Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Wuhua Building
Agaiwan didn't expect him to say these words at this moment, and he let out an "ah", and his breathing suddenly became short of breath. "Ya Bu Lu Hua" is her Mongolian name, which means the fairy grass that brings the dead back to life, and only her mother would call her that.She had never heard him called that since she had known him.She stared at him, his usual indifferent eyes flashed with rare anxious enthusiasm.He heard him say softly again: "Didn't you say that only on the grasslands can there be truly happy people—men are as wide and thick as the earth, and women are as fragrant and beautiful as wild flowers, without power, strife, or war, Isn't it good?"
But it was said that Shi Xiu accompanied Agai to Lanruo Tower again, and as soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw several Yu Yi guarding there, and Jia Luo giggled in the study, as if he was talking to the assassin Ling Yun.A Gai's face changed slightly, and he rushed into the room, and he saw Jia Luo sitting on the edge of the bamboo bed, smiling like a flower. Although Ling Yun was still dignified and serious, he was no longer as cold as before.
Seeing A Gai coming in, Ling Yun was eager to sit up, but just as he lifted himself up, he fell down again.Jia Luo said: "Oh, you are a real person, I told you not to move around." Turning around, he asked: "Who are you? Why do you just break into other people's houses?" Shi Xiu said: "Ga Luo, Don't be unreasonable, she is the daughter of King Liang, the princess of this dynasty."
Jia Luo didn't bother to talk about whether she was a princess or not, so he giggled twice and asked, "What bad idea are you guys coming up with again? Mrs. Shi Xiuyu, let's make an agreement. None of you are allowed to move until my patient recovers." He." A Gai approached the bamboo bed, pointed to Ling Yun and said, "He is my father's subordinate and my bodyguard."
When Shi Xiu heard that she had finally identified the assassin, she couldn't help being shocked, and Jia Luo was even more stunned, completely confused.
I only heard Ling Yun say: "This subordinate assassinated without authorization, and the princess was frightened, please forgive me." Jia Luo was shocked: "What? You are under the king of Liang? You two... are you together?"
Just as he was wondering, he suddenly heard Yu Yi say outside: "Mr. Wen, you can't go in." Then he heard Duan Wen say: "Don't stop me, I'm going to compete with that assassin." Yu Yi called out: "Mr. Wen! Mr. Wen !"
But seeing Duan Wen full of alcohol, he rushed in with a sword in his hand, pointed at Ling Yun on the bamboo bed and said: "Get up, let's compete again." Shi Xiu stepped forward to persuade: "Mr. Wen, the assassin is injured. , I can’t compete with you. Besides, you didn’t lose last night, didn’t you stab the sword in his waist?” Duan Wen half-believingly said: “Really?” Shi Xiu smiled and said: “It’s absolutely true.”
Duan Wen said: "Well, I want to see his wound with my own eyes." He stumbled and took a few steps forward.Jia Luo walked up to him quickly, raised his hand and slapped him.She hit hard, Duan Wen is the son of the former chief executive, no one dared to hit him since he was a child, he was stunned for a moment, covered his face and said: "You... Jia Luo... you dare to hit me?" Jia Luo said angrily: "Why don't you dare? Even if you become the manager, I still can't miss it." He shouted again, "Get out of here quickly! Do you want to suffer again?"
Shi Xiu hurriedly broke the siege and said: "Mr. Wen, you are drunk, go, I will ask someone to take you to the Hall of Pharmacists to sober up." She stepped forward to support Duan Wen, grabbed the long sword in his hand, and half pulled and half dragged him out.
Taking advantage of Duan Wen's trouble, Ling Yun took out a cloth bag from his bosom, quickly stuffed it into A Gai's hand, and said in a low voice: "Princess, put it away quickly." A Gai asked, "What is this?" Ling Yun said : "It's extremely important, don't let others know." A Gai has always trusted him, and immediately put it in his arms obediently.
Shi Xiu ordered people to take Duan Wen away, and then entered the room and asked: "Since the princess admits to knowing the assassin, then Ling Yun's assassination of Ming Yuzhen's envoy should also be ordered by the princess." A Gai said: "Ling Yun is indeed from the Liang Palace. This person is my father's confidant guard, but I didn't send him to kill Ming Yuzhen's envoy." Shi Xiu said with a smile: "I'm afraid no one will believe what the princess said. Once the envoy died, Ming Yuzhen would anger Dali, and the two families If the alliance fails, it becomes a mortal enemy instead, isn't Liang Wang the one who will benefit the most?" A Gai said: "Believe it or not, I didn't send Ling Yun to kill people."
Shi Xiudao: "Then why did Ling Yun take the risk of assassinating?" A Gai said: "Well, I was going to ask him that." Turning around, staring at Ling Yun, he asked, "Why did you do this?" Ling Yun said "Zou Xing is the mortal enemy of my Ling family. When the red scarf entered Sichuan, he took refuge in Ming Yuzhen and killed my whole family. As a son of man, if he didn't avenge his revenge, how could he survive? The princess knew about these things a long time ago." Gai nodded and said, "Indeed, I knew these things a long time ago, and I shouldn't have brought you to Dali this time."
Only then did Shi Xiu realize that Ling Yun's assassination of the envoy was just her own selfishness, and Agai didn't know about the assassination.But he still had to confirm these words to Zou Xing, and immediately said: "Since the princess has nothing to do with the assassination, please ignore this matter."
Ah Gai couldn't help being angry and hurt. What was angry was that Ling Yun hindered the alliance plan in order to avenge his personal revenge. What hurt him was that he was so seriously injured and didn't know what punishment awaited him in the future, so he immediately asked: "You...you How do you plan to deal with him?" Shi Xiu said: "Xinju has his own arrangements. Princess, please go back to Wuhua Building."
A Gai knew that he was powerless to save Ling Yun, and he couldn't save him, so he said to Jia Luo, "Young lady, please take good care of him." Jia Luo smiled and said, "Of course." Then he asked, "You really belong to King Liang." Daughter?" Agai nodded.Jia Luo said: "It's a pity that the monks and slaves are not here. Otherwise, one of you is a Mongolian princess and the other is Dali Baoji, so you must get along very well."
Agai knew that her father's reputation in Dali was very bad, and everyone mentioned it without gnashing their teeth. After those people learned of her princess status, they respected her on the surface, but in fact they were secretly wary. Although she was innocent, she still felt something.Only Jia Luo is different, neither regards her status as a princess as an honor, nor does she regard her as the daughter of King Liang as a disobedience, but only regards her as an interesting playmate of similar age.It's just that she has her position and situation, after all, she can't be as free and easy as Galona, so she just forced a smile and said: "If there is a chance, I must get to know this Baoji." Without looking at Ling Yun again, she walked out boldly.
Ling Yun still didn't know that after he assassinated Zou Xing, there were many changes in Wuwei Temple, he knew that his chances were slim, this time, he might never see each other again, so he immediately called out: "Princess!" A Gai paused a little, and then Continue to walk forward, and never look back.
After coming out of the courtyard, Shi Xiu called a Yu Yi, ordered him to take A Gai to Wuhua Building, and said with a smile, "The princess is just in time for lunch."
