Golden Light Puppet Show·Yan Qiao·Guiyan

02

The study in Fuzhong stands alone in a small bamboo forest. It is not so much a study as it is a small courtyard living alone.Walking through the courtyard and entering the study room, the room is almost full of low furniture that has long been abandoned in the Central Plains, except for the bookshelf that is the entire wall, and even the seat behind the nanmu desk is more like a small couch for people to kneel on.Under the window sill at the other end, the Luohan couch and the low table are juxtaposed.

The concubine brought four or five camphor wood bookcases, and Shangguan Hongxin waved a bunch of keys, frowning and said, "I usually stay with Mr. Ce in Shenchenhai, where there are more books."

Qiao Tathagata smiled and said, "That's all, I have to look at it for a while."

Shangguan Hongxin sighed and began to test the key. Qiao Tathagata waited for him to be busy, and took out a small scroll from the bookshelf.

The outside looks fairly new, but the inside looks surprisingly old.The girl's clothes are flamboyant, and the long sword in her right hand is pointing out of the painting. Her face and plum blossom makeup are not charming, but she is majestic and majestic. Behind her is clouds and mist, hovering like a luan and a phoenix.

The two characters "Qinghong" in the side script are sad to hear, and the writing is ominous, as if in the eyes of the person who gave the name, it is worthless.

Qiao Tathagata restored the painting to its original state, pulled out another scroll, and couldn't help being taken aback when it unfolded.This painting is much newer, it is still the girl playing games with others, but the inscription is neon clothes.

Shangguan Hongxin put down the last lock, tilted his head and asked, "What are you looking at?"

"Ce Jun's collection is very special." Qiao Rulai closed the scroll and put it back.

A young attendant walked in quickly outside the door, wiped his sweat and said, "My lord, Mr. Ce invites you to go over."

"I haven't been away for a long time, haven't I?" Despite his reluctance, he still left as promised.

Qiao Tathagata leaned over to examine the bookcase.He made a lot of preparations before departure, and originally planned to go to Yu Country to settle down for a period of time to deepen his understanding, but it was convenient for Shangguan Hongxin to go out.

The first four local chronicles are the most, followed by poetry collections and lyrics. There are a lot of novels, mixed with notes and talks, as well as scripture commentary, bound like a collection of books from the court, all piled up at random.The last box removed the novel on the top, and the bottom was full of old notes, some loose pages were exposed, and the sides were yellowed, looking fragile, Qiao Rulai carefully took it out and put it aside.

The notes are damaged but neat, most of the pages of the novel are shriveled, and the rest are almost brand new.The appearance and age of the demons often do not match, Shangguan Hongxin may not be the same on the outside, and his hobbies are really no more difficult to guess than ordinary teenagers.

Put the local chronicles and others back into the box, Qiao Tathagata reviewed the novels and notes, leaving behind the fake year and nearly 30 or [-] years, even half the box could not be filled, so they were all stacked on the desk.

Yu Kingdom is located on the border of Zhongzhou, reveres the god of birds, and the royal family is the flesh and blood of the phoenix. There are priests under the king, and generals and ministers under the priests. Just like the devil world, it is also a mysterious country far beyond the imagination of the Central Plains.The seemingly unimaginable story was narrated by several people in a serious manner, and the weird situation was told, just like ordinary life.

The sun rested from the violence of the noon, and Qiao Rulai gradually became tired while reading a book and taking notes. She went out for a walk, but came back even more sleepy.After reading a few pages of the new book, my vision suddenly became confused, as if covered by a layer of fog, and the small characters became ink blobs. Qiao Rulai felt that her upper and lower eyelids began to fight, so she had to put down the pen and forced herself to read A corner of the page is folded.

"Priest Lingzi... Ce Tianfeng, Queen Huang..."

The depletion of vitality is far beyond what the will can resist, and he can no longer hold on to the old news that he has read many versions with his fingertips.

When Shangguan Hongxin came back, he saw the person sleeping on the table.

A few incomplete chapters were scattered on the ground, his eyes fixed on the book cover signed "The Robbers", he picked up the non-existent dust, and stuffed it into the bookshelf beside him.

