On the Buddha's birthday on the eighth day of the first month of April, 10,000 people are empty, almost the whole family goes out to celebrate the Buddha's birthday, there are monks and believers in the temple carrying the Buddha statue and lifting the portrait of the Buddha in the street to celebrate, and the people are on the street to pay their respects and scatter their blessings. There are also programs such as stepping songs and racing kings, which can be described as full of tricks. The temple is even more crowded, and the Buddha flags all over the city are flying in the wind, celebrating the arrival of this grand festival with the people.

It is not much different from the temple in the capital, and on this day, the temple will also hold a fasting meal, as well as the monk's vulgar lectures and performances, which attract people from all over the country to come to see the excitement.

Qingrong and Xu Niang also followed the customs, the two went to the Thousand Buddha Temple, and after the release, they were invited by the monks to watch the Buddha bathing ceremony. After the presiding priest sprinkled the scene, he began to invite the statue of the Buddha, which had already been scrubbed to shine, and was carefully placed on top of the copper basin by several monks, and then scooped water to bathe the statue.

"I heard that the water of these Buddha baths is magical, and drinking it can cure all kinds of diseases and make wishes come true, is it really such a miracle?" Xu Niang whispered next to Qingrong, because she saw that there were many people surrounding her, hoping to drink the water.

Qingrong was noncommittal, just smiled, "Whether it's true or not, it's also an auspicious lottery." ”

The leading monk saw that Xu Niang was a little nervous, so he squeezed into the crowd with great insight and scooped a scoop for her. Originally, Xu Niang was just curious, but his behavior made her embarrassed not to drink. Xu Niang was a little embarrassed, "Just drink like this?" ”

The young monk didn't bother to wipe the sweat on his head, nodded and said, "If Nu Tanyue finds it inconvenient, I'll go find a cup." ”

Xu Niang saw that there were more and more people, and she didn't want to embarrass him, so she waved her hand and said, "Forget it, that's it." After speaking, he held the melon scoop and drank a sip of the "holy water" of bathing the Buddha. "Why is there still a smell of flowers?"

"The water for bathing the Buddha is a five-color perfume configured with various spices and petals in advance, and it naturally tastes like a floral fragrance."

Xu Niang couldn't help but be secretly stunned when she heard this, this... It's weird and varied.

Qingrong also noticed this side at this time, and saw that Xu Niang was holding the melon scoop, walked over and asked with a smile, "Did you even go to scoop it?" What does this Buddha bath taste like? ”

Xu Niang smiled a little embarrassedly.

The monk saw that Xu Niang only drank one sip of this water, and Xu Niang had no intention of continuing to drink it, so he asked her if she didn't drink the rest, and if she didn't drink it, she would leave it for other believers.

Xu Niang was a little surprised for a while, she drank the rest, who else would want it? Could it be that the water for bathing in Buddha is particularly precious? She looked at the sincere eyes of the little novice opposite, but it didn't seem like he was fooling her.

Xiao Shami understood the surprise in Xu Niang's eyes, and his heart was really an official and a daughter, and he didn't know the people's livelihood. He sighed lightly and explained: "Nu Tan Yue doesn't know that there is a shortage of water in this city now. From the beginning of spring to the present, there have been a few decent rains have not fallen, Xizhou was originally dry soil, and now the hot summer has not arrived, the water in the river is also less, and there is a lack of water in the ground, and I don't know what to do in the future. At the moment, this water is naturally used sparingly, let alone the water for bathing in Buddha. ”

Qingrong had heard about this matter, and heard that Lu Kaiyan was so anxious about this matter. Rain is a matter of rice and grain, and if there is a drought, won't it make the already poor family even worse?

Xu Niang didn't say anything when she heard this, so she had to ask Bai Li to send the melon scoop back.

For a while, the atmosphere was also a little dull.

