The door of a neighboring house creaked open a crack, and an elderly woman with gray hair peeked out, squinting as she carefully examined the situation.
Li E turned around, forcing a stiff smile: "It's me, Aunt Wang."
"Ah, it really is Li Erlang! You've returned to Fengjing?" Granny Wang greeted him with delight, her face beaming with smiles.
"I have official business to attend to, so I'm coming back to stay for a while."
"Good, good, it's good that you're back."
Aunt Wang said repeatedly, then turned around and went back into the house, "Erlang, wait here, I'll go get you the key."
"Thank you for your trouble."
"Of course, of course!"
Soon, Li E took the set of keys bearing the marks of time, thanked them, and opened his front door.
The courtyard is small, just a tiny space.
There may have been something planted in the yard before, but now only withered yellow weeds remain.
Three low-lying tile-roofed houses with their doors and windows tightly shut.
Li E closed the courtyard gate behind him, shutting out the outside world.
Stepping into the courtyard and pushing open the door to the main house, a faint smell of dust wafts out.
The furnishings inside were extremely simple, covered with a thin layer of dust, but the furniture was not rotten, indicating that it was not completely neglected.
Every year, he would ask his neighbor, Granny Wang, for one tael of silver to come in occasionally to clean and ventilate the house, preventing it from completely decaying.
A house that has been vacant for a long time will completely lose its "human touch" if no one takes care of it.
Li E had no interest in cleaning and went straight to the inner room.
The bedroom contained only a wooden bed, a table, and an old wardrobe.
He walked to the bedside and squatted down, his fingers groping on an inconspicuous wooden board on the inside of the bed frame, as if searching for something.
A moment later, there was a very slight "click" sound as a mechanism was gently pulled open.
The hidden compartment inside was revealed, where an ebony memorial tablet lay quietly.
Li E carefully took out the memorial tablet, as if he were holding some rare treasure.
He brushed away the non-existent dust with his sleeve, then took out a clean, plain-colored silk cloth and carefully wiped the smooth surface of the ebony again and again.
On the memorial tablet, several powerful characters were engraved in engraving:
"The position of Zhao Hui, the General of the Great Gan Zhaoyi, was awarded to the post of Po Lu."
Li E solemnly placed the memorial tablet on the old square table and took out a small incense burner and three sticks of incense from his bag.
Light the incense stick with a tinderbox, and wisps of smoke rise into the air.
He did not kneel, but stood straight, like a javelin.
Pick up the wine jug, uncork it, and slowly pour the clear liquid onto the ground.
The liquor seeped into the cracks in the bricks, silently and without a sound.
Then, he picked up the wine jug and tilted his head back to take a big gulp.
The spicy liquid rolled down my throat, burning my lungs.
They didn't speak, they didn't offer prayers, they just stood there in silence.
His gaze pierced through the rising wisps of smoke, landing on the cold memorial tablet, as deep and unfathomable as a bottomless icy pool.
Time passed slowly, and the three incense sticks finally burned out.
Li E expressionlessly put away the incense burner and carefully wiped the memorial tablet clean again with a silk cloth.
Then, with utmost care, it was placed back into the hidden compartment, the wooden board was pushed back in, and the original state was restored.
Having done all that, he felt as if he had exhausted all his strength, and lay down fully clothed on the bare, hard bed.
But a moment later, heavy snoring began.
...
After strolling through the bustling East Market, Qin Zhaoyue and her group quickly passed through Qionggui Lane and Langyin Lane.
By the time we arrived at Songyanfang, it was already dusk, and the streetlights were just coming on.
Songyanfang, a place where the cultural heritage of Fengjing converges.
Along both sides of the bluestone path, bookstores and painting shops stand side by side, and the air seems to be filled with the faint scent of ink and the aroma of paper.
Scholars dressed in Confucian robes and literati in wide-sleeved robes can be seen everywhere.
They debated in hushed tones or paused to appreciate the beauty, displaying an air of refined elegance.
Songtao Pavilion, the largest restaurant in the neighborhood, was brightly lit and bustling with activity at this time.
Although there were still some hours before the busiest time of the banquet, the hall was already packed, and there were still many people queuing outside.
The sharp-eyed shopkeeper spotted the group from afar, especially the Imperial Guards and a few of their extraordinary figures, and his heart skipped a beat!
Upon seeing the sixth princess with her smiling eyes leading the way, and Commander Meng with his cold face and hand on his sword beside her, the shopkeeper's smile instantly blossomed, almost reaching his ears, and he hurriedly went out to greet them.
"Distinguished guests, Songtao Pavilion is truly honored today! Please, esteemed guests, come in!"
The shopkeeper rushed forward, his voice loud and enthusiastic, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
There was a slight commotion in the queue, but someone recognized her and immediately fell silent upon hearing the name "Second Princess of Shuofeng".
"The Second Princess of Shuofeng? The one that even Helian Chaolu admires?"
"It's her! Look, look!"
Shh...be quiet!
The crowd whispered among themselves, casting curious, scrutinizing, and even somewhat admiring glances at Xiao Yunshuo.
Helian Chaolu's poetic talent has already caused a stir in Fengjing. A person who can make him feel inferior is enough to arouse the strong curiosity of all literati.
The third floor of Songtao Pavilion is an elegant pavilion reserved for top literary figures to inscribe poems and paint. There has always been a rule that one must leave a mark on the wall where the poem is inscribed.
But rules are rigid, but people are flexible, especially someone as shrewd and resourceful as the shopkeeper.
Before us are princes and princesses, including the legendary Second Princess of Shuofeng, who is said to be exceptionally talented in literature.
Today's rules are something we absolutely have to break!
The shopkeeper himself led the way, and everyone was guided to the second floor.
The place offers a wide view and is elegantly decorated. The most eye-catching feature is the huge wall with inscribed poems that covers an entire wall.
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