Qiao Rulai rested her hands on her pillow, half of her face was flushed red, and the corner of her clothes almost brushed against the inkstone.Shangguan Hongxin tried to push it away, but unexpectedly he pushed the hood up to cover his face with one hand, curled up his body, and there were a few marks on his sleeves.The cassock was stained with ink and it was not easy to wash it. I am afraid that I will regret it when I wake up. Shangguan Hongxin raised the corner of the hood and saw that the beautiful Tathagata frowned slightly.

In fact, his natural flamboyance is only described as gentle, seven points of indifference and three points of indifference, and he does not feel alienated, but adds heroism to his overly beautiful face.It's just that I don't know how I lived in the temple before, so I developed this temper. I am calm and almost dazed, and I don't care much about my hair and snow at a young age.

Shangguan Hongxin returned to the other side of the couch, holding ink in one hand and white in the other, continuing the unfinished fight.At the end of the game, Baizi yelled to eat away at the board, he shattered Heizi's battle of trapped beasts, and pushed open the window.

The maid opened the door and entered, silently removed the chessboard and chess cup, put down the food and retreated to the corner of the room, her movements were obviously very careful, but still disturbed Qiao Tathagata.

"You're back." He said, in a daze, even his voice became nasal and high-pitched.

Shangguan Hongxin was startled and said: "Come over for dinner. Go out for a walk later."

"Is there no curfew today?"

"You came by coincidence to catch up with the July celebration in the Demon World."

Qiao Rulai was very dizzy, he had a bowl of plum soup, and after drinking it for a while, the congestion in his chest dissipated slightly, but he still ate very slowly.The new game on the low table at the side was in a good mood, Qiao Tathagata put down his chopsticks and returned the tea stew to the maid to take a new cup, he was stunned for a moment, "This is not tea."

Shangguan Hongxin put away the chess pieces and said: "People with bad spleen and stomach, why don't you help me get some nectar. I made too much some time ago, and Mr. Ce doesn't like to drink it. It's time to change to osmanthus recently. I really don't want to waste it."

Qiao Tathagata wondered: "Could it be you did it?"

"It's strange to do it when you have nothing to do?" Shangguan Hongxin approached and lazily said: "Qiao Tathagata, take off the cassock."

Qiao Rulai almost choked on a sip of honey water.

Shangguan Hongxin waited for him to recover, took off his black robe and put it on.

Qiao Rulai was taken aback. She just struggled to expose her head, and looked at the young man with a very serious look, "Although you are taller than me, I am used to wearing loose clothes, so it should be able to cover the cassock?"

Suddenly forgetting what he wanted to say, Ren Shangguan Hongxin stroked his hair and brushed the loose strands behind his ears.The dry touch of fingertips brushed against the pinnae, Qiao Rulai lowered her gaze, and Shangguan Hongxin also knelt down half-kneeling, slamming into the narrow vision.

The fingers fluttering on his chest are long and slender, with well-defined joints. He seems to have an inexplicable persistence to tie the belt into a beautiful shape so that he will not repeat it again and again.

"There is no Dao Buddha in the demon world, ordinary demons should not notice that you are different when they only see the hem."

Qiao Tathagata responded vaguely, and Shangguan Hongxin took his hand again. Before he could react, his five fingers were stretched out.

"Do you see anything?"

Qiao Tathagata hesitated and said: "The breath has changed, but..."

Shangguan Hongxin let go of his hands, got up and put on the azure robe sent by the maid, raised his eyebrows and said: "It seems that the human race's sensibility is indeed not very good. This is a way to spread the magic energy. Most of the human races in the border town are merchants. , I will ask the sergeant to protect me when I go out alone, I don’t look like a sergeant, it’s still convenient to use spells. Speaking of it..."

"what happened?"

"Do you really not take off your cassock? Isn't it hot to wear so much in July? Your face is flushed."

"You read it wrong." Qiao Tathagata said with lowered eyes, "Yu Kingdom routinely celebrates the Phoenix's descending spirit during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Is the celebration in the Demon World similar?"

