The Mid-Autumn Festival in the 62nd year of Qingyuan was the coldest Mid-Autumn Festival in Da Wei.
It had been raining since the morning and the clouds were heavy. Looking at the situation, it seemed like it would rain for an entire day.
Mount Lianxue was a chaotic mountain with many peaks. Because of the rain, the fog was thick and the mountain path was difficult to travel on.
The carriage slowly passed on the mountain path.
Even on such a difficult mountain path, Mount Lianxue was bustling all year round. This was because there was a spiritual temple on the mountain called Yuhua. Yuhua Temple was very popular. It was said that anyone who worshipped Buddha there could have their wishes fulfilled. This was an exaggeration, but Yuhua Temple had existed for hundreds of years. It was a true ancient temple. The officials and nobles of Shuo City were all willing to come here to pray during festivals to pray for their families to be safe and happy.
The curtain of the carriage was lifted. Xiao family's eldest young mistress, Bai Rongwei, looked outside and said softly, "Soon, we will reach Yuhua Temple in less than half an hour."
"Are you hungry?" Xiao Jing asked warmly beside her.
Bai Rongwei shook her head and looked at the carriage behind her. She was a little worried. "Huaijin …"
Xiao Jing sighed softly and didn't say anything.
Xiao family knew that Second Young Master Xiao didn't like the Mid-Autumn Festival. He even hated it.
Xiao Zhongwu died on the battlefield and it was the Mid-Autumn Festival soon. If he was still alive, he would have come back to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with his family. Unfortunately, he died in the Battle of Mingshui before the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived. Xiao family's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was prepared halfway and stopped abruptly.
It didn't continue.
Ever since the Xiao family couple passed away, Xiao Jue wasn't in Shuo Jing every Mid-Autumn Festival. This year was his first Mid-Autumn Festival in Shuo Jing since he took over the Southern Prefecture Army. Xiao family also followed the rules when Madam Xiao was still alive. They burned incense and prayed at Mount Lianxue's Yuhua Temple during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
However, they didn't expect the weather to be so bad today. Not only was there no sun, but the rain didn't stop.
Just as Bai Rongwei had said, in less than half an hour, they could see the door of Yuhua Temple. A monk wearing a bamboo hat was sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground. When he saw the Xiao family's carriage arrive, he put down the broom in his hand and welcomed them into the temple.
Because of the rain today, the mountain path was difficult to travel on. In the past, at this time of the year, Yuhua Temple would have been bustling with activity. However, today, other than the carriage of the Xiao family, there was only one other carriage parked outside the mountain gate. It was unknown which family it belonged to.
Xiao Jue followed them inside.
The sky was dark. Although it was afternoon, it looked as if it was already evening. They followed the monks in the temple to have a vegetarian meal first, and then went to the Buddha hall to burn incense and pray for blessings.
Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jue went in first. When it was Xiao Jue's turn, the monk in green reached out his hand to stop him. He said, "Almsgiver, you cannot go in."
Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing turned around. Bai Rongwei asked, "Why? This is my younger brother. We went up the mountain to pray for blessings together. "
The monk in green put his palms together and bowed to her. He then turned to Xiao Jue, lowered his head and said, "Benefactor, you have killed too many people. The Buddhist temple is a peaceful place, not a place for those whose hearts are stained with blood."
They were startled.
He had killed too many people.
In the battle of Guo City's Long Valley, sixty thousand people were drowned. Wasn't that because he had killed too many people? Over the years, countless people from the Southern Barbarians had died at his hands. His heart was indeed stained with blood.
"Master," Bai Rongwei was anxious. "Buddha saves all living beings. How can there be a distinction between high and low?"
"Although his hands are stained with blood, he has saved many lives." Xiao Jing frowned. "Master, your words are too one-sided."
The monk in green lowered his eyes and said nothing.
"Master, please be tolerant," Bai Rongwei pleaded. "Our Xiao family is willing to pay more incense, as long as my brother can also enter the Buddha hall to pray."
"There's no need." Someone's voice interrupted her.
The young man in the brocade robe looked up and his gaze fell on the Buddha hall. In the Buddha hall, a golden Buddha statue sat cross-legged. There was a fierce Vajra with angry eyes, and a serene Vairocana. From top to bottom, from far to near, they looked down at him with pity.
