Huancheng Shen Shen

Chapitre 31

Upon entering their house, to conceal their identities from the people of Half-Moon City, the Yin couple told everyone that Xuan Sheng's family were merchants from the capital, and the journey was too far to fetch the bride. They also explained that the groom, understanding his future wife's health, intended the wedding procession to be merely a formality. After the newlyweds completed their wedding ceremony, they boarded a boat and returned home. This story spread like wildfire, making all the village girls envious. They said the Yin family was fortunate to have been born into wealth, unlike them who had to work in the fields all day and had such a handsome and considerate son-in-law. The village gossips frequently visited the Yin residence, their envious words making Madam Yin quite proud. However, the soon-to-be-married couple felt completely different upon hearing this.

Siu-wah remained indifferent and continued to do things her own way.

As the wedding date drew near, Xuan Sheng remained silent. Now, he had changed into his groom's attire and sat quietly in the room. The bright red of his wedding dress slightly stung his eyes, and the bustling noise outside seemed far away, as if the carved wooden door had isolated him from another world.

When Madam Ningfeng stepped into the room, she saw this lonely and quiet figure sitting upright at the table, without saying a word.

"Xuansheng? The guests are almost all here, it's time for you to go out and greet them." She said softly, placing a hand on her son's shoulder, but felt his whole body stiffen slightly. Her expression changed slightly, and she took a step back, looking at him with concern: "What's wrong?"

“Mother…” Xuan Sheng raised his eyes, his eyes, which had been like a stagnant pool, now showed a slight ripple: “I want to know something.”

"What?" Madam Ningfeng said calmly as she straightened his robes, "You've always loved asking questions since you were little. Now that you're about to start a family, you still keep asking these questions."

Xuan Sheng ignored her words, looking at her calmly but seriously, as if unwilling to miss the slightest expression on her face: "Where is the invincible heroine Tian Fuping?"

Madam Ningfeng's heart skipped a beat, and the bright red wedding flower she was about to pin on him fell to the ground. But she immediately regained her composure, her smiling face masking her unease: "Why did you suddenly ask about this? The Invincible Heroine has been missing for many years, and there are even rumors in the martial arts world that she has already gone to a foreign land."

"Is that so?" Xuan Sheng lowered his eyes. He hadn't missed his mother's shock and panic when she heard that name.

Madam Ningfeng sighed: "I know you encountered many incredible things on your trip, but..."

“Shuangjing said I have amnesia.” Xuansheng suddenly interrupted her: “The sect leader of the Seven Stones Sect… Ye Shuangjing. And… Du Cheshui, the master of Chongchonglou, Lin Meihua, the master of the Plum Blossom Hall of Tianxiazhan, Hua Wushuang of Jianrou Manor…” He paused here, as if the sorrowful and desperate voices calling his name were still echoing in his ears. He looked at the glaring red on his body and suddenly did not know where he was.

"It seems... the whole world knows that I have amnesia. I have some memory loss in a certain part, but why don't I know it?"

His face was weary, as if the cold indifference he had shown in the Yin residence these past few days, the ruthlessness and iron-heartedness he displayed when he withdrew, and the politeness and consideration he showed when facing the Yin family had all crumbled and shattered. What was revealed beneath that mask was nothing more than a lost and bewildered man who could not abandon his responsibilities and morals, and could only do what he 'should do' instead of following his own heart to do what he 'wanted to do'.

"Have I lost my memory?" He looked at Madam Ningfeng calmly but earnestly: "Mother, tell me."

The ends of the earth are far away; except for Wushan, there are no clouds.

"Have I lost my memory?" He looked at Madam Ningfeng calmly but earnestly: "Mother, tell me."

