must have deceived me on purpose."

Seeing her serious face, Wen Chaoyu laughed loudly and said, "What are you doing? When I left Jincheng, I saw many girls flying kites. I thought you were about the same age as them, but besides practicing swords and studying, you have nothing to do every day. I don't have anything else to do, I think you are pitiful, so I bought a kite for you to play with."

Yin Qiu moved closer to her and said seriously, "Are you serious?"

Wen Chaoyu covered his face with his sleeve and said, "Can it be fake?"

Yin Qiu couldn't believe it: "I gave you two boxes of good plasters before, how considerate of me, why did you return me such an ugly kite? I don't even want..."

"Where is it ugly? Little girl, don't talk nonsense." Wen Chaoyu said seriously, "Go down the mountain and find a place with many people to put it up. I guarantee you that everyone will definitely only look at you, no Look at others."

Yin Qiu frowned and said, "But it's too ugly... I'm ashamed to put it in the sky. Girls love beauty in everything. Why doesn't Mr. Wen understand this?"

Wen Chaoyu said, "Isn't this beautiful? I even picked a little pig for you, isn't it so cute?"

Yin Qiu stopped talking.

Seeing her mournful and sullen expression, Wen Chaoyu chuckled again, Ji Wanshu couldn't stand it any longer, and said to Yin Qiu: "Don't pay attention to her, this person is really lying to you," she said, from the side He took out a kite, "The one in your hand was drawn by her, this is what I bought, take a look?"

Yin Qiu immediately changed his face, smiled and said: "This is beautiful!"

"Why did you lose your temper so quickly?" Wen Chaoyu joked, "I'm just teasing her, she's angry and embarrassed, it's interesting."

After getting a new kite, Yin Qiu was in a good mood, but he didn't throw away the ugly one, holding both of them in his arms like treasures.The four of them met and had breakfast together in the gazebo. Later, Man Jiangxue and Yin Qiu said goodbye, went to the stables to pick a horse, and went down the mountain while it was still early.

After the rectification and aftermath of this period, Shangyuan City has long since returned to its former prosperity. The weather is fine today, the sun is bright, and the streets are full of people coming and going, which is very lively.

Yin Qiu supported the saddle and sat in front, while Man Jiangxue held the rein and held her in his arms.The two of them wandered around the city for a while, bought some food, and then left the city slowly, heading up Xifeng Mountain.

There are many temples in Xifeng Mountain, and there are many pilgrims who go to burn incense and pray for blessings. It is more pyrotechnic than Yunhua Mountain, which is rarely visited by people.The two walked up the mountain road, Yin Qiu saw those temples and thought they were new, so he took a second look - she has never been to any temple to pray for blessings since she grew up.

Man Jiangxue asked: "Want to go?"

Yin Qiu thought slightly, shook his head and said, "Forget it, I don't believe in Buddhism," she said in a low voice, whispering in Man Jiangxue's ear, "I only believe that everything depends on myself, and praying to God and worshiping Buddha is just for peace of mind. "

Man Jiangxue said: "Then do you feel at ease?"

"My heart is at ease," Yin Qiu said, "with my uncle around, everything is at ease."

Man Jiangxue smiled: "What if I'm not here?"

"Aren't you here?" Yin Qiu thought for a while and said, "That's okay, I've grown up, so I don't need to rely on my uncle."

This question could not be said to be a beautiful answer on any occasion, but after hearing this, Man Jiangxue calmed down, and after a while, she hugged Yin Qiu tightly and said: "Then you should not grow up."

The horse moved forward slowly, leaving all the temples and Taoist figures behind.Yin Qiu turned his face sideways, bent his eyes and said, "Why? Everyone has to grow up, and I am no exception."

"You don't need me when you grow up," Man Jiangxue said, "It's better not to grow up, just like when you were a child, always by my side."

"No, I will always need uncle." Yin Qiu leaned on her shoulder, smiling slightly, "Didn't you make an oath before my mother's grave that you would protect me forever. "

Man Jiangxue said "Yes", bowed her head and kissed Yin Qiu, and said softly: "Of course, I keep my word, I only protect you."

The two looked at each other with a smile, and snuggled up on the horse's back for a lingering kiss.The mountain breeze was gentle, and the unknown wild flowers were blowing in. The horse carried the people into the mountain forest. Soon, the small building hidden among the clumps of wintersweet blossoms appeared.Yin Qiu got off the horse first, knocked on the door, and soon an old man came inside, who was exactly what Yin Qiu had seen when he came last time.