The Sanskrit Niao Niao. The sea of bitterness was boundless, and Buddha could not be saved.
He should have expected this ending.
"He can't save me." Xiao Jue raised the corner of her mouth. "I don't want to look back."
It was not impossible to sink into oblivion like this.
He turned and walked out. "I'll wait for you outside."
Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing's shouts came from behind him. He frowned impatiently and turned to leave everything behind.
He didn't know that after he left, the monk in green chanted the name of Buddha and whispered, "It may not be fated."
Because it was raining, the road down the mountain was more slippery than the road up the mountain. The sky was dark, and it would be inappropriate to go down the mountain after praying. Tonight, they could only stay at Yuhua Temple.
Sleeping outside on the Mid-Autumn Festival was also a helpless matter. The monk arranged a room for Bai Rongwei and the others and left. Bai Rongwei sighed. On the table was a moon ball specially made by Yuhua Temple. She said to Xiao Jing, "Go and call Huaijin. Let's reluctantly spend the Mid-Autumn Festival here."
Xiao Jing went to the next room and knocked on the door. For a long time, no one answered. He pushed the door and entered. The room was empty.
Xiao Jue was not in the room.
He looked at the courtyard of the temple. The rain washed the stone slabs clean. It was raining. Where did Xiao Jue go?
In the backyard of Yuhua Temple, there was an ancient tree. Yuhua Temple had been here since it was built. No one knew how many hundreds of years it had lived. The ancient tree had a spirit. Its branches and leaves were luxuriant. The believers who came to offer incense called it the "Immortal Tree". The Immortal Tree was hung with red silk ribbons. Some prayed for good grades, and some prayed for good weather. The red silk covered the branches. When it rained, there was no shelter outside. The hanging prayer strips were wet and stuck to the branches as if they were covered with a layer of red silk.
The young man holding the umbrella stopped.
A piece of red cloth fell on the ground. There was a yellow tassel on it. Probably the rain was too heavy and the red silk was blown down.
Xiao Jue paused and bent down to pick up the red silk.
Each piece of red silk was written with the wish of the person who hung it. He looked down. The one on the left was wet from the rain. The ink was so thick that he could not see its original appearance. The one on the right was still clear. The words were crooked, like the scribbles of a three-year-old child. The word "Look" was written on it.
Look?
Look at what? It was strange. He was tall. He tied the strange red silk back to the tree. He deliberately found a place where the leaves were the most luxuriant. This way, it would not be soaked easily by the rain.
After doing all this, he put the umbrella aside again. The sachet on his waist was exposed because of his movements. He was stunned.
The sachet was very old. It was a dark green bag with a black python embroidered on it with gold thread. It was majestic, flexible, and exquisite. However, too much time had passed. The stitches were worn out and the python pattern was not as vivid as before. The sachet was empty, as if there was nothing inside.
He stroked the sachet with his fingertips. Something sank in his eyes.
The youths in the Xianchang Gymnasium all knew that Xiao Jue had a sachet with him since he was young. The more mischievous ones like Lin Shuanghe had always been curious about what kind of treasure was inside. Later, when he had the opportunity to open it, he found that it was a bag full of osmanthus candy.
At that time, Second Young Master Xiao was ridiculed. He liked to eat sweet things so much that he even carried them with him to school.
Little did he know that this was made for him by Madam Xiao when she was alive.
After Madam Xiao died, he still carried this sachet. However, there was no longer any candy inside. There was only one … old, blackened, and inedible osmanthus candy.
Xiao Jue left the mountain at the age of fifteen and entered the Xianchang Gymnasium. He had learned everything he needed to learn in the early years of the mountain. Therefore, he only needed to see it once to remember the lessons taught by his teacher. He slept in between classes all day long. Often, he easily got first place. His teacher liked him, and his classmates envied him. In the eyes of outsiders, it was unknown how much good karma he had accumulated in his previous life to be able to reincarnate like this.
However, Xiao Zhongwu was extremely strict with him.
He was born lazy. Originally, when he was on the mountain, other than his teacher, there was no one to discipline him. Xiao Zhongwu also could not see him. After he left the mountain, his classmates often invited him to the banquet today and the pear garden tomorrow. They were all fourteen or fifteen years old youths, so there was no reason for him not to go. Although most of the time, he just sat lazily at the side and watched, or simply slept. However, in Xiao Zhongwu's eyes, he felt that this child was willing to degenerate and idle around.
