Chapter 3, The Spring Mountains and the Youthful Eyebrows (3)

However, it seemed that she did not see him. After completing the ceremony, she straightened her back and said: "Jinxie, although we have met from time to time over the years, the knot in your heart towards me remains unresolved, and I have never been able to say anything. But today, I suddenly feel that if I do not speak some words now, I fear there may be no opportunity left."

When Han Bi reported this matter to her mother, her mother did not even furrow her brows, focusing intently on her painting: a pool of azure water, a few withered lotus flowers, lotus leaves curling, and a few drops of water resembling tears falling.

Gently taking something out from his bosom, he handed it over: "As for what I want to say to you, it is all here."

Last night, I spoke to my mother about the conflict at Ruiyuan. She appeared slightly displeased but did not say much, sending me off to bed while she leaned by the window in contemplation. I fell into a deep sleep for a long time, yet I still felt that she remained seated by the window. In a state of extreme drowsiness, I heard her softly say, "Ultimately, it is too much like him..." Him? Or her? Like whom? Who is like whom? In a state of extreme drowsiness, I heard her softly say, "Ultimately, it is too much like him..." Him? Or her? Like whom? Who is like whom?

Only then did I say: "Noisy"

Ghost? Why doesn't mother call? She actually opened the window, does she know this ghost?

Please speak

That shadow, no!

Biting my lip, I widened my eyes to discern carefully. I was not mistaken; at some point, a slender shadow suddenly appeared outside the window, light as a feather, crouching on a fragile bamboo stalk, dancing with the wind

The man let out a cold laugh, remaining silent. After a while, he changed the subject: "I came to deliver medicine for the young lady."

Jinxie immediately turned around, the moonlight casting upon his face. However, I felt a slight disappointment; a wide bamboo hat obscured his brows and eyes. I could only see his sharply defined lips and the deep lines at the corners of his mouth, which appeared weathered and stern.

Medicine? What medicine? My heart tightened; is my mother ill?

However, Mother gently said: "The waters of the past flow to this day, all things are carried away by the eastern current. This water flows eastward with no end in sight, its sound still resembles that of old times."

Miss, have you been well?

Jinxie focused his mind and, as his excitement gradually subsided, he spoke in a softer tone: "I am a simple man and do not understand these things. A few days ago, I heard someone reciting poetry and found it quite good, so I remembered a few lines. I will share them with you as a token of appreciation."

The mother slowly opened her palm, and the silver-red pouch quietly settled in her jade-like, lustrous hand, a scene as captivating as a painting. She gazed quietly at the pouch, a wistful smile in her voice: "Ai Lu's embroidery has become increasingly exquisite. It has been so many years since we last met; I wonder how she is doing now?"

Recalling that dream from just now, I suddenly felt a chill run through me. I quietly got up, barefoot, and concealed myself behind the screen

The mother fell silent for a moment, slightly turning her head. The moonlight illuminated her cloud-like hair and rosy complexion, her snow-white robe, serene and ethereal like a being from the Jade Pool. I saw near the evil one staring unblinkingly at the momentarily entranced mother, and surprisingly, his gaze was filled with sorrow.

The corner of Jin Xie's mouth twitched slightly, and he suddenly realized: "... he is finally coming to take you away..."

As I drew closer to that object, my hand trembled slightly. My mother's body obstructed my view of it, and no matter how I turned my head, I could not see it. All I could see was the strange expression on Jinxie’s face. This cold and proud person actually displayed such an agitated demeanor upon encountering this object, which truly piqued my curiosity

The conversation fell flat, and the atmosphere suddenly became silent. Jin Xie seemed to realize that his emotions were running high, and after a light cough, he spoke awkwardly: "... At midnight, take the medicine with warm water, neither a moment too early nor a moment too late. The medicine has been delivered, I take my leave now"

I, Huaisu, trust you with this child. You are aware that she possesses exceptional talent and intelligence, inheriting some of her father's disposition. She is gentle on the outside yet strong on the inside, with a meticulous mind and a naturally proud spirit. While these traits are commendable, I have endured the burdens of wealth and honor throughout my life, entangled in schemes and plans. I have long understood the suffering that comes from worldly struggles. As I have only this one daughter, I hope for her to lead a simple life, enjoying the blessings of the common people, and I do not wish for her to be harmed by the ambitious or sullied by the pure. Therefore, I entrust her to you today with great caution, hoping that in the future, should fate allow, you will, in light of our past relationship, offer her some guidance and care.

Jin Xie was greatly startled, nearly falling from the top of the bamboo shoot. Even in his usually stable tone, which carried a hint of sarcasm, there was now a trace of panic: "... ... Dance of the willow... ... No, miss, what are you doing... ..."

How could a young lady of such noble birth need the care of a mere ruffian like Jin Xie? You are overthinking, my lady

The sound of the wind gradually grew louder, howling and whistling, the shadows of the bamboo wildly reflected on the pale window paper. I stared intently at the shadows on the window, and suddenly my scalp tingled with shock

She slowly said: "Life is like a drifting reed, fleeting between east and west; who knows what will happen in the next moment? Today we gather by the window, yet perhaps tomorrow we will be separated by mountains and seas."

The third cold laugh of Jin Xie: "Miss, it would be better for you to care more about yourself and the books."

