When Xiao Wei heard Master Fuyuan's words, his body suddenly froze.

Subsequently, his hand was caught, slender, soft, and also warm, firm with a hand.

He looked sideways, Xu Han was beside him, and smiled sideways at him, seeing her smile, Xiao Wei felt a sense of reality.

He had just heard Master Fuyuan's questioning words, and it was true.

Xiao Wei's lips trembled, and finally squeezed out a sentence, "Old monk, what do you mean?" Are you insulting me? ”

He had long suspected this matter, and Xu Han was also helping her investigate.

However, listening to the words of the old monk, that is to say, the old monk knows his life experience?

He pursed his lips and didn't say anything more.

Master Fuyuan smiled, "You are my disciple, what is the difference between insulting you and insulting yourself." ”

"You ......"

"Master, are you sure you're telling the truth?" Xu Han suddenly interrupted Master Fuyuan's words.

She knew very well that Xiao Wei had looked bohemian on the surface over the years, but she was deeply affected by what the eldest princess of Shuyang said when she fell into madness.

She also deeply understands how much impact that incident has on Xiao Wei, once she says it, it will turn his life upside down, and she will not let people say it casually without definite evidence.

She couldn't let Xiao Xiao receive senseless harm, so she interrupted Master Fuyuan's words and confirmed again.

Regarding Xu Han's questioning, Master Fuyuan was not displeased, but said very happily,

"Good question, isn't the little prince looking to find out who the old horse saw before he died? That person was me. ”

Xiao Wei was stunned for a moment, and glanced at Xu Han, if you want to fall asleep, someone will send a pillow over?

A few days ago, Han Han just said that he saw a person before his grandfather died, and he was checking that person, but this person jumped out by himself.

This...... Is it a coincidence?

Certainly not a coincidence.

Seeing that Xiao Wei was stunned, Master Fuyuan was very satisfied, he smiled, and the stereotypical expression on his face disappeared at all.

Xiao Wei has always been silent, he has always wanted to find out the cause of his grandfather's death, and now he finally knows?

"Please also ask the master to solve the doubts." Xu Han looked at Master Fuyuan and looked at him.

Master Fuyuan sighed lightly and said,

"My relationship with the colt began a long time ago, when the pony gave me the only ration he had, and after that, I promised the pony to do three things."

"At first, the horse never looked for me until the world was decided, and he and the eldest princess of Shuyang returned to the field."

"First thing, he asked me to teach you martial arts, this is very simple, I agreed."

"Your talent is very good, and I am very happy, although you don't want to recognize me as a master, it's nothing."

"The second thing, six years ago, when I was traveling, received your grandfather's unique summons, which I agreed with him for those three things."

"After I received the news, I secretly entered Beijing and went to the other courtyard ......"

Master Fuyuan looked at Xu Han and said, "It's the individual courtyard where you found the clue." ”

"I secretly went to the courtyard to see your grandfather, and he asked me to take you away. Go far. Don't go back to Beijing. ”

"As my benefactor who owes a debt, I naturally want to ask him what happened, after all, the creditor is him, not to mention, if you want to take you away, that is to say, I will have to be responsible for your life in the future, I must always ask the reason."

"The horse didn't say, just asked me to take you away, saying, your surname is Xiao, you will always be the Xiao family, and if you can save your life, it will not be in vain for his life. The remaining two things I promised were written off. ”

Later, the eldest princess also came, and the two of them were like great enemies, and at that time, the eldest princess's mood was a little wrong, as if she had fallen into madness.

The colt has been comforting the eldest princess, and said that if he wants to die, he will die! He's the head of the family, the head of the family, and something. ”

"After that, I made an agreement with the colt to take you away, and I left."

"It's just that before I could go look for you, I heard that the colt was dead...... After the grief of the eldest princess, it seemed to be a different person. ”

"I didn't think something was right, so I didn't dare to leave, I just went to you quietly, and then you refused."

"After you refused, I quietly went to visit the eldest princess."

"The eldest princess didn't expect me to appear, I jumped down, I quietly observed the eldest princess, she should have made a mistake in her memory. One memory was forgotten, but she hadn't taken any drugs. ”

"Later, when I was traveling, I met a traveling doctor, who once said that if people are subjected to a major stimulus, they will selectively forget that memory. Come to think of it, the eldest princess was too excited at that time. ”

"Yes, I suspect your background, and I believe that before your grandfather passed me on to Beijing, this matter had already happened, and it was irreparable."

