Bone-Returning Seed (Part 7)
“Qing Niangzi, please calm down. Asang, you should also say less,” Abu said, trying to smooth things over. “You two are, one is the girl’s adoptive mother, and the other is her maternal uncle. You’re relatives, so please watch your words.”
A leader from the Nanguang tribe said, "Old Abu, how can you be so biased in trying to reconcile us? Who speaks such hurtful words and has no sense of propriety? You Mahu people are too protective of your own!"
The chieftain of Mahu said, "Who's protecting his own? It's Asangzihe who's talking recklessly. What does that have to do with Mahu? We didn't teach him to talk like that!"
Luo Chongdao said, "If it weren't for you guys backing him up, he wouldn't dare to speak like that even if you gave him a hundred lives!"
Dong La said, "What? My people from Mahu are in trouble. As their chief, if I don't stand up for them, am I supposed to just let you bully them?"
Song Ninghai came to the table and cupped his hands in greeting: "Everyone, everyone, let's talk things out and not get angry."
"Thump thump—thump thump—" Elder Amo slammed his cane on the ground: "Stop arguing! Go and call that girl over! Old Amo has something to ask her!"
The crowd quieted down, and Wei Ji gave Shi Yu a wink. Shi Yu then quickly left.
When they were young, Shi Yu brought the locust tree to the table.
When Huai Xu saw me, tears welled up in her eyes, and she rushed over to hug me, saying, "Godmother!"
I suppressed my excitement and gently touched her cheek: "Good girl, does it still hurt?"
Huai Xu burst into tears, shaking his head desperately, "It doesn't hurt anymore!"
Ah Mo, with a long face, said, "Little sister, come to me!"
Huai Xu turned and glanced at him, then pulled me aside and said, "Godmother..."
I nodded: "That is Elder Amo, the great shaman of Qingbin Village. Go."
Huai Xu hurriedly wiped away his tears with his sleeve and walked towards him, saying, "Elder Amo."
Elder Amer said sternly, "Stop crying! Put your hands down and stand properly!"
Huai Xu shuddered and immediately straightened his back.
Elder Amo's gaze was sharp as lightning. He scrutinized Huai Xu from head to toe for a moment, then, leaning on his cane, he stepped to the table and stood still, raising his hands to the air: "Mountain God above! I do not know east or west, nor north or south, but I look at the sun and moon!" Then, his sharp eyes swept over the crowd, "Since none of you are convinced of the other's opinion on this matter, let's go to the Divine Sheep Cave! Let the Mountain God decide!"
The Divine Sheep Cave... I gasped for breath, feeling utterly confused.
"Divine Sheep Cave!"
"Divine Sheep Cave!"
Both leaders were shocked and looked at Huai Xu. Elder Amo took two steps, his tall figure blocking me and Huai Xu: "Little girl, do you want this?!"
"Yes!" Huai Xu's voice was firm and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Abu couldn't help but ask, "Little sister, do you know what the Divine Sheep Cave is?"
"I know!" Huai Xu glared at Asang Zihe beside him. "Even if I'm shattered to pieces, I, Huai Xu, will never set foot in Asang's house again in this lifetime!"
Elder Amo looked at Luo Zhong, then at Dong La, and asked, "Is it okay or not? You two chieftains, give us your answer!"
“Alright.” Luo Zhong looked at me and said, “Since it’s the path my little sister chose, then let’s just go with her.”
Dong La also glanced at me: "The rules of the Dong people, no matter how big, cannot be bigger than those of the Divine Sheep Cave. So please ask Elder Amo to set a date!"
Elder Amo looked at everyone again, "Anyone else? Step forward if you have any objections!"
Song Ninghai hesitated, looking at Wei Ji with a nervous expression; Wei Ji turned slightly and shifted his gaze to me; I gently shook my head.
"Very well! We shall meet at Shenyang Cave in seven days!" Elder Amo, leaning on his cane, walked up to Asangzi and declared emphatically, "My daughter, Amo's daughter, came from Qingbin Village, which is aboveboard, as witnessed by the mountain god! If anyone dares to say that she has broken the rules, Amo will cut out their tongue!"
The outcome of this meeting was unexpected by everyone.
Perhaps it was all preordained that my mother, thirty-two years ago, and Huai Xu, now, are both eighteen years old, and both must tear apart the past and move towards a new life by crossing the sinkhole in such a resolute way.
Huai Xu hugged me tightly and said, "Godmother, don't be afraid, I'll be alright."
