Chapter 3, this is a clichéd name, but it is my name
Xu Shiji raised his head and looked out at the azure sky, saying: "In this vast world, with countless strong individuals like tigers and dragons, that person can be regarded as a master in the field of medicine, certainly extraordinary. Otherwise, how could my father have betrothed Rong'er to his descendant?"
It is not that he is particularly skilled at making others unhappy, but rather that he is earnestly engaged in doing what he believes should be done. Whether it is breaking off an engagement or changing his mind, he is convinced that it is the right thing to do, with such unwavering certainty that it creates an undeniable feeling in others. Consequently, those who find him unpleasant ultimately become so distressed that they cannot find joy.
Frost's complexion was quite poor as she said, "Madam wants to annul the marriage, and if you agree, there will be rewards in due course. Why must you act out of spite, claiming that you are here to annul the marriage? Do you think that this is the only way to salvage some face? If that were truly the case, it would be one thing, but why did you change your mind in the end? Such a back-and-forth is hardly becoming."
Frost suddenly felt that this seemingly ordinary young Taoist was exuding a certain radiance, perhaps that serious demeanor? She understood his reasoning and inexplicably felt a sense of self-abasement.
However, it is ultimately quite unpleasant. Sometimes, Chen Changsheng himself forgets that he is still a fourteen-year-old boy, but he is indeed a boy. He has his own pride and dignity, and being humiliated will inevitably evoke emotions.
Chen Changsheng said earnestly: "Thank you for telling me these things"
The sesame cake is fragrant, yet quite hard, making it a challenge to eat. Chen Changsheng initially believed he had completely cast aside his experiences in the Divine General's residence, successfully dispelling those slightly sour emotions. However, upon thinking of the term "Phoenix," he naturally recalled the true phoenix blood he had just heard about today, as well as the young lady of the Xu family who possessed the true phoenix blood. He also remembered the small trinkets he had received many years ago.
... ...
Xu Shiji sat in his study, his towering figure exuding a faint scent of blood. Through the window, more than ten zhang away, the kingfisher perched on the tree hid its head beneath its wings in fear, not daring to make a sound. The powerful aura tinged with bloodlust testified to the terrifying strength of this divine general of the Great Zhou, and also indicated that his current mood was quite poor
Chen Changsheng opened his eyes wide and said, "Everyone will die"
... ...
This is the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, where countless miraculous scenes beyond the imagination of the common folk abound. Chen Changsheng, munching on a baked pancake, widened his eyes and watched these scenes with great interest, comparing them to the records in the Daoist scriptures. He wondered when he would have the opportunity to see the legendary magical beings, such as the spiritual turtle that has supported the stone pillar for over 3,000 years in the palace. He also pondered whether there were still those incredibly noble and majestic dragons in the imperial palace, as it is said that the rarest and most esteemed golden giant dragon has not appeared in the human realm for tens of thousands of years. Would he have the chance to see it in the future? ... And then there are the rumored phoenixes...
Frost has lived in the Divine General's residence since childhood. Due to her status as a young lady, she holds a very high position, and even the Divine General and his wife do not speak harshly to her. She has never encountered someone like Chen Changsheng before. This feeling is quite unfamiliar to her, and she instinctively feels a sense of unease. Unsure whether she is trying to persuade Chen Changsheng or herself, she spoke with a stronger tone.
In my senior brother's notes, there is a saying that I have always found very meaningful. I would like to share it with you now, hoping that you will take it to heart in the future. He said: Every person is unique in this world
Frost took a while to regain her senses
At the end of the long street stands a modest stone arch bridge. Beneath the bridge flows not the Luo River, but an inconspicuous small creek. Chen Changsheng walked onto the bridge and turned back to gaze in the direction of the General's residence. All he could see was a tranquil scene, yet it was not lacking in splendor, with numerous grand mansions and beautiful courtyards, among which the Xu residence was the most prominent and distinguished, prompting him to shake his head involuntarily
Chen Changsheng tilted his head and thought seriously for a moment, a smile gradually appearing on his youthful face, as he confirmed that he had found a reason to convince himself, and said: "Because... you have not asked for my name."
He has not practiced cultivation, nor is he a Taoist, but since childhood, he has read the Taoist scriptures and has been deeply influenced. Coupled with his own bleak fate, he seeks the Way among the three thousand paths, which is to follow his heart's desire—what is called following one's heart's desire is to have peace of mind and a clear conscience. Traveling thousands of miles to the capital to withdraw from the engagement is in accordance with his heart's desire. Not withdrawing from the engagement is also in accordance with his heart's desire—if the Divine General's Mansion is disrespectful, he does not wish to let the other party have their way—because in that case, it would be difficult for his own heart's desire to be fulfilled.
Why
Chen Changsheng looked at her earnestly and said: "My name is Chen Changsheng. I know this name is quite common, but my master hopes that I can achieve immortality, which is a good aspiration, so I have been using this name all along"
... ...
He walked down the stone bridge, bought two sesame cakes from a street vendor, and squatted on the stone slab by the riverbank. While nibbling on the sesame cakes, he gazed at the distant Divine General's Mansion, feeling a slight pang of sadness in his heart. He knew where this emotion stemmed from, but he was even more aware that if he allowed this emotion to overflow, it would harm his health and would not help in resolving the matter at hand
In the distance, the surface of the Luo River was dotted with sail shadows like clouds. On the long street across the river, there were wolf riders from the west, and even from a great distance, one could almost smell the stench of decay from the mouths of those giant wolves. A shadow passed over the water, and he looked up to see a snow-white winged Pegasus pulling a magnificent chariot flying northward. ... At the distant arrow tower of the city wall, a red hawk responsible for military communications was constantly taking off and landing. Further away in the azure sky, there were flying chariots patrolling the city, resembling those annoying dragonflies outside the temple ... A shadow passed over the water, and he looked up to see a snow-white winged Pegasus pulling a magnificent chariot flying northward. ... At the distant arrow tower of the city wall, a red hawk responsible for military communications was constantly taking off and landing. Further away in the azure sky, there were flying chariots patrolling the city, resembling those annoying dragonflies outside the temple ...