Agai knew that these people didn't want to stay here any longer, but they had to bow their heads under the roof and obeyed.Immediately, I got out of the temple and got on my horse, looking towards the city.Women in Dali often go out on horseback just like men, but Yu Yi looked delicate and delicate when she saw her as a princess, but she was very skilled in riding, so she couldn't help but secretly said: "After all, he is still a Mongolian, his nature is like this."
Yangjuba, the capital city of Dali, is an ancient city with a long history. It stretches for fifteen miles. It is a natural moat, and two tall walls are built with bricks and soil inside the two streams.There is a huge tiger-shaped city gate in the middle of the city wall, and there are double archways built on the city gate. Luo Juzi, who is fully armed, is constantly patrolling, which is truly mighty.
Yangjuba is an important town in Yunnan, where business travelers gather and trade is developed. Once you enter the city, it is bustling and bustling, and it is completely different from the tranquility and tranquility of Wuwei Temple.There are people in various costumes coming and going on the street. About seventy percent of Dali are native Bai people, and the rest are Han, Mongol, Hui, Tubo, Nanyang, etc. You can even see Westerners with blue eyes and long beards.
Agai was unhappy all the way, and he didn't notice the customs and customs of these different Central Plains at all, and he didn't even notice when he passed the general manager's mansion.The main road of Yangjuba is a straight thoroughfare from north to south, connecting the north gate and the south gate.Yuyi led her in from the north city gate, went straight to the south, walked for two or three miles, passed the general manager's mansion, and went two miles forward to reach Wuhua Building, the tallest and largest building in Dali.
Get off the horse at the gate tower in front of Wuhua Building, and a guard comes up to lead the horse.Yuyi, who was ordered to escort Agai, had to rush back to the general manager's mansion, so she said, "Princess, Zheng Jing with a mustache standing on the steps is the director of Wuhua Building and the official in charge of reception, please go there by yourself. , as long as you show your identity, he will treat you with the above courtesy." A Gai nodded and said: "Okay." Seeing her slowly walking up the steps and heading towards Zheng Jing, Yu Yi ignored her and turned around to the north He turned his head and looked towards the governor's mansion.
Ah Gai walked to the pedestal, and Zheng Jing had seen her a long time ago, and hurriedly came over and asked, "Excuse me, my lady..." Before he finished speaking, he snatched a tall man with a hulking back and grabbed A Gai's arm , shouted: "So you are here!" The man was so strong that he took her into his arms.Ah Gai took a closer look and found that it was the man who was wantonly molesting her last night, who was said to be called Head Arong.
Ah Rong smiled and said, "It's great that you're still here, go drink with me." Ah Gai said, "Let go, you're so bold!" It's gone." A Gai struggled desperately, but he still couldn't break free from his grasp.
Zheng Jingda was in a hurry—last night Ah Rong and the envoy of the King of Liang fought for a woman. The Wuhualou family lost nothing and injured many people. They even alarmed the generals Duan Zhen and Luo Juzi. The envoy of King Liang went to Wuwei Temple to listen to scriptures, and Luo Juzi withdrew.Unexpectedly, when this Ah Rong saw the beautiful lady, he fell into his old habit again.He was not on duty last night, so he didn't know that Ah Gai was the woman who caused the dispute last night. Although Ah Rong is the head of Jianchang and the future son-in-law of the chief executive, the chief executive is not a person who protects his shortcomings. , it is inevitable that he will be charged with ineffective dissuasion-he stepped forward and persuaded: "Headman Arong, please..." Before finishing the sentence, with a "crash", Arong's entourage pulled out half of his waist knife and rushed at him Glaring at him, he knew that the Jianchang people were fierce and bloodthirsty, so he was too frightened to say anything.
Ah Rong sniffed Agai's hair and said, "It smells so good! I made a big fuss for you last night, and you have to make it up to me today." He ordered his followers, "Go and lead my horse. Come." Holding Ah Gai hostage, he went down the stairs.He was warned by Duan Gong for fighting in Wuhua Building last night, and he has learned to behave a little bit, so he plans to take Agai outside to have a good time.Ah Gai screamed: "Help... help..." Several guards rushed over after hearing the sound, but they were afraid of Ah Rong's fierceness and did not dare to step forward.
Suddenly someone shouted: "Hey, stop now! In broad daylight, do you want to rob girls from a good family?" Arong turned his head and saw a girl from the Bai nationality staring at him with an angry face.It was really a woman's eighteenth change, he didn't know that this woman was his fiancée Duan Sengnu, seeing that although she was not as beautiful as the woman in his arms, she was also quite good looking, so he immediately smiled and said, "You can come with me too."
Zheng Jing exclaimed: "Leader Arong, absolutely not allowed! She is..." Arong said: "Why not?" Just as she was about to go up to grab the Bai girl and take her away, she suddenly snatched her away from behind. A young man drew out his weapon, but it turned out to be an iron whip. Without saying a word, he attacked him ferociously, in a desperate posture.Ah Rong was originally an impulsive and domineering person, he liked to fight fiercely, so he hurriedly pushed A Gai away, and drew out two sabers from his waist to fight.Another young man flashed out from behind Duan Sengnu, drew his sword, and joined the battle group.
Agai escaped from the catastrophe and was still in shock. Although she is a princess, she has been pampered and pampered for many years, and she has no ability to adapt.Suddenly someone rushed over and dragged her away, it was the Bai girl who rescued her just now.The girl smiled and said, "Hurry up!" He took her hand and ran out.
Arriving outside the building, I met a group of Luo Juzi who were patrolling the city.Duan Sengnu hurriedly shouted: "Someone is causing trouble and fighting in Wuhua Building, hurry up! Go help!" The leader Luo Juzi recognized her as Baoji, and before he heard the sound, he hurriedly led people into the gate tower.