Xiao Wei listened to Master Fuyuan's words and covered his face with his hands, he always knew that there was a problem with the cause of his grandfather's death, but he didn't expect it to be such an answer.

Grandfather died for him!

And my grandmother was stimulated like that because of him, but she never stopped loving him.

Why did she tell him not to be motivated, let him just be a gentleman, she wanted to keep him.

"If that's the case, then I'm not the culprit who killed my grandfather?" Xiao Xiao muttered.

Master Fuyuan looked at him with a soft gaze,

"The old colt is a hero, and he died for you, so he naturally thinks it's worth it."

"Your grandmother has loved you for so many years, and she is not at all surprised, their love is what you should value the most, you don't let them down."

The corners of Xiao Wei's eyes were red, the tear mole was bright, he always knew that his grandfather and grandmother loved him very much, but he didn't know that this love contained human life!

Such a heaviness.

For so many years, although my grandmother has connived at him, she has never allowed him to do anything hurtful.

She knew that he liked Hanhan, went up to the main hall, argued with reason, and never thought about what to do if she was implicated.

Xu Han stretched out his hand again and put it on the back of his hand that was clenched into a fist under the table.

Feeling her body temperature, Xiao Xiao's trance-like gaze met her, and the worry in her eyes finally calmed him down.

Xu Han said calmly, "In this way, the master doesn't know the specific truth, but he just knows some side details." ”

Master Fuyuan's rigid expression returned, he smiled proudly, and said,

"It would be wrong for the little prince to say this, if I can say this, there must be evidence."

"It's just that the evidence is not in my hands, but in the hands of another person."

Xu Han's eyes lit up and he looked at him, "Who is that person?" ”

Master Fuyuan stared at her, his eyes paused slightly, and he looked unfathomable.

Xu Han saw that he didn't speak, thinking that Master Fuyuan had mocked her when she just came in, she unceremoniously pushed back, this master shouldn't be angry because of this matter, right?

She didn't want to, who knew that he had a relationship with Xiao Wei, and what he said was really hard to hear, why did she listen to this?

Forget it, this master looks unfathomable, he is a capable, capable person, and has a big temper.

"Since the master promised the horse to protect him for the rest of his life......" Xu Han dragged out his tone, obviously meaning something.

Master Fuyuan snorted coldly, "If it weren't for the favor of the colt, I wouldn't have told him this." ”

"Who's got the evidence?" Xu Han asked with a smile.

Master Fuyuan was expressionless and dropped a few words,

"Go back and ask your father."

Xu Han, "......"

"He has a letter in his hand." Master Fuyuan dropped a few more words.

Xu Han, "......"

This matter involves her father Xu Jun?

It's just that now my father is still on his way back to the court.

This Master Fuyuan, took off his pants, but let out such a fart.

But they are closer to the target, and closer to the truth.

It's just that Xu Han is a little uncertain in his heart, Xiao Wei knows the truth, can he bear it?

Judging from the matter of drawing lots for Xiao Wei to choose his relatives, the emperor may be generous and tolerant in other things, but for Xiao Wei.

He really loves and hates it!

If he loved, knowing Xiao Wei's thoughts, he should have fulfilled it immediately, but he didn't.

If you hate, your love for Xiao Wei for so many years is not fake, but she doesn't let him get his wish.

Xu Han was a little confused, and he wanted her to figure out what the truth of the matter was.

……

After leaving Master Fuyuan's Buddhist hall, Xu Han stopped those who wanted to keep up, even Changying, Xu Han didn't allow her to follow.

She dragged Xiao Wei around the temple, anyway, the lottery hadn't started yet, so let's appease the people around her first.

In the end, Xu Han took Xiao Wei and walked to a remote forest behind Funing Temple, which should be a stele forest to be exact.

It's a remote place, there's nothing to come, and what she and Xiao Xiao say won't be heard by others.

There are stone steles everywhere in the stele forest, the steles are a little shabby, coupled with the silence, the cold wind in winter blows from time to time, and there is a faint look like a mass grave.

