A fire stick is like the glimmer of a firefly, which can only illuminate a few feet in front of you.
Tan Xiangchu followed closely behind and groped around in the tunnel behind him. He heard another sound of machinery, and the entrance just now was sealed again. Even if someone broke into the temple at this time, they would not be able to escape.
There must be no clues.
Xiaoman was finally a woman, and she was not very old. After walking a few feet, she saw that her eyes were still as dark as ink, seemingly endless. Fear arose in her heart, and her pace involuntarily slowed down. Seeing that she was afraid, Tan Xiangchu immediately picked up the
If you go too far, replace her and lead the way. Hold Xiaoman with your other hand to prevent her from getting lost.
It turns out that although this tunnel only leads to one place, there are several forked roads dug in the middle. The forked roads are connected and circulate back and forth. Even if there are pursuers chasing here, if they don't know the correct path, they will be trapped in it and spin around until they are all over the body.
Exhausted, with no rice or water to drink, he died of hunger.
Xiaoman followed Qin Xiangchu, feeling the dry and solid warmth in his palms while holding on to the uneven tunnel wall, groping forward, and the fear in his heart gradually dissipated.
Tan Xiangchu held her soft jade hand, and although there was no fluctuation in his heart, he also noticed that she was a little uncomfortable, so he explained as he walked: "Dragon Protector Shuangyue, don't be too careless, I am over forty years old!"
I definitely don’t mean to take advantage of you. In fact, there are many forks in front of this tunnel. If you lose yourself, I’m afraid it won’t be easy to find you. My Qing’er is just like you. Although she has a strong temper, she has been afraid of the dark since she was a child and often wants to
I will sleep peacefully only when I hold a lamp... Sigh! I don’t know where I am currently being locked up in a dark cell by those god-damned Shan Ling Guards, crying..."
After hearing this, Xiaoman's heart warmed up, and he patted Tan Qing's arm and said, "Don't worry about the protector of heaven. Tan Yatou is a lucky girl, and she will turn disaster into good luck! Besides, I, a foreign woman, don't have so many male and female defenses. Old
Brother is willing to take me out to save people, Xiaoman is already grateful in his heart."
The two of them pretended to be relaxed and talked as they walked. Their voices swayed lightly in the tunnel, but they felt a bit muffled.
After a while of tea, the tunnel began to rise. Silently, the two of them climbed up the slope and finally reached the end, where they found a small, dark door.
Tan Xiangchu curled up his knuckles, first knocked six times slowly, paused for two breaths, and then knocked nine times quickly, and so on. After a few more breaths, he heard a "pop" sound on the small door, and a fist-sized door opened.
Coming out of the tunnel, a beam of dim yellow light came through, and the walls of the tunnel were immediately illuminated.
A somewhat familiar voice came from outside the cave: "Enlightenment at the foot of the mountain, black hair turning into white hair, after all, it is difficult to cultivate all kinds of skills."
Tan Xiangchu laughed and opened his mouth to say: "Practice Zen outside the cave, and the mortal world will stain the Buddha's heart. In the end, nothing will be accomplished!"
Xiao Manzu stood behind, curled his lips, and couldn't help but muttered: "It's just a few words about Jianghu, but it must be arty..."
At this time, the small door suddenly opened. The two people came out one after another, and they felt a strong smell of horse manure. When they took a closer look, they found an empty stable. On the ground in the stable, the grass was mixed with manure.
It was dry and caked together, and it seemed that no one had cleaned it for many days.
Qin Xiangchu covered his nose a little, but Xiaoman covered his delicate lips and couldn't help retching, so embarrassed.
Several people were standing outside the stable. When they saw Tan Xiangchu dragging a young girl out, they immediately made a flame with their hands and saluted respectfully: "I humbly pay homage to the Protector of Heaven! Pay homage to the Saint!"
Xiao Man looked up and saw that it was Murong Zhang, the Light Commander, He Yunzheng, the Fair Commander, and others. Tan Xiangchu hurriedly waved his hand to stop everyone: "We are all brothers in the religion, so there is no need to be polite! In addition, the Holy Aunt has ordered that from today on, Xiao Man
They are all called 'Frost Moon Dharma Protector'. If it is not a major religious ceremony, they are not allowed to be called 'Holy Maiden'. Please keep this in mind, brothers."
When the missionaries heard this, they quickly saluted again: "I have seen Shuangyue Dharma Protector!"
Xiaoman left the stable and felt a little better. He couldn't help but ask the missionaries: "Where is this place?"