The two girls escaped from the Wuhua Building together, the more Duan Sengnu thought about it, the more interesting it became, and he couldn't help laughing.It turned out that she had been hiding in the small building of Wuwei Temple, safe and secure, but she could neither see anyone nor go out, it was more uncomfortable than killing her.Later, the assassin was taken to the study downstairs to heal his wounds. Yu Yi was scattered all over the courtyard, and she couldn't even speak loudly to Jia Luo, for fear of being heard.Fortunately, Gao Lan came to Wuwei Temple early this morning to deliver clothes to Duan Gong. Duan Gong didn't know that his daughter was hiding in the temple, so he deliberately left Gao Qian, Gao Lang, and Yang Bao as Yuyi.Seeing that Gao Lang was summoned by Duan Gong, Yang Bao knew that something was wrong, and he could no longer keep Baoji in Wuwei Temple, so he took the risk and asked Gao Qian to go to Cuihua Tower to find his wife, and told the truth.After all, Gao Lan cherished her daughter and agreed to take Duan Sengnu out of the temple.Several people came to Duan Sengnu's residence, Yang Bao and the three deliberately chatted with Yu Yi, who was guarding the assassin, to distract attention, while Gao Lan took the maid upstairs to meet him, and ordered Duan Sengnu to change into the maid's clothes. Before he knew it, he managed to sneak out without the eyes of many Yuyi, monks, and Luo Juzi.Only the scene where Shi Xiu came suddenly at the mountain gate was quite bizarre, and she insisted on staying in the high potential strangely, but luckily it was just a surprise.However, after leaving Wuwei Temple, Gao Lanyu told her daughter earnestly that she was born with the identity of Baoji. This is an unchangeable fact, and escaping is not the solution. To completely resolve this matter, you must have a good talk with Ah Rong .Of course Duan Sengnu didn't want to, he didn't want Yang Bao to get a hint from this, and thought it was a method worth trying. Duan Sengnu finally reluctantly agreed to come to Wuhualou to meet Arong after hearing the facts, and of course he had planned with his partners beforehand. There are many ways to harm the fiancé, to let him know that marrying Baoji is a catastrophe.The only regret is that Yang Bao was suddenly called away and could not participate in this negotiation in person.What happened couldn't be more coincidental. When the three of them came to Wuhua Building, they encountered Ah Rong who wanted to rob Agai by force. Duan Sengnu recognized his fiancé Ah Rong at a glance. Not only did he not recognize his fiancée, he also wanted to belittle her.Gao Lang had intended to kill him a long time ago, so he immediately winked at Gao Qian, and the two attacked together.The two of them felt that the temporary clothes of Yu Yi didn't fit well, so they changed back to casual clothes. Since Ah Rong couldn't identify each other's origin, they immediately started fighting.As Seng Duan's slave, of course it is inconvenient to stand aside and watch her companion fight with her fiancé—this is what Yang Bao has repeatedly told him before. Guy escaped.She guided Luo Juzi into the building again, anticipating that no matter how strong Ah Rong's martial arts were, he would definitely not be able to win him over, so she took Ah Gai's hand and wandered in the street without worry.
Seeing her laughing, Ah Gai seemed extremely happy, and asked curiously, "What are you laughing at, little lady?" When Duan Sengnu was enjoying himself, he needed an audience, and immediately explained that Ah Rong was his annoying fiancé, and then He told the general story of the incident, but did not reveal the identity of Arong's leader and that he was Dali Baoji.A Gai was very surprised at first, but later when Duan Sengnu mentioned how to deal with his fiancé in a vicious way so that he would retreat in spite of the difficulties, he found it very interesting, but he just covered his mouth and smiled, showing a very reserved look.After Duan Sengnu finished talking, he said: "Little lady is really brave. But I have to thank you for saving me."
Duan Sengnu smiled and said: "Although I saved you, you also saved me, we are even, don't say anything thankful." Agage said: "How could I save you?" Duan The monk and slave said: "I will tell my father and mother about Arong later. Sister, if you testify for me, you have saved me?" He is heinous, so your parents will never force you to marry him again." Duan Sengnu smiled and said, "That's exactly what you want to do."
Agai suddenly encountered such a strange thing in his depression, and he couldn't help feeling much brighter. Only then did he notice that Yangjubaa is full of bright colors, red flowers and green grass along the street, and it is simply a street of flowers.
Duan Sengnu said: "My name is Duan Sengnu. What's your sister's name?" Agai said: "My name is Agai. Since your surname is Duan, you should belong to the royal family of Dali." Ji's identity impressed her with admiration, and hurriedly said: "There are only a small part of the surname Duan in this city, how can everyone be a royal family?" A Gai smiled and said, "That's true."
Duan Sengnu asked again: "Agai, your name is a bit strange. Don't you have a surname?" "So you're a Mongolian! I thought you were wearing Han clothes, and I thought..." laughed, "But now you're wearing random clothes. The Mongolians who live in Xiajifang in the east of the city often wear our Bai clothes. He looked her up and down again, and said: "You really don't look like Mongolians. I heard that Mongolian women are rough and bold, drink in big bowls, eat meat in big mouthfuls, just like men. Look at you, you are beautiful and graceful. Na, she speaks in a soft voice, and she is a beautiful woman from the Han family." A Gai smiled and said: "There are also bold Han women, and of course there are gentle Mongolian women." Duan Sengnu laughed and said: "Yes. ’” After reading her Mongolian name again, she found it extremely awkward, so she hurriedly laughed, “I’d better call you sister.” Agai said, “Okay, then I’ll call you sister monk and slave.”
Sengnu Duan suddenly saw a vendor selling snow on the side of the road, so he hurriedly ordered two bowls, and handed one to Agai.Ah Gai heard the vendor yelling "sell blood" and saw that the bowl of water was dark red. He didn't know what was in it, so he didn't dare to drink it, but he saw Duan the monk and slave drank it all in one gulp, and shouted, "Come again. Bowl." He asked quickly, "Sister Seng Nu, what is this?" Duan Seng Nu said: "Sister, haven't you ever drank it? Well, it must be your first time in Dali. This is snow, and it is made with Cangshan Snow ebony juice."
Only then did Agai realize that it was "selling snow". He took a sip lightly.A Gai said in surprise: "It's delicious." Duan Sengnu laughed and said: "The snow carried from the top of Cangshan Mountain is of course delicious." A Gai drank a few sips and drank another bowl.
The second daughter was about to leave when the vendor shouted, "Hey, you haven't paid me yet." Dali traded seashells as currency. Both of them were golden branches and jade leaves. Coins, and no silver taels.Duan Sengnu was extremely embarrassed, and said in a low voice: "I don't have any money with me, does sister have any?" Agai said: "I don't have any either."
The merchant immediately looked at each other coldly, and said, "Hey, what kind of snow do you buy without money. Come on, come with me to see He Shuang!" Duan Sengnu said in surprise, "You won't drag us to the government just because of four bowls of snow? The peddler was very annoyed, and raised his voice: "Isn't four bowls of snow too much for a young lady? Then why can't you pay back the money? It's reasonable for you to eat and drink for nothing."
A Gai saw that there were many people around to watch the fun, so he quickly pulled out the pearl hairpin on his head, handed it to the vendor and said, "I'll give you this as snow money." High-class goods, he turned his anger into a smile, but he felt strange in his heart. He saw that the beautiful Han woman had a gold ring on her left thumb. Although it was also valuable, it was far less expensive than the pearl hairpin. You stay cheap, don't think too much, just smiled: "Okay! Do you want two more bowls of snow?"
The second daughter couldn't care less, she hastily pushed everyone away and walked away, looking back at the embarrassing scene just now, she couldn't help looking at each other and smiling.Duan Sengnu said apologetically, "I'm really sorry. I'm the master, so I should be the host. How about this, I'll send a good hairpin to my sister later." A Gai said absent-mindedly: "It's just a pearl hairpin. It's nothing, my sister doesn't need to worry about it." Duan Sengnu saw that her gaze never left the camellia by the roadside, and said: "Let's go, I'll take my sister to a place."
Now he led Agai to a large garden in the northeast of the city, there was someone guarding the garden gate, but the man happened to know Duan Sengnu, so he just bowed and saluted, and let them in.Agai had seen Duan Sengnu with his entourage earlier, and knew that she must be born in an official, so he was not surprised.
Come in and take a look, red and smoke green, colorful, fragrant and different colors, stretching as far as the eye can see.There are many camellias of various colors interlaced and brushed one after another, like a big colorful brocade.The breeze is light, giving red and green, and a rich aroma.
