Chapter 437: Girls Recognize Delusional Thoughts

Gu Su, Xuanmu Mountain, Panxiang Temple.

Outside the inner courtyard meditation room corridor, mountain birds sang, green trees provided shade, and flower shadows swayed.

The corners of the temple's pagoda eaves were covered with rusty wind chimes, blown by the light breeze, ding-dong, ding-dong, like Sanskrit chanting, like describing Prajna.

Although it was early autumn, the mountains were still lush, showing no signs of withering or illusion, as if it were a place left behind by the world, quiet as a place of emptiness, unstained by the mortal world.

In the meditation room, Sister Miao Yu sat peacefully on a meditation cushion, her figure slender, her pretty face full of charm, her cherry lips murmuring incantations, and the wooden fish in her hand made an ethereal and soothing impact.

On the small table in front of her, an ancient purple copper furnace was lit with a stick of soul-clearing incense, the smoke curling, refreshing the heart.

On the table was an open copy of "The Buddha Speaks of the Five Aggregates as Empty Sutra," which Jia Cong had transcribed by hand years ago.

This period of time should be the happiest and most stable time in Sister Miao Yu's heart in these few years.

Her closest master and junior sister were by her side, and she had no other requests.

Every time she read this volume of "The Buddha Speaks of the Five Aggregates as Empty Sutra," the simple, elegant, and handsome brushwork on it seemed to be able to blend with the Zen meaning and wonderful thoughts, making her heart feel joy.

……

On the wind and rain corridor outside the meditation room, Hearing Zhi Shao was sitting and embroidering a silk handkerchief.

The silk thread shuttled back and forth, and a blooming white lotus on the handkerchief was charming and graceful, with an elegant color and lifelike appearance.

Since returning to Panxiang Temple, she couldn't wear the exquisite and bright dresses like she did in the Jia Fu anymore.

Her full head of black hair was coiled into a delicate bun, pinned with a simple silver hairpin, with no other jewelry, and she had changed back into the gray monk's robe of the past.

The loose robe sleeves covered her graceful and charming body, and only when the light breeze hit her body could a touch of moving beauty be revealed.

Although she looked plain, she still couldn't hide her pretty and charming appearance, elegant and beautiful color, adding to her charm.

Ever since Jia Cong went to Jin Ling, he had exchanged several letters with Hearing Zhi Shao, telling each other about their recent situations.

Hearing Zhi Shao knew that Jia Cong had official business to handle in Jin Ling, so she lived peacefully in Panxiang Temple.

Ever since Hearing Zhi Shao returned, Master Abbess Xiushan didn't know if it was because of her cheerful mood or because she had been served carefully, but her illness had gradually improved.

Time passed for more than a month, and Hearing Zhi Shao's longing for Jia Cong grew heavier. She counted the days every day, just waiting for him to finish his business, return to Gu Su, and take Master Abbess Xiushan back to Shen Jing together.

……

Beside Hearing Zhi Shao sat a young girl of about thirteen or fourteen, tilting her head and quietly watching her embroider.

This girl was slender and graceful, beautiful and elegant, wearing a cloth dress and hairpins, clean and dust-free, but washed somewhat old.

Although she was not old, her actions and behavior already had a sense of elegance and stability; it was Xing Xiuyan, who was living in the temple.

The Xing Xiuyan family had been renting a house in Panxiang Temple for seven or eight years.

She not only knew Sister Miao Yu since she was a child, but back when Hearing Zhi Shao was brought back to the temple by Master Abbess Xiushan, she and Hearing Zhi Shao were also very close.

This time Hearing Zhi Shao followed Jia Cong down to Jiang Nan again, and the reunion of old friends was even closer than usual.

Sister Miao Yu practiced Buddhism with her hair, half-entering the empty gate, and had many Buddhist homework every day, with little free time.

Therefore, Xing Xiuyan spent more time with Hearing Zhi Shao talking on weekdays.

Hearing Zhi Shao finished picking the needlework in her hand and said, "Oh no, the silk thread is used up."

Xing Xiuyan stood up and laughed, "I still have a lot in my room. Sister, wait a moment, I'll go get some."