Without waiting for anyone to answer, Qin Xiangchu smiled faintly: "Shuangyue, we have returned to my courtyard in Yongtaifang! Now all the doors are sealed by armored guards, but no one comes in to disturb. As long as the movement is smaller, this is
A paradise. Ugh! Follow this verandah and go out of the backyard, and you will find the pavilion where you and my daughter tried their luck last time."
Xiaoman's face turned red: "It turns out that Tianji Protector not only holds grudges, but is also a good father who helps his relatives but not others!"
Tan Xiangchu smiled slightly, but turned to the missionaries and said, "Brother Sanqiu hasn't come back yet? An accident happened today, and I'm afraid I'm going to trouble some brothers."
"Your Majesty the Protector, if you have your order, we will go through fire and water and die in retribution!" Murong Zhang and He Yunzheng quickly stood up straight again and said solemnly.
Tan Xiangchu sighed and waved his hand: "Let's go back to the room and talk in detail!"
After a while, everyone gathered in the east side of the backyard, in a house where the servants lived. There were few cases in this room, and the furnishings were simple. In addition to a large kang made of earth and stone, there were some scattered old wooden basins.
For everyone to use for washing.
The earthen kang is only seven or eight feet wide, but more than two feet long, with a muddy earth stove attached to one end. The thick smoke produced by cooking on the stove will pass through the hollow earthen kang and then be discharged from the chimney.
If it is winter, this method can make the earthen kang warm and keep the room from getting cold, making sleeping here very comfortable.
Everyone had nothing to criticize and sat around on the Tukang. Tan Xiangchu then told the missionaries about the disappearance of Yang Shaoxia and his daughter Tan Qing. He also told the missionaries what he had heard and what he had discovered in the afternoon.
Some clues have been explained clearly. I hope all the missionaries will use their abilities to help find the whereabouts of the two people.
Justice He Yunzheng took the lead in saluting and said: "Tianji Dharma Protector does not need to be so polite! Everyone in the Qin family has been worshiping Zoroastrianism for me, and almost their family has been destroyed. Which of the brothers does not say that Tianji Dharma Protector means nothing? Since the two Dharma Protectors want to explore Cui tonight
Cui Mansion, I will go with you two. If the people in Cui Mansion are wise and dare to block it, our brothers will simply make a big fuss!"
When the other missionaries heard this, they all agreed and applauded. But at this moment, the door opened and a man stepped in with a frown: "No! The Cui Mansion is loose on the outside and tight on the inside. At night, there are many warriors and staff guarding the courtyard with their servants.
, taking turns patrolling. I’m afraid it’s not much worse than Taiwei Palace.”
Tan Xiangchu stood up first, went to greet the man, and said hurriedly: "Brother Sanqiu, so you have sent detective horses to Cui Mansion? Have you found any trace of my daughter and Young Master Yang?"
Faye Sanqiu, the guardian of the district, shook his head and said: "Just now, my men took advantage of the dusk and tried to enter the Cui Mansion. But as soon as they climbed up the courtyard wall, they were discovered by the vigilant warrior staff in the courtyard. Two of them were hit by arrows in their sleeves. Just look at that.
The concealed weapon technique of waving your sleeves to exert force is not mediocre. In addition, there are many servants guarding the courtyard. Once surrounded, it will be very dangerous."
When Tan Xiangchu heard this, his heart sank again. Xiaoman couldn't bear it any longer: "But if we don't go, when will we find Young Master Yang, Girl Tan and the others?"
Ye Sanqiu looked at Xiao Man with raised eyebrows and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Dragon Protector Shuangyue doesn't know something. Although the Shanling Guard's lair is also in the city, it is not in Cui Mansion. If Mr. Yang and the others are really captured by the Shanling Guard, they will
Brother Qianjian may not be locked up in Cui Mansion, waiting for someone to find him."
After hearing this, Xiaoman still said stubbornly: "Well, you have to go there and search for it before you can make a conclusion!"
Ye Sanqiu sighed: "Dragon Protector Shuangyue, if you insist on going, you might as well pretend to be a porter delivering firewood and meat after dawn tomorrow, sneak into the Cui Mansion, and then act secretly. It is best to leave some brothers to support you outside the Cui Mansion, so as not to
A bright pearl flicks a sparrow, but the gain outweighs the loss."
Tan Xiangchu then nodded and said: "Shuangyue, just follow what Brother Sanqiu said! If we are caught by the Cui Mansion, I am afraid that we will be sent to Taiwei Palace by the Cui Mansion immediately so that we can ask Wang Jin for rewards."
Xiaoman's eyes suddenly darkened: "That's all we have to do."
The lotus crown is fluttering in the dust, and the apricot robe is fragrant.
Tong Chunxi, the master of Linji Temple, Yuan Yizi, became angry when he learned that Yuexi's son, Qin Qing, had been captured by the Shanling Guards.