Agai couldn't help exclaiming: "It's so beautiful! What is this place?" Duan Sengnu said: "This is the Baihua Hall, which was built by Duan Shi, the first general manager of Dali. The camellias here are comparable to what you saw on the street just now. Those are much more expensive than the others." Pointing casually, he said, "The tree-like camellia at the door is called Dafugui, and the flowers are eight inches in size, and each flower has thirty-six petals and eighteen stamens."
Agai saw that although the flower was delicate and beautiful, it was only big and had a vulgar name, he was not happy, pointing to a small and exquisite light-colored camellia and asked, "What's the name?" Duan Sengnu said: " Noodle beauty." A Gai said: "This name sounds good." Duan Sengnu smiled and said: "I should be worthy of you, sister."
I saw another golden-red camellia, with a big flower in the middle and four small flowers around it.A Gai said: "Oh, this flower is not the usual size." Duan Sengnu smiled and said: "Don't look down on it, it is a rare product among camellias, and each plant only blooms five flowers - one big and four small, so It's called Zisun tea." Pointing to the tea tree next to Zisun tea, he said: "This plant is also a variety that doesn't rely on quantity to win. Each branch only blooms two flowers, one red and one white, so it is called Yuanyangtiao."
Agai stared at the tall and slender mandarin duck, and sighed: "If you can be compared to your eyes, why die? I wish I could be a mandarin duck and not envy immortals." Duan Sengnu said, "What did sister say?" Said: "Nothing." Suddenly saw a big camellia, six inches in diameter, one flower of two colors, the inner petals are red like rouge, the outer petals are white like jade fat, shining brightly against the sun, like Venus shining, He couldn't help praising him, and asked, "What's the name?" Duan Sengnu said, "Young Lord with Rouge and White Face. Doesn't it look good?" A Gai nodded, and sighed: "If you want to come to the world of flowers, it's nothing more than that. "
Suddenly I saw two gardeners walking over talking and laughing, one of them said slowly: "Did you know? Ming Yuzhen in Shuzhong is going to marry our Dali, and they are going to marry their Princess Mingyue of Daxia Kingdom to Dali Come." The other person said with a hoarse voice, "Tan Chuo is still young, I'm afraid he's less than fifteen years old, but it's not bad to marry a princess." The original man said: "What are you thinking! Princess Ming Yue The one who married was not Tan Chuo, but our Xin Ju!" Another wondered: "Princess Mingyue really wants to marry Xin Ju? Hehe, I'm afraid the manager intends to marry her, and the madam won't let me in?"
Duan Gong is the only royal family of the Duan family that has not kept a concubine in Dali for more than 400 years. Although outsiders know that Duan Gong and his wife Gao Lan are childhood sweethearts and love each other deeply, the royal family has always had a group of concubines. Duan Gong is so simple, It was too different, and when others discussed it, it was inevitable to say that although Gao Lan didn't care about political affairs, she was very strict with her husband in sexual affairs, and her husband was not allowed to marry a concubine.The gardener with a hoarse voice was referring to this matter, with a hidden meaning of mocking Duan Gong's guilt, his companion immediately understood, and the two laughed together.
Duan Sengnu couldn't bear it any longer, and shouted: "You two are so bold." The Hundred Flowers Hall is a forest garden dedicated to cultivating rare and precious camellia varieties for the general manager's mansion. Ordinary people are not allowed to enter. Someone who was still standing in the middle was startled, and said in his heart: "Since he can enter the garden, he must be a person from the governor's mansion." The two talked about the governor behind their backs, which was quite disrespectful. Who is the person, turned around hurriedly, ran a few steps, squatted into the flowers, and pretended to work.
Duan Sengnu shouted: "Hey, you..." But the two gardeners were no longer seen. The flowers and trees are densely packed here, the sea of flowers is everywhere, and there is no gap in the garden. ?Annoyed, she stomped her feet fiercely, but when she turned around she saw Ah Gai with his hair on one side in a daze, as if he was in deep thought, and hurriedly called out: "Sister!" He shouted twice before Ah Gai came back to his senses.Duan Sengnu no longer had the heart to accompany her to enjoy the flowers, and said: "Sister, I have something to go home, you can take a stroll by yourself first. Where do you live? I will go to you later." A Gai said: " Well, I live in Zhongfang Inn. But..." Just as I was about to explain that it was the place where I stayed temporarily, and now I was about to move to Wuhua Building, Duan Sengnu said: "Okay, Zhongfang Inn, I will write down Already." He hurriedly turned and left.
Seeing this, Agai couldn't help being a little surprised, this monk-slave is heroic and masculine, just now he was in high spirits, and boasted that he would take her to admire the famous flowers in Dali, why suddenly his face was covered with dark clouds?Could it be that he remembered something urgent?Could it be that she was worried about her two followers who fought Arong?Immediately thought: "No matter how the sister monk and slave planned to deal with that villain Ah Rong in advance, she finally saved me. That Ah Rong has repeatedly committed mischief in Wuhua Building, but no one dared to control him. I think he has different powers. I can't believe it." You can't let the sister monk and slave suffer because of me." Thinking of this, he hurriedly left the Baihua Hall and went back to Wuhua Building.
Along the way, I heard many people talking about Ming Yuzhen's plan to marry the princess and the manager, and they also talked about the many beauties in Sichuan, and that Princess Mingyue was even more shameless than a moon, and she was panicked and frowning , thinking: "It seems that Duan Gong's refusal to send troops to help the father is not all because of his father and brother's enmity with the father, and Ming Yuzhen's beauty trick is also one of the reasons. Hey, if Ling Yun really stabbed the red scarf envoy to death, maybe it was true It can destroy this marriage. Well, he must have known about this a long time ago, so he had to take the risk, hoping to kill two birds with one stone, and solve the hatred of the country and the family together. But he made the decision without discussing it with me... Alas, I know too , he is afraid that if things fail, he will implicate me."
She was originally annoyed that Ling Yun ruined her father's important affairs, but now she thought of his benefits, and she couldn't help being filled with melancholy.But according to the current situation, not only can she not save him, but she has to try her best to clarify to Dali that King Liang did not participate in the assassination of Ming Yuzhen's envoy, but that Ling Yun acted arbitrarily and recklessly in order to avenge himself. The righteous deeds of the envoys of the rebels turned into trapping the king of Liang and Dali in unrighteousness. When interrogated, he could not escape death no matter what.Although the Yuan Dynasty unified the criminal law of Yunnan after it entered the Central Plains, all crimes up to the point of death should be reported to the court for judgment. Executed.
Agai is a noble princess, she was born delicate and beautiful, she was carefree since she was a child, and her wealth is incomparable. Now it is the first time in her life that she feels the feeling of depression and helplessness.What should she do to persuade Duan Gong to send troops to help?Does she still have a chance to rescue Ling Yun?For a time, all kinds of thoughts linger in my bosom, and it is difficult to let go of all kinds of emotions.
