The terrain outside Jinling City is dominated by flat land in the southwest and north, with occasional rolling hills. Only the mountains in the eastern suburbs are uplifted. Although they are not very high, they are also continuous.
Gushan is the closest mountain to the capital in the eastern suburbs. From the Dongyang Gate of Dijing, you can reach the foot of Gushan Mountain by galloping for half an hour. If you are climbing in autumn, you will see a scorching red maple, but this is the middle of winter, the bare branches stand in the remnant snow, and the mountain road is filled with a strong sense of bleakness and bleakness. Climbing up the steps, on the secluded side of the top of the lonely peak, there are pavilions with wings, rattan bars and thatched eaves, which are simple and interesting. A hundred steps away from the southwest of this pavilion, there is another gentle slope, which slants out to the cliff. On the slope are tombs made of flowers and rocks. There are two trays of fresh fruits in front of the tombs. At Mars, fine smoke curled up.
The night of the Spring Festival this year, four or nine have passed, not the days when the dripping water turns into ice. But above the Lonely Ridge, where the mountain wind swirled, the chill was still piercing.
Xia Dong, dressed in a one-piece plain silk cotton robe, stood quietly in front of the grave, and the pure black skirt flew with the mountain wind at the fork of the robe. Her long hair, which was usually draped over her shoulders, was pulled up high at this time, and the pale strands were still striking, lining the faint fine lines at the corners of her eyes, describing the passage of youth.
The ashes are flying, the incense is gradually exhausted, and the wine pulp sprinkled on the ground has penetrated into the soil, and the traces are slowly disappearing. Only the name on the tombstone has been traced over ten million times by pale fingers, but it is still so bright red, so eye-catching.
Standing here since the dawn of the sky, burning paper and whispering, now the shadow of the sun has penetrated the gap between the branches and hit the forehead directly, making people's eyes dizzy. The fog in the deep valley in front has dissipated, and you can imagine the outline of Jinghua behind you, but I am afraid that it has gradually leached out of the white fog, and its figure has appeared.
"Nie Feng, it's been another year..."
Since his farewell, one day has been three autumns, but this real year can pass by slowly like this.
Standing in front of his tomb, let him watch him grow old year by year, I don't know who's tears are hotter and whose heart is more painful
Maybe when the tears are exhausted, it is blood, and when the pain is extreme, it is numbness.
Take a long sigh, if it breaks, meeting will become the most extravagant wish in the world.
Xia Dong's fingers once again gently traced the familiar strokes in front of the monument, the rough stone surface rubbed against the cold fingertips, and his heart twitched every time he drew.
The mountain wind was still whistling in his ears, and in the mournful gap, there was a faint human voice mixed in, vaguely coming from the other end of the mountain road.
Xia Dong's two long eyebrows were tightly locked, and there was a sinister aura on his face.
There are few people in the lonely mountain in winter, not to mention the secluded place here, not to mention that it is the fifth day of the new year. This is the first time someone has disturbed the sacrifice sweeping every year.
"Sect Master, there is a small road over there, the main peak is here, you can see it already..."
"It doesn't matter, I just want to take a walk. The forest is dense and the branches are deep, and the light and shadow are jumping. Isn't it more interesting?"
"Yes, ... Be careful, there is still snow on the ground and it is easy to slip."
"With you holding me like this, I can't even slip..."
In a soft voice, the snow creaked. Xia Dong took a deep breath and turned around slowly, expressionless.
"Master Xia..." The visitor seemed a little surprised, "What a coincidence..."
"Mr. Su is very interested in climbing in the harsh winter." Xia Dong said calmly, "But today, I remember that there was a grand event..."
"I just couldn't bear the noise, so I hid out of the city. If I stayed in the cold house and was invited by people, I wouldn't be able to shirk it." Mei Changsu did not shy away, and said calmly, "Not to mention that the doctor has prescribed a new illness for Su. Let me slowly climb the mountain and slowly regain my physical strength. It is also a kind of therapy. It happens that this lonely mountain is the closest to the city, and it comes on a whim. Is there anything that disturbs the adults?"
