Chapter 686 We Are All Women
Bai Caiwei took Song Chunxue to a secluded courtyard, where they lay on a couch, drinking tea and chatting leisurely, enjoying themselves like immortals.
Song Chunxue never expected this girl Bai to be so free-spirited; she should be someone all the women in the world would envy.
Born into a distinguished family and doted on by her parents, she remained clear-headed and declared from the age of thirteen that she would not marry casually and wanted to go to a Taoist temple to cultivate herself. Because her father could not bear to see her leave home, he built a Taoist temple in their home.
She was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was the most beautiful woman in the capital, unmatched by any other young lady from a prominent family. Yet, she rarely associated with women of similar age.
After she came of age, she became increasingly mischievous. She learned a lot from her master, but often climbed over the wall to go out and wandered all over the streets, temples, Taoist temples, bookstores and restaurants in the capital.
Around the age of nineteen, she was constantly approached by men who wanted to propose marriage. So she went to the Guanyin Temple to burn incense. While other girls prayed for marriage, she prayed to sever her own marriage. Unexpectedly, she met a monk in the temple who would remain unforgettable for the rest of her life.
Bai Caiwei put her hands behind her head, closed her eyes, and swung her toes, her tone steady and pleasant.
“You don’t know, I used to think bald people were ugly, but when I saw a monk in a robe standing in the crowd with an indifferent expression, I couldn’t move.”
“But I’m sure I wasn’t attracted to Hongluan; I was just drawn to his appearance.” She sighed as she said this. “But who could have imagined that he would become the hardest obstacle to overcome on my path of cultivation? I couldn’t calm my mind to meditate; I would always think of that face, so I went to find him.”
She spoke with a steady tone, clear enunciation, and a slow pace, yet it was very soothing, like a pure pink lotus.
She turned to look at Song Chunxue, her clear eyes filled with mixed emotions of sorrow and joy. "I used my skills to climb over the wall to find her. It was a summer afternoon. He was meditating in the hot spring. I bumped into his naked upper body and was so hot that I fell off the wall."
"..." Tsk, as Song Chunxue listened, she felt that the scene made her blush and her blood boil.
She wished she could be there to watch the Taoist nun and the Buddhist monk, two people who seemed least likely to be swayed by worldly beauty, come together.
That's definitely better than storybooks.
They were in their early twenties, the most beautiful and charming age, and it's hard to imagine how well-matched they looked.
"However, that night, he was punished with a hundred lashes in the ordination hall, while I was handed over by the abbot to my master to face the wall and reflect on my mistakes for a month. He admonished me that I would rather move a thousand rivers than destroy the heart of a Taoist, and blamed me for making her suffer the old bald monk's temper. It was then that I realized that the handsome monk was the most prestigious in the entire capital, with unlimited potential. He was the hope of all the old monks, and his realm might surpass all the great Buddhist practitioners in the future."
When Song Chunxue saw a tear slide down Bai Caiwei's cheek, she was stunned.
She cried.
Bai Caiwei turned over and lay back, quietly wiping away her tears as she looked at the roof.
"The only person I can't forget is someone from a tragic relationship that ended after ten years. Now he's traveling around the world debating and discussing doctrines, and perhaps he's already forgotten me."
"It would be best if they forgot me, otherwise those old bald monks would hate me so much. Buddhist monks are not like us, they have the greatest abstinence from lust. If I destroy their Buddhist heart, I will not have peace in my next life."
At this point, she smiled, "But I've let it go now. I've seen a lot in my thirties, and I don't want what I can't have anymore. And you, how are things going with that Lord Xie?"
"..." How did it all end up on her? Song Chunxue envied her for being so honest.
“That’s good. As people get older, they are different from young people. They will have some concerns. I’m afraid he will be disappointed.”
Bai Caiwei rolled over and lay face down on the silk cushion, watching her with great interest.
“This has nothing to do with age. Why are you thinking so much? I heard that Lord Xie used to be extremely clueless about romance, but now he is very considerate and thoughtful towards you. He even holds your hand when he goes out, which has caused many women who once admired him to gather together and scold Xie Zheng for being indecent. Hahaha, you don’t know, those women who are now grandmothers recently held a moon-viewing banquet specifically for this matter.”
"However, you are not inferior at all. Not only are cultivators younger than ordinary people, but it is this exquisite heart that has captivated Lord Xie for so long, isn't it?"
Song Chunxue smiled slightly, "Perhaps, let nature take its course."
"How can we just let things take their course? You're about the same age, and you've already wasted a few years. How long are you going to drag this out?"
Song Chunxue asked softly, "So you mean that mutual affection must involve physical and spiritual pleasure?"
Bai Caiwei suddenly sat up on the couch, tilted her head, and stared at her with slightly narrowed eyes.
She had been quite calm, but being stared at like that made Song Chunxue feel embarrassed and a little regretful for saying those words.
Anyone who knows she's had children wouldn't believe she could ask such a question.
Heavenly Bodhisattva, can you take it back?
"So, you're hesitant because you're afraid to sleep with a man?" After a moment's thought, Bai Caiwei looked at her sincerely in a calm and ordinary tone. "Although you're older, your husband has been gone for many years. Don't force yourself if you can't do that kind of thing; it might not be worth it..."
“That’s not what I meant,” Song Chunxue said, covering her eyes. “Don’t say anything more, I understand.”
“I understand, Master Song. Going back to the previous question, it certainly wouldn’t work for anyone else, but Master Xie seems to genuinely like you. He doesn’t have many ulterior motives; if he likes you, he likes you. You don’t need to doubt yourself, and don’t hold a grudge about that matter. It’s good to let things take their course.”
As she spoke, Bai Caiwei tossed her a porcelain bottle.
"This is……"
"If you ever feel like doing *that* but don't have the guts, take one."
"..." To enhance the mood? Aphrodisiac?
Song Chunxue threw the bottle back at her, her face flushed beyond red.
“We’re all women, there’s no need to feel embarrassed. Although I’ve never been married, I’ve seen it all, even if I haven’t eaten pork. To be honest, when I was twenty, I went to a brothel to peek in order to convince myself to get married. Unfortunately, it disgusted me. I never want to marry and have children with a stranger in this life, unless it’s someone I like.”
"Huh?" She doesn't want to get married because of that? And her parents are willing to go along with her wishes?
Indeed, a father who can afford to build a Taoist temple for his daughter must cherish her dearly.
"Don't be discouraged. Just try again next time. When two people who love each other meet, they don't need this kind of medicine. They're probably like dry wood meeting a raging fire, like thunder striking the earth, ready to ignite at any moment. They don't need this stuff."
Song Chunxue was heartbroken and even contemplated suicide.
I really want to bury myself and let a younger, unmarried woman teach her this kind of thing.
But she had to stay calm, especially in situations like this.
It's only natural for her to sincerely seek advice after failing to overcome her own difficulties; her courage is commendable.
Yes, that's commendable courage.
"Thank you, I've learned a lot. I will try my best to face my own heart." She stood up and bowed in thanks.
"My lord, Lord Xie has arrived. He has brought us fresh fruits and vegetables. Please come and have a taste."
The maid's voice came from outside the door.
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