The location of this so-called "inner study" is really hidden, and it is very tortuous during the period.

Under the guidance of the Western Xia general, the group first crossed the imperial garden and entered the "Qingfeng Pavilion" where the princess of Yinchuan lived on weekdays.

After that, a personal maid of the princess of Yinchuan came forward and asked Meng Xiuyuan and the others to have some refreshments and a short rest before leaving for the road again.

Walking into the inner hall of "Qingfeng Pavilion", I saw a long corridor extending into the distance open on the wall, in which the fire candles were bright, and there was no end in sight.

The palace maid led everyone into the Yongdao, each line dozens of zhang away, there is a thick stone door to block, need to be opened by a special mechanism, a row through three stone gates, everyone can be regarded as out of this Yongdao.

It's not over, just out of the road, I suddenly heard the sound of water, but in front of the meeting, there was a dark bottomless deep stream.

"Brother Meng, at this moment, have we already left the Xixia Palace?

Or is this in the underground of the Western Xia Palace? ”

Duan Yu walked a distance of two hundred zhang in a zigzag way in the middle of the road, and he had already lost his sense of direction. Seeing such a deep stream in the darkness again, he only felt unbelievable, and couldn't help but ask Meng Xiuyuan beside him.

Meng Xiuyuan shook his head when he heard this, but did not answer. In fact, he couldn't figure out what was going on, and he didn't know where he was at the moment.

The only thing he could confirm was that everything along the way was so difficult to walk, and it must have been deliberately designed by Li Qiushui.

After all, not to mention these carefree disciples, they are quite accomplished in architecture. Whether it is the Tianshan Vulture Palace, the Dali Infinite Jade Cave, or the long road under the Xixia Palace, they are all the same.

It is not only exquisitely designed to attract admiration, but also has the practical effect of concealing and defending against the enemy.

Come to think of it, the reason why Tianshan Tong's martial arts are higher than Li Qiushui's, but he has not been able to succeed in revenge for decades, the design of this "inner study" accounts for a lot of credit.

"If you want to go to the inner study, you have to pass through this secluded stream, please come with me......"

The palace maid who led the way whispered to everyone, couldn't help but smile slightly, and took the lead to walk towards the edge of the deep stream, and then jumped down.

"Girl?!"

Seeing this palace maid acting like this, many people immediately exclaimed.

However, everyone soon found out that the palace maid did not fall into this deep stream, but walked over the stream gracefully.

After contemplating it carefully, I saw that there was a steel cable leading from this bank to the other bank, and it was on the horizontal stream. It's just that this steel cable is pitched black, and it is in a place where the fire does not shine in the dark, so everyone did not notice it for a while just now.

Everyone present was selected from the more than 100 people through the competition, if it was not for the strong martial arts, or with a powerful helper by his side, it was naturally not difficult to walk the tightrope.

Many people guessed that this was also a test between meeting the princess, and even if they scrambled to jump onto the tightrope, each of them performed light feats, and hurried through in what he thought was the most chic posture.

Meng Xiuyuan had no intention of the position of the horse, so he didn't want to compete with them, and after Duan Yu was carried by Ba Tianshi across the tightrope, he was the last one to step on.

But he didn't want to, when Meng Xiuyuan was halfway through, he suddenly heard a sharp "whoosh" sound, and the end of the steel cable under his feet suddenly disconnected, and the whole steel cable seemed to be pulled by some mechanism, and quickly shrank into the grass on the opposite bank.

This stream is almost more than ten zhang wide, and Meng Xiuyuan is in the middle of it at this time, and there is no longer any support under his feet.

When the incident happened suddenly, everyone couldn't help but be shocked when they saw this scene, and their expressions were different.

Most of the people, including Murong Fu and Tubo Prince Zongzan, felt very happy in their hearts, but God helped me, and there was one less biggest opponent in the competition for the position of the horse today.

