The day of fortune-telling for the dragon

When Hua Jue woke up from the dream, she found that her pillow was wet and Xuanlong was not by her side.The room was silent, and the shallow and indifferent sunlight came in through the window sills.

He hurriedly put on his clothes and got up, got out of bed and went out to find someone, not even noticing that he had stepped on the wrong shoe.

After walking through the dining hall, the main hall, and entering the courtyard, Hua Juefang found Xuanlong and Xiaofenghuang in the courtyard.Wumei didn’t know where she was going, so she must have gone out to search around with a compass again. The group of small animals at home built a snowman in the courtyard, spelled out eyebrows, eyes, mouth and nose with stones, and inserted a few dead tree branches as arms. Heaped some red thread on top of the snowman's head.

Seeing him coming, Little Phoenix patted her wings: "Ah, Hua Jue, you are here, come quickly and have a look, we have piled you up."

Hua Jue was restless, forced a smile, and then heard Little Phoenix claiming credit for himself: "The stone was brought back by me, the thread and the branch were found by Brother Hua Dabao, and these two big snowballs were rolled out by the mocking wind." Yes, take a look, does it look good?"

Hearing him say this, Hua Jue's restlessness was soothed, and she smiled: "It's pretty, but how can I be so fat?"

Little Fenghuang looked at him: "You just have to be fat! You see how energetic Brother Hua Dabao is, you have to be like him."

The civet cat on the ground raised its head proudly and twisted its buttocks.

They all thought that Hua Jue hadn't woken up yet, so his complexion was bad, but it was Xuanlong who noticed the abnormality first, took him into the room calmly, stroked the corner of his eyes lightly, and asked, "What's the matter?" ?”

Hua Jue thought for a while, but didn't know how to describe it, so she just told him: "I had a nightmare."

Xuanlong was slightly surprised: "Nightmare?"

Hua Jue has had many dreams since she was a child, and it is also because of her frailty that she is easily taken by the dream-eating tapirs lurking in the air. This kind of ghost is harmless, but annoying, and often leads to nightmares and light sleep.Ever since Xuanlong slept next to him, Hua Jue's sleeping condition has become better day by day, and she hasn't had nightmares or convulsions for a long time.

"I dreamed that you all left, no one stayed behind, and I was left alone." Hua Jue became sad when she thought of the feeling of being at a loss in the dream, and her voice was low.

Xuan Long hugged him into his arms, and patted him on the back tenderly: "Did we play too crazy yesterday, you caught cold and were tired again, and that's why you had a nightmare?"

Hua Jue muttered: "...Maybe."

Xuanlong held his face in his hands, and stared at him seriously for a while: "Then are you worried that we will be separated one day? I read those poems and biographies in the mortal world, and there are often weak people chanting that good things don't last long, and good times are easy to pass away. I don't think you are like this kind of person, Hua Jue, tell me seriously, do you think so?"

Hua Jue shook her head: "No."

"That's good." Xuanlong seemed to be relieved, and then shook him, "In this way, you have to believe that nightmares are nothing. I woke up too early today, and I didn't wait for you, and I couldn't let you sleep well Sleep."

Hua Jue whispered: "Who blamed you... Who wants you to admit your mistake, you stupid dragon."

"I am willing." Xuanlong smiled, "You are so smart, don't you also like me, a stupid dragon? You still scold me, so I put you in the flour bag."

Hua Jue was amused by him: "You are unreasonable, I am such a big man, how are you going to stuff me into a flour bag?"

Xuan Long still hugged him: "I don't care."

After Huajue woke up for a while, the feeling in the dream gradually left him, as if an invisible wall was gradually separating the dream and reality.After hearing Xuanlong's words, Hua Jue was no longer flustered as before, but there was still a hidden worry in her heart that couldn't be suppressed.

He rarely dreamed of snow, and rarely felt the coldness of last night in his dreams.There were only two times, one was when he was seven or eight years old, he dreamed that there was heavy snow in the sky, and he had a high fever after waking up; the second time, the night before his grandmother died, he dreamed that he was walking alone in the snow-capped mountains , I can't find the way down the mountain for a long time.

