【Chapter 21-Chapter Wooden Box】I will disguise you for you

Early in the morning of the second day, as soon as Chu Yuan got up, Sixi's father-in-law brought a steaming breakfast, saying that the king of the southwest personally went to the street to buy it, and it was all light taste.

"Someone's having a funeral out there?" Chu Yuan frowned slightly.

"Back to the emperor, it is the people in this city who pool money and ask the master to do a ritual for the old people who have passed away." Sixi is fair, "Although the good hall is sealed, the deceased will not be able to enter the earth for a while, but reciting a sutra on the street outside is also a big guy's heart." ”

Duan Baiyue walked in with a bag of snacks.

Sixi's father-in-law retreated.

"Is your nose healed?" Duan Baiyue asked.

Chu Yuan nodded, pulled out a chair and sat at the table.

"I didn't buy it, try this while it's hot." Duan Baiyue opened the paper package, "Fried dumplings, add special dried fish." ”

Chu Yuan frowned: "Fishy." ”

"I haven't eaten it yet, how can I know it's fishy." Duan Baiyue poured some vinegar into the small dish in front of him, and put a dumpling in it, "Taste it." ”

Chu Yuan took a bite, the juice was full and delicious.

"How?" Duan Baiyue asked.

Chu Yuan put down his chopsticks and staggered his gaze to look outside: "It's still fishy." ”

Duan Baiyue shook his head with a smile and handed him another bowl of vegetable porridge.

"Can you find out anything from those corpses in the good hall?" Chu Yuan took another bite of the fried dumplings.

"It's still eating, do you really want to talk about corpses?" Duan Baiyue was funny.

Chu Yuan said: "Yes." ”

"Those corpses should have been planted with Gu after death, and the Gu worms ate and deformed the bones, coupled with the burning fire, even if it is an experienced person, it may not be possible to see that the deceased is actually a young man." Duan Baiyue said, "As for Sun Man's corpse, it was forcibly concocted with Gu worms when he was about to die, so it is different from the rest of the dead, it is not easy to detect at a rough look, if you observe it, you can still find clues." ”

Chu Yuan really put down his chopsticks and stopped eating.

Duan Baiyue was helpless: "I should let you finish the meal first." ”

"Can you tell where those bodies came from?" Chu Yuan asked again.

"The damage is too strict." Duan Baiyue said: "My people have also checked, and there are no traces of the mass graves in this city being turned over, and I haven't heard of any people lost or dug up. ”

"That is the corpse that was transported from elsewhere, and the old man in the good hall was exchanged for the sake of the gods not knowing." Chu Yuan said, "On weekdays, there are only twenty-five people in Shantang, and the murderer only prepares twenty-five corpses. Who knew that there was one more person when he was acting that night, and in order not to make a mistake, he went to the street to arrest him, and happened to meet Sun Man, who went to have a private affair, so he killed him. ”

Duan Baiyue nodded: "There are often large quantities of goods coming in and out here, and it is not difficult to transport corpses into the city, but twenty-six living people are no better than others, and it will take a lot of time to get out of the city." Moreover, after the fire, the city gate was heavily guarded, and not even a single mosquito could fly out, according to this inference, nine out of ten of the old people in the good hall should still be hiding in the city. ”

"Purpose?" Chu Yuan frowned slightly.

"The people who live in the good hall are all old carpenters." Duan Baiyue knocked on the table and reminded, "The old man is also an old carpenter. ”

Chu Yuan asked, "Tiansha Sect?" ”

Duan Baiyue nodded: "Kidnapping so many old craftsmen, I'm afraid that Lan Ji is going to break some old mechanism." ”

"Why do you want to do it at this time?" Chu Yuan said, "Knowing that I am in Dayan City, even if she kidnaps someone, it will be difficult for her to take them out." ”

"In order to deter Xu Zhiqiu." Duan Baiyue said, "If it weren't for you, he would be the first person in this city, and the Demon Sect might not be able to threaten him." And now, even if there is only the slightest abnormality, he will be terrified, and if Lan Ji wants to take advantage of him, this is the best time. ”

"It's a pity, Xu Aiqing has been loyal all her life." Chu Yuan shook his head, "My son is so uncompromising. ”

"It's too early to say that the truth is still unknown." Duan Baiyue said, "As for those corpses in the Good Hall, let's put them in the ground tomorrow, and it can also make Lan Ji relax her vigilance, feeling that we haven't found anything." ”

Chu Yuan nodded: "Okay." ”

"After the corpse matter is over, do you still want to go to the study of the Xu Mansion tonight?" Duan Baiyue asked again.

