On the way back to Guanyin Mountain, I felt uneasy. Although one question had been answered, it seemed that more questions awaited us. Moreover, we had been away from Guanyin Mountain for a full five hours. In those five hours, I wondered if anyone else had met with misfortune. I dared not think about it and could only quicken my pace.
10
When they got back to the temple, it was already dark, and the two girls hugged each other and cried.
Axi has gone missing.
According to the other two girls, Ah-Xi was waiting for the carriage with them in the Buddhist hall when she suddenly seemed to remember something and left the hall, but never returned.
We went together to Master Huiqing's room. Mingyue quietly lit the lamp, her face expressionless.
The outlines of some things seem to be slowly becoming clearer.
"You should all leave Guanyin Mountain early tomorrow morning. So many things have happened under the Bodhisattva's nose. This old nun is truly ashamed. Only by finding out the real culprit can we comfort the souls of you all in heaven."
Upon hearing her master's words, Mingyue's hand trembled slightly as she lit the lamp, but she quickly regained her composure.
“The master is right, it’s time to find the real culprit.” All eyes turned to me. I stood up and circled Mingyue. Mingyue lowered her head uncomfortably.
"Master Mingyue, are you in charge of keeping watch over the lights in each of the rooms every day?"
"yes."
"So that means the other masters won't touch those lamps anymore."
"Exactly."
“That’s right,” I said. “Suxin, bring the lamp from your room.” Suxin responded and went, returning shortly with it. Mingyue was breathing heavily, somewhat alarmed. I said, “This lamp is quite significant. The Forget-Immortal Powder is probably unfamiliar to everyone, but Master Mingyue seems to be very familiar with it. Forget-Immortal Powder can make even immortals forget. For so many days, I’ve been with Ziyu at the foot of the mountain, but after I was rescued, this has come in handy. The purpose is for Master Mingyue to instill certain memories in you, so you’ll feel that those memories happened. All of this is just to cover up the cause of Ziyu’s death.”
Master Huiqing stared in surprise at Mingyue, who was almost shrinking into the corner, and said sternly, "Ah? Is that all there is to it?"
“Master may not know this, but the truth is, I saved Ziyu from hanging herself and went home with her. Some things happened during that time that had nothing to do with Ziyu’s death. What I want to know now is why Master Mingyue killed Ziyu.”
Mingyue remained pale and silent. Master Huiqing angrily shouted, "You wretched child, kneel down and confess!"
Mingyue knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down her face, but she remained silent.
I suddenly knelt down and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Master, for saving my life."
Master Huiqing asked in surprise, "Why is this, benefactor?"
"On that day, Ruyan was tricked by Ziyu into becoming a substitute. The villagers at the foot of the mountain almost turned me into a sacrificial soup. If it weren't for the master's timely appearance, Ruyan would probably be a wronged ghost now."
"It's all in the past, why bring it up again?"
“If it weren’t for the Master’s Changbai Mountain ginseng, Ziyu’s mother would have died long ago. I thank you again on behalf of Ziyu for your great kindness.”
Master Huiqing smiled slightly: "Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Ziyu died under mysterious circumstances, Mingyue, why don't you quickly clear my name?"
I turned to the bright moon and smiled: "Go ahead and say it, haven't you been wanting to say it for a while now?"
Mingyue respectfully kowtowed to her master and said, "Master, please don't blame your disciple for being unfilial. I killed Ziyu because I overheard her conversation with you, so to save lives, I killed her."
Master Huiqing suddenly roared angrily, "Shut up! Stop talking nonsense here!"
Mingyue, without looking up, continued, "That day, I overheard Ziyu complaining to Master as I passed by his room. She said that when people were being sacrificed with living people down the mountain, Ziyu said she didn't want to be turned into soup, so she came out to find a substitute. She was in great pain because she didn't want to harm anyone, and her mother had become very ill because of her. Master gave her half a ginseng root, saying it would cure her mother's illness. But Master's condition was that Ziyu had to keep bringing Qifu down the mountain, not for sacrifice, but she also had to die. Because in that case, Ziyu could prove that the girl died down the mountain and had nothing to do with Master."
"Nonsense!" Suddenly, a tiny silver light flew from Master Huiqing's fingertip, so fast that I didn't have time to strike it down with a hidden weapon. Before Su Xinjian could even cry out in surprise, another hidden weapon whistled through the air, even faster, striking down the silver needle just half an inch from Mingyue's heart.
Master Huixin was taken aback.
Su Xin smiled and said, "Senior has been here for quite some time now, shall we show ourselves now?"
A hearty laugh blew through the air; the person was dressed in black, wearing a black veil, and spoke in a loud voice: "These two ladies are indeed no ordinary people."
"Who are you?" Master Huiqing's voice trembled slightly.