Later, when she learned about the flood in Xingzhou more than ten years ago, Hua Jue also slowly thought about it. The day when she was seven or eight years old was probably a sign of the passing of her elders.He didn't grow up beside them, but he can still perceive each other's growth and decline through blood relationship.

So, what happened to the dream last night?

Hua Jue didn't dare to think deeply, he could only comfort himself slowly, what he dreamed of last night was just paper money and red flowers, not snow, and had nothing to do with death.

When it was daylight, Hua Jue was sweeping the snow in the courtyard, cleaning up the mess made yesterday.Halfway through the scan, he heard a sound from the opposite door, and saw that it was the city lord and Mr. Sang who had returned, looking hurried and tired.Behind them was the prisoner from last night.

Hua Jue thought for a while, thinking about the previous dream, and was also a little worried about the two of them, so she handed the broom in her hand to Xuan Long, and ran to have a look at the opposite side.He didn't go in directly as usual, but first asked the concierge, "Are Mr. Sang and the city lord free?"

The concierge is an old man, and he has been recognized for a long time: "You are busy these days, young man, you refuse to go in, shall I let you know?"

Hua Jue nodded, and waited at the gatehouse, looking down at the toes of her shoes.After a while, he suddenly thought of something, and ran back across the street to grab Xuanlong who was sweeping the snow: "Where is Wumei?"

Xuanlong thought for a while: "The little brat went out early, what's wrong?"

"I'll look for Mr. Sang and the city lord for a while. If I haven't come back later and he comes, you can tell him and ask him to come to the city lord's mansion to find me. Let's go to the city lord's side, and then we will discuss the national division's last time. Let’s talk about it.”

Xuan Long complied, carefully exhorting: "Come back early."

Hua Jue tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek, and then ran back in a hurry.As soon as he came, he happened to meet the concierge walking back: "Mr. Sang wants you to go directly. He said it's okay. You can come directly if you have anything to do. I also mean, after so many years, why are you so polite?"

Hua Jue thanked her, and left a message, saying that an eleven or twelve-year-old child might come to look for her later, and the concierge responded: "Okay, eleven or twelve years old, it looks like I don't want to be beaten? Let me go as soon as I come." Man, I remember."

Hua Jue walked inside slowly, looked around for a few times, and saw that the city lord's mansion was indeed no different from usual; at least the people in the mansion were safe, so she breathed a sigh of relief.

He was just about to go around the back garden and run to the study along the usual route, but when he expected Mr. Sang and the others to be there, he was stopped by a person halfway.Hua Jue was gently held by someone's arm, pulled back, and looked up, Sang Yi smiled a little, brows and eyes calm, and motioned him to keep quiet.

Hua Jue followed him obediently.

He turned his head and glanced at the accountant: Sang Yi stayed up all night yesterday, a little light blue appeared under his eyes, he looked a little haggard, but his complexion was the same as usual, there was nothing unusual about it.

"Shh, don't go in yet...Little Hua'er, come and listen to me here." Sang Yi pushed him to a stop in front of the study, looked around, it seemed that there was a wind, but he didn't know where to touch it. Get out a warm soup lady and hand it to him.

Hua Jue asked softly, "Mr. Sang, what's wrong?"

"You came at a good time. I will use your name later. You don't have to worry. We will explain this to you later, as long as we can drive that person away now." Sang Yi gently opened a crack in the door , let Hua Jue look in the direction of her finger.

There was incense burning in the room, Xie Ran sat with his back to the door, so Hua Jue couldn't see clearly.But behind the door, one could clearly see that there were two people sitting opposite Xie Ran, one was the torture officer with the face of Hades, and the other was an acquaintance.

Hua Jue opened her eyes wide, and saw that the man with snow-white beard and hair, holding a whisk in his hand, was the Qinggong Taoist priest who was impeached not long ago.Ruyi Taoist.

"Why would he..." Hua Jue was about to be born, but Sang Yi covered her mouth.

