Chapter 8, Contemplating on the Wall and Reflecting on One's Mistakes
Yun'er hurriedly followed behind, shouting: "Hey, hey, hey, are you just leaving like this? What am I supposed to do!" As she spoke, she stamped her foot, on the verge of tears. Feng Chen and Chu Wei hurried on their way, thinking to themselves, "What does it matter to you? It's none of my business. Who told you to offend someone you can't afford to offend?" Yun'er called out to them as they walked away: "Brother Feng Chen, Brother Chu Wei!" Her voice faintly carried a sobbing tone.
Yun'er fell to the ground, gasping in pain, her bottom split into four parts, the wound surely torn from the fall. She glared at that Young Master Yan, the root cause of it all! Seeing him buy a parrot for a large ingot of silver, one that could be purchased for merely two taels, she muttered softly, "Hmph, what's so great about having money!" Just a fool who makes a big deal out of nothing, utterly foolish!
Feng Chen shot her a glance, thinking that she was being overly demanding and insatiable, truly believing herself to be a VIP, completely lacking self-awareness. Therefore, the next day, he deliberately delayed bringing her food until noon. She cheered and snatched the food box, "Brother Feng Chen, why did you only bring the food now? I was starving! Luckily, I had the zongzi given by Wei Sikong, but it was too sweet, making my stomach feel queasy—" Upon lifting the lid, her expression immediately fell, "Why is there only pickled vegetables and plain rice?" Feng Chen scoffed inwardly, thinking that she still expected to be served with lavish dishes, dreaming on.
She tiptoed and looked around, but was completely blocked by groups of boulders on both sides, making it impossible to pass. After thinking for a moment, she took off her shoes and stretched her feet into the water. The water was slightly warm, which was just right for her. Since the water could flow out, there must be a natural cave below. She took a deep breath and plunged into the water. Opening her eyes underwater, she indeed saw a narrow passage, swimming diagonally against the current. It was not easy to stabilize her body as she clung tightly to the moss-covered rock wall. At first, the entrance was extremely narrow, requiring her to pass sideways. After swimming a few strokes, the underwater space gradually expanded, resembling a funnel that was wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Opening her eyes underwater, she indeed saw a narrow passage, swimming diagonally against the current. It was not easy to stabilize her body as she clung tightly to the moss-covered rock wall. At first, the entrance was extremely narrow, requiring her to pass sideways. After swimming a few strokes, the underwater space gradually expanded, resembling a funnel that was wide at the top and narrow at the bottom.
Feng Chen was exasperated and wrote: "If you dare to run around again, I will stop bringing you food and let you starve to death." She scoffed disdainfully, saying that where there is a master, there must be a servant, and when it comes to threats, they are all cut from the same cloth. Angrily, she continued: "If you don't want to bring it, then don't. Let me starve to death, so be it. If you have the guts, just kill me with one stroke and be done with it! Do you think it's easy to be half-alive and under house arrest in this godforsaken place where heaven does not respond and earth does not heed? Try being treated like an invisible person all day long, ignored by everyone, as if you have truly turned into a ghost! Do you think it's easy to be half-alive and under house arrest in this godforsaken place where heaven does not respond and earth does not heed? Try being treated like an invisible person all day long, ignored by everyone, as if you have truly turned into a ghost! And now you want to restrict my movements even further, is there no way for a person to live?"
Having feasted and drunk to satisfaction, the moon has already climbed to the treetops, and the sky is filled with stars, twinkling like eyes peering at her, playful and adorable. She stands at the mountain's peak, with a glance and a gaze, feeling as if the mountains are high and the moon is small, as if she could reach out and pluck the stars. In the midst of her soaring thoughts, a sense of melancholy arises. The wind on the mountain is cold and the dew is heavy; after sitting for a while, she feels her hands and feet turn icy and her whole body shiver, so she quickly rubs her hands and retreats indoors. Looking around, she sees cobwebs in the beams, dust on the table, and the air is filled with a damp chill. Unable to suppress a sigh, she realizes that from yesterday until now, she has sighed countless times—there is no bed to lie on, no quilt to cover her, how can one sleep!