Lady Ningfeng looked at him for a long while, then shook her head lovingly and stroked his face: "Child, you've spent your whole life in Half-Moon City. In terms of skill, even your elder brother is no match for you. So, unless you hurt yourself, how could anyone make you lose your memory?" She sighed worriedly: "Is this journey too tiring for you? Could it be... that you're feeling unwell, physically or mentally?"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Sheng stared intently at her for a moment, only to find that Madam Ningfeng's eyes held no shadow whatsoever. She looked at him frankly, with a hint of worry and sorrow, but no deception. He shook his head and smiled faintly, "No. Perhaps I'm overthinking it."

Madam Ningfeng sighed, patted his shoulder, and said softly, "This period has been difficult for both us and the Yin family, but Shaohua has recovered after all. That child... still has a bit of a childish temper, but she has always admired you very much. She has never been to Half Moon City before, and she will feel lonely when she is far from home. You will have to worry about her."

"Mother, don't worry, I know everything." Xuan Sheng nodded, suppressing the wistful relief in his heart: "Shao Hua actually..."

He suddenly fell silent, turned his head to listen, and heard melodious and clear music coming from afar, passing through the noise of the crowd outside, and covering the earth-shattering firecrackers and firecrackers. It reached his ears like a needle gently piercing his skin, but it hurt so much that every inch of his skin ached.

"Ah, it's actually 'Water, Wood, Mountain, and Rock'." Madam Ningfeng listened with him for a while, then finally smiled and said, "I originally thought that this music could only be heard in Half Moon City. I didn't expect someone to play it here. Your father's friend must have received the invitation and arrived in time, right?"

"This piece of music...?" Xuan Sheng looked at her in confusion.

Madam Ningfeng smiled gently and took a few steps toward the door: "This piece is called 'Water, Wood, Mountain, and Rock.' It was written by Mr. Liuyun, an old friend of your grandfather. It is said that he was once the number one assassin in the martial arts world. Once, he was seriously injured by his enemy. While fleeing, he fell into a waterfall and a river. He floated on a piece of wood and drifted for an unknown amount of time. He was carried by the current to an unnamed island in the East China Sea. There, he saw seabirds flying everywhere, waves surging, and spray splashing. When he stepped into the depths of the island, he heard sounds everywhere. The mountains and forests were lush and green, with exotic flowers and rare herbs everywhere, and the climate was warm like spring. He lived on the island for several days and felt that his body and mind were cleansed. So he wrote this piece and from then on, he reformed and became a chivalrous hero."

"Is that so?" Xuan Sheng listened quietly for a moment, then slowly turned his head and looked at Madam Ning Feng with clear eyes: "It does indeed have the melody of the tide washing away the waves, the clear spring water, and the lake view at dawn. But, Mother... you are lying."

Ignoring his mother's reaction, he walked almost step by step to the door with a smile, gazing in the direction from which the melody came, or perhaps further away: "This piece was jointly composed many years ago by the leaders of the Seven Stones Sect and the Chongchonglou Sect. It's a piece played on a zither and a flute, the flute piece being 'Moonlight Over Empty Mountains,' and the zither piece being 'Flowers Fill the Sky.' Five years ago, Shuangjing and I played it together at the Jincheng Talents Gathering, and since then, everyone in the world knows it." He said with a smile, his voice desolate and forlorn, but more than that, it was clear-headed and resolute. He turned his head: "Mother, am I right?"

Madam Ningfeng's face suddenly turned pale. She involuntarily took a step back, her fingers trembling slightly, her voice changing tone: "You...you...you remember?" She looked at Xuansheng helplessly, trying to find the slightest confusion or bewilderment on his face, but there was nothing but slight anger and indignation.

"No." Xuan Sheng clenched his fists, lowered his eyes, and suddenly felt he didn't have the courage to continue. "But why did you lie to me?"

It's true. So it was all true after all.

He suddenly understood his former self.

So, he chose to forget?

Simply because that person is no longer here.

He could forget all his former friends and confidants, as well as the glory and achievements of his time in the martial world, the chivalrous deeds that had always made him proud. If that person was gone, there would be no place for him in this vast world, no reason for him to live. Even the most magnificent landscapes would be meaningless if the person he shared them with was no longer there.

