Chapter 85: Calling for the Soul at the Grave in Vain
Honeysuckle was repairing the fence at Xianyun Residence when she saw Lingxiang bounding up the hill, seemingly in a very good mood. Ever since the young master returned yesterday, she'd been beaming. She didn't know what had happened to her, but she usually looked a bit unhappy after returning from Wuji Palace. Could it be that the head master was about to abdicate and let her take over?
That's really...
What misfortune for the sect!
Lingxiang seemed to be in a really good mood. She even greeted Rendong when she passed by. Even Long Qi, who had always been bullied by her, smiled at her.
Looking at Lingxiang as she walked briskly into the house, Long Qi felt puzzled: Did this little girl take the wrong medicine? Why would she be so kind to him?
When Maidong came to Xianyunju at noon, Long Qi asked Lingxiang what benefits she had obtained from the elders in the past two days and why she was always smiling. However, he didn't expect Maidong to be silent for a long time after hearing it.
"The Lantern Festival is the day after tomorrow," she said with a serious face, and she didn't joke like usual.
What happened to Shangyuan?
Honeysuckle and Long Qi were both very surprised. Even if the Lantern Festival was approaching, they shouldn't be so happy, right?
Just as the two were puzzled, they heard Mai Dong speak again:
"Some people appear to be overjoyed, but in reality, they are merely masking their inner sorrow. The sadder they are, the happier they are..."
Grief? Sorrow?
How could Lingxiang have such thoughts?
Long Qi and Ren Dong were even more puzzled after hearing what Mai Dong said, but Mai Dong didn't continue talking. He just got up and left Xianyunju.
Looking at the Ophiopogon japonicus walking away, Xinyi thought about what she had just said, lost in thought.
The next day, Long Qi and the other two got up early. Although Xianyunju was composed entirely of wooden houses with thatched roofs, it was a major festival after all.
Shangyuan is the birthday of Ziwei Yuanyang Emperor. Every year, mortals on earth will hang lanterns and decorations to celebrate his birthday and pray for blessings and ward off disasters.
It was fine when Lingxiang was the only one there before, but now it’s a residence for four people, so it should be decorated for good luck.
On New Year's Eve, everyone was exhausted from the martial arts performances and did not celebrate. Later, they heard that the sect had held a grand ceremony to welcome the gods, and set up an altar to worship the gods on the first day of the new year. Mortals from the mountain also went up the mountain to pray, and the ceremony was in full swing.
Two days later, he went to Wuji Temple to test his spiritual roots, and went to the ancient bamboo forest to buy spiritual incense, so he missed the day of the God of Wealth incense burning. He only knew that the incense in the Banshan Temple was very prosperous at that time, with people coming and going, and it was very lively.
After that, he renovated the house in Xianyunju, and even if he wanted to join in the fun at Banshan Temple, he didn't have the chance.
Therefore, Long Qi discussed with Rendong and Xin Yi early in the morning and decided to get up early on the fourteenth day to make some preparations so that they could celebrate the festival in a lively manner.
But when the time came, the door of Lingxiang's house was still closed, and no one knew what was going on.
Although she usually got up the latest, it was never like today.
Long Qishi couldn't bear it any longer, so he went to knock on the door, but the door was not locked and opened with a creaky sound.
Now Long Qi was even more puzzled. It was different from the past. Xianyunju was no longer lived alone by Lingxiang. There were three men living there. Why didn't she be more cautious and didn't even lock the door?
It’s okay for him, but doesn’t he know that there are magnolia and honeysuckle?
Long Qi thought so, but still quietly entered the house. However, he found that there was no trace of Lingxiang in the house, and the bed was tidy, as if it had not been used last night.
Where did Lingxiang go?
Thinking about what Mai Dong said yesterday, Long Qi suddenly felt uneasy.
…
On the back mountain of Qingwei Peak, in front of a tomb, Lingxiang stood quietly for a long time. The moonlight shone down, and she looked like a fairy with black hair and white clothes.
At this moment, clouds came from nowhere and blocked the moon's bright light. Wind blew up from the ground all around, blowing up pieces of talisman paper. A red light suddenly appeared under Lingxiang's feet, which turned out to be a soul-calling formation.
I saw that the formation floated up with the talisman paper, and the cinnabar painted on the paper fell into the formation one by one like dead vines, as if someone was carving on the ground, and they emerged bit by bit with the red light.
Just as the cinnabar of the last talisman fell to the ground, the red light immediately turned purple, then turned to blue, until the green light filled the entire light array and stopped changing.
The green light lasted for a long time and then gradually disappeared, but nothing happened in the formation.
Lingxiang chuckled, as expected.
The wind gradually died down, and the clouds that covered the moon seemed to come and go with the wind. The moonlight shone again, leaving only blank sheets of yellow paper floating down like fallen leaves.
Just then, footsteps were heard and a hand was placed on Lingxiang's shoulder.
"It's like this every year, why bother asking for trouble..."
It’s Master Fuyin.
"Everyone says that the Heavenly Official bestows blessings upon me. I guess the Heavenly Official sees that I'm too unlucky and is unwilling to bestow blessings upon me. Even if I just want to see her, it can't happen." Lingxiang said, turning to look at Master Fuyin. "I just want to see my mother again, but why can't I fulfill my wish?"
Tears rolled down his pale face.
When Master Fuyin saw this, his heart ached, but he didn't know what to say to comfort her. He just hugged her in his arms, with tears in his eyes. He looked up at the moon to prevent the tears from falling.
Taiqing, oh Taiqing, when you are still happy, when can you make this girl happy too?
In the forest not far away, Shangqing Zhenren and six other elders stood in the dark, all wearing white robes.
…
The Lantern Festival is a good time for the Heavenly Official to bestow blessings. The sect will hold a grand ceremony at the Banshan Temple. At that time, except for the head sect Master Shangqing and the elder who transmits the skills, Master Chengxin, all other elders will come to the temple in person to light lanterns for the believers and dignitaries who come to burn incense. If there are new disciples in the sect who are willing, they can also participate.
Lingxiang rose early that day. Even though she wasn't included in the other elders' discussion, she might as well join in the fun, right? At that time, there were small markets stretching out along the path outside the temple, offering many snacks not usually available. If she didn't go today, she might have to wait another year to enjoy them. Even small trinkets from the capital were being sold, which seemed like a lot of fun.
Especially at night, you can walk down the mountain to watch the lantern festival. If you are lucky enough to guess a few, the lanterns will be extremely colorful.
When Long Qi saw Lingxiang actually took out the clothes she had worn when traveling in the mortal world and put them on, he knew that she was going to the small market at the foot of the mountain to play tonight. It was a pity that he had been worried about her for a long time yesterday and decorated Xianyunju so well. Who knew that this girl would really do whatever she wanted. She would not see him if she said she would, and would go wherever she said she would.
However, seeing her expectant look, Long Qi seemed to also become interested in the small market at the foot of the mountain and began to look forward to it.
Of course, Maidong would not be absent from such a lively atmosphere. Today she dressed up specially and came to Xianyunju. Although she would come to Lingxiang to celebrate the festival every year, Xinyi was here this year after all. Who knows, he might be attracted to her after seeing her dressed like this!
It’s the Lantern Festival, and the Heavenly Official might give her a husband.
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