She thanked repeatedly, took the food box and asked, "What is this?" Upon opening it, she found a basket of delicate zongzi, with a note pressed on top that read: "Yun'er, these are the zongzi I brought back from Huzhou, fragrant and delicious. Take good care of yourself on the mountain, and when the young master has calmed down, he will naturally not make things difficult for you. Wei Sikong."
Yun'er, feeling frustrated, kicked over the food box at her feet, declaring that if she wasn't going to eat, then she wouldn't eat; the sight of pickled vegetables and dry rice was enough to turn her stomach, and she might as well starve. However, when she saw that what had spilled out was her favorite lotus leaf steamed eight-treasure rice, she hurriedly picked it up. Not only was there eight-treasure rice, but also West Lake vinegar fish, along with a bowl of jade-white ham soup, still steaming hot, though unfortunately spilled all over the ground. She couldn't help but regret it; one should never be at odds with mealtime. It was only when she caught the aroma of the food that she realized she was truly hungry. She plopped down on a stone, lifted the lid of the box, and a refreshing scent of lotus leaves wafted up to her nose, making her mouth water. She quickly grabbed her chopsticks and began to eat voraciously.
She took off her wet clothes, searched for a comfortable spot in the shallow area, and lay back comfortably. The hot spring water glided over her skin, and all her pores opened up, making her feel completely at ease. Above her was the deep and vast starry sky, an arching dome, boundless and infinite; surrounding her were the faintly discernible mountains, like the eyes of the night, secretly observing her, with a hazy beauty under the moonlight. Occasionally, the sounds of insects and frogs added to the charm of the mountains; the wind rustled through the treetops, producing a gentle sound, like the whisper of a lover. She couldn't help but sigh, "This truly is a treasure of a place, a paradise beyond the world; how wonderful it would be to live here for a lifetime." After a while, she shook her head and said, "No, no, living here alone would surely be suffocating."
She let out a loud cry of "Ah!" When will this prison-like life come to an end! Being in prison is somewhat better; at least one can talk to others and shout "I'm wronged! I'm wronged!" whenever there’s nothing to do. Unlike her, who is treated like a mute by everyone, ignored and overlooked, completely regarded as an invisible person. This cursed place is not only filled with cockroaches and rats, but at night, the chilling wind howls, and the cold is so intense that she rubs her hands and feet together, curling up into a ball. She couldn't sleep a wink all night, and only managed to doze off when the morning sun finally shone in. Hmph, once she steals that legendary Longquan sword, even if they carry her away in a grand sedan chair, she won't agree to stay.
She suddenly realized, "Oh, so he has gone to Huzhou these past few days." She did not know the reason, but it probably was not for anything good, as he looked quite sad. She took a bite of the chicken leg, which was crispy, tender, and still warm; not bad at all, at least she was not being mistreated in terms of food. Pulling on the reluctant Feng Chen, she curiously asked, "Brother Feng Chen, do you know what Wei Sikong went to Huzhou for?" Seeing his expression was rather impatient, she quickly let go and said, "Ah, I almost forgot, you can't talk to me."
The two exchanged a glance and paused slightly with their backs to her. She hurriedly said: "Look at this, there is no tea, no water, not even a place to sleep. It is dark, and there is not even a lamp. How can one survive? Brothers Chu and Wei, I do not dare to ask you to let me go, but I implore you to show some kindness and take care of me in various matters. I would be eternally grateful!" Seeing that they remained silent, she gritted her teeth and said, "I will kneel before you, brothers!" After all, she was not a man, and there was no gold beneath her knees; kneeling to plead was nothing to be ashamed of.
