sinking into sand

It was night, and the earth was shrouded in darkness.

The candlelight of human beings turns into starlight on the ground, fighting against the terrifying darkness on the dark land.

However, candles are not affordable for everyone.

The night was getting deeper, and the candles of ordinary people had already been extinguished.There are only two places in the entire Lijiang River that are still lit.

One is Pingchunfang, which wakes up after nightfall.How many Qinlou Chu Pavilions, Goulan tile houses, under the cover of the night and the light of the lights, slowly emit the enchanting fragrance and play the bewitching melody.

This is the gentle township, the gold-selling cave, and the city that never sleeps.

The other place is the Calendula Pavilion.

Xie Jingrong stood in the main hall, countless candles were lit on the lampposts on the staggered floors, filling the hall.

These are not candles used by ordinary people. They are refined from high-grade oil. The flames are big and bright, and sparkling lights burst out from time to time.There are also two Buddhist altars, a golden Buddha statue and a group of monks in the hall.There is a continuous stream of people coming and going to serve the sweeping and chanting scriptures and offering incense.

And these are nothing, the most amazing thing is a coffin in the hall, which is made of ice.

Although summer is not here yet, the weather has been getting warmer for a long time.Nowadays, the world is full of waste, and it is difficult for ordinary people to see ice and snow after the midwinter season.At this time, here, there is such a large piece of ice, I really don't know how much money and manpower it will take to preserve it, and how many hours it will take for craftsmen to carve it, to get such an ice coffin.

At this moment, in order to prevent the coffin from being roasted and melted by the candles that filled the hall, a lot of large pieces of crushed ice were placed around to cool down.

Xie Jingrong looked at it again and again, but still couldn't help but speak.

"It's too extravagant to light up the lights all night and to be so extravagant."

After the words fell, there was a voice of teasing from the side, "Why, His Royal Highness cherishes the people's fat and people's anointing, and is reluctant?"

The person who spoke was Li Da, the eldest son of Prince Li's mansion, with a very haughty expression on his face.Even before this spirit, he did not restrain his arrogance.Xinbu stepped forward and flicked the ashes that did not exist on the coffin board, and continued to mock Xie Jingrong.

"That's right, when Di Kou went north, during the Jian'an Rebellion, the royal family killed the emperor and three princes, and killed most of the court's generals and soldiers. Now that a new dynasty with few arms and legs is assembled, it is indeed a strength It’s not good, and it’s reasonable to dislike Lijiang’s way of doing things.”

He turned around and said respectful words, but there was no respectful gesture at all: "Since His Royal Highness is here, you can enjoy it for a few days. How about I hold a banquet at Peony Academy and let the prince stay in the gentle village of the Lijiang River?" Soothes the muscles and bones, I will go back in a few days, thinking about the days of the Lijiang River, I can’t sleep at night. Haha.”

Xie Jingrong was annoyed when he uttered wild words, thinking that the place where he was speaking was in the middle of the hall, and there were not many servants serving here, so he reluctantly endured it.

What he said was the truth.

Now the Daji Dynasty is still surnamed Xie, but there are two more kings with different surnames dominating one side, one in the south and the other in the north.

The first emperor died in the capital 13 years ago, and countless princes died in the country one after another.I thought that the country would be subjugated, but it turned around, the war was quelled, and the court was able to survive.The remaining aristocratic families in the north, headed by the Zhai family, selected one of the extremely partial clans, and only then did the current Dingzhou court come into existence.

This war emptied most of the people in the world, and also emptied the family property left by the Daji Dynasty from the time of Taizu.The national treasury is empty, good people go to the mountains to make a living as bandits, officials are greedy, and everyone who can run away.

Because the Li family in the south was far away, not only was it not implicated by the flames of war, but it absorbed a large number of people fleeing from the north. For a while, there were people in the land, and the court was empty, so he became fat.The Guan family in the north was originally just a general guarding the border, but Jian Anzhi was beaten to the rear, and only his family had soldiers.The imperial court relied on this force to finish the battle, and finally had no means of suppression.This king with a different surname is sealed, and I don't know where the face is.

Pity Xie Jingrong, the crown prince, whose status is honorable enough, but his court is nothing but empty air.The inside is rotten, and there are people watching outside. It's not as good as an ordinary child of aristocratic family.

He said nothing, but someone spoke for him.

A woman in a costume bowed slightly, and said, "Your Highness, don't take offense. The prince is used to playing in the wild land of the Lijiang River. He can't speak and act on the table. He can't compare with Dingzhou's capital city to abide by etiquette. I hope His Highness will be merciful."