"This Lonely Mountain is not mine, naturally everyone can come." Xia Dong said coldly, "This is the tomb of Zhuofu, and few people have always come, so it's a bit surprising."
"Is this the place where General Nie's bones are buried?" Mei Changsu took a step forward, his tone was steady and unwavering, only those long eyelashes drooped down, covering the dark eyes, "Famous generals of the generation, Su has always admired his prestige. Today Since you are destined to come here, can you allow me to make a sacrifice and show your admiration?"
Xia Dong was stunned, but thinking that since he has come here, the two of them are considered to have a friendship under the snow. If you know that it is the tomb of your deceased husband but don't express it, it is not due courtesy. As for admiration and the like, it is not worth investigating whether it is true or false, so he nodded immediately and said, "Thanks to the kindness of Mr., please."
Mei Changsu nodded lightly, walked slowly to the front of the tombstone, squatted down, gathered the earth for incense, bowed deeply three times, turned his face to the side, and asked in a low voice, "Li Gang, I remember you. Always carry alcohol with you?"
"Yes."
"Lend it to me."
"Yes." Li Gang respectfully took off a silver bottle from his waist and handed it over.
Mei Changsu took the silver bottle, flicked his fingers to uncork the bottle, clasped his hands together, and said aloud: "The general's reputation is ruined after a hundred battles. Xiang Heliang and back thousands of miles, the old people are forever. Like snow. Upright warriors, sad songs are not yet complete. The birds know how to hate, but I don't expect them to cry and cry blood. Who is with me, drunk with the bright moon?... The general heroic spirit is here, if you wish to meet your soul, please drink my wine! "
After speaking, he drank the wine on the ground, turned his head back and took another sip, coughed slightly, and held it back, wiped the wine stains from the corners of his lips with the back of his hand, his eyes were cold, and his clothes were hunting. one sound.
Xia Dong stood behind him. Although he couldn't see the expression of the tomb sacrificer, he was touched by his words.
"Mrs. Nie, the deceased has passed away, please mourn." After a while, a gentle voice rang in his ears, and hearing him change his name made him even more sour. But Xia Dong is not a boudoir widow after all, and her proud and tenacious temperament will not allow her to show weakness in front of unfamiliar people. After quickly adjusting her unsteady breath, she raised her hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks and regained her firm and steady expression.
"Sir is kind, and the widow feels the same. Xia Dong is here to pay homage."
While returning the salute, Mei Changsu persuaded: "The sacrificial ceremony is just a matter of heart. I think Mrs. Nie is wearing thin clothes and no leather clothes. It is better for Su to accompany you down the mountain. General Nie has a spirit in the sky, and he definitely does not want to see Mrs. like this. Suffering."
Xia Dong had already finished worshiping, and was about to go down the mountain. He didn't say much at the moment. The two turned around silently and walked slowly side by side along the stone steps of the mountain road. Along the way, only the sound of wind blowing snow and rustling was heard, and there was no conversation.
It was almost at the foot of the mountain, and when he could already see the grassy tea house and the horses tied to the tea house, Xia Dongfang asked indifferently, "Sir, do you want to go back to the city?"
Mei Changsu smiled and said, "It's not past noon yet, and it's still too early to return to the city. I heard that there are beautiful stone sculptures in the nearby ancient town, so I want to take this leisure time for a walk."
"Are the stone carvings in Chixia Town? It's really worth seeing." Xia Dong stopped, "Forgive me, there are still affairs in Beijing, so I can't accompany you."
"Master Xia, please." The situation changed, and Mei Changsu naturally changed his name again, "The case of the murder of the internal prisoner is really difficult to investigate. Apart from your hard work, Sir, you should take more care of your health."
Xia Dong's eyes swept over, sharp as a blade, "What do you mean by Mr. Su?"
