Chapter 216
At dawn, the clear chirping of birds rang out, and the thin light shone through the window screen onto the table, illuminating the two letters on it, as if they were coated with a radiant glow that only the night possesses.
Yin Qiu, wearing an overcoat, sat down at the table, opened the two letters, and said to Man Jiangxue, "One is from Fu Xiang, and the other is from my godfather."
Man Jiangxue brewed tea and added a few pieces of charcoal to the stove. Yin Qiu put down the letter, ran to her side, sat cross-legged, and changed her dressing.
"What did you write?" Man Jiangxue asked.
Yin Qiu said, "Fu Xiang has left, but he didn't say where he went. He only said he was going to travel around and would write to me later. As for my godfather... he said he would send someone to pick me up, and I guess he will go to Fanxin Valley."
Man Jiangxue hummed in agreement and brought the teacup to Yin Qiu's lips. Yin Qiu lowered her head and drank, her expression unreadable, and asked, "Should I go?"
“Yes,” Man Jiangxue said, “of course I’ll go.”
Yin Qiu mixed the ointment, removed the bandage from Man Jiangxue's arm, and used a handkerchief dipped in light wine to wash her wound. She said, "I was worried about this just a few days ago. I didn't expect my godfather to come and pick me up so soon."
“He must have met with Meng Wugui,” Man Jiangxue said. “Several days have passed, and you should be mentally prepared by now.”
Yin Qiu said, "I'm so nervous."
Man Jiangxue smoothed the stray hairs from her forehead and said calmly, "There's nothing to be nervous about. He's your father."
"What does he look like?" Yin Qiu couldn't help but drift into a daze, recalling Gongzi Fan's appearance. "Do I look more like him, or more like my mother?"
Man Jiangxue thought for a moment and said, "In terms of appearance alone, you resemble Senior Sister more, but in terms of temperament, you resemble Yin Xuan more."
"What should I say when I see him?" Yin Qiu asked, bewildered.
“You can say whatever you want,” Man Jiangxue said, “but you’re hurting me.”
Yin Qiu was preoccupied with other thoughts and forgot what she was doing. Upon hearing this, she quickly moved the handkerchief aside and carefully applied the medicine to Man Jiangxue. Yin Qiu's heart was pounding, sometimes racing and sometimes sinking. She tried her best to stay focused and finished wrapping the bandage around Man Jiangxue before whispering, "Oh no, I can't calm down, what should I do?"
Just as Man Jiangxue was about to offer some words of comfort, a disciple entered the hall and said through the curtain, "Senior Sister Yin, a carriage has arrived at the palace gate. It's from Fanxin Valley. They say they're here to see you. Go out and take a look."
"So fast?" Yin Qiu couldn't help but panic, hurriedly standing up and saying helplessly, "I...I haven't even...Wait a minute! Tell them to wait for me!"
The disciple acknowledged and went back to relay the message. Yin Qiu paced back and forth, unsure of what to do. Man Jiangxue said, "Tie up your hair and change your clothes. You don't need to bring anything. You should have everything you need once you get there."
"Oh...right, right, tie up my hair and change my clothes." Yin Qiu muttered to herself, hurriedly changed into a clean set of clothes, tidied her appearance in front of the bronze mirror, and did not forget to take out the antidote for the Gu poison and put it on her body. She ran a few steps to the door, then turned back and threw herself into Man Jiangxue's arms.
“I’ve never seen you so flustered even during a sword-fighting tournament,” Man Jiangxue chuckled. “It’s not like this is the first time we’ve met.”
Yin Qiu sighed and said, "I find it strange too. When I was young, I was not stable and was afraid of this and that. But after growing up by my uncle's side, I have actually learned a lot from your style. There are very few things that can make me panic like this now."
“This is different,” Man Jiangxue patted her. “When relatives are separated and reunited after a long separation, it is only natural to feel flustered.”
"Why didn't you tidy yourself up, Uncle?" Yin Qiu looked up. "You didn't change your clothes or tie your hair up. Are you going to go out like this?"
Man Jiangxue reached out and stroked her cheek, saying, "I won't come with you; I'll only see you off."
Yin Qiu couldn't help but feel disappointed: "Why?"
Man Jiangxue said, "It is inconvenient for me to be present when you two recognize each other. You should have some space to be alone."
“But my martial uncle isn’t an outsider…” Yin Qiu said, “Aren’t you going to stay with me?”
“Your father is with you,” Man Jiangxue said. “Isn’t that enough?”
Yin Qiu was silent for a moment, but not wanting to make the atmosphere too heavy, she joked, "I know, Uncle is scared, you don't dare to see him."
“Yes,” Man Jiangxue said, following her words, “You’re right. I really don’t dare to meet her. The betrothal gifts haven’t been prepared yet. I really don’t have much confidence in meeting her so soon.”
