The capital of Rongguo is like water.
The two carriages were traveling in tandem, one behind the other.
Su Yan stuck his head out of the window, greeted Jinyun City in the carriage behind, and then turned to look at the situation ahead. What you see in front of you is a towering city wall. A few feet away from the city wall, you can also see houses and pavilions that are higher than the city head.
On the city wall, the word 'Ruoshui' has been covered with a lot of dust, but it still cannot stop its imposing momentum.
At the beginning of the founding of the Rong State, the late emperor wrote the word "Ruoshui" in his own handwriting. At that time, he responded to the call and led the kings of the four countries to attack the Chu State. In several consecutive months, he captured the city coefficient of the Chu State. He killed countless people with his hands.
The carriage slowly drove into the city gate with the flow of people, and stepped onto the "Changchang Street", the widest and main street in Ruoshui City.
On both sides of the street, there are rows of pavilions and pavilions, shops and vendors, bustling with people and bustling. The sun pours down, covering the green tiles and white walls, and there is an extraordinary atmosphere everywhere.
Su Yan rolled up the curtains, then lay on the window sill, sighing at the magnificent scene. Thinking back to those days, although Ruoshui City was prosperous, it was not like this. This street alone was more than ten feet wider than nine years ago! After all, Rong Guo is wealthy and loves to put on this facade.
The carriage moved leisurely through the streets, carefully avoiding crowds of pedestrians.
After coming to Hongji Town, a group of people came to the academy to receive him, so Zuo Qing didn't have to drive the carriage himself. He only had to sit in the carriage, drink tea and take a nap. At this time, he was still closing his eyes and concentrating, but as if he could see into Su Yan's heart, he said: "The appearance of a country is the most important. It is a means of demonstrating national power to all countries, whether it is the four major friendly countries or the neighboring country in the northwest. No matter what, as long as the more we look up to and fear Rong Guo, the less trouble will occur and the people will be able to live and work in peace and contentment. Therefore, the more exaggerated the facade, the better, it will be beneficial without any harm."
"But these money are still taken from the common people! Do you think those powerful families are willing to pull out their hair?" Su Yan felt that it was not painful for him to stand and talk, and the powerful people really joined together!
"I don't know about the others, but the Changsun family will definitely give their full support. Before the invasion of Ruoshui, the Changsun family had already been supplying a steady stream of money and materials to the army. They can also be regarded as the 'founding heroes'," Zuo Qing opened his mouth. He opened his eyes, picked up the teacup on the low table beside him, moistened his throat, and continued: "These facades are all given by merchants and aristocratic families in Beijing. The merchants of Rongguo are the second largest among the six countries. No one dares to Call it number one."
"Listen to what you mean, Rong Guo's fortune depends on merchants?" Su Yan said with great displeasure: "Then what is Ge Zheng who followed the late emperor all the way into the old capital of Chu and risked his life to ensure that the late emperor ascended to the top of the six kingdoms? ?!”
"I forgot about this." Zuo Qing said with a smile: "Whether it is the political prince who conquers the country or the merchant family who defends the country, they are all meritorious officials of Rongguo."
"Uh-huh!" Su Yan pursed his lips: "Climbing power and attaching importance to nobles!"
Zuo Qing lowered his head to drink tea in embarrassment and looked away. Unexpectedly, he saw in the Huajie Alley not far from the window. A new house was being repaired and the plaque sent by the waiter was about to be hung.
A woman stood under the plaque, her face reflected in the shadow of the trees.
The carriage suddenly stopped.
"Yansheng, what's going on outside?" Zuo Qing asked.
"Oh! It's okay. There are just a lot of people surrounding the city gate. I don't know what's going on."
Su Yan pushed his body further out of the window and looked back, but saw nothing. He only saw a lot of people over there and it was very lively.
A breeze mixed with the fragrance of peach blossoms passed through the window, as if it was coming from the city gate.
Something stirred in her mind, but she couldn't remember where she had smelled it.
Qishan Academy is located under the southeast peak of Ruoshui City, and most of its true appearance is surrounded by surrounding trees. Since the academy is adjacent to the palace and the hunting grounds, the academy has been hosting hunting activities all year round.
The carriage stopped at the entrance square. At the other end of the square was the main entrance of the academy, located on the tenth bluestone staircase.