Suddenly, I felt a bright light before my eyes, realizing that I had emerged from the dark cave. I quickly poked my head above the water's surface and gasped for air. Looking around, I couldn't help but cheer; it turned out to be a naturally formed hot spring. The water surface was approximately 2 zhang wide, with the shallowest part reaching only to my knees. In the distance, spring water cascaded down the cliff, forming a curtain, with purple mist rising like smoke. Under the sunlight, it appeared like smoke, fog, and dust, creating a picturesque scene, a natural barrier that truly seemed to be crafted by the hands of gods.
Yun'er, filled with rage, suddenly laughed and glared at him, saying: "Hmph, the air on the mountain is fresh, the scenery is pleasant, and it is both quiet and comfortable. I couldn't ask for more!" The young master Yan, with a blank expression, replied: "Since that is the case, you might as well stay up there for a year and a half."
However, staying alone on a desolate mountain, lacking everything one desires, is truly too boring! Sunlight streams down through a large hole in the roof, creating a vast patch of light that dazzles the eyes. She stretches lazily, holding two rice dumplings in her hand, and wanders along the mountain path. The sides of the path are filled with low wild grasses and shrubs, thriving abundantly, stretching as far as the eye can see. The branches are laden with red fruits the size of soybeans, bending down towards the ground under their weight, their colors bright and charming. She squats down to pick a branch and holds it in her hand, unsure if it is edible. After hesitating for a while, she recalls what Dongfang Qi had told her when teaching her to pick mushrooms: generally, plants that are brightly colored and overly ornate are mostly poisonous. She shrugs her shoulders, unwilling to take the risk of trying it.
She wondered who it was that understood how to enjoy life so well, as the room was fully equipped with everything. This place was undoubtedly many times better than the dilapidated temple she lived in. She simply took off her drenched clothes, spread them out on the large bluestone to dry, and lay back in the sunlight, soaking in the hot spring, repeatedly exclaiming, "How comfortable!" The warm water gently cascaded over her skin, like a natural massage, bringing comfort to every limb and bone. The wound on her buttocks, which had not yet fully healed, was caressed by the mineral-rich hot spring, and the scab that had formed slowly fell away, revealing smooth, tender new skin.
She saw Feng Chen at the entrance of the Taoist temple and hurriedly asked with a smile, "What dishes are we having for dinner?" Feng Chen glared at her with a frown, unable to defy the young master's orders to speak with her. Just as he was at a loss for what to do, a sudden idea struck him. He picked up a twig and wrote on the ground: Stay inside obediently, or be careful of the wolves and leopards that might eat you! She shook her head and laughed, saying, "I'm not afraid of wolves and leopards at all." Scare her? Does he think she is a three-year-old child?
Recalling the hot spring discovered in the afternoon, it would be better to take a bath there. Not only does it ward off the cold and keep warm, but it also promotes blood circulation and muscle regeneration, accelerating the healing of wounds, which is far superior to sleeping in this tomb of the living dead. Thus, I took a lantern, wrapped a change of clothes in oil paper, tucked it under my arm, and followed the route from the afternoon, arriving at the massive stone portal in less than half an hour, much faster than on the way back. I took off my shoes and stuffed them into the oil paper bag, tied it tightly with a piece of water grass, held it in my mouth, held my breath, and dove into the water, swimming upstream with ease, like a fish in water, quickly making my way in.
Walking along the creek towards the other side of the mountain, she found that the water surface widened the further she went. The stream flowed down the mountain path, stirring up a spray of water, the clear water rushing swiftly, already exhibiting a surging momentum. She raised her head and gazed into the distance, the mountains were lush and verdant, steep and rugged, with bizarrely shaped rocks, as if hewn by knife and axe, instilling a sense of fear and trepidation, making her feel small and insignificant. Looking down, she was secretly alarmed, as she saw the "Falling Flowers Retreat" firmly embedded in the mountainside like a jade belt, seemingly naturally formed, a testament to exquisite craftsmanship. It appeared that the person who built this retreat had great depth of thought; besides being nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with beautiful scenery, what was even more remarkable was that the entire retreat was easy to defend and hard to attack, possessing a formidable position that could withstand a thousand men.
