Chapter 73 The Gauze Curtain Flutters The gauze curtain opens in the wind, revealing a stunning sight. ...
Inside the Daxiangguo Temple, incense smoke curls upwards, and chanting echoes softly.
At the center of the temple stands the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion, with its flying eaves and bracket sets, exuding a magnificent aura. On the second-floor corridor, a solitary figure stands out, completely out of place with the surrounding Zen atmosphere.
The figure was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, with his dark hair tied up high. A jade pendant for warding off evil, a talismanic domino, and a small fox mask hung at his waist, giving him an air of mystery. He stood with his hands behind his back, leaning against the railing, gazing at the scenery of the temple.
An elderly abbot, draped in a scarlet kasaya, slowly ascended the steps, clasped his hands in prayer, and said, "Amitabha, General Feng has arrived."
Wen Shiqin then turned around and smiled faintly at the abbot: "Abbot, I, a person whose hands are stained with blood and who has committed many killings, should not have set foot in this pure Buddhist land and disturb the Buddha's peaceful cultivation. But the vow I made before leaving has really come true. Today I have come to offer incense and sacrifice. I hope the abbot will not find it offensive."
The old abbot clasped his hands together and slowly said, "Killing can be divided into good and evil. Generals fight on the battlefield to protect their homes and country and to ensure that the people live in peace and prosperity. This is a great merit, not killing, but a blessing."
As soon as he finished speaking, the wooden door of the meditation room behind him creaked open.
Helan Que rubbed his sleepy eyes and yawned as he came out. He wore a moon-white long robe underneath a sky-blue wide-sleeved outer robe, with a matching belt around his waist. He was dressed with a feather fan and a turban, exuding a lazy and elegant charm.
"Feng Erlang, Feng Erlang." His voice was hoarse from just waking up. "I've finally caught up on my sleep. You insisted on rushing here, arriving half a month early, which really wore me out."
Wen Shiqin merely chuckled and ignored his complaints. The abbot also greeted Helan Que with his palms together, and then said, "Since the general has arrived, let's clear the area and prepare to perform the ritual."
Wen Shiqin nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Master."
The abbot turned around and whispered a few instructions to the two young novices behind him. The novices replied in unison, "Yes, Master." Then they quickly went downstairs and dispersed to clear the area.
Meanwhile, outside Xiangguo Temple, Su Jinxiu did not ride the jujube cake, but instead took a carriage. She had run into Yi Ruxu when leaving Ye Mansion, so she invited him to go with her.
The carriage came to a stop outside the Daxiangguo Temple. Yi Ruxu noticed that there was something wrong with the wheels, so he stayed by the carriage to check it. Su Jinxiu went into the temple alone first.
She hadn't gone far when she saw young monks weaving back and forth, asking each worshipper to leave, and she couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Today isn't the Ghost Festival, so why is there such a large-scale clearing operation?
Although the young monks were very polite, the clearing process was slow because they had to explain things to each person individually. After a long time, only a few worshippers left the temple.
Upon seeing this, Wen Shiqin frowned slightly and waved to signal the guards beside him to go and assist.
His gaze swept downstairs and suddenly he saw a woman dressed in a sky-blue dress standing with her back to him, her head covered by a veil of the same color.
The color was so refreshing that he couldn't help but glance at it a few more times.
The guards stepped forward, intending to persuade the woman to leave. However, she seemed very confused and unwilling to leave, and a dispute ensued.
Helan Que said, "I'll go down and try to persuade them; our soldiers don't know how to speak recklessly."
"Um."
Just as Helan Que was about to turn around, a gentle breeze suddenly arrived.
It's not actually fierce; it just has a gentle, resilient strength. It's the wind of early autumn, gentler than the winter wind and cooler than the summer wind.
It was gentle, yet not quite; the wind was perfectly controlled, instantly blowing away the woman's veil of silk, like butterfly wings leaving a branch.
The woman turned her head and looked back. When Wen Shiqin saw her true face, his eyes suddenly narrowed and his breath stopped.
What does it mean to think about something day and night, to have it etched in one's heart?
Even though we are worlds apart, her beauty is etched into my very being, and I will never forget it.
His eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, his nose like jade carved from precious stones, and his bright, clear eyes reflected his image.
Wen Shiqin had always been thinking of her, and his longing was overwhelming. Unable to contain himself, he spurred his horse and rode back overnight, not waiting for the army. He had intended to fulfill his wish at the ancient temple and then immediately rush to the general's mansion to find her, but to his surprise, she had already arrived there before him.
Buddha did indeed pity him.
Wen Shiqin immediately pressed down on Helan Que's shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Go, bring them all back. There's no need to clear the area today."
Downstairs, Su Jinxiu wore a sky-blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), the hem gradually transitioning from light to turquoise, with landscape patterns embroidered in gold thread on the chest. She only turned her face to the side, her body still facing forward, her black hair swaying gently in the wind.
Helan Que was incredibly perceptive. Seeing his gaze fixed on the woman, and recalling how he had fallen ill from homesickness and constantly longed for a beautiful woman in Bianjing, he understood immediately.
Just as he was about to turn around and go downstairs, Wen Shiqin suddenly grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back with such force.
Helan Que grimaced in pain and begged for mercy, "Let go, it hurts so much!"
He rubbed his aching shoulder as he looked back at Wen Shiqin, only to find the other man motionless like a statue, his eyes fixed on the ground below. He followed Wen Shiqin's gaze and looked down, and was immediately dumbfounded.
As the gauze curtain fluttered away, the woman turned around to find herself holding an infant of about one year old.
