Chapter 74 The distant horizon seems so near, yet so far; a beauty is separated by falling flowers.
Holding the child in her arms, Su Jinxiu did not follow Yi Ruxu into the hall, but instead went around to the side corridor to wait.
The shadows of locust trees under the eaves were dappled, and the wind blew through the vermilion railings, causing her clothes to flutter lightly.
Seeing that she held the child with skill and composure, unlike the awkwardness of ordinary young ladies, Yi Ruxu couldn't help but say, "Qiao Niang has quite a method to holding a child."
Su Jinxiu said with a hint of pride, "You don't know, those two five-year-old children in the Feng family pester me to carry them every day."
Yi Ruxu smiled: "You're naturally likable."
"Is that so?" Su Jinxiu lowered her head, gently scratching the child's chin with her fingertips, her voice soft.
The baby giggled, uttering only soft, babbling sounds, his big, dark eyes fixed on her with obvious dependence. Seeing this, Yi Ruxu's heart stirred slightly, and she softly asked, "Qiao Niang, may I hold him?"
Seeing his expectant expression, Su Jinxiu carefully handed the child over. The child had just begun to speak and could only say "mother." At this moment, clinging to Yi Ruxu's collar, he also called out "mother" repeatedly.
Su Jinxiu was amused and laughed out loud, while instructing him: "Use your other hand to support his waist and back, yes, let him press against your chest, and gently pat him."
Although Yi Ruxu's movements were a bit clumsy, he did as instructed and did it quite well.
As they were chatting and laughing, a woman's voice suddenly came from behind them: "Oh, thank you so much!"
Looking back, it was Manshu and her husband. She was still carrying a sachet of incense, indicating that she had just come out of the hall.
It turned out that the two had just met at the temple gate. Manshu was worried that his young child would disturb the temple's quiet practice if he entered, and he also worried that the sounds of the temple bells and wooden fish would startle the child. He happened to run into Su Jinxiu, so he asked her to hold the child for a while, and said he would come to find him after he and his wife finished offering incense.
Manshu took the baby from Yi Ruxu's arms. The child, perhaps smelling his mother's scent, eagerly snuggled into her arms, clutching her clothes tightly with his little hands.
"Thank you so much," Manshu said gratefully.
“It’s alright,” Su Jinxiu said with a smile, her fingertips lightly touching the child’s cheek. “This child is very well-behaved and not shy at all. I’ll escort you to the mountain gate.”
The four walked out side by side. Suddenly, Manshu remembered something and asked, "Jinxiu, do you know that a new Shu embroidery painting of Lingshan preaching has recently been put up in the meditation room on the first floor? The needlework is truly superb, and it has a kind of ancient Zen charm that our embroidery workshop does not have."
Su Jinxiu immediately became interested upon hearing this: "Oh? Then I must go and observe."
After seeing Manshu and his wife off from the mountain gate, Su Jinxiu turned to Yi Ruxu and said, "Brother Ruxu, go and see if there are many people praying over there, and if there is enough incense on the altar. I'll go to the meditation room to take a look at that embroidery and come back in a moment."
Yi Ruxu nodded in agreement, glanced at her figure towards the meditation room, and then turned and headed towards the main hall.
Inside the meditation room, Wen Shiqin was trying his best to calm his surging emotions and suppress the murderous intent that was about to burst out of his body.
He repeatedly reminded himself of this.
If she lost her husband, even if he treated the child as his own, she would still resent him for the rest of her life. Only by desperately thinking about her tearful eyes filled with resentment could the burning, bone-deep anger in his heart dissipate slightly.
Just as he had finally calmed down, the door creaked open.
Wen Shiqin suddenly looked up and froze, forgetting even to breathe.
The person who arrived was none other than Su Jinxiu.
As soon as she entered the room, her gaze was immediately drawn to the screen in the center, and she was clearly awestruck by its exquisite and magnificent design.
The base of the screen was made of precious red sandalwood, with deep grain and a faint fragrance. The screen surface was wide and expansive, exuding a majestic aura. On the front was embroidered a complete and delicate picture of the Buddha preaching at Mount Sumeru. The Buddha sat solemnly on a lotus throne, surrounded by a group of immortals listening attentively, each with a different expression.
Its stitches are so fine and dense that even sunlight cannot penetrate them, revealing every detail as if it were real, leaving people in awe.
But it was only when Wen Shiqin went around to the back of the screen that he discovered its true brilliance.
Using some lost technique of embroidery, the silk threads on the screen were arranged with exquisite skill. From the front, the embroidery was so dense and intricate that not a single detail of the room could be seen. But from the back, however, the outside world could be clearly seen through the tiny gaps.