Su Xin snorted coldly: "Master, please let Ru Yan finish speaking before you defend yourself, okay?"
"Actually, before that, I wasn't sure if Master Huiqing was the one who killed Qingling and Hongxiang. Suxin remembers very clearly that when I was rescued, Master Huiqing and Mingyue were both in the Buddhist hall, so they couldn't have been there to save me. When I mentioned this earlier, Master Huiqing didn't deny it, that's the first point. Second, Changbai Mountain ginseng is an extremely rare and precious medicinal herb that can cure serious illnesses, and it's even more effective for martial arts practitioners. If I'm not mistaken, the master is practicing a very evil martial art called the Poison Blood Hand. To practice this martial art, one must soak oneself in virgin blood for three hours every day for one month every year. After Ziyu died, you had no choice but to kill people yourself to get their blood."
Master Huiqing finally calmed down and stopped arguing: "That's right, you're absolutely right."
The woman in black removed her veil, revealing herself to be the incense-selling old woman from the foot of the mountain. She smiled and said, "I rarely save people because I don't think anyone is worth saving. I sell incense down the mountain, and there are only two people I like: Mingyue and Ruyan. When Ruyan was taken down the mountain by Ziyu, I knew that girl was in trouble, so I went to rescue her. I killed Ziyu, and I had Mingyue burn the Forget-Immortal Powder so that the old nun wouldn't remember what happened."
"Why do you do this, Senior Sister?" Master Huiqing chanted Amitabha: "I am already burdened with heavy sins."
“Junior sister, I have been waiting for you at the foot of the mountain for forty years, but you have never come down the mountain. I have been selling incense at the foot of the mountain for as many years as you have been a nun. It was indeed Master who passed on the essence of his life’s learning to me, because Master knew you were ambitious and was afraid that you would cause trouble. But you actually left home in a fit of anger and even started practicing such evil martial arts.”
"I swore that I would defeat everyone in my sect in the future."
"What good would it do to defeat them?"
Master Huiqing suddenly burst into tears. She had always wanted to defeat everyone in her sect, but what good would it do even if she did? She had harbored hatred for so many years and wasted her youth.
The Bodhisattva in the Buddhist hall still holds a treasure vase in his hand, his eyes slightly lowered. Many things in this world are confusing to those involved, and those who are too attached are burdened by their attachment.
The Buddha said.
Emptiness is form, and form is emptiness.
(iii) Hair as white as snow
The moon shines bright, the woman is haggard, I raise my cup and drink in the wind and snow.
Who overturned the cabinet of past lives, stirring up dust and trouble?
The word "fate" has spun through countless reincarnations; you've furrowed brows and wept, but your beauty cannot be brought back.
Even though history has turned to ashes, my love will never die.
Prosperity is like three thousand rivers flowing eastward.
I only take a sip of love to understand and cherish the butterfly you have transformed into.
Your hair, as white as snow, is a poignant reminder of our parting; I burn incense, but who is moved by my
Invite the bright moon to illuminate memories, let love be perfect under the moonlight.
Your hair falls like snowflakes, my tears fall, and I wait, growing old—who will I be?
In the hazy, intoxicating years of this mortal world, I will forever cherish the monument of my love for you, with unwavering devotion.
1
The carriage had been bumping along for three months. I parted the tasseled curtain and looked out. What a beautiful scene of green mountains and clear waters! The coachman and the maid were chatting and laughing at the front of the carriage. When they saw me lean out, they said happily, "Miss, we've arrived at Fulong Town. It really is a beautiful paradise, just as Master said."
My maid, Cuiyi, climbed into the carriage to fix my hair. She said, "Miss, I heard from Master that the Dugu family is the largest family in this town. One of their ancestors even served as a military strategist for our country. Is that true?"
I smiled slightly and straightened my slightly disheveled clothes: "Yes, Dugu Aoran is a man with a very good military mind. His campaigns were always victorious. When he returned home in glory, the emperor built him a luxurious mansion in a secluded paradise and named the place Fulong Town."
"The young lady must be marrying a talented and charismatic young master named Dugu Leng."
"You think so too?" I sighed inwardly, seeing Cuiyi's expectant look. I've met many rich young masters, but most are just good-for-nothings, indulging in debauchery and lacking ambition simply because of their privileged backgrounds. When I was fifteen, I learned that I was betrothed to the seventh young master of the Dugu family at birth. My father said that the marriage was arranged by parents and matchmakers, an eighteen-year commitment—this was an unchangeable fact. He also said that which woman today doesn't dream of marrying into the Dugu family? It's an endless honor, incomparable to love.
I am not a conventional woman; I have been much more rebellious than other young ladies from wealthy families since childhood. However, after much thought, I decided to follow my father's wishes in this matter.