Looking all the way, Xu Han suddenly smiled and asked Xiao Wei, "Are you in a better mood?" ”

Hearing her ask, Xiao Wei couldn't help but want to lose his temper, "Where am I in a bad mood?" ”

"Didn't you?" Xu Han couldn't help laughing.

"Nope."

"It's good if you don't have it."

Then, Xu Han bent down and touched those stone tablets, which were all left by some literati and ink writers who didn't know when, but they were all literati and ink writers who were not very famous.

Of all the steles, only a few steles with scriptures written on them seem to be new, but for some reason these inscriptions are erected here, the place is overgrown with weeds, it is difficult to even get off the feet, and there is no appearance of maintenance.

Xiao Wei wanted to lose his temper, but it can be seen that Xu Han only cares about those inscriptions, and he is suddenly unhappy again.

"You're done?"

Xu Han raised his head and looked at him innocently, "You said you weren't in a bad mood." ”

"That's what I said, but ......"

Seeing this, Xu Han pursed his lips and wanted to laugh, what should I do? But it's still serious, "You want me to coax? ”

Xiao Wei didn't look over, his ears were red, and he muttered, "Who wants you to coax ......"

"Besides, this place is eerie, is there such a coaxing as you?"

Xu Han said with a smile, "How good this atmosphere is, it sets off your state of mind, you don't need me to coax you, you can get better." ”

Xiao Wei, "......"

After being silent for a while, he said, "You can't take me to a better place, say something, and make me happy." ”

Xu Han smiled, "I don't want to admit it." ”

Xiao Wei squeezed her hand, and suddenly dragged her over, burying her head in her shoulder socket.

Xu Han hugged him carefully, patted him on the back, and continued to talk to him with a bunch of nonsense, and after a long time, Xiao Wei felt that he had come to life.

"In the past, I always wanted to find out my background, but today I found that it is better not to know, what else can I expect?"

"My grandfather died because of me, although my grandmother didn't die, but she is only alive now, and what she said at the time was not for nothing."

"She doesn't want me to be motivated, and she has a last resort, I think maybe it's best to live according to her wishes."

"So, you don't want to figure out where you came from?"

Xiao Wei pursed his lips and did not speak.

"If you don't want to know, then let's not look it up."

"I'm not going to talk about it again."

Xiao Wei touched Xu Han's face, "I'm just emotionally unacceptable, I don't want to tear this layer of skin, perhaps, this is just my self-deception." ”

"This time, he chose a relative for me, the conditions are so relaxed, although he brought the second prince and the fifth prince, but any cat or dog can come to the lottery, why not be a scruple about me."

"Since he's going to tear off this skin, there's no need for me to continue to lie to myself."

"A father would not do this to his children."

"So, I still want to figure it out!"

"When the old prince comes back, let's go find him together!"

Xiao Wei said firmly.

Seeing that he didn't have half a point of reluctance on his face, but a little more emotion, Xu Han nodded, "Okay, as long as you want, we will continue to investigate." ”

She took Xiao Wei's hand, "This stele forest looks like it's been some years, it's all here, let's take a look together." ”

It's just that Xiao Wei didn't bend down with her, but pulled her, with flames dancing in his eyes.

Xu Han looked back at him, saw his hungry eyes, looked around, and said in a low voice, "This is a temple, don't mess around." ”

Xiao Wei smiled, pulled her over, buckled the back of her head, prevented her from moving, and pressed her lips up.

Xu Han didn't struggle, so he comforted him.

However, she thought in her heart 'Amitabha', God has the virtue of a good life, the Buddhas should not have seen it, she is comforting the sad and confused child, although she also likes this kiss.

Fortunately, Xiao Wei still remembered that this was in the temple, and it was also a forest of steles like a mass grave, but after gnawing on her lips, he let her go.

As soon as he let her go, a small monk ran in from outside the forest.

Xu Han hurriedly took a step back and stayed away from Xiao Wei.

Xiao Wei, "There are no three hundred taels of silver here." ”

Xu Han glared at him.

"The two donors, the entourage of the two families, and the envoys in the palace are all looking for you." The little monk panted and said, "Your Majesty is summoning the two of you to the palace." ”

Xiao Wei and Xu Han were surprised, didn't they want to draw lots? Why did you go to the palace again?

"Please also ask the little master to lead the way." Xu Han gave the little monk a salute and said with a smile.

