K《Лапша с гибискусом》

Глава 2

I hid under a nearby haystack, carefully organizing my thoughts. I was looking at my father's calligraphy, pondering its meaning, when suddenly a faint fragrance wafted by—a faint fragrance, yes, it was after that that I lost consciousness. When I awoke, I was here.

That faint fragrance seemed to come from a distant land, not Luo Yuanyuan's, not Ai Liao'er's, and not belonging to any of my past women. Yet, it held a long-lost sense of familiarity. But its appearance led me into this unknown realm. Ai Liao'er, Ai Liao'er, could something have happened to her? This incident was no accident. Luo Yuanyuan's sinister laughter, Wu Yun's cold indifference, my father's sudden death—there must be some grand conspiracy hidden within. The more I thought about it, the more my head throbbed, as if I had suffered a severe blow. Who, who in the darkness, was manipulating all of this?

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Finally, the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon.

I carefully examined my surroundings. My long robe was stained with blood, and my head was throbbing with excruciating pain. All around me were desolate graveyards and barren fields. I realized I had been ambushed.

I grabbed an offering from a grave, though it was soaked through by the night's rain and crumbled at the touch, and forced myself to swallow it. I knew this wasn't the time for such sentimentality; only by filling my own stomach could I muster the energy to investigate. Tears welled in my eyes, thinking of how Yuan Shiwu, who had once been so devoted to me, had fallen to such a state. But I refused to accept my fate. I vowed silently that no obstacle could break my determination to uncover the truth!

After the hunger subsided, I searched for the road leading to the main road. Finally, I arrived at the official road.

I sat quietly on the ground, without saying a word, my eyes fixed straight ahead.

After a long while, a carriage finally passed by. It was more like a decorated carriage than a carriage. Flowers of all seasons surrounded the carriage, scattering their sweet fragrance along the way.

The carriage stopped in front of me. A riding crop lifted the curtain, revealing a cold and beautiful face.

I looked up, jumped up, and shouted, "You vixen, it's you!"

Immediately, the servant lashed out with his whip and roared, "What kind of beggar are you, shouting at my young lady like that?"

I caught the whip tip as it flew towards me and looked closely. This woman was indeed similar to Luo Yuanyuan in appearance, but a few years younger. She lacked Luo Yuanyuan's innate seductive charm, but had a more dignified air about her.

I felt somewhat ashamed and clasped my hands in apology: "Miss, I mistook you for someone I knew, and I apologize for any offense!"

A melodious voice replied, "Young master, there's no need for such formalities. Misunderstandings like this happen often, and I'm used to it. Do you know my elder sister, Luo Yuanyuan?"

She's that vile woman's sister? I've never heard of her before. A thought flashed through my mind, and I said, "Luo Yuanyuan and I are sworn enemies. You don't need to say anything more. I don't want to make things difficult for a weak woman. You should leave."

Her eyes lit up slightly, but I noticed them. She asked, "Do you have a grudge against me?"

"That's right, you can leave now!"

"Do you want to find her?"

"It's none of your business. If you don't leave, I won't be polite!"

She smiled slightly: "If it is indeed as I say, I can give you a ride. This is Jiaxing, and it's still some distance from Hangzhou."

"

I stopped refusing, jumped into the carriage, and sat beside her. I was no longer able to maintain my pride, because I really couldn't hold on any longer.

"My name is Ronen."

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The car stopped outside the Yuan residence. Tonight, the area in front of the Yuan residence was bustling with activity. I was startled by the two white lanterns hanging on the gate. Then I understood; they must think I was dead and were pretending to hold a funeral for me to cover it up.

Ron went inside, and I followed behind, my face down.

Luo Yuanyuan was greeting her friends inside when Luo Enen entered, and she stopped. "Why are you here?"

"Why wouldn't I come? I came to see what you've done to the Yuan family!"

"What? Wo'er, drunk, broke into Ai Liao'er's residence with the intention of assaulting her. When Ai Liao'er resisted, he accidentally stabbed her to death and threw her into the pond. By the time they found her, it was too late to save her. Now that Wo'er has disappeared, we can only arrange a proper funeral for Ai Liao'er to comfort her soul in heaven."

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [8]: "Hmph, I'm afraid not. Just like back then you sold me into a brothel, impersonated me, and married Yuan Lang. You deceived the world and lived the life that should have belonged to me. You also ruined everything in the Yuan family. I, on the other hand, was trapped in a brothel, forcing a smile. Now, I have redeemed myself and come here to expose everything about you. On the way, I heard about what happened to the Yuan family, and how similar it was to everything that happened to me back then. You vicious woman." Luo Enen's eyes were filled with tears.

