Chapter 59 Yu Xi Sighs: The King's spirit is broken; what reason does this lowly concubine have to live? ...
As dawn breaks, incense smoke curls around the Great Xiangguo Temple. On the Baoxiang Terrace, the Buddha's image stands solemn and majestic, overlooking the myriad households of the world.
Su Jinxiu, Shi Yunyu, and Lan Shexiang bowed deeply and sincerely kowtowed before the statue of the God of War, Weituo.
For the past month, Su Jinxiu has never missed a single auspicious time for prayer at the temple. On ordinary days, she would also make the journey here every two or three days, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Huayun Pavilion.
Helpless, she could only entrust her longing to the ethereal incense. He had gone to the battlefield because of her, and she could only pray here that the Bodhisattva would protect him from harm and grant him victory.
She couldn't get a scratch from the swords and blades, so she couldn't get what she wanted.
A letter arrived at Fengfu's residence a few days ago, saying that he was seriously wounded on the battlefield, his chances of survival were slim, and his fate remained unknown.
A resounding victory was out of the question. This battle was never fought to be won. No one believed that this elite cavalry could stand a chance against tens of thousands of northern tribesmen. He went there to sacrifice himself, to gather intelligence, and to die for his country.
Even so, she still sincerely recited the scriptures that protected those who went to war and ensured their safe return every day.
"In places of litigation and in the midst of fearful battles, by reciting the power of Avalokiteshvara, all grievances will be dispersed."
The last time she came to Xiangguo Temple, she recited the Mantra for Untying Knots upon entering the hall, hoping to sever this ill-fated relationship. Now, she realizes that the relationship is still not severed. It turns out that when she recited it to the end, she couldn't bear to let go and couldn't finish the mantra. She didn't even have the courage to declare her separation before the Buddha.
Why does the Bodhisattva sit backwards? He laments that sentient beings refuse to turn back.
The three of them walked out of the Buddhist hall together. Shi Yunyu had not seen her smile for a long time and felt sorry for her: "Qiaoqiao, if you want to cry, then cry. Miss Lan and I are here."
Su Jinxiu simply shook her head: "I don't want to cry."
From the day he rode off, raising dust in the air, she had kept all her tears locked in her eyes, not a single drop falling.
She didn't want to cry, and she couldn't cry. Every tear that fell seemed to be a curse on that distant war, a war from which there was no return.
Seeing that Su Jinxiu spent her days either working at Huayun Pavilion, staring blankly at old objects, or running to Xiangguo Temple, the two were afraid that she would become depressed from being bored. So they took her out for a walk in the evening to cheer her up.
The Zhuque Avenue stretched out like a flowing river, and the three walked side by side. Shi Yunyu and Lan Shexiang pointed out the novelties on the street and chatted with Su Jinxiu. She smiled and responded, but the smile never reached her eyes.
Arriving at a certain place, they saw a crowd clamoring towards an elegant opera house, where the gatekeeper was busy collecting tickets. Shi Yunyu asked curiously, "Is this the Huatangchun Opera Stage? I heard that a famous actor is performing today. Shall we go in and take a look?"
Lan Shexiang immediately chimed in, "Okay, okay, let's go, Qiaoniang?"
Su Jinxiu listened intently, and the melodious singing voice drifted from the garden. The words were clear and distinct, and it was truly authentic Shuimo tune. A sense of curiosity arose in her heart, and she said softly, "Let's go."
The two men were more than happy to oblige, and immediately grabbed Su Jinxiu's arms on either side and pulled her inside. She stumbled as she was pulled and said angrily, "What are you doing? It's like you're kidnapping her."
Shi Yunyu and Lan Shexiang exchanged a smile, and their grip loosened slightly. Su Jinxiu added helplessly, "Don't worry, I'm not going to run away."
The servant was about to stop her to ask if she had bought tickets in advance, but Shi Yunyu calmly took out a gilded token from her sleeve. The servant glanced at it and immediately bowed, trembling, saying, "So you are a noble person from the palace! I was blind to your greatness! Please come in, I will arrange a first-row seat for you right away!"
The three were led to sit in the front row of the hall. About six feet in front of them was a carved railing, and three feet inside the railing was the vermilion stage.
The stage is supported by four pillars at the corners, built on a platform about one meter high, with a backdrop embroidered with landscapes and pavilions, waiting for the world-renowned opera singer to take the stage.
Knowing that it was a noble person from the palace, the servant dared not be negligent in the slightest and hurriedly ran to invite the manager to serve them personally. The manager came running over with a fawning smile on his face, directing the waiters to bring out exquisite pastries and personally pouring tea for the three of them, busying himself with utmost attentiveness.
Surrounded so enthusiastically, Su Jinxiu felt a little embarrassed and lowered her head slightly. Seeing this, Shi Yunyu quickly waved his hand and said to the shopkeeper, "No need for formalities, please go down. Your stage looks simple and elegant, so the play must be good."
