“Linglong Pagoda?”
Shi Fang was taken aback.
Jiang Yun’s eyes curved and he said, “That’s right. Tonight, let’s go do some fun things.”
Shi Fang didn’t understand what fun it was to climb the tower at night, but seeing the young gentleman’s relaxed and joyful expression, with the help of the Left Prime Minister, His Highness should be safe and sound, and his mood also brightened up. He said, “Linglong Pagoda is a famous scenic spot in the capital of Sui. On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar new year, the pagoda door stays open all night, and the lights are bright. Many literati and scholars will climb the tower to write poetry and hold gatherings in the tower. By the way, there are many inscriptions left by famous scholars on the walls of the tower. It’s pouring tonight, this subordinate doesn’t know if we can enter or not.”
Jiang Yun said, “Let’s go try our luck.”
They are lucky. The Linglong Pagoda is located inside the Ci’en Temple. Due to the heavy rain tonight, the host is worried that some parts of the tower may be in disrepair for a long time and may leak rain. They have specially sent two young monks to guard.
Upon hearing that Jiang Yun wanted to climb the tower in the middle of the night, both of them looked surprised.
Because it was the first time they had seen someone run out to play on a rainy night without hiding at home to rest.
But the young man, dressed in a beautiful and elegant green robe, was gentle and elegant. At first glance, he seems to be a scholar who knows how to read. The two young monks kindly led them to the tower gate and even gave Jiang Yun and Shi Fang one lamp each, instructing them to pay attention to safety.
Ji An and the guards also followed behind.
Jiang Yun was afraid that Ji An would be too old to support his body and bones, so he specifically asked him to wait on the first floor. However, Ji An insisted on following him, laughing and saying, “It’s rare for the young gentleman to have such an elegant mood. This old servant hasn’t climbed such a high tower for a long time, so it’s better to relax the muscles and bones with the young gentleman.”
Shi Fang lifting the lantern and led the way.
The Linglong Pagoda has eleven floors and is over twenty zhang high. It is the tallest pagoda in the Sui capital and even in the entire Jiangbei region. Inside the pagoda, Buddhist lanterns are enshrined, and the walls of the pagoda are not only inscribed by literati and famous figures but also adorned with exquisite Buddhist wall paintings.
The overall structure of the pagoda is sturdy and beautiful, with brushes, ink, papers, and inkstones placed on each floor for visitors to use.
On such a rainy night, standing inside the pagoda and listening to the gentle rain outside gives it a unique taste. Shi Fang followed Sui Heng in the army all year round, and there were few opportunities to go out and play. It was the first time he had climbed such a high tower, and the excitement hidden in the young man’s bones and blood couldn’t help but be revealed.
Shi Fang noticed that the young gentleman seemed to be in a particularly good mood tonight, so he asked Jiang Yun, “Has the Young Master ever climbed such a high tower before?”
Jiang Yun shook his head and said lightly, “This is also my first time.”
There are also many temples and pagoda buildings in Jiangnan, but most of them are seven or nine stories. The tallest pagoda that Jiang Yun has climbed is seven stories, but that was when he climbed as the Crown Prince, surrounded by attendants and monks, which is far less casual than at this moment.
Shi Fang is actually a bit worried about Jiang Yun’s health.
Although he didn’t know how Jiang Yun convinced Jimo Qingyu to take action, he vaguely understood that tonight’s trip to Linglong Pagoda should also be related to it.
The young gentleman’s health was not very good. He had been soaked in the rain and then talked to the Left Prime Minister for so long. In the middle, he didn’t even rest for a moment and just came to climb the tower. What should he do if he falls ill?
Jiang Yun seemed to see through his concern in his heart and smile, “It doesn’t matter. A little movement can actually warm me up, and besides, I’m not as weak as you imagine.”
There is plenty of time left. Jiang Yun stops at every floor. He stops to carefully appreciate the inscriptions and murals on the tower wall. The group walked, stopped, and finally reached the top of the tower when the sky was almost bright.
