Akamon
Chimen is downstream in the river, and the wind at this time will not hinder the ships sailing on the river. They passed through unimpeded all the way, without even encountering any strong winds, waves or heavy rain.
The shipman assigned to pick them up was taking a break from his shift. He looked at the clear sky outside and smiled and praised the good weather. It was one of the few sunny days when he saw off the visitors from the sect.
There was a legend about the sea god in the Huan Dynasty. Even though the river and the sea were considered one, every time they set out on a journey, they would ask the god for advice, just like divination before a war in ancient times, to ask whether they could set sail and whether the voyage would be auspicious or inauspicious.
After tea and dinner, the ship's officer talked enough and returned to the wheelhouse.
"The popes, militias, and local princes fought against the imperial tyranny. After they conspired to overthrow the government, they attacked each other in a struggle for power, hoping to gain greater control."
"The former emperor is the leader chosen by the victorious side."
"To prevent future troubles, he killed those who sought personal gain or a share of power."
The door to the prince's room opened and closed, and the wooden bolt hung pitifully to the side, swinging from side to side and making clanging sounds.
A few days ago, the ship's soldiers reported the status of the ship on schedule. Following Xiao Yingzhu's suggestion, they came in the afternoon.
The guy knocked on the door a few times, but the wind and waves were so strong that he couldn't hear the response. Before he could move, the door opened by itself.
Ai swung his knife, and the sharp blade just grazed the crack in the door and stopped in front of his feet. The light that came through the gap scattered wood chips, revealing the stunned and horrified face of the ship's officer.
—
There is no place on either side of the river where one can stop to buy this small item, and few people can borrow a boat from the sect to travel - I don't know where it was cleaned before setting off, and I haven't found it yet.
Once the wooden cork was gone, the upper floor of the noble room would be alternately cold and warm if there were no chairs to block it.
The moisture soaked the loose clothes again. Jiang Nian stood up and took a substitute to close the door. Qin Lan, who was possessed in the room and guiding Ai to practice calligraphy, did not stop talking.
"Now you can see that those religious remnants have no profit to show for it, so they pin their hopes on the Wumi people. They will set out in the spring and summer of the first lunar month, create chaos in Chimen, go down the Nanjiang River, and finally reach Pingzhou."
Ai wrote "The clouds and mists are cleared to reveal the blue sky" several times and ignored the conversations around him.
After using the smell of sour ink for a long time, I have become accustomed to it in a semi-sealed space.
As the words fell, the sunlight outside the window stung his eyes. Jiang Nian frowned and asked, "Does the religious remnant have a name?"
Qin Lan smiled. "Miss Jiang, you must have heard it once. On the day Yunxiu went to Qishan Mansion, he brought the list of spies from the capital."
"Those are the remnants of the bishop and the followers of the Wumi people."
—
As time went by, the poor wooden door bolt was finally packed away the day before disembarking.
Not long after the sect's ship disappeared among the flags, banners, and drums, a servant with a calm face appeared in a secluded place, waiting quietly.
The other party whispered a few words to Xiao Yingzhu, then took a road that avoided merchants and pedestrians, and walked along the quiet alley to the back of the elegant residence.
The tree of Koelreuteria sinensis in the backyard of the residence is in bloom, with clusters of flowers on the green boards. Although this place is only two streets away from Guandu, it is quiet all the way here.
On the way here, Qin Lan reviewed the seal proving the owner of the residence. After confirming that it was correct, Ai, who was following silently behind the attendant, quickly put the sword back into its sheath.
The surroundings were deserted, so even though her intentions were subtle and not obvious, they could still be clearly perceived.
It is like a lingering cold fragrance. When the time is right, a white light flashes like a swallow, and a very light breeze flies away along the empty neck.
—
The folding corridors of the Qingju are quiet and deep, the fragrance of the koelreuteria flowers wafts through the paths, and the cool aroma fills the nose.
The servant cautiously escorted them to a closed wooden door and stood there.
Afraid that the little girl would kill him if she didn't like him, the servant performed the required courtesy, turned around, and left behind a hasty figure as if he was escaping, then hurriedly slipped out with his head down.
Looking at the figure disappearing around the corner of the corridor, Jiang Nian felt complicated.
When he first arrived at the Liang capital of the Huan Dynasty, it seemed to be the most reassuring place during this period. Even if it was a false peace, it was still bright and peaceful, and it was almost impossible to see swords and spears clashing against each other.
Farming and business were the only major concerns there, and although there were occasional annoyances, there was much more comfort back then than there is now.
At least you can still smell the neighborhood atmosphere.
...However, this worldly atmosphere was cut in half when Jiang Nian met Xiao Yingzhu, and it was completely cut off after he found the murderous intent in the end.
Sensing the girl's belated dissatisfaction, Xiao Yingzhu tapped the fan with her fingertips, glanced sideways and asked knowingly, "What are you thinking about?"
The distance between the two seemed distant in the eyes of others. On the surface, they were just ordinary colleagues and insignificant people. They only exchanged a casual greeting before meeting the owner of the residence.
But if you get as close as Qin Lan, you will be able to understand the subtle clues between the two of them in secret.
Like silk threads interwoven and separated, it may seem bland and tasteless at first glance, but a closer sip reveals the restraint and lingering shadows between the tests.
His light breath was barely audible, and the chirping of birds outside the corridor was as cold and pleasant as the sound of an icy stream. The faint smile in his voice was almost imperceptible among them, but it was particularly clear to Jiang Nian's ears.
I could clearly sense the inquiry and speculation in his question, just like an innocent child who already knew the answer but still insisted on getting the desired result.
