This post station is located at the border of Yongzhou and Liangzhou.
As December arrived, it began to snow in Liangzhou.
But Liangzhou doesn't have as many mountains, and its terrain is much flatter than Yongzhou. Even the snowflakes here flutter like butterflies, crystal clear.
They arrived at the post station in the evening, where the fifty-something-year-old postmaster was already waiting outside after receiving the letter.
He personally stood by the carriage to help Master Daoci alight.
His gaze swept over the young monk several times.
This setup doesn't seem like they're welcoming a Zen master who's come from afar; it's more like they're inspecting goods.
…
After a warm welcome, the postmaster solemnly took out a long box with brocade and gold patterns.
"This is an imperial gift sent from the capital. It arrived at Qingyuan Post Station a month ago. Inside is a portrait of Princess Anle, which His Majesty specially bestowed upon Prince Qishan."
A clear voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
Who is Princess Anle?
This is something we all welcome.
The capital had already bestowed a token, so the postmaster had no intention of hiding it.
"It is said that Princess Anle is Prince Qishan's fiancée. They will get married when His Highness returns to the capital."
An eerie silence fell over the crowd for a moment.
The same voice, softly asking:
"Is Princess Anle beautiful?"
"Beautiful!" the postmaster praised enthusiastically. "I heard she's the most beautiful woman in the capital. She's a match made in heaven for our Prince Qishan."
Haha, before we even arrived in the capital, the emperor issued an edict to bestow a marriage upon the Prince of Qishan.
Qi Su laughed in exasperation.
A monk, and he's so sought after.
She said sarcastically, "Master, hurry up and take the box, let's see the beautiful lady."
The postmaster handed over the long box containing the portrait.
The monk remained expressionless, showing no particular emotion. He simply gestured to the young novice beside him to accept the reward.
The postmaster didn't take it seriously.
We're about to jump into a fire pit, can't we even let them show some respect?
The postmaster and the post station staff arranged for Dao Ci and his party to stay in the post station in the East Court.
Those were the highest-standard and best-equipped rooms in the entire Qingyuan Post Station.
However, space is limited here.
Only the officials who were escorting Dao Ci were allowed to stay there; the other soldiers had to stay in the outer quarters.
.
After everything was settled, the postmaster knocked on Daoci's door.
He wore a fawning smile and personally carried a tray with a set of exquisite casual clothes on it.
“Your Highness, you see, since you have decided to return to secular life, it is no longer appropriate for you to wear a monk’s robe. I have a set of everyday clothes here, brand new, which I would like to give to Your Highness. I only hope that Your Highness will not find them offensive.”
Dao Ci reached out and let Qing Yan take it.
The postmaster lowered his voice, "I don't know if this clothing suits His Highness's taste. To be honest, this clothing was a gift from His Highness the Crown Prince of the capital."
As he spoke, he chuckled, revealing a knowing look.
Dao Ci nodded.
"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."
Seeing that he had put away the clothes, the postmaster was finally relieved.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he left.
Qingyan unfolded the clothes and carefully felt the inner garment, middle garment, and outer garment.
Then tell Daoci.
“Senior brother, there are no hidden needles. However, you wouldn’t wear these clothes anyway, so just throw them away. They’re just ordinary clothes; Chief Secretary Song brought us quite a few.”
Dao Ci sat by the window, watching as dusk fell and the snowflakes drifted down between the dark blue-green buildings of the post station.
“Don’t throw it away, I will wear it.” He stopped Qingyan.
Will you dress well?
These clothes were sent by the Crown Prince of the Yan Dynasty; he must have ill intentions.
Who knows, he might be trying to use this outfit to pull his senior brother to his side.
The emperors of the Yan Dynasty employed imperial tactics in the court to maintain a balance of power.
The princes appeared to be on good terms, but in reality, they were fighting like antagonists.
Qingyan overheard a few of the black bird's reports and had a general idea of what was going on.
However, since his senior brother said it would be useful... Qingyan folded the clothes again and put them away.
Separate it from other clothes.
.
As night fell, a creaking sound came from the window frame.
Qingyan, who was sleeping on the small couch, turned over and mumbled something.
Behind the curtain, Dao Ci opened his eyes.
His eyes were cold and clear.
Only after hearing the faint yet familiar footsteps did the murderous aura emanating from him gradually dissipate, like snow mist.
It was as if a breeze was gently blowing the curtains.
A painting was seen protruding from outside the tent.
Accompanied by a woman's soft voice: "Brother, is she more beautiful or am I?"
Dao Ci...
The woman outside the tent cried out, "Why aren't you saying anything? You've changed your mind! My life is so miserable, sob sob sob..."
Qingyan was finally awakened by her whimpering.
I rubbed my eyes groggily and was startled when I saw the shadow by the bed.
Who is it?
The man turned around, his long, black hair loose.
A pair of round eyes, brimming with tears.
His face was pale, with two lines of bloody tears under his eyes, and his lips were huge and dripping with blood.
Qingyan: "Ah—"
The shadow had no feet and floated in front of him in the blink of an eye.
His eyes rolled back, and his tongue, two feet long, stuck out of his mouth.
Qingyan was so frightened that he completely lost his mind. Before he could even scream, someone covered his mouth.
All the shouts were swallowed back down.
Hmm, my palm is warm, and solid?
The female ghost was looking out the window, her pale and sharp expression carrying a hint of solemnity.
“It’s broken,” she said.
It was a normal tone of voice, and the voice sounded very familiar.
"Get down—" a voice came from behind.
The next instant, a rain of arrows, accompanied by flashes of fire, burst through the windows, turning the room into a pincushion in the blink of an eye.
It's still a hedgehog with its quills sticking out.
The East Courtyard Guest Room is the best guest room at Qingyuan Inn. It is situated on high ground with a pavilion, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
But its objective is also quite clear.
A tall building rises from the ground; it's a really big building.
In the blink of an eye, the room was engulfed in flames.
Qi Su squatted at the corner of the bed, while Qing Yan lay on the ground, trembling like a fish about to faint.
I heard Brother Daoci's voice in my ear.
"Go out first."
Staying in the room will turn you into a roasted salted fish.
If we go out, those archers hiding in the shadows are probably already prepared, and they'll be sitting ducks the moment we show our faces.
However, there are ways to break this.
Qi Su bent down, intending to grab the table to use as a shield, when suddenly her hand was grabbed.
"Let's go," Dao Ci said, pulling her along.
Qi Su was still a little dazed when he pulled her, and she was still dragging the table in her hand.
Qingyan, from behind, screamed with heart-wrenching despair:
"Senior brother, I'm here! You've grabbed the wrong person, you've grabbed the wrong person!"
Dao Ci didn't say anything, but continued to pull Qi Su forward.
He first cleaved open the doors and windows with a single palm strike, throwing out the broken pieces of wood.
Something fell from a great height, and its target was quite obvious, instantly attracting a barrage of arrows.
Broken doors, windows, chairs, tables, curtains.
Countless objects fell haphazardly from the building.
Among them, two figures silently followed and fell down from downstairs.
It falls into the shadows, blinks, and disappears.
.
The fire in the room grew bigger and bigger.
Qingyan climbed to the doorway, only to be lifted up by a gray shadow and floated down along the pillar.
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