Chu Yuan said: "Go." ”

Duan Baiyue smiled: "Then I will sleep a little more in the afternoon, so that I can have the energy to stay up late to investigate the case." ”

Looking at the faint blue and black under his eyes, Chu Yuan wanted to speak and stopped, and finally just lowered his head and ate a mouthful of porridge.

Sleepless rushed to Dayan City, and then encountered the fire in Shantang, I thought that I only slept for a few hours last night, but I went out early in the morning to buy breakfast, and bought it twice. Thinking of this, although Chu Yuan was still completely discouraged by the corpse, he finally finished eating a plate of fried dumplings and a bowl of porridge before going to the study to deal with political affairs.

After he left, Duan Baiyue just wanted to go back to the inn to have a look, but Sixi's father-in-law entered the door again, saying that the emperor ordered him to come down, if the king of the southwest had nothing to do, he would rest in this post house in the afternoon, and don't run around again.

Duan Baiyue smiled dumbly: "Don't run around anymore?" ”

Sixi's father-in-law also smiled with his hands: "The emperor's dictation is indeed so." ”

Duan Baiyue readily agreed, or simply said ...... I can't ask for it.

A few days ago, he was really tired, so not long after his head touched the pillow, Duan Baiyue had already fallen asleep. It's so quiet outside, not a single mouse, not even a mouse. A team of royal guards surrounded the small courtyard, and they all wondered in their hearts, the emperor was clearly in the study, why did he order to guard this empty courtyard, could it be that there was something hidden in it.

The twilight was dreary, and as soon as Chu Yuan returned to his residence from the study, Sixi's father-in-law said that the king of the southwest had been sleeping and hadn't even eaten.

Duan Baiyue lay on the bed, listening to the movement outside leisurely, and the corners of her lips curled. He was a martial artist, so he naturally woke up when the door of the courtyard squeaked, but he didn't make a sound, just waiting for the man to come in and call.

A moment later, someone pushed the door open.

Duan Baiyue turned her head and saw Sixi's father-in-law walk in.

……

Duan Baiyue calmly withdrew her gaze and continued to stare at the top of the bed.

"The emperor is still waiting for the prince to dine together." Sixi's father-in-law stood by the bed, with a deep smile in his eyes. If you don't call it this time, maybe you will come next time, after all, no one can say for sure the emperor's temperament, but don't be discouraged.

Duan Baiyue took a deep breath, got up and washed up and went to the next door.

The food on the table was still light, and even the salt and chili jars had been taken away.

Duan Baiyue looked at the big bowl of vegetarian fried rice in front of her, and smiled calmly.

Chu Yuan ate by himself.

"Mountain mushrooms are added to it, and the soup is also freshly cooked, which is good for the body." Sixi's father-in-law waited at the table.

"Very good." Duan Baiyue picked up the chopsticks and swallowed them violently.

It's expected, but it's really good.

It's just for the original sentence "The emperor specially told him to cook it lightly, I'm afraid I'm still worried about the prince's internal injuries."

Don't say that it is soup and rice without oil and salt, even if it is a scorpion poisonous insect bitter Chinese medicine, I am afraid that it can be eaten without changing the color.

The study of the Xu Mansion was as old as before, and it was obvious that Xu Zhiqiu had not found that anyone had broken in. This time, Duan Baiyue packed the night pearl in a semi-sheer gauze bag, even if there was no moonlight, it could just illuminate slightly.

Chu Yuan lowered his head and quickly copied the account book, Duan Baiyue stood by the side, and his eyes never left his side face for a moment. It is rumored that the Empress of Dachu was peerless back then, and now it seems that there is evidence - otherwise how could such a handsome and handsome prince be born.

"Alright." Chu Yuan blew dry the ink, and restored it to its original state, "Let's go." ”

In all fairness, Duan Baiyue was a little reluctant to leave like this.

Chu Yuan had already gone out.

Duan Baiyue sighed in her heart and followed behind.

"It's dry, watch out for the candles!" On the street, there is a husband walking by.

The surroundings were empty, Duan Baiyue grabbed the wrists of the people around him and led him into a small courtyard.

"Old man......" is constantly whispering in his ears, and two strings of red and bright lanterns hang high on the eaves, which is a green building.

Duan Baiyue: "......"

Chu Yuan was stunned for a moment, then waved his hand angrily and threw the person away, and returned to the post station alone, locking the bedroom door without looking back.