"Listen, little Hua'er." Sang Yi said, "Recently something happened in Jiangling, this person wants to take this opportunity to restore the position of national teacher, we definitely can't give him this opportunity."

Hua Jue listened carefully.

Xie Ran's deep voice came from inside: "This matter is not appropriate. If you want the assistance of a master or Taoist in this case, it should never be done by Taoist Master Ruyi. The case of the Department of Punishment cannot be intervened by ordinary people. This is the rule. If you want to If the Taoist priest is gone, it will be regarded as forcing His Majesty to change the order day and night, which is not suitable for the status."

Ruyi clenched her hand under the table, but said with a smile on her face: "The city lord naturally thinks that the poor Taoist is not suitable, because the poor Taoist was ejected by you, but as far as this matter is concerned, there are so many Taoist priests all over the country. , but it may not be more useful than Pindao alone. Is the city lord going to be so careless about the matter of human life?"

The criminal officer Nati has a serious expression on his face. Although he brought such an old man here, he doesn't look like he wants to make peace at all: "He is right. I came to Jiangling from Chang'an this time. After hearing about the case, I am willing to follow me and bring me with me all the time. Up to now, there is only one wishful Taoist. If there is another candidate for the city lord, we might as well launch it earlier, so we can start working quickly."

Hearing this, Hua Jue felt that Sang Yi moved, leaned over and asked him again: "Little Hua'er, how about being a drag for us?"

Hua Jue already understood what was going on, and nodded in agreement.Sang Yi knocked on the door, and after Xie Ran said "Come in", she led him over.

Although I don't know where it is, there must have been a murder case in Jiangling, and the circumstances are still very serious.Hua Jue knew that now that the whole country respects Taoism, when promoting an official position like a criminal officer, it is necessary to find some Taoists and warlocks to open the way, just like walking past the gate of the mansion with paper money yesterday.

It's just how terrible things happened that made two court officials of the fourth rank and above quarrel over the candidate for a Taoist priest?

Hua Jue has no time to think about it.The moment he stepped into the room, Taoist Ruyi hurriedly stood up, staring at him closely: "You—why is it you?"

Although the tone was suppressed, it was still like seeing a monster. It must have reminded him of a very embarrassing past.

Hua Jue nodded to him.Sang Yi introduced from the side: "This is our No. [-] fortune teller in Jiangling, Hua Jue. We have recommended this young man, what do you think, Mr. Ti Xing?"

The criminal officer still sat upright, and said imperceptibly: "I still insist that Taoist Ruyi is the right candidate, but if you two have any reason to prove that this young man has something more outstanding, I will also Listen to what you two say."

Sang Yi smiled: "Your Majesty may not know it. Taoist Ruyi came back to Jiangling to raise the medicine boy, and it was this young man who discovered it. After the city lord made it clear, His Majesty even named him and praised him. What do you think? This little Mr. Hua can't be more correct."

Taoist Ruyi stroked his beard, and said unhurriedly: "Master Sang, the poor Taoist has explained this matter. It is the poor Taoist education who has no way to educate his disciples, and has raised a few wolf-hearted wastes. I apologize and resign from the Ziwei Terrace The one in charge, His Majesty tried to persuade him to stay, but I have made up my mind, so I started to travel around the world."

Sang Yi smiled and remained calm.

The criminal officer said: "I will not comment on the matter of mind skills. In terms of the ability to survey the sky and measure yin and yang, can the two compete? I think Dao is older, and he must have more experience than this young man."

Xie Ran said: "This young man has also done a lot. A few days ago, the Heji Mountain God made trouble and cut off the waterways in all directions of Jiangling. He was the one who went there personally and solved the matter effortlessly, benefiting the land and water. Another month forward……"

Hua Jue was a little dumbfounded listening to the city lord's eloquence: Some of the things Xie Ran said were done by him, but it was unavoidable to be exaggerated; The legend of demons and demons is majestic and invincible in the world.

It is estimated that in order to brag for him, the city lord took out all the skills of reading idle books over the years.

