Liebe über die Zeit hinweg

Kapitel 5

Qianhong looked at me with pity and sighed, "Poor Daiqing, are you still not awake?" She pulled me aside and told me everything that had happened back then. It turned out that many years ago, Daiqing, Qianhong, and King Chujiang were from different realms, but they met by chance in the mortal world. Daiqing and King Chujiang fell in love, but because the Heavenly Emperor of the divine realm had strict rules, people from the divine realm could not have relationships with people from other realms. Daiqing pleaded with the Heavenly Emperor, who, in a fit of anger, banished her from the divine realm to the mortal world to suffer reincarnation. Daiqing thought King Chujiang would go to the mortal world with her, but unexpectedly, she ended up traveling alone. So, before reincarnation, she angrily drank the Meng Po soup, forgetting her past life.

Hearing this recounting of my past felt like a devastating blow. I swayed, nearly falling, but thankfully Qianhong caught me quickly. King Chujiang, oh King Chujiang, no wonder you dared not speak of the past to me, hesitating at the mere mention of Daiqing's name. So this is the secret. Abandoned by my lover as Daiqing, used and discarded by Zi'ao as Yixi—was this some kind of divine punishment? I felt utterly powerless, a thousand images flashing through my mind: his smile, his kindness—everything was just an act. Thinking this, my heart turned as cold as the tears left by a deep-sea dragon.

six

The study was silent. Zhong Jiao came over with pity and helped me sit down: "Sister, please rest for a while." She then glanced at Qian Hong and asked, "Can anyone verify what Miss Qian Hong said?"

Qianhong blushed and hurriedly retorted, "Daiqing is my sister. Would I lie to her? The Heavenly Emperor once decreed that Sister Daiqing be banished from the God Realm. If King Chujiang was also willing to enter the Human Realm, he would not interfere. But King Chujiang is clearly a heartless, cowardly, and timid man who actually allowed my sister to enter the Human Realm alone for reincarnation."

Zhong Jiao's words reminded me that this was only Qian Hong's side of the story. Why should I believe that everything she told me was the truth? I don't know what King Chujiang was like in his past life, but he took good care of me during my time in the Ghost Realm. He even broke Qian Hong's jade bottle to save me. Could he really be the heartless and ungrateful person that Qian Hong said? Thinking of this, I couldn't help but look Qian Hong up and down with suspicion.

"Sister Daiqing, you don't believe me at all?" Tears welled up in her large, light red eyes. Her small mouth trembled, full of grievance, but she held back her sobs.

Zhong Jiao said calmly, "Miss Qian Hong, it's not that we don't believe you, but if King Chujiang comes to say he's wronged, who should we believe? We need some evidence so we know who to trust." Her words were reasonable and well-founded. Zhong Jiao is Zhong Jiao after all. If she weren't by my side, I probably would have been at a loss.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [15]: Qianhong did not refute, but blinked thoughtfully. A tear rolled down her cheek. Before it hit the ground, she excitedly exclaimed, "I know someone can prove it."

"who?"

“Meng Po knows everything. Just ask her, and she can prove that everything I’ve said is true,” Qian Hong replied earnestly.

Zhong Jiao suddenly realized and gently patted my shoulder: "How could you forget her? Meng Po supervises the souls of every reincarnation, she should know the most clearly." She looked at me: "Sister, let's go to the Forgetfulness Platform, everything will be clear then."

On the way to the Forgetfulness Terrace, I was a little nervous, unsure of what the truth would be. Qian Hong, on the other hand, seemed completely calm. Zhong Jiao, sensing my unease, simply held my hand tenderly and let me remain silent. Below the Forgetfulness Terrace, there was always a long line of souls waiting to reincarnate. Meng Po was still distributing the potion of forgetfulness at the place I had last seen. Drinking that potion would erase the memories of these souls' past lives, sending them into reincarnation like blank sheets of paper. Perhaps it was for the best; otherwise, carrying so many heavy memories of love, hate, and grudges, how could they possibly be happy in the mortal realm?