Sixi's father-in-law touched his nose and asked in a low voice, "Why is the emperor angry?" ”

Duan Baiyue also lowered her voice and replied: "Because I found Xu Zhiqiu's case record." ”

Sixi's father-in-law suddenly realized: "I see. ”

Looking at the closed door, Duan Baiyue sent Sixi back to rest, and sat on the steps to watch the moon.

The sky lit up little by little, and Chu Yuan put aside the sorted accounts and let out a sigh of relief.

The night was not in vain.

Outside the door, Duan Baiyue was breaking worms and feeding spiders, looking at a man about the size of an adult man's fist, black and white, a little crazy.

Chu Yuan saw this scene as soon as he pushed the door, and his face froze.

Duan Baiyue: "......"

Chu Yuan asked, "What is this?" ”

"I don't know." Duan Baiyue stood up and swept the spider to the corner, her tone casual, "Just picked it up from the yard." ”

The white-fronted spider was dizzy, apparently desperately puzzled as to why it was thrown into the grass by its owner just halfway through the meal.

"What do you want to eat?" Duan Baiyue asked, "I'll buy it back." ”

"There are patterns between those graphs on the accounts." Chu Yuan said, "As long as you find the right way, it's not difficult to understand." ”

"So?" Duan Baiyue was tentative.

"Although only a few pages have been copied, the amount on these pages of accounts alone is enough to prove that Xu Zhiqiu is not only greedy, but also a big greed." Chu Yuan said.

"It's a bit of a stretch." Duan Baiyue shook her head, "There must be a way to be greedy, what is he doing in private, he actually has the ability to accumulate wealth so quietly, even the people don't notice anything unusual." ”

Chu Yuan frowned and sat on the steps, obviously not thinking clearly.

"Even if you can't find an answer for a while, you have to eat." Duan Baiyue said, "Otherwise, it would not be an emperor, but an immortal." ”

"Think of a way to force Xu Zhiqiu to show his feet." Chu Yuan said.

Duan Baiyue nodded: "Okay." ”

Chu Yuan laughed: "Say okay so lightly?" ”

"I'll find a way to do what I promised." Duan Baiyue sat next to her, "But there are conditions." ”

Chu Yuan's expression froze, and he turned his head to look at him.

Duan Baiyue raised her eyebrows: "The Southwest Mansion has never suffered a loss. ”

"What do you want?" Chu Yuan's expression was detached, and his tone became slightly cold, "The entire southwest is now King Duan's. ”

Duan Baiyue smiled, got up and strode out of the small courtyard.

Sixi's father-in-law passed by him, and he wanted to say hello with a smile, but Yu Guang swept Chu Yuan's expression, so he hurriedly bowed his head and didn't dare to say anything more.

There was silence all around, and the white-fronted spider crawled over cautiously, continuing to gnaw on the slag that had fallen on the ground before, and always being vigilant so as not to be trampled on flat.

Sixi's father-in-law stood aside, and he was also worried in his heart, the emperor and the king of the southwest were fine before, and they worked all night, what the hell is going on.

After about a stick of incense, Chu Yuan stood up and wanted to go back to the room, but Duan Baiyue jumped off the courtyard wall again.

"Is there anything else to do with King Duan?" Chu Yuan staggered his gaze.

"The brine roast chicken I just bought." Duan Baiyue grabbed his wrist, took the person into the house and closed the door, there was a smile in his voice, "After eating with peace of mind, I will promise to help you." ”

Chu Yuan: "......"

Sixi's father-in-law held his breath and bent over to listen.

Duan Baiyue washed her hands, opened the paper bag and tore off a chicken leg, which was fat, tender and golden, and still dripping juice, which looked quite attractive.

Chu Yuan hesitated for a moment before he said, "This is what you call a condition?" ”

"Otherwise?" Duan Baiyue handed him the chicken legs: "I have eaten somen noodles for three days in a row, and those who know say that they are the emperor, and those who don't know think that it is a monk." ”

Chu Yuan: "......"

Duan Baiyue herself also took a bite of meat, and sighed: "After running around outside for a day, I guess I will come back tonight with another bowl of green vegetable noodles, at least mix some oil and water first." ”

Chu Yuan couldn't cry or laugh, wiped his greasy fingers, and peeled a braised egg to eat.

Listening to the first two people in the room start talking again, Sixi's father-in-law was relieved, and continued to stand outside, leisurely holding his hands and looking at the clouds.

After another day, rumors began to spread in the city, saying that the emperor was extremely dissatisfied with the Xu Governor's Mansion, and it was estimated that it would not be long before he would issue an order to remove his official position and recall people back to the royal city.