She ran back to the room, opened the storage box on the sleeping kang, and took out the silk thread for embroidery. There was also a letter in the box, which she kept very carefully.

Every time Xing Xiuyan saw this letter, she would blush and her heart would beat fast.

This letter was sent by her aunt, Lady Xing, to her father not long ago.

The letter said that she wanted to take their family to Shen Jing to settle down, and also wanted to match her and her cousin Jia Cong.

Her parents were so happy they almost fainted when they heard this. Who didn't know that this cousin of hers was an imperially appointed Count, both civil and military, famous all over the world.

Her parents wanted to climb this marriage, hoping for the dignity of leaping over the dragon gate.

Xing Xiuyan had just passed the age of bean sprouts (13-14), and in fact, she was still half-understanding about men and women, and hadn't fully opened her mind.

She had known Jia Cong two years ago, when she was studying and recognizing characters with Sister Miao Yu. The little girl had some admiration and envy for Jia Cong, who could write poetry and prose.

This time she met him again in Panxiang Temple. She had already grown into a graceful young lady, and Jia Cong had also changed his appearance after two years, looking more pleasing to the eye than before.

The only joy she had for Jia Cong was that he didn't feel alienated or disgusted with her because of the abuse she suffered from her aunt since she was a child. In fact, that was all there was between them.

After all, she was only at the age of bean sprouts, and it was impossible to have any romantic thoughts about someone she had only seen a few times in several years.

Perhaps there wasn't even a trace of imagination before, until this letter from Shen Jing was sent home, and her parents' repeated persuasion, verbal temptation, and convincing words.

Finally, it stirred Xing Xiuyan's heart.

Thinking of her cousin's handsome and eye-catching bearing, and his extraordinary and strange talents and anecdotes, if someone said that the little girl had no thoughts in her heart, I'm afraid no one would believe it.

Back then, Jia Cong came to the temple to pick up Hearing Zhi Shao, and Xing Xiuyan witnessed it with her own eyes. She knew that Hearing Zhi Shao and Jia Cong were intimate and special, and would definitely be his wife in the future.

But out of shyness and other worries, she felt that this matter was slim, so she didn't dare to mention it to Hearing Zhi Shao at all, just wanting to live one day at a time.

Although she was young, she was indifferent and intelligent. Following Sister Miao Yu to study poetry and prose for many years, her knowledge and vision were much higher than her parents.

Therefore, she didn't think this marriage could be successful.

Her cousin was a Count at a young age and a regular official of the court; he was a very capable person.

Her aunt had abused him since he was a child, and the relationship between the legitimate mother and the concubine's son was not harmonious. How could her cousin have no grudges?

Although her aunt had the status of the legitimate mother, it would be very difficult for her to decide his marriage.

Moreover, Jia Cong was a newly appointed noble Count and a regular descendant of the Rongguo Prefecture; only noble and official noble girls could be a match.

How could he marry a poor girl of white status like her as his wife? In the Jia Fu, except for her aunt, I'm afraid his other elders would never agree.

Moreover, although her aunt had a blood relationship with her father, she had never given her father much care or concern.

Otherwise, with the status of the mistress of the Rongguo Mansion, she wouldn't have let her brother rent a temple house in Gu Su and live in poverty for nearly ten years.

She didn't know why her aunt suddenly thought of arranging a marriage for her, and it was a somewhat absurd marriage.

Although she knew her family background could not match Jia Cong, she was stirred by this matter and her feelings were stirred.

Suddenly she heard Hearing Zhi Shao shouting in the courtyard: "Sister Xiuyan, did you find the silk thread? If it's used up, we'll go down the mountain to buy some together later."

Xing Xiuyan was lost in thought. Hearing Hearing Zhi Shao's voice, she was startled and hurriedly replied: "I found the silk thread, I'll be there right away."

She glanced at the letter in the storage box, sighed helplessly, closed the box, and ran out of the room.

……

Late summer and early autumn, the Jiang Huai region, a rainy season.

A moment ago, the sun was high, and a heavy rain came suddenly, catching people off guard.

Wind and rain combined to become thousands of misty rains, and the deep alleys of Gu Su were shrouded in a moist water curtain.