I smiled and swallowed back my tears: "Godmother—don't be afraid, my daughter is the best."
Wei Ji and Song Ninghai saw the chieftains off. When they returned, two more people appeared beside them. One of them was Zhou Hong, the deputy military commander of Changning Army. The other, judging from his attire, was probably one of Zhou Hong's subordinates. The four of them passed through the moon gate and headed towards Zhoupu.
Song Ninghai asked, "General Zhou, what brings you here? When did you two arrive?"
Zhou Hong smiled and said, "The military envoy received a letter from Prefect Wei, ordering me to lead the archer battalion to the prefectural government office before dawn today to set up defenses in case anything goes wrong during the banquet."
Song Ninghai clasped his hands in thanks and then pulled Wei Ji aside, complaining, "Ji Zhou, you're not being fair. Since you invited the Changning Army to provide support, why didn't you inform me beforehand? My heart was in my throat just now. I was really afraid they would break off relations and start fighting on the spot."
Wei Ji said, "If I had told you earlier, would you have worked so hard?"
Song Ninghai retorted, "Wei Jizhou, you've gone too far! Who was it that begged me for help a few days ago? I've already hurt my back, and I haven't even settled the score with you yet!"
"It's me, it's me. Brother Ninghai, you've worked hard." Wei Ji patted his back lightly. "Later, Ji Zhou will host a banquet to calm your nerves. We'll also invite General Zhou and Commander Zheng to accompany you. Physician Liu will be there too. Let him treat your back pain. I'll pay for the consultation."
"That's more like it."
Upon seeing me and Huai Xu, Zhou Hong quickly stepped forward and asked, "Qing Niangzi, how did things escalate to the point where the girl has to cross the sinkhole? Originally, our Changning Army could have covered for you."
I took his hand and said, "Thank you for your concern, General Zhou. Although it was unexpected, it was also reasonable. Huai Xu has grown up; she has her own likes and dislikes and her own opinions. As her mother, I can't control anything, but I can only be proud of her!"
Zhou Hongchong gave Huai Xu a thumbs up: "Huai Xu, Uncle Zhou is proud of you too!"
Huai Xu took my arm and smiled shyly, "Thank you, Uncle Zhou."
Song Ninghai glanced at Wei Ji and the archer battalion commander beside him, and said to Huai Xu, "We are also proud of you."
I quickly clasped hands with everyone and said, "Thank you, esteemed sirs."
Song Ninghai clasped his hands in a fist and said, “It is said that the Liao people value loyalty and righteousness. Today, having met Qing Niangzi, I know that this is true. I admire her greatly.”
I waved my hand and said, "Lord Song is too kind. Qingcheng is unworthy of such praise."
Zhou Hong laughed and said, "Don't be modest, Qing Niangzi. I have been in the army for many years and have met two people who are most loyal and righteous. One is our military envoy, and the other is you, Qing Niangzi."
I chuckled dryly: I never imagined that in other people's eyes, I would be compared to that bear butcher...
*Updated 8.30
Wei Ji said, "It's getting late, and the innkeeper's people are still waiting in the side hall. Qing Niangzi, I'll take you there." He then said to the others, "Please wait here for a moment, the three of you. I'll be right back."
As we exited the moon gate, Wei Ji suddenly stopped and bowed to me: "Lady Qing, I was careless and not only failed to resolve this matter, but also pushed Huai Xu into an even more dangerous situation. I have failed your trust in me, and I am truly sorry."
“Please don’t say that, sir,” Huai Xu returned the gesture with a single fist salute and said solemnly, “I am grateful to you. I am no longer a child. Crossing the sinkhole is not dangerous for me, but rather an opportunity for me to be reborn.”
I bowed and said, “Today’s meeting was arranged with utmost care by Your Excellency. There is no need for apologies. If we do not block the flow, we cannot stop the flow. If we want new customs to break old ones, we must first die before we can live. Qingcheng’s journey here is not just for Huai Xu’s life. We are grateful to Your Excellency for pushing us here against the wind and the current. How can we fail to live up to your love for the people?”
Upon hearing this, Wei Ji bowed even deeper.
As they approached the side hall, Lin Zhong, Feng Qiao, and Shi Yu were already waiting outside.
I said to Wei Ji, "Lord Wei, you have other guests. There's no need to see you off. Please go back first."
“Alright.” Wei Ji nodded. “I’ll have Shi Yu escort you out later.” He glanced at me but didn’t move.
I gently nudged Huai Xu, signaling her to go and join the others first, then stepped back two paces and asked, "Sir, is there anything else you wish to say to me?"
