Looking to the Thirteen Rivers

姚定城内最大的医馆名为正雅堂,落在那东南大街一株百年槐树后头的园子里，修的比好些大户人家的府宅还要敞亮气派，里头的大夫一个比一个厉害,老板却是个不会行医的，也不知名讳,只是城里的百姓都尊他一声雅先生。

正午时分,园子里的前院被一群脏兮兮的难民们挤了个水泄不通,雅先生在廊子里支了口锅，也不要丫鬟帮忙,自个儿煮了碗阳春面，边吃边说：“哎呀,不是老夫心狠,老夫就是个开医馆的生意人，你们没有府衙的放行文书，我这儿可不敢收啊。”

一群小厮举着棍棒拦在阶下,又碍于云华弟子的面不敢轻易动手,孟璟躬身作了一礼，面色平静道：“先生既开了医馆，便没有将病人拒之门外的道理,至于放行文书我等已派人到府衙请示了,稍后便会送来，还请先生看在这么多条人命的份上,行个方便。”

雅先生只看碗里的面，不看任何人,嘴上把得严，笑眯眯道：“年轻人，不必多说了,那文书什么时候来，老夫什么时候放他们进去，一时半会儿死不了人的，等着罢。”

他说完这话，端着面碗入了内堂，只留给众人一道摇头摆尾的背影，一群小厮纹丝不动地立在那阶前，手里的棍棒也没有落下的意思。

真是世态炎凉，形形色色的人什么样儿都有，问心峰的弟子们自来便由长老教导要心怀慈悲，凡事都以人命为首要，岂料这雅先生开了这偌大一间医馆，竟将那些中毒吐血的难民视若无睹，简直荒唐。

“什么雅先生？这般狠心绝情之人，开什么医馆！”

"Such behavior shames Xinglin, and he is not afraid of making people laugh if it spreads."

“笑话什么？没听他说么，人家是生意人。”

……

若是放在从前，孟璟哪管什么文书不文书，劈头盖脸就得将那雅先生臭骂一顿，可今时不同往日，她在问心峰上那几年早已学会了处变不惊，当下听着弟子们愤愤不平的发言，也未说什么。

The door behind him opened, and the wind and snow rushed in. Meng Jing turned around and saw Yin Qiuxing, who hadn't returned for a long time, coming.

Yin Qiu went to the gate of the city first, and found that there was no one there, so he found out what happened after asking. At this moment, there is no need to ask more questions about the scene in the courtyard, Yin Qiu already knows it well.

“没有府衙准许，医馆自然不敢收纳难民，可有派人去请示放行文书？”

Meng Jing slowly stood beside Yin Qiu, and nodded: "Tell Bai Ling to go." She clenched her fist and pressed her lips and coughed lightly, "Why did you go for so long?"

Yin Qiuxing looked around the crowd for a while and said, "There is something wrong on the road."

她没有提及满江雪。

眼下难民突发中毒事件，满江雪颠簸数日，难得睡个好觉，便是要她来了也不会加快事情解决的进程，倒不如不去叨扰她。

Everyone waited for a long time, only to see Bai Ling coming with a document, followed by an official errand.

有了文书，那雅先生自然是命小厮们退下，安排难民们入了内馆，大夫们闻讯后鱼贯而出，这医馆上下也就变得忙碌起来。

“我等奉知府大人之命，前来调查毒粥一案，你们云华宫现下何人管事？”

弟子们你看我我看你，最终尹秋站了出来，拱手道：“见过各位大人。”

"It's you?" The official took a few glances at Yin Qiu, as if sizing her up, then waved his hand, "Take her away!"

几个官差上来就要拿人，弟子们脸色骤变，欲上前阻拦，尹秋却是摆手，示意他们不要慌张。

“敢问大人要将民女带去何处？”

The official said: "With such a big case, the government office will naturally investigate thoroughly. Since you are in charge, follow me to the government office for questioning. Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. Just cooperate." .”