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(vi) Things have changed, but people are no longer the same.

So, Father didn't marry the woman he loved back then. Could this be the reason for his death? I remember I didn't do anything to Ai Liao'er, so why did she die? What exactly happened? What a misfortune for our family, a monstrous tragedy! A thought flashed through my mind!

"Family sacrifices comfort the spirits of the deceased and ancestors."

Having endured countless hardships and faced life-or-death situations,

Evil spirits and demons avoided them from then on.

Severing karmic obstacles restores clarity.

I do not compare this life to that of my ancestors.

Like waking from a dream, half a lifetime of peace...

The time to return has come, so there is no lingering attachment.

Even after leaving, I still remember the kindness of old friends.

If we take the poem left by my father before his death as an acrostic, it turns out to be: "A monster has come from our family, it's better to go home."

Could it be that Father discovered Luo Yuanyuan's true identity, lost his beloved, contemplated suicide, and left this world? But given Father's worldly experience, why didn't he simply divorce the vixen and seek his true love? From Father's poems, we can see how proud and reluctant he was of the family business that generations had painstakingly built, and how much he missed the woman named Luo Enen beside me. Why didn't he go and win back the woman he deeply loved? What could possibly make him willing to relinquish so much?

But Ai Liao is innocent. What connection does her misfortune have with this incident? Is she just an innocent victim, a mere bystander in the whole affair? My mind is filled with questions. Only I can unravel these mysteries.

I felt Luo Yuanyuan's eyes burning as they lingered on me. I was terrified that in this situation, she would expose my identity, leaving me with no way to defend myself. I lowered my head even further. Fortunately, she didn't recognize me. Instead, she faced Luo Enen again and slowly said, "Sister, I was the one who met Yuan Zhong first, yet you disregarded our sisterly bond and forcibly took him away from me. Now you're telling me about your grievances? You were unjust first, so don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"You, you, do you know why Yuan Lang chose me back then? He told me that he had discovered you were no ordinary person. You were ambitious, you were wicked, you were poisonous! You even sold your own sister to a brothel to get Yuan Lang. How could he be willing to spend his life with you?"

"Hmph."

"Over the years, I've hidden my pain in the brothel, selling smiles to earn money and establish myself as the top courtesan. I constantly gleaned news of the Yuan family from my customers; as long as I knew Yuan Lang was alright, I had the will to live. Until I ran out of money and couldn't escape, I remained content as the top courtesan. When I learned of Yuan Lang's passing, I considered suicide, but I couldn't. Yuan Lang once said that having Wo'er was the happiest thing in his life, and he would properly train his son until Wo'er grew up, established himself, and inherited the family business. But Wo'er was only thirteen, a time of great potential. The Yuan family business was just..." At the height of his life, how could he suddenly become disillusioned with the world? Madam Yuan's departure years ago was arguably the greatest blow to Yuan Lang, yet he endured it. Given Yuan Lang's character, his death is utterly irrational. "I've come to personally expose your true colors. As my worth has increased, the price I've paid to redeem myself has also grown, and my hatred for you has deepened. It took me seven years to finally break free of this cage. Today, I can finally be here, right here, to expose your true nature. But unexpectedly, your sins have become even more heinous, and the once prosperous Yuan family has fallen to this state! You are so vicious!"

The guests were in an uproar, and the entire Yuan residence was shocked by this astonishing news.

Luo Yuanyuan could no longer maintain her feigned arrogance and fake smile. Her carefully crafted elegant expression twisted in disbelief. Enraged, she shouted, "You little slut! I never imagined you'd still be so cunning even in Suzhou, secretly spying on my Yuan family! This is my residence, Luo Yuanyuan's home. I do not welcome courtesans like you. Wuyun, show her out!"

Wu Yun suddenly appeared out of nowhere and said respectfully, "Miss, my mistress said to see the guest out!"

Luo Enen smiled slightly and said, "I have achieved my purpose in coming here. I will be leaving now, no need to see me off!" With a stunningly beautiful and well-trained light gait, she "floated" out. The guests, observing her demeanor, quickly took their leave as well.

Taking advantage of the chaos, I slipped into Ai Liao Ju.