But the Cui Mansion is different from other families. The mistress Lu is an old friend of her, and she has always been willing to do good things. She has donated countless incense money to Linji Guan over the years. Moreover, Hua Xi’s son Cui Wan was taught by her personally.
Disciple, if you are angry and come to ask for someone, no matter what the result is, your harmony will be greatly damaged.
After thinking for a while, Tong Chunxi sent the female Taoist priest Zhike on duty to call his junior sisters Feng Yizi Xu Meixiang and Xueyizi Ding Mo Niang. They scrawled a greeting note, simply changed their clothes, and rushed to Cui Mansion.
When they arrived at Cui's Mansion, they paid their respects, reported their number, and explained their reasons. After waiting for a long time, a servant with a sly eyebrow came out and led the three of them straight to the backyard, where they saw Mrs. Lu who was having tea and playing with the birds.
After exchanging pleasantries, the conversation gradually got to the point.
Mrs. Lu bowed slightly first, led the three of them to sit down, and then babbled: "Master Yuan Yizi, I shouldn't trouble an outsider like you about my little girl. But you also know Wan'er's temperament. She is stubborn.
She looks like her father when she wakes up, and even eight cows can't pull her back. In the past few days, she has locked herself in the room to get married. She can't get in any rice or water. What do you mean... She wants to become an immortal and leave her skin to repay her.
Mom and dad, I hope we can get along well with Yuan Ji. But I’m so worried about this!”
Tong Chunxi cupped his hands and smiled and said: "Children have their own parents' orders to marry. It is really inconvenient for us monks to comment on the words of the matchmaker. A little later, Pindao went to see Wan'er and gave him some advice. It was good.
She understands the painstaking efforts of the donor and his wife and will not abuse their bodies anymore."
Mrs. Lu then nodded repeatedly, pulled Tong Chunxi and said: "That's exactly what it is! The first male is married, the female is married, Wan'er is already seventeen years old! If she continues to let her go, she will become an old girl.
I want to marry, but I can’t find such a perfect match..."
When Tong Chunxi saw that Mr. Lu was still rambling, he hurriedly raised his hands and said: "Donor Lu! You and I have known each other for many years. I will tell you directly what Pindao's purpose is today. I hope you won't offend me. Pindao also has a disciple."
, Taoist name Yue Xizi, common name Qin Qing, is Wan'er's junior sister. Yesterday, someone saw her being captured by the Shanling Guards at the edge of King Wei's Pond. They didn't know what their intentions were.
I took the liberty of visiting today because I wanted to trouble the benefactor to introduce the three of me to Mr. Cui so that I could ask him clearly, did my scoundrel do something to offend the Shanling Guards? If there is any grudge, I hope you can
Turning conflicts into friendship, I, as the master, will bear the burden for her. Nian Yue Xizi is still young, if you release her to me, Guan Zhong will punish her severely!"
However, Mrs. Lu was confused when she heard this: "What Shanling Guard? How can it be related to my Cui family? I know that girl Tan! How can such a smart and lovable girl provoke other people? There must be someone.
He kidnapped her so that she could ask for ransom from her father. Isn't her father the imperial merchant Qin Xiangchu? His tea and spices are really top-notch..."
Tong Chunxi and the three of them looked at each other, and they all saw helplessness in each other's eyes. Tong Chunxi suppressed the anxiety in his chest, stood up and cupped his hands, then changed his words and said: "I don't know if Mr. Cui is convenient today, I would like to ask you to see me."
However, Mrs. Lu was also full of apologies and leaned back and said: "It's unfortunate that the Taoist priests came. My master went out after getting up from his nap! If he could come back today, I'm afraid it would be too early. Taoist priest Yuan Yizi
If you must meet, you might as well come back tomorrow morning."
Seeing what Lu said, Yuan Yizi had no choice but to give up: "Then I'll trouble you, Master Lu, to tell Mr. Cui." Then he looked at Xu Meixiang and Ding Mo Niang, "Feng Yizi, Xue Yizi, let's go and take a look.
Once you take a look at Wan'er, don't let her get into trouble."
After saying that, several people immediately stood up and bowed to Mrs. Lu to say goodbye. Then, led by a maid, they went to the heavily guarded side courtyard.
"Willow's eyebrows have not been painted for a long time, and the remaining makeup and tears stain the red gauze. Nagato has not washed himself for a whole day, why bother..."
Cui Wan was sitting blankly in front of the window, with her face reduced and her hair in a messy bun. She was hurting and pitying herself, singing "One Dendrobium of Pearls" by Empress Mei Fei. And this poem was accidentally written by Chong Lingzi when he first entered Cui Mansion.