"It's not so formal, but it's just a summer market held by convention. It's the half day of July. At that time, Mr. Ce and the local Ming government will have to come out. Isn't your Central Plains called the Hungry Ghost Festival?"

Qiao Rulai thought for a while and said, "It seems suitable to move to the Demon World."

"Do the human race think that the demon race is full of strange things? You are a Buddhist, how about watching me more when you are imagining?" Shangguan Hongxin stepped on his wooden clogs and said, "Let's go, Mr. Ce was elected I built a good house, and it’s only a moment’s walk from Dongshi.”

Go out the side door and walk onto the main road. It's getting late, and the lights are gradually lit in the workshop.Many people wore masks with different patterns and walked in the same direction together. Children acted like a baby to their parents, and boys and girls laughed all the way.When you come to the main street, the road becomes more and more lively. There are three or two shops along the street, sundries stalls are set up in front of unmanned doors, and people who push carts and sell food can find a space to yell.The Central Plains often equate the Demon World with the land of demons and ghosts. In fact, most of the passers-by are ordinary-looking, and occasionally they are a little special. Shangguan Hongxin explained that they belonged to a certain clan, and he had seen it with Ce Jun during his inspection.

The two passed by a small car, surrounded by a circle of children and young men and women. The old man behind the car took a spoonful of sugar, moved his wrist slightly, and painted a strange image of a dragon.Pressing on the bamboo stick, the child who took the flying dragon's eyes were as bright as stars, and bit off a corner arrogantly in envy.Qiao Rulai slowed down, just when Shangguan Hongxin said that he was going to the mask stand a few steps away, so he stayed at ease.

Shangguan Hongxin glanced at the masks covering the wall, hooked his fingers, and removed a gold-painted fox from a high place out of thin air, and said loudly: "Girl, I want this."

"Come here." The voice was flat and hoarse, and the woman sat under the continuous paper umbrella and knocked on the cigarette rod without raising her head.

The woman who comes here every year to sell masks and paper umbrellas is as famous for her cold temper as she is for her skillful hands. She never bows her head and only cares about her own business. There is a porcelain pot beside her, and customers can pick it up with money. Call her if you can’t reach a high place. .Such a boss would actually take care of the guests. The female customer who had just been selected curiously greeted the unexpectedly handsome boy, and sighed softly——If there is no other appointment, she must stay and make fun of him.

Shangguan Hongxin took a pen, dipped it in gold powder, covered the red eyes of the fox, and said, "Has the person you are waiting for come this year?"

The woman didn't say a word, but looked across. The white-haired young man was standing in the crowd, watching the boss pouring sugar on the man with great interest.He looks gentle and handsome, but there is an aura about him, which makes her sick from a distance, and flashes back to the past uncontrollably in her mind.

"Long hair is also a bald ass, a sinister bald ass."

"It's really sharp... Have you ever been tricked by a monk, so much resentment?"

The woman snorted coldly, pushed out the booklet, turned to a certain page, and knocked on the column of the young master's enlightenment.

"Since you see that person, give me one more."

"Get it yourself."

"Looking for a girl who seems to suit him."

The snow-white hair flew out, laying down a half-faced beauty in the corner, Shangguan Hongxin stared intently, and said with a smile: "The painting is really like the deadly spell in the girl's hometown."

The bewitching eyebrows are covered with complex patterns, the black is red, the corners of the eyes are slanted with vermilion, the thin lips are slightly parted, as thick as blood.Su Bai had no eyebrows or facial features, only a drop of blood and tears fell from the lower eye socket.Shangguan Hongxin changed a vermilion pen, put a red seal on the center of his eyebrows, and muttered: "Why doesn't he have the seal of inheritance..."

As she said that she was about to sign, a long sandalwood tobacco rod came across, and the woman said coldly, "Don't you want to change the color?"

"Where do I have any taboos?" At the bottom of the book, he blew on the four words blood red, and said with a smile: "Whatever the girl wants me to do, just tell Mr. Ce."

"You have a good relationship."

