Chapter 43 The Casket and the Pearl: All beings suffer, and it is difficult to distinguish between the pure and the impure.
Jiang Geyun unconsciously pressed her hand to her chest.
My heartbeat has gradually calmed down, but the dizziness still lingers.
Having left the extreme environment depicted in the painting, she should have recovered from the oxygen deprivation and regained consciousness. However, her body was clearly not strong enough to withstand such a condition, and for a moment, she still felt some confusion and sluggishness in her mind.
All was quiet except for the occasional chirping of insects.
No one knows how long she stayed in the painting, but when she came out, it was night.
Jiang Geyun looked down at the moon-white clothes she was wearing. They were as fresh as ever, dry and clean, and did not look like they belonged to someone who had recovered from drowning.
Only the wet strands of hair on his head were dripping water.
Jiang Geyun looked at her clothes, which were just slightly damp, and then at the water stains on the ground. She tried to find some humor in her predicament, thinking that at least what was reflected in reality wasn't that thick, murky ink, otherwise she would have had to wash for ages.
Composing herself, she prepared to leave the dimly lit room.
As soon as the door was pushed open, a dark figure stood in front of it!
Jiang Geyun suddenly took half a step back, her right hand already pressed against Shouzhuo, her eyes showing vigilance as she looked at the uninvited guest in front of her.
Seeing her wary, the person dressed in all black quickly removed his hood, revealing a face that Jiang Geyun recognized—the same "vendor" she had seen when she first arrived in Changxingfang.
The man in the black hood raised his eyes, glanced at her quickly, and then bowed his head respectfully.
The girl in front of him had wet hair, which made her black hair and snow-white skin appear even more striking and her beauty breathtaking. Her expression was quick-witted and lively, like a divine deer emerging from the deep forest, draped in the tide.
Unlike his earlier casual manner when dealing with Jiang Geyun, his tone was now cautious and friendly, even bordering on obsequious. He asked, "May I ask, are you Lord Jiang?"
Given his background, beauty wouldn't sway him; on the contrary, it would make him extra cautious, even resistant. What could make him so humble was clearly not Jiang Geyun's appearance.
Jiang Geyun was unaware of his inner thoughts, only suddenly realizing that this person was the villain's henchman. Yes, she had indeed returned to reality, and the endless exploration had come to an end.
Slightly relieved, she lightly tapped Shouzhuo's hand with her right hand and replied politely, "It is I. I don't know Your Highness the Crown Prince..."
Before she could finish her question, the man in the black hood understood and bowed to her again, saying, "His Highness has obtained the painting he requested and has left first. He specifically instructed us to wait carefully for Lord Jiang to ensure his safety."
Moreover, the Crown Prince's concern and care at that time were unlike anything he had ever seen before. Even without any further instructions, he understood perfectly—this was the reason for his drastic change in attitude.
Jiang Geyun showed little reaction to his change in attitude, and calmly said, "Now that my purpose has been achieved, I should take my leave. Thank you for your trouble."
The man in the black hood obediently stepped aside to make way for Jiang Geyun.
After walking a few steps, Jiang Geyun suddenly remembered a crucial point, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned around and asked, "How many days have passed since I entered the painting?"
...
Earlier.
Everything seemed normal.
The hunched figure in front of the drawing paper paused inexplicably, then slowly straightened up.
Chao Wujiu put down her pen and withdrew her mottled, withered hands that didn't match her appearance. Her stubborn and pure eyes became more complicated with mixed emotions as she turned to look at the person standing beside her.
Seeing that she had finally stopped, Su Heng, who had been waiting nearby, calmly called out:
"Auntie."
Chao Wujiu rubbed his temples, waiting for the torment of returning memories on his soul to end, and for the pain of healing to awaken him from his long period of madness.
“It’s you,” she said briefly. “When I heard the name of the Crown Prince, I remembered you. It must be you.”
Su Heng smiled and said, "Is that so?"
Chao Wujiu pressed his hands on the table to support her exhausted body, and asked, "You don't agree?"
Although it was a question, there was little concern in her tone.
Su Heng did not answer the question directly, but only said, "I have fulfilled all the entrustment you made, senior. The matter is now settled."
Chao Wujiu's expression went blank for a moment.
