Chapter 007: A Ghost in the Sophora Tree
Xuanyuan Qingfeng closed her eyes and stared inside the carriage, seemingly indifferent, but in fact, her mind fell, when she opened her eyes and saw the young man with white head and white python clothes slowly sitting back in the carriage, she asked with a smile, “You’ve worked so hard to hide for so many years, and sneakily practiced your sword, just waiting for this day?”
The carriage traveled slowly, Xu Fengnian simply ignored her. Xuanyuan Qingfeng got used to this guy, not stabbing him is not comfortable, continued to ask: “The capital side does not dare to move against the king of Beiliang, even if you have stabilized your footing in Beiliang, you will not be drowned by spittle after you go to Tai’an City? When you meet the loyal officials who provoke you to your face, or some of the children of the capital officials who rely on stepping on you to make a name for themselves, are you avoiding their sharp edges and spitting on your own face?”
“Also, in addition to Zhao Ao, who died without an heir and deprived his vassal of his land, plus Chen Zhi Bao, your sworn enemy, there are five other feudal lords watching, most of them are feuding with Northern Liang, not to mention that Tai’an City is Han Diao Temple’s territory, so if I stand by and do nothing, you’re left with only that Heavenly Elephant realm shadowy creature, and the cat is good at killing Heavenly Elephants, so you’re not just throwing yourself into the net of doom. Are you really not afraid of waiting twenty years, only to end up not making the King of Northern Liang for a single day?”
Xu Fengnian remained tight-lipped.
Xuanyuan Qingfeng probably went into the devil after the loneliness to the extreme, it is not easy to catch a think that can be equal to the object, speech is as much as after the marriage of the woman, do not feel what is wrong with the one-man show, to the mirror carefully paste flowers yellow, a playful face asked: “Who will you marry as a full consort in the future?”
Xu Fengyen frowned: “Xuanyuan Qingfeng, can’t you stop a little? How about you go for a drive?”
Half of Xuanyuan Qingfeng’s face was angled out of the bronze mirror, her eyes were purple, her lips scarlet, demonic and absolutely beautiful, she laughed at Xu Fengnian, “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll take you directly to the bullock dagang?”
Xu Fengnian lifted the curtain, the vision is a desolate scene of yellowed grass and trees, the frosty time in the north, stinging insects stooped down to drill mud. If the south, more has long been the cicada silence lotus residue, Xu Fengyen somehow remembered the first time to go out to travel, plus this time to the capital, a total of four times away from home to travel, it seems that the first time to go the most bleak, but also the most unforgettable. Xuanyuan Qingfeng half face across the mirror, eye waves flow, staring straight at this young man with early Chinese hair. Xu Fengnian finally spoke, “I do business with you, clear price, and do not mind if you take advantage of a little more, but if you still do not know enough, when it’s time for you to make a move but watch the show, I have plenty of ways to make your life worse than death.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng let out a laugh, “You threaten me?”
Xu Fengyen eyes cold, the next moment, such as a large red peony Zhu robe instantly slipped into the carriage, six arms holding purple clothes, a woman and a shadowy creature swept out of the carriage at speed, briefly after an incense burner, Xuanyuan Qingfeng eyes gloomy back to the carriage, the corners of the mouth seeping blood. Since then ten days, before the winter, the two did not say a word.
Wei Wei the world’s hub of Tai’an City, an inconspicuous carriage parked outside the door, mixed in the traffic among the horses and horses, can not earn a cold glance. This period of time this city in the middle of the sky lively beyond reproach, first of all, the old man Song family suffered a tragic wave, almost overnight will be the building toppled, the streets and alleys are discussing, most of the old man feel unworthy, leaving the secret of the zhangzhang seeks a history of fame, how much of the matter, not to mention that the gas died, and even the Song second husband and the small phoenix have been affected by the pool of fish, to the court to the end of the cradle, the family rolled up the cover and left the capital. The capital, then send off the people, three provinces, six officials, plus the State Prison readers, plus many hands do not touch the power of the royal relatives, vast to have two or three thousand people. After the loss of power in the Song family, is the five kings into the capital of this more magnificent event, Jiaodong King Zhao Suo first into the capital, Huainan King Zhao Ying followed by the next is Guangling King Zhao Yi, Jing’an King Zhao Xun and Yanzhi King Zhao Bing, which makes the clan government as well as the Ministry of Rites and the Minister of Rites and other high-ranking officials are busy with, it is estimated to be enough to clear a few pounds of meat. But really to say the big sensation, but also count that is not a feudal king especially better than the feudal king of the Western Shu white Chen Zhi Bao, a ride into the city, in the year after the white monk Li Dangxin, for the first time so many people in the streets, that day in the frosty season, this soldier saint white white horse, a pole of prune wine, even those who originally only heard of its name not to see its old enemies of the Northern Liang, after seeing it with their own eyes, but also by the unparalleled Confucian generals deeply impressed by its temperament, let alone the God knows how many women on both sides of the main road screamed and went crazy, and the shrewd flower vendors even made a lot of money, not caring whether they recognized the man in white or not, they just talked blindly with their eyes closed, and touted a few good words to the death, and they were sure to cheat silver money from the hands of the girls and rich girls.