"Public affairs always need to be decided by the king."

The woman lit up the tobacco and said indifferently: "Shangguan Hongxin, you are from Yu Kingdom, you are proficient in spells and unpredictable martial arts. You have followed the son for many years but you are unknown, and few people even know your name. You are not like a diner at all. To be lonely, and to be honored as the son of Master Ce?"

"What does the girl think I look like?"

"Prisoner, but free."

The contradiction she said, Shangguan Hongxin laughed, tied a mask for himself, and removed half of his face. Under the light, the long eyeshadows were faintly shadowed, and he couldn't tell where the shadow in the bright golden color came from.

The woman said: "You used to say that you want to wait for someone to go back to Yu Country together, is it him?"

Shangguan Hongxin looked back sideways.

The people around him had changed a long time ago, but the white-haired young man was still standing there. A little girl beside him was rejected by his mother and couldn't help crying. He touched his nose, took out a piece of silver from his sleeve, and bought it at the stall. Make complex sugar figurines and send them to waiting children.The crying little girl burst into tears when she touched the bamboo stick, and happily held her mother's hand while she was still in tears, and licked the sugar figurine.The old man wanted to give him one, but the young man refused gently, unaware that several girls beside him withdrew the money with regrets on their faces.

"At least what I'm waiting for right now...is indeed him." The low voice revealed a sense of coldness.

The young man went forward and pulled the man to an empty space, and wanted to put a half-faced beauty on him.The young man declined but had no choice but to agree, pursing his lips, looking a little shy.

The woman took a deep breath, the smell was slightly choking, lingering in her nostrils, raised her head and exhaled misty white smoke, blurring the flashy night and overlapping figures.Withdrawing her gaze, she showed a tired face, and her hoarse voice was tinged with regret, "Shangguan Hongxin, you have gone too far."

Shangguan Hongxin put his arms around Qiao Tathagata, trying to fasten the straps.

Qiao Rulai bowed her head slightly, the hustle and bustle suddenly disappeared, only the young man's very close breathing could be heard, and if she lowered her eyes carelessly, she could see a section of his collarbone protruding from his neckline.The heartbeat was inexplicably fast, and Qiao Rulai wanted to take a step back, but when she heard a faint "don't move", she froze.When he finally let go, Qiao Rulai felt that it was not safe to wear it crookedly, and was stopped when she wanted to help it.

Shangguan Hongxin said a little aggrieved: "It looks better this way, don't you like it?"

Qiao Rulai said: "Many people wear it like this, is there any particularity?"

"Is it important to be fun and look good? You saw it when you came here. Many people will prepare it by themselves, and they will spend some time decorating it when they buy it. In terms of utility, I only know that exchanging masks can also be considered a marriage contract, the kind that is acquiesced by the world." Shangguan Hongxin gestured and said: "Look, mine is a fox, and yours is a half-faced man. If you put your mind to it, you will always leave a mark on the mask. Once the exchange is made, the marriage contract will be concluded."

Just now there were young men and women passing by who looked at them giggling and laughing, Qiao Tathagata understood the reason and felt uncomfortable immediately.

"A marriage contract is a marriage contract. Whether you can get married naturally depends on the family's considerations. The secular world tacitly agrees to the family's disapproval and it can't be done. But the stronger the power of the demons, the longer they live. It doesn't matter if you don't care or can decide for yourself. How about it? , is very different from the Central Plains, right?" Shangguan Hongxin casually changed the topic, "By the way, after watching it for so long, you really don't intend to eat a candy man?"

Qiao Rulai's mind went blank for a moment, and she said slowly: "I just think it's interesting. The last time I saw a sugar figurine in a temple fair was many years ago."

"It can be seen how boring you are on weekdays. You probably either read or write, and at most read a scripture." After finishing his disgust, Shangguan Hongxin stretched out his hand, "Let's relax when you are recuperating. There are many people on the road. Do you want to catch me?"

Qiao Tathagata smiled and didn't answer.