The sky outside is still dark. Clouds are piled up on the top of the pagoda. The rainstorm is pouring, and the thunder is rolling. Looking down from the top of the tower, one cannot listen to the wind as usual. Instead, they will have the illusion that the building is about to collapse.
At the top of the pagoda, there is a huge chessboard embedded on the tower wall for players to play.
Jiang Yun stood in front of the chessboard with his sleeves down. After pondering for a moment, he held a black piece in one hand and a white piece in the other and began to lay them out in an orderly manner.
Shi Fang and Ji An didn’t know how to play chess, so they stood aside and watched.
The guards also kept their eyes wide open with curiosity, as it was the first time they had seen someone playing against themselves.
The black and white chess pieces were scattered, like two armies facing each other. As the young gentleman’s fair fingers move, they gradually entangle and fight together, making it difficult to part ways.
“Is the Young Master going to use the white to defeat the black?”
Although Shi Fang did not understand the game of chess, he had seen Sui Heng and Xu Qiao play chess and understood some basic principles. He saw the white pieces vaguely surrounding the black pieces, gaining the upper hand. He couldn’t help but ask.
Jiang Yun said, “I am laying out.”
“Laying out?”
“That’s right.”
As his words fell, the black pierces settled down and miraculously broke through, cutting off the white pieces’ path.
Jiang Yun casually picked up a white piece and said, “My plan is to wait for others to crack my chess game, but my game is a bit difficult, and I’m afraid it won’t be break easily.”
He gracefully dropped the white pieces.
Shi Fang is full of astonishment.
Because the white pieces are stubbornly entangled with the black pieces again.
The white and black pieces seem to have reached the most intense moment of confrontation, but each has its own weaknesses and a dead end.
“Who does the Young Master hope will break through the game?” Shi Fang asked curiously.
Jiang Yun thought for a moment and said, “Ambitious people are the best. You guys’ Highness is not bad.”
“Of course, I will give him permission to get help.”
Shi Fang: “……”
On the muddy mountain road, a carriage adorned with luxurious decorations and palace lanterns hanging at all corners jolted forward at lightning speed in the heavy rain, with its hooves flying and splashing countless mud spots onto the horse’s body and walls.
Inside the carriage, Yan Qi was dressed in a crimson robe with a jade crown and hair tied, sitting with a cold expression.
The servant cautiously asked, “Young Master, have you decided to personally go to Mount Li to meet His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Yan Qi nodded.
“I have made up my mind, you don’t need to say anything more.”
The servant said, “Last time at the Spring Banquet, the Crown Prince treated the Young Master like that. Young Master still disregarded past grievances and risked disrupting the Master’s plan to rush to Mount Li. Just hope His Highness can understand Young Master’s hard work this time.”
Yan Qi remained silent, pursed his lips, and looked out of the carriage.
The Yan family is invincible. How many times does it take for him to understand this truth?
The previous trip to the snowy mountains in the northern region was a stroke of luck, but this time on Mount Li, his grandfather’s plan was meticulous, and there was absolutely no stroke of luck.
He ultimately couldn’t bear to watch him die.
Yan Qi reached out and squeezed the bone flute hanging in front of his chest.
Let’s just hope that this time he doesn’t do what he always does. Treating his good intentions as abusive trampling, and completely recognized the truth and shook hands with the Yan family.
It was said that someone was playing Linglong chess on the Linglong Pagoda. At dawn, many literati and scholars rushed to the pagoda in the rain, holding umbrellas, to observe the grand scene.
The young man’s green robe was elegant, yet he still calmly interweaved the black and white pieces.
“It’s Chu Yan, it seems like Chu Yan.”
Someone whispered and talked incessantly.
Jimo Qingyu stayed up all night, still standing in his clothes under the corridor, watching the rain. The servant came over and whispered, “Master, all the mounted cavalry have successfully exited the city and entered Mount Li.”
At almost the same time, Yan Qi’s carriage also arrived at the entrance of Mount Li.