I sang to her once. It was most appropriate to use it as a compliment at this time.
However, today, before the song was finished, I saw three very familiar figures walking towards the middle school of the side courtyard. I was about to call out "Master", but I felt that countless grievances were rushing into my throat, and I was choked up and speechless.
Come.
Tong Chunxi also saw Hua Xizi, and ran towards her with bare feet. Her face and figure were much thinner than a few days ago, which made her feel distressed and sigh, and her eyes were filled with tears without realizing it.
It's reddish.
Cui Wan threw herself into Tong Chunxi's arms and howled loudly: "Master...Dad, mother is going to marry me to that Yuan Jineng...that notorious libertine...wuwu! Last time, the disciple...
I was almost defiled by him, almost defiled by him... Wuwuwu... The disciple will not marry anyone... From now on, the disciple will only accompany the master, with green lanterns and yellow scrolls, and devote himself to cultivating Taoism... Wuwuwu..."
When Xu Meixiang and Ding Mouniang saw this, they couldn't help but feel sad.
Tong Chunxi patted Cui Wan on the back, and when her crying gradually stopped, she whispered softly: "Let's go in and talk, okay?"
Cui Wan wiped her tears and glanced around the courtyard with hatred. Zong Wanxiong and others dressed as servants nodded repeatedly: "Master is right. The surrounding area of this courtyard is full of monkeys tied here by my father."
Guard dogs, just don't ask them to listen."
Hearing this, Tong Chunxi let her hold her arms, but there was also a sense of sadness in her heart: It is said that the rich and powerful families are rich and powerful, but who knows that most of these delicate young ladies cannot help themselves. If you can marry someone
If you are well-informed, courteous, and well-matched, then that's all. If you marry someone who is not a human being, you can imagine how miserable the rest of your life will be.
After entering the boudoir, Cui Wan took his personal maid Xiao Ping out and closed the doors and windows tightly.
Xu Meixiang and Ding Moniang were each surprised, but they saw Cui Wan making a "pop" sound, kneeling in front of Tong Chunxi, crying: "Master, please save me...save me out of this fire pit..."
Tong Chunxi sighed: "Since ancient times, deep love will last forever, and wisdom will be hurt. Master, how can I not know what you are thinking? Master Nanhua has a saying, 'We are wet with each other, and it is better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes.' If you can forget
Chong Lingzi, maybe this marriage won't be as painful as it is today. You know, how can a loving person in this world feel more comfortable than a ruthless person?"
"But, but Master! Now this disciple...can't sleep peacefully all night long. When I close my eyes, it's not Chong Lingzi who is sword-fighting with me, or he cuts me right there...it's Yuan Ji who kills a thousand swords
Yes, he tied me to the couch and wanted to do something frivolous... How could I forget him! It was like he was engraved in my mind with a knife and couldn't be erased... Wuwuwu..."
As Cui Wan spoke, her cheeks were filled with tears, and her heart was about to break. Although every sentence was expressed with naked longing, in the ears of several people, they did not feel that she was shameless, but felt that she was showing her true feelings.
Crying out of dissatisfaction.
Xu Meixiang was furious: "That bitch Yuan Jineng! Did he really bully you? Tomorrow I will raise my sword and kill this beast!"
Seeing this, Ding Moniang tugged at her sleeves and reminded in a low voice: "That Yuan Jineng is the third son of the then Prime Minister Yuan Zai! If you kill him in anger, we will all watch the Taoist priest, and we will all be killed by that dog."
A generation is worth a life..."
"So what about the prime minister?! You can bully men and dominate women like this, how lawless!" Xu Meixiang was obviously even more angry.
"If you are really bullying men and dominating women, I will never stop you. But this time, there are three matchmakers and six hires in Yuan Mansion, and they want Wan'er to marry the matchmaker. What reason do you have to go and kill someone!" Tong Chunxi comforted Cui Wan.
, said with seriousness and sincerity. This marriage is a marriage between two clans, how can we take it lightly?
When Xu Meixiang heard this, she immediately stopped her activities and walked around in the room angrily.
Tong Chunxi ignored her, hugged Cui Wan again, and after some soft words of comfort, he said sincerely: "I came here by chance today as a teacher, and I can't think of anything for the time being. Please feel relieved! You must know that everything depends on human beings. Ruona Yuan
If Ji Neng is willing to change his ways and treat you well, it might be a good marriage. If he still behaves badly, it will bring disaster, so you must take care of yourself!"
Cui Wan just cried, neither nodding nor shaking his head.
After a long time, the sky turned evening, and the dusk drum gradually began to rise.
Tong Chunxi and the others finally stood up, shed tears and left, turning back to Linji Temple, speechless all the way.