The eyes of the masses are bright, everyone can see it clearly during the martial arts competition just now, this Meng Gongzi can be ranked first firmly regardless of appearance or martial arts, with him present, others feel that they have a few fewer opportunities, and they can't wait for him to fall to his death.

Only Duan Yu and his party were a few people in Dali, who were anxious after seeing this situation, and they were really worried about Meng Xiuyuan's safety. However, after all, they were far away, and there was no other way except for Duan Yu to exclaim "Brother Meng".

As far as Meng Xiuyuan himself was concerned, this situation was also completely unexpected, and he couldn't help but be shocked in his heart.

In such a desperate situation, even if it was only placed two years ago, he must have no other ending than to fall into this deep stream.

Fortunately, at this moment, he has the light skills of "Getaway", and things are a little different.

"Huh!"

Meng Xiuyuan drank lightly, and immediately stretched out his palms backwards, and the two powerful palms suddenly struck.

By striking out the reaction force of this palm force, Meng Xiuyuan's body immediately rushed forward and upward, and then forcibly lifted a breath of true qi, using the kung fu of "Getaway", his arms were extended, and he was like a dandelion and lightly slashed through the air several zhang away, and slowly landed on the opposite shore.

"What?!"

Seeing this, everyone present couldn't help but be shocked, only to feel that Meng Xiuyuan's kung fu that was displayed in a moment was no longer ordinary.

Among them, Murong Fu's heart was the most complicated, because only someone like him who had stepped into the ranks of peerless masters understood where the limit of manpower was.

This kind of kung fu that doesn't need to borrow strength and fly through the air, he doesn't say to do it, but he doesn't even dare to think about it.

"This son, I'm really sorry, I don't know how this tightrope could suddenly be retracted......"

Seeing this scene, the palace maid who led the way was very flustered, and hurriedly wanted to explain to Meng Xiuyuan:

Meng Xiuyuan didn't say anything when he heard this, just thoughtfully, but Duan Yu on the side was frightened just now, and couldn't help but feel unfair for him at this moment:

"This sister, you are too reckless to act like this.

In this situation just now, Brother Meng has peerless martial arts to be able to protect himself.

If it were the rest of us, I'm afraid we would have fallen to pieces......

Is this how Western Xia recruited horses? ”

As soon as Duan Yu said this, everyone present couldn't help but nod their heads and figured out the reason.

Indeed, in such a dangerous situation just now, no matter which of them encountered, in the end, they would be dead and lifeless, and there was no possibility of surviving like Meng Xiuyuan.

This came to choose a colt, but there was a danger to his life, and no one wanted to.

So for a while, everyone couldn't help but riot, and they all surrounded the little palace maid and asked questions, wanting to ask for an explanation.

The palace maid was only sixteen or seventeen years old, and although she was clever, she couldn't bear such a heavy question for a while, so she immediately became more and more panicked, and hurriedly explained to everyone:

"Ladies and gentlemen, don't get me wrong, my Western Xia Kingdom has no intention of harming everyone.

This stream seems to be bottomless, but in fact, it is mainly because there are fewer candles and no sunlight here.

The stream flows below, and even if you fall down, you will not worry about your life, but you will be a little embarrassed......"

As she spoke, the palace maid looked at Meng Xiuyuan, bowed deeply to him, and said sincerely:

"This son, please forgive me.

This accident was all a mistake by Xiaolei and me, and it had nothing to do with Her Royal Highness the princess and the Western Xia Kingdom.

If you want to blame, blame me alone......"

Meng Xiuyuan shook his head when he heard this, knowing that this matter must have nothing to do with her little girl, so naturally he didn't want to embarrass her, so he immediately said with a smile:

"Miss Xiaolei, you don't need to explain.

Don't let that delay, please lead the way. ”

Seeing this, the palace maid immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and after bowing respectfully to Meng Xiuyuan, she continued to move forward with everyone.

After passing the deep stream, the terrain gradually rises all the way, reaching the ground and seeing the sun. After passing through a large bamboo forest and coming to a cave door, I finally arrived at this mysterious "inner study".