When Meng Po saw Qian Hong, she was so frightened that her hand trembled and she almost dropped the soup bowl in her hand. She pleaded with a bitter face, "Miss Qian Hong, why don't you stay in the God Realm? Why have you come to this old woman's place again? Haven't you found Miss Dai Qing in the Human Realm yet? Please don't make things difficult for me."

My heart skipped a beat, and I involuntarily squeezed Zhong Jiao's hand. Zhong Jiao patted me reassuringly, signaling me to listen.

Qianhong couldn't help but smile: "Meng Po, you've been under the stage for so many years, you must have seen and witnessed quite a few old things. I've come here specifically to reminisce with you."

"Reminiscing?" Old Meng Po's eyes flashed with doubt and wariness. "Besides Miss Dai Qing's past, does Miss Qian Hong want to ask this old woman something else?"

Qianhong sighed feigningly, "Yes, what else is there to say besides what happened to Sister Daiqing? Meng Po, do you know why Sister Daiqing resolutely drank your potion of bewitching pleasure and entered the cycle of reincarnation in the human world?"

Meng Po visibly relaxed, a smile spreading across her wrinkled face. "Miss Qian Hong is taking advantage of my old age and forgetfulness. The Heavenly Emperor punished Miss Dai Qing, ordering her to reincarnate in the mortal realm. She waited here for King Chu Jiang, hoping to reincarnate with him. But King Chu Jiang told her he couldn't, and Miss Dai Qing was so disappointed that she drank this old woman's potion of illusion." Even Meng Po couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, Miss Dai Qing was truly devoted. Why didn't she stay in the divine realm, choosing instead to suffer in reincarnation?"

"Are you telling the truth?" I couldn't hold back any longer and asked in a trembling voice.

Meng Po glanced at me, a hint of doubt flashing across her face: "Of course it's true. Even a hundred years from now, I won't forget what happened to Miss Dai Qing. How many people from the God Realm come to the Ghost Realm to reincarnate? I've only ever encountered such a major event once, how could I possibly forget it?"

It was true! What Qianhong said was actually true. On the way to Wangtai, I clung to a sliver of hope, always hoping that what Qianhong said was a lie, wanting to believe that King Chujiang was truly good to me. But the truth was so unbearable; there was no longer any excuse to deceive myself about the betrayal I had committed. He was attached to the position of one of the Ten Kings of the Ghost Realm; how could he give up everything to go to the human world with Daiqing? But Daiqing was too foolish, thinking that because of love, he would be of one mind with her and willingly endure the suffering of reincarnation.

I wanted to cry—to cry for Daiqing's infatuation, for her misplaced love, for the pain of betrayal she suffered—but my eyes were dry and sore, and no more tears flowed. When hurt to the extreme, when pain reaches its peak, the heart dies. If the heart dies, how can there be any pain, how can there be any tears?

My blank reaction surprised Zhong Jiao. She asked me with concern, "Little sister, are you alright?"

Meng Po, still unaware of the truth, continued her rambling: "Miss Qian Hong, ever since Miss Dai Qing drank the bewitching soup here, this old woman has been constantly in trouble. Not only have you come to bother me time and time again, but even King Chu Jiang has questioned me openly and secretly several times. I heard that he even went to King Zhuan Lun and King Qin Guang to demand the Book of Life and Death..."

These words passed like a breeze, fragments of memories from my past life flashing before my eyes. Below the stage, I stood there, waiting for King Chujiang; Meng Po placed a bowl of soup before me, sighing, "Miss Daiqing, why do you do this?"; King Chujiang looked at me with a sorrowful expression: "Daiqing, I cannot reincarnate with you."; I drank the Meng Po soup in one gulp; King Chujiang's last words before parting were, "Daiqing, remember, I will always wait for you."...

"Take me away from here." I looked up at Qian Hong: "I never want to stay in the Ghost Realm again, Qian Hong, for the sake of our sisterhood, take me away."

Qianhong stared at me blankly, tears welling up in her eyes: "Okay, Qianhong will take my sister away from here."

I bowed deeply to Zhong Jiao: "Sister, please forgive me for not being able to stay by your side, but I can no longer stay here." Zhong Jiao's face was sorrowful, and she held my hand reluctantly: "Sister, I know I can't keep you here. After today's parting, I don't know when we will meet again. Please take care."