"Xuansheng!" Madam Ningfeng rushed forward, her face filled with panic and sorrow. "You...you don't understand. When Xuanmu brought you back, you were almost dead! When you learned that the Seven Stones Sect Master wouldn't survive, you...you disregarded your severe injuries and left Half-Moon City overnight! Your brother chased after you, only to find a trail of blood before finally finding you, barely alive. Later, we finally managed to heal you, but...but...you remembered nothing." She held Xuansheng's hand, her expression heartbroken. "Amu and I didn't know what to do. We couldn't get any news from the Seven Stones Sect at the time, so we assumed that Sect Master Ye had already perished..."

A string of tears slid down her cheeks. Through the hazy mist, Madam Ningfeng looked at her son, who used to cuddle and act spoiled at her knees. She felt that time flies by like an arrow, and the fleeting years are nothing more than a moment. The boy in front of her was becoming more and more like the man who was gone forever. In the end, they would both leave her.

"Xuansheng, think about it, seeing you so heartbroken, severely injured and near death, how can I bear to let you leave Half Moon City again!" She looked at him sadly: "How can I let you leave like your father, never to return?"

"Is it just because I look like my father?" Xuan Sheng sighed heavily, feeling a surge of bitterness, desolation, and pain welling up in his heart. It seemed that the world was vast, yet there was no place for him, no place where he could find himself.

He looked at his mother and lowered his head: "Mother, if Shaohua weren't sick, would you let me... forget all of this and live a peaceful life?"

“What’s wrong with that?!” Madam Ningfeng said with tears in her eyes, “You and Shaohua grew up together since you were little, childhood sweethearts, you will love each other dearly, and our family can live peacefully in Half Moon City for the rest of our lives, which is better than living under the shadow of swords!” She stared at Xuansheng, sighed and shook her head, “Child, you will be happy that way too.”

Xuan Sheng clenched his fists, feeling his whole body tremble slightly. He wanted to say something, but he knew that his mother was right.

How could you not know that that would lead to unhappiness?

That was the future I envisioned back then, and the definition of happiness I gave it, wasn't it?

So, when did you start to feel that such a future was not your destiny?

"Having seen the ocean, one finds it hard to be satisfied with mere streams..."

He murmured to himself, involuntarily looking towards the horizon.

Suddenly, a strong wind arose, swirling up countless petals and leaves.

Seeing the crimson wedding ribbons tied to the trees fluttering wildly in the wind, amidst the withered leaves and fallen flowers, he suddenly remembered Ye Shuangjing's appearance very clearly.

Long, winding hair that was glossy and jet black, like ink or night.

Clear, bright, and sparkling eyes.

Fair skin and an almost translucent complexion.

She wasn't particularly beautiful.

When happy, she squints her bright eyes like a cat; when she thinks of a good idea, she always raises her eyebrows high; lying in the sun, she will fall asleep in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn; she always sleeps on her side while holding something...

She likes sweet soft desserts, light corn chowder, fragrant rice wine, and... him.

He liked him more than anyone else, was braver than anyone else, and was more persistent, stubborn, and fearless than anyone else.

Rapid breathing.

My chest hurts.

He felt that he couldn't control the trembling of his hands.

It's not to say that life with Siu-wah wouldn't be happy.

But he finally understood who was whose ocean and who was whose drifting cloud.

Once you've weathered such storms, how can you let the calm ripples of a stream stop you from moving forward?

Once you've seen such a vast ocean and such majestic mountains and seas of clouds, how can you be overwhelmed by the tranquil landscape?

But once love has been stirred, even if you look back a thousand times, if the person you find in the dim light is not the one you love, how can you grow old together?

"I..." He heard his own voice, slightly broken, ring out, but it drowned out the lively noise outside the door.