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your kind words! Rest assured, today's performer is the best in Bianjing, and I guarantee you will be satisfied!" After saying this, he bowed again and then happily withdrew.
Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums rang out on the stage. The curtain was slightly lifted, and a female lead wearing a colorful embroidered dress and holding two swords appeared. Her graceful steps and radiant glances won applause from the audience as soon as she appeared on stage.
Lan Shexiang picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and gazed at the stage. She asked softly, "What play is this? The woman's sword dance is both strong and graceful, with a unique charm."
Shi Yunyu shook her head, slowly placed the teacup on the table, and replied in a low voice, "I'm not quite sure either, but watching the back-and-forth on stage is quite lively."
The play reached its climax, having reached the banks of the Wujiang River. The drums on stage quickened, sounding like a death knell. The Chu soldiers around them hung their heads in dejection, their armor askew, displaying the complete disarray of a defeated army.
Xiang Yu, clad in black iron armor and wielding a tiger-headed golden spear with its tip pointing diagonally at the ground, stood in the center of the stage, his eyes swirling with resentment and despair, like a trapped beast still fighting.
"After days of bitter fighting, hunger is unbearable; my steed, Wuzhui, has not even tasted water or grass. Wait! Pursuers are behind us, and the great river lies ahead. What am I to do? Eight thousand men have all scattered; there is a ferry across the Wujiang River, but I cannot cross it. How can I face the elders of Jiangdong?"
"Enough! Enough! I'd rather die and live a miserable life!"
I remember how triumphant I was when I broke through the Qin Pass, but now I am defeated at Gaixia and have no face to show anyone.
Lan Shexiang and Shi Yunyu then realized that, unfortunately, this was a suicide attempt at the Wujiang River.
Although this is the most popular and trendy drama at the moment, with Fengchen's life hanging in the balance, how could Su Jinxiu not be saddened by such a scene of life and death separation?
But when the two turned their heads, Su Jinxiu remained calm, completely absorbed in the performance on stage, as if everything around her was irrelevant to her.
Therefore, they could not afford to cause any further trouble, so they could only hold their breath and continue watching.
At this moment, seeing that Xiang Yu's spirits had been broken and he was unwilling to cross the Yangtze River, Yu Ji on the platform was about to draw her sword and commit suicide before leaving.
"With the king's spirit broken, what reason is there for this lowly concubine to live?"
"Your Majesty, if I cannot see you again in the next life, I will be with you once more!"
Yu Ji drew her green sword, and with a flick of her wrist, the blade was already pressed against her neck.
Xiang Yu rushed forward to stop her: "My lady! Stop!"
Yu Ji shuffled before Xiang Yu with light, quick steps. Her fingertips formed a delicate orchid knot, and her flowing sleeves billowed and swirled with her movements, like a startled swan spreading its wings or like swirling snowflakes in the wind, bringing a sense of desolation to the entire stage.
In the end, both figures simultaneously committed suicide and fell to the ground. The candlelight on the stage flickered, illuminating the mangled bodies and scattered sleeves on the ground, a scene of utter tragedy.
At first, there was a deathly silence from the audience, followed by soft sobs, and then a chorus of cheers: "What a beautiful declaration of love and sacrifice!" "A timeless masterpiece!"
Shi Yunyu and Lan Shexiang dared not clap or cheer. They exchanged glances, as if silently blaming each other.
However, Su Jinxiu's face remained completely calm. She slowly raised her hand, clapped her hands lightly, and said to the two people beside her in a calm tone, "This play was performed very well. Yu Ji's willingness to die for her lover is truly rare. The two of them shared the same bed in life and the same bed in death. Such inseparable love in life and death is a kind of fulfillment in a chaotic world."
These were originally just ordinary comments on a play, but given their current situation and her perspective, which was almost like that of Consort Yu, they were both terrified and unsure how to respond.
The three of them stepped out of the painted hall. Shi Yunyu racked her brains and recounted all the happy things in her life, but still felt she couldn't bring herself to speak.
After taking a few steps, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration and turned to Su Jinxiu, saying softly, "This year, for the Mid-Autumn Festival, the General Zhenguo needs to go to the military camp for deployment, so the family banquet has been moved to tonight. Qiaoqiao, would you like to come with me to the Feng residence for the family banquet?"
Lan Shexiang chimed in from the side, "It's fine if we don't go to the Feng residence, let's go to my place instead. I recently acquired some trendy trinkets for young ladies, and I'm waiting for you to come and choose."
Although Feng Chen had asked the Feng family to recognize her as their goddaughter before leaving, she had not taken the initiative to pay her respects in the past month. After thinking for a moment, Su Jinxiu nodded and replied, "Alright, Sister Yunyu. I will visit you another day, Shexiang. Today, I will first go to the Feng family to pay my respects to the General and his wife. If I don't go now, it will seem like I am not polite."