Upon hearing the words "betrothal gifts," Yin Qiu paused slightly, then blushed and said, "What...?"
Man Jiangxue laughed and teased, "Besides, when rivals meet, they're bound to fight. If your father and I were to fight, whose side would you take?"
Yin Qiu was dumbfounded: "Stop talking nonsense! Can't I go by myself?"
"Then let's not delay any longer," Man Jiangxue stopped teasing her and took Yin Qiu's hand. "Let's go while there's still time."
Yin Qiu's feelings were complicated. The thought of Gongzi Fan waiting at the palace gate filled her with both joy and trepidation. She walked slowly, led by Man Jiangxue to the corridor. Just as they were about to descend the steps, Yin Qiu pulled her back into the hall and closed the door. Yin Qiu said, "Uncle-Master, are you really not coming with me?"
Seeing that she had closed the door, Man Jiangxue leaned closer to Yin Qiu, pressed her forehead against hers, and said, "You only think about yourself, but you should also think about your father. Do you think he will feel awkward when he sees me?"
“But I might not be back anytime soon,” Yin Qiu said hesitantly, picking at her fingers. “I…I’ll miss you…”
Man Jiangxue lowered her eyes, looking at Yin Qiu's slightly flushed face, as if it were covered with a layer of frost, her gaze filled with attachment and reluctance. Man Jiangxue said softly, "Of course, I will miss you too."
A delicate fragrance wafted by, dispelling the bitter smell of medicine. Yin Qiu casually hooked her arm around Man Jiangxue's neck, pressed her cheek against hers, and said, "Then I have to go, is it..., Martial Aunt..."
Their skin touched, a delicate and smooth sensation spreading through them. Man Jiangxue pulled Yin Qiu into her arms with one hand, knowing full well what she wanted, and asked, "What do you want?"
Yin Qiu glanced at her, then quickly looked away, and said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I want... I want my martial uncle to kiss me."
Man Jiangxue slightly curled the corners of her mouth and stood up: "I'm always the one who kisses you, why don't you kiss me first?"
Yin Qiu said, "Then why are you standing so straight? I'm not as tall as you, so I can't kiss you."
“Then I’ll bring you a stool,” Man Jiangxue said, stepping aside. “Wait here.”
"It's not that difficult!" Yin Qiu said, clinging to her with a blush. "Why don't you just hug me or bend down a little? Isn't that what we always did before?"
Man Jiangxue said in a serious tone, "My hands hurt and my back hurts too. Figure it out yourself."
"Stop bullying me!" Yin Qiu grabbed Man Jiangxue and urged, "Hurry up! We don't have enough time!"
As she spoke, she jumped up on the spot. Man Jiangxue caught her with one hand and held her firmly in her arms. Yin Qiu then raised her legs and wrapped them around Man Jiangxue, hanging on her like a monkey. Then Yin Qiu lowered her head and kissed those lips that were not as rosy as before due to injuries.
The hall was lit, and the candlelight cast their shadows on the gauze curtains. A breeze stirred, causing the curtains to flutter gently, and their shadows to sway along with them. Man Jiangxue had just taken her medicine, and the taste lingered in her mouth. Yin Qiu had eaten half a packet of candied fruit early that morning; she was sweet. Man Jiangxue tasted it and found the sweetness just right—not too cloying, not too bland—perfectly masking the bitterness in Yin Qiu's mouth.
After the kiss, Yin Qiu raised her head and moved a little further away. She looked at Man Jiangxue for a while, then leaned over and kissed her again, saying contentedly, "It's official now. My Martial Aunt is mine alone."
Man Jiangxue could hold Yin Qiu tightly with just one hand. Hearing this, she returned a gentle kiss to Yin Qiu and said, "It's a give-and-take situation. You belong to me alone too."
“I’m not in the palace, but my master will think of me every day,” Yin Qiu said. “You’re not allowed to think of anyone else, and you’re not allowed to look at anyone else.”
Man Jiangxue asked, "Who are the others?"
“Everyone,” Yin Qiu said, “there are many people who like my martial uncle, they just don’t say it, but I know them all.”
“That’s not as much as you,” Man Jiangxue said. “I’ve been cleaning up your messes since you were little, and you still don’t give me a break.”
"You're talking nonsense again!" Yin Qiu angrily bit Man Jiangxue. "What mess have I made that you have to clean up? And now what's causing you trouble again?"
Man Jiangxue recounted as if reciting a familiar story: "You've only been in the palace for a few days when you've already offended Ding Lianzhen. In the years since, countless people have tried to curry favor with you, both male and female disciples. Every time, I've helped you resolve the situation. As for now, there are still some, but I won't tell you who they are."