When the little novice saw that Mrs. Lu and Xu Niang didn't speak, he knew that he had said the wrong thing, so he was so good that he said this on this festival day, isn't it a bad person's interest? was about to say something to remedy it, but before he had a chance to remedy it, he heard Qingrong ask: "Xu Niang, do you want to listen to the vulgar lecture in the temple?" ”

Xu Niang shook her head and asked, "Madame, but are you planning to go back?" ”

Today's emptiness is also empty, I wanted to visit, but it's better not to disturb it. Qingrong nodded, "There are a lot of people today, I think that's it, if you have the rest of the arrangements, I'll go first." ”

Xu Niang said: "No, I will go with my wife." It just so happened that I hadn't been to the store in a few days, and I happened to go to the store to see a new batch of fabrics. In fact, she didn't plan to come to join in the excitement today, but she was really afraid that the Governor's wife, Zhang, would find her, so she came to Qingrong and came to the Thousand Buddha Temple.

It's strange to say, this governor's mansion is really weird, not long after the prince walked on his front foot, the Zhang family came. As soon as she came, those ladies from Gaomen in Xizhou also had to entertain her, but Xu Niang didn't expect that the Zhang family would be able to find her, saying that she just wanted to find someone to accompany her... But she is not an official now, what is she doing with her? Xu Niang thought of Ju Yunwei's words before leaving, and felt that something was not quite right.

Qingrong smiled and nodded, "It's okay." ”

So the two of them left together, leaving only the little novice who was secretly annoyed that he had said the wrong thing.

After leaving the temple gate, you can still see an endless stream of believers who come to the temple. When Qingrong left, he still stopped and looked back, with a complicated expression. Xu Niang asked, "What's wrong with Madame?" ”

She retracted her gaze and shook her head with a smile, "It's nothing, let's go." ”

……

It's just April, but there is already a midsummer posture, the sun is shining on the ground, shaking people can't open their eyes, the scorching light will dry the loess, as if to evaporate the last drop of water.

After the excitement of the Buddha's birthday passed, the people of Xizhou returned to their usual life, and what people talked about the most was this ghost weather, worrying about this year's harvest, if there was no harvest, how should the family live... It seems that people's mood is also like Xizhou City blown by the wind and sand, covered with layers of loess and sand, and there is weakness under the heaviness.

As night fell, the whole city fell silent, quiet but dreary.

"Aaron is back." Ah Zhen ran in from outside the house.

Qingrong had already washed, took off his hair and scattered his hair, and was about to lie down and rest. Hearing Ah Zhen's words, she turned over, thinking that Xue Shao had already sent someone to say that she would not come back tonight during the day, could it be that something urgent happened? She got up and went out.

As soon as Xue Shao entered the door of the backyard, he saw Qingrong wearing a goose-yellow full-breasted gauze skirt walking out quickly, the tulle swinging, outlining her figure, light and agile. Seeing her figure calmed his originally nervous heart a little. He walked over quickly and took Qingrong's hand, "Why did you still come out?" Wait for me in the house. ”

Qingrong shook his head and smiled, and walked with him to the back room, "Why did you come back suddenly?" But what's the matter? ”

Speaking of this, Xue Shao's face became solemn.

Qingrong waved his subordinates, and was also stunned by Xue Shao's next words.

"Just three days ago, the Ashina He branch led people to attack the Western Turkic Wami tribe, the chief is dead, and his wife and children have become prisoners under the Ashnaga branch."

Qingrong pondered for a moment, "Ashina Hezhi's ambition is now revealed, and he doesn't even hide it at all. "There is less than a month to go, and Daye's envoy is about to arrive, and he has no scruples to stir up strife.