It is very simple with green bricks and green tiles, pavilions and pavilions.
Su Yan turned back and looked at the way he came. This road was hidden in the woods, paved with stones, and the shade of the trees was hurried, covering up the sunlight above his head. Everywhere you look, there are mottled light spots and floating fog. The trees seem to be sleeping in it, and it is as quiet as the outside world.
After several days and nights of traveling, everyone was a little tired and speechless along the way.
After entering the second courtyard gate, a group of maids came up to take the luggage, and then followed quietly. No one said a word along the way. It seemed that the air had become solid under the influence of Zuo Qing's silence.
Su Yan followed the crowd through the labyrinth-like academy without any idea. The roads under his feet were as intricate as vines. The houses and pavilions he passed had different shapes and seemed to be divided into factions. It was the first time I saw such an academy, and I was indescribably curious.
She also noticed that the clothes worn by the maids were all different. Currently, there were only three colors: plain, dark blue and red.
Su Yan was immersed in it, when he suddenly heard a string of coughs coming from in front of him, and he suddenly woke up.
Zuo Qing reminded him of the fork in the road and ordered a few maids to stay at Jinyun City's disposal. She would lead Su Yan to where he was staying.
As soon as Zuo Qing left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Suo Qingqiu relaxed his shoulders and said with a sad look on his face: "This Zuo Qing is really, why are you walking with a group of us women? It's suffocating me to death!"
Jin Yuncheng laughed at her little girl for being a little impetuous after all, and warned her to hone her temper in the future, and not to be so unreasonable whether in front of others or behind others.
Su Yan almost didn't laugh when he saw the expression on her smile, and then on Suo Qingqiu's bewildered look.
Jinyun Cheng turned to Su Yan and said, "The boss has asked me to arrange a place for you. How about you go to my place and stay for one night? It just so happened that we came all the way here and didn't even have time to talk, so we'll have a chat tonight and have a drink." A cup?"
Suo Qingqiu obviously would not agree, so Su Yan would naturally understand. Just as he was about to decline, a little girl suddenly caught up with him. He hurriedly handed over a letter from Jinyun City and then left. After Jinyuncheng read the letter, he immediately threw Su Yan to Suo Qingqiu and hurried back the way he came. He didn't even have time to say hello. He looked like he was about to go out.
Suo Qingqiu finally got the chance to be alone with Su Yan, smiled sinisterly and said, "Let's go, this big shot."
After saying that, he took her to a tiled house built on the water, chose one that was relatively elegant, threw her clothes on the ground, and walked away.
Su Yan couldn't help but sit on the threshold, looking at Suo Qingqiu's back, and sighed: "A dog looks down on others!"
Zen Jingyuan, Xinghan Pavilion.
A dim yellow halo spreads across the screen, flickering continuously until it makes people drowsy.
Zuo Qing leaned in front of the desk and looked at the academy's accounts for the past six months. Yansheng placed the tea cup gently on the table and frowned when he heard his master's deliberately suppressed cough.
"Sir, it's time to rest. You are tired after traveling all the way."
Zuo Qing felt strange. Su Ming must have returned to Rongguo to report that he was missing. Why was there no movement at all?
Yansheng was a little worried: "I'm afraid Su Ming will doubt the origins of those killers, so our plan..."
"First of all, the killers sent are all Jianghu people, so they can pretend to be Mo Fei so they won't doubt me; secondly, no one in the world can find out my details. What he can know is also It can only be the news that I released myself. You have been following me for a few years, don’t you still know what I am capable of?”
Yan Yan realized it later and quickly said yes.
Zuo Qing said, "I haven't been back to Ruoshui for a long time. I haven't gone to say hello to my adoptive father yet. You go and arrange the carriage for tomorrow."
"yes."
One night flashed by, and then another. Su Yan waited for two days, but Zuo Qing didn't come, Yan Sheng didn't come, and Jinyun City didn't even set foot here.
Could it be that these people just threw themselves here and forgot?
She opened the west window, and mist began to appear on the lake. In the mist, she could see blue bricks and black tiles, pavilions, waterside pavilions, and carved beams and painted buildings. It was like a paradise outside of this world, but it was a pity that she was alone and uninteresting!
While I was depressed, I saw a awning boat slowly sliding over from the ferry on the other side of the lake, gradually approaching.
