Chapter 39: "Winter is gone, spring is here...
Song Linsheng rolled up one sleeve and raised his hand to grind ink.
Fortunately, this inkstone must have been used by someone not long ago, and there was still half-dried ink remaining, so it didn't take long for Song Linsheng to put down the inkstone.
He picked and chose from the prayer lanterns nearby for a while and selected a large five-pointed lantern. The inside of the lantern was woven with bamboo strips, and the outside was made of paper as thin as a cicada's wing. A lotus pattern was painted on it with a colored pen. The green lotus flowers were blooming, giving it a unique and clear charm.
Song Linsheng picked up a pen and wrote something on the empty side. Wen Yu followed him, supported his hands on the table, stood opposite Song Linsheng, leaned over and saw that he was writing: Song Linsheng, the 26th of Huining, the third day of March.
Wen Yu recited word by word: "Song, Lin, Sheng——"
She remembered that whenever Song Linsheng had doubts or had different opinions on those books, he would always make a few comments. The handwriting was elegant and graceful, and there was a small "Lin" after each word.
It is very similar to the handwriting on this five-pointed lamp, but now Song Linsheng's handwriting is more vigorous, and has more style than when he was young.
Wen Yunian came down and couldn't help asking, "Does your name have any meaning?"
Most people like to express their wishes for their children in their names, hoping that they will all become outstanding people in the future. Therefore, characters such as "Kang" and "Ning" are the most common. As for the name Song Linsheng, Wen Yu really didn't understand it yet, so he just asked directly.
Song Linsheng's hand kept moving, while he spoke to Wen Yu: "Winter has passed, and spring is coming."
"It's Linsheng's name." Song Linsheng put away the pen, put the wolf's hair aside, held the five-pointed lamp, and presented it to Wen Yu.
"Look—"
"Winter has passed, and spring is coming—" Wen Yu repeated it in his mouth, savoring it carefully. "What a good name!"
Song Linsheng smiled softly. Initially, his parents had not expected him to become an official, so they had no such expectations. When they named him, it was just to commemorate his birth.
"I was born in February, the time between winter and spring, hence my name, 'Rinsheng'."
He has an older brother who was born in the early winter and was named "Shuangcheng". This shows that the Song family's parents are the ones who like to save themselves from worries.
Song Linsheng lowered his brows, carefully examining the five-pointed lantern in his hand, as if reading the inscription he had written. Wen Yu could only see his prominent brows from a distance across the table, and his eyes, in contrast, looked more like a clear lake, a deep pool.
"So, where is Madam Wenyu?" Song Linsheng suddenly raised his eyes and stared at Wenyu deeply. He picked up the wolf hair brush beside him again, held up his sleeve with one hand, and handed the wolf hair brush over with the other hand.
"Every day I call her 'Madam Wenyu, Madam Wenyu,' but I still don't know what those two words are."
His smile was so warm, like the spring sun, that Wen Yu felt her eyes flash before her eyes. Before she could react, the pen was already lying in front of her.
Wen Yu had no choice but to take it with one hand, and when he came to his senses, the pen was already in his hand.
She complained bitterly in her heart. Although she could master the mortal literature by reading eight boxes of books in a row and studying all night, she was still as clueless as a pipe fire when it came to calligraphy.
Wen Yu held the wolf's hair tightly in his palm and did not take any next move for a long time.
She stared at the tip of the wolf-hair brush soaked in ink, and as soon as she raised her eyes, she met Song Linsheng's expectant gaze.
Wen Yu made up his mind and thought, "Never mind! Just write it!"
Wen Yu turned around and walked around the table, choosing from the prayer lamps nearby, and finally picked up a lantern with a picture of a shepherd boy riding a cow to visit spring.
This pattern is very similar to the appearance of her master and Chi Huang's stupid cow. She will release it into the sky later. Her master will probably be very happy to see it, Wen Yu thought to herself, and was very satisfied with her choice.
Holding the lamp, she stopped beside Song Linsheng and placed the prayer lamp on the table. She lifted the lamp half-tilted with her left hand, with only the tail resting on a corner of the table. She held the pen in her right hand and wrote in the same way as Song Linsheng.
"Just look at me! My name is Wen Yu."
Although he tried his best to control the strength and strokes of the brush, as soon as Wen Yu put pen to paper, the ink spread uncontrollably and covered a large area.
She felt embarrassed, but pretended to be nonchalant and raised her hand to point out the crooked strokes to Song Linsheng.
"Look, those are the two words!"
——"Another King"
Song Linsheng tilted his head and saw these two words. He raised his chin slightly and glanced at the clear and moonlit sky, as if thinking about something.
When he bent down to look, he had guessed about 80% of the two words. Although they were stained by ink and the brushstrokes were a bit trembling, he could still vaguely make out that it was probably - Wen Yu.
Song Linsheng nodded, indicating that he understood, "Wenyu."
Song Linsheng chewed on these two words in his mind, not knowing what he thought of, and asked again:
"What's the meaning of that?"
What does it mean? Wenyu's eyes rolled. She remembered that it was her master who gave her this name when she first began to understand. Back then, her master had said, "Wenyu is another name for the Wutong tree. Since your original form is the Biwutong tree, it suits you perfectly."
Wen Yu didn't think twice and decided to copy her master's words, but she cleverly omitted the content about Wutong's original body.
"Wenyu is another name for Wutong."
Wen Yuqing's voice, as sweet as water, rang out in the night, like a gurgling stream flowing through one's heart, cold but not biting, but rather warm.