尹秋想了想，欣然道：“如此也好，任凭大人安排便是。”

见她这就要被带走了，孟璟犹豫了一下，还是伸手拽住了尹秋的手腕，说：“我刚来不过半日，还不熟悉这里的情况，你且留下，我去罢。”

"It's useless for me to stay here," Yin Qiu looked back at her, "You know medical skills, so staying here is better than me, don't worry, just ask questions, nothing will happen."

Hearing what she said, Meng Jing also let go, with concern in his eyes: "Alright, then go back early."

Yin Qiu responded, and saluted these officials again, and the group left the clinic immediately and walked on the way to the government office.

The refugees in the inner hall have been settled down, and the medicine boy has already boiled the soup. Meng Jing stood in the front yard and looked at it for a while. For some reason, she had a bad premonition in her heart. She pondered for a moment, and called a few disciples to go back to the inn. After a trip, I saw the rest of the officials immediately stopped at the door.

“还未查清何人下的毒，你们云华弟子通通都得留在此处，一个也不能走。”

孟璟说：“水粮都是自云华驿站而出，诸位大人与其看着我们，不如一同去驿站查上一查。”

An official said: "Of course we need to investigate, but people can't go too far, as long as there is a guide."

Meng Jing paused, and turned her head to look behind her: "Go ahead, tell Senior Sister Lu as soon as possible, and tell her to make preparations, so I won't be too hasty."

白灵颔首应了声“好”，当下便也带着两名官差行了出去，不多时，又见一队带刀府兵赶了来，将这医馆大门把守得严密。

瞥见尹秋的身影已消失在长街尽头，孟璟眉头紧锁，轻轻叹了口气。

·

There was a slightly noisy movement downstairs, and Man Jiangxue raised his eyelashes, waking up from a deep sleep.

正午已过，外头天色阴沉，雪还在下，满江雪起身披了衣，立在屋内静静听了一阵，不太听得清底下人在说什么，她推门而出，绕着廊角下了楼去。

There were two officials standing in the hall, who were questioning the disciples. No one noticed that Man Jiangxue was coming, and Lu Huaiwei seemed to have just woken up. She was in a slump, coughing continuously, leaning against the door and standing unsteadily, as if A gust of wind could knock her down.

"What happened?"

听到声音，弟子们纷纷回了头，陆怀薇一见满江雪的身影，半是惊喜半是意外道：“师叔？”她捂着帕子又是一阵猛咳，急忙朝满江雪迎去，“您何时来的？怎么也没听人知会一声。”

满江雪随手倒了杯桌上的冷茶，喝了一口，说：“刚来不久。”她捏着茶杯，看向那两名官差，面上露出探询之色。

陆怀薇也是适才知晓难民中毒一事，便赶紧将事情同满江雪细说了一遍，满江雪听完表现得十分镇静，她抬起头，越过前院瞧见驿站门口已被府兵把守，心中便大致有了个数。

“说来也怪我，这几日病得厉害，照看不周才出了这样的事，”陆怀薇面色不佳，说话时带着浓浓的鼻音，“目前看来，那批难民是紫薇教驱赶来的，这厢又突然被人蓄意下了毒，很显然是有人想要对付我们云华宫，师叔，这极有可能是紫薇教在背后搞鬼。”

自从那年紫薇教总坛被公子梵放火烧了一场后，这些年，紫薇教也算是沉寂了很长一段时间，而江湖中的人泰半也都知道，紫薇教其实一向都不常在江湖上露头，他们多数时间都是不见首尾的，但只要哪一阵子又闻到了紫薇教的动向，那就说明他们又要开始兴风作浪了。

上一回是因为寻到了尹秋的踪迹，那这一回又是为了什么？

薄光透过了朦胧的窗纸，映在满江雪略显单薄的衣袂之上，将她衬得些许难以接近。

她缄默不语，弟子们都心怀畏惧，不敢贸然开口问话，那两名官差先前态度算不得好，见了满江雪的容颜当即惊为天人，这会儿只顾着暗地里打量美人的姿容，也忘了催促一二。

After a while, Man Jiangxue looked sideways at Lu Huaiwei and said, "Since the porridge is poisonous, the water and food may be dirty. Go and have a look."