The little monk hurriedly returned the salute, "Donor, please come with the little monk." ”

Xu Han and Xiao Wei followed the little monk out of the bamboo forest.

Xu Han looked back at the stele forest, and spoke to the little monk in a gentle tone,

"Little Master, haven't you ever taken care of that stele forest just now?"

The little monk shook his head, "That stele forest has long been abandoned, and the donor should never come here in the future." ”

As soon as Xu Han heard this, he immediately approached the little monk a little closer and asked, "Why?" ”

The little monk naturally knew Xu Han's reputation, and also knew what happened to her, and he originally admired Xu Han very much, otherwise he would not have picked him up in front of the mountain gate, and then helped to find someone together.

Seeing Xu Han so close to him, he was a little nervous, and inevitably brought it out when he spoke, his voice stumbled, and he moved his body.

"It's very desolate here, poisonous snakes, poisonous insects and the like, although it is a temple place, there has never been a haunted, but it is not good to be bitten by poisonous snakes."

Xu Han didn't think it made sense at first glance, but on such a winter day, poisonous snakes are hibernating......

However, she still answered, "Then why don't you drive those poisonous snakes away, sprinkle medicine or something." ”

The little monk immediately folded his hands and recited the Buddha, "All living beings are equal, our temple was built on the mountain, occupying the place of those living beings, and then driving it away and sprinkling medicine, the Buddha will blame." ”

Xu Han smiled.

Just now she was in the stele forest, and she actually found something unusual.

When many craftsmen make stone tablets, some are accustomed to carving some dark lines or words on some inconspicuous corners, which is their habit.

Just now, although she didn't feel those dark lines, the ones she touched were enough to surprise her.

The stability on the stele is clearly a secret mark made by a royal inscription master of the royal family of the previous dynasty.

The imperial inscription master only carves the monument for the royal family, so how did the stele of the previous dynasty appear in Funing Temple?

Is Funing Temple related to the previous dynasty?

However, only the pedestal of the stele remained, and the others were cut off with sharp weapons.

The man must have thought that this would not be discovered, but the man did not know the habit of the master of inscriptions.

And she will know this, or the blessing of the ancestor of the Toho family.

Following the little monk, he soon found Changying, Bai Zhuo and a few others.

Not only them, but also Master Fuyuan would also stand there, as if waiting for them.

Xu Han and Xiao Wei greeted Master Fuyuan, and Bai Zhuo came to Xiao Wei's side, and the messenger in the palace stepped forward and said respectfully,

"Shizi, today is the Lantern Festival, Your Majesty is holding a banquet in the palace, and at the same time to celebrate the birthday of Concubine Yu, Her Royal Highness Princess Shuyang is also in the palace at the moment."

"I heard that today's Niangniang also invited a lot of famous ladies, and there will be a talent show."

Listening to these words, they didn't have anything to do with each other, but Xiao Wei and Xu Han understood it, that is, Xiao Wei's choice of relatives had changed again.

It was probably related to the eldest princess of Shuyang entering the palace, or what Concubine Yu said made the emperor change his mind.

Famous ladies, talent shows, that is to say, it is no longer a way for cats and dogs to draw lots.

Xiao Wei sneered in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face, he just bowed his head to the inner servant who reported the news,

"There is still some time before the palace banquet starts, and I ask my father-in-law to reply to Your Majesty, and I will definitely go."

The waiter was originally by Concubine Yu's side, and she didn't care about Xiao Xiao's careless attitude, she just bowed respectfully and handed Xu Han a post.

"Little prince, this is an invitation from the concubine Niangniang, and many ladies have received it."

It means that Xu Han is also a lady...... At the same time, like those ladies, you have to perform your talents.

Xu Han stretched out his hand to take it and thanked the waiter.

Before leaving Funing Temple, Xu Han did not forget to offer incense to the Huo family, which was the purpose of her trip today.

As for the palace banquet in the evening, it can always be resolved by taking one step at a time.

After sending Xu Han back to Xu's mansion, Xiao Wei went to the palace to see Concubine Yu.

Concubine Yu in the palace was sitting on the couch and stroking a jade ring, over and over again, the tears in her eyes fell on the jade ring and made a 'snap' sound.

All the people in the temple were cast out by her, and no one saw her tears.