Pushing the door in, I first saw a hall, this cave was originally a natural cave in the mountain peak, and later artificially modified.

The walls of the hall are polished and smooth, and calligraphy and paintings are hung everywhere. There is a large desk of rosewood on the side of the hall, on which are placed the four treasures of the study, the antiques of the tablet, and several bookshelves, three or four stone benches and stone tables, although it is slightly empty, but it is also quite elegantly arranged.

The palace maid Xiaolei said: "This is the inner study of Her Royal Highness the Princess, please feel free to watch the calligraphy and paintings, and the princess will be there later." ”

When everyone heard that the princess was about to arrive, they were all very excited, and regardless of whether they could read the calligraphy and paintings on the wall, they immediately began to taste them one by one.

Even Duan Yu was attracted by a picture of a lady dancing with a sword, because what was painted in the painting was what Li Qiushui looked like when he was young.

Only Meng Xiuyuan recalled what happened when he walked through the deep stream just now, and he did not rush to act, but sat on a stone bench to recuperate.

The tightrope mechanism will never be put away by accident, it is obviously the hand of the owner here. Meng Xiuyuan just didn't know what he meant by doing this, whether he was unwelcome or just wanted to make a little joke.

After a while, seeing that there was no movement, Meng Xiuyuan stood up again and walked to the wall to observe carefully.

However, Meng Xiuyuan naturally didn't see those calligraphy and paintings, he gently lifted the image, and saw countless human figures carved on the wall, some meditating, some leaping, and the postures were strange.

Most of these figures are enclosed in circles, and most of them are marked with some sexagenary branches and numbers next to the circles.

After a closer look, I saw that these graphics were similar to the ones carved on the walls of the stone chamber of the Vulture Palace.

All the differences should be the insights that Li Qiushui has accumulated over the past few decades.

Meng Xiuyuan took a closer look, and it was quite profitable, after all, although this Li Qiushui Kung Fu was a little worse than Wuyazi and Tianshan Tong's grandmother, he was definitely a peerless master, and he had a unique understanding of martial arts.

In this way, after a while, when Meng Xiuyuan was immersed in this martial arts comprehension, he suddenly smelled a very elegant and light aroma, and then heard a palace maid say aloud:

"Her Royal Highness the Princess has arrived."

When everyone heard that the princess had arrived, they were surprised and delighted, and immediately tidied up their clothes and tiara and cheered up.

I don't want to, a moment passed, but I didn't see the princess of Yinchuan appear, I could only hear the direction of the inner hall across the door, there was a whispering conversation, obviously the princess had stopped there.

Seeing this, the prince of Tubo Zongzan was very anxious in his heart, and couldn't help shouting:

"For the sake of Princess Yinchuan, I came from thousands of miles away.

In the palace just now, I defeated many opponents before I had the opportunity to come to this 'inner study'.

Why doesn't the princess want to see us? ”

As soon as he said this, several people around him echoed him, and they put pressure on the palace maid who stood between the hall and the inner room.

No, the palace maid was not affected at all, she only saluted everyone uprightly, and then said slowly and gently:

"Her Royal Highness the princess invited everyone to come to Western Xia, originally to meet the guests. The princess has a question, and I would like you to answer them one by one. If it is in the princess's mind, please see you.

If you don't want to stay here longer, please quit first, go back to the incense hall outside to rest with tea, and there will be someone to guide you along the way, so as not to get lost. ”

When everyone heard her words, they secretly said that this Xixia princess was really different, and they immediately didn't dare to say more, and they all quieted down little by little.

The palace maid waited for a moment, and when she saw that no one spoke, she spoke softly again:

"The princess has told the servant what he is asking, and I invite you to listen:

Excuse me, what do you want most in your heart when you come to Xixia from thousands of miles to be this Xixia concubine? ”

Speaking of this, the palace maid's voice paused for a moment, and after looking at everyone in the hall slightly, she continued:

"Please also answer according to your heart, don't be vain.