The boat docked, and a cardamom girl came up. She wore a goose-yellow brocade skirt and a red face. She looked like a young lady from a scholarly family, but she looked a little depressed.
"President Sun Yue, I have met Mr. Su." Her voice was very soft, so soft that people almost had to prick up their ears to hear him clearly.
Su Yan finally saw a live person, so he quickly took her hand and said, "I finally smell a bit popular! Did Zuo Qing ask you to come?"
She seemed to be afraid of everything here, including Su Yan, and even the name Zuo Qing. She timidly replied: "It's... the master in charge, Mr. Su. In our place, you have to call him your master."
Su Yan couldn't help frowning and complaining that there were so many rules here, and then asked the living creature: "Then what did he ask you to do?"
"They... are not! My lord said that you are well versed in tea art. It happens that Shuyoutang is short of a gentleman. I will familiarize myself with the academy in these days and take you to stay first. I will take up my post at the beginning of next month."
"What did you say? Sir! Is Zuo Qing crazy?"
"No, no, no!" She was so frightened that her eyes were straight and her words were incoherent, "Sir, you must not call the adults by their names, and of course you can't call other people by their names. The student is saying that in this Qishan Academy, except for the servants, They all have official positions, so you have to be careful."
Su Yan was reluctant in his heart and had to agree, "Yes, yes, what you are saying is that I am a newbie here and don't understand anything. You will have to teach me, a half-way monk...sir, in the future."
"How dare a student! You are a sir, and you will have to ask him for more advice in the future." With that said, he took the initiative to go into the house, picked up Xinrou, and led her into the boat.
Su Yan straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and left this boring place.
Leaving the lake, passing through an ingenious stone forest, you are faced with a row of green tiles and red walls. Looking inside the wall from Su Yan's perspective, he saw only a magnificent hall and nothing else.
According to Chang Sun Yue's introduction, it was Duanyunxuan where important matters were discussed, and it was also the facade of the academy.
Su Yan thought to himself: I have only been away from Rongguo for nine years, why do I want to show off everywhere?
Going northeast along the red wall, Changsun Yue suddenly stopped and pointed to the courtyard directly behind Duan Yunxuan, which was half hidden behind the woods. He kindly reminded Zuo Qing that it was Zuo Qing's Zen Jingyuan and must not disturb it.
Follow the red wall all the way to the end, turn right for dozens of steps and you will see another completely different courtyard wall. Passing through the moon gate is a bamboo forest, which is Qingpingtang. Changsun Yue said even more quietly: "The gentleman from Qingpingtang has a weird temper. Sir, you'd better be more careful... This is what the student says from the bottom of his heart. Not to mention you, even the boss won't go around with her."
Su Yan was not surprised at this time. Everyone here was normal. Even if someone with three heads and six arms appeared now, she could face it calmly.
Pass through the green bamboo forest, step on the bluestone steps, follow the water in the canal, and go south until you arrive at Nanhu Lake. At the end of the road, there is a stone archway with the four words "High Mountains and Flowing Waters" engraved on it.
There is a group of buildings in the center of the lake. From a distance, you can vaguely see water pavilions, water pavilions, watchtowers, covered bridges, and courtyards. The most eye-catching ones are the two three-story pavilions built on the water, connected by flying towers. The craftsmanship is so exquisite that it is astonishing.
The curved bridge on the lake is paved with bluestone slabs and granite as the edge. The hooks are carved with crabapples and green bamboos. After a few steps, it is replaced by winter plum powder and snow, and then there are flowers and fruits of four seasons.
Originally, it was only within a hundred steps from the shore to Lanshan Courtyard, but due to the curved bridge, it took a full 200 steps to reach the gate of Lanshan Courtyard.
After walking through the front yard and climbing up the insanely long corridor, she found the place where she would stay tonight.
Su Yan had already walked so hard that his eyes were blurred, the soles of his feet were aching and sore, and the bones in his body were about to squeeze out acidic water!
Changsun Yue didn't raise his head all the way, he fell down here, and he didn't dare to express his anger. He put the soft stuff on the bed, moved out of the room cautiously, and ran away.
Su Yan was confused by her behavior, and vaguely felt that this seemingly timid young lady was deliberately teasing her.
Su Yan was about to enter the door when he raised his head and took a closer look - Chaoyun Pavilion.
