With the sound of bells and drums, and the chanting of sutras, Yuanxi and Luo Yuan walked to the towering Bodhi tree in the courtyard, looking up to see a white bird spreading its wings towards the sky, with distant green mountains shrouded in evening clouds.
Yuanxi deeply breathed in the scent of incense and leaves mingling in the air, finally letting go of her restraint and asking, “Young Master, how have you been lately?”
Luo Yuan withdrew his gaze from where their shadows overlapped and looked up at the distant mountains shrouded in mist, finally revealing a faint smile, “Not too bad. And Madam? Is there something troubling you?”
He asked casually, but Yuanxi hesitated slightly. The matter between her and Xia Mingyuan was ultimately a family matter, not something she could easily confide in him. As she pondered with her head down, Luo Yuan turned to look at her, focusing on her, and suddenly smiled gently, “Do you still see me as the Young Master?”
Yuanxi was taken aback, her eyes suddenly feeling hot. In the past, whenever she concealed her thoughts, the Young Master always seemed to see through her. If she refused to speak, he would intentionally put on a stern face and ask if she didn’t trust him as the Young Master.
It seemed like time had taken a turn, bringing them back to where they started, yet everything couldn’t always remain the same.
Now, his smile was still warm, his green robe fluttering in the breeze, blending softly into the ancient Zen temple. Yuanxi suddenly felt that something had changed, that the missed feelings and obsessions were dissipating in this smile. So she lifted her chin, her eyes clear, and smiled, “In my heart, the Young Master has always been the person I most respect and trust.”
Luo Yuan’s eyes flickered, his lips still gently lifted, “Then can you tell the Young Master why you can’t figure things out today, and have to kneel and ask before the Buddha, to see if I can help you?”
After some hesitation, Yuanxi decided not to hide anymore and revealed all the conflicts and worries between her and Xia Mingyuan, all her concerns and burdens. These days, these things had been constantly tormenting her heart, and now she finally had someone to confide in, which relieved her a lot and eased the burden on her chest.
Luo Yuan listened quietly until she finished, then sighed, “The enmity between the Xia family and the Xiao family has been going on for a long time, and it’s not something you alone can unravel. Moreover, His Highness faces more than just your father’s family.”
Yuanxi heard the worry in his tone. She didn’t understand much about political disputes, but she trusted the Young Master’s insight and judgment. At this moment, she couldn’t help but worry about the situation he would face.
Seeing her change in expression, Luo Yuan guessed some of what she was thinking. He turned his head to look into the distance and suddenly said, “Have I ever told you about my background?”
Yuanxi tilted her head and thought for a moment, “The Young Master only mentioned your hometown and that you traveled outside when you were young. You didn’t say much else.”
Luo Yuan smiled and said, “It’s said to be traveling, but it was actually because of poverty and helplessness, having to wander around. I was born in a small border town and suffered from turmoil since childhood. When I was eight, my parents died in the war, and later, I could only rely on relatives to get by. At that time, I had a distant relative without children, who wanted to adopt me and give me all his property and land, as long as I could take care of him in his old age.
But I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life between that village and those fields. I wanted to take the imperial examinations, to make a name for myself, to do something more useful for my country. So I endured all my relatives’ disdain and insisted on passing the provincial exam. Later, I left my hometown, worked odd jobs traveled around, and continued to study for the imperial exam until I accidentally met Mr. Liu, my mentor. Then I had the opportunity to teach at your family’s school, which brought me a few years of peace.”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “During those days when I was wandering outside, I also experienced hardship and confusion, and there were times when I couldn’t bear the heavy burden. But I have never regretted my choices. Because this is my lifelong ambition, and because of it, I have met many different people and seen different things. Regardless of the length of life, at least I can say with a clear conscience that I have never wasted my life.”
He suddenly turned his head to look at her, his voice soft but firm, “Wanwan, in life, you only need to be responsible for yourself. Ask yourself: do you want to bury the rest of your life in that place that has hardly ever brought you true happiness because of so-called family ties and your surname? Won’t you regret it?”
Yuanxi had never heard such words before. At this moment, she felt her heart-stirring but also filled with courage. The thoughts that had been buried deep in her heart these days, the ones she had been afraid to face, were gradually becoming clear.
Her gaze became determined, she wiped away the tear that had slid down her cheek, and nodded, “Thank you, Young Master. I think I understand now.”
Luo Yuan knew she had figured it out, and felt relieved in his heart, but he continued to ask, “Have you figured it out? If His Highness and the Marquis come to a head, how will you choose?”
Yuanxi looked up, tears in her eyes, and smiled through them, “I will beg him to spare my father’s life no matter what. Maybe he won’t be able to do it, and I will resent him for it. But no matter what, I won’t regret the choice I made today.”
Luo Yuan gazed at her, noticing the determination on her face. She was no longer the young girl who followed him around, asking questions timidly. His little girl had grown up, and this growth wasn’t because of him.
The chanting of scriptures echoed in the temple, “All love is impermanent, difficult to sustain. In this life, there is much fear and anxiety, as fragile as morning dew. From attachment arises worry, from attachment arises fear. If one is free from attachment, there is neither worry nor fear…” The verses lingered around the tree as Luo Yuan folded his hands, gazing at the distant mountains, and softly exhaled, “Very well, I believe you won’t need the guidance of the Young Master anymore.” He suddenly straightened his sleeves, slightly bowed, and faced Yuanxi solemnly, “I wish Madam peace and happiness in the future, free from worries and troubles. Take care!”
With that said, he turned away without looking back, striding away with a composed and dignified posture, the pine and cypress trees in the courtyard still adorned with verdant green, making his figure appear even more composed and upright. Yuanxi watched his retreating figure for a long time under the Bodhi tree, finally gently curling her lips and silently saying in her heart, “Farewell.”
As the sound of the Zen bell rang again, an hour had passed. Yuanxi wandered casually in the courtyard, accompanied by Buddhist verses, feeling an unusual sense of ease and tranquility in her heart.
Finally returning to the meditation room, Li Mama and Anhe noticed that the worry on her brow had faded considerably. They assumed she had gained some insight in front of the Buddha and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling happy for her.
They sat and chatted over tea and snacks until it was nearly noon. Suddenly, a servant boy beside Xia Mingyuan rushed in and respectfully said, “Miss, His Excellency says he has some matters to attend