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The wind howled, and the cranes cried, seemingly lamenting the misfortune of their former master. I sat by the pond where Ai Liao'er and I once stood side by side, watching the white cranes dance gracefully in the night, a deep sorrow welling up within me. Yesterday's events were vivid in my mind: Ai Liao'er's charming smile, her understanding nature, her unparalleled beauty—all remained etched in my heart. Now, everything had changed. "I will go with you," she said calmly, her words revealing a profound affection I knew all too well. Fourteen years of being together day and night had etched my feelings for her into my very being. I had always treated her with respect, precisely so that I could marry her properly. How could I possibly harm her?

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [9]: I slowly walked into her room, and all I saw was a mess. Bloodstains everywhere. The bed was a mess, showing how much misfortune Ai Liao had suffered. Her struggles and cries for help seemed to still echo in the room. I sat blankly at the head of her bed, and could still faintly smell her fragrance, but... Suddenly, a figure flashed in, it was Luo Yuanyuan.

"It really is you. At first, you came with Enen. I wasn't sure it was you. How could you be colluding with that bitch? I didn't expose your identity in public, for fear of hurting you. But I thought that if it really was you, you would definitely come to Ailiao Residence. I didn't expect you to actually come."

"Hmph, you're so kind. Even if you hadn't come to me, I would have come to you to get to the bottom of this: how exactly did Ai Liao'er die? Did you kill her? She was a peaceful and unassuming person, how could you be so heartless?"

"How could you say that? I thought you would be grateful if I covered up the truth for you, but you've become so incredibly shameless!"

"What do you mean? Tell me! You clearly drugged and injured me, then killed her, trying to seize my Yuan family's fortune..." She interrupted, "There are only the two of us here. Are you going to make up stories? That day, you went mad as if you were drunk, killing countless servants in the manor, and even trying to tear up your father's last words. Wu Yun and I couldn't stop you. You even tried to smash the master's memorial tablet. When Ai Liao'er heard about it, you lost your mind and pounced on her, dragging her back here in front of us and locking the door. Strangely enough, no matter how hard we banged on the door, it wouldn't break. But the room was filled with red light, yet completely silent. Wu Yun and I were helpless and could only wait for you to come out on your own." I truly saw fear in Luo Yuan Yuan's eyes, an unmistakable fear.

She steadied herself, as if using all her strength to resist some kind of fear. She swallowed and continued, "When everything returned to normal, you came out covered in blood, with a high bump on the back of your head where something had hit you, but not a drop of blood was flowing."

I wanted to bandage you, but you pushed me away, your eyes blank, as if you'd lost your soul, and you flew away like a shot. Wuyun and I went into the room, but we saw, but we saw…” She covered her face with her hands and stopped.

"What do you see? Let me tell you your story!"

Luo Yuanyuan released her grip and stared directly into my eyes: "We saw Ai Liao'er torn to pieces, as if she had been ripped apart by some wild beast!" After saying that, she vomited.

Upon hearing this, I was stunned and speechless; I was completely numb.

After a long while, I paced back and forth in the room, muttering to myself, "Absurd, absurd! How could you come up with such a lie? Tell me, where is she buried?"

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Standing before Ai Liao'er's grave, I stared blankly at the mound of yellow earth. The world changes so much; yesterday's graceful beauty is today's wronged soul. Luo Yuanyuan's words were absurd, yet her terrified expression kept flashing before my eyes. I finally began to doubt the memories I had lost. What exactly happened during that time? What did I do? The more I thought, the more my head throbbed. The swelling at the back of my head hadn't completely subsided, and the bloodstains on my clothes had turned a dark brown—everything eerily matched Luo Yuanyuan's words. I silently murmured, "Ai Liao'er, please forgive me for what I did to find out the cause of your death."

I dug up her fragrant tomb, and slowly, I lifted the coffin lid. [The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the previous sentences.]

I rebuilt the grave. I vowed to unravel the ever-growing mysteries and bring justice to myself and the unjustly murdered Ai Liao'er.

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(vii) Tracing the roots across thousands of miles

I went to a hotel and ordered a pot of fine bamboo leaf green liquor. I didn't want to go home right now. There was already too much suffering in real life; I just wanted to find some relief in alcohol.

A fragrant breeze swept by, and Ronen sat down. She picked up my wine jug, poured herself a drink, and began to sized me up. After three cups, she slowly said, "If it were me, I wouldn't believe a single word my sister said."

What do you know?

"What she said in front of everyone tonight clearly shows that you are the young master of the Yuan family. When I left, I noticed you didn't follow me; you slipped inside, and you clearly know the Yuan family's layout very well. Is that Ai Liao your lover?"