Xiao Zhongwu reprimanded him and used the family law to confiscate his monthly allowance. He punished him to copy books and practice martial arts.
He did everything he was told. However, as a youth, arrogance and unruliness were engraved in his bones. How could he really accept it? The more he calmly accepted his punishment, the angrier Xiao Zhongwu became. Later on, he quarreled with Xiao Zhongwu.
Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows. "What you wanted me to do, I did it. Since you only want to see the results, the results are already out. Father, what are you feeling awkward about? "
The corner of the youth's mouth curved into a mocking smile. In an instant, Xiao Zhongwu's hand that was holding the whip stopped. Xiao Jue chuckled and turned to leave.
That was the last time he saw Xiao Zhongwu alive.
The next day, Xiao Zhongwu led the troops to the southern barbarians. Not long after, he died in the Battle of Mingshui.
When the news of the coffin being transported back to the capital, Madam Xiao was in the kitchen making osmanthus candy for Xiao Jue. When she heard the news, a plate of osmanthus candy was knocked over and fell to the ground, covered in dust.
The trusted aide who was lucky enough to survive knelt in front of Madam Xiao and cried. "We originally planned to go to Mingshui two days earlier, but the general said that Mingshui is rich in ironware. He wanted to make a sword for Second Young Master. Before leaving, he argued with Second Young Master and hurt Second Young Master's feelings. He hoped that this sword would let Second Young Master understand his painstaking efforts. I didn't expect … I didn't expect … "
Madam Xiao's heart-wrenching cries could be heard in the house.
She rushed forward and hit Xiao Jue. She cried and scolded, "Why are you angry with him? Why! If you weren't angry with him, he wouldn't have stayed in Mingshui. He wouldn't have been ambushed and he wouldn't have died! "
He endured this terrible accusation and let the woman's soft fists fall on his body. He didn't say a word.
How could it be? His father, that resolute and strict man, didn't show any mercy when he waved the whip. How could a man who left his child in a strange mountain and didn't come back once a year die? He was cold and ruthless, righteous. How could he die?
The terrible accusation continued.
"It's you who killed him! It's you who killed your father! "
He couldn't bear it and pushed his mother away. "I didn't! It's not me! "
The woman was pushed away by him and looked at him blankly. Unable to bear her desperate look, Xiao Jue turned and ran out.
He didn't know where he should go, nor did he know who he should talk to. It had only been a year since he went down the mountain and returned to Shuo Jing. In a year, he didn't even know everyone in Xiao Mansion. He didn't even learn how to get along with his family.
It … it was already like this.
When people are in extreme pain, they don't cry. He didn't feel the pain now, he was just confused. It was as if he had just heard an impossible joke and did not know how to react. He just felt that his steps were heavy and he didn't dare to go forward. He couldn't face his mother's desperate and mournful eyes.
Many years later, Xiao Jue would think that if he hadn't been so timid and went back to the house, everything that happened later wouldn't have happened.
But there were no ifs.
When he went back, it was already night time. Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei had already come back. Their eyes were red and swollen, as if they had cried. Xiao Jing, who was always weak and polite, rushed up and punched him. She grabbed his collar and shouted with red eyes, "Where did you go? Why weren't you in the mansion? Why weren't you with mother! "
He suddenly felt a wave of disgust and self-mockery. He pulled the corner of his mouth. "You and I are both sons. Why don't you ask yourself?"
"You!"
"Huaijin," Bai Rongwei sobbed. "Mother is gone."
His smile froze.
"Mother … is gone." Xiao Jing let go and took two steps back. She covered her face and sobbed.
Madam Xiao's life was as weak as a flower that had never experienced wind and rain. When Xiao Zhongwu was alive, she was dissatisfied with him and quarreled with him every few days. They were like a resentful couple. Xiao Zhongwu died, and the flower withered. Without any nutrients, it followed him.
She left so decisively that she didn't even think about what her two sons would do if they stayed in Shuo Jing. Xiao family. The moment she lost Xiao Zhongwu, her life no longer had any meaning. So she used a piece of white silk to end her life.
Before she died, the last words she said to Xiao Jue were: You killed him. You killed your father!
These words would become an eternal nightmare for Xiao Jue. Years later, he would often wake up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep.
He would never be able to get rid of it.