Xu Fengyen lifted the curtain to look up at the majestic city, calmly said: “Turning back to the pavilion I did not want to get off, because I was afraid to apologize for their expectations. Your situation in Huishan is not the same as mine in Northern Liang. There are times to take it out on you, you a woman warrior who aspires to reach the top of the martial arts path, don’t be general with this kind of mundane people who are not masters.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng, who originally planned to stop saying a word more with him on this trip to the capital, ghostly whispered, “Why don’t you become the emperor, I can sell my life to you before I enter the Heavenly Image Realm.”
Xu Feng Nian laughed, “Suddenly thought of a good way for you to get back at me, after you get off the bus, you start yelling that the Prince of Beiliang wants to rebel and become the emperor, surely you can make me eat my words.”
Not waiting for Xuanyuan Qingfeng to speak, Xu Fengyen waved his hand behind him and said, “Don’t take it seriously.”
Xu Fengyuan said to Qingfeng, “Go to the Lower Mawei Stage House.”
Lowering the curtain, Xuanyuan Qingfeng frowned, “You won’t let the officials of the Ministry of Rites make a big fuss?”
Xu Fengnian laughed, “Minister of Rites Lu Daolin and my Xu family are in-laws, so I’ll just pay a visit at the door when the time comes.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng laughed, “It’s really true that the law of the land is inferior to the law of the family.”
Xu Fengnian said helplessly, “Don’t start a dyeing house just to give you some color.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng asked coldly, “Is it true that you haven’t spoken flowery words to a woman for many years?”
Xu Fengnian closed his eyes, “I’m too hungry to think about the problem.”
After handing over the household documents, the carriage slowly drove into the main gates of Tai’an City, the magnificent main road that could allow ten carriages to drive side by side led straight to the palace city, bustling with activity, Xuanyuan Qingfeng lifted up the curtain to look out, and put it down after a few glances, “That’s all there is to it.”
Xu Feng young laughed: “If you read the history books, to dozens of words to record a person, a matter, a battle, you will also feel that so much, only to be there, only to know the ups and downs of honor and disgrace. For example, if I were to die in any place before, the history books would only record that Xu Fengnian, the son of Beiliang, had no virtue and no talent. But I sit beside you, all the way, how many times have you moved involuntarily to kill?”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng slanted his eyes and sneered, “Yo, you can still talk sense.”
Xu Fengnian laughed heartily, “You’ve wronged me, when I was chased and beaten by your servants with Wen Hua in the lantern market, how much less did I reason? I almost wore out my lips, but I still couldn’t avoid a whisking beating.”
The corners of Xuanyuan Qingfeng’s mouth rose slightly.
Tai’an city is really big ah, Tai’an city main city gate and the lower Mawei post house has not yet crossed half of the city, but it feels like it has already made several trips back and forth to any one of the state cities in Northern Liang.
Lower Mawei stage catching adults Tong Ziliang, this period of half a dozen days have not slept a day of good sleep, for fear of missing His Royal Highness driving, he is an old member of the Northern Liang, the army retired before the soldiers are not considered soldiers will not be called generals, do the post office in charge, but as a fish out of water, in the inch of the capital is also considered to be settled, than many of the life of an official who have not been able to buy a mansion of the Beijing government officials are more generous, in the south-west corner of a small mansion, his grandchildren and his wife, his children and children’s children. Small mansion, knee grandchildren also study for some years, the child capture stage is looking forward to the child in the future in the Imperial Examination some success, there is no greater wish. The only regret is that this post house posting a crop for a crop, new people for old people, to today is in addition to him is the old man of the Northern Liang army, and then no one can be considered a pawn under the banner of the great general, before in the post house can always drink with old brothers, and now want to look for someone to drink, can not be found.
Tong Ziliang stood under the old acacia tree outside the post house and looked forward to it, his subordinates all laughed at him for being self-centered, even if that famous son of Northern Liang entered the capital, he would be staying at the mansion specially arranged by the Ministry of Ceremony, and at the very least, he would also be happy to stay at the post house, as he would be happy to live in the post house, but Tong Ziliang did not explain. But the child did not explain anything, is so standing. He was so time and time again waiting for the king of Beiliang to return, waiting for the generals of Beiliang to return to glory, the only disappointment did not wait for the people, is during the battle of the western base wall, General Feng and Ma Ling, including a total of fourteen generals to go to the palace, General Feng did not go back to the post house, the generals from the Beiliang army retired from the old age did not return to their respective homes, are dead.
The carriage stopped.
Walked down a young handsome face but white head man, walked towards Tong Ziliang, warm face smiled, “Tong capture stage, hard work.”
