Everyone must trust me. I am a warm-hearted idealist. My lifelong ideal is to build a harmonious society. Therefore, I will not treat Xiaojing badly. I will treat him well whether he is dead or alive...

——————————————————————————This is the dividing line between the smashed bricks——————————————————

The terrain outside Jinling City is mainly flat land in the southwest and north, with some gentle rolling hills here and there. Only in the eastern suburbs are there bulging mountains. Although they are not very high, they are still continuous.

Gushan is the closest mountain peak to the capital in the eastern suburbs. From the Dongyang Gate of the Imperial Palace, you can reach the foot of Gushan in half an hour by galloping. If you climb the mountain in autumn, you will definitely see a scorching red maple, but here

It is the middle of winter, and bare branches stand in the remaining snow. There is a strong air of chilling and bleakness on both sides of the mountain road. Climbing up the steps, on the secluded side of the top of the solitary peak, there is a pavilion with winged wings and rattan balustrades and thatched eaves.

, simple yet clumsy. A hundred steps southwest of this pavilion, there is another gentle slope, extending diagonally out of the cliff. On the slope are tombs made of flower rocks. In front of the tomb are two plates of fresh fruits.

There were three sticks of fragrance, and from the slightly bright sparks, fine smoke curled up.

This year's New Year came late, and it has already passed. It is not the days when dripping water turns into ice. But on the lonely ridge, where the mountain wind swirls, the chill is still biting.

Xia Dong was wearing a one-piece plain silk cotton robe, standing quietly in front of the grave. The pure black skirt fluttered with the mountain wind at the bifurcation of the robe. She usually always draped her long hair on her shoulders.

Her hair was now tied up high, and the pale strands were still eye-catching, setting off the faint fine lines at the corners of her eyes, telling the passage of youth.

The paper ashes are flying, the incense has gradually disappeared, and the wine pulp sprinkled on the ground has seeped into the soil, slowly disappearing. Only the name on the tombstone has been traced tens of millions of times by pale fingers, but it is still so bright red.

So irritating to the eyelashes.

I have been standing here since dawn, burning paper and whispering. Now the sun's shadow has penetrated the gaps between the branches and hit the forehead directly, making people's eyes dizzy. The mist in the deep valley in front has dissipated, and you can imagine the outline of Beijing behind you.

Fear has gradually leached out from the white fog, and its figure appears dimly.

"Nie Feng, it's another year..."

Since he said goodbye, three autumns have passed in one day, but this real year can pass by so slowly.

Standing in front of his grave and letting him watch himself grow older year by year, I wonder whose tears are hotter and whose heart is more painful inside and outside the grave?

Maybe when the tears run out, there will be blood, and when the pain reaches the extreme, there will be numbness.

If the long breath is broken, meeting each other will become the most luxurious 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. Every time he drew a stroke, his heart twitched.

The mountain wind was still whistling in my ears, and in the intervals between the shrill screams, there were actually faint human voices mixed in, coming vaguely from the other end of the mountain road.

Xia Dong's two long eyebrows were tightly knitted, and a sinister aura appeared on his face.

There are very few people in Gushan in winter, not to mention the remoteness here, not to mention that it is still the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. This is the first time that anyone has disturbed the annual festival.

"Sect Master, there is a small road over there, and the main peak is over here. Look, you can already see it..."

"It doesn't matter, I just want to take a walk on the path. The trees are dense and the branches are deep here, and the light and shadow are jumping. Isn't it more interesting?"

"Yes,...be careful, there is still snow on the ground and it's easy to slip."

"With you holding me like this, I can't even slip and fall..."

In the gentle voice, the snow creaked. Xia Dong took a deep breath and turned around slowly, his face expressionless.

"Master Xia..." The visitor seemed a little surprised, "What a coincidence..."

"Mr. Su is very interested in climbing mountains in the cold winter." Xia Dong said calmly, "But today, I remember there seemed to be a grand meeting..."