After some greetings, the maids and servants in the house came out to welcome them as usual, served hot tea and snacks, and everyone chatted and laughed in the hall for a long time before they dispersed, giving Man Jiangxue and Yin Qiu a clean atmosphere. No more disturbing their solitude.

After being busy for these days, a leisurely day finally ushered in. Yin Qiu was so happy that he took Man Jiangxue to wander around the courtyard, admiring the flowers and scenery.At noon, the two went back to the building for lunch and took a nap. After replenishing their energy, Yin Qiu proposed to go out to fly a kite while it was still dark.However, the weather was not good, and when he was about to go out, it was raining heavily outside, making it impossible to go out.

The mountains were empty, and the raindrops splashed the running water in the yard, bringing a chilly coolness.Yin Qiu stood at the door with two kites in his hand, and sighed, "The rain came at the wrong time. The sun was shining brightly before, but now the sky has changed. I still want to go to the top of the mountain to see the stars after flying the kites."

The light suddenly dimmed, and the building was in a gloom.Man Jiangxue lit a few lamps in the back, looked out the door and said, "It's okay, maybe it will come and go quickly, maybe the rain will stop after a while."

Yin Qiu had no choice but to hang the kite at the door, walked up to Man Jiangxue and leaned against her boneless, and said in a muffled voice, "Then what are we going to do now? Let's not sleep again, I'm in good spirits."

"Then besides flying a kite, what else do you want to do?" Man Jiangxue held her in her arms, and looked at the furnishings in the room, "There is nothing here for you to play with, but there are some miscellaneous books in the study that I want to read. Is it?"

Yin Qiu shook his head: "I have read enough books in the palace, I just want to have fun today."

Man Jiangxue thought for a while, then bent her lips and said, "Then you come with me." She led Yin Qiu to the door, spread soft satin on the floor, placed a small table, sat down low, and then waved to Yin Qiu.

"Bring the kite here."

Yin Qiu was a little curious and didn't know what Man Jiangxue was going to do, but he obediently took the kite and walked towards her, leaning against Man Jiangxue's arms.The two sat one step away from the gate, facing the courtyard outside. Man Jiangxue took the kite, raised her hand and sent it outside the gate, and saw the kite soaring lightly, floating in the air like a bird feather. The porch is protected from wind and rain, so it is safe.

Yin Qiu let out a "wow", his joy and novelty were beyond words, and he asked, "How did you do it?"

"It's very simple, it's the same as controlling a sword." Man Jiangxue looked sideways at Yin Qiu, with undoubted pampering in her eyes, "Look, you can fly a kite even when it rains."

I didn't expect that in addition to using zhenqi to practice kung fu and swords, it can be used in this way.Yin Qiu's eyes were wide open. On the one hand, he was happy for Man Jiangxue's move, and on the other hand, he was worried about her. He hurriedly said: "Okay, okay, I'm satisfied with just one look, the uncle's injury is not healed yet, let it go stop."

"It doesn't matter," Man Jiangxue said, "This little trick is still nothing to worry about. I have been recovering from the injury for more than a month, and I know it well."

Yin Qiu's heart was moved, thinking that Man Jiangxue didn't even care about her injuries just to make her happy, so she was very moved.Yin Qiu said: "Then I'll play by myself for a while, Meng Jing just told me yesterday that it's best not to use my true energy for a short time, master uncle listens to me, I can do it myself."

Man Jiangxue handed the spool to Yin Qiu, then withdrew her hand and hugged her.Yin Qiu tried it, and felt that flying a kite in this way was also a kind of fun, so he played with great interest for a long time, never getting tired of it.

The cold wind and rain are separated from the outside, looking up, it looks like a layer of fog, the wintersweet in the yard has already passed the flowering period, only the bare branches are left, and the few spring reds dotted in the pool water, Those are spring peaches and red apricots floating from the mountains.

The two leaned on each other, didn't talk much, just sat here intimately, enjoying this rare leisure time.Not long after, Yin Qiu got tired of playing. He let go of the spool and let the kite fall on the corridor. He closed his eyes and said to Man Jiangxue, "It's fun, but it takes energy and energy. I'm a little sleepy again."

Man Jiangxue gathered up all the strings that had been let out for her, and then took the kite in from the air and put it aside, and asked, "Would you like to go to bed and sleep for a while?"

