Chapter 1 Bitter Bamboo Temple "As long as you don't make a sound and don't attract attention, I..."
In the tenth month of winter, the days are cold.
The rustling sound of wheels rolling over yellow leaves grew closer as a caravan of carriages approached the official road.
Silent, aloof men in tight-fitting clothes stood before and behind the carriage, with two plain carriages sandwiched between them.
"Boom!"
The thunderclap sounded somewhat eerie on the mountain road at dusk, and a child's soft voice could be heard inside the carriage.
The man in front looked up at the sky, turned around, and said to the leader, "Captain Liang, it looks like it's about to rain. We're still quite a distance from the official post station. Should we continue on our way or stay here for the night?"
Liang looked around and did some quick calculations.
They had just passed Cangming and were now in Yongping County. Although they were very close to the capital, it would still take two days to reach the next inn, and half a day to get there.
It looks like the rain is about to start, and it looks quite heavy. We're near a mountain; it would be terrible if rocks rolled down.
Chief Liang turned around to look at the carriage behind him.
Sitting inside was Consort Xue's niece. They had been ordered by the emperor to escort her from Yuchuan to the capital for her wedding after the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
"Slow down!" He raised his hand, and the carriages and horses that had been moving at a rapid pace slowed down.
Chief Liang pulled on the reins, turned the carriage around, and said to the side, "Miss Xue, there may be heavy rain. We'll probably have to stop here."
The person inside the carriage spoke up: "Commander Liang is from the capital, so he must be familiar with this area. Since you've chosen to stop here, there must be a place where we can rest for the time being, right?"
Liang, the head constable, was a little embarrassed at this point. He scratched his head and said, "The young lady is right. There is a Kuzhu Temple on the mountain to the east. Many distinguished people come here to burn incense on weekdays. You can stay here for the night."
Although he said that, he still had some concerns.
“You have all worked hard these past few months, braving wind and rain. Now that we have a good place to go, let’s get to Kuzhu Temple as soon as possible to avoid the cold wind and rain.”
Hearing this, Chief Liang felt relieved and said seriously, "Thank you for your consideration, young lady."
Having said that, he called out loudly, "To Kuzhu Temple!"
The group hurried along and arrived at Kuzhu Temple before it got dark and rain started.
As soon as we entered the temple gate, raindrops began to fall in a pattering sound, splashing up bursts of water.
After Liang, the head constable, had finished his handover with the people from the temple, he allowed the people in the carriage to get off.
"Miss Xue, we have arrived at Kuzhu Temple. Please get off the carriage."
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a young woman jumped out. She opened an umbrella and helped Xue Chan, who was wearing a veil, out of the carriage.
Because they had to wait for the monks to prepare the rooms, Xue Chan, along with a maid, an older woman, and a young child, waited in the main hall.
Chief Liang explained again, "Miss Xue, rest assured, we are ordered to escort you to the capital, and we will certainly protect you. We will set off early tomorrow morning and arrive in the capital the day after tomorrow."
Xue Chan said softly, "His Majesty personally sent Commander Liang to escort you all the way, so he must trust you. If His Majesty can trust you, then naturally I can too."
Darkness fell, and the torrential rain could no longer be seen. The candlelight in the main hall burned quietly, casting warm yellow glows, while the sound of the downpour mingled with deliberately suppressed breaths.
There is a mural inside the hall. Although it is not finished, the painter's skill is still evident.
Xue Chan was looking at the murals inside the hall. She was about to leave, but she had no choice but to hide behind the Buddha statue because Xue Chan was getting close.
"Girl, girl, look, flowers."
Amiao brought over two bright red camellias to show her.
Xue Chan smiled and asked, "Where did these flowers come from?"
"I found it outside."
Xue Chan picked a camellia and pinned it to her childlike bun. A Miao shook her head and asked, "Does it look good?"
"Beautiful," she said, pinching A Miao's plump cheek.
