Chapter 377 The White-Robed Monk Enters the Pass?
They didn't dwell on the issue for too long. After all, all the answers lay in Daxing City, and there was still a long way to go before they could return.
Only then can it be completely safe.
So, after a quick breakfast, everyone packed up and continued their journey on horseback.
After yesterday's thorough rain, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky today, but the sun was blazing, making them sweat profusely. However, no one complained; everyone just kept their heads down and hurried on their way, walking much faster than before.
For several days in a row, there were no more obstacles on the road.
Three days later at dusk, they arrived at Tongguan.
Upon seeing the second son of the Grand Chancellor, the Tongguan garrison commander hurriedly welcomed them into the pass. He not only arranged accommodations immediately but also hosted a banquet that evening to welcome the second son and his wife.
After several days of travel, Shang Ruyi finally got a good, refreshing bath.
After changing into a reasonably decent outfit, Shang Ruyi sat down in front of the bronze mirror and had Tu She'er comb her hair. Looking at Shang Ruyi, who looked refreshed and very beautiful in the bronze mirror, Tu She'er smiled and said, "After washing like this, Miss looks much more energetic."
Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Is that so?"
"certainly,"
As Tushe'er combed her long, black hair, she sighed and said, "Fortunately, the young master is here, otherwise the Tongguan garrison commander would have arranged this place for us to stay. Otherwise, I don't know how long Miss would have had to endure the elements."
Shang Ruyi looked at herself in the bronze mirror again and couldn't help but chuckle: "What, do you think he's better now?"
Tushe'er stuck out her tongue and said, "Anyone who makes Miss live well is good."
Shang Ruyi shook her head helplessly and smiled.
In no time, her hair was combed. Although the local utensils were very simple, Tushe'er could only comb her hair into a simple bun, but she still took out two pieces of jewelry for her to wear, making her look more dignified and sweeping away the plainness of the previous months.
Just then, a creaking sound came from the side, and the door was pushed open.
As soon as Shang Ruyi turned her head, she saw Yuwen Ye walk in.
He had just washed up and changed into a plain-colored long robe. Although it was a simple and clean outfit, his handsome face and tall figure made even simple clothes look elegant and noble on him. Especially after rolling around in the mud for two days, this refreshing look made him even more eye-catching.
Shang Ruyi immediately looked away.
But my heart was still pounding uncontrollably.
When Yuwen Ye saw her, his eyes seemed to light up. He walked over calmly, looked at Shang Ruyi, and then asked, "Are you ready?"
Tushe'er immediately put down the comb: "Young master, everything is alright."
Yuwen Ye looked down at her again and said, "Let's go."
Shang Ruyi nodded, then got up and followed him out to attend the banquet.
It was called a banquet, but it was really just a table of fairly lavish food. However, for people who had been eating and sleeping outdoors for several days, the spacious room, clean tables and chairs, and abundant food and wine were a rare treat. The guard even said very politely, "This place is simple and the food and wine are meager. I hope the Second Young Master and Young Madam will not find it offensive."
Yuwen Ye said, "This place is already very nice. You've been very thoughtful."
The garrison commander said, "Please take a seat, both of you."
So the two of them went over and sat down.
The garrison commander was named Chu Zhengfei. He was in his thirties and in the prime of his life. He was very steady in his speech and actions. Although there were only three people at the table, and Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi were not talkative, he was the only one who raised his glass to toast. The atmosphere was not cold.
After a few rounds of drinks, Yuwen Ye said, "General Chu looks unfamiliar to me. It seems that you weren't the one guarding Tongguan before."
Upon hearing this, Chu Zhengfei smiled, put down his wine cup, and said, "A new emperor brings a new court. Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, there are naturally many personnel changes. I myself have only recently been transferred to Tongguan."
"Where were you leading troops before?"
"I was originally the Left Valiant Guard Commandant."
"oh……"
Upon hearing the words "Left Guard," a light flashed in Yuwen Ye's eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "So, you are a subordinate of General Yu Dingxing of the Left Guard."
Chu Zhengfei replied, "Yes."
Yuwen Ye said, "This time... General Yu has made a great contribution."
Mentioning this, Chu Zhengfei's face showed a strange expression. He smiled and said, "That was also because General Yu acted in accordance with the times and the trend. Otherwise, the family would not have achieved its current prosperity."
The family's prosperity?
Upon hearing these four words, Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi exchanged a glance.
Chu Zhengfei seemed to realize he had said too much and immediately laughed, "We've gone too far. General Yu's matter is already within Daxing City. I have no other skills, so I can only guard Tongguan."
Yuwen Ye said calmly, "Defending Tongguan well is also a great achievement."
As he spoke, he looked at Chu Zhengfei and said, "There is something I want to ask General Chu. Has anyone been transporting saltpeter, sulfur, or other such items in and out of Tongguan these days?"
Saltpeter? Sulfur?
Chu Zhengfei said, "Aren't these for use as gunpowder?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Indeed, General Chu, have you made any discoveries?"
Chu Zhengfei said, "No."
His quick reply surprised Shang Ruyi, who had been silent all along. She subconsciously wanted to ask again, but Yuwen Ye gave her a look. She thought for a moment and immediately pursed her lips.
Instead, Chu Zhengfei smiled and asked, "I wonder why the Second Young Master asked about this?"
Yuwen Ye said, "It's nothing, we just found some traces of saltpeter and sulfur on the road, and we were worried that someone was transporting these things into the pass for some purpose. Since General Chu didn't find anything, then it should be fine."
Chu Zhengfei said, "Thank you for your trust, Second Young Master. I am stationed at Tongguan, and aside from other matters, I must thoroughly investigate these people and their belongings."
As he spoke, he raised his glass again, and the three of them drank together.
After putting down her wine cup, Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and then asked, "By the way, General Chu, since you are investigating the past, you want to find out about both people and things. In the past two days, have you seen a white-robed monk enter the pass?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Zhengfei's hand holding the wine glass seemed to tremble slightly.
But he calmly put down his wine glass, immediately raised his head, and smiled, saying, "Why does the young mistress ask such a question?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Oh, it's nothing. I just met a white-robed monk on the road a few days ago. He seemed to have profound cultivation, but I haven't seen him since. I want to ask him about Buddhism, so I wanted to ask if he has entered seclusion?"
Chu Zhengfei smiled and said, "That's hard to say."
Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi exchanged a glance, both sensing that his words seemed to have a deeper meaning.
Yuwen Ye immediately asked, "What do you mean by that, General Chu?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com