"I just couldn't stand the noise, so I hid out of the city. If I stayed in the cold house and accepted the invitation, it would be hard to shirk it." Mei Changsu did not shy away and said calmly, "What's more, Su has a new illness, and the doctor

Let me climb the mountain slowly and slowly regain my strength, which is also a kind of therapy. It happens that this lonely mountain is closest to the city, so I came here on a whim. Is there anything that will disturb you, sir?"

"This lonely mountain is not mine. Of course, everyone can come." Xia Dong said coldly, "This is the tomb of the stupid man. Few people come here, so it is a bit unexpected."

"Is this the burial place of General Nie?" Mei Changsu took a step forward and spoke in a steady tone. Only his long eyelashes drooped, covering his deep eyes, "A famous general of the generation, Su Mou has always been famous. Today.

Since you are destined to come here, can you allow me to offer a sacrifice to show my respect?"

Xia Dong was startled, but thinking about it since he was here, the two of them could be considered friends who talked under the snow. If he knew it was his late husband's tomb but didn't express it, that would not be the proper etiquette. As for words of respect,

It’s not worth delving into whether it’s true or false. He nodded immediately and said, “Thank you for your kindness, sir. Please do it.”

Mei Changsu nodded lightly, walked slowly to the front of the tombstone, knelt down, pinched the earth for incense, bowed deeply three times, turned 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 with a bow.

Mei Changsu took the silver vase, uncorked it with a snap of his fingers, clasped it with both hands, and chanted loudly: "The general's reputation will be ruined after hundreds of battles. Go to Heliang, look back thousands of miles, and the old friends will be gone. The water is flowing, the west wind is cold, and the people are wearing clothes.

It's like snow. A strong man, but his tragic song has not yet been completed. The singing bird still knows how much hatred it is, but it doesn't cry clear tears and cries blood. Who can share with me, drunk on the bright moon?... The general's heroic spirit is here. If you wish to be reunited, please drink my wine.

!”

After saying that, he drank the wine on the floor, turned back and raised his head and took another big sip. He coughed slightly and held it back. He wiped the wine stains from the corner of his lips with the back of his hand. His eyes were sharp and his clothes were hunting. He could only feel the sadness and anger in his chest that was hard to suppress, and he couldn't help but scream.

One sound.

Xia Dong stood behind him. Although he couldn't see the expression of the tomb worshipper, he was touched by his words and could hardly control himself. He turned around and held on to the tree trunk next to him, weeping like ice.

"Mrs. Nie, the deceased is gone. Please give me your condolences." After a moment, a gentle voice sounded in my ears. Hearing that he changed his title, I felt even sadder. But Xia Dong was not a widow after all, and her proud and tenacious temperament would not allow her to be absent.

She showed weakness in front of people she knew well. After quickly adjusting her unstable breath, she raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her cheeks and regained her firm and steady expression.

"Sir's kindness is so great that the deceased feels the same. Xia Dong pays his respects here."

Mei Changsu returned the gift and advised: "The sacrifice is just a thought. I think Mrs. Nie's clothes are thin and she has no fur clothes. It's better for Su to accompany you down the mountain. General Nie has a spirit in the sky, and he definitely doesn't want to see Mrs. Nie like this."

Self-suffering."

Xia Dong had already finished worshiping and was about to go down the mountain. Without saying a word, the two of them turned around silently and walked slowly side by side along the stone steps of the mountain road. Along the way, they could only hear the sound of the wind blowing and falling snow, and there was not a single word.

chat.

When they were almost at the foot of the mountain and could see the thatched teahouse and the horses tied outside the teahouse in the distance, Xia Dongfang asked lightly: "Sir, are you going back to the city?"

Mei Changsu smiled and said: "It's not yet past noon, so it's still early to return to the city. I heard that there are beautiful stone carvings in the nearby ancient town, so I want to take this opportunity to take a walk."

"Are the stone sculptures in Chixia Town? It's really worth seeing." Xia Dong stopped and said, "I'm sorry that I have business in Beijing and can't accompany you anymore."