Therefore, at this moment, Wen Shiqin, behind the screen, could see Su Jinxiu's every move.
She was looking up, her fingertips gently brushing the embroidery on the screen, her brows full of admiration and fascination.
"Truly exquisite."
Wen Shiqin got up silently, the long-suppressed longing in his heart growing wildly like vines, almost suffocating him.
He couldn't help but slow his pace, approaching her step by step, and, under the cover of the screen, greedily gazed at her face.
Her eyes shimmered like autumn water, her cheeks were like lotus blossoms glistening with dew. Compared to her usual beauty, she possessed an added air of nobility, like a pearl that had been covered in dust but had finally been polished. Her brilliance was restrained yet impossible to conceal.
Her movements were graceful and light, like the ripples on the Luo River, already exuding a seductive and alluring charm.
Cherry lips naturally red without lipstick...
The two of them, separated by the screen, engaged in a silent, one-sided gaze.
In just a year and a half, time had etched its marks on his face, giving him a mature and composed air. But for her, time had been exceptionally kind, merely polishing the rough jade and making her beauty even more refreshing.
Wen Shiqin almost burst into tears.
Large swaths of golden sunlight streamed through the windowpanes, so bright they illuminated even the tiny dust particles floating in the air.
The woman on the side held her breath, blinking her almond-shaped eyes, and occasionally stretched out her slender fingers to gently stroke the patterns on the screen, carefully feeling the superb needlework.
The madman on the other side also raised his hand, and through the thin embroidered gauze, he followed the movement of her fingertips along the lines of his palm, trying to find that elusive touch, but ultimately stopped in mid-air, not daring to even touch the cold screen.
My beloved is so close, yet it feels like we're separated by mountains and rivers, so far away.
"Qiao Niang, there are fewer people over there. Let's go over now, and we can still make it home for lunch after we've finished praying for blessings."
"Okay." Su Jinxiu turned around and saw that it was Yi Ruxu. She smiled and responded, walking briskly towards him, her skirt swaying as she turned.
The door to the meditation room was gently closed.
Only when the light footsteps completely disappeared at the end of the corridor did Wen Shiqin dare to let out his long-suppressed sobs.
He clenched his fist and slammed it heavily against the screen, making a dull thud. Then, he lowered his head helplessly, panting heavily, his shoulders trembling violently.
Helan Que rushed back at this moment. He had gone out to look for the two of them but failed. Instead, he ran into an old friend and they chatted happily. Before he knew it, he had been delayed until now.
Upon entering the meditation room and passing the screen, He Lanque saw Wen Shiqin weeping with his face covered. This seven-foot-tall man, usually decisive and ruthless, was now crying like a child, which greatly frightened He Lanque.
After the two walked out of the vermilion gate of the Great Xiangguo Temple, Helan Que hesitated for a long time before finally speaking up to comfort them: "Now that you have achieved great merit and been ennobled, how glorious you are! You are more than qualified to be with a princess. What kind of good girl can't you find? Don't be too sad. There are plenty of fish in the sea."
Upon hearing this, Wen Shiqin's face darkened further, his sadness intensifying. He glanced at him coldly and said, "If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all."
Helan Que was afraid that he would get angry, and fearing that he would really get angry, so he quickly shut his mouth and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I won't say anything more."
The two mounted their horses, but did not head towards the capital. Wen Shiqin reined in his horse and said in a deep voice, "Don't tell anyone about our early return for now."
Before Helan Que could respond, he spurred his horse, flicked the whip, and with a long neigh, galloped away, leaving only a fleeting silhouette in the distance. Helan Que stared in the direction he had disappeared, completely bewildered, having no idea where he was going.
He returned to Xiuxiang Lane in the west of the city.
It is the seventh house to the east, three li from Mingyuan School and two and a half li from the old locust tree.
But a brass lock had already been hung at the door, and it was deserted.
Things have changed, people are gone, and everything is over.
There were few people in the alley at that moment, and Wen Shiqin did not hesitate any longer, leaping over the wall.
The courtyard was spotless, and the blue brick floor was swept until it shone, suggesting that she had carefully cleaned it before she left.
Wen Shiqin walked straight into her boudoir, but the room was already empty. The bronze mirror and dressing table, the bedding and curtains on the bed were all gone, leaving not a trace of her ever living there. He walked to the bedside and slowly sat down on the cold bed.
He covered his face and fell into deep thought, as memories of the past flooded his mind, making it hard for him to breathe.