It was three miles from Baihua Hall to Wuhua Building, and the journey was not short. She was so full of thoughts that she walked it unknowingly.As soon as he arrived at the gate tower, he saw several guards of Wuhua Building hurriedly carrying a person from the caravan to the stretcher. There were several people beside him, including Han Chinese and Yu Yi, but he did not see the villain Ah Rong.I thought to myself: "The person on the stretcher could be the follower of the sister of the monk and slave, who was injured in the fight with Ah Rong?" He hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me..." Suddenly, a Han man turned his face, alert Glancing at her, she immediately remembered seeing this middle-aged man in Wuwei Temple in the morning.
This man is exactly Li Zhizhi who met Ah Gai in the South Meditation Room, but he didn't notice Ah Gai at the time. When he saw her now, he didn't know her. He just saw that she was very beautiful and she was dressed in a Han Chinese costume, so he couldn't help but look at her more. glance.
But Zheng Jing, the building manager with a mustache, led a building ding down the steps quickly, came forward with a smile on his face, and greeted him: "Everyone came from a long way, thank you for your hard work. Brother Yuyi, these few are ..." The leader Yu Yi replied: "This is the envoy of King Ming."
Agaidon was stunned.Although she knew that Ming Yuzhen had sent envoys to form an alliance when she left Zhongqing, she hadn't heard about it after she arrived in Dali. She thought that Duan Gong still cared about being a member of the people of Dayuan, and he didn't want to say anything, so he hid these people so as not to teach others It's not a matter of conversation, but now that the red scarf emissary is living in Wuhua Building grandly, it can be seen that Duan Gong's attitude has undergone a huge change, and it is extremely unfavorable to King Liang.
He also heard Na Yuyi introduce to Li Zhima and others: "This is Zheng Jing, the director of the Wuhua Building. Building director, Xinju ordered you to arrange a quiet and secluded courtyard for the distinguished guests." Before Zheng Jing could answer, he went Pulled aside by Yu Yi, she told him in a low voice that the person on the stretcher was Ming Yuzhen's envoy Zou Xing, who had been stabbed by an assassin and was seriously injured. people.Although Zheng Jing understood immediately, he complained repeatedly: "How can I have so many people? Last night, the head of Arong fought with the envoy of the King of Liang, and injured nine of my men, including a cook! Just now Arong made trouble and fought again. Fortunately, Luo Juzi came to take him away in time, otherwise I don't know what will happen."
Na Yuyi pondered and said: "In this way, I will leave two Yuyis to be responsible for the envoys of the King of Ming." Zheng Jing hurriedly said: "Two people are not enough! As the saying goes, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. Look at me, the envoy of the King of Liang, the King of Ming The envoy, and the head of Arong, are more than just two tigers!" Hearing what he said was interesting, Yuyi smiled and said, "That's right. Well, I'll go back and report to Chief Yuyi, asking him to send some more people to your place." Zheng Jing nodded and said: "Okay." Turning around, his face was already full of smiles, and he said: "The best and quietest yard has been prepared for everyone. Please!" He ordered Lou Ding to lead the way.
The leader, Yu Yi, had been guarding the South Meditation Room before, and had seen Shi Xiu, the head of Yu Yi, questioning A Gai in the courtyard, and then ordered her to be imprisoned. I don't know when she was released from Wuwei Temple. When she appeared in Wuhua Building, she thought she knew Li Zhizhi and others, so she hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Is the young lady with the envoy of King Ming?" She looked at Li Zhizhi inquiringly, but he shook his head and said, "No , we don’t know this little lady.”
A Gai had been silent all this time, but suddenly Li Zhizhi's words aroused her arrogance. Her enemies are so loud, she is a descendant of Genghis Khan, how could she lose to these rebels, and said proudly: "I am The daughter of King Liang, the majestic Princess Dayuan, how could she know these red scarf rebels?"
Everyone was dumbfounded, all stunned by the huge shock.Even Zou Xing, who was lying on a stretcher, managed to raise his head when he heard the sound, wanting to see what this Princess Dayuan looked like.
It was Zheng Jing who greeted and sent more people, and reacted more quickly, thinking, "Head Arong has caused a catastrophe, and if he gets involved, I will be in bad luck."
Wuhua Building has never received a real court princess. According to the rank, the princess is even far above the general manager Duan Gong. He wanted to please Agai so that he could make up for his mistakes. : "It turns out to be Your Highness the Princess. The officials have eyes but don't know Mount Tai, so they have been negligent just now. Please let the princess follow the officials into the building to rest." Immediately hurriedly led A Gai in, Li Zhizhi and others were left behind .
Behind the Wuhua Building, there is a large artificially excavated lake that draws water from the Longxi River for seven miles in a circle. The water is several feet deep, and various fish and turtles are raised in it.There are various flowers and trees planted along the lake, the lake is beautiful and the water is beautiful, the weeping willows depend on each other, the green trees are shaded, the flowers and trees are fragrant, and the scenery is charming and beautiful.In the dense shade of trees, there are more than 20 independent courtyard buildings, which are quiet and elegant, and are exclusively for VIPs.Agai's residence was arranged in Courtyard No. 4 in Nanyuan, next to the courtyard where the provincial envoy Ma Wenming lived. Zou Xing and his party were deliberately arranged in Beiyuan, across the lake from Agai.
Now that Ah Gai had revealed his identity, he intentionally put on the airs of a princess and ordered Zheng Jing to send someone to the Zhongfang Inn to pick up his and Ling Yun's bags, and Zheng Jing responded to every request.Seeing Agai alone again, although he didn't know what happened, he was worried about her safety, especially just now when she confessed that she was a princess, one of the envoys of King Ming showed hatred, and hurriedly dispatched powerful guards, Lou Ding, to go there. Courtyard four.
Dongshou No. 2 courtyard is the residence of most of Liang Wang's envoys. Most of them went to Wuwei Temple but did not return. Several Mongolian attendants were injured in the fight with Ah Rong last night. They were staying in the courtyard to recuperate. It was Princess Agai who lived in Wuhua Building, full of surprises, and hurried over to see her.Seeing this, Zheng Jing didn't dare to be negligent, and personally guarded the No. 4 courtyard to take care of everything.
Li Zhizhi and his party naturally received a cold reception, and were only led into Beiyuan No. 3 Courtyard by Lou Ding, and no one paid any attention to them.It was past noon at that time, and several people hadn't eaten lunch yet, so they were hungry.Xu Jiangwu said angrily: "It's better to go and kill that Tartar princess." Li Zhizhi shook his head and said, "Killing her won't help." Dali is a lobbyist." Suddenly saw the servant Zou Dangben come out and shouted: "Mr. Zou, please come in and talk."
