Chapter 38: Zhongyuan should never see that person again. ...
The Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Festival) is approaching on the 14th of the seventh lunar month.
As dawn broke, the Marquis's residence was already bustling with activity, people moving about everywhere, their orderly demeanor tinged with solemnity.
Standing in the ancestral hall, Qin personally supervised the servants as they set up the altar and placed the ancestral tablets.
Zhang meticulously inspected all the sacrificial offerings and tributes, from whether the fresh fruits were of a full and even color to whether the pastries were of a regular and exquisite shape, she was meticulous in every detail, in accordance with ancient rituals.
Madam Xue directed her servants to sort and neatly arrange the rice, grains, and cloth that had been purchased in advance, waiting for the auspicious time the next day to transport them to the temples and monasteries in the city and distribute them to the poor beggars, in order to demonstrate the benevolence of the Marquis's mansion.
The midday sun blazed like fire, and the cicadas' chirping was like a torrential downpour of pear blossoms.
While everyone outside was busy at work, the young girls were playing pitch-pot at Qiyun Pavilion.
A bronze pot with two handles sat steadily in the center of the house. Cui Ying and Xiao Shu and Xiao Wan stood about ten feet away, each holding five bamboo arrows, concentrating and holding their breath, aiming at the mouth of the pot and throwing them with all their might.
The rules of pitch-pot are simple: if the bamboo arrow goes straight into the mouth of the pot, it is called "youchu" (meaning "you've hit the target"), which is excellent; if it is inserted diagonally into the mouth of the pot but does not reach the bottom, it is called "yigan" (meaning "yigan"); if it is inserted into the ear of the pot, it is called "guan'er" (meaning "guan'er"); if the bamboo arrow enters first, it is called "daozhong" (meaning "daozhong"). Except for "youchu", all other results are considered as a miss.
Originally, the person who threw the fewest balls was penalized with a cup of wine, but due to the Ghost Festival fast, the penalty was changed to fruit wine. Fruit wine has a slight alcohol content and is sweet and refreshing, serving as a way to add to the festivities.
After several rounds, Cui Ying drank two cups of fruit wine, Xiao Shu drank two cups, and Xiao Wan drank the most, a total of three cups.
"My two dear sisters, please spare me! I still have important business to attend to today." Seeing the fourth cup of fruit wine about to be offered, Xiao Wan quickly begged for mercy, her originally delicate cheeks flushed, and her words became unsteady.
Cui Ying chuckled and teased her a couple of times, then drank the fruit wine herself. Blinking her watery eyes, she asked, "Don't try to fool me. We're busy preparing for the sacrificial ceremony all day. What important things could a young girl like you possibly not have finished?"
Xiao Shu said, "Yangyang kept having dreams a few days ago, dreaming of her deceased maternal grandfather, sometimes wandering in the world, sometimes crying and cursing. Later, she found a monk to interpret the dream, who said that the deceased's soul was restless and the dreamer needed to prepare a private memorial service."
Cui Ying: "Private sacrifice?"
Xiao Wan said, "It means personally preparing funerary objects, incense, candles, and other items, and personally copying the scriptures for the deceased. On the Ghost Festival, we will find a place to burn them to comfort the spirits of the deceased in heaven and let them rest in peace."
Cui Ying listened attentively and nodded.
Having always believed that such important events could only be handled by elders, she was surprised to learn that younger generations could also participate.
“Actually, it should have been done a long time ago.” Xiao Wan’s eyes reddened, and her smile turned bitter. “When my maternal grandfather was alive, he loved me the most. The monk who interpreted dreams told me that if the deceased’s most cherished person copies scriptures and makes offerings, the power of that wish is far greater than that of a family’s collective offering.”
Cui Ying was somewhat tempted by Xiao Wan's words.
Although she doesn't really believe in ghosts and gods, she'd rather believe in their existence than not. The Ghost Festival only comes once a year, so if it can truly bring peace to her loved ones, why not?
However, after thinking it over, Cui Ying realized that no deceased relatives had ever appeared in her dreams, or rather, she didn't have any deceased relatives.