Xie Jingrong was gloomy in his heart, but he couldn't touch the woman's face, and said: "Madam Lingyun, you are polite."

Madam Lingyun smoothed things over, but Li Da opened his mouth frivolously again: "Auntie, your posture is too low, and you are also a princess in terms of seniority, and you are considered a family."

Madam Lingyun gave Li Da a gouged look, and then said to Xie Jingrong: "I heard that the post sent to Dingzhou from the north is for General Zhai Su, how could it be that His Highness is here?"

"Ah, he's still in Fanyang." Speaking of Zhai Su, Xie Jingrong's attitude softened a bit, "A few days ago, the bandits on the east side of the Chayan Commercial Road became powerful again, and he sent troops to quell the chaos."

When it comes to Chayan Business Road, Li Da is concerned: "Why is it messed up again? How many years has it been going on?"

Speaking of this matter, Xie Jingrong also had a headache, and said a few more words: "In the past, they were all just rogues. In the past few years, a few big forces have emerged and gathered some vagrants. It is not easy to fight."

"Then kill them." Li Da yelled: "With Zhai Su's skill, there are so many elites in his hands. How can a few gangsters who don't do anything make such a difficult situation?"

When Xie Jingrong heard what he said, his face immediately turned dark.It was Madam Lingyun who smoothed things over first: "Your Highness, don't make jokes in front of His Highness. Back then, during the Jian'an Rebellion, there was bloodshed and so many people died. The nobles and rich families in the north and even the good people moved south one after another. Now if there are still people in the Central Plains The people who can be used are always focused on appeasing, how can they kill as soon as they say it."

These words are reasonable, but they are also heartbreaking.Although Xie Jingrong had long expected to be ridiculed like this, he still held his breath in his chest and stopped talking to others.

Just at this time, Yu Duanjiang arrived.

He stepped forward, bowed to Xie Jingrong and the others according to the rules, and then spoke: "I am late, so I will keep you waiting for a long time."

Li Da was familiar with his son Yu Wangling the most, and he didn't care at all, he chimed in and said, "Hey, now that Wangling is in power, if you have something to do, let him do it."

Yu Duanjiang nodded slightly: "Wangling has always been weak, and his old illness recurred a few days ago, and he is still in the backyard to take care of him, so he will take more care of him as an old man."

After finishing speaking, he turned to Xie Jingrong again, and said, "I don't know if the crown prince has arrived in person, such kindness, it's really frustrating to Jinzhan Pavilion."

"What's the matter?" Seeing Yu Duanjiang, Xie Jingrong's attitude was a little better: "I also studied with Shaomiao for a year. When I heard the bad news, I would naturally come to see him off in person. If it wasn't for Zhai Su who couldn't smoke One’s origin is also coming.”

Madam Lingyun sighed from the side: "His Royal Highness indeed has a heart for his classmates. If you want to know about it at Shaomiao Spring, you must be grateful for Your Highness's kindness."

In the main hall of the Jinzhan Pavilion, everyone is talking about their old love.Yet another black shadow quietly sneaked into the Jinzhan Pavilion.

This person's figure was nimble, and his steps were silent. Wherever he walked, he almost appeared and then disappeared immediately, leaving only a faint shadow.

It was Guan Lan.

According to the note given by Yu Sha, Guan Lan climbed into the courtyard from a low wall at a narrow corner.This is a blind spot when changing defenses. According to the drawings, the kitchen next to it is reserved for the servants. After nightfall, no one comes back except for the patrolling disciples.

Guan Lan seized the time for the guards to switch defenses, and took advantage of the gap to walk along the corridor outside the kitchen.This corridor is narrow and smells bad, but it is covered by tree eaves, and it is night, so it is easy to hide your body.He walked quickly for a while, and sure enough, he saw an open place, and hid in the shadow by the wall, holding his breath and waiting.

What was said in that note included not only how to sneak into Jinzhan Pavilion.It also includes how to leave Pingchunfang quietly, how to bypass the guards and enter Ping'enfang, and all the corresponding routes that are most hidden and difficult to find.

From leaving the inn to this moment, everything should be as stated in Yu Sha's drawing.

The origin of the innkeeper must be extraordinary.Even if you know how to come and go in Lijiang City, there is still room for explanation.He is so familiar with the structure of such a remote house as the Jinzhan Pavilion, he is afraid that it has a lot to do with the Jinzhan Pavilion.

It's not that Guan Lan has no doubts in his heart, but he just doesn't think it's too important.

Just be useful.