Hearing the report from the people in the outer palace, saying that Xiao Wei was coming, he immediately put away the jade ring, put it in a secret compartment, and carefully wiped his eyes with a handkerchief, looked in front of the bronze mirror, and then ordered with a smile,

"Let Zheng'er in. I haven't seen him in a long time. ”

Since Xiao Xiao returned to Beijing, he has never seen him alone except for one time at the emperor.

Xiao Wei strode over from outside, and when she saw him, Concubine Yu smiled and beckoned,

"Come and let my aunt see, you, when you're older, you love to come to your aunt's place."

Xiao Wei saluted from a distance, not too far ahead, but a little away, and said softly, "I just returned to Beijing, and there are a lot of things." ”

Concubine Yu didn't seem to be able to see enough, her eyes couldn't take her eyes off Xiao Wei, "It's big, it's dark, it's ...... thin."

"My aunt has heard about it, you are at the border, you must have a hard time......

Xiao Wei smiled faintly and diverted the topic, "Niangniang, why does Your Majesty insist on choosing a relative for me?" How does this approach change over and over again? ”

Concubine Yu was silent for a moment and said, "Your Majesty must settle your marriage this time." ”

Xiao Wei's expression became obscure, in the past, Concubine Yu, like her grandmother, followed him in everything, otherwise, he would not be able to marry in his twenties.

But this time, the way of choosing relatives has changed again and again, but my aunt did not stop it, that is to say, the emperor's attitude is very tough, so my aunt's attitude can only follow tough.

In the past, he didn't think much about it, but now, he can't think about it anymore.

In the end, what kind of attitude did the emperor have, how did he explain the matter of choosing a family to the concubine, and how did he convince his grandmother?

Just think that he is too old to be married?

Or did he mean something else?

He raised his hand and pressed his chest, "Auntie, I can't help but listen to its words, so I will only choose according to my own heart." ”

On the way, he had already figured out the way of choosing his relatives for the emperor today, and this time he was not chosen alone, but with the second prince and the fifth prince.

The girl who can perform her talent in the palace is qualified to choose her relatives by default, but the final candidate must be determined, but it is judged by the number of plum blossom branches that you get after the ladies perform their talents, and finally the emperor, concubine, concubine Hui and others will decide.

Looking at it this way, it is indeed a lot fairer.

But everyone knows that Xu Han has always been in and out of the barracks, and she is even more famous, she was a man in the past, so naturally no one is demanding her talent.

But now, everyone knows her identity, if she wants to participate in the selection of relatives, she has to perform, what talent does she have to make people look at?

Therefore, this will be Xu Mansion, Xu Danxiu circled around Xu Han, and kept chattering,

"I knew that I should have listened to your eldest brother in the past, and invited the master of the five arts to teach you qin, chess, calligraphy and painting, you said you, what should I do with the palace banquet at night?"

She stopped and turned around, saw Xu Han's calm face, and said, "You're not in a hurry at all?" ”

Xu Han replied unhurriedly, "Don't worry." ”

It has always been Xiao Wei who has been following her to get a name, okay, and Xiao Wei is anxious if she wants to be anxious.

Besides, it's just talent.

Xu Danxiu poked her head, and her originally restless heart actually settled down, it was really her daughter who was not in a hurry, and her old mother was in a hurry to die.

simply left Xu Han alone, and went back to prepare to follow Xu Han into the palace to participate in the palace banquet at night.

When he walked into the yard, Xu Danxiu inexplicably glanced at the wall next door, recently, it was very quiet over there, and no stones had been thrown over for a long time.

Xu Han pondered in the mansion for a while, and then followed Xu Danxiu to the palace.

The palace lights in the entire palace have been lit up one after another, and the dim sky illuminates the garden brightly and darkly, which has a unique taste.

The bells of the palace feast began to ring.

The main hall was set up as a banquet hall.

The east side sits the courtiers, and the west side sits the officials, separated by a thin veil.

Xu Han's position was arranged on the courtier's side, which was another arrangement that made Xu Han think about it.

Emperor, don't you want her to show her talent?

Xiao Wei is one of the protagonists today, and the location is some distance from her.

With the announcement of the eunuch, the emperor and Concubine Yu, and even Concubine Hui, who had not appeared in front of people for a long time, arrived outside the palace.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became solemn, Xu Han knelt in his position, and greeted the emperor and all the ladies in a regular manner.

