Lu Sheng looked up at the plaque above his head, and under the blazing sun, the four big characters of Pinghu County Ya were strong and solemn, which made people feel awe-inspired. He exhaled deeply, straightened his clothes, and resolutely walked towards the gate of the county government.

…

"Whoever in the hall and why did you report the case, report it quickly. If there is a half-word falsehood, it will not be spared. ”

The stern and solemn voice resounded throughout the mansion, making Lu Sheng tremble slightly. He slowly looked up at the young county official sitting in the hall, and plucked up the courage to reply: "Xiaosheng Guiyang Lu Qin is a candidate who went to Beijing to take the exam. I traveled with my friend Liu Sheng, yesterday passed by Guixian, it was late, in the process of looking for a lodging in the stack, I passed by a deserted garden, because I saw the beautiful scenery, I entered the park on a whim to visit. Who knows..."Lu Sheng said this, a look of fear appeared on his face, "Who knew that Liu Sheng was missing!" ”

Yin Qianshan frowned slightly when he heard this, and asked, "Where is the garden?" ”

Lu Sheng opened his mouth to answer, but it took a long time for him to speak: "Flower... Hua Li"

Yin Qianshan was slightly shocked when he heard this, Hua Yu, it was not the first time he had heard this name today.

In fact, he didn't know much about this place, and he had only been in office in Pinghu County for a few days. The old files have not yet been sorted out, and the county records have not yet been consulted. In the morning, I learned from the mouth of the official that Huali was the back garden of the Xue Mansion, a former big family in the county, with a unique scenery and a well-known reputation.

"My lord," Lu Qin saw that Yin Qianshan didn't say a word, and said cautiously, "Shall I continue?" ”

Yin Qianshan came back to his senses and nodded: "Let's say, let's talk about Liu Sheng's disappearance." ”

…

On the seventh day of October, at the beginning of the first watch, two tired figures swayed on the streets of Pinghu County.

"Respect," Lu Qin looked at the gloomy sky with some anxiety, and said to his companion who was walking behind him slowly, "It's so late, what if the next store is still full?" ”

Liu Sheng looked around, admiring the unfamiliar cultural scenery quite comfortably, and replied nonchalantly: "Bamboo canes and mango shoes are lighter than horses, who is afraid?" A cloud of smoke and rain is Ren Ping's life. Xiwen, you are just worrying about the sky, let's go and find and admire the moon, wouldn't you be comfortable? ”

Lu Sheng was about to say something, but when he saw Liu Sheng suddenly quicken his pace and walk past him, he hurriedly said, "Jingzhi, you wait for me!" ”

Around the corner ahead, Yanagi suddenly stopped. He looked up at the high wall on the side of the street, and his mouth let out a smack: "Beautiful, really beautiful." If you don't shake the incense, it's chaotic, and there is no wind to fly. ”

It turned out that the roses in bloom inside the wall were about to come out, and thousands of branches throbbed in the wind, covering the upper part of the gray brick wall. Extending far away, the crimson and blue are intertwined, like a unique flower wall.

Lu Sheng was also stunned, and when he came back to his senses, he saw that Liu Sheng had already turned a corner and walked out along the flower wall for a long time. In desperation, he had no choice but to follow.

The two of them didn't go far, and sure enough, they saw a mottled courtyard gate covered with weeds and branches. Although it is dilapidated and depressed, you can still recognize two big characters of vermilion lacquer - Hua Wei.

"Wonderful, that's a wonderful name." Liu Sheng sighed: "The master must be an elegant guest, but it's a pity that the garden is deserted!" ”

Lu Sheng also sighed very much, he was searching for verses in his mind that fit the situation, but saw that Liu Sheng actually pushed the hidden courtyard door with his hand, as if he wanted to enter the garden.

"Jingzhi, you—" He hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Yanagi's cuffs, "what are you doing?" Now is not the time to play, so it's important to stay overnight. ”

Liu Sheng pushed the door open, took a step forward, and pulled Lu Sheng into the courtyard door, "Rise and come, and return when you are happy." Don't be verbose, let's go! ”

…

Under the moonlight, the two of them walked around and walked casually in the garden. Although the land is barren, the scenery is beautiful, and the two of them chanted words, and they forgot most of the sorrows of a foreign land.

After a short time, Lu Sheng and Liu Sheng came to a pavilion. Although the broken tiles are covered with wild vines, the pattern is exquisite, and you can also get a glimpse of the rich scenery of the past. On the side is a delicate and transparent artificial lake, the water is rugged, and there are rockeries, which just block the scenery on the opposite shore. The moonlight is thick, reflecting the clusters of flowers looming on the shore.

"It's worthy of flowers. Wonderful, wonderful! Yanagi sighed.

"Jingzhi, I can't walk anymore. Would you like to take a break here? Lu Sheng has always been cowardly, and after walking for half an hour, the night was cold, and he felt weak for a while.