Yun'er had not spoken for such a long time, and once she opened her mouth, it was like water spilled out, never to be retrieved. Seeing him walk away, she called after him: "Hey, why are you running? I'm not a plague! What’s wrong with you whispering a few words to me? No one will know! I don't want to stay in this godforsaken place anymore, ah—" The lion's roar echoed through the skies, and in an instant, the mountains responded and the valleys echoed, the wind rose and the waters surged, creating a thunderous sound. I don't want to stay in this godforsaken place anymore, ah—" The lion's roar echoed through the skies, and in an instant, the mountains responded and the valleys echoed, the wind rose and the waters surged, creating a thunderous sound.
She noticed a small stream nearby, with crystal-clear water revealing the rocks beneath, where the green moss was clearly visible. Occasionally, small fish about the size of a finger swam back and forth. She tossed some red berries into the water; perhaps due to their wild nature, these fish were not afraid of people, eagerly competing to snatch the berries, forming a swirling mass of dark shadows. She observed that after the fish had eaten the red berries, they leisurely dispersed, indicating that the berries were not poisonous. She threw one into her mouth, and with a "pah," spat it out; it was both sour and astringent, leaving her tongue numb. She scolded herself for being bored and for bringing this upon herself.
After some thought, she turned her distinctly black-and-white large eyes and said, "It doesn't matter, you can at least listen to what I say, right?" Feng Chen felt a cry of despair in his heart, wondering how there could be such a noisy woman in the world. No wonder the young master wanted to send her to this remote mountain, and even forbade others from speaking to her; it was truly a wise decision.
Under the impact of warm water, both body and mind were completely relaxed, and drowsiness overcame her, gradually leading her into sleep. Until she was startled awake by the sound of rushing water, she suddenly opened her eyes with a jolt and quickly sat up. Before she could ask, a cold voice came through: "Who?" The silent night suddenly echoed in her ears, like a shadow, as if a ghost was present.
She walked down the mountain path on the other side, raising her head to see the dilapidated temple standing tall at the mountain peak in the setting sun, a scene of utter desolation. It turned out that the hot spring was located on the right side of the temple, hidden amidst the dense jungle and surrounded by mountains, tightly wrapped and impenetrable. If it were not for her accidental discovery, she might have searched in vain without ever finding it.
Wei Sikong found it strange and asked why. He said with hatred: "This woman, sharp-tongued and unrepentant, may escape the death penalty for your sake, but she cannot evade the living punishment. Lock her up in the Taoist temple in the back mountain, and keep a strict watch. Without my orders, no one is allowed to approach!" Seeing that he seemed to be angry, Wei Sikong shrugged at Yun'er, who was looking at him with a pitiful plea for help, indicating that he too was powerless to assist.
Feng Chen had never encountered a woman so fierce; he was momentarily taken aback by her shrewish outburst, his eyes wide as he retreated repeatedly. He had merely intended to kindly advise her against wandering aimlessly, as the mountain was fraught with hidden mechanisms and traps. If she accidentally stumbled into one, it could truly be a matter of life and death, with no chance of return. However, it seemed she was now provoked by some unseen stimulus, babbling nonsensically. It was likely that being alone for too long had caused her mental state to become somewhat disordered. Without sparing her a glance, he hastily made his escape, leaving her chaotic shouts behind.
She often sits alone under the sun, pondering how to steal that Longquan sword. Young Master Yan carries his sword with him all day, and even Dongfang Qi has said that he possesses exceptional martial arts skills. It seems impossible to stealthily take it from him. Should she use drugs to incapacitate him? He requires someone to test the poison even before drinking a cup of tea; his paranoia is so severe that it is needless to mention his daily meals, which he surely scrutinizes meticulously, leaving little opportunity. Frowning and thinking for a while, she found no solution, so she stretched lazily. It doesn't matter; there is no difficulty in the world, only the fear of determined individuals. Only a thief with a thousand years of experience could succeed; can he really guard against thieves for a thousand years?