Pedestrians fled in a hurry, and before long, the streets were empty, with only a few people who couldn't avoid the rain standing under the eaves of shops and houses, looking left and right, unable to move.

Suddenly, two fast horses rushed out of the misty rain, running in small steps on the street, the crisp sound of horse hooves echoing in the empty and moist street.

The two riders on the horses were both wearing bamboo hats and straw capes, and in the heavy rain, it was impossible to see their appearance clearly.

When the two horses ran to the end of the street, one of the horses pulled the reins, turned to look at the Xuanmu Mountain, which was becoming greener and greener in the rain, and stared quietly for a while.

The rider behind also pulled the horse and asked: "Third Master, is there anything wrong?"

Ever since Jia Cong quietly left the cannon transport team, he and Wang Dequan had ridden alone and rushed to Gu Su City.

They arrived at the nearest town, bought another fast horse, and the two traveled day and night, entering Gu Su City on the morning of the second day.

According to Jia Cong's estimation, it would be at least four days before the imperial edict from the palace was transmitted to Jin Ling.

Although the information time difference advantage was obvious, he hadn't met Jiang Xiao Liu and others yet, and the situation in Gu Su was unclear. Four days, to get things done, was not very generous.

Just passing by Xuanmu Mountain, he suppressed the urge to go up the mountain to visit Hearing Zhi Shao.

He took Hearing Zhi Shao down to Jiang Nan, except for the Jia family in Shen Jing, no outsiders knew.

He sent Hearing Zhi Shao to Xuanmu Mountain in Gu Su halfway, and even his fifteen musketeer personal guards didn't know.

Not to mention Jin Ling and Gu Su, no one would know that his soft rib was left on Xuanmu Mountain.

He decided to wait until the major events in Gu Su and Jin Ling were settled before going to Xuanmu Mountain to see Hearing Zhi Shao. This was the safest for him and Hearing Zhi Shao.

Jia Cong looked at Xuanmu Mountain again and said: "It's nothing, take me to the Tieling Pass wharf, and then you go back to the branch shop to wait. Perhaps there will be feather information from Jin Ling in these few days."

……

Gu Su, Daoqian Street.

This was the strictest street in all of Gu Su, with no shops or stores on either side, only high-gate government offices with strict and solemn forms.

Daoqian Street was the place where government offices in Gu Su City were most concentrated.

The Governor's Office, the Administration Commissioner's Office, the Surveillance Commissioner's Office, and the Su Zhou Guard Commander's Office were all located here.

On weekdays, almost no ordinary people passed by here; the people and vehicles coming and going were all officials and runners handling official business in the government offices.

The sudden heavy rain just now made Daoqian Street, which was already sparsely populated, even more empty.

A fast horse rushed into Daoqian Street and stopped at the gate of the Su Zhou Guard Commander's Office. The rider was a man in his twenties, his actions revealing shrewdness and capability.

The guard soldiers at the gate checked the rider's nameplate and visiting card, and then took him into the office of Commander Luo Xiong.

Luo Xiong's face changed slightly when he saw the visitor. He dismissed the personal soldiers who led the way and took the visitor into the inner room of the office.

The man presented a letter and said: "I am acting on the orders of my master to deliver an urgent letter to Commander Luo. Please read the letter carefully and respond cautiously."

Luo Xiong opened the letter and read it, saying: "I have already read the letter. Does Jia Cong have any unusual actions after leaving the capital?"

The man said: "After Jia Cong left the capital, we had people following him along the way. His itinerary along the way had no abnormalities, and there was no emergency situation in his camping and stopping, and there was even a delay."

"It doesn't look like he is in a hurry to rush. It has been two days since he set off from Jin Ling, and he is still in the Zhenjiang boundary. According to their itinerary speed, it is estimated that it will take three or four days to reach Gu Su."

Luo Xiong laughed when he heard this: "Go back and reply to your master that I already know about the matter and will be careful. Please tell him to rest assured."

……

After the visitor left, Luo Xiong asked his personal soldiers to invite the Assistant Regional Commander He Tong to discuss matters.

He Tong was a local of Gu Su and an old man in the Su Zhou Guard. Back when Zhang Kangnian served as the Su Zhou Guard Commander, He Tong was already a company commander in the Su Zhou Guard.