陆怀薇咳得震天响，闻言立即在前头带起路来，一拨弟子被满江雪吩咐去了粮仓查探大米，余下一拨人便去了厨房察看水源。

“米是昨天夜里刚送来的，水也是昨天夜里蓄满的。”白灵立在水缸边，那里头的水已经快要见了底，瞧着很是清澈。

满江雪说：“取银针来。”

白灵早有准备，立马从带来的针包里取了一根银针置去了水中，待拿出来一看，那银针干干净净，未曾变色。

“水没有问题，”陆怀薇说，“那就是米有问题？”

弟子们煮粥时都是优先取用缸里的水，既然如此，那院子里的水井自然也不必试了，一行人旋即离开厨房去了粮仓，弟子们正巧将米袋都搬了出来，堆在那院中如同一座小山。

白灵换了副银筷，将所有袋子里的米都尽可能多试了几遍，一番功夫费下来，那银筷也未发生何等变化，亮洁如新。

“目下驿站内的水粮都未见毒，那就说明毒是在城门口下的，”陆怀薇分析道，“可煮粥也好熬药也好，都是宫内的弟子们亲手所做，不会有旁人接触，除非……”

她未将后头的话说完，倒是白灵接着道：“除非投毒之人就是我们云华弟子？”

陆怀薇脸色几变，不敢妄下断言，只得看向满江雪道：“师叔以为呢？”

满江雪习惯性把玩着她那把匕首，闻言没有回话，片刻后才听她说：“再回厨房看看。”

众人便又重新回到了厨房，冬日天色不明，陆怀薇特地吩咐人点了几盏烛灯，屋子里亮堂起来，可视度也就清晰许多，弟子们各自取了银针，将一应锅碗瓢盆也都试了一遍，但都不见哪样东西有何异常。

难民们这几日吃的都是清粥，菜肴都是由段家施舍，所以厨房内的瓜果菜蔬并不多，且被弟子们摆放得很整齐，这时候灶台冰冷，可说是四下空空，唯一较为拥挤的地方便是窗下的角落，那地方堆了不少装水的木桶，个个都洗得很干净。

Looking at all the furnishings in the house, Man Jiangxue didn't notice anything unusual. She subconsciously walked a few steps, and when she passed a small wooden table, her eyes suddenly flickered and she stopped.

瞧见她的动作，陆怀薇连忙问道：“师叔？”

满江雪斜眸望向那小木桌，见那桌底歪着一个酒坛子，微微蹙眉道：“驿站有弟子饮酒？”

陆怀薇一愣，瞧了瞧那酒坛子，正要开口，却听一名弟子插话道：“回师叔，这酒并非是弟子们所饮，乃是昨天夜里拿来招待米行伙计用的。”

满江雪略略侧过身。

那弟子接着说道：“是这么回事，由于这批难民来得突然，驿站没有足够的存粮，昨夜若是不赶紧把新米买来，今日便要揭不开锅了，所以弟子昨夜就给米行打了招呼，叫他们连夜送过来，当时也正是弟子接待的他们，想着夜半三更劳烦伙计们跑一趟，天寒地冻的都辛苦，便备了酒菜犒劳他们。”

“也就是说，有外人来过驿站。”满江雪说。

“这……”那弟子顿了顿，“的确如此。”

“若是米行伙计所为，那他们会把毒下在哪里呢？”陆怀薇思索道，“他们今早并未出现在城门口，若要下毒就只能是在昨天夜里，可我们方才已将水粮和所有用具都试过一遍了，却并不见哪样东西有毒。”

满江雪看向那窗下的水桶，说：“你们用的什么东西把水运到城门？”

陆怀薇顺着她的视线看去，眼眸一亮，旁边白灵也已会意，赶紧拿着银针行上前去，几个弟子也都反应得快，取过水瓢在各个桶中浇了水，白灵用银针一试，果然瞧见针尖变了色！

陆怀薇眉目一喜：“原来如此！他们是将毒粉抹在了水桶上，还是师叔明察秋毫！”

满江雪松松散散地捏着匕首，那锋利的薄刃映着她略带凉意的脸，满江雪说：“就凭这个尚不足以证明是米行伙计所为，烦请二位差使将人找到盘问一番再说，”她说罢，侧脸瞧着先前那名弟子道，“昨夜来了哪些人，可还记得？”

那弟子斩钉截铁道：“记得，我们驿站与那米行长期保持来往，都是熟人了，不会认错。”

The matter has come to this point, the source of the poison has been found, and the suspect has been found. The two officials have not done anything. This time, they have made progress and can report to the magistrate. They can't help showing a relaxed attitude, facing Man Jiangxue. After handing over, he led the disciple out of the station, and immediately went to Mihang to arrest the suspect.