"Flat ......"

The emperor's gentle and majestic voice sounded, and Xu Han got up with everyone.

"Before the feast, I have another happy event to announce."

The emperor looked down with a smile and said, "My son King An, for some reason, he grew up outside the palace that day, and not long ago, I called him back. ”

After that, he smiled and motioned to Cui Hai on the side, and Xuanren came in.

When Xu Han heard King An and thought that he was also the protagonist today, he couldn't help but look up at the outside of the main hall.

When she saw that face, her whole body suddenly struck like lightning, and she couldn't help but lean back.

She even wondered if something was wrong with her eyes.

There is no shortage of beautiful men in this world, and behind the beauty is supported by various backgrounds and temperaments, An Xiangchu has a casual spirit that looks down on the world, and this momentum is obviously obtained after his perennial experience outside.

He looked at the emperor, and the emperor's expression at the moment changed from the original solemnity to a bit of a trance.

Xu Han didn't know why An Xiangchu was the second prince, after she checked his identity as the head of the An family, she still had some doubts about him, but in any case, she didn't doubt that he would be the emperor's prince raised outside.

And the key is that after An Xiangchu returned to Beijing, he surrendered his identity and went to work as a groom for his mother.

She didn't know how her mother would face it when she turned around? Consternation is inevitable, but what about consternation? Will she be embarrassed?

Yes, embarrassing.

A prince who works as a groom for her.

An Xiangchu's thoughts, Xu Han naturally knew, it was nothing more than those men and women affairs.

Can be ...... in the past In fact, she has no objection to whether Xu Danxiu wants to score twice.

She is an adult child, Xu Danxiu has worked so hard, she naturally hopes that she can find someone who is good to her.

Therefore, whether it is Xu Jun, Qi Heng, or An Xiangchu, this is a mother's business, she is an adult and has the right to decide her own life.

She will not deprive mothers of their right to choose.

It's just that she can't imagine how her mother will behave once she finds out about it.

However, there is no need for Xu Han to tell Xu Danxiu that Xu Danxiu, who is at the women's table, has already seen a man wearing a royal robe.

She has participated in a lot of such palace banquets in the past, and it is the first time she has participated in it after leaving Xu Junhe.

Originally, she didn't care much, the second prince and the fifth prince didn't matter to her, she only paid attention to Xiao Wei.

Unexpectedly, her drooping eyes and jade crown saw the corner of a vermilion dress, and the golden silk dragon pattern embroidered on it was luxurious under the bright light in the hall, and the light steps stopped in front of her table for a moment.

She was a little puzzled, and when she raised her head, the blood in her whole body suddenly froze......

She couldn't say a word, and the face, like a knife, cut her eyes, and her throat, as if it was stuck in her throat like a knife.

How could she have thought that the second prince would be An Xiangchu?

But he is him, even if there are people in the world who look exactly the same, they will never have such exactly the same eyes, and the eyes that look at her.

The shock made the cup in Xu Danxiu's hand fall on the table, and the body that was originally slightly straightened fell back into the chair.

Her series of actions looked a little disrespectful to outsiders.

Just ask, how can Xu Danxiu not be shocked!

The sturdy groom in his short jacket, the man who talked to her through the wall, and the man who thought about her in everything, and the man who held her from falling on the school grounds.

Her mind was buzzing, she didn't know what to do, she didn't see the pleading look in An Xiangchu's eyes.

I see...... I see...... If it weren't for the fact that she still had a trace of sanity and knew that this was the palace banquet hall, she would even want to laugh out loud.

At this moment, her expression was a little distorted and ridiculous.

Yes, her life is so ridiculous!

At the beginning, Qi Heng, for the sake of his family, let go of their newly sprouted feelings.

It's nothing, anyway, what she likes is not so profound, give up and give up, it's okay, there are so many men in the world, can't she Xu Danxiu find something she likes?

Later, she fell in love with Xu Jun, who had a one-sided relationship, and she really liked him, but what did she get in the end?

Half of her life is gone, and the child she is proud of is gone.

It doesn't matter, she has the second half of her life, and she has to live for herself!

She helped her youngest daughter snatch the title, and she threw away the man who had made her miserable for half her life, and never looked back.

She thought ...... She thought ......

It turns out that it is still the same!

Xu Danxiu's mind was a little trance-like.