"Thank you so much for taking care of me these past few days, sister. I have no way to repay you but I am deeply grateful."

"Does my sister have any plans?"

"I'd like to visit Sister Ruo'an first, and then make further plans."

Zhong Jiao hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Little sister, do you still remember the story I told you about my time as a maid?"

"I remember." The fact that this was brought up now was a bit puzzling, but I still answered.

“Your sister Ruo’an used to be my maid, and Zi’ao was her husband back then. They went through many reincarnations before finally being able to be together peacefully in this life. Sister, love has no such thing as fairness or unfairness; as long as the parties involved feel it’s worthwhile, that’s enough. Back then, Dai Qing and King Chu Jiang also loved each other, and you’ve gone through the cycle of reincarnation. That part is all in the past, so there’s no need to hold a grudge. Just relax!” Zhong Jiao’s words came from the bottom of her heart, how could I not be moved?

But even so, how can we just let bygones be bygones? Thinking about everything, I remained silent, unable to speak. Qian Hong exclaimed, "Sister, come with me quickly! King Chujiang is coming this way!" I was startled and looked up to see his figure approaching from afar.

"Let's go." I sighed deeply. Qian Hong pulled me up, and we flew straight up. I closed my eyes and heard Chu Jiang Wang's faint voice calling, "Dai Qing... don't go..." I smiled self-deprecatingly. What was the point of staying? Did I still have a reason to stay in the Ghost Realm? It was better not to meet than to meet, so that we could both have some peace and quiet.

The sunlight made me dizzy and lightheaded. Qianhong, worried I wouldn't be able to handle it, cast a spell on me, allowing me to stay safely under the sun. A ghost unafraid of sunlight, even as a ghost, is different from others; it seems nothing that happens to me has ever gone smoothly.

"Sister, where are we going?" Qianhong blinked her beautiful eyes, her gaze filled with worry, concern, sadness, and joy. So many complex emotions appeared in her once innocent eyes. Qianhong had finally grown up over the years and was no longer the little girl who nestled against Daiqing. Recalling everything she had seen in her dream, she couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [16]: She has suffered a lot over the years because of me, and transferred her hatred for King Chujiang to other ghosts. I stroked her hair naturally as in a dream: "Let's go see Sister Ruo'an, and then wherever my sister says we'll go, we'll go."

The last time I came here was in March, and now it's August. Cicadas are chirping, and the peach tree in the yard is laden with fruit. Under the shady green leaves, the pink and tempting peaches are hidden, creating a serene scene. The gate is still locked with an iron lock. I glanced at Qianhong, and she understood. She stepped forward and gently blew on the lock, and it opened immediately.

After entering, I sat under the peach tree in the courtyard, lost in thought. From the next courtyard came the sounds of a child reciting lessons and Zi'ao patiently correcting mistakes. Qianhong peeked out and came over to tell me, "There's only one child and one man, no..."

There are other people around. Sister Ruo'an must have gone out.

The old house remains the same, only bearing the marks of time. Here, I spent all my days in this world; now, it all seems like a distant memory. I got up, pushed open the door, and went into the inner room. The furniture inside was relatively dust-free, suggesting that Ruo'an must have come to clean it regularly.

Lost in his memories, he suddenly heard Zi'ao's surprised voice from the next courtyard: "Master, what brings you here?"

"I've come to see you. It seems you're doing quite well." The familiar voice struck my heart like lightning, and I almost lost my balance. How did he find me here? I looked at Qianhong, and she also looked astonished and incredulous.

Then came Zi'ao's words of gratitude: "Master, you are elusive and mysterious, you must be an immortal. It is all thanks to Master foresight that day that you taught me the art of entering the ghost realm, otherwise, how could we have such a wonderful life today?"

Was it him who taught Zi'ao the technique to enter the Ghost Realm? Could the reclusive master Zi'ao spoke of be him? My mind was a jumbled mess, something seemed to be on the verge of being revealed, but I couldn't quite find the thread. Qian Hong, unaware of my entry into the Ghost Realm that day, looked at me with a puzzled expression and inquiring eyes.