庭院深深，积雪间摇晃着数点茶花的红影，满江雪立在檐下看着那茶花，忽然想起什么似的，侧目问道：“小秋呢？”

·

尹秋跟着官差入了府衙，在大堂静候了一阵，迟迟没能得见知府现身。

办差大院儿里没有积雪，地板都洗得干净，这衙门瞧着十分简朴素雅，目之所及半件值钱的物什也无，甚至连那堂上的长案也是破破旧旧，漆都掉了不少，四个边角的木料像是被虫蛀了，烂的不成样子。

尹秋静静打量着堂中的景物，看见那长案时，脸上泛起一点意味不明的笑意。

她早已不是初次进衙门了，清廉节俭的好官也见过不少，但从没见过桌子烂成那样都还不换的，再是美名在外的知县或是知府，也都晓得把堂子收拾得漂亮，起码府衙的庄重与威严不能失了去，穷到家了也不会损了府衙的颜面。

所以尹秋对此只有两个猜想，一是这姚定城的知府的确是穷到连张桌子都买不起，二是他买得起，但故意不换，要的就是营造他清廉节俭的表象。

“看样子知府大人是不会亲自见我了，”尹秋瞧着堂上的牌匾，上头写着明镜高悬四个大字，她清淡地说，“已经等了这半天，大人们打算如何问话？”

身后站着两名官差，听到尹秋这话便都将目光移到她身上。

“姑娘倒是敏锐，知府大人方才叫人来传了话，正忙着，无暇见你，姑娘随我们换个地儿待着罢。”

Yin Qiu raised her eyebrows and answered calmly, and the two officials took her out of the office compound, and turned to a small courtyard behind the government office. The three of them entered the Taoist gate, and there was a passage Going down the stone steps to the ground, you can see that there is a damp and cold prison underneath.

尹秋微微一笑，头也不回地说：“这还没问话呢，两位大人就要把我关起来？”

那官差见她外形出众，又言谈温和，不由对尹秋生出了几分另眼相看。

“实话告诉你罢，我们知府大人压根儿没想见你。”那官差开了牢门，做了个请的手势。

尹秋端详他两眼，倒也未作反抗，气定神闲地入了牢房。

官差随即关了门，上了锁，咧嘴笑道：“安心待着罢，倒是不会为难你，有什么需要的尽管说一声就是了。”

Yin Qiuli stood by the door with a calm attitude, she said: "Since you want to put me in prison, there must be a crime. Although I came in obediently, please give me an explanation, why do you want to lock me up?" ?”

The official looked at her and said, "Let me tell you, someone poisoned the porridge in your Yunhua Palace. What's the matter with you, but if you can't catch the murderer, or if the refugee dies later, if this matter gets to the higher authorities, it will be difficult for us, the prefect, understand?"

“明白了，”尹秋笑了笑，“倘若查清凶手是何人，我便能安然无恙离开，若是没查清，我便也出不去了。”

这是要把她扣在这里，当作顶罪的预备人选。

“查不清凶手是谁，那就只能让你们云华宫担责了，”那官差晃着手里的钥匙，“谁叫你是管事儿的呢？小姑娘，自认倒霉罢，不过你且宽心，兄弟们不会亏待了你，老实待着就成。”

“那就多谢这位大哥了，”尹秋将腰间的钱袋取下，递了一锭银子过去，“劳烦大人们跑一趟，心中过意不去，小小敬意，请大人们喝杯酒，暖暖身子。”

The two officials smiled knowingly, took the money, and immediately told the jailer behind him: "Come on, clean this cell, and fetch two clean and thick mattresses."