He did not wish to delay the youth of the other party, yet he did not expect to encounter those disdainful glances, those contemptuous attitudes, and those mocking remarks at the Xu residence. Looking back now, since the age of ten, he had not received any gifts sent by the other party from the temple, indicating that the other party had long harbored intentions to break off the engagement. His visit to the capital today to proactively annul the engagement was supposed to be a natural and mutually agreeable matter, but he did not anticipate encountering such a situation, and thus he changed his mind on the spot
Madam Xu's voice became lower, and if one did not listen carefully, it was almost inaudible: "That little Taoist priest does not seem to be someone who can be easily dismissed. What if he keeps pestering? Next year, when the Heavenly Book Tomb opens to the public, the various saints from the south will surely send delegations. At that time, I fear they will formally propose to the court, and we must not allow any mistakes to occur"
What made him so irritable was the half piece of jade pendant on the desk
Frost did not understand.
In a few days, the rainy season will arrive, and the Luo River is about to swell. Whether it is ash or bones, once they fall into the river, they will instantly disappear
... ...
She could tell that this young Taoist was not deliberately mocking or teasing her, but truly did not take to heart the words he had spoken. Looking at his serious and calm expression, she could not understand why she felt increasingly angry.
She said resentfully: "You will die"
In the past, my father held a prominent position in the court and earned the trust of the divine empress. He was ordered to travel to Mount Tai to preside over the ceremonial book burning. In an attempt to sabotage this event, the demon clan sent Gongyang Chun to secretly assassinate my father, resulting in severe injuries. Even the esteemed Pope could not heal him when he personally visited Mount Tai. It was not until a wandering Daoist passed through Tai County that my father's injuries were treated, leading to the establishment of this marriage contract
Chen Changsheng looked at her and said earnestly
Xu Shiji squinted slightly, resembling a fierce tiger about to sleep, and said: "Then let us burn him to ashes and throw them into the Luo River"
After Chen Changsheng left the Divine General's residence, she had been following him. She did not expect that the young man would remain so calm upon seeing the capital of the Great Zhou, completely unlike an unworldly country boy. This was because she was unaware that the young man had read countless volumes of books since childhood, having already seen numerous landscapes and traveled countless miles within the pages.
In fact, I am truly here to annul the engagement. Whether you believe it or not is not important; what matters is that I no longer wish to proceed with the annulment.
He stared at the last piece of the baked cake between his fingers, lost in thought for a moment, before bringing it to his lips, carefully chewing it thirty-two times before swallowing it down. He took a handkerchief from his sleeve to wipe the crumbs off his hands, stood up, shouldered his luggage, and disappeared into the crowd
He did not notice that an inconspicuous carriage was parked at the street corner not far away. Somewhere on the unremarkable yoke of the carriage, there was a slightly darkened blood phoenix emblem. Of course, even if he saw it, he would not know that this emblem represented the Eastern Imperial General's Mansion—after the birth of Miss Xu from the Xu family, the Empress bestowed the blood phoenix upon the General's Mansion as a new emblem, which was the highest honor and also a certain proclamation
Xu Shiji said coldly: "Let that young Taoist wake up a bit"
When he spoke this passage, his eyes were very bright, and his expression was very dignified
After he arrived in Beijing, he did not visit any scenic spots, nor was he in a hurry to go to the Tian Shu Mausoleum. Instead, he took a moment to freshen up by the Luo River and then went directly to the General's residence—he intended to break off the engagement. He was truly anxious; if he married the young lady from the General's residence and his illness could not be cured, why should he burden her? Even if it could be treated, it would likely take many years.
The warhorse in front of the carriage possesses the bloodline of a unicorn, its eyes gazing at the flowing water beneath the bridge, appearing very indifferent. The gaze of the elderly woman in the carriage is also quite indifferent, yet it conceals a hint of surprise and a sense of vigilance and unease.
Of course, up until now, Chen Changsheng only wanted to make the general's wife, who concealed her indifference behind a kind facade, and the maid whose eyes only looked to the sky, anxious. In a few days, he would naturally return the marriage certificate to the other party. Life and death are at stake; the happiness of Miss Xu for her entire life is far more important than the slight coldness and disdain he has suffered. He still believes this.
Frost said, "You know I didn't mean it that way"
Since entering the residence of the divine general until now, no one has inquired about his name. However, he did not display any feelings of anger or humiliation; whether facing the lady or Shuang'er, he remained very polite, lacking in no courtesy, and even appeared somewhat somber. Yet, intriguingly, those who displeased him ultimately ended up being even more displeased than he was
On the entire continent, only my young lady possesses the true blood of the phoenix; she is truly one of a kind
Since entering the residence until now, neither you nor the lady has inquired about my name
Madam Xu felt somewhat uneasy and asked, "The most critical issue now is that marriage contract... If that person has no background and is not an important figure, then handling the matter would not be so constrained."
Madam Xu said softly: "It seems that the person indeed possesses some skills"