"There's a really big camellia tree outside the corridor, and it's blooming so beautifully. Would you like to go take a look, young lady?"
"good"
As the two left the hall, the people inside also slipped out from behind.
Xue Chan followed Ah Miao, who was skipping and hopping ahead, to the end.
A camellia tree grew there, tall and large, with most of it extending over the courtyard wall.
Xue Chan took two steps forward. The person behind the wall beside her held their breath, making their breathing even softer, and silently moved further into the shadows.
He gripped the blood-stained knife tightly in his hand, blood gushing from the wound. Rainwater and blood flowed down his hand, dripping from the knife onto the ground.
"Tick-tock"
"Tick-tock"
The sound of dripping water and the approaching footsteps became synchronized, as did the heartbeat.
Jiang Ce was feeling dizzy after being injured. He was trying his best to stay awake and thinking about what to do if she came and found out.
The footsteps drew closer and closer, and my heart pounded with anxiety.
He raised his knife, ready to strike, but his steps froze for a moment.
The rain intensified, scattering red flowers across the ground. The heavy rain crashed down on the blue-gray brick floor, leaving large patches of blood-red stains.
Xue Chan felt dizzy for a moment, then reached out and grabbed a pillar to steady herself.
"Ah Miao!"
She called out to A-Miao, who was picking flowers, "The rain is too heavy. You'll get sick if you get wet. Let's go back."
“Okay,” A Miao said, clutching the flowers in her hand, and went back with her.
After the two men left, the man behind the wall breathed a sigh of relief and left with his knife.
A monk approached and said, "The rooms are ready. Please follow me."
The monk, carrying a lantern, led them to the gate of Jingxin Courtyard. Liang, the head constable, said, "It is not appropriate for us men to get too close, so we will take turns standing guard outside the courtyard tonight. As for Miss Xue's personal safety, we will entrust it to Miss Yunsheng."
Yun Sheng said, "Don't worry."
Xue Chan nodded slightly and bowed to Chief Liang again: "Thank you for your help today."
The monk led Xue Chan and the others through the gate, around the long corridor, and into the Zen temple.
Even in winter, a few withered, dark brown lotus leaves still stand tall in the lotus pond of the Zen temple, while a few red fish lazily swim in the water.
"Although this Kuzhu Temple is not very large, it is exceptionally quiet and ancient."
The monk leading the way bowed his head and replied, "Although my temple is not as magnificent as other temples, it is still somewhat more tranquil amidst the green mountains and bamboo forests."
Xue Chan replied, "It is quite peaceful."
The monk, carrying a lantern, led them to the door of the house and then pointed to a door in the backyard, giving them instructions.
"Beyond here lies a bamboo grove with a pavilion in the center. Beyond the grove, there is a stone wall inscribed with scriptures, below which lies the Thousand Buddha Cave. People who come to my temple often visit this place, but lately, due to the cold and rainy weather, there are few visitors. You should refrain from going that way, benefactor."
"Huh? Could it be that there are demons or ghosts in this sacred Buddhist place?" Yun Sheng asked.
The monk chuckled: "How could that be? It's just that it's connected to a mountain stream. If you fall in on a rainy day, it would be a real problem."
Xue Chan smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Master."
"It's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest any longer," the monk said, taking his leave.
Yun Sheng helped Xue Chan through the door and had just closed it when...
Xue Chan removed her veil and lay down on the couch without any restraint, letting out a long sigh: "So tiring."
"Quick, lie down here too." She patted her side, gesturing to Yun Sheng.
Yun Sheng lay down and turned to look at Xue Chan: "Miss, are we really going to the capital now?"
Xue Chan, who was resting with her eyes closed, opened them and sighed softly.
To be honest, this marriage wasn't a perfect match. The Marquis of Wu'an's family were noble families who had followed the Holy Ancestor from the Northwest to fight for the country. Twelve years ago, they fought against the Western Rong and won, but the Marquis of Wu'an and General Zhaowu both died on the battlefield, a family of loyal martyrs.