Some people say that they are afraid that it is not just as simple as dismissal, and others ask the reason, but no one can say it.

Some people also said that this time it was not only the Governor Xu, but it was estimated that even the Master Xu in the royal city would be implicated.

For a while, rumors flew everywhere, and the people said anything, and naturally it also reached Xu Zhiqiu's ears.

So he became more and more anxious, and all day long he was like a cat and a mouse, and he couldn't even eat, for fear that he would be summoned by the emperor.

In the afternoon of this day, a board cart full of firewood entered the prefect's yamen through the back door, and several people in the entourage were helping to unload the goods in the room, but there was only a thin man who hurried straight to the backyard.

Duan Baiyue fell from the tree and quietly followed behind.

"How dare you come now?" Xu Zhiqiu was writing a letter in the study, when someone suddenly covered his mouth from behind, and he was shocked.

"Don't worry, adults." The man who sent Chai Shanmin to unlock his acupoint, the voice was crisp, and it turned out to be a woman's disguise.

"Now this city is full of Imperial Guards!" Xu Zhiqiu stomped his feet again and again.

"Your Excellency also knows that the situation is in crisis." The woman sneered, "Even the three-year-old little doll is saying that the emperor is quite dissatisfied with the achievements of adults, but it is useless to be in a hurry, and only by agreeing to the sect leader's request can he have a chance to keep the black yarn hat." ”

"The emperor is still in the city, why can't he wait until later?" Xu Zhiqiu lowered his voice and gritted his teeth.

"If the emperor is not there, I am afraid that the adults will not be willing to be controlled by others." The woman said, "If the adults know each other, they will obediently hand over the gold mountain in the private treasury, and the sect leader will not be embarrassed." ”

Duan Baiyue frowned slightly when she heard this, she was still saying that this person was a huge greedy person early in the morning, but she didn't expect that she could actually be greedy for a mountain of gold, which was too unbelievable.

Xu Zhiqiu's face was white and red, and he sat on the chair with a face like ashes.

"My lord is really dead-eyed." Seeing him like this, the woman shook her head, "As long as Qiufeng Village is still there, the adult's private treasury will not worry about running out of silver, this time it is gone, and the second time it will be earned, and the green mountains will be left, and I am afraid that there will be no firewood?" ”

"Shut up!" Hearing the words "Autumn Wind Village", Xu Zhiqiu obviously became even more nervous.

"My lord, let's think again, my family leader is not a patient person." After the woman finished speaking, she went out and left. Duan Nian, who had been staring at the study of the Xu Mansion, received Duan Baiyue's instructions, and followed her all the way out of the mansion to see what was going on.

Duan Baiyue went back to the post house first.

"Autumn Wind Village?" Chu Yuan said, "Hurry up and get out of the city, you can get there in about half an hour." After all, the place in this big wild goose city is limited, so some large wooden beam vehicles and tools are first made in Qiufeng Village, and then transported back to the city to be assembled in shops, and finally sold to all parts of Chu through the Guò Yanshui River. ”

"Would you like to see it?" Duan Baiyue said, "Listening to what the two of them said today, Xu Zhiqiu's cat should be there." ”

Chu Yuan nodded, and said, "What if someone finds out?" ”

"It's easy." Duan Baiyue said easily.

Chu Yuan: "......"

He only learned kung fu since he was a child, but he never learned how to change his face.

Duan Baiyue said: "The people in the Southwest Mansion are all disguise masters. ”

Chu Yuan had no choice but to sit upright in his chair and let him smear it on his face.

The fingertips were soft and slightly cool to the touch, the corners of Duan Baiyue's lips rose, and her thumb gently rubbed against the side of his face.

Chu Yuan really wanted to beat people out.

Duan Baiyue got closer and closer, her expression extremely focused.

Chu Yuan couldn't help but hide back, but there was nowhere to hide, and later, almost the whole person was stuck on the wall.

Duan Baiyue gently raised his chin.

Sixi's father-in-law inadvertently saw it in the crack of the window, and hurriedly turned his back to show that he really didn't see anything.

The two were so close that they had to stick the tips of their noses together.

Feeling the other party's scorching breathing, Chu Yuan finally couldn't bear it anymore and pushed the person away.