Hua Jue felt ashamed, so she could only stay silent and cooperate with Mr. Sang and the city lord.These things, he knew to be false, Ruyi Taoist is an insider, so naturally he knew it was false, so it was not easy to refute it directly, but he sneered a few times, and began to find Hua Jue's shortcomings: "As far as I know, Hua Jue Mr. Xiao is known as a fortune teller at a young age, and he is self-taught, and his heart is commendable. But we have to say that there are famous schools of Taoism such as Zhu Xie, Baihu, and Cunyi in the south, and our Qinggong in the north, all of which are righteous. Mr. Xiao is so young, but his ambition is not small, so he can understand what we have studied for decades so early, what kind of path is he going?"

When Hua Jue heard his words, she almost laughed angrily: This was obviously showing off the fact that he didn't have a teacher, and secretly said that he was not walking the right way.There is no factional origin, no faction, and a clean body, but it has become a handle.

Taoist Ruyi continued: "As far as I know, Mr. Hua Xiao has a yin fate, and he can only dress up as a woman all his life. Not to mention his weak body, this alone cannot be considered elegant."

He turned to point to the judge.The criminal officer looked over expressionlessly and saw that Hua Jue was dressed in red, her long hair was loose, and she was also handsome, so she was a little hesitant.

Hua Jue was really annoyed this time: "What kind of fate am I? It doesn't matter if my fate is negative or positive. I don't need others to comment on how I live and dress."

Taoist Ruyi flicked his fly whisk, and said in a low voice: "The temperament is restless, and it also needs to be practiced. Young people, don't act hastily."

Sang Yi blocked Hua Jue from behind, and said with a smile: "It's not as good as the old man's death and lifelessness, and the young man is more lively, which has its own advantages."

Ruyi still smiled: "It seems that Mr. Sang misunderstood Pindao very much. Pindao also puts his words here now: In my opinion, Mr. Hua Xiao is born without a family, and secondly, he has a bad appearance and bearing, and has no good fortune." , if you want to change people, just relying on these two points, Pindao will not be convinced."

"Then do you think it's me, are you convinced?"

A clear voice suddenly came from outside the door.

Inside the door, a short boy stepped into his eyes like a knife.As soon as he came, the room seemed to become a bit colder, and there was a compelling force everywhere.

This child Wumei is like this. Although he is short and has an immature face like eleven or twelve years old, there is always a wild wolf-like rebelliousness and rebellion in his eyes. Such a frank and calm demeanor can even trample many adults under their feet.

As soon as he entered, Taoist Ruyi's face immediately turned blue: "You... why are you here?"

"That's why I came here." Wumei adjusted his new clothes, which he urged Xuanlong to spend a lot of money to buy from a nearby family. It was just made, and his stature was also suitable for him , wearing incomparably extravagant, no less effective than a crane cloak coat.

He tilted his head and asked, "Ruyi, you know me, and so does the whole Qing Palace. A month ago, you paid me to invite Tianlei to draw a Yin-Yang magic circle. I'm from Sanqing, Huhua, Caoguiren Those who followed me at that time, I started early, and you were over 50 when you entered the Qing Palace, if you were ranked according to the seniority of the disciples under the sect, you would be considered my nephew. Tell me, isn’t that the case?”

Taoist Ruyi said with a pale face, "Yes."

Wumei clapped his hands: "Okay, let me tell you a little bit more. I cultivated the life of a boy and opened my eyes. People often ask me if I have cultivated the art of longevity. I am healthy and have never been sick. You have to treat me according to my face." Looking at Fu Yuan, I have a wide courtyard, hidden rhinoceros, and plump lips and teeth, at least I am more blessed than your sharp-mouthed monkey cheeks. Don't you think so?"

Taoist Ruyi didn't speak.Wumei continued on his own: "Is there any problem? This little gentleman surnamed Hua is not my servant, how can he tolerate your slander? You must know that you are two cats, Ruyi, I think you should go back and look at it more." Year book, come here to show off again when the time comes!"