When several people entered the room, Zou Xing had already regained his senses, and his energy had improved a lot. He was half leaning on the bed, and he first ordered Zou Dang to go out to ask for some food for everyone, and then sent him out. Then he asked: "Li将军如何看待目下的局势？”李芝麻道：“只怕那大理总管段功已经下定决心，无意与我主结盟。唉，都怪我办事不力，若不是在无为寺盗取藏宝图露了行踪，或许不至于如此。”邹兴道：“李将军何须自责？此次结盟不成，原也在意料之中。大理段氏与梁王积怨极深，也未必能就此化解。我猜大理必取中立姿态，两不相帮，此种局面，已经是最好的结果了。”
邹兴在大夏国官任司寇，职高位显，此次主动请缨，又说服明玉珍以公主明玥许嫁段功，李芝麻本以为是对联姻结盟一事势在必得，却不料他早有结盟不成的准备。既然如此，又何必亲自出马来到大理，也不致于平白挨了刺客一剑，若非那书生罗贯中通晓医术，凑巧沈富又购买了许多珍贵药材，只怕早已经命丧在无为寺中。正欲直问邹兴真实意图到底如何，又听许江武恨恨道：“只是藏宝图一事，尚未有任何下落。”
邹兴道：“说起藏宝图，与我们在无为寺中同住南禅房中的沈富，与李将军不是旧识么？”李芝麻道：“正是。”邹兴道：“这沈富富甲中原，又是张士诚的结拜兄弟，却放着舒适的富翁生活不过，千里迢迢来到大理，想来必有所图。他身旁那位书生罗贯中，看来也非寻常人……”李芝麻忙道：“我已经问过沈富，这罗贯中原是太原府祁县人，自幼随父亲在姑苏做丝绸生意，由此结识沈富，不过他对经商并无兴趣，后投靠张士诚做了幕僚，但并不得赏识。前些日子他预备回老家太原祁县，半途遇到同乡，得知父亲病逝、继母改嫁，心灰意冷，决意隐居起来写书劝世，恰好遇到沈富要来大理，仰慕此处藏书丰富，所以特意跟随前来。这次住进无为寺，据说也是想一睹翠华楼藏书风采。”
许江武冷笑道：“这就是了，他无非是想借读书为名进翠华楼找藏宝图而已。”李芝麻道：“即便如此，段功如何能轻易让罗贯中进翠华楼读书？”邹兴道：“李将军有所不知，历代大理总管虽通汉文，却并不知文学，所以他们对中原饱学之士都很敬重。那罗贯中文质彬彬，若当真郑重其事地提出要借阅翠华楼图书，段功定会应允。”姬安礼也道：“张士诚倒是高明，找个书生假称读书，便可以堂而皇之进翠华楼找藏宝图，不似我们几个冒性命危险，最终还是一无所获。”
邹兴忖道：“如今中原朱元璋、陈友谅、张士诚与我主各据一方，势均力敌，谁若能得到藏宝图的财富，定可脱颖而出，称霸天下。”李芝麻道：“我也知道事关重大，必定要竭尽全力找到藏宝图。不过，藏宝图未必就在翠华楼中，我仔细找过丹青室，图卷虽多，都是字画而已。”许江武也道：“五楼也全部只是图书。”邹兴道：“嗯，藏宝图极有可能藏在别处。几百年来，多少人想得到这藏宝图，闯入总管府、无为寺的梁上君子不计其数，段氏肯定会有所防备。”
李芝麻道：“我听那羽仪长施宗提起，大理以总管府、无为寺、五华楼三处最为要紧，想找藏宝图的人目光素来都集中在戒备森严的总管府、无为寺上，反倒是作为迎宾馆的五华楼从无人注意……”许江武眼睛一亮，问道：“将军是说藏宝图有可能在五华楼中？”李芝麻点了点头。许江武道：“既然如此，我们还等什么，我这就出去打探地形，入夜才好动手。”邹兴笑道：“何必等到入夜，现在就可以去找寻，他张士诚会派商人和书生以读书为名混进翠华楼，我们何不以使者身份，正大光明地要求参观五华楼？”
三人恍然大悟，连叹邹兴主意高明，低声商议了一回。虽则几人之前在无为寺行窃事败，然也算与大理正式打过一回交道，知道段功为人宽厚平和，即使这次再败露，也不致于有性命之虞。李芝麻更是有舍身取藏宝图之志更是看轻生死等邹当取食物回来，三人匆匆吃过几口，慌忙辞别邹兴出门，找到一名楼丁，递上一块银子，说如何仰慕五华楼之雄奇，想入楼游览云云。五华楼本非禁地，时常也有贵客要求登楼眺望，楼长无不允准，那楼丁白得了好处，格外热情起来，当即领着三人进楼来。
五华楼方围四里余，垒土五重为基，每重丈二，层收并立五重华表，所以取名为“五华”。这座楼始建于南诏，由巨匠杨连科主建，历时三年始成，屹立数百年不倒，坚固如初，每一块石头都镂刻时光的痕迹，每一根柱子都记载历史的风云。杆栏围屏均取自苍山白玉石，华丽精美。柱梁则是苍山上十丈以上粗二至三围之巨树，横空架成斗拱形状，古色古香。楼有五层，高达百尺，一层台座已然高出地面十余丈。楼前校场空旷无边，可容纳十万精兵。整座建筑气势恢宏，既古朴庄严，又雄峻瑰奇，难怪能成为阳苴咩的标志建筑。
正楼门面朝东方，门匾上写有三个鎏金大字——“五华楼”字大八尺，苍劲有力。姬安礼颇好书法，见那三个字气象纵横，酣畅淋漓，揣度大理当无人有此笔力，有意问道：“这字是哪位总管所题？”那楼丁笑道：“这字可有几百年了，当时都还没有大理国呢，哪来的总管题字？不过我们大理也没人写得出这样的字，这字是你们汉人写的，他名字叫做赵林，他曾祖赵旭被南诏国王世隆俘虏来大理当了奴隶。”姬安礼点头道：“原来如此。”
进楼一看，底楼是个巨大的宴会厅，雕梁画栋，彩绘装饰，极其华丽精美，宽阔得能同时容纳千人入座，据称南诏、大理常常在此处盛宴百官。只是所有物事一目了然，并无什么隐秘之处可以遮掩。再上二楼、三楼、四楼，尽是如此，不过楼层愈高，厅堂面积愈小而已。走廊均是琉璃紫瓦，出阁架斗，工技极其精巧。上来五楼，视野顿时开阔，四周并无墙壁，只用三十六根朱色圆柱支撑起重檐楼，斗拱飞檐，碧瓦琉璃。莲蓬状的金盖宝顶下，并列悬挂着一口巨钟和一面大鼓。李芝麻等三人一上楼来，目光不约而同地落在钟鼓上。