Xue Shao frowned, "This is also what I'm worried about, if that's the case, I'm afraid that Xuanfu will be of little use, and it will only fuel his ambitions." Now that the situation is unpredictable, I'm still worried about you. ”

Qingrong smiled lightly and said with relief: "I understand, but in my opinion, the defense of the western state, the Turks don't dare to hit this head at will." ”

This is when it comes to Xue Shao's heart, Xizhou may be able to avoid it, but it is only sooner or later, the defense of Nating State and Yizhou is not as good as Xizhou, and if something happens, it will also bear the brunt. Before, he wanted Qingrong to retreat from Yizhou, but he also saw that it was far away, and according to this, it might not be as reliable to send people to Yizhou as it was in Xizhou...

Xue Shao advised: "There is chaos outside, if there is nothing to do during the day, you still don't go out at will, I will leave Xue Chang..."

"I know how to measure. It's just that Xue Chang has been by your side for many years, with you from birth to death, with him by your side to help you, I can rest assured, just let him stay by your side. It's enough for me to have the guards you arranged, and it won't be a surprise to be in the city. ”

Xue Shao pondered silently for a moment, "That's fine." I came back today to tell you, maybe I will be in the outer city for the next period of time, strengthen the defense, and will not come back, if you have something to do, you will find a guard to come to the outer city barracks. ”

Now that Xue Shao is stationed in the entire Xizhou City after all, he is naturally not sloppy, Qingrong nodded, "I know, don't worry." ”

Having said that, he also knew that Qingrong was not an impulsive person, but he was still not at ease, and he stopped talking. Qingrong smiled helplessly, seeing that he was a little uneasy all night, he turned away from the conversation and asked him, "Shall I ask someone to come in and wash you?" ”

Xue Shao nodded.

Soon Ah Zhen and the others came in with water, and after Xue Shao washed up, he also changed his clothes and prepared to go to the bed to rest. In fact, he didn't have this habit before, if he changed his clothes after bathing, he usually took off his coat and then went to bed in his underwear. But after sharing the bed with Qingrong, he secretly found that Qingrong had to change his clothes before going to bed, and he would not wear clothes to bed. At the beginning, he also did the same as her, so as not to break her habits, and over time, when he was sleeping with her, he consciously changed his clothes.

Qingrong leaned on Xue Shao's arms, and neither of them had the heart to sleep.

"There's a big temperature difference between day and night here, and it's cool at night."

Xue Shao said "um" and said, "The day is very hot, and I heard that several farmlands have died of drought, and this water is very scarce." ”

Qingrong raised his head and asked, "Maybe it will be used in the barracks?" ”

"For the time being, I can. Is there water in the well at home? ”

"Well, it's the same as before, but it's not affected much." Although Xue Shao picked this house, although it was not close to the official office, it was fortunate that everything was complete, there were wells, and there was no need to go to the river to fetch water. Now the water in the river is drying up, but the well is unaffected.

"Man-made disasters can be avoided, but how can natural disasters be avoided?"

Qingrong was silent and said to him: "This is only temporary, and after a while, there will be rain." There will be no major drought this year. ”

Xue Shao naturally knew that she was possessing thaumaturgy, but when he heard her say this, he was somewhat relieved. After all, when he was more than January this year, Qingrong told him that he wanted to tun rice and buy more rice and grain for preparation. At that time, he asked the reason, and Qingrong said that he was afraid of a drought and was prepared.

It was also thanks to her that he reminded Lu Kaiyan of the grain storage in the official mansion, and until now, the price of grain in Xizhou and several other military towns has been high. At that time, although he only had the mentality of believing it, now he feels that it is too clever. Xue Shaofu said in his heart, "You are really the treasure of the town. ”

When Qingrong heard this, he couldn't help but be happy, and stretched out his hand to hit him, "What weird words are used on me." ”

"I'm serious."

"I know what you're thinking, but I can't afford your compliment, so I can only deduce a rough idea, and not everything."

Xue Shao said "um", "There is nothing immutable in this world, even if it is fate. ”

"It's just a slight difference, and in terms of the general trend, it's just dispensable."

Xue Shao didn't know what he was thinking, so he responded, "Really?" ”

Qingrong chuckled, "Okay, don't you have to get up early tomorrow?" Rest quickly. ”