Chapter 15 Chapter fifteen

When Ma Rong returned to Neiya Study, Di Gonggong talked to Li Ke.Hong Canjun unfolded several landscapes on the book, and pressed green stones on each of the two axes. Mr. Di signaled Ma Rong to sit aside, and continued: "Mr. Li was unable to draw a new work for me, and I am deeply sorry. Although the old three-axis version is full of spirit and vivid, it is not as dripping as the new ink. Zexiang It can be touched. Of course, in this western border town, the silk paper is expensive and the ochre is scarce. Moreover, painting requires a state of mind, a sense of the object, and a vigorous state of mind, either because of the clarity of emptiness or tranquility, or because of the touch of the medium. , the heart is full of energy, and the landscape overlaps in the mind, so that the brush can be animated and the ink splashed boldly. Mr. Li has recently looked dull, confused and troubled, and he can't start writing, but he can be forgiven."

Li Ke was ashamed, and replied: "Master Di is knowledgeable and proficient in this way, and the villain feels admiration for it.... It was Mr. Di who said it. The villain has been feeling the state of the world recently, and his expression has been stagnant. He has been indifferent to painting. I am very ashamed to let the old man down. These three old works are accepted by the old man, and when the mood gets better in the future, he will definitely show his kindness and shame, and pay a lot of attention to him." Di Gong said with a smile: "I thank you here in advance. I only hope that Mr. Li will promise a thousand gold, and don't cherish ink like gold." Turning around, he asked Hong Canjun: "Do you think where is the right place to hang this tripod? By the way, you can stay with Mr. Li for now. Talk here, Ma Rong and I will go to the back garden."

Ma Rong followed Di Gong out of the study, turned to the corridor, followed a fine stone corridor, passed through the hanging flower door at the end of the white wall, and arrived at the back garden, where he sat down on a cool tea shelf. "You have been wandering around the city for half a day, hoping to achieve something." Di Gong asked urgently. Ma Rong recounted the half-day experience in detail, especially the conversation with the "monk" in detail. Di Gongxi said: "This 'monk' seems to be an unusual person. When you went to Qingfeng Nunnery tonight, you found Chunyun, and tried to find out his history and track, and what kind of relationship he has with Chunyun. ——The murderer has not been seen for a while. It was detected, but there is hope of recovering the fifty ingots of imperial gold that were stolen last year."

Ma Rong nodded, and the two of them walked out of the shade of flowers and returned to the study along the same road. There are two giant candles burning in the study, shining like daylight.Hong Canjun had hung the three-axis landscape side by side on the wall of the study, and the room was filled with elegance and splendor.Li Ke stared at the tripod pensively, deeply moved. When Di Gong and Ma Rong entered the room, Li Ke hurriedly stepped forward to pay respects. Di Gong looked at the wall of the middle hall with satisfaction, stroked his beard and appreciated it carefully. Li Ke said: "Master, can you check the traces of Yang Maode? The case in Ziguang Temple is really appalling. The villain is only worried that Yang Maode will also be involved in it."

Duke Di smiled. "Mr. Li doesn't have to worry about that case. How can this murder case not be solved? The government has not seen any information about Yang Maode. If he is really involved in the case, it can be investigated clearly." Li Ke stood up and bowed, and was about to say goodbye when he suddenly thought of something. "Master Di, I remembered something last night, but I forgot to mention it just now. I have indeed seen that little red sandalwood box." Duke Di was startled: "The red sandalwood box? You remembered it. When and where did you get that thing?"

"About half a year ago, I remember that an old beggar brought the wooden box and wanted to sell it to me. The wooden box was covered with mud, and I didn't see a piece of white jade inlaid on the box lid. He only wanted five copper coins. I was afraid that he would be entangled, so I bought it and threw it in a broken basket. I forgot about it later, maybe it was sold to an antique shop, but somehow it got into the hands of the master again." "Mr. Li, have you asked the old beggar where he got this wooden box?" "The old beggar had cross-eyed eyes and a funny shape. According to him, he found it on the barren slope behind Ziguang Temple, or beside a rabbit hole. He said he often went there to hunt wild rabbit cubs and catch birds."

Di Gongdao: "Thank you Mr. Li for your words. The origin of this wooden box is almost clear." Li Ke left, but Di Gong didn't want to keep him. He ordered Hong Canjun to send him to the front gate of Qianjie, while he set out to walk back to his inner neighbor. ——At this moment, his heart was a little more relaxed. Li Ke's words did not sound like nonsense. If the wooden box was picked up on the barren slope behind Ziguang Temple, then the cause of Miss Baiyu's death was also closely related to Ziguang Temple.