Yin Qiu nodded, and stretched out his arms very naturally to wrap around Man Jiangxue's neck, and Man Jiangxue took advantage of the opportunity to hug her, and walked through the jingling bead curtain into the inner bedroom.

The cloud quilt was soft and smelled of fresh saponins. Yin Qiu was put down on the couch. Man Jiangxue knelt down to take off her shoes. Yin Qiu squinted her eyes and looked at her for a while, before Man Jiangxue got up to leave Shi Shi suddenly pulled her in front of him. Although Man Jiangxue was a little surprised, he stabilized his figure in time, put his hands beside Yin Qiu's ears, and looked down at her.

"What to do?" Man Jiangxue said.

The cold hair brushed her cheeks lightly, and there was that familiar fragrance. The bead curtain hanging at the door was still dangling. Yin Qiu glanced there and said, "Where are you going? Won't you accompany me?"

"I wanted to make tea for you, but the fire in the stove is still on," Man Jiangxue said, "I'll go and have a look."

"It's windy at the door, and it will get cold by itself," Yin Qiu said, "I want my uncle to accompany me, so why don't you go?"

She just lay on the bottom with her head up, with attachment and expectation all over her face, Man Jiangxue saw her own reflection in Yin Qiu's clear eyes, she leaned down, and said to Yin Qiu's nose :"good."

The warm breath began to pass the moment the distance drew closer, and the two lips seemed to be separated, as if they were about to touch in the dim light, but they did not touch for a long time.Yin Qiu was indeed sleepy before, but now she was so sleepy by such an ambiguous atmosphere, she raised her hand and grabbed Man Jiangxue's skirt, touched the pearl button there, Man Jiangxue saw her He took the initiative to lean over, and subconsciously wanted to kiss her, but stopped when he was just about to kiss her.

"Aren't you sleepy?" Man Jiangxue asked calmly.

"Hmm..." Yin Qiu replied, "I'm sleepy."

Man Jiangxue could clearly see the desire to speak in her eyes, and she said, "Then sleep."

After finishing speaking, she lowered her head again, as if she wanted to kiss Yin Qiu, but when Yin Qiufu approached her again, Man Jiangxue raised her head again and said, "No, the door is covered with soft satin, so I don't worry if I don't turn off the fire. What if the water goes out?"

Yin Qiu failed to kiss her several times, and he couldn't be sure whether Man Jiangxue was teasing him on purpose, so he fell back on the couch after being bored for a while, and said, "...then go and have a look."

With a faint smile on her lips, Man Jiangxue got up calmly, opened the bead curtain and went to the door.

—The fire in the stove was blown out long ago by the wind.

She turned her back to Yin Qiu and smiled silently, and when she turned her head, there was no one on the bed, and Yin Qiu got into the quilt quietly and hid herself at some point.

"What are you doing hiding?" Man Jiangxue sat down on the side of the couch, lifted the quilt and saw that Yin Qiu curled up into a ball and ignored her.

"Angry?" Man Jiangxue said, "The sky is dry and things are dry, so we must prevent fire."

Yin Qiu: "..."

Yin Qiu: "...the rain is getting heavier and heavier, where is the dryness?"

Man Jiangxue couldn't help laughing, hugged Yin Qiu from behind, and said, "It's possible to catch fire in rainy days. Don't you like this place very much? When it burns, there will be nothing."

Yin Qiu turned his head and glanced at her.

"Okay, I'll be back soon?" Man Jiangxue coaxed, "Don't be angry."

Yin Qiu said: "I'm not angry," she turned over and pressed Man Jiangxue, "but you teased me, you have to apologize."

Man Jiangxue said, "How do I apologize?"

"This is your business," Yin Qiu said, "I don't care."

"You're obviously angry," Man Jiangxue pressed her against his chest and kissed Yin Qiu's forehead, "Is this okay?"

Yin Qiu stared at her: "No."

Man Jiangxue said "oh", kissed Yin Qiu's cheek again, and said, "What about this?"

Yin Qiu still stared at her.

"That's not okay?" Man Jiangxue laughed, and finally raised her head slightly to kiss Yin Qiu's lips, and after spending a while with her, she asked again, "Is it okay now?"

Yin Qiu didn't say yes or no, but let out a low hum from his throat.