那楼丁介绍道：“这口巨钟名为'五凤钟'，重达万斤，这鼓名叫'红龙鼓'。昔日大理国时，拿它们作为早朝的钟鼓，钟声尤其悠远，可直传到洱海东面。”李芝麻问道：“这么说，这钟鼓是大理建国后新造？”他言下之意，无非是想到五库藏宝图虽是南诏所绘，但后来大理立国，发掘了其中两库后，才将余下三库藏宝图收藏，若这钟鼓是大理所建，那么很可能就是藏宝图所在之处。楼丁笑道：“是的。南诏建了五华楼，我大理则造了钟鼓与其相配。”李芝麻心中有数，暗中向许江武使了个眼色。
楼丁哪知这些人心怀不轨，又一指四周，道：“此处为城中最高处，可以俯眺整个阳苴咩城。”李芝麻道：“果然是处宝地。这位小哥儿，不知可否方便让我们多留一会儿，此等风光平生难得一见。”楼丁笑道：“大人请随意。”与楼口处的两名守卫招呼了一声，先自下楼去了。
这五华楼每层楼梯口均有两名兵士把守，不过相比起无为寺的严密防守，可谓十分松懈了。李芝麻走向兵士，假意好奇，询问道：“西面的群山可就是苍山？”一名兵士道：“正是。”又伸手一指东面，热情地介绍道：“那边就是洱海。”
此时阳光正浓，只见蓝天白云下一派天高地阔——东面碧水无垠，与天相接，波光滟滟，映衬着明丽的光晖。又有点点渔船扬帆水面，尽展清新。西面群山苍翠，如玉笋般绵亘排列，山顶积雪皑皑，山腰白云缠绕，溪流宛如白练曲曲折折垂挂而下。峰峦岩岫，萦云载雪，夹在中间的城郭在玉洱银苍的辉映下，显得分外生动，当真是风光绮丽，充满了诗情画意。
只是李芝麻似全无心思在眼前美景上，又指着南面脚下一片灰色的石头建筑，问道：“那是什么？”兵士道：“是本城大狱。”李芝麻颇为惊奇，不知道为何要将监牢修建在如此宏伟的五华楼旁，问起缘由，兵士笑道：“事起于一些风流韵事，南诏时，这一带是南诏宫后院，住的均是美貌受宠的女人，五华楼则建在后门出口，专供皇帝和妃子们登高观景。后宫妃子众多，一些人难耐寂寞，与羽仪有染。皇帝听到风声后当然是勃然大怒，立即命人在五华楼东南处修了一座石牢，置备各种刑具，日夜拷问几对通奸男女，让他们的受刑惨叫声传遍后院，以此来警示那些颇不安分的妃子。我大理立国后，将五华楼一带改作迎宾馆，石牢也未拆毁，略加扩建后，成了城中大狱所在。”李芝麻点了点头，道：“原来如此。”又随意指着城中建筑，东扯西拉地发问，以引开兵士的注意力，好让姬安礼和许江武仔细查看钟鼓。
许江武见那鼓面凹凸不平，质厚粗糙，也不知道是什么动物的皮。朱红色是后刷上的红漆，经历百年风雨，已然开始褪色剥落，多少露出一些流年的沧桑与无可奈何来。他将耳朵贴近鼓面，轻轻弹了弹，鼓面弹性极好，鼓中却似有异声。他扭头见那两名兵士正与李芝麻交谈甚欢，当即蹲低身子，从靴筒中拔出匕首。他猜测果真是有藏宝图的话，当藏在大鼓底部，于是握住匕首往底部鼓面扎了进去。那鼓面皮厚坚硬，他这一刀竟未能刺穿，这才猜到鼓面当是象皮，大理人时常用其作为铠甲，强度犹胜中原铁甲。腕上加劲，终于穿透，只听见异声更响。他忙用匕首将那口子左右拉开，勉强用右手挤进去，不料手指尖刚进鼓面，便有什么东西钉在他中指指尖上，剧痛之下，几乎要惊叫出声，本能地将手抽出，却见指尖有几个圆点，仿若针孔，已见血痕。一时不知道鼓中有什么厉害的机关，再也不敢轻易试探。
正踌躇间，忽闻见木梯“咚咚”作响，有人疾步奔上楼来，却是适才那楼丁，叫道：“三位快请下去，许多羽仪已经到了门楼，说是信苴马上要来五华楼。”李芝麻吃了一惊，心道：“段功又到五华楼来做什么？莫非是为那鞑子公主？”忙向姬安礼、许江武使了个眼色，随楼丁一道下楼。
刚到底楼，便见施宗先率数名羽仪涌进楼来，正遇到李芝麻三人。施宗脸色一沉，上前问道：“三位在五华楼做什么？”那楼丁忙道：“三位大人是想登高眺望城中风光。”施宗厉声道：“我问你了么？”那楼丁吓了一跳，忙退到一旁，惴惴不敢再说。
李芝麻道：“我们确实只是仰慕五华楼风采，想来游览一番，还请羽仪长不要见怪。”施宗道：“果真是这样么？”全然不能相信的语气，又拿刀锋般的目光来回审视着三人。李芝麻倒是泰然自若，姬安礼颇不自在，先垂下了头，许江武脾气暴躁，再也按捺不住，怒道：“羽仪长不如干脆将我们几个关起来好了。”施宗冷冷道：“我倒是很想这样呢。你自己当过一回贼，还想别人尊敬你么？”侧头叫那楼丁道：“你还不快送李大人回去住处？”李芝麻知道成见已深，多说无益，何况己方确意有所图，当即领了姬安礼、许江武二人，跟随楼丁从侧门出去。
悻悻然回到北苑住处，却见院中已然站有两名羽仪，李芝麻颇为吃惊，问起才知道施秀刚进了邹兴房中，预备询问刺客身份。几人急忙进来，正见施秀站在床榻前问道：“邹大人可否看清刺客的面孔？”邹兴道：“当然，就算只看他身形我也认得出来，他是我世仇凌墨之子凌云。”
施秀虽早知凌云供词足以取信，却还是颇为吃惊，忙问道：“大人与凌家到底有何过节？”邹兴道：“说来话长，我邹家和凌家均为蜀中世家大族，百年来多有争斗，积怨甚深。不过我们两家一文一武，各有所长，谁也无法占到上风。凌家到了凌墨这一代，出仕为官，情况大为转变，凌墨利用手中职权，多方罗织罪名，对邹家残酷迫害，害得我家破人亡——长子和次子被诬与红巾勾结，被活活拷掠致死，我和幼子也被下狱，判了死刑，家产被抄没，妻子、女儿流落街头，受尽欺凌侮辱，终被逼上吊自缢。幸好老天有眼，就在我们父子即将成为刀下亡魂之际，明王率红巾入川，杀败元兵，砸开死牢，我父子重见天日，就此投奔明主，幸得明王不弃，加以重用，我才得以手刃凌墨，杀他满门。只有凌墨之子凌云武艺高强，被其逃脱。”施秀道：“原来如此，难怪凌云要找邹大人报仇了。”
邹兴道，“羽仪长，听说你们已经捉到了凌云，不知道你们预备如何处置他？”施秀道：“这个我尚不清楚。不过邹大人请放心，信苴一定会从重处罚，给大人一个交代。”
邹兴叹了口气，道：“我们邹凌两家如今各自人丁凋零，也算是两败俱伤。不知道羽仪长可否代我向信苴求个情，饶过凌云？”施秀大为惊讶，问道：“大人是想为凌云求情么？”邹兴道：“凌云刺杀我不过是为报家仇，情有可原。其实百年前邹凌两家多有联姻，说起来，我邹家有凌家的血脉，他凌家也有我邹家的血脉。若是凌云死了，凌家最后一点血骨就此殁亡于世，实在对不住我们两家的先人。”