"What? Didn't this case be handed over to the Xuanjing Division?"
Xia Dong's face turned colder. The case was clearly being investigated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard, and she participated in a secret order. However, since the investigation has already begun, it is only a matter of time before anyone finds out. But this Su Zhe, he also knew a little too early.
"This is indeed a bizarre case. Maybe the Xuanjing Division will be interested in the future." Xia Dong responded vacantly, neither saying anything nor saying deadly, and then asked again, "But the murderer Murder is so clean, he must be a master in the arena, what do you think of Mr. Su?"
"There are so many talented people in Jianghu, and even Langya Pavilion keeps updating the list every year, how can I dare to say that? Besides, when it comes to understanding of people in Jianghu, why is Xuanjing Division inferior to Jiangzuo League? What is there now? Masters stay in the capital, I'm afraid Master Xia knows better than me, right?"
Xia Dong's frost-like eyes moved slightly, and his eyes were very alert. As the emperor's confidant, the hanging mirror must naturally not be involved in party disputes and show no bias. This Su Zhe is now almost a member of the King Yu camp. When talking to him again, he can't help but be more cautious.
Mei Changsu smiled and slowly looked away. Of course he knew what Xia Dong was thinking at this time. Looking at the entire capital, apart from those who understood his true purpose, the attitudes of the others changed more or less after they knew that he was involved in the party conflict, even Yan Yujin and Xie Bi were no exception. In terms of always treating him with sincerity, there is only one Xiao Jingrui.
In the eyes of others, he is first and foremost a unicorn genius Su Zhe. In Xiao Jingrui's eyes, he was just Mei Changsu from beginning to end.
No matter how much he showed up, no matter how much trouble he made, the original intention of the young man to be friends with him has never changed in the slightest.
Xiao Jingrui has been watching this party dispute with a peaceful and sad but never detached gaze. He didn't think his father's choice was wrong, and he didn't think Brother Su's position was wrong. He was just sad about the fact that the two couldn't stand together, but he didn't give up his friendship with Mei Changsu because of this. . He adhered to his usual candid attitude. What Mei Changsu asked him, he answered truthfully, and never thought deeply about "Brother Su's intention and purpose of asking him this way." This is not impossible, it is not.
Including the pre-invitation for this birthday banquet, Mei Changsu could clearly see the young man's bright mind: You are my friend, as long as you are willing to come, I will definitely protect you.
Xiao Jingrui didn't want to rebel against his father, nor did he want to change Mei Changsu, he just wanted to make his own friends in his own way.
Jiyue Qingfeng, nothing more than that. It's a pity that such a poor person has grown into the Xie residence.
Mei Changsu shook his head and sighed, stopping his thoughts. The wheel of fate is approaching, no matter how much you think about it, it is useless, because no one can reverse the cause and effect of time.
Xia Dong didn't notice his emotion and silence at this time, her eyes fell far away to the other end of the dirt road surrounding the foot of the mountain, and she gave a soft "Huh".
Mei Changsu followed her line of sight and raised his eyebrows. In the depths of the dense forest near the bottom of the mountain, about a hundred officers and soldiers jumped out one after another, some holding long knives, some holding spears with spikes, and some carrying whole rolls of ropes on their backs. From their snow- and mud-stained boots and dirty bottoms, this group of people must have been traveling through the jungle for a while.
"Have you found it?" A tall and burly sergeant who should be a centurion from his clothes then jumped out, his voice was loud, and there seemed to be an echo when he roared.
"No… "
"I didn't see anything..."
The subordinates answered one after another, and everyone looked disappointed.
"Didn't someone say that they've seen it here? Damn it! It's empty again!" The centurion cursed angrily, raised his head, and turned his eyes to Mei and Xia's direction inadvertently, and couldn't help being stunned.
Mei Changsu showed a bright smile and nodded to him.
It's really where in life we don't meet, you can meet acquaintances intentionally or unintentionally...