A moment later, a disciple of Jinzhan Pavilion passed by on patrol.Guan Lan lurked patiently, and when the group turned and looked away, they rushed out like ghosts.

In the main hall of the Jinzhan Pavilion, while everyone was chatting, they talked about the northwest.

Li Da patted the coffin and said, "You are the prince who arrived first, and in a few days, people from the northwest will also come."

As he said that, he looked at Yu Duanjiang: "Who is it that invited you?"

"Fengxiang Villa, Ye Wanwan." Yu Duanjiang said, "I also sent a message to the northern palace, but there was no reply."

Li Daqi said: "Why, Guan Jingyue doesn't sell Lijiang's face?"

Xie Jingrong pursed her lips and did not speak, but Madam Lingyun said: "This is already sold. The son of the prince of the northern region, his fiancée is said to be this girl Ye."

Li Da raised one eyebrow: "Marry a Jianghu woman and go back to be a princess? This Guan family is really not picky, as expected of a reckless background. If it wasn't for Kang Di Yougong who made a king with a different surname, this style is not as good as the nobles of Lijiang. "

"That is also the royal palace granted by the imperial court." Xie Jingrong finally couldn't bear it any longer, and said coldly, "I just arrived at Lijiang River, and I'm quite tired, so I'll go back to rest first, everyone bid farewell."

After all, without waiting for everyone to salute, he turned around and left.

As soon as he left the hall, Li Da spat at his back: "Tsk, what is it, it's a decoration to drive ducks to the shelves, and it really treats itself as a dish."

"My son, be careful." Mrs. Lingyun said: "No matter how he got the position, in name, this is the crown prince of the imperial court. The etiquette on the surface should still be passable."

Li Dahun didn't take these things seriously, and said: "His Xie family has been exterminated. I don't know where to find a boy surnamed Xie from some corner and press it on the golden chair, pretending to be Xie's." Bloodline inheritance. It’s not that the ancestors of our Li family didn’t get married to the royal family, and after careful calculation, we haven’t released the fifth suit yet, so I’m afraid my bloodline is purer than this kid.”

Such remarks became more and more inappropriate, Madam Lingyun just sighed and looked at Yu Duanjiang.

Yu Duanjiang understood, and said, "...whether he is a prince now has nothing to do with blood."

Li Da glanced at him: "What does that have to do with it?"

Yu Duanjiang said concisely: "The Zhai family."

As soon as this remark came out, no matter how stupid Li Da was, it would be difficult for him to speak.

There is only one reason why the royal family is so weak, but still stationed in the Central Plains to prevent it from being annexed by two kings with different surnames from the north and the south.

The Zhai family, and the gentry behind the Zhai family.

Li Da was annoyed, so he could only click his tongue severely, and said unhappily: "If I had known today... I shouldn't have let Zhai Su go back then."

Mrs. Lingyun said: "It's useless to regret everything in the past. Fortunately, the life of the imperial court is not easy now, the treasury is empty, and the imperial city is desolate, let alone the people, who live on the tariffs of the Chayan business road. When he dies in office, the Zhai family will be leaderless, and they will definitely fall apart. At that time, the Xie family will naturally be like a candle in the wind, and there will not be much time left."

Several people were gossiping, but Guan Lan had already quietly come to the main hall.

The blueprint did not specify the place where Yu Shaomiao's body was stored, so Guan Lan could only look for it based on his feeling. He didn't think that the coffin or the body would be stored in a place like the main hall, but he just walked here and saw the door was open, walking back and forth There are quite a lot of people there, and there are a lot of lights burning in the hall, so I thought about going up to take a look.

The situation in the depths could not be seen clearly, the lights were dazzling, and only three people could be vaguely seen standing in the center of the hall.Two men and one woman.They were all in brocade clothes, and Guan Lan didn't have Yu Sha's ability to identify clothes and crowns to confirm their identities, so he could only guess that these three people had a lot of background.

Guan Lan pondered for a moment, the people here are mixed, and it is easy to be found, but he was really worried until he got a closer look, so he had to wait for the gap, and quietly climbed up to the beam under the cover of the screen at the entrance.

In the hall, the conversation between several people is still going on.

"You say Yu Shaomiao is tough." Li Da said, putting his hands on the coffin again. "That day when the Jinzhan Pavilion incident happened, he actually jumped off the stage like this, which is really unexpected."

Speaking of this matter, Yu Duanjiang was a little ashamed: "The housework of the Jinzhan Pavilion has troubled the prince."

"Oh." Li Da laughed: "It's nothing, I just feel that he just died like this, and it's very boring."

Yu Duanjiang heard the words and asked: "What do you think is interesting?"