Even if I don't marry Dugu Leng, another Dugu Leng will appear in my life, and I'll have to accept it whether I cry or laugh. Or, I can just leave and live a life of hardship, relying on the martial arts I secretly learned. What I fear isn't hardship, but the fact that my parents have no sons and have poured their life's blood into their three daughters; I can't bear the stigma of being unfilial.
"Miss, we've arrived." The carriage came to a halt with a creaking sound. Cuiyi helped me down from the carriage, and the coachman went to knock on the vermilion gate, which was at least ten and a half feet tall.
The door opened, and an elderly butler with white hair and a white beard opened it, his tone quite indifferent: "What is it?"
"Old man, I am the coachman of the Liu family. I brought our third young lady here. Please inform her of my arrival."
The old man immediately perked up, his eyes, which had been hidden by drooping eyelids, widened: "Is it Miss Biao?" He turned his head and called inside: "Aniu, quickly go and tell the master and madam that Miss Biao has arrived." He opened the door and respectfully greeted me: "Miss Biao, please come with me to the front hall. The master and madam will be here shortly."
Several curious maids peeked at me while sweeping the courtyard. They would politely greet me as they passed by, "Hello, Miss." I smiled and responded to them one by one, but I overheard them whispering: "Miss looks like a fairy."
Cuiyi immediately revealed an expression of immense pride, puffing out her small chest as if she had received boundless glory.
Master Dugu and his wife arrived quickly. Madam Dugu looked very young and beautiful, her eyes filled with tears: "Ruyan, you've grown into a beautiful young woman in just a few years. I hope your father and mother are doing well."
I respectfully greeted her: "Aunt, my father and mother are both well. Please send them my regards." Then I gave a slight curtsy: "Uncle, may you be blessed. Ruyan greets you."
Master Dugu stroked his beard happily: "Ruyan, we're all family now, no need to be so polite. Isn't it too much of a stretch to call her aunt and uncle?"
I obediently replied, "Yes, Father, Ruyan remembers."
They clearly hadn't expected the young girl they hadn't seen for years to grow up to be so well-behaved, elegant, and, moreover, stunningly beautiful. They were initially very happy, but a fleeting look of worry on their faces tightened my heart like a string.
2
According to custom, a bride's husband should be the one to greet her upon her marriage. However, it's strange that a prestigious family like the Dugu family, which should have even more rules, didn't send Dugu Leng to greet her. Not only did he not arrive at the mansion, but he was nowhere to be seen even after several days. My aunt and uncle took me around the vast mansion every day, introducing me to the old lady, the second wife, the third wife, the fifth wife, and some cousins. The old lady was a very serene person; she spent her days in the ancestral hall, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures, living a leisurely life. Upon seeing me, she happily took my hand and said, "Leng'er is the son of your second aunt, Qinglian. This child has been diligent in his studies since childhood and is handsome. Of all the children and grandchildren in the family, he is my favorite. Your aunt also likes him the most, so she and your father arranged this betrothal from childhood."
I lowered my head, smiled but said nothing, and helped the old lady to the lotus pond to admire the flowers and chat.
"Ruyan, we are a prestigious family, so these rules are unavoidable. If you can't adapt, just put up with them. Your grandmother will make the decisions for you. It's alright if you make a mistake. The second wife is your husband's mother. Every morning after you pay your respects to the first wife, go and pay your respects to her. As for the third and fifth wives, forget it. They are all of lowly status. They are not as precious as me, Ruyan."
"Grandmother's reprimand is correct, but how can Third Sister and Fifth Sister save face?"
The old lady sighed, "This matter can't be explained in just a few words." Seeing that the old lady didn't want to talk about it, I didn't dare to say anything more and could only listen to her: "It doesn't matter about the others, but Leng'er is not good with words. Has he ever been cold to you?"
The old lady probably doesn't know that I've never met Dugu Leng.
I was slightly taken aback and said, "Ruyan has been at your residence for many days, but has not yet met her husband."
The old lady was very surprised after hearing this: "Leng'er has not been married?"
I answered truthfully, "No."
The old lady seemed very angry. She slammed her cane against the bluestone floor and said to the maid behind her, "Quickly go and call the master, mistress and seventh young master to the ancestral hall. Tell them I have something to ask them."
The maidservant responded and hurriedly ran out. I helped the old lady back to the ancestral hall: "Grandmother, there's no need to be angry. We don't care about elaborate etiquette."
"If only they were as sensible as you," the old lady sighed. "Since your grandfather passed away, this family has finally had some peace and quiet, and now they're coming to cause trouble again."
What does it mean to finally have some peace and quiet? Wasn't it peaceful before?
Before she could say anything more, her aunt and uncle had arrived. They stood in front of the old lady, looking flustered and uneasy. The old lady looked around and asked, "Why isn't Leng'er here?"
My uncle came up to me and said, "Mother, please don't be angry. Let me explain slowly."