He and Luo Xiong had always had a deep relationship. Luo Xiong was promoted to Guard Commander, and he spared no effort to push He Tong to the position of Assistant Regional Commander.

Therefore, He Tong was grateful to Luo Xiong and was Luo Xiong's most iron-clad confidant. The relationship between the main and deputy officials of the Su Zhou Guard was close, and they firmly controlled the entire Su Zhou Guard.

He Tong read the letter that had just been sent from Jin Ling and said: "Commander Luo, Jia Cong's move is indeed a bit strange. It is enough to send a hundred Jin Ling guard troops to escort a few cannons."

"Why make such a big fanfare, letting three hundred armed musketeers escort them along the way? This is indeed somewhat unusual."

"People in the army all know that Jia Cong is a master of firearms, famous for using muskets to form formations to defend against enemies. These three hundred musketeers in his hands can form great combat power."

"He used the excuse of transporting cannons to bring three hundred musketeers into the city; this formation is really not small."

"No wonder Jin Ling has concerns. The Commander really cannot fail to guard against it!"

Luo Xiong said: "But the man from Jin Ling just said that Jia Cong set off from Jin Ling, and his itinerary along the way was slightly delayed, and he was not in a hurry, no different from ordinary government office escorting."

"And the Zhou Zheng matter, we handled it meticulously. Ever since Zhou Zheng's arrest portrait was updated, we warned Zhou Zheng strictly not to go out, and it is very difficult for outsiders to find out the truth from Gu Su."

"If it is really as the letter says, Jia Cong is acting under a secret edict from Shen Jing to secretly investigate the Zhou Zheng matter, but if he has any awareness of Gu Su, he must act quickly."

"He brought three hundred fierce musketeers out of Jin Ling, and should have used the momentum of thunder to rush into Gu Su, control the key points, and control the situation before he could do anything."

"How could he be like this, walking along the way like a tour, no matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like he has any schemes in Gu Su."

He Tong frowned and said: "The Commander is right. He brought three hundred musketeers to escort them along the way, and his itinerary was so careless; it really doesn't look like he has any schemes, but it always feels a bit weird."

"I have heard many anecdotes about Jia Cong, all saying that this person is cunning and resourceful, and his actions are insidious, otherwise he wouldn't have climbed to such a high position at this age."

"Now it is such a strange move again. If there is an abnormality, there must be a demon!"

"Commander, the more he is like this, the more we cannot take it lightly."

Luo Xiong said: "Jingzhi's words are very true. You immediately select capable personnel and go out of the city to find Jia Cong's team and monitor his every move along the way."

"Those three hundred musketeers are Jia Cong's biggest reliance at the moment. As long as you keep an eye on him and the musketeers under his command, no matter what tricks he plays, you don't have to worry about him making waves."

"In addition, instruct all parts of the guard station to strengthen vigilance. Jingzhi, spend some effort in these few days to find a new foothold for Zhou Zheng, preferably out of Gu Su, or into the river to hide, to be absolutely safe."

He Tong said: "Commander, now the whole city is posted with Zhou Zheng's new portrait. Once he appears, there will be risks."

"And the Embroidered Uniform Guard is very strict in checking the passes and ports, so I'm afraid this matter is not easy to handle."

"Actually, hiding Zhou Zheng in Gu Su has always been felt by the subordinate to be a hidden disaster. Why not..."

Luo Xiong rubbed his tightly locked brows and said: "I know what you mean, but Zhou Zheng was Zou Huaiyi's direct superior back then, and he knows everything about the Water Supervision Department case."

"Among us, he knows better than anyone who is involved in the Water Supervision Department case."

"Such a big matter, he must have left a way to save his life."

"Otherwise, Jin Ling wouldn't be afraid of throwing the rat and hiding him in Gu Su."

"Unless it is a last resort, we cannot take that step, so as not to reach a desperate situation and make things unmanageable."

Luo Xiong thought for a moment, his tone gloomy: "Jingzhi doesn't need to worry too much. Now the momentum is on our side, and my fifteen hundred Su Zhou Guard troops are not vegetarians."