As for the Xue family, they could barely be considered a scholarly family, but they had already declined since her father's time.
Now, she has very few relatives left. Her aunt entered the palace, and her mother passed away a few years ago, leaving only her and her father.
The reason for this marriage was that her aunt, a concubine of the highest rank, came from the Empress's palace. This was done to ensure harmony among the concubines.
Xue Chan originally thought she could stay in Yuchuan for the rest of her life.
She turned over, lay on her side, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.
Kuzhu Temple was so quiet that even the sound of rain falling on the eaves could be clearly heard.
"Tick-tock, tick-tock"
She curled up even tighter, burying herself completely in the pillowcase. After some time, Xue Chan smelled the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.
Why would there be osmanthus flowers at this time of year?
She opened her eyes and saw a huge, bright white full moon, hanging alone high in the sky.
What year is this moon from?
Nestled in a warm embrace, Xue Chan squinted, trying to make the person in front of her clearer.
"mother"
She heard her own voice, which sounded very childish.
"Mother, when will Father come back? If he doesn't come back, there will be no one to paint with me."
The woman chuckled softly and hugged her tighter: "Your father has gone to deliver provisions to those soldiers who are fighting valiantly. He will return next year, after the war is over, when the osmanthus blossoms again and the moon is full once more."
But……
Xue Chan wanted to say something more, but everything vanished. Her tears fell silently to the ground.
"girl?"
Xue Chan suddenly opened her eyes, only to find herself in the still chilly night. She stared blankly for a moment before realizing she was at the Bitter Bamboo Temple.
Yun Sheng helped her up and asked, "Did you have another dream?"
Xue Chan reached out and touched her face, finding it covered in cold tears. She sat on the edge of the bed, trying to calm herself.
I'm fine.
Yun Sheng was still a little worried and asked, "Are you hungry? I'll have Chun Niang make something to eat."
"I'm not hungry." She wiped the tears from her face with a silk handkerchief, shook her head at Yun Sheng, and gave a gentle smile.
"I want to go and offer incense."
"good"
Yun Sheng helped her put on a padded jacket and cloak, then took a lantern and went out.
Xue Chan offered incense in the main hall, and the young novice monk Huineng led the two back.
She stopped as she passed a small Buddhist shrine.
There was a painting hanging inside, an ink painting on paper.
Although it's just a few simple strokes, it depicts the mountain mists, river waves, villages, fishing boats, and birds with a rustic and lively charm, full of interest.
Xue Chan was surprised and asked, "Who painted this picture?"
The young monk raised his chin, looking proud: "This was made by my Uncle Xuyin."
Seeing how adorable he was, Yun Sheng couldn't help but pat his smooth head: "Then where is your martial uncle?"
"My martial uncle has gone on a journey."
Xue Chan asked again, "When will you return?"
Huineng shook his head: "I don't know. My master has always been unpredictable. He only comes back when he's had enough of traveling."
Xue Chan's newly risen expectations waned, and she sighed, "Then it really is a missed opportunity."
Yun Sheng urged, "It's late and raining, let's go back."
Xue Chan stood at the doorway, looking at the painting, unable to move.
"girl"
She tugged at Yun Sheng's sleeve: "Just stay for a little while, it'll be over soon."
Yun Sheng knew he couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he could only say, "Alright then, just for a little while."
Xue Chan tentatively asked, "Little Master, may I take a look at this painting?"
“My uncle said it was just a casual work, and those who are destined can view it.” Huineng nodded, stepped on a stool, took the painting down, and spread it on the table.
Xue Chan stepped over the threshold and went inside to look at the painting.
She looked at each stroke, her heart growing more and more captivated. She took a lantern and examined it closely, afraid of missing a single detail.
The lamp wick on the table gradually shortened, and the room became dimmer.
Xue Chan felt dizzy after looking at it for a while.
