Chapter 8 chapter eight

When the lights were on, Mr. Di listened to Ma Rong's report in Jie Zhai, agreed to Ma Rong's proposal, and issued a decree, ordering Fang Xiaowei to take people to Beiliao to arrest the witch Tala in the yamen, and then question him carefully. He lowered his head to look at the red sandalwood box on the desk, the white jade on the box gleamed coldly under the candlelight. Just as Ma Rong was about to leave, Di Gong said: "Ma Rong, this Tara might be an unusual person, but he hastily spit out Miss Baiyu's birth and death dates. I think there are many grievances in this wooden box, and Miss Baiyu seems not to be a fiction."

Ma Rong doubted: "Master, the note left by Bai Yu is clearly signed on the twelfth of September, but this Tara said that she died on the tenth day of September. It is inexplicable why this day is two days away." Di Gongdao: "It seems that only Tara can solve this doubt. I'm afraid her words are really effective, and we may not be able to catch Tara tomorrow. We can also post a notice at the gate of the yamen, clearly stating that Miss Baiyu disappeared last September. , Hanging money soliciting insiders to report the inside information and specify the whereabouts. ——This is a two-pronged approach, and there may be gains.”

Ma Rong nodded yes.Di Gong turned to Hong Canjun: "You have consulted the official documents in the archives, so why not tell us the historical facts about the rise and fall of Ziguang Temple and Qingfeng Temple." Hong Canjun cleared his throat, took another sip of tea, and said, "Ziguang Temple was founded by monks from the Western domain, and it has been 20 to 80 years ago. Fengjiao was sealed up by the government, burned more than 80 statues of gods, and sent more than 300 temple monks. Qingfeng Nunnery was built in the third mile west of Ziguang Temple to continue the incense and standardize the scriptures. At that time, there was only one female nun abbot, who taught scriptures to cultivate one's character and maintain Buddhist affairs."

"Two years later, due to sand and gravel flooding, the official road leading to the Western Regions moved northward. At that time, the merchants dispersed, the market was depressed, and Lanfang became desolate. The nun of Qingfeng nunnery and the monk guarding Ziguang Temple escaped from the vulgar. Last year, the former county The order plans to close Qingfeng nunnery, but it happens that silversmith Zhang died in the city. This silversmith has little savings, but no children. His wife, Shen, loves Buddha very much, and her dusty thoughts are light, so she decides to cut off her hair and become a nun, donating her family property to decorate the nunnery. Hall. In memory of his sincerity, the government granted Qingfeng Nunnery to Shen on August 20 last year. Shen wore black clothes, accompanied by green lanterns, and changed his name to Baoyue. He is now the abbot of Qingfeng Nunnery. It is allowed to enter the incense, and the door is usually closed. Baoyue is only served by a little maid named Chunyun, and her life is extremely simple..."

Ma Rong couldn't bear to hear it: "I don't know what's new and interesting, I just don't mention whether there are treasures hidden in the monastery." Hong Canjun shook his head: "I haven't seen a record of buried property." Ma Rong said: "After dinner, I will go around the east gate again, maybe I can find out the whereabouts of Shen San and Ah Niu." Mr. Di said "yes": "You might as well look for the head of the beggars in this city. - As the saying goes, there are elders in the business, and there is a leader in the group. This beggar household also has a leader, called the group. The leader is in charge of leading the beggars, taking a profit to receive the head. The beggars serve carefully and humblely, like slaves. This group of leaders knows the encounters and encounters of the subordinates like the palm of their hands. Details."

Ma Rong added another trick: "Also, the severed head and the corpse have not left the garden of the Zen temple. I will also go to Ziguang Temple to investigate tonight. Many scenes that were neglected during the day are refreshing at night. I stayed in the green forest in the past, and tonight I will consider the place where the corpse is hidden with the mind of a thief, such as the person who killed himself and committed the crime." Duke Di nodded in agreement, with an appreciative smile on his face. In Houya's mansion, the birthday banquet is in progress.In the middle hall hangs a big "Shou" character in Di Gong's handwriting, silver candles are burning high, and lanterns are flickering.Several pots of peony and crabapple in the courtyard have been moved into the hall, presenting an elegant and luxurious atmosphere.

Di Gong walked into the hall; the three wives and Baoyue, the abbot of Qingfeng Temple, hurriedly paid respects, and welcomed Di Gong to take the upper seat.The following are seated one by one, and the group sits at a table. ——I can't say enough about eating and cooking different products, and presenting them with respect to the new ones, which are very hot. Baoyue sat on Di Gong's right, and Di Gong took the opportunity to look at her.Although Baoyue is forty years old, she still has elegant demeanor, glamorous appearance, and a pair of black pearls and crystal clear eyes.Blindly lowered his head, stroking the cup tendons.

Mrs. Di stood up and said, "Today is my wife's birthday. The people in the house prepare water and wine to congratulate you. It's just a family banquet, and there are no outside guests. Master Baoyue, my wife has always respected you. It is a great honor to condescend to come today. I only hope All of you here have the best of yourselves, so that the birthday star can be happy." He then took the lead to offer a toast to Madam Di. The second lady, the third lady, and Baoyue took turns to toast, and the birthday star was so busy turning left and right, she couldn't handle it, her face was flushed and her steps were unsteady.After three rounds of wine, each one is soft and panting, the noodles are springy, the ears and eyes touch the seat, the iron bracelet shakes, and the ring wears Dingdong.

Di Gong was drunk, and just feeling satisfied, Baoyue turned around and whispered: "Master Di came to visit during the day, but I was stopped by that bastard Chunyun, I only found out afterwards. It's only because I didn't restrain myself strictly, that I was negligent. , Master Fu begs to forgive me." Di Gong said with a smile: "Hong Liang and I were just walking casually. We wanted to ask if there was any scene of hooligans fighting on the mountain in the fairy nunnery last night." Baoyue hurriedly said, "How did Chunyun come back?" "She never heard it."

Baoyue said again: "Chunyun, this little slut, behaves badly. She often hangs out with the rascals in the village on the mountain and makes fun of her. I have seen her standing at the gate of the nunnery and making eyebrows with a filthy beggar. Let me see, I have beaten the ruler a few times for it, and I don’t regret it.——It’s really a demon that has entered my heart, Amitabha." He said he joined the palms and recited a few sutras. Di Gong thought to himself, since that Chunyun had an affair with the rogue beggars on the mountain, maybe he could really spit out some clues about Shen San's murder, and rogues like to brag in front of women most.

"My personal attendant, Ma Rong, is going to spy on Ziguang Temple tonight, and maybe he will also visit Xian'an to find out news." Baoyue shouted: "Oh, I have to go back to the nunnery quickly. I'm not at home. This Ma Rong, who Chunyun saw you, really doesn't know how to be so obedient and ugly."