Chapter 880 No reward without merit
The spring breeze blows, and all things revive.
As the earth's energy rises and the spring sun shines brightly, all things in heaven and earth burst forth with vitality, making one, at a certain moment, yearn to follow nature and grow taller.
Time flies, and the spring breeze enters my heart.
In the blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival has arrived.
A group of people went to the Taoist temple to offer incense and pray for blessings, and to put up lanterns for the ancestral master.
Fangyue and Song Chunxue put in a lot of effort to fix the lantern's frame with bamboo strips and glue thin, tough paper onto the lantern.
What troubled Song Chunxue was that she couldn't paint, but she liked how people could paint orchids with just a few strokes, making people happy at first glance.
“That’s easy. Your master Xie is quite good at both calligraphy and painting. Let him paint a couple of pieces for you. Everyone’s going out to admire the lanterns tonight. Don’t you want to make a lantern for him?”
Looking at the lantern she had made, Song Chunxue said it wasn't ugly, but it was definitely not pretty.
I wonder if making another one would look even better.
Since I've remembered it, I'll make one for him. It's a token of my affection, and it'll also be a good opportunity to improve my skills.
She was focused and attentive as she made lanterns, but her mind was on the Lantern Festival in her hometown.
If someone in the village leads a lion dance and boat rowing performance, someone will put up lanterns.
During holidays, she would especially miss the vast expanse of yellow earth, the barren and dry loess slopes that stretched as far as the eye could see.
On the Lantern Festival in the capital, the grass in the courtyard was already showing signs of lushness from afar but not up close, while the grass in Li Family Village was still hidden among the withered grass.
It wasn't until the Dragon Raises its Head on the second day of the second lunar month that green plants began to sprout in a rush, crowding together and vying for attention.
Although she had left Li Family Village for many years, Song Chunxue still thought most about her time there when she was away from home.
The place where she had been rooted since she was thirteen, and where she was finally buried.
I used to dream of leaving, but now I'm filled with nostalgia.
Rarely having such a leisurely time, yet with her heart full of worries, Song Chunxue had no interest in practicing swordsmanship or meditation. Instead, she sat in front of the tea stove, sipping tea from the pot, letting her thoughts drift back to her hometown and the past, repeatedly and involuntarily chewing on the memories that came to mind.
At that moment, Song Chunxue understood the sentiment of "idly tapping chess pieces as the lamplight flickers," which is the beauty of peaceful and serene times.
"Ouch?"
Just then, someone came in from outside, looking at Song Chunxue with curiosity.
"Who is this, Master Song?"
Huo Xiang was dressed like a peacock, with her hands behind her back, looking at Song Chunxue with a surprised and astonished expression.
"I almost didn't recognize you. When did you become so well-dressed? You don't look like a village girl at all. At first glance, I almost thought you were a charming Taoist nun. You exude the elegance and grace of a cultivator from head to toe. Hmm, not bad, not bad. No wonder even a picky person like Lord Zhao would praise himself for having a diligent junior brother."
Song Chunxue smiled. "Did Senior Brother really praise me like that?"
"Not only that, you praise me so much that I'm really thinking of taking on a disciple recently. But the worst thing about this is comparison. Finding a disciple like you who is so easy to take on and considerate is harder than finding gold."
As she spoke, Huo Xiang looked to her left, "Are they over there?"
"Yes, they're chatting and playing chess. Where's your wife?"
Huo Xiang shook her head, looking dejected. "Sigh, don't even mention it. We had a huge fight over something trivial, and she took the child and went back to her parents' home."
At this point, he frowned and asked, "Why do you women always like to go back to your parents' home when you quarrel? It's a very small and simple matter, but it becomes very complicated. I have to go to my father-in-law's house and act like a grandson, and even with a smile, I might not be able to coax my wife back."
Many thoughts popped into Song Chunxue's mind.
So even the leader of the demonic cultivators has this problem?
He always refers to his wife, so he's actually quite particular about this?
However, this is a difficult question to answer. Every family has its own problems, and even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes. She has to be careful.
But the fact that he can think this way means that among all husbands in the world, he is one of the very best.
If it were many other people, someone of Huo Xiang's status, they would certainly do as they please, only knowing how to criticize and condemn, and explicitly forbidding such behavior in the future.
But then I thought again, Huo Xiang's wife is no ordinary person, she is also a very powerful cultivator.
She doesn't need to compromise herself for the sake of the title of Lady Huoxiang.
After careful consideration, Song Chunxue handed him a cup of tea and said, "Sit down and let's talk."
Huo Xiang accepted the gift with both hands, looking like she was all ears.
Song Chunxue thought to herself, "How can Huo Xiang, a demonic cultivator, be more carefree and natural than many Taoists?"
This person is naturally honest and kind, and is worth getting to know better.
"When you first got married, did she frequently go back to her parents' home?" Song Chunxue asked earnestly.
Huo Xiang thought carefully, "No, it seems like she started doing this in the third year of our marriage."
"That's because she was putting up with you at first, but then she didn't want to put up with it anymore. When you two had disagreements, she didn't want to keep compromising, so she simply went back to her own territory. After all, she's different from all other married women; she's not water spilled out."
“When you’re angry, you can go to the study, or even the ancestral home, to find your parents and brothers. That’s perfectly normal. But why is it that making things difficult for you is her going back to her parents’ home?”
As Song Chunxue spoke, the smile on her lips disappeared.
She didn't realize it until it was mentioned; only then did she understand how tragic it was for women.
Huo Xiang nodded, "That's true. I've said I won't take a concubine, and I won't treat her like an ordinary woman."
He frowned and touched his chin, looking regretful.
"I can't believe I've never understood such a simple thing. Her family home is her family home. She won't go back easily unless she's really provoked... I'll go find her tomorrow!"
As she spoke, Huo Xiang stood up, her worried brows unfurrowing into a bright smile. "Thank you for your guidance, Daoist Master. I will come to you for advice on such matters in the future."
"polite."
"Then I'll go first, go back and pack my things, take the lanterns I bought, and have a heart-to-heart talk. It seems like we've grown distant these past few years; it turns out I've disappointed her too much."
As he walked out, he said, "When I come back, I'll treat the Taoist priest to a drink."
"..." Song Chunxue watched as Huo Xiang's clothes quickly disappeared through the doorway, and she was quite shocked.
Is there really such an easy-going man in the world?
Although he cares about his reputation, can he really reflect on his actions after just a few words?
If all women married men like Huo Xiang, wouldn't everything be perfect and heaven and earth would be in harmony?
In the evening, Fangyue visited Baiyun Temple again.
Bai Caiwei was also with him.
To Song Chunxue's surprise, when Bai Caiwei saw her, she enthusiastically walked over, grabbed her arm, and gave her a lot of things as if they were her most treasured possessions.
“These are a pair of jade earrings, and I felt they suit you perfectly when I saw them.”
"And this silver arm guard, I bought it especially for you, I don't know if you'll like it."
"By the way, I heard you like drawing talismans, so I bought you a lot of the finest imperial sand."
Bai Caiwei's bright smile and attentive manner aroused Fangyue's suspicion.
“You… I can’t accept something for nothing. I appreciate your kindness, but please take back everything except this earring.” Song Chunxue became wary. “If you have anything to say, Master Bai, please speak frankly.”
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