The voice of the daughter was faint, scattered somewhat by the wind: "... ... What have you sought again, after all these years, always unwilling to give up, yet I have grown weary ... ... "

The voice carried a hint of mockery, yet the tone was heavy, as if it contained many unspoken words and sentiments. I have always been a person of meticulous thought, adept at discerning nuances in sound and color, yet I found this person's tone too complex and profound. Within that light and airy intonation lay countless weighty thoughts, which I was unable to fathom.

She smiled but did not respond, suddenly looking in my direction: "Before saying those words, I have a request to make."

I suddenly relaxed; they are people! They are old acquaintances!

The daughter set down the silk pouch, adjusted her clothing, and suddenly performed a respectful bow.

My breathing quickened, my heart felt as if it were about to leap out, and a thin layer of cold sweat broke out... I am afraid of ghosts. Since childhood, I have not been afraid of much, but I have always been extremely interested in and yet profoundly terrified of such supernatural phenomena.

There was too much sorrow and helplessness in her tone, along with many profound meanings that I had yet to comprehend. I was filled with doubt, yet ultimately succumbed to a heavy darkness, falling into a deep slumber.

A faint sound can be heard

With a slight shrug of the shoulders, one is ready to take flight

The sinister gaze also drifted towards the corner where I was hiding, and I felt a secret shame; it seemed that everyone knew I was eavesdropping

After a while, Jin Xie let out a faint sigh: "... ... In the end, you are ... ... Alas, so be it, I will agree to you. I owe your Liu family ... ... "

Even so, I still stiffly took a step forward, regardless of whether my mother knew that ghost or not, I had to protect her

In the middle of the night, a breeze arose outside the window, brushing against the bamboo forest outside the house, producing a delicate rustling sound. In the distance, the harsh sound of a clapper echoed, crisp and sharp, piercing through the thick darkness of the night

The daughter expressed her gratitude, though her voice bore no joy: "I know that a promise from you is worth a thousand gold pieces; the dance of the willow catkins has come to an end"

What is this called? A ghost? A person? I have never seen a person squatting on bamboo, being blown away by the wind; even the lightest person could not achieve that

In the voice of the near evil, there is a question of confusion: "What do you mean by this?"

But then the daughter suddenly spoke up: "Wait a moment."

I was suddenly awakened by a nightmare, struggling and drenched in cold sweat, yet I could not recall the heavy face that had pressed down on my chest, only remembering that eerie expression that was neither a smile nor a cry

With my eyes wide open and no trace of sleep, I glanced outside. My mother had not yet gone to bed. I saw her graceful figure standing by the window, like a statue in the darkness. Even as the night breeze stirred her flowing garments, it did not reveal the presence of her existence.

In the long night, the wind howls, and the waning moon is like frost. The man at the tip of the bamboo sways lightly with the wind, yet his voice is heavy and desolate. I listen in a daze, and for some reason, tears have already begun to fall.

In life, we do not meet, yet we move as if participating in commerce. What evening is this again, sharing this candlelight? How much time do the young have, as our hair has already turned gray? Tomorrow, we are separated by mountains and valleys, and the affairs of the world are both vague and distant.

That person sneered coldly, as if he were always filled with such sorrow and indignation: "Miss, do not speak to me of life and death being determined by fate, or of leaving and staying at will; I only know that my life is governed by my own actions, not by heaven."

The next day, it was heard that Aunt Liu had been beaten with twenty strokes by the lady and was taken home to recuperate. It is said that Aunt Liu was cursing all the way as she was carried out, greeting everyone in the Cangya Courtyard with her remarks.

Reaching out through the window to offer support, it seemed as if something suddenly came to mind, and quickly withdrew the hand again

Mother! The suppressed cry transformed into a thunderous scream that burst from my chest. I opened my eyes wide, and the first thing I saw was the familiar carved curtain, its yellow gauze hanging down. In front of the curtain, Aunt Yang was rushing towards me, her face filled with shock.

After a while, she gently said: "Jinxie, in the blink of an eye, several decades have passed, and the past cannot be pursued; it is ultimately behind us"

Crying until exhausted, I drifted into a hazy sleep, where in a dream that felt both real and illusory, a ground full of enchanting red flowers bloomed, only to be swept away like fire. Gradually, a sorrowful face emerged, very unfamiliar, very unfamiliar, smiling at me before vanishing. In the next moment, I saw my mother... She stood at the edge of a cliff, reciting poetry to me repeatedly: "Parting is difficult, do not rush to say goodbye..." And then she floated away gently... I cried out in despair: "Mother!" She stood at the edge of the cliff, reciting poetry to me repeatedly: "Parting is difficult, do not rush to say goodbye..." And then she floated away gently... I cried out in despair: "Mother!"

Han Bi immediately fell silent, feeling embarrassed

A finely embroidered pouch floated over, seemingly carried by someone, moving slowly and steadily. I widened my eyes; this must be the legendary martial arts master. When did Mother come to know such a master

The daughter remained stubbornly silent

Mother seemed to sigh and said, "Jinxie, you are still the same as before, while I have begun to show signs of graying hair"

My intuition tells me that mother is waiting for someone

Lowering her eyes to avoid her mother's gaze, she raised her hand and said: "Do not speak to me of these matters, just continue with the medicine"