The princess was very concerned about this, and hoped to hear a sincere answer......"

Everyone was rushing to be the first to say something flattering and beautiful to please the princess. But after listening to the palace maid's reminder, I couldn't help but feel a pang in my heart, and was stabbed by the word "sincere", knowing that things were not simple, and I didn't know how to speak.

After all, everyone came here to marry the princess, but they were all careful to hide, so how could they be brought to the table.

After a long time, I saw that the prince of Tubo Zongzan stood up and said to the palace maid:

"The princess's question, I've already thought about it, so let me answer it first.

Haha, the reason why I came to ask the princess to marry is because I heard that the princess looks like a fairy, rare in the sky and unparalleled in the earth.

Heroes love beauties, and I, the prince of Tibet, love the princess of Xixia, what's wrong? ”

Although Prince Zongzan's words were a little rough, his performance was quite frank, and they couldn't help but secretly regret it, knowing that they should be so brave and be the first to stand up, so as to leave a good impression on the princess.

The palace maid nodded when she heard this, saluted Zongzan, and said politely:

"The prince descended, and the whole country felt honored.

He also asked the prince to take a break and wait for the others to finish the question. ”

Zong Zan laughed, only feeling that he had been able to perform like this, and happily sat on the stool next to him, smiling at the other people's answers.

Seeing this, Murong Fu on the side only said that he had lost the opportunity, and if he waited any longer, he was afraid that he would leave a deep influence on the princess, so he immediately stood up, saluted the palace maid, and said politely:

"In Xiagu Su Yanziwu Murong Fu, I have admired the princess's name for a long time, and I came to visit.

The princess's question has been thought about below, I wonder if I can answer it? ”

The palace maid smiled and said:

"It turned out to be the son of Gusu Murong who 'used his way to return his body', although the maid was in the deep palace, he also heard the name of the son.

Childe has already thought of the answer, so please answer. ”

Murong Fu nodded, cleared his throat slightly, turned to the direction of the inner room, and said directly to the princess:

"Murong Fu wants to be this colt today, but he actually asks for a lot.

Men of my generation should make meritorious contributions. After becoming a Western Xia colt, it is naturally much easier.

I also heard that Princess Yinchuan was beautiful and dignified, and she was full of poetry and books, and I also wanted to find this beautiful companion and spend my life together.

And so on and so forth. It's too hard to summarize a single reason.

I only hope to get this answer after meeting the princess......"

When the palace maid heard this, she also nodded, and then asked Murong Fu to sit aside.

In this way, it didn't take long for more than ten people in the hall to answer the questions one after another.

Everyone was influenced by Zongzan and Murong Fu before, and most of them were telling the truth in their hearts, and there were one or two who played a little trick, and they could hear it at once.

In the end, even Duan Yu also answered the question, and said something embarrassed, "I wish the two countries of Xixia and Dali will have eternal friendship" and so on.

At this time, Meng Xiuyuan was the only one left in the hall who had not yet answered the question.

Everyone's eyes couldn't help but focus on him, wanting to hear how this peerless master Meng Gongzi would answer.

But Meng Xiuyuan remained silent, his eyes drooping slightly, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

The palace maid looked at Meng Xiuyuan and reminded in a loud voice:

"Son, it's time for you to answer the question."

"Oh" Meng Xiuyuan was bored by listening to those people, so he deduced and thought about Li Qiushui's martial arts on the wall in his heart. Hearing the palace maid's reminder, he came to his senses and said with a smile:

"In Xia Meng Xiuyuan, this time I came, in fact, it was not ......"

No, as soon as he said this, he saw that the palace maid's face was pale, and he interrupted loudly:

"You are Meng Xiuyuan, Meng Gongzi?

I hadn't heard your name before, so I thought Childe wasn't coming today.

The princess has instructed, Meng Gongzi, you are her honored guest, as long as you appear, you don't need to answer the question.

Childe, please come in first, Her Royal Highness the princess has some things that I want to talk to you about alone......"

(End of chapter)