She had never even met her only deceased grandfather, let alone knew his birth date and time.
Looking at the swaying begonias outside the window, Cui Ying's thoughts drifted away.
...
Lotus Fragrance Pavilion.
After being burned by fire, the once exquisitely carved house became a charred shell. The lotus pond in the courtyard, which used to have flowing water, was now dry and the fish were dead. Even though servants regularly tended to it, it was still overgrown with weeds and desolate.
Xiao Qiyu stood in the center of the courtyard, smelling the smoky odor, watching the familiar tables and chairs in the house turn into a pile of scorched earth. His expression was neither sad nor happy, and his eyes were filled with a desolate, black hole.
As the footsteps echoed in his memory, he turned around and saw a child running into the door. At the same time, clear water overflowed the lotus pond, the emerald green lotus leaves setting off the pink and red flowers, and koi carp leaping up, creating a colorful scene.
As the children passed through the courtyard, like weary birds returning to their nests, they nestled under the eaves. In an instant, the scorched earth came back to life, the broken walls were reassembled, and the ruins were restored to their original state. A thin green gauze curtain embroidered with gold flowers and birds separated the inside from the outside, and the scene inside the house was like a hazy mist, with only the sound of people heard.
"Mother, I learned to ride a horse today. My third brother taught me."
"Mother, you said that as long as I learn to ride a horse, your health will improve."
"Mother, will you get better as long as Father comes back?"
"Mother, wait for me, I will definitely bring Father back."
With unwavering determination, the small figure rushed out from behind the flower and bird curtain, running towards the courtyard without looking back, towards the "father" he thought could bring him hope.
Xiao Qiyu suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head.
Even though he knew it was an illusion, he still strode forward, trying to grab the child who had gone out to find his father.
return.
Don't go.
Never see that person again.
return……
return!
The child's figure vanished like smoke and mist outside the door in an instant.
Xiao Qiyu chased after him out the door, only to be met with Xiao Heng's gaze.
"You're out?" Xiao Heng asked.
Xiao Qiyu suddenly woke up from his dream and turned to look at the courtyard again. It was still a scene of devastation. The charred wood gave off a pungent smell, and the hot smoke seemed to block his throat. His chest felt heavy as if a boulder was pressing down on it, making it hard to breathe.
He turned around, suppressing the dizziness and numbness he felt, and swallowed hard before asking, "Third Brother? What are you doing here?"
Xiao Heng observed his expression, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes, and finally said, "I have something to say to you. I didn't see you in the front study or Qiyun Pavilion, so I guessed you came here."
"What is it?" Xiao Qiyu's voice was a little hoarse.
"The matter of returning to the Vermilion Bird Gate ends here." Xiao Heng's tone left no room for doubt. "There's no need to mention it again."
Xiao Qiyu's pupils suddenly trembled, then returned to an even deeper calm, as if his soul had fallen into an ice cave.
He lowered his head and gave a self-deprecating laugh: "His Majesty is indeed disappointed in me."
“It wasn’t Your Majesty,” Xiao Heng said. “It was I who went to the Commandant’s Office and had your name removed.”
Xiao Qiyu looked up, his expression filled with disbelief.
Xiao Heng frowned and looked at him seriously, saying, "Seventh Brother, although you are young and inexperienced, your mind is as meticulous as mine. In this matter, can't you sense even a trace of danger?"
"The matter of the Turks infiltrating the capital can be considered a minor or major issue, and there have been precedents before. It all depends on His Majesty's decision. On a minor note, it's merely a matter of your inadequate oversight. Considering your past diligence, a verbal warning would suffice. My Xiao family has a long history of loyalty and virtue; we wouldn't lose His Majesty's favor over such a small mistake. But if we consider a more serious matter—"
Xiao Heng paused for a moment and said, "If this matter becomes a handle and falls into the hands of someone with malicious intentions, they can make a big fuss about it, accuse you of dereliction of duty, and ruin your future career."
"more than this……"
Xiao Heng's tone turned cold, his breath emitting a chill: "I can frame you for treason."