I shook my head slightly, indicating that I didn't know either.

“Those are all minor matters. I ask you, has Yixi returned recently?” His voice was filled with anxiety and anticipation, which pained my heart.

"Recently? In early March, I saw her, but I haven't seen her since. Master, what is it you want to see her about?"

He was somewhat disappointed: "You don't need to know. If she comes, please pass on a message for me." He paused before saying with a hint of sadness, "Just say that King Chujiang is waiting for her below the Forgotten Terrace. There are some things I must make clear to her. No matter how much time passes, I will always be waiting for her."

"Which Wangtai?" Zi'ao asked, puzzled.

He scolded impatiently, "No need to ask any more questions. She knows what you're saying."

What exactly did King Chujiang want to say to me? I was puzzled. The past was undeniable; even his eloquent words couldn't change the facts. So, what exactly did he want to say? My heart raced, and I wanted to go outside and talk to him face to face. Qianhong tugged at my sleeve, shaking her head sadly.

"Does your sister still want to hurt herself? Does she still have illusions about him? Qianhong couldn't bear to see her sister so stubbornly clinging to her delusions," she whispered, trying to persuade her.

I slowly pulled my clothes out of her hands. "Qianhong, I just want to see what else he can say." Qianhong looked at me, finally sighed, and let go.

Separated by a wall, he was unaware that the person he sought was so close, as if separated by a thin layer of skin, yet his heart remained a world away. I didn't know if my insistence on going out to see him was for an explanation, or simply because I wanted to see him one more time. Would Dai Qing's tragedy be repeated in Yi Xi's life? Thinking this, I hesitated for a moment, then went back into the courtyard. The neighboring courtyard was silent; he had already left.

I stood there in the courtyard, stunned, with Qianhong timidly beside me. After what seemed like an eternity, Ruo'an's laughter drifted from the neighboring yard: "Ziao, aren't you going to discipline your son? He's so naughty, what will become of him when he grows up?" The children's laughter mingled with the adults' words—such a happy scene. Ruo'an had finally found her happiness. Through a small hole in the wall, I saw Ruo'an's joyful smile, unlike before when she always frowned and complained about the injustices of the world. People change, especially with love and happiness; they become gentler, more beautiful.

Why was my happiness just a fleeting illusion, followed by betrayal and a series of painful events? I felt a pang of sadness. Zi'ao was hateful, but he was genuinely devoted to Ruo'an. And what about King Chujiang? Why...? Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.

"Sister, take me back to the Ghost Realm! I need to go to the Forgotten Terrace!" I pleaded excitedly, grabbing Qianhong's arm.

Qianhong looked at me knowingly, asked nothing, and simply said quietly, "Sister, do whatever you want. Qianhong will listen to you in everything."

Back in the Ghost Realm, at the Forgotten Terrace, one could see his solitary figure standing in the distance. Among the many ghosts, he looked so lonely.

Step by step, I slowly approached him. His gaze was fixed on me. As I drew closer, I noticed a hint of moisture in his eyes. "Daiqing, you've finally come."

"It was all your doing, even my coming to the Ghost Realm to save my sister was part of your plan. I want to know why?"

King Chujiang finally revealed the smile I knew so well: "You've finally figured it out, but how could you not understand the mystery behind it?"

"I can't understand why you didn't want to reincarnate with me in your previous life, since you've spent so much effort on it. Was it because you coveted your position as one of the Ten Kings of Hell?" I asked, voicing my doubts.

He looked at me intently: "Daiqing, do you think that just because we've reincarnated, we can be together in the mortal realm? Have you forgotten the example of the Golden Boy and Jade Girl? They were punished to be reincarnated seven times in the mortal realm simply because the Golden Boy broke a glass lamp and the Jade Girl smiled unintentionally, and they could never be together in any of their lives. The Heavenly Emperor hates those who break the rules of the divine realm the most, so how could he let us off so easily? Therefore, I have no choice but to endure, to wait for the right time to meet you again, and to secretly arrange everything. Have you forgotten? I once said that I would always wait for you."

The tears that had been building up for so long finally streamed down my face, and I sobbed, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

---Magpie Bridge Fairy