"Master Xia, please excuse me." The situation changed, and Mei Changsu naturally changed his title again, "This case of the prisoner's murder is indeed difficult to investigate. Despite your hard work, sir, you should take more care of yourself."

Xia Dong's eyes swept over, as sharp as a knife, "What do you mean by Mr. Su's words?"

"What? Didn't this case be handed over to the Xuanjing Department?"

Xia Dong's face turned even colder. The case was apparently being investigated by the Forbidden Army Command, and she was involved under a secret order. But since the investigation had already begun, it was only a matter of time before others found out. But this Su Zhe, he

I also knew it was a little too early.

"This is indeed a strange case. Maybe the Xuanjing Department will be interested in it in the future."

To kill people so cleanly, he must be a master of martial arts. What kind of advice does Mr. Su have?"

"There are many talented people in the world. Even Langya Pavilion keeps updating the list every year. How can I dare to speak nonsense? And when it comes to understanding the people in the world, is the Xuanjing Division inferior to the Jiangzuo League? What is there currently?

The master is staying in the capital, I'm afraid Master Xia knows better than me, right?"

Xia Dong's ice-like eyes flickered slightly, and his expression was very wary. As a confidant of the emperor, Xuanjing must not be involved in party disputes and show no bias. Su Zhe is now almost a member of King Yu's camp.

He really had to be more careful when talking.

Mei Changsu smiled at the corner of his lips and slowly looked away. Of course he knew what Xia Dong was thinking at this time. Looking at the entire capital, except for those who understood his true purpose, other people knew that he had been involved in party strife.

, their attitudes have changed more or less, even Yan Yujin and Xie Bi are no exception. If there is one person who has always treated him sincerely, there is only one Xiao Jingrui.

In the eyes of others, he was first and foremost the talented Qilin Su Zhe. But in the eyes of Xiao Jingrui, he was just Mei Changsu from beginning to end.

No matter how impressive he was, no matter how many troubles he caused, the young man's original intention of becoming friends with him never changed at all.

Xiao Jingrui has been watching this party struggle with a calm and sad but not detached gaze. He does not think that his father's choice is wrong, nor does he think that Brother Su's position is wrong. He is just concerned about the reality that the two people cannot stand together.

He felt sad, but he did not give up his friendship with Mei Changsu because of this. He maintained his usual frank and unquestioning attitude. Whatever Mei Changsu asked him, he answered truthfully, never thinking deeply about "Su

"Brother, what is the intention and purpose of asking this question?" This is not impossible, it is not possible.

Including the pre-invitation to this birthday party, Mei Changsu could clearly see the young man's bright thoughts: You are my friend, and 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.

The moonlight breeze is nothing more than this. It is a pity that such a person has grown up in the Xie Mansion.

Mei Changsu shook his head and sighed softly, stopping his thoughts. The wheel of fate was approaching, and it was useless to think about it anymore, because no one could 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 said softly "Hey".

Mei Changsu followed her gaze and raised his eyebrows. He saw about a hundred officers and soldiers jumping out from deep in the dense forest near the bottom of the mountain, some holding long knives, and some

They were holding spiked hook guns, and some were carrying whole coils of rope. Judging from their snow- and mud-stained boots and dirty underwear, this group of people had probably been walking through the dense forest for a while.

It's been a while.

"Have you found it?" A tall and burly noncommissioned officer, who looked like a centurion from his clothing, also jumped out. His voice was loud, and his roar seemed to have an echo.

"No……"

"I didn't see anything..."

The subordinates answered one after another, and everyone looked disappointed.

"Didn't some mountain people report that they saw it here? Damn it! I missed it again!" The centurion cursed angrily, raised his head, and his eyes inadvertently turned to the direction of Mei and Xia, and he couldn't help but be stunned.

Mei Changsu showed a bright smile and nodded to him.

It’s true that we meet each other everywhere in life, and we can meet acquaintances intentionally or unintentionally...

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Chapter completed!