Yun Sheng complained, "The old man has said that looking at paintings at night is bad for the eyes, but the young lady never listens."
Xue Chan blushed slightly: "Okay, okay, I won't look anymore. Let's go back."
She carefully returned the painting to Huineng and thanked him, saying, "Thank you for showing me this painting."
Huineng held the painting and smiled, "It's alright. My uncle said that this painting is left here for those who are willing to stop and appreciate it."
Yun Sheng immediately took a lantern and led her back, saying as they walked, "Go back quickly, it's damp and cold outside. If you get sick, the old man will have to write more prayers."
Xue Chan just kept replying, "Okay, okay."
However, she thought that she must meet this hidden figure again next time.
The two returned to the Jingxin Courtyard and went to sleep under the covers.
Xue Chan closed her eyes, but the same scene of river and countryside still lingered before her. She tossed and turned several times, unable to fall asleep.
Yun Sheng mumbled sleepily, "Go to sleep, we have to set off tomorrow."
Xue Chan simply sat up, threw off the covers, and put on her shoes: "You go to sleep first, I'll sleep later."
"We can't stay up all night."
"Okay, sure."
Xue Chanduo put on her clothes and got up, lit the lamp on her desk, and organized the sketches she had made along the way by the dim light.
A wind seemed to have picked up, and the bamboo groves on the mountainside rustled mournfully. With a "whoosh," a window that hadn't been closed properly was suddenly blown open by the wind. The damp, cold wind swept in, causing the pages of paper on the desk to flutter everywhere.
Xue Chan hurriedly went to close the window, but another gust of wind rushed in, blowing several pieces of paper off the ground.
Not wanting to wake Yun Sheng, she immediately took a lantern and went out to chase after the picture.
A biting chill swept over them; even a light breath sent a shiver down their spine. The lantern's light was limited, unable to illuminate the faint bloodstains on the stone steps and green bamboo.
Xue Chan's ability to see at night has always been much worse than others, and with limited light in her hand, she could only bend over and slowly search with a lantern.
After searching for a while, I finally found the drawing paper at the corner of the corridor.
Xue Chan carefully picked it up and, by the small patch of light, saw that the ink on the paper was mixed with bright red and stained.
She was taken aback. She had only used ink to create this painting, so where did the red come from?
"Smack!"
A drop of vermilion ink fell and splashed onto Xue Chan's hand. A gust of wind blew, and it instantly became sticky.
"Pat-pat-pat"
The more it dripped, the more it stained her hands.
Xue Chan raised her hand, and in the dim light of the lantern, she saw a bright red stain on it.
That was... blood.
She felt dizzy and instinctively reached out to hold onto the wall to stand up, but instead grabbed a damp and cold piece of clothing.
Xue Chan was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening. She released her hand and gently raised her eyes. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a hand hanging down in front of her.
A hand holding a knife.
The blood was sliding down his arm and wrist to the blade, and then dripping down the edge.
"Pat-pat-pat"
Xue Chan felt completely numb. She didn't dare to look up, and her temples throbbed wildly.
However, the sight of blood triggered her old problem again. Afraid of fainting, she could only pinch her thigh secretly to stay awake.
The two stood and crouched, neither making a move, creating an eerie silence. Only the light from the lantern illuminated the knife, which remained cold even in the dim candlelight.
Xue Chan held her breath, which only made the other person's breathing seem heavier.
She quietly adjusted her posture, seized the opportunity, and suddenly threw the lantern at the other person before scrambling to her feet and running outside.
The other person moved faster, pinning her hand against the wall. The lantern that had fallen to her feet suddenly burst into flames, sending up a burst of fire.
Xue Chan turned her head and struggled, and in that instant, she saw his face and eyebrows revealed behind his mask.
She was pinned against the wall by the other person, and the cold stone bricks actually helped her prevent herself from fainting.
The cold blade pressed against her neck in an instant.
"As long as you don't make a sound and attract attention, I won't kill you."
A note from the author:
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