Composing himself, Wen Shiqin leaped over the wall. However, the noise he made when he landed was a little too loud, startling a person in the alley so much they nearly jumped out of their skin.
That person was Xie Hongying.
Caught off guard, he caught a glimpse of a dark figure, mistook it for a villain, and collapsed to the ground with a scream.
Upon seeing the person's face clearly, they were terrified.
Isn't this Wen Shiqin, whom he had heard about dying on the battlefield when he was sent abroad? How could he suddenly be standing alive in front of him?
He collapsed to the ground, gazing up at the tall figure, momentarily mistaking it for a ghost from the underworld, about to scream. Wen Shiqin, quick as lightning, immediately bent down, covered his mouth, and pulled him to his feet.
The two then went to the top floor of the Jinzhao Zui Restaurant to reminisce.
Located right next to the Tongjin River ferry crossing, one can see thousands of sails racing on the river, shimmering in the sunlight, creating a magnificent and bustling scene.
The two booked the most expensive private room on the top floor. Xie Hongying poured a glass of wine and handed it to them, laughing drunkenly, "Hey buddy! Long time no see. You've really made it big! You're something else! Do you even remember my name?"
Wen Shiqin was already in a bad mood, and this drunken rambling only made him more impatient. He just kept drinking his wine in silence, too lazy to pay attention. After a while, he finally mumbled, "Of course I remember."
Then, the two chatted casually about old times, rambling on and on.
Xie Hongying recounted that although he passed the imperial examination at the very end, he failed to gain entry into the officialdom of the capital. Instead, he was sent to Qingzhou and given the position of a seventh-rank military officer. His father originally wanted to use a large sum of money to pull strings and have him stay in the capital, but Xie's mother insisted that he go to the countryside to gain experience and taste the hardships of life. Now, he has finally been transferred back to the capital.
He then recounted with great enthusiasm how, while in Qingzhou, he had inadvertently caught a ball from a woman from the martial arts world and was entangled with her for a long time. Only now, having managed to escape and return to the capital, could he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Wen Shiqin listened, and a rare smile appeared on his lips.
He wasn't a good drinker to begin with, and after several drinks, he was already quite drunk. However, he was well-behaved when drunk, simply resting his chin on his hand and quietly listening to Xie Hongying's long-winded talk, occasionally nodding in agreement.
Xie Hongying boasted for a long time, spittle flying everywhere, before suddenly seeming to remember something and changing the subject, asking, "By the way, now that you've returned, have you seen Qiaoniang? She was very kind to you before..."
The smile on Wen Shiqin's face froze instantly, then was enveloped by a heavy sorrow, as if dark clouds were obscuring the sun.
He blinked, his gaze falling on the table, and said in a low voice, "I kind of want to die."
"?"
Xie Hongying thought she had misheard, and her drunkenness had mostly subsided.
Why?
Wen Shiqin gazed absentmindedly at the vast sky and water outside the window, but finally couldn't help turning his head to ask, "How is her relationship with Yi Ruxu?"
Xie Hongying, who was a bit dim-witted before getting drunk and completely lost his mind afterward, slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly: "You really have to thank Yi Ruxu! He's a true gentleman! When you weren't around, it was Ruxu who kept Qiaoniang company and comforted her. They live close by, and Ruxu goes to her place every day to take care of her. You must be incredibly touched by his kindness!"
He goes to her place every day to take care of her? He's even raised a child with her?
Wen Shiqin remained silent, immediately poured himself a full glass of strong liquor, and said through gritted teeth with red eyes, "Good! Good! Well taken care of!"
He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. After putting down the wine cup, he suddenly drew the sword from his waist and was about to rush out the door.
Upon seeing this, Xie Hongying was shocked: "What are you trying to do?"
Wen Shiqin turned around, his eyes bloodshot: "I'll repay him! I'll repay him for taking care of my sister, and for giving me this green hat!"
Xie Hongying sobered up in fright and rushed forward to stop him. "This is the capital, a place of utmost importance. How dare you act so recklessly? He is now a Hanlin Academician, a fourth-rank official! To kill a high-ranking official is a crime punishable by the confiscation of his property and the extermination of his entire family!"
Wen Shiqin was quite strong, and he threw him aside with a sneer, "What? I'll soon be enfeoffed as the Marquis of Zhenyuan. Can't I kill a mere fourth-rank civil official?"
Having said that, he lifted his foot to break through the door. Xie Hongying struggled to her feet, clinging tightly to his leg, her voice trembling with anxiety.
"You, you, you have such a powerful official attitude!"
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