Tong Ziliang was stunned and asked, “Your Highness?”
Just asked, Tong Ziliang would like to slap himself a few big mouth, close look at the man in front of the strange but noble white satin python clothes, not the son of who can be? Otherwise, which royal relatives would be happy to come down to Mawei to find discomfort? Tong Ziliang knelt on both knees, his eyes slightly astringent, and said in a deep voice: “Lower Mawei Tong Ziliang pays his respects to His Highness the Prince!”
Xu Fengnian helped him up, smiled and said, “Xu Snapdragon asked me to send a message to Tong Ziliang, ‘Be careful with your little daughter in the boudoir, don’t let Xu Fengnian meet her, so as not to be victimized.'”
Tong Ziliang got up and after a moment of stunned silence, he couldn’t help but hold his tongue, enduring with some effort.
Xu Fengyen walked with him towards the gate of the post house and said, “I’ll be staying here for a while, I’ll come as Xu Snapdragon used to come, there’s no need to make any special arrangements.”
Tong Ziliang nodded his head and said, “I will definitely do as His Highness the World Prince wishes.”
Behind him, Junior E whispered, “Lord Catch Stage, remember to give more rice.”
Tong Ziliang laughed out loud, “Don’t worry about this, rice is enough wine and meat.”
Behind them, the green bird in green and the Xuanyuan in purple were very eye-catching.
Xu Fengyen suddenly turned his head and saw a middle-aged choleric with a Pure Yang scarf on his head in the distance, and behind him, there was Lingxiu Tong carrying a black sandalwood sword case. Xu Fengyen first let Eu follow Tong Ziliang into the post house to eat, walked towards that military minister who had become a hot commodity in the capital in just two years, smiled and said, “I have met the Tongxi Sword Immortal.”
Minister of the Ministry of War, Lu Baijie of the Lu Family.
Tongxi Sword Immortal laughed, “Fortunately this time, Your Highness did not ask me, a corrupt scholar, to sell a few pounds of benevolence and morality. Now that I’m an official in the capital, I’ve been shouted at so many times as Lord Servant, I’ve almost forgotten that I’m a swordsman. This is not specially let the scribe hold the sword and come, originally thought of disregarding the face of elders to spar with you sword skills, did not think that it is to make a fool of myself.”
Xu Fengyen flattered and said, “Servant Lu has unique insight.”
Lu Baijie helplessly shook his head and said, “When you become an expert, your skin has also gotten thicker.”
Xu Fengyen smiled at all these words and asked, “Go in and have a seat?”
Lu Baijie nodded and said, “Just in time to ask you some questions about sword dao.”
Xu Fenian blushed and said, “Uncle Lu is not afraid to ask about blindness?”
Lu Baijie blandly said, “Not to mention that Li Chun Gang personally taught two sleeves of Green Snake, Deng Ta’a gifted the sword for twelve years, I, Lu Baijie, no matter how much I am a frog in the well, should know that even if that fifth raccoon stood there and let me stab him a few times, I might not be able to stab him to death.”
Xu Fengyen was silent.
Lu Baijie joked, “Don’t worry, no one here in the capital believes that you really killed the master of Tibing Mountain, they all say that it was done by the dead soldiers of the King of Beilang, and it has nothing to do with you.”
Xu Fengyen was about to speak when the sword-carrying schoolboy cried out in horror, “Sir, there is a ghost on the acacia tree!”
Lu Baijie turned around and knocked him on the forehead.
There was a big red robe hanging from the old dragon clawed acacia tree with many branches and leaves.
Lu Baijie, however, did not even glance at it and said softly, “Finger Xuan?”
Xu Fengnian shook his head, “It is already a heavenly phenomenon.”
Lu Baijie laughed: “I am worthy of the name of frog at the bottom of the well.”
Xu Fengyen held back his laughter, Lu Baijie was wondering, after seeing that Huishan purple clothed woman, he sighed long and hard, with the excellent state of mind of Tongxi Sword Immortal who has been in an unperturbed state for many years, it is inevitable to have some mixed feelings, he opened the door and laughed at himself, “In the officialdom, there are all those old people who are white in color, and after seeing you today, I know that after a small success in the officialdom, the martial arts path is going to be a big disappointment. If I had known, I wouldn’t have come.”
In late fall, the capital city high and clean, catching the stage boy Ziliang see more people, simply move the table to the courtyard, everything personally, simply do not let the people in the stage house have the opportunity to get close to the son Xu Fengyen.
The old acacia in the courtyard and the door outside the dragon’s claw acacia is a pair.
A table under the tree, Xu Fengyen who went to the capital to observe the ceremony, Lu Baijie, the military minister, Huishan Xuanyuan Qingfeng, the green bird, the teenage dead warrior E, the sword-carrying schoolboy.
There is one more.
The schoolboy’s face whitened as he pointed to the eerie old acacia tree, incomparably aggrieved, “Look, sir, I didn’t lie to you, there really is a female ghost on the tree!”