一旁李芝麻闻言大感意外——邹兴极具韬略，其人在明玉珍入蜀时投效，才六年时间，如今在大夏国已经官任司寇，地位仅次于皇帝明玉珍及其弟明胜，其才干智谋可见一斑。他完全可拿刺客行刺一事大做文章，怪罪大理疏于防范，令段功生出歉疚之心，以在谈判中取得少许情感优势，没想到他却放弃了这个大好机会，还开口为刺客求情。转念又想：“邹大人深谋远虑，绝不致于白白放弃此良机，或许是因为我等三人潜入禁区一事败露，他自感脸上无光，不得已如此。说起来，倒也亏得那刺客引开了众人视线，不然我无论如何都难以进去翠华楼中。”
施秀倒是颇为佩服邹兴的气度，道：“大人可知道凌云已经投靠梁王，成为其心腹侍卫？”邹兴愣了一下，随即点头道：“他一心要杀死我、杀死明王为全家报仇，投靠梁王确实是最好的法子。”
施秀见他丝毫不认为凌云刺杀事件涉及梁王，也不再多提。李芝麻却道：“会不会是梁王有意派凌云来大理刺杀邹大人，想就此扰乱明王与大理的结盟？”施秀道：“凌云此次是护送阿盖公主前来大理，至少公主并不知道刺杀一事。”许江武冷笑道：“果真是这样么？适才我们遇到那鞑子公主，她还神气得很呢。”
阿盖温柔美丽，一派天真，而李芝麻等人偷入无为寺禁地，大显心机，施秀心中自有一杆秤，也不接话，只道：“如此，便请邹大人好好歇息。我已经派人去请医师，稍后便到，为大人复诊。”邹兴道：“羽仪长，请务必不要为难凌云，他只为报杀父大仇，何况我也只是受了点伤，并无性命之忧。”施秀道：“如何处置凌云，自有信苴决断。不过我一定会将邹大人的意思转禀信苴。”邹兴道：“有劳。”施秀点了点头，自领羽仪出了院子，往翠华楼赶去。
刚到楼前，正遇见段功领着大都、马文铭等人上来台座，一行人径自进入底楼大厅南部的议事厅，施宗早已经带人布置妥当。段功也不拐弯抹角，请大都、马文铭坐下，肃色道：“普照禅师在无为寺离奇被杀，二位均已经知晓，有些话在无为寺中不方便说，我特意请二位来这里，是想尽快将这件事做个交代。”
他所称的“不方便”，一是无为寺毕竟是佛门清净之地，实在不适于鞫问案情，二来也不愿意大都这些人反复进出寺中禁区。只是以他的目下身份地位，又何须亲自向梁王使者、行省使者做交代，他如此郑重其事，反倒令人不安。合仲正站在大都身后，慌忙辩解道：“下官真的与此事无关，我进去时脱脱大人……不，普照禅师已经死了。”他汉话说得不好，一着急就成了蒙古话，大都便又替他翻译了一遍。
段功道：“我知道。”合仲奇道：“信苴真的相信下官与此事无关？”他原以为自己卷入此事，无论如何都难逃干系，很可能大理就此要将杀人罪名加到他头上，以让梁王立场更加难堪，此刻见段功点头直认他无辜，不免惊讶万分。
段功道：“真正的凶手另有其人。渊海，你向两位使者说明一下详细情形。”杨智道：“遵令。昨夜信苴亲至无为寺回光院面见普照禅师，本意是在禅师离开大理前见上一面……”马文铭问道：“敢问信苴一句，普照禅师来到无为寺时日不短，难道信苴从未见过么？”他年纪虽轻，问得却是头头是道。段功道：“正因为素未谋面，所以才特意见上一面。”马文铭点了点头，道：“恕我冒昧。”
杨智续道：“禅师向信苴表示，不愿意再回大都，而是要去中庆辅佐梁王。”大都惊讶道：“普照禅师真这么说？”他知道昔日脱脱落难云南，梁王待其甚是刻薄，蒙古人素来恩怨分明，脱脱亦非大度之人，竟能不计前嫌。杨智道：“绝无虚言。”大都不由地叹息了一声，脱脱才干名闻天下，若其人不死，梁王可算是最大的受益者了。
杨智又道：“就在信苴与普照禅师交谈之时，突然有刺客闯入隔壁南禅房，刺杀了红巾明玉珍使者邹兴，这名刺客，便是梁王的心腹侍卫凌云……”马文铭此刻方得知此事，错愕万分，望向大都，隐有问询之意，大都无奈地点了点头。
杨智道：“凌云行刺邹兴一事，尚有许多不明之处，等彻底查清真相后，再向二位大人通报。”顿了顿，又刻意道，“二位大人若是有什么线索，也请及时告知我方。”大都听出弦外之音，不知所答，不敢轻易接话，只有马文铭道：“这是当然。”
杨智续道：“凌云行凶后很快被人发现，经过一场血战，最终被擒住。信苴赶出去善后处理，离开南禅房时，特意留下两名羽仪保护普照禅师。凑巧信苴之女宝姬当时想借道溜出寺去，自禁区翻墙进入回光院，她的小伙伴为了接应她，将守在院中的羽仪骗走。不过刺杀事件后，全寺戒严，各处均有羽仪、武僧反复巡视，也无人想到回光院会出什么事。然则到了夜半时分，还是有人趁隙溜进了院子，潜入房中，用匕首割开了普照禅师的喉咙……”
马文铭道：“无为寺防卫如此森严，何以能被人如此轻易溜了进去？况且普照禅师绝非手无缚鸡之力之人，如何不加反抗，便被人轻易杀死？他只要呼叫一声，当能惊动外面巡逻的守卫。”杨智道：“只因为凶手并非寺外之人，普照禅师原也认识此人，所以未有任何防备，猝不及防才被对方一刀杀死。来人，带凶手进来。”
一干蒙古人和回回人纷纷瞪大了眼睛，想看看这位残忍割开脱脱喉咙的凶手到底是何方神圣。却见两名羽仪一前一后押着无依禅师走了进来，他手足间未加任何束缚，神态也甚是安详。大都、马文铭等人早上进无为寺时一一拜见过寺中各位高僧，知道无依是无为寺首座，武艺号称无为寺第一，却不知道他如何成了杀死脱脱的凶手，不由得惊奇得呆了。
原来施宗之前为寻找药师殿白草阁丢失的两副孔雀胆，派武僧暗中搜查了无依禅师住处，结果没有找到孔雀胆，却找到了团作一团塞在床角下的带血迹的僧衣，由此引发诸人的怀疑。段功与了尘住持商议后，将正在南禅房中与沈富、罗贯中交谈的无依禅师请到翠华楼，询问脱脱被杀一事。无依一派平静，既不承认，也不否认，但施宗却在他身上搜出了一把锋利的匕首，刃口血迹犹在，遂成他杀死脱脱的铁证。无依开始尚且辩解说血迹是他把玩匕首时弄伤了手指所留，也证实他的确去药师殿要过金创药，他手指上也确实有伤。然而他武艺精湛，说他自己不小心弄伤了手指，实在难以令人取信。到后来取出带血的僧衣，无依才无话可说，干脆承认了杀人事实。大理佛教地位尊崇，享有很大的特权，甚至可以独立于法外，僧人犯罪，审讯处罚均不同于普通平民百姓，往往由佛寺住持自行