The two then bid farewell to Lan Shexiang and boarded their carriage to travel to Fengfu.
After entering the mansion, Su Jinxiu deliberately lowered her eyes, afraid that the old bamboo under the corridor and the crabapple in front of the courtyard would evoke memories of the time they spent together there in the past.
At that time, she was filled with disgust, feeling that he had betrayed her deep affection, and she never gave him a kind look. But he always came to her tirelessly, giving her all sorts of novel toys and saying tender words that should not have come from his mouth but were still touching, just to win a moment of her smile.
Su Jinxiu silently followed Shi Yunyu through several corridors, until they reached the depths of the General's Mansion, where a small pavilion stood alone. Unlike the grand and imposing main hall in the front courtyard, it resembled a warm and cozy place where family members would often stay, chat, and share meals. It lacked some of the solemnity and had more of a lively, down-to-earth feel.
Feng Yanting and his wife, Ye Lingbo, were already seated in the main seats, their bearing exuding the air of a noble family. More than a dozen maids stood beside them, all holding their breath and remaining silent. On the table were exquisite delicacies, with golden plates and jade cups reflecting each other, shimmering and dazzling, showcasing the splendor of their family.
Shi Yunyu led her across the threshold, and the two simultaneously curtsied and performed a full bow. Su Jinxiu bowed her head and said respectfully, "Greetings, General; greetings, General's wife."
Feng Yanting's expression was solemn, exuding an air of authority without anger, and he remained silent. Although Madam Feng wore a kind smile on her face, she could not hide the innate nobility in her bones. When she raised her chin to examine her, her eyes held the scrutiny of a noble family.
The two men simply told him in a low voice, "Get up," their tone devoid of warmth.
After the meal, Su Jinxiu had a clear understanding of the situation. The Feng family was originally a first-rank noble family, blessed with imperial favor for generations, and filled with meritorious officials. She, on the other hand, was merely a woman from an embroidery workshop, yet she had been granted the title of adopted daughter. In their eyes, she must be scheming and had used some means to bewitch Feng Chen. Therefore, even if they maintained a polite facade, they were actually distant from each other.
Su Jinxiu was fully aware of the situation, but she remained calm and composed, neither arrogant nor servile. During the meal, she served everyone with the utmost courtesy, neither speaking recklessly nor trying to curry favor. She also fulfilled her filial duties as a daughter, serving tea and dishes with utmost respect and propriety, handling every aspect with perfect tact.
Ye Lingbo grew up in a wealthy and influential family; her father was a former Imperial Censor. She was accustomed to the ways of sheltered young women and had developed a keen eye for character. Yet, after this meal, she found herself uncertain about Su Jinxiu, unable to make a judgment. Was this girl cunning and perfectly disguised? Or had she simply misjudged her, thinking she was genuinely kind and innocent?
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. General Feng and his wife remained silent, the only sound the occasional clinking of chopsticks against the jade plate. Shi Yunyu felt extremely uncomfortable and wanted to speak to liven up the atmosphere.
She had just begun to call out "Aunt," but Ye Lingbo had already put down her chopsticks, looked up at Su Jinxiu, and said in a calm voice, "Jinxiu, I have been married to the General for decades, but we only have two sons. Our eldest son, Zhidu, was sent to Chengdu as an official, and our second son..." She paused slightly, "Actually, it's better not to mention him. He is now far away on the battlefield, his fate unknown. Although we have other children in the household, they have all started their own families, branched out, and established their own households. Therefore, in this vast mansion, I have tasted the loneliness of family life."
Ye Lingbo stared at Su Jinxiu, her gaze complex and unreadable: "No matter what circumstances brought us together, now that you have entered the Feng family, you are the Feng family's adopted daughter. In the future, you should often come to the mansion to chat with me and relieve my boredom, or do some needlework together, so that this quiet courtyard can have a bit more life."
Su Jinxiu's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Ye Lingbo had relented first. She immediately curtsied and agreed, then bowed again, saying softly, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I am deeply grateful. I will definitely come to visit you often in the future to keep you company."
The meal ended on a relatively satisfactory note.
Su Jinxiu had expected to face a accusation and interrogation. After all, regardless of whether Wen Shiqin had impersonated her, Feng Chen was their beloved son. With the Feng family's influence, they were sure they could find some clues and find out why he had suddenly volunteered to go to the battlefield.
Thinking back, I realized that in their eyes I was the culprit who bewitched their son and caused his death. To receive such calm, even amiable, treatment now was already a stroke of luck.
However, just as Su Jinxiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out of the courtyard with Shi Yunyu, a servant rushed over and bowed, saying:
"Please wait, young lady. The general invites you to his study for a discussion."
Author's Note: (Note:)
"In places of litigation and in the midst of fearful battles, by reciting the name of Avalokiteshvara, all grievances will be dispersed." (Quoted from the Universal Gate Chapter of the Lotus Sutra)
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