Li Da licked his lips, "After all, half of the Xie family's children don't know what this royal family tastes like."

On the beam, Guan Lan has come to the depths of the hall like a ghost.Only halfway through the journey, the scene in the palace can be seen clearly.

The thing behind those three people, although the material was very different from what he knew, it could still be seen that it was a coffin.

For a moment he dared not go any further.

At this moment, as if everything in the world was pulled away, Guan Lan noticed that in the hall, not only were there burning candles, but there were also smoke lingering around, and Sanskrit sounds faintly coming from the corners.

Guan Lan is not involved in Buddhism, and he can't hear the scriptures, but the past is easily brought back.

In the Zhulin Temple back then, there were also such faint Sanskrit sounds.Ten-year-old Yu Shaomiao stood under the longest and most luxuriant ginkgo tree, with a smile as bright as the sun.

Guan Lan suddenly seemed to have no idea where he was.He looked around and saw that the buildings and decorations were not familiar to him, and he looked down at the three people in front of the coffin, all of whom had familiar faces.Looking at the other people, he didn't recognize any of the servants, monks, doormen, and guards standing farther away in the Jinzhan Pavilion on both sides of the hall.

He suddenly felt that everything in front of him was extremely fake. Is Yu Shaomiao really dead? What are these people doing?

He didn't know anyone, how could he know if they were telling the truth?

How could Yu Shaomiao die like this.

Guan Lan stepped on his feet, jumped off the beam, and hurriedly jumped to the coffin.

From the moment he set off, the three people in the hall noticed his movements, and their expressions were all terrified.The guards in the temple also reacted one after another, and hurriedly rushed towards the coffin.

But Guan Lan is really too fast.Li Da thought it was an assassination, and was frightened violently, but he just felt a gust of wind.When he mustered up the courage to look intently, he saw Guan Lan had already landed on the ice hall, and his black robe was slowly hanging down.

Guan Lan stretched out his hand to wipe off the faint mist on the ice hall, he wanted to see Yu Shaomiao's face clearly.

"Who are you!" After a short moment of astonishment, Yu Duanjiang uttered angrily, "It's disrespectful to step on the coffin of the deceased! Come down soon!"

As soon as the words fell, Yu Duanjiang frowned.For a moment, he couldn't see the origin of this person, and many thoughts flashed through his mind, but in the end, he could only make the guards prepare to attack, and dared not strike rashly.

Guan Lan didn't even bother to pay attention to what the people next to him were saying. The ice hall was thick, and after wiping off the mist on the surface, there were still many cotton-like frost marks inside, and it was impossible to see the appearance of the people inside.

Since you can't see it clearly, open it and see.

Guan Lan thought, with inner strength in his hands, he patted the coffin.

Seeing that he was about to destroy the coffin, Yu Duanjiang shrank his pupils and said sharply, "What are you going to do?!"

At this moment outside the hall, Xiang Feibai had already heard the news and arrived.Seeing the situation here, he was startled suddenly, and tried to stop him, but he was still a few inches away after all.

Guan Lan's palm had already touched the coffin, and there was a sound of ice cracking, and the force of the palm brought out a gust of wind, and the coffin was cracked into pieces of ice all over the ground in a blink of an eye.

When everyone had weathered the strong wind and went to look again, they saw Guan Lan squatting next to Yu Shaomiao's body.

Yu Shaomiao was drowned. When he was picked up, he soaked in the water for a few days, and his body was already ugly.

But Guan Lan just felt that everything in this world was gone. After 13 years, he finally saw this person again.

It doesn't matter if his appearance is ruined, or his body is soaked, he naturally knows how to recognize him.

He reached out to touch Yu Shaomiao's body.

Yu Duanjiang saw Guan Lan's movements clearly in the icy fog that hadn't dissipated, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

After a while, Guan Lan put down his hand, but his heart seemed to be empty.

This seemed to be the person in his memory, but it was so cold, so cold, that pair of eyes would never be opened again.

I thought that when we met again, this person should still be like a scorching sun, the sun was shining in the sky.But he never thought that Yu Hui didn't even give him alms for a moment, and just died in the long night like this.

It turns out that this is called good luck tricking people.

Guan Lan adjusted Yu Shaomiao's skirt, took a few steps back, and knelt down.

He looked at Yu Shaomiao's corpse in front of him, and what flashed through his mind was Yu Shaomiao's appearance when he was ten years old.

Since I'm here to pay your funeral, let's do what funerals should do.

Thinking about it, Guan Lan bent down and kowtowed heavily to Yu Shaomiao.