Xiao Zhongwu and Madam Xiao were buried together. A few days ago, in preparation for the Mid-Autumn Festival, the lanterns and canvases were removed and replaced with white lanterns.
Xiao Zhongwu's death brought more than just a blow to the Xiao family. Xiao Jing had suffered many open and covert attacks in the imperial court, so Xiao Jue had to bear the same burden behind his back. The Nan fu soldiers, the Xiao family, and the unwarranted blame for the Battle of Mingshui.
He still didn't shed a single tear. He did things numbly and made arrangements. The time he could sleep was getting shorter and shorter. The days he returned to the fu were getting later and later.
That night, Xiao Jue returned to the fu late. After Xiao Zhongwu's death, most of the servants in the fu were dismissed. Other than his personal bodyguards, he didn't need any servants. He felt hungry and realized that he hadn't eaten for a whole day.
It was too late. There was no need to trouble Bai Rongwei. Xiao Jue went to the kitchen to see if there was any leftover food.
The stove was cold and there wasn't much food in the kitchen. Everyone was busy these days and didn't have the heart to eat. He found two steamed buns and a bowl of pickled vegetables.
The light was so weak that it looked like it was going to go out. There were no stools in the kitchen. The youth was very tired. He found a corner by the wall and sat down. Suddenly, he saw an osmanthus candy at the end of the long table, in the corner of the wall.
When the news of Xiao Zhongwu's death came, Madam Xiao was making osmanthus candy for Xiao Jue. When she heard the news, the plate of osmanthus candy was knocked over. Later, the servants cleaned it up and there was nothing left.
There was one that had slipped through the net. It was lying quietly in the corner, covered in dust.
He crawled over and carefully picked up the osmanthus candy. He brushed the dust off it. The candy smelled faintly of osmanthus. It was as sweet as always.
Madam Xiao always made osmanthus candy very sweet. It was so sweet that it hurt people. He didn't eat sweet things.
But this was the last piece of candy he got in the human world.
There was still candy paper left in the sachet. He wrapped the candy and put it back in the sachet. He picked up the bowl and the steamed bun.
Second Young Master Xiao had always been noble. He was particular about cleanliness. But now, he didn't care about his manners and sat down to eat. He hadn't changed his clothes for two days. His stomach hadn't eaten a single grain of rice. He no longer looked as beautiful and charming as he did in the past.
The youth leaned against the wall and sat with his head raised. He slowly chewed on the steamed bun. As he ate, he laughed at himself. There seemed to be a bright light in his eyes, like the embers of the stars in the long night.
It disappeared quickly.
Time flew, leaving no trace. The past seemed to be a memory from his previous life. Those complicated emotions intertwined and finally turned into a nonchalant smile.
It wasn't a hurdle that couldn't be crossed.
He looked at the sachet in his hand in a daze. He didn't know what to think. After a while, he let go and continued to walk forward.
"Young Master." Fei Nu came from behind. He took the umbrella and held it for Xiao Jue. He asked, "Are we going back to the temple now?"
"Let's go." Xiao Jue said, "Let's get some fresh air."
The last trace of light disappeared. Mount Lianxue was completely dark. Thick fog filled the air. It was like an illusion in the mountains. Almost no one would leave on a night like this.
The rain fell along the umbrella. It wasn't heavy, but it was dense. It was like a layer of cold gauze, covering the mountains.
"I don't know when this rain will stop." Fei Nu murmured.
Most of the Mid-Autumn nights were sunny. It was rare to see a night like this. Xiao Jue looked up. The night was dark and he couldn't see the end.
He said, "There is no moon tonight."
Without the moon, people wouldn't be round.
The mountain forest road was muddy. Other than the sound of the rain, nothing could be heard. The further they walked, the more lush the trees were. They couldn't see clearly. Suddenly, there was a rustling sound in front of them. Fei Nu paused and reminded, "Young Master."
Xiao Jue shook his head, indicating that he had heard it.
It was so late and it was raining. Who would be here?
Fei Nu poked the lantern in his hand forward. The rain was heavy. There was a figure standing under a tree. At first, he could only see a blurry shadow. It was probably a woman. He didn't know what she was doing. He took two steps forward and looked again. He saw that the woman was standing on a rock. Her hands were tugging at something long, and she was pulling it down.
It was tied to the tree. It was a piece of white silk.
This woman was seeking death.
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