“I—” Wei Ji said carefully, “The reason I invited Elder Amo from Qingbin Village to attend is because I learned from my visits in the past few days that he has a very high reputation among the Dong people. I do not know about his relationship with you… If I had known, I would not have acted this way.”
I have very few direct blood relatives left in this world, and I have no one to whom I have any worldly ties. It would be a lie to say that I don't care, but it seems that I don't care much either.
“My lord, there’s no need to take it to heart.” I forced a smile. “To be honest, I’ve only ever heard of Elder Amo before, and I’ve never had the chance to meet him. It’s quite a coincidence that we meet today.”
Wei Ji lowered his eyes, took her hand and said, "Take care, Qing Niangzi. We'll meet again at the Divine Sheep Cave in seven days."
"Lord Xie Wei, please take care as well."
Perhaps it was during my conversation with Wei Ji that Huai Xu mentioned going to Shenyang Cave and crossing the sinkhole. Lin Zhong frowned slightly; Feng Qiao's expression remained relatively calm, but his knuckles were clenched so tightly they turned white, showing that he was trying his best to hide his inner panic so as not to affect Huai Xu.
“Auntie—” Feng Qiao called out to me, his mouth opened and closed, but he didn’t say anything.
Lin Zhong glanced at him and asked for him, "Where is the Divine Sheep Cave? How do we cross the sinkhole?"
I slowly said, “There is a group of caves on the western mountain of Qingbin Village, and Shenyang Cave is the largest of them. The caves are connected by underground rivers, and the sinkhole is like a ‘skylight’ opened on the underground river. The surrounding walls are almost vertical, the opening is about a hundred feet wide, and it is more than ten feet deep. More than a hundred years ago, the ancestors of many Yi people lived here to avoid the war. In order to facilitate travel, they worked together to build two iron chains across the sinkhole next to Shenyang Cave. The lower one has long been destroyed by the war, but the remaining one has not been idle. It has been used by later generations to consult the gods and fight for their lives.”
Feng Qiao could no longer hide the worry in his eyes, and with reddened eyes, he asked me, "Can I go in her place?"
Huai Xu and I said "No" almost at the same time.
In the face of true heartbreak, any words of comfort seem pale and inadequate.
Everyone fell silent. After a long while, I said, "Feng Qiao, you are the second person in the Feng family to want to become a Taoist priest, and Huai Xu is the second person in our family to want to cross the sinkhole. My father and my mother—the first couple—had their union fulfilled thirty-two years ago. Now, the second couple's fate rests on your shoulders."
Feng Qiao walked towards Huai Xu and said firmly, "Huai Xu, if Seventh Aunt can do it, you can definitely do it too."
Huai Xu held his hands: "Feng Qiao!"
Because Liu Yu was invited to stay at the inn by Wei Ji, the group returned to the inn with three people on three horses. I rode with Huai Xu, while Lin Zhong and Feng Qiao each rode one horse.
Halfway there, Lin Zhong suddenly turned his horse around: "Master, I'm going to check on the Divine Sheep Cave. You all go back first." Before he finished speaking, a whip flashed, and my horse was struck, and I was also thrown around.
There was a downhill slope ahead, and since Huai Xu and I were riding together, it was too late to stop.
"Lin Zhong!" I shouted angrily.
Qingbin Village and Bating Road are quite far apart. I sat in front of the hall for half the night, waiting until midnight before Lin Zhong returned.
Lin Zhong called me "Master," lowered his head, led the horse, and walked towards the stable.
I breathed a sigh of relief and yelled at his retreating back, "Are you kidding me?! Don't you even respect me as your employer?! The food's in the pot, go get it yourself!" I fumed and sat back down at the table. Lin Zhong brought over two bowls and placed them in front of me.
I crossed my hands and said, "No need, I'm full of anger!"
After eating a couple of bites of the cold dishes and hot rice, Lin Zhong asked, "Weren't today's dishes cooked by Feng Qiao?"
"Nonsense!" I rolled my eyes at him. "Feng Qiao is in such a state, shouldn't we give him a break?"
“No wonder,” Lin Zhong nodded, “it’s a bit salty.”
"Really?" I frowned, picked up my chopsticks, and tasted each dish. "It's alright."
Lin Zhong remained silent, and I suddenly realized that he had tricked me twice today, which made me angry and hungry.
As I ate, I asked, "Have we walked through the sinkhole?"
Lin Zhong hummed in response, his tone extremely calm.
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