Before Yin Qiu could press for an answer, Man Jiangxue continued, “Fu Xiang and you have such a good relationship, she’s worn the same purse for so many years without changing it, and Nangong Min treats you differently too. I saw it all in Weicheng, and in the palace, as far as I know, there are several others who are always thinking about you. Aren’t these all a mess?”
Yin Qiu exclaimed in shock, "Fu Xiang and I are just good friends. I can't even understand why Nangong Min treats me differently, but she's my aunt. Her patience with me is just out of an elder's love for a younger generation. Besides, who's in the palace? How could I not know? Uncle, don't talk nonsense!"
“You’re talking nonsense,” Man Jiangxue said. “You don’t trust me, and I trust you even less. You might meet someone better than me when you go out this time.”
"No way!" Yin Qiu said, both amused and exasperated. "I was just joking. My uncle is just teasing me. I can't argue with you anyway."
Man Jiangxue said, "Of course I was just joking."
"I'm ignoring you." Yin Qiu slid off her, but a smile was on her face.
"Alright, stop fooling around," Man Jiangxue took her hand again and kicked open the palace door. "Let's go there soon and not keep people waiting."
The two walked hand in hand, leaving Jingyue Peak and heading towards the palace. Although it was still dark, disciples were already moving about everywhere. The ruins of Mingguang Hall had been cleared away, and the hired craftsmen were leading people to rebuild the hall. Apart from this place, nothing else in the palace had changed, but when Yin Qiu passed by, she still felt that something was different from the past.
It was as if all the past events had collapsed into the thick fog along with that familiar palace, leaving no trace of the past.
A faint sandalwood scent wafted from the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist. Yin Qiu glanced down at them and continued down the long steps. Standing at the Wangtian Temple, she looked back. The upturned eaves of the Mingguang Hall were gone, replaced by the verdant and vibrant Yunhua Mountain peaks, shrouded in the morning mist of early spring, like a thin veil.
“I had someone send the sect leader’s ashes to Weicheng,” Man Jiangxue turned around, as if she knew what Yin Qiu was thinking. “Judging by the days, she should have been laid to rest by now.”
Yin Qiu said, "The Xie family is gone. Where should we bury her?"
“Madam Xie’s grave is still there, it’s not hard to find,” Man Jiangxue said. “Over the years, I’ve neglected many people. Looking back now, I realize I was too self-isolated when I was young. I received a lot of care and concern from my master and three senior sisters, but I was unable to repay them. Today’s ending is something I’ve also experienced. Sending her soul back to her hometown to reunite with her family is the last thing I can do for her, but I’m not at peace with myself. I just want to fulfill her dream.”
Yin Qiu said, "A dream?"
Man Jiangxue hummed in agreement: "She bought that house in Weicheng many years ago, but never moved in even once." She paused and then added, "Huaiwei told me that before the sect leader was cremated, she still had the land deed and key to that house on her person."
Yin Qiu remained silent.
The two stood there for a while, and the gatekeeper came over to report again. The closer they got to the palace gate, the clearer the carriage parked outside became. Yin Qiu's palms were sweaty, and she clutched Man Jiangxue tightly, trying to hide behind her. However, when they walked out of the palace gate, they didn't see Gongzi Fan. Instead, it was Shen Wang who had arrived.
“Uncle-Master Man, Miss Yin,” Shen Wang nodded and explained, “My godfather originally wanted to come and pick up Miss Yin in person, but he was unwell and his old injury flared up in Jin Huai City. He couldn’t bear the long journey, so he had to rush back to the valley first. This time, I will escort Miss Yin on the way. Please don’t worry, Uncle-Master Man.”
"Isn't your godfather good?" Yin Qiu first breathed a sigh of relief, then asked worriedly, "How badly is his injury?"
Shen Wang sighed and said with a bitter smile, "He needed to rest, but Master Meng insisted on meeting with my adoptive father himself. My adoptive father had no choice but to force himself to come out and run around these days. Not long ago, he was also attacked by Master Meng's sword. To be honest, his condition is not good. But there is a divine doctor in the valley who is a good friend of my adoptive father. With him there, my adoptive father will be fine."
Hearing this, Yin Qiu felt a little relieved. Shen Wang took the initiative to lift the curtain and instructed the accompanying disciples to mount their horses. Yin Qiu said, "Uncle-Master, then I'll be going now."
Man Jiangxue patted her head and said, "Go on, be careful on the road."
“The palace is still not peaceful and there are many things to do. Your injuries won’t heal for a while, so don’t overwork yourself,” Yin Qiu said. “If there’s anything, let Senior Sister Lu and Bai Ling do it. I’ll wait for you to come back.”
Man Jiangxue nodded: "Okay, I'll wait for you to come back."