Only after the clothes had dried did she get up, feeling as if she had been completely reborn, her spirit greatly uplifted. Seeing the clouds filling the sky and realizing that it was getting late, she felt a bit hungry and couldn't help but think of returning first. If it turned out to be cold at night and she couldn't sleep due to shivering, she would come here to soak in the hot springs. After years of soaking, perhaps the coldness in her body would naturally heal itself.
He was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly knelt down and said: "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Young Master, if you like such trifles, feel free to take them; I am more than willing to present them to you." The Young Master Yan casually tossed a silver ingot and said, "This is a reward for you." Upon seeing this, Chief Zhao's face lit up with joy, and he quickly bowed his head in gratitude.
In the "Falling Flowers Courtyard," Steward Zhao heard the commotion and hurried over, followed by Wei Sikong. Upon seeing Young Master Yan, he quickly bowed and called out, "Young Master." His eyes were fixed on the parrot in Feng Chen's hand, spinning around curiously, unsure if this creature had offended the young master. Young Master Yan asked, "Is this parrot yours?" He bowed and replied, "Indeed, it is raised by me. I find it amusing as it mimics speech and entertains people, serving to relieve boredom." Young Master Yan nodded and said, "Very well, will you give it to me? I will reward you accordingly." As he spoke, he cast a glance at Yun'er, having never seen such a brazen woman, who had just claimed that the parrot was hers!
Feng Chen turned his head to glance at her, his head drooping, shoulders hunched, and his nose twitching, looking quite pitiful. Although the two did not say anything, when Feng Chen brought the meal up in the evening, he specifically carried a lamp, placing it casually on the wooden table in the hall. He not only brought her daily change of clothes but also added an extra food box.
When she returned, the sky was completely dark, and a slender new moon shyly peeked out, hanging faintly in the southwest like a delicate and distant landscape painting. Feng Chen came to deliver food but did not see her; he searched all around, yet he did not know where she had gone. Fearing that something might have happened to her and that he would have no way to explain to the young master, he could only sit on the threshold and wait for her to return. From a distance, he saw her with her hand on her waist, slowly climbing up the stone steps, one step at a time.
When Wei Sikong saw her fall to the ground, he hurried to help her up, "Yun'er, your injuries have not yet healed. Why are you out here instead of resting indoors?" Yun'er brushed off the dust from her clothes, and when she looked up again, she was slightly taken aback, "Young Master Wei, it's only been a few days since we last met, how have you lost so much weight?"
On the left bank, there is a wooden cabin with its doors and windows tightly shut, clean and dust-free, giving the impression that someone resides there. She swam over, dripping wet as she climbed up. The door was not locked, and the floor was covered with bamboo, presenting a refreshing sight that invigorated the spirit. Yun'er tiptoed inside, her feet feeling cool against the floor, peering around curiously. In the center stood a screen taller than her, spanning several zhang, adorned with splendid embroidery depicting flowers, grass, insects, and fish, vibrant and lifelike. Behind the screen was a bamboo lounge chair, upon which lay men's clothing, shoes, and belts; on the other side, a wooden table held bathing and washing items. Observing the arrangement within the cabin, it seemed to be a place for bathing and changing clothes.
She certainly would not admit that she was afraid. Swallowing hard, she stammered, "Aren't you assigned to guard me? Why aren't you staying here?" Feng Chen rolled his eyes, pushed her aside, and walked ahead on his own. The mountain was steep and perilous, with only a narrow path suitable for a single person. As long as they secured the passage at the foot of the mountain, what could she possibly do? Could she fly or vanish into thin air? Who would want to suffer in this desolate place where nothing grows?
Wei Sikong's eye sockets were sunken, his lips pale, and he appeared significantly haggard. He shook his head and said, "It's nothing, probably due to the fatigue of travel." Yun'er then asked, "Where have you been these past few days?" He did not answer and said, "I will take you back to rest." However, Young Master Yan glared at her fiercely, saying, "When we are talking, do you have the right to interrupt?" Seeing her so intimate with Wei Sikong, whispering sweet nothings in front of everyone, as if there were no one else around, was utterly shameless! Furious, he turned to Wei Sikong and said, "Sikong, I have issued an order that no one is allowed to speak to her, including you."