Jiang Nian tilted his head slightly and gave a look that said "you figure it out yourself".
Being unfamiliar with the place, the prefect of Qingju had no idea what his purpose was, whether he was two-faced, and whether he had any overt or covert intentions. He even had no idea of his fundamental position... and the news that this man was at odds with Emperor Changde was known to the entire court.
There is Guandu in Chimen. Although it is not the most important place, anyone who can become the prefect in this place is not a good person. How could he not observe the words and expressions and keep an eye on what happens in the court at every moment?
Those eyes were like mirrors, able to distinguish right from wrong.
They were able to anticipate that they would come ashore at this moment and even sent someone to pick them up.
Either he is extremely well-informed and has connections with everyone, or he is working with people in higher positions above him and is just passing the message, waiting here to ask questions and guess the answer.
Their actions at this time will definitely be noticed by others, and they will not miss the only good opportunity to observe in the dark.
—
The residence is elegant and leisurely, with a free layout and an informal structure. Pavilions, corridors, and stone and water structures are winding throughout.
The prefect of Chimen prefers Jiangnan.
Or is it what your wife and daughter like?
Jiang Nian quietly withdrew his gaze. Before he had even stood outside the hall for a cup of tea, the servants inside gently opened the door and bowed to everyone.
"Sorry for the long wait, please come in, sir."
—
The screen separates the outer room, and the light-filled area is full of floating lights.
The aroma of tea wafts in the air, and behind a wisp of tiny smoke lies a large screen with a decorative layout in the free style of Jiangnan.
At first glance, it seems nothing wrong, but the longer you stay here, the more deliberate and cautious it feels.
It really lacks the natural and flowing charm of architecture.
Jiang Nian sat down and fell silent, his inner thoughts and expression showing nothing, he just stared at the emerald green tea leaves in front of him, swirling and twisting like floating clouds emerging from the mountains.
Layers of bubbles emerged from under the black Jian teacup and floated on the water surface. When they saw the bright white light outside the tea leaves, they broke like frightened people.
The prefect across the table was drinking tea and chatting with Qin Lan, with a smile on his face. During the exchange of several bowls of tea, they had already investigated all the things that should and should not be investigated.
He wanted to find fault with Qin Lan's words several times, but Qin Lan was so elegant and tactful that he could not find any fault with him.
After several rounds of eloquence, he did not become dull at all, but became even more eloquent, with a logic as meticulous as peeling off silk threads from an onion, trying to find the person behind the scenes by going to the prefect layer by layer.
—
The sun's shadow slanted, and the prefect on the opposite side was gradually defeated by Qin Lan's words. The casual Duke was still drinking tea leisurely without saying a word.
The tea leaves were about to fall into the soup like a cloud, and Jiang Nian stretched out his hand and slowly picked up the Jianzhan.
"Lord Qin, I haven't been informed of the details. This place was originally a resting place for distinguished guests from afar, many of whom were from southern countries. Therefore, I ordered the craftsmen to imitate their construction. If there are any shortcomings, I hope you will be magnanimous and forgive them."
Qin Lan turned the porcelain-smooth teacup around in his hand. He seemed to be seeing such a precious Jian teacup for the first time. He ignored the prefect's words and said, "
"Something went wrong with the Jianzhan kiln decades ago, and production stopped. This kind of teapot is hard to come by these days..."
"Ha, seeing it here seems to be different from the 'humble house' the prefect described."
The dark lamp emitted a bright and dazzling white light between his white fingertips. Qin Lan put on a frivolous smile and looked back provocatively. The ambitions beneath the false facade of both sides were mercilessly revealed, and the undercurrents were exposed.
There was a brief silence on the other side, his expression changing so subtly that it was impossible to grasp his thoughts. After a moment, the prefect relaxed his brows and said with a smile:
"Mr. Qin is absolutely right. This tea set is something I found by chance. It is indeed not quite suitable for this humble room. However, it is an honor for this humble room to be able to use this tea to entertain you all today."
The tea leaves, swirling around, slowly sank to the bottom. Qin Lan didn't respond to the prefect's question with a yes or no. He simply placed his fingertips on the teacup and asked casually:
"Is this the Dragon and Phoenix Tea provided by the royal family?"
While the prefect was stunned, he relaxed his brows:
"I went there with Duke Xiao before, but we didn't get what we wanted. But today we unexpectedly meet here. Isn't this fate?"
Hearing the hidden meaning of these words, the prefect seemed not to be afraid of a sword against his throat, and actually smiled in front of Xiao Yingzhu:
"This tea is excellent, but unfortunately it is no longer available. If Master Qin likes it, I might be able to show him the way to make tea."
His gaze was pointedly fixed on De Ai, who was standing quietly with his eyes lowered.
Feeling uneasy under the prefect's gaze, Ai looked puzzled and subconsciously placed his hand on the hilt of the sword.
The tea tasted bitter and cold as it entered his mouth. Jiang Nian frowned slightly, raised his eyes and looked towards the prefect, his mind filled with mixed feelings.
Ai is a naive person.
Did the prefect divide the group of Hezhi people who followed the bishop and Ai into groups and label them as accomplices?
The royal tea was made with one of the five princes of the dynasty...
The bottom of the Jianzhan porcelain touched the table, making a crisp sound. The wind chimes in the corridor swayed, blowing away the seemingly imperceptible murderous aura.
Xiao Yingzhu curled her lips and tilted her head.
"What do you mean, Lord Prefect?"
Seeing that the prefect did not answer, he tapped the table lightly with his fingertips and said with a smile:
"Could it be that the prefect has acquired such omnipotent abilities that he's been appreciated and wants to perform for me?"
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