Liu Sheng was looking behind the rockery with great interest, and his face was disappointed when he heard this, "Disappointed, you sit in the pavilion, I'll go to the front to have a look." As he spoke, he put down the bamboo flute and went to his own devices.

"Respectfully!" Lu Sheng was stunned, feeling that something was wrong, but Liu Sheng disappeared on the stone path.

Lu Sheng waited in the pavilion for almost two teas, but he still didn't see Liu Sheng turn around. At this time, the night was dark, the four dimensions were quiet, the sound of insects and strange insects by the lake was endless, and a cool breeze hit, and Lu Sheng shivered.

He was a little scared.

After the battle between heaven and man, Lu Sheng carried Liu Sheng's bamboo pipe, took out the fire candle from his bag, blew it out, raised it forward, and walked along the lakeside stone path that Liu Sheng had walked. It didn't take long to reach the lower right corner of the artificial lake, turn left is still along the lake path, and on the right is an attic. In desperation, he had no choice but to turn left, and passed two pavilions along the way, but Yanagi was nowhere to be seen.

Eventually, Lu Sheng came to the upper right corner of the artificial lake, from here to the left, you can go to the main building where the owner lives along the covered bridge, and on the right is the corner tower, which should be the street. Lu Sheng entered the corner tower, he found the seal on the door, and realized that he and Yanagi had accidentally broken into the forbidden land.

Lu Sheng was even more anxious in his heart, and he hurriedly went to the main house through the covered bridge, calling Liu Sheng's name as he walked. It was silent, and Lu Sheng's trembling voice spread, and was refracted back by the ruins of the fourth dimension, sounding much more amplified, as if someone was hiding in the dark and whispering.

Yagyu never responded.

Lu Sheng searched all over the main house, but there was no trace of Liu Sheng, and the candle was about to burn out. In desperation, he had to give up the search and return the same way alone, and finally went out of the garden through the back door.

Xiao Sheng thought that Liu Sheng was playful, so he must have wandered elsewhere in the garden. But Xiao Sheng really didn't dare to stay in the garden and wait, so he left a note in the pavilion, telling Liu Sheng that I had left the garden and was waiting for him at the door. Lu Sheng knelt under the hall, his face showing relatives, "Xiao Sheng waited for him at the gate of the back garden for an hour, and he couldn't stand the cold, so he had to go back to the pavilion and wait until dawn, but Liu Sheng never appeared again." ”

"Hasn't anyone touched the note?" Yin Qianshan interrupted Lu Sheng's narration and asked.

Lu Sheng shook his head: "No, Liu Sheng didn't come back at all." After dawn, Xiaosheng fought hard and went to the garden to look around, but still didn't find it. Liu Sheng is really gone, begging the adults to immediately send people to search the whole city, Xiao Sheng is afraid that he will be captured by the gangsters! ”

Yin Qianshan pondered for a moment and said to Lu Sheng: "Liu Sheng's luggage is still with you?" Are there all the things in the money bag, the charms, the festivals, etc.? ”

Lu Sheng nodded hurriedly: "It's all in Liu Sheng's bamboo pipe." Xiaosheng is temporarily stored in the inn room, if the adult needs to see Xiaosheng, go and pick it up! ”

Yin Qianshan glanced at his master, who nodded slightly. He said to Lu Sheng again: "You first confirm the testimony, and I will send a servant to go to the inn with you to get the talisman of Liu Sheng, and after confirming that it is correct, I will deal with the case immediately." Retire! ”

...

Back in the back hall, Yin Qianshan sat in front of the desk and pondered for a moment before calling Wang Qi, the head of the old shop in Yazhong. Wang Qi has passed the age of not being confused, capable and sophisticated, has served in the Pinghu County Government for more than ten years, and is very familiar with the county seat, and he was also in front of the hall just now.

"Wang Zhutou, what do you think of today's two cases, and do you think the two are related?"

A trace of fear flashed on Wang Qi's face, and he replied respectfully: "Lord Yin, don't dare to speak out of your humble position. ”

"But it doesn't hurt to say it."

"Hua Ming..."Wang Qi paused, "Hua Xu's garden is indeed evil!" As a public person, there should be no strange words. But you also saw Liu's appearance, he was blinded by the female ghost of Hua Yu last night! The golden hairpin is really placed in front of your eyes. ”

Yin Qianshan was silent, he remembered the three people who came to the county government an hour before Lu Sheng reported the case, among which the victim Liu was wrapped in bloody gauze for most of his head, and the whole person wailed, accusing the scarlet-clothed female ghost of Hua Ming. And the finest gold hairpins inlaid with red sapphires are dyed bright red, which is frightening.

Is there really a ghost in Hua Li? Yin Qianshan muttered, and couldn't help but start recalling Liu's case again.

...