As the sky darkened, the shadows of the mountains and trees blurred into a mass, seemingly waiting for the arrival of deep night, ready to open its gaping maw and swallow her whole. She couldn't help but shrink her shoulders, feeling a bit frightened. Feng Chen, Chu Wei, and the others were about to leave her behind, and she hurriedly tried to stop them, yet found herself at a loss for words. Feng Chen looked at her, his expression devoid of emotion
Feng Chen shook his head and sighed, not waiting for her to finish speaking, and left the mountain with a wave of his hand. Truly, it is a case of unchanging stubbornness
Feng Chen heard it from afar and murmured, "Don't tell me you've really gone crazy—" His feet moved even faster.
As she ascended further, a mist of water vapor enveloped the air, and under the intense light, a rainbow appeared above the stream, arching in a semicircle with its colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, faintly visible and extraordinarily beautiful. She gasped in surprise, reaching her hand into the water, which was surprisingly warm. Climbing up the gravel path, the rising steam grew stronger with each step. When she finally reached the end, two naturally formed rocks, several zhang high, blocked her way, resembling two closed doors.
Upon hearing the voice of a man, she lowered her head to look at her own unclothed self, and her face instantly turned bright red
That night, Yun'er was taken by Feng Chen and Chu Wei to reside in the desolate and dilapidated temple on the back mountain. The red paint on the temple's pillars had largely peeled off, and the ceiling was thick with cobwebs. The curtains were so old that their original color was unrecognizable, hanging there like tattered rags, swaying in the wind, creating a feeling that was both eerie and strange. In front of the hall stood an offering table, covered with a layer of dust at least an inch thick. As she pushed the door open, a foul and dirty odor rushed towards her, prompting her to quickly cover her mouth and cough repeatedly. Looking up, she noticed a hole in the roof as large as a pot lid and exclaimed in frustration, "How can anyone live in this cursed place! What will happen if it rains?"
She said pitifully: "Brother Feng Chen, I have a bad stomach, my health is weak, and I am afraid of the cold and the wind. If I have to sleep outdoors in the wind and rain every day, and go without three meals, if this continues, I fear you will have to collect my body. Look at me, don't I look a bit more lively and pleasing? Brother Feng Chen, I know you are a good person, so please secretly bring me a little hot soup and hot dishes from the kitchen, after all, no one else will know..." She raised her thumb and index finger, making a 'little bit' gesture. Brother Feng Chen, I know you are a good person, so please secretly bring me a little hot soup and hot dishes from the kitchen, after all, no one else will know..." She raised her thumb and index finger, making a 'little bit' gesture.
She had completely lost her memory of the past, yet she possessed exceptional swimming skills, able to navigate through water as if walking on solid ground. Once, on the journey from Tianshan to Lin'an, she made a bet with Dongfang Qi and bravely crossed the turbulent Yangtze River on a stormy night, where waves surged and rocks jutted out, earning the admiration of the old fishermen on the shore, who could not help but give her a thumbs up, calling her "the white strip in the waves." Afterward, Dongfang Qi had no choice but to muster his courage, take off his shirt, and run along the riverbank bare-chested for ten miles. Everywhere he went, people were left speechless, pointing and gesturing, saying he was an eyesore and a disgrace to public morals. He had truly embarrassed himself. Meanwhile, she rode on horseback behind him, laughing so hard that she doubled over, unable to straighten up.
She clasped her hands behind her back, tilted her head, and said, "Brother Feng Chen, could you please go tell Wei Sikong to bring over the quilt and pillow from my room, as well as the soap, blue salt, towel, and perfume for washing up? It seems I will be staying here for a long time." With a resigned sigh, she glanced around with a look of sorrow, and slowly exhaled, "In a thousand mountains, not a bird flies; on ten thousand paths, no trace of a person is found—" This place is about the same.