"As for the meaning, it probably doesn't have any meaning. My brother never mentioned it..."
This is not a lie, his master really did not say anything extra.
"It really is what Wutong meant—"
Song Linsheng took the pen from Wen Yu before he finished speaking and added the year and month next to her signature.
"The phoenix tree can protect a home from evil spirits and turn misfortune into good fortune. It is also a tree of steadfastness, which is a perfect symbol of good fortune!"
"I originally suspected that it was Wutong's intention, but I was afraid of offending Madam Wenyu, so I didn't ask."
Wen Yu stared intently at the pen that seemed to come alive in Song Linsheng's hand, adding the year and month for Wen Yu behind the Spring Visiting Picture. His brushstrokes were lively and his characters were elegant.
"What's the big deal?" Wen Yu snorted lightly, not taking it seriously. "Just ask me if you have any questions in the future."
Song Linsheng chuckled and nodded, put down the wolf hair brush, held the prayer lamp in both hands, and blew away the half-dried ink.
Then he handed the lamp to Wen Yu and picked up his own five-pointed lamp.
"Madam Wenyu, shall we join in the fun?" He raised the five-pointed lantern in his hand and gestured to Wenyu.
Wen Yu picked up her own prayer lantern, took the first step, and walked towards the courtyard full of forsythia - that was originally her home.
Wen Yu took out a tinder, lit her own lamp, and then turned to light Song Linsheng's lamp. Taking advantage of the gap, Wen Yu asked, "Song Linsheng, what do you want to ask the God of Spring?"
Her master was kindhearted and would come to the Wutong Ancestral Temple every year. He would sit on the altar in front of the statue, listen to the wishes of mortals, and then diligently fulfill them one by one.
If one day he could be included in the ranks of immortals and have his own temple, he would definitely become an immortal who would grant every wish, just like his master.
"I only hope that the tranquility will bring spring, and that good fortune and success will flourish."
Song Linsheng looked up at the sky. The moonlit night, as dark as ink, was mostly illuminated by the prayer lanterns. The shadows of the lights were dim, as if it were daytime.
Wen Yu held the bright lamp in both hands, and the dancing flame reflected on the tip of her nose, shining brightly, making her look even more exquisite.
"Then I wish that everything you ask for will come true."
Song Linsheng turned his head and looked at Wen Yu, and said softly: "Madam Wen Yu, won't you pray for yourself?"
Mortals pray to gods, so who should she pray to?
Wen Yu breathed a sigh of relief and answered frankly, "Didn't Master Xiao Song also pray for himself?"
The two of them smiled at each other, said nothing more, and released the wish lanterns in their hands together.
The lamps, filled with mortal emotions and visions, flew steadily upwards. Bright lights of various colors illuminated each other in the dark, brocade-like night sky, and flew together, like colorful flowers blooming.
Master and Chi Huang will be busy tonight! There are so many prayers, I'm afraid we can't even count them all, Wen Yu thought.
Song Linsheng lowered his head and glanced at the courtyard that was originally planted with green parasol trees, which was now filled with blooming forsythia flowers.
Pray for yourself? He had once...
His thoughts were quickly drowned out by the laughter of the tourists around him, and his ears were filled with the sounds of tourists praying and talking. These noises in the past would certainly disturb Song Linsheng's peace, but today was a festive day, so a little noise would not hurt.
Houchun Mountain is as quiet as a deep pool, while Wutong Ancestral Temple is as noisy as daylight. It is like spring leaves falling into the water, causing ripples on the surface of the lake, and Houchun Mountain cannot be without waves.
Guan'an Lane, Song Residence.
By the time Wen Yu and Song Linsheng came down the mountain, it was almost midnight and even the sound of birds could no longer be heard in the mountains.
Fortunately, the silver moon shone brightly, its light pouring down, making the bluestone path appear as clear as pools of water, lighting a section of their way back. Xiyan, who was also clever, had already arranged for the carriage to be waiting at the foot of the mountain, so they finally made their way back to the Song residence smoothly.
Wen Yu rushed into the gate of Guanwu Garden, then took a few steps back and came out. She turned to Song Linsheng, who had escorted her back, and asked, "It's so late tonight, you're not going to bother the officials at the government office anymore, are you?"
Tonight, the officials in the government office, except for a few who stayed behind on duty, should have all gone home to reunite with their families. Going there now wouldn't really be a bother...
Song Linsheng hesitated. His earlier determination to live in the government office permanently was somehow shaken.
"Why don't you just stay in the mansion? It's so late! Don't go out again."
Seeing that he didn't say anything to refute at the moment, Wen Yu took the opportunity to advise him.
Xiyan, who was standing nearby, rubbed his sleepy eyes and breathed heavily. He had been out and about all day and later that evening had to pick up his son and his wife. He was now exhausted from running and echoed, "Yes, young master!"
"Just put it in the mansion!"
Song Linsheng's last bit of hesitation was also flattened by Xiyan's words. The tower of rationality in his heart collapsed, raising endless dust. If a ray of sunlight was cast at this moment, one would definitely see the dust and fog lingering in the air.
"Hmm..." Song Linsheng responded softly, coaxing Wen Yu.
"Go in and rest quickly! I won't leave."
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The author has something to say: Song Linsheng came back to his senses with a half-smile on his face. He slowly leaned down and whispered in Wen Yu's ear: Leave me a comment.
The tranquility brings spring, and the prosperity of good deeds is quoted from ancient poetry.
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