Suddenly, an even louder burst of firecrackers erupted outside, but to Xuan Sheng it sounded like a long, deep, and indistinct sound coming from the other side of the world. He could only hear his own words, as if stirring up dust dancing in the light.

“Mother… your son is unfilial and has worried you. But…” He clenched his fist and turned to look directly at Madam Ningfeng:

"But I can't afford to be guilty of double grievances again!"

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Madam Ningfeng hurriedly caught up from behind, reaching out her hand, but failed to touch his robe.

As she watched the blindingly bright red figure disappear straight away amidst the white bricks and yellow leaves, a chill ran through her body. She suddenly remembered five years ago, when her usually most filial and obedient son, too, had fearlessly rushed towards that woman far away, despite his severe injuries. At that time, his once indifferent and cold expression held only an indescribable sorrow and helplessness. He didn't ask about his injuries, or whether his limbs were intact; he simply gazed at the horizon and murmured, "If Shuangjing doesn't survive, what will become of me?"

Perhaps this is fate, an ending that cannot be avoided no matter how much one struggles or cries.

Perhaps that's why she didn't have the courage to chase after him.

The ends of the earth are far away; except for Wushan, there are no clouds.

Xuan Sheng walked blindly and haphazardly, subconsciously avoiding the bustling crowds and lively atmosphere outside the courtyard.

He knew he should face the anger of the Yin family and the astonishment of the guests in the courtyard, but he felt it would be better if the person involved knew about this from him first.

However, he himself was still a bit confused.

He knew how unfair all of this was to Shao Hua. He had already broken one woman's heart and disappointed her; he couldn't let another girl, who had absolutely nothing to do with this, suffer as well. Besides, that girl had grown up with him since childhood. Moreover, she was now dressed in wedding attire, wearing a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, just like him, and was happily waiting to hold his hand and grow old together.

He found himself walking toward Shao Hua's attic, when he suddenly heard a sound, and then something fell from the sky! He instinctively dodged to avoid it, only to see a large package land at his feet.

"?" He looked up and saw someone stepping over the tall wall covered with vines, flowers and ribbons, then stepping over the other, and just as they were about to jump down, they looked up and saw Xuan Sheng staring at them in astonishment.

It was indeed Siu-wah.

At this moment, she was carrying another large package in her hand, with a sword on her back. She was dressed as a boy, looking fresh, handsome, and cute. However, her makeup was not completely removed, and she was wearing a bridal headdress with a red flower on her head.

On the wall is a picture of a beautiful bride about to run away to the ends of the earth.

Below the wall is the groom-to-be who is about to cancel his engagement and find another woman.

Xuansheng: "..." =_=

Siu-wah: "..." TAT!!!

The two stared at each other for a long time before finally understanding their situation.

The bride spoke first.

She chuckled and scratched her head, "Second brother...you...hehe...why did you come to see me?" Shouldn't you be busy greeting guests at a time like this?!

Xuan Sheng was taken aback, only then realizing that he hadn't seen Shao Hua so genuinely express her feelings in a long time.

Since waking up, the girl had been distant, aloof, and impeccably polite in her presence, completely unlike her former charming and innocent self. He couldn't help but smile—a genuine and heartfelt smile, the kind of joy and quiet happiness that comes from encountering something truly comforting—softening every line on his face like a gentle spring breeze, warm and comforting.

He gently shook his head, looking at her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, and said, "Shaowa, are you planning to run away from your wedding?"

"Ahhhhh, I...I...I...!" The bride seemed to have been hit where it hurt, suddenly unable to stand or sit still, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Her face flushed red and then turned pale; she looked at him, somewhat incoherent and at a loss for words.

Ugh, I should never see him in my entire life! Shouldn't my second brother be greeting guests right now? >_< Author, you're so annoying! Why did you have to include such an awkward scene?! (Hey!)

"I...I...I..."

Seeing her so nervous and embarrassed, Xuan Sheng relaxed and simply crossed his arms to wait for her to continue, smiling as he looked at her.