Xiao Qiyu was startled and frowned, saying, "Treason? Me?"
In his utter helplessness, he suppressed the throbbing pain in his head and couldn't help but laugh: "Third Brother, you've taken this joke a bit too far."
"Putting aside the fact that such a serious crime would be impossible for anyone to frame me for, even if someone wanted to harm me, they would need evidence. Where is the evidence?"
Xiao Heng's gaze was sharp, and his words were like blades: "That Turk is the evidence."
"I ask you, why did that Turk choose to enter the capital through the Vermilion Bird Gate out of the four city gates? And why was he killed by you in one blow after entering the city? Did you really kill him by accident, or were you deliberately covering something up?"
Xiao Qiyu's eyes darkened. He was rendered speechless by the incessant questioning. Even though he knew the absurdity of the questions, he couldn't make sense of them and throw the mud back at Xiao Qiyu.
Seeing his speechless expression, Xiao Heng sneered, "Do you think I'm being unreasonable and sophistry? Let me tell you, when you get to the imperial court, you'll face impeachments that are a hundred times more unreasonable and sophistry than this. Believe it or not, you can forget about going back to the Vermilion Bird Sect."
After saying this, Xiao Heng turned and left.
Xiao Qiyu was momentarily stunned, then took off after him, saying, "Third Brother, I know it was all my fault. I shouldn't have killed anyone, but I want a chance to redeem myself."
His tone was urgent, and there was even a pleading in his panic: "I will not make the same mistake again, and I believe I can do a good job as the city gate captain. I am confident that I will not let anyone down again."
Xiao Heng did not stop walking, his tone was upright and cold: "It's too late. Your position has been taken by Liu Bochen. He was a military examination graduate in the first year of Jingming. He rose from a lowly soldier to a gatekeeper at Zhuque Gate. If I hadn't sent you there to gain experience, the position of city gate captain would have been his long ago."
Xiao Qiyu's throat tightened.
Even if he wanted to fight for himself, he couldn't block other people's way. Besides, Lao Liu had always treated him very well and had given him a lot of advice on interpersonal relationships. He was genuinely happy that Lao Liu was promoted.
Xiao Qiyu's steps slowed and faltered. He stopped chasing Xiao Heng. The sunlight behind him refracted through the wall, casting a shadow that covered him.
But he only paused for a moment before clenching his fists, looking up at Xiao Heng's back, and shouting, "Third Brother! I'm going to participate in the martial arts examination too!"
"I can start from the bottom!"
"I can endure the hardships they've all suffered!"
Under the scorching sun, in the shadows, the boy's words were clear and unwavering.
Xiao Heng kept walking without turning his head.
...
As night fell, Xiao Qiyu returned to Qiyun Pavilion, his steps unsteady and his face pale.
The warm lamplight cast a soft glow on the room's furnishings. A carelessly flipped storybook lay scattered by the window, while the crabapple blossoms outside swayed in the breeze. A beautifully crafted diamond-shaped vanity mirror gleamed with a clear luster, and a soft, fragrant willow-colored shawl hung on it. Its delicate color hinted at the lively and graceful figure of the girl wearing it.
Behind the desk, Cui Ying buried himself in the paper, holding a fine rabbit-hair brush, copying the Diamond Sutra word by word.
"Bodhisattvas should renounce all appearances and awaken the mind of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi..."
Cui Ying furrowed her beautiful brows, biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth, as if she were struggling to read a book from heaven.
"One should not let the mind dwell on form, nor should one let the mind dwell on sound, smell, taste, touch, or mental objects; one should let the mind arise without dwelling on anything... Oh my God!"
Cui Ying pounded his head and wailed, "Can this tongue-twister-like scripture really deliver the souls of the dead? I can't even understand how to copy it!"
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Xiao Qiyu stepping through the door, and she immediately flew into a rage, saying fiercely, "You still know how to come back? Do you know what time it is? Don't just stand there like an idiot, go and pour me a cup of tea, cold, not hot, and also go to the kitchen and get me two dishes."
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Author's note: Little sister: Give me a leg massage after you're done, don't be ungrateful!
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