Chapter 217 Crying Again and Again

"Lust is a knife hanging over one's head. Cultivating the Dao requires a pure and desireless heart. If you lot continue to destroy my Daoist resolve, I... ugh..."

"..."

"..."

The Taoist priest and Song Zhizhu, who were outside the door, quietly stepped down the stairs and turned to walk into the west room.

Turning their heads, they saw Sanwa and Lao Si peek out from behind the curtain, then quickly shrank back like mice.

Song Zhizhu gave an awkward laugh, "Hehe, well, they're just drunk and talking nonsense, Daoist Master, you don't need to take it to heart."

The Taoist priest nodded.

“I understand. Brother Song, please go inside and rest. I will go to the kitchen to get some hot water.”

Song Zhizhu leaned against the door frame and said, "Alright, thank you for your trouble, Daoist Master."

*

Song Chunxue had never been so unrestrained before; last night she truly drank until she was completely drunk, and even vomited.

Actually, she likes the aroma of strong liquor; she finds it too spicy to drink.

After just one cup of wine, my throat became hoarse.

But last night she finally understood why some people like to drink themselves into a stupor at weddings and funerals. The drinking itself is secondary; when they drink, they feel like they've become immortal, floating on air.

That honest and unassuming heart was like a doorman chained up for most of his life, never venturing beyond five meters of the world. But once he started drinking, that heavy iron chain snapped, and he seemed to sprout wings and fly away.

She used to hate people who would brag after drinking, but last night, she felt like one of those drunkards, lacking confidence when she spoke and waving her hand dismissively.

It was as if she didn't care whether she was male or female, old or young, rich or poor, and stood like a hero, pointing out the world and dominating the world.

I don't know which sister changed her clothes, wiped her face and rinsed her mouth. She always woke up feeling refreshed and a little unsatisfied.

"woke up?"

The second sister yawned and sat by the window combing her hair.

“Your third and fourth sisters went to cook. We went crazy last night. Even our second brother came to talk to us and told us to stop making fun of the Taoist priest. He’s a monk and we can’t be disrespectful to him.”

Song Chunxue rubbed her eyes. "Did the Taoist priest hear all that nonsense you were talking about?"

"He must have been scared away. He's never seen an old woman who's drunk and talking nonsense before. He definitely won't dare to come looking for me."

She sat up, yawned, got off the kang (a heated brick bed), and put on her shoes.

"I don't know, but the Taoist priest was called away early this morning. He said he was going to find a good burial site for his family's elders, which saved everyone from an awkward situation today."

Song Chunxue fastened her buttons and picked up a broom to sweep the floor.

"The Taoist priest has seen the world and will forget about it in a couple of days. But next time we're drinking, if the Taoist priest is around, please don't mention him."

My second sister laughed, "You've become addicted to it?"

"Yeah, it's a bit addictive. Now I understand why so many people love to drink. Next time we sisters get together, we must drink together."

At this point, Song Chunxue put down the broom, a strange light flashing in her eyes.

"Once I move to the county seat, come find me there, and I'll treat my sister to drinks at the tavern, how about that?"

The second sister's heart warmed, "Then it's a deal, no going back on your word."

Song Chunxue nodded vigorously, "It's my treat."

Everyone drank alcohol last night and couldn't eat anything else, so my third and fourth sisters made jiaotuan (a type of porridge).

As soon as he put down his chopsticks, Sanwa ran to the stage to get his face painted.

Upon learning that Sanwa was going to perform, the sisters decided they absolutely had to watch the whole thing before going back.

In broad daylight, the courtyard was locked, and everyone wanted to go and see it.

Just before leaving, Song Zhizhu stopped Song Chunxue.

"Second brother, what's wrong?"

Seeing his serious expression, Song Chunxue couldn't help but feel nervous. "Has something happened?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to ask, you and the Taoist priest, do you really have no ill intentions towards him?"

"..." Song Chunxue was completely confused. Did her second brother mean that he was afraid she would pester the Taoist priest?

"No, if it were true, given my current personality, I would either cut off all contact with him or tell him directly to marry me."

"you……"

"Second brother, don't worry. I won't tarnish the Daoist's heart. His cultivation has been difficult; he endured so much in his youth. How could he easily fall for any woman now?"

"Second brother, you're overthinking it. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. If our words last night angered the Taoist priest, he would definitely have left quietly, given his personality."

"We're all sensible people, there's no need to fuss over such trivial matters."

"Anyway, if the Daoist Master stops being my senior brother, I will still continue down this path. It doesn't necessarily have to be about achieving some kind of result; it's just about having something to rely on in my heart. Do you understand, Second Brother?"

Song Zhizhu remained silent for a long time.

"Last night we drank, and the sisters must have said some shameless things. If they offended the Taoist priest, please apologize on our behalf, Second Brother."

"The Taoist priest has already helped me so much. I can understand if he leaves without saying goodbye."

Song Zhizhu patted him on the shoulder, "I was just asking casually. I didn't notice that you were angry, Master. I was just worried that you might fall for it and suffer the consequences."

Song Chunxue laughed, "Anyone with eyes can see that it's others who are at a disadvantage."

Now that she's sober, Song Chunxue realizes that even if the Taoist priest is highly accomplished, he would still be emotional about what happened last night.

Although they are fellow disciples, there is a difference between men and women. In the village, there are many people and a lot of gossip, which can be quite annoying.

Once she moves to the county and is alone, she will seek him out to apologize.

"Okay, just don't feel wronged. Although we may not be worthy of the Taoist priest with our status, as your older brother, I don't want you to torture yourself by pretending to be carefree when you can't have the one you love."

"If you're interested in finding someone, I'll help you look for them."

Song Chunxue was both amused and exasperated. "Second brother, here we go again. Didn't I tell you last time that you even found two dogs for me?"

Song Zhizhu slapped his forehead. "Oh, it's true. I was just worrying for nothing. Don't take it to heart."

"I'm fine, I'm just afraid the Taoist priest will take it to heart." She had lived a lifetime, and the Taoist priest was still young. If she made him feel uncomfortable, then it would be her fault.

"Let's go see a play," Song Zhizhu said with a smile. "Sanwa is good-looking, he'll definitely look handsome and dashing in costume."

"Let's go take a look."

They arrived at the stage, but the show had only just begun.

However, the sky, which was clear in the morning, is now covered with dark clouds.

The somber melody paired with the tragic story might even move God to tears.

Midway through the play, the Yang brothers die one after another, and heavy snow falls from the sky, blanketing everything in its path.

Many children ran home, while many adults remained standing in the snow, quietly watching the performers on the stage.

Yang Liulang, the third child, doesn't have many scenes, but Song Chunxue didn't miss a single one.

Song Chunxue stood below the stage and couldn't help but shed tears as she watched Sanwa's hat being taken off.

"Fifth brother, we can't watch anymore. The snow is getting heavier and heavier. We're going back first. You keep an eye on things for now."

"Fifth brother, don't bother seeing us off. If the snow gets any heavier, we won't be able to get back."

As they were talking, the four of them had already walked down the slope.

Song Chunxue stood at the edge of the large square in front of the stage, asking, "Did you bring the pancakes I made for you?"

"We've brought them, you go ahead with your work, we're leaving." The third sister waved to her, "Go see your third child, come again next time."

Their figures walked further and further away in the swirling snow, just like their lives, gradually fading into the distance and disappearing without a trace.

But Song Chunxue was already very content; compared to her previous life, she had already gained so much.

"Crying again? You shed as many tears as a donkey piss. You were the star of the night last night, you should be happy."