Seeing her like this, Man Jiangxue couldn't stop laughing, she hugged Yin Qiu and lay down beside her, and said: "You lost your temper with me again, did you promise me before that you would never quarrel with me again? "

"Then who told you to tease me first," Yin Qiu complained, "you did it on purpose, just to make me angry."

"Why did I just tease you?" Man Jiangxue calmed down, "You just talk about it."

Yin Qiu kept silent for a moment, as if he was going all out, he raised his voice and said: "You have not kissed me several times, are you still teasing me?"

Man Jiangxue said: "Of course not," she added, "And didn't I just kiss you?"

"You're making unreasonable words!" Yin Qiu angrily bit Man Jiangxue on the side of the neck, "If you don't coax me well, I'll be really angry."

Rolling around on the bed, Yin Qiuman's head and hair were all messed up, looking fluffy, like some kind of fried animal.Man Jiangxue thought Yin Qiu was cute, so she hugged him and patted him, coaxing softly: "Okay, okay...I was teasing you, so I'll admit my mistake to you and stop being angry, okay?"

Yin Qiu wasn't angry at all, she just wanted to cling to Man Jiangxue for a while, and she was especially soft-eared, she couldn't hear Man Jiangxue whispering softly to coax her, and soon put on her smiling face again .

"I saw Uncle Wen and Senior Sister Ji in the palace before. They seemed to be in a good mood." Yin Qiu moved inside, motioned Man Jiangxue to come closer, and said, "It seems that Uncle Ji and Aunt Ji should Did you promise them to be together?"

"Probably so," Man Jiangxue said, "otherwise Wen Chaoyu is so interested that he still remembers to bring you a present from all the way?"

Yin Qiu's eyes flashed, and he said narrowly: "That's considered to have met my parents, and now only the uncle left has not formally met my father."

Man Jiangxue said: "Don't worry, I have prepared all the dowry gifts. As soon as he comes back, I will propose marriage to him."

Yin Qiu blushed, eyes dodged and said: "Really? I stay with you every day, why didn't I know that you even prepared the bride price?"

"Before I went to Brahma Valley to pick you up, I drew up a list for Huai Wei," Man Jiangxue said, "She had already prepared it for me, but she forgot to tell you."

Yin Qiu couldn't help his heart beating faster, he hesitated and said: "Oh, so..."

"I forgot to ask you all the time." Man Jiangxue suddenly approached Yin Qiu, and said against the corner of her lips, "I have prepared the dowry, this is what I should do, then would you like it?" marry me?"

Hearing what she asked clearly, Yin Qiu's breath became stagnant, and his whole face instantly turned red like a fire.

Would you like to...marry her?

Will you marry my uncle?

Yin Qiu was stunned, his heart beat faster, hitting his chest like a gong and drum, resounding through his heart.

She stared blankly at Man Jiangxue, unable to speak for a while, Man Jiangxue stared at her for a while, the hand hidden in her sleeve moved slightly, Yin Qiu only felt something cold and smooth As her fingertips slid all the way and stopped at her wrist, it was still a little heavy.

"Xiaoqiu," Man Jiangxue's eyes were full of love, and his voice was soft and authentic, "See if you like it?"

Yin Qiu curled her fingers slightly, feeling the coldness and weight, she slowly lowered her head, and soon saw what was wrapped around her wrist.

It was a crystal clear jade bracelet without any impurities.

The shape is like a full moon, the color is excellent, the texture is as moist as water, delicate and transparent, there are no patterns carved on it, it is just the simplest style, but it is more dignified and generous, making the skin white as snow, which is really beautiful.

Yin Qiu opened his lips slightly, and looked at the bracelet without saying a word, his eyes overflowed with surprise and joy, and he didn't move his eyes for a long time.

Man Jiangxue didn't look at the bracelet, but looked at Yin Qiu without blinking from the beginning to the end.She looked at every subtle expression change on Yin Qiu's face, and after a long time, she asked again: "Do you like it?"

Yin Qiu has never had such a moment of lack of words, he can only softly say: "I like..."

She likes it.

Man Jiangxue laughed, held Yin Qiu's hand, looked directly at her and said, "Then are you willing? Marry me."

At this moment, childhood memories and pictures of the past all surfaced in front of his eyes one after another, and everything after meeting Man Jiangxue was staged in his mind in turn like a horse watching flowers.Listening to her words, Yin Qiu unconsciously moistened his eyes and choked up his sobs.

After a long time, she suppressed all kinds of unspeakable emotions in her heart, and smiled with tears in her eyes: "I am willing."