Shangguan Hongxin's attention was quickly shifted away. Although Qiao Rulai came here with a heavy burden on his back, seeing him excitedly playing pot throwing and darts with the children he met by chance, and giving generous rewards to others when he won, enjoying the fun time freely, he felt inexplicably relaxed many.Shangguan Hongxin was obviously a regular customer for many years. A stall owner at the place with the brightest lights showed a frightened face when he saw him.There were new customers booing around, Shangguan Hongxin assured him that he would not end, and pushed Qiao Tathagata out.However, Qiao Tathagata is not necessarily good at other games, and it doesn’t take much effort to solve the puzzles. The stall owner opened a letter and answered a question casually, and soon got the begging eyes of the stall owner who wanted to cry without tears.Shangguan Hongxin had seen enough, said with a smile: "Thank you!", pulled Qiao Tathagata and ran away.

Looking back, there were crowds of people under the tree, but it was even more lively. Qiao Tathagata soothed his breath and found that he was looking at the puppet show. He couldn't help being curious, "You are good at magic arts, and you also like to watch these?"

"It's not the same. Even if you know the trick, you are willing to come to see it."

Shangguan Hongxin squinted his eyes, slightly raised the corners of his lips, as if he was satisfied, and his thin side face revealed a bit of melancholy.

Qiao Tathagata sighed in his heart, but the young man's emotions were unreasonable, and he moved forward happily after a while, he couldn't help feeling that he was too sentimental.

The Demon World is still somewhat different from the Central Plains, and the strange tribe is making use of their own characteristics to make people laugh. For example, Shangguan Hongxin likes to watch the face change, which is not like a mask in the Central Plains, but a real face. The original body was ridiculous.There are also many kinds of juggling, flying around, thrilling and frightening, and a little girl spread her wings and flies in the low sky with a basket. Someone throws money and catches it quickly, and articulates loudly: Thanks.

"Did you see that child? They are a branch of that family in the border town. The men have been in the army for generations. In July and a half, Mr. Ce will gather them to set up lights for patrolling the city. Although it is mainly for patrolling, it can also be regarded as having fun with the people. After all, they can fly There are not many demons."

What Qiao Rulai thought was, since he couldn't fly, how did he fall from the sky that day?

"Qiao Rulai, do you want to eat dumplings? There are seven or eight glutinous rice dumplings in a bowl, each a little bigger than a fingernail, and you can add other things besides mixing with sugar."

Qiao Rulai said embarrassingly: "I still want to see it for a while, so I will wait here for you."

Kicking the wooden clogs, the step of departure was as brisk as ever, but Shangguan Hongxin quickly lost his smile.

Taking the small bowl from the stall owner, the bamboo stick pierces the fragile protection of the sugar coating, pierces the soft inner part, and chews it expressionlessly. Even though the food is eaten slowly, it doesn't feel much other than sweetness.

Shangguan Hongxin hesitated for a while, put down the money, and asked the boss to take two more packs of oiled paper.When I returned to the original place, there was no one there, my thoughts flashed through thousands of strands, I kicked the wooden clogs, and lowered my eyes to prevent the expression of emotions.After a while, he raised his eyes in confusion, and asked the visitor, "Where have you been?"

"Sorry, I didn't pay attention and walked forward."

Qiao Rulai gave birth to a warm and good voice, listening to him speak slowly, as if there is nothing difficult in the world, and the apologetic words are too comfortable to listen to, and there is no feeling of blame at all.

His heart was beating fast, and he couldn't tell what kind of excitement it was from. Shangguan Hongxin thought in confusion, why did she choose such a half-faced person for Qiao Rulai?

Regardless of the complicated patterns or the sober and frightening white face, they are too eye-catching, but Qiao Tathagata is gentle in words and deeds, and never shows any harshness.

Standing in the world of mortals, he is so out of place, even if he is dressed in thick black, it can't detract from his elegance.

Similar to the person in memory, yet different.That person was ruthless and decisive, and could withdraw and leave at any time. Even if Qiao Rulai told other people's stories, she would not consciously get involved.This is such an obvious weakness that it has not been corrected—perhaps, it has already been corrected?