Duan Baiyue's eyes were puzzled: "What does Emperor Chu mean by this?" ”

Chu Yuan wiped his face, gritted his teeth and said, "I can't go, just leave this matter to Xiang Yan." ”

"It's all right, if you don't go, won't you be busy for so long in vain." Duan Baiyue took the bronze mirror and put it in front of him, "Are you still satisfied?" ”

The person in the mirror has mediocre facial features and a dull expression, and there are some spots, looking like a businessman from a foreign country.

"Let's go and have a look, there's nothing to do in the inn after all." Duan Baiyue picked up another mask and quickly pasted it on his face.

Chu Yuan frowned.

Duan Baiyue calmly explained: "When I walked the rivers and lakes before, I often gave myself a disguise, so I naturally became more proficient. ”

Chu Yuan: "......"

"Let's go." Duan Baiyue said to herself, "Autumn Wind Village, it sounds like a good place. ”

Merchants often come to see the goods in this realm, so when they suddenly see two strangers, no one thinks it is unusual.

The little doll was playing around on the ridge, Duan Baiyue casually folded off a bunch of red flowers on the side of the road, and took the stamens and pulled them out: "Do you want to eat it?" ”

"Eat?" Chu Yuan frowned.

"Sweet." Duan Baiyue said.

Chu Yuan simply refused neatly. As a prince, if you grab everything and stuff it into your mouth like an ordinary child, I'm afraid you won't be able to live now.

"With me, no one can harm you." As if seeing through his thoughts, Duan Baiyue smiled, "This is called a lantern core, and it is all over the mountains in the southwest." ”

Chu Yuan didn't hear it, and stepped up a few steps towards the village not far away.

Not only does it make a living from the carpenter's craft, but the plaques in Qiufeng Village are much more elaborate than ordinary villages. In the small courtyard on both sides of the road, men and women weave, and there were a lot of scattered parts, and they greeted them with a smile after seeing the two of them, thinking that the merchants had come to see the goods and receive them.

Walking around the village, I still didn't see any clues, every household was sawing wood to do crafts, and when I saw someone, I didn't hide it, but when I met a warm one, I had to beckon him to go in and drink tea, which really didn't look like a secret was hidden.

In a farm at the end of the village, a man was sweating profusely sawing wood, Duan Baiyue walked in with Chu Yuan and asked if he could give a bowl of tea.

"Nature." The man put down his work and quickly came out of the house with water, "The two of you are here to see the goods?" ”

"Yes." Duan Baiyue nodded, "I want to order a batch of carriage wheels, and seeing that there seem to be a lot of scattered pieces piled up in the courtyard of the eldest brother, I came in and asked." ”

"If you want to buy goods, you still have to order from the shops in Dayan City." The man said, "It's just some parts here, and every household has different things, and in the end, it's still in the city." ”

"I see." Duan Baiyue suddenly said, "Then the eldest brother specializes in making this car?" ”

"And the legs and the wooden box." The man wiped his sweat.

"Wooden box?" Duan Baiyue asked, "For jewelry?" ”

"I don't know, the village is full of craftsmen, and they don't know what to sell outside. It's all the drawings from the big shops in the city, and we'll do it as it is. The man said.

"It looks a little big, and it doesn't look like something that my daughter's family likes." Duan Baiyue picked up a wooden box, "Seeing that the eldest brother is so skilled, I have been doing it for a long time." ”

"My ancestors made wheels, but this wooden box only started a few years ago, but it sold the best." Probably because very few people come here on weekdays, the man's words are more, and he said with a smile, "I have to go out about 200 times a month." ”

"It looks pretty delicate, can I take one with me?" Duan Baiyue asked.

"That's not going to work." The man's face was embarrassed, "Wu Yuanwai said, this wooden box can't be given to outsiders, and it won't be sold for any silver." ”

"That's right." Duan Baiyue apologized, "It's reckless." ”

"No, the guests are too polite." The man waved his hand again and again, "If it's my own, I can take as much as I want, but the boss really doesn't allow it." If the guest really wants to, go to the Wu family car dealer in Dayan City and ask, after I do this, I will also send it to the car dealership. ”

Duan Baiyue nodded: "Thank you." ”

The two sat for a while, and after drinking tea, they left the village and walked slowly back along the path.

"What's so strange about that wooden box?" Chu Yuan asked.

"It's weird, but it's really not something that you can use every day." Duan Baiyue said, "It's bulky and unsightly, and it can't fit a lot of things, so it's normal that it can't be sold." ”

"Just go to the city and see." Chu Yuan said, "The Wu family car shop is not far from the post house, I have seen it before, and the business seems to be good." ”

Duan Baiyue nodded and went back to Dayan City with him.