Su Heng knew that her memory was severely damaged and she might not remember all the requests. Even if he explained them one by one, she would still "forget about them." But how to handle it afterward was Chao Wujiu's choice; how to respond now was his responsibility.
He said, "The sword that you forged with your eyes is still in the hands of Master You Qianqiu of Yunshui Temple. Unless there are extreme circumstances, Master You will be able to live out his old age in peace under its protection."
Chao Wujiu nodded and said, "Okay."
He continued, "I have also explored this place. Those who dismantle memories and souls mostly meet tragic ends, far beyond death."
Rather, it is a complete and eternal collapse and fall of existence itself.
Losing emotions and reason is the bare minimum; even death would be a good ending. To enter the sea of sin in a broken and incomplete form means that, let alone crossing it, one would likely be torn apart the moment one enters.
As time went by, Chao Wujiu's numb eyes gradually became more alert.
Hearing Su Heng's words, she nodded and said "okay," though it was unclear whether she had actually understood.
Su Heng did not want to interfere with the other party. Thinking of something, he smiled rather amusedly and added, "I once saw a painting at Yunling Manor that looked like my aunt's handwriting."
Upon hearing the keyword "painting," Chao Wujiu finally reacted, asking, "Painting? What kind of painting?"
Su Heng lowered his eyes to conceal his emotions and said vaguely, "It seems to change according to the viewer's mood."
Chao Wujiu was no longer curious and casually waved his hand, saying, "I've painted many paintings like this. If they're lost, they're lost. A few days ago, a little girl came to steal a painting. It was a painting that could trace back a person's past memories. I was too lazy to investigate... I really don't know why people are so obsessed with memories."
In the end, she shook her head, seemingly puzzled.
Su Heng remained noncommittal, and smiled faintly, "The world doesn't understand why you, Aunt, are so obsessed with paintings."
People's obsession with paintings is more about the things depicted in them than the paintings themselves. It is a way to remember and commemorate the content depicted in the paintings, and even to regard them as a kind of memory that will last forever. But Chao Wujiu is different. She is obsessed with the paintings themselves, to the point that she can cut off her own memories.
Just like the person who bought the box and returned the pearl, in their eyes, the "box" is the "pearl".
Just as Chao Wujiu was about to answer, a strange sound suddenly pierced the air!
She turned her head and saw a puppet dressed in brown clothes, with a weapon popping out from its wrist, attacking Su Heng!
Chao Wujiu remained silent, seemingly indifferent, and pulled up a stool to sit down.
Su Heng turned his head but did not turn it.
He casually stroked the umbrella in his hand, as if he had just remembered, and slowly tied the knot back up.
Not far away, the puppet had been annihilated by an invisible force, shattering into thousands of colorful wood chips that scattered far and wide.
Chao Wujiu looked over upon hearing the sound, observing very carefully, as if trying to memorize the scene in that instant, or simply observing what state they should present.
The appearance of the puppet interrupted Chao Wujiu's prepared words, and judging from her expression, she probably had no intention of speaking anymore.
Su Heng finally asked, "Aunt, her... Jiang Niangzi's entry into and exit from the painting has given you an opportunity to mend your memories. What do you think?"
Chao Wujiu's gaze remained fixed.
Only after all the sawdust had fallen to the ground did she say quietly, "You reminded me that I should put this useless thing back."
After thinking for a moment, she murmured to herself, "Is it still easy for it to be affected from time to time if I keep it...? It seems that destroying it directly would be better..."
The complex emotions—a mixture of gentleness, hesitation, shame, and calmness—gradually vanished from her eyes.
Seeing that Chao Wujiu was no longer responding to his words, Su Heng took the prepared painting, turned around indifferently, and left the room.
He didn't need to ask for a painting.
There are many ways to resolve the mission case, and this is just one of them, but this reason just happened to be applicable to that person, so he used it.
Chao Wujiu has returned to a state where communication is impossible.
Chao Wujiu was like this.
His mother was like that, his father was like that, and so was he.
The influence of bloodline is truly beyond human imagination.
It was precisely because of this that Chao Wujiu gained immense power.
She attained enlightenment here, and has continued her journey here ever since, her strength only increasing.
The voices around him continued relentlessly: vicious curses, mournful wails, and low, cacophony of persuasion. Someone had told him that these were the echoes of the Sea of Sin, the roars of unjustly accused, punished, and tormented souls. The Sea of Sin was called the Sea of Sin for a reason.