"..." I didn't say anything, but I admired this intelligent and quick-witted woman. No wonder my father liked her.

"Actually, besides exposing my sister's actions to the public and finding out the truth of the matter, I have another matter to attend to, which is to find you."

"Why are you looking for me?"

"Actually, I've known you since you were a baby."

I turned to look at her, waiting for her to continue.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [10]: "Actually, your father and mother loved each other very much back then, but your mother never had any children. She always regretted it deeply. When my sister and I came to Hangzhou to run a silk and bamboo music troupe, your mother took a liking to my sister's exceptional talent. She originally intended for my sister to be your father's concubine, but your father ultimately chose me, who was only ten years old. That day, my sisters and I from the silk and bamboo music troupe went to play in the Huanhua Creek and found a baby boy. It was you. You were so small then, dressed in pink and white, lying in a basket filled with the most beautiful and fragrant flowers in the world. I brought you back to the silk and bamboo music troupe. Yuan Lang and Madam Yuan were overjoyed to see how cute you were and took you away. At that moment, Madam Yuan finally agreed to let me marry into the family. Then, my sister took me away..." Luo Enen raised the wine in her cup and drank it down. "Why should I believe you?"

“Would I have any ill intentions towards you? If you don’t believe me, I can tell you that there is a peculiar mark on your body.”

How could she know? There is indeed a mark on my inner thigh, and that's my privacy.

"Am I right? That mark looks like a flower, the very flower that bloomed in the basket that drifted with you. Later, I received a guest from the Western Regions at a brothel. He gave me two of these flowers as a joke. He said they were called 'Golden Lotus of the Desert,' growing deep in the desert. They were a once-in-a-century occurrence. He gave them to me to amuse me. When I told him I didn't care for them, because I had already seen a full basket of them, he exclaimed in amazement, because this flower was truly rare and hard to come by. At the time, I thought that I would tell you all this when I had the chance. You may have an inextricable connection with the Western Regions. The one who tied the knot must untie it. After all, I brought you to the Yuan family, so I should help you find your true origins."

"The Western Regions?" These words, spoken with such conviction by such a remarkable woman of such deep feeling and loyalty, how could I not believe her? I will give it a try, go to the Western Regions, and reclaim my past.

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I spurred my horse westward relentlessly, traveling day and night, crossing the Yellow River and traversing the Qinling Mountains. No mountain or river could hinder my journey. My destination was singular: the Western Regions. That mysterious, ancient land, that sacred place where the golden lotus of dry land could grow.

Time marched on, and mid-autumn arrived in the blink of an eye. I had finally entered the Sand City. The endless yellow sand, scorched by the blazing sun, formed an insurmountable barrier before me. When it vanished, a full moon shone on the boundless desert, a desolate expanse in which I was alone. Everything seemed so bleak in the desert. I knew that tonight, I would have to spend it all in the desert.

Our mount had long since been replaced by a docile camel. It knelt on the sand, puffing out hot air. I took out a leather wine jug, took a sip, and then shoved the spout into its mouth, letting it drink for a while. The camel seemed to enjoy it immensely, smacking its lips and even reaching for the jug again. I laughed heartily, patted its head, and said, "Good brother, I never thought I'd find a drinking buddy in this godforsaken place! Alright, let's drink some more!" A jug of wine was quickly devoured by us.

The wine jug was empty. I lay on the desert floor, gazing up at the sky. Tonight, the moon was exceptionally beautiful, its pale light devoid of any other color. In the desolate wasteland, it seemed almost within reach. At this moment, nothing else mattered; all grudges and resentments had temporarily faded from my memory. It was as if only a lonely wanderer, a half-drunk camel, and a full moon remained in the world.

I closed my eyes wearily, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation and comfort.

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(viii) Desert Friendship

Entering the heart of the desert, I, with no experience, finally understood the importance of water. But the water I had squandered was gone forever. Oases were as distant as shooting stars, not to mention the rare sight of the golden lotus growing on dry land. Fortunately, I occasionally encountered merchants from the Western Regions. I seized every opportunity to ask them questions, but few knew the answers. However, their hospitality and kindness led me to a shortcut to the Western Regions, and they generously shared water and food with me, which allowed me to survive.

The autumn sun was even more intense in the desert. I tore my long robe to shreds and wrapped it around my head to avoid the scorching sun, but the rising heat still burned me. Now I understand the value of water and how fragile one is when faced with the challenges of nature.