The child was still quite young to speak, yet he could already babble "Mother," each sound tender and clear, making one's heart clench.
Her posture as she held the child was skillful and natural. She lowered her head and gently patted the infant's back, a tender smile on her lips as she softly coaxed him. Helan Que felt the air around him freeze instantly, and dared not look at the expression on the face of the person beside him.
Wen Shiqin's breathing suddenly slowed down, his chest churning with turbulent emotions, and he silently repeated in his heart, "No, it can't be."
When Su Jinxiu saw him, her eyes crinkled into a gentle smile. Yi Ruxu quickly stepped forward and reached out to take the child from her to help her, but Su Jinxiu smiled and shook her head, as if to say softly, "It's alright."
Their eyes met with a warm and harmonious gaze, and they walked inside side by side, their backs to each other like a painting.
Fearing he would become a victim of Wen Shiqin's blade at any moment, Helan Que hurriedly went downstairs and ordered the guards not to clear the area today.
Only after the family of three, carrying the child, safely entered the main hall did he breathe a sigh of relief and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. When he looked back, the figures upstairs had long since disappeared, leaving only an empty pavilion, the wind passing silently.
Wen Shiqin stepped into the meditation room, poured a cup of tea but did not drink it. Instead, he gently rubbed and turned the teacup between his fingers, his thoughts churning.
What were his last words before he left?
Observing chastity for half a year...
He had been away on campaign for over a year and a half, and the child was about a year old; the timelines matched perfectly.
He has no right to demand anything from her.
After all, the staged death was so well done that she might not even open the coffin to check.
Since he is dead, why can't she find another good man and have children? And by what right does he have to bind her vibrant life with a mere jest from the deceased?
The abbot outside received a report from the young novice that the nobleman had instructed that the area need not be cleared any further, so he came over to check and happened to run into Helan Que, who was returning home.
The abbot clasped his hands and asked, "Amitabha, shall we continue today's ceremony?"
Helan Que hesitated; how could he dare to make a decision for the person inside? He gestured towards the meditation room, indicating that the abbot should look at the person sitting stiffly like a stone statue inside.
He remained silent for a long time. Just as Helan Que was about to say "continue," a cold and silent voice came from inside: "No need."
Upon hearing this, the abbot bowed and withdrew.
Helan Que entered the room and advised, "Abbot, everything—incense, candles, sacred objects, and magical arrays—is ready. This…"
“No need.” Wen Shiqin slowly put down his teacup, his voice calm and undisturbed. “Buddha did not grant my wish, so this ritual is pointless.”
Helan Que opened her mouth, but found herself at a loss for words to comfort him. She wanted to say that the child wasn't hers, but the child's innocent cry of "Mother" was clear. She wanted to say that she didn't have someone else in her heart, but the sight of her and the man walking away hand in hand was so harmonious and peaceful.
With a thousand words stuck in their throats, the two sat quietly facing each other.
Wen Shiqin raised his hand to touch his cheek, his fingertips tracing the hideous old scar that snaked from his jawline to the side of his neck.
More than a year of exposure to the sun and wind on the battlefield has long since faded his once refined and fair complexion. Now his skin is darker, and the scars on his cheeks and neck add a touch of fierceness, making him a truly imposing and heroic military general.
He suddenly wondered, if he were to meet her now, would she still recognize his face, scarred by war? Would she find the unsightly scar that ran across his cheek and neck repulsive?
But upon further reflection, it seemed absurd.
She now has a good husband and children around her, and no matter if he is scarred or still looks the same as before, she will never look at him again.
With that thought in mind, they went downstairs.
The main hall in the center is majestic, with incense smoke swirling inside and Buddhist chants faintly audible.
Wen Shiqin wanted to go up to her. After being separated for so long, he could at least ask her how she was doing as her younger brother.
But his feet felt as heavy as lead, and he couldn't take a step. He turned and went into the meditation room on the first floor.
In the center of the meditation room stands a huge screen embroidered with scenes of Buddhas surrounding and saving all sentient beings. The gold and silver threads gleam, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
The two walked around the screen and came to a simple pear wood tea table. Someone had already prepared pre-rain Longjing tea, the tea soup was emerald green, and the steam rose up, filling the room with a fragrant aroma.
They sat down facing each other, each holding a teacup, drinking silently, without saying a word.
Seeing that he looked worried all the way, and that his usual decisive and strategic demeanor on the battlefield was nowhere to be seen, Helan Que finally couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Is it... because of that woman?"
Wen Shiqin, however, gave an irrelevant answer, his gaze fixed intently on the tea leaves unfurling at the bottom of the cup.
"Tell me, isn't it very simple to kill a civil official?"
Helan Que's heart tightened, and he immediately advised, "Don't do anything foolish. You've just returned with meritorious service. If you dare to stir up trouble in the court, it's tantamount to courting death."
"No, no." Wen Shiqin forced a smile, revealing a bitter smile that was more like a grimace. "If I do it, she'll inevitably resent me."
Helan Que breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Alright, calm down here for a moment. I'll go and find out what's going on. Maybe things aren't as you think."
After Helan Que left, Wen Shiqin sat quietly for a long time.
He was about to raise his hand to drink the tea that had long since gone cold, but then he suddenly changed his mind and smashed the teacup on the ground.
With a sharp crack, shards of porcelain shattered, and tea spilled everywhere in a mess. The murderous aura that had just dissipated coalesced once more.
He stared at the mess on the ground, his eyes filled with pain and resentment.
Blame me, Su Jinxiu. It's better for you to blame me than to forget me long ago.
Author's note: Insecurity is a man's best dowry...
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