The two looked at each other and hugged briefly. Yin Qiu took a few steps back, pretending to turn around, but then ran towards Man Jiangxue in the next moment.
She stood on tiptoe, tilted her head back, and kissed Man Jiangxue on the lips.
Upon seeing this scene, the disciples guarding the gate hurriedly turned their faces away. Shen Wang, who was holding up the curtain, froze, his expression one of astonishment, and quickly looked away as well.
"I kissed you first..." Yin Qiu pretended to be calm, released Man Jiangxue, and didn't look at the reactions of others.
Man Jiangxue smiled and couldn't help teasing her again: "Really? I don't feel anything."
Yin Qiu said, "I'm ignoring you!"
Man Jiangxue chuckled softly, helped Yin Qiu into the carriage, and Shen Wang, fearing eye contact with Man Jiangxue, quickly leaped off the horse. Yin Qiu sat down in the carriage, then lifted the curtain to look at her, and instructed, "Eat and take your medicine on time, don't sleep in too much, getting up and moving around more is good for your health."
"I understand," Man Jiangxue said. "It's chilly in spring, remember to wear more clothes."
Yin Qiulu gave a bright smile: "Master Uncle too."
After saying their goodbyes and exchanging pleasantries, Man Jiangxue patted Yin Qiu on the head and nodded to Shen Wang, indicating that they could depart. Shen Wang clasped his hands in a fist salute to her, then immediately spurred his horse forward. The carriage began to sway, and the accompanying disciples behind also started to move. Yin Qiu leaned against the window, watching Man Jiangxue intently until the winding mountain road rounded a bend, and the heavy branches and leaves obscured the view of the palace gate. Only then did Yin Qiu lower the curtain, lean against the carriage wall, and close her eyes, feigning sleep.
·
Under the same sky, rain was falling in the desolate mountains of Cangzhou.
Raindrops clung to the pavilion, the quiet room was slightly cool, and the room was dimly lit as no lights were on. Gongzi Fan knelt before a small table and poured a cup of hot tea for the person opposite him.
He was a monk dressed in tattered clothes, with a string of prayer beads around his neck and a palm-leaf fan in his hand. He had a kind face, but his tone was unusually fiery: "I'm so uncomfortable staying in this remote mountain village of yours. Are you leaving or not? Give me a straight answer!"
Gongzi Fan wasn't wearing a mask today, and his face, exposed to the sunlight, appeared excessively pale. He smiled and said calmly, "Master, you have traveled the world and seen all its splendors. My place is simple and humble; I'm sorry to have troubled you."
"Stop with the pleasantries. I've never entered this world for any of that damned worldly pleasures," the monk said impatiently, tapping the table with his fan handle. "Opportunity knocks but once. If you still can't make up your mind to come with me, I'm telling you this: if you live another three or five years, it's because you accumulated good karma in your past life. That's just my temperament. I can only stay anywhere for ten days or half a month at most before I have to leave. Don't even think about me staying to treat your illness. Either come with me, or stay here and wait to die. The decision is yours!"
“My daughter is on her way and will arrive in a few days,” Young Master Fan said humbly, bowing with his hands clasped. “I hope the master will be lenient and grant me some more time.”
The monk looked at him and sighed, "You should quickly let go of worldly desires. You have been exhausted all these years, and now you have encountered this calamity. You will eventually run out of energy. I have advised you many times, but you will never listen. It is fate that we have met. If Buddha will not save you, I will. But you are so stubborn. If you still cannot listen, even I will be helpless. Most people in the world are trapped by worldly ties. Whether it is family or affection, they come and go, and in the end it is all empty. You have experienced so much, how come you still cannot see this?"
A light spring rain pattered in, carried by the slanting wind. Gongzi Fan turned to look at the blue sky, his brows gentle: "Master's realm is beyond my reach. To sever worldly ties is truly not easy. This is my last wish. Once I have fulfilled it, I will follow Master on his journey. Apart from this, I have no other attachments."
"At most half a month!" The monk picked up his teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and stood up. "If you still want to live, come to the temple to find me in half a month. If you don't come, I'll leave! The world is vast, and I can go or stay as I please. I don't even know where I'll end up. If you miss this opportunity, we may never see each other again in this life. Think it over carefully."
After saying that, he threw a prescription on the table, didn't even take the umbrella, and went out the door through the mud.
"Godfather, why did the master leave?" A disciple rushed into the house when he saw the monk leave without looking back.
Gongzi Fan did not answer, but walked unsteadily to the desk, picked up a pen and wrote a letter, which he handed to the disciple.
"Where should this letter be sent?" the disciple asked.
Gongzi Fan remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, "Send it to Yunhua Palace." He walked to the door, reached out and caught a handful of cool rainwater, and said, "To Manjiangxue."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