Qiao Rulai asked, "How about going back?"

Shangguan Hongxin handed over the paper bag, "I bought it for you."

The dumplings are hot, and each one is not big, with peanuts and sesame seeds on the outside of the powdered sugar.Qiao Rulai stamped the stick, rolled the dumpling silently in the sugar, took a small bite, it was sweet and glutinous, and the discomfort eased a bit.

All the way back to Cejun Mansion, Qiao Tathagata walked on Shangguan Hongxin's right hand. Although she ate very carefully, she had to take care of the conversation after all, so it was inevitable that the sugar would stick to the corner of her mouth, and she licked it carefully.

Shangguan Hongxin who was talking suddenly paused, Qiao Rulai asked: "What's wrong?"

Shangguan Hongxin said with a smile: "Every Mid-Autumn Festival, the priests will open the shrine, parade all the way through the streets to give blessings, and slowly enter the palace to pay homage. Except for the Chinese New Year and Longevity Festival, Yu Kingdom has the largest number of spirit sacrifices throughout the year. If you see , I'm really afraid that you will be so happy that you will run away."

Qiao Rulai was embarrassed by what he said, "It's as if you have seen Yu Guo's situation with your own eyes."

"Haven't you seen it or heard of it? There are two or three ways to enter the Demon World in Yu Kingdom, and the fastest way to go over the mountain, but no one dares to bet on whether they will encounter ghosts, and almost all choose to detour here along the border town. There are many merchants, news Naturally, it spreads quickly."

Qiao Tathagata supported her forehead and said, "Since it's so close, why didn't you go there earlier and only collected information?"

"Ce Jun has been holding back, and this time I don't know what kind of wind he has." Shangguan Hongxin said casually, "Usually it takes less than a month to go from here to Yuguoguo. The merchant said that some checkpoints will be closed during the Spirit Festival. When the road is blocked, I don’t know if I will be able to arrive during the Mid-Autumn Festival. I heard that although the current priest Huanghou is weak and sick, she can be extremely powerful and a very beautiful woman. The age of the human race is also... tsk, you can't say it."

The eyelashes trembled, brushing against the itchy palm, Qiao Rulai whispered: "Oh, do you want to see her?"

"I've seen a lot of beautiful women. They are not only beautiful, but they are often very dangerous. Wherever there are poisonous flowers, they are silent poisons. The top wise men will be caught in a moment of carelessness... It should be fine from a distance. Yes, after all, it is said that she is still so beautiful that the master of Yu Kingdom is fascinated, and she is indifferent to the harem, and her knees are much worse than the grand occasion when a group of brothers fought for the throne." Shangguan Hongxin glanced at the beautiful Tathagata, and stopped walking. ,"What’s wrong with you?"

"It's nothing."

"let me see."

Shangguan Hongxin emphasized his tone, Qiao Rulai had no choice but to put down his hands, and even by the light, he could see that his right eye was blood red, no wonder he took the initiative to walk aside, and frequently covered his forehead.

Shangguan Hongxin was silent for a while and said, "I'm just playing around."

Qiao Rulai said: "No, I still want to blame myself for not being able to hold on. I can't help but want to sleep, and I feel uncomfortable when I wake up. People say that ghosts take their lives without leaving traces. Why don't I feel that?"

Shangguan Hongxin didn't know what to think of, and said with a smile: "Probably left a little, it's quite obvious on the clothes."

The old butler who greeted them at the gate of Cejun's mansion was the same, and the two parted as beautifully as coming from the guest house.After grooming and going to bed, Qiao Rulai remembered Shangguan Hongxin's words, took out her robe to examine, her eyes were not working well, and after a long while she finally found ink stains on the outside of the left sleeve of the cassock, which she had scanned earlier and thought it was a shadow.

Taking out another cassock that was much older and hanging it aside, he was stunned for a while before turning off the light to rest.

Pulling the hair behind the ears, stroking the outline, raising the hand, stretching the five fingers in the darkness.

Feeling different, Qiao Tathagata thought about it, closed her eyes for a long time, but still couldn't fall asleep.