All beings suffer, and it is difficult to distinguish between the pure and the impure.
Only by attaining such purity can one possibly approach the realm of gods and immortals.
Su Heng lowered his eyes and looked at the umbrella in his arms, which was painted with white camellias, his gaze tender and affectionate.
The sunset glow painted layers of crimson and gold, the celestial light soft and moist, falling upon the golden-faced, jade-like figure, giving him a somewhat sacred air.
*
"Your Highness is exceptionally talented, like the sun held up by colorful clouds. Your presence has brought glory to our humble abode. No wonder the birds under the eaves sang so clearly this morning; it was an omen of auspicious purple clouds coming from the east."
After finishing his speech, Lu Jianzheng remained motionless in his bowing posture, without receiving a reply from Zheng Yi, leaving no room for criticism.
Zhengyi sat in the sedan chair, surrounded by gauze curtains, making it impossible to see her expression.
If Jiang Geyun were to see this, she would surely be astonished by Zhengyi's imposing and awe-inspiring appearance in her palace attire.
A very soft, low laugh came from behind the gauze curtain. Zheng Yi gently knocked on the sedan chair railing, as if deep in thought.
The sound of the armor striking the sedan chair railing was rhythmic, one sound after another, as if it were trying to resonate with people's hearts, making the hearts of those present beat unsteadily, only the road supervisor remained calm and composed.
After a long silence, Zheng Yi said, "Regarding the mission case, Father Emperor personally instructed the Crown Prince to investigate, and the Crown Prince also appointed the Xuandu Supervisor to assist him. However, in the past few days, there has been no news at all. The Xuandu Supervisor is nominally under my jurisdiction. If I hadn't heard some rumors from other sources, wouldn't I have been completely kept in the dark? Lord Lu, please tell me, what is the reason for this?"
Lu Jianzheng lowered his head even further and replied respectfully, "Your Highness is wise. This case involves a wide range of people and is of great importance. His Highness the Crown Prince has strictly ordered that the investigation be carried out carefully and that no information be disclosed before there is conclusive evidence. We are afraid that our speculations will be inappropriate, so we dare not speak recklessly."
Zheng Yi's lazy voice came from inside the sedan chair: "Oh? If I insist on listening to Lord Lu's 'reckless speculation' right now?"
Lu Jianzheng replied, "Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has acted with utmost care this time, and has specially dispatched skilled officers from the Zhenyi Division to accompany him. In my humble opinion, there may be unspeakable secrets and extraordinary dangers involved, which are beyond the comprehension of us outsiders."
Zheng Yi scoffed and said, "In that case, it seems I was too hasty. I only hope that others will not think that the Xuandu Supervisor under my jurisdiction is merely a name without substance and is unusable."
The only bystander present was Ji Songci, who was also bowing and bowing. Hearing these words, he acted as if he hadn't heard anything at all.
Lu Jianzheng repeatedly said, "Your Majesty, we would never dare!"
"Dare not?" Zhengyi interrupted him, saying meaningfully, "What is there to be afraid of? Everyone has their own ambitions and serves their own master. I just feel that people's hearts are fickle and easily become restless, far less loyal than some inhuman things!"
Lu Jianzheng froze, lowering his head even further, making it impossible for anyone to discern his expression.
...
It's been so long already!
Jiang Geyun hurriedly rushed outside.
Although rushing now wouldn't make much difference, since the investigation would have to continue tomorrow anyway, and she couldn't exactly drag the villain out of bed in the middle of the night to make him investigate, her anxiety made her pace quicken considerably.
The painting studio was pitch black. The bright moon in the sky had not yet risen to its zenith, and its hazy light made it difficult to see clearly. In the far distance, the noise of Changxingfang could be faintly heard, indicating that it had not yet closed and was in the midst of a bustling time.
Jiang Geyun strode out of the painting studio, but her steps suddenly stopped!
She was also very familiar with what appeared before her this time.
A row of puppets adorned with powder and oil paint stood guard at the entrance of the painting studio.
The expressionless, vacant-eyed puppets all turned their necks toward Jiang Geyun the moment she appeared.
The puppets were identical, with identical blank stares, remaining silent and staring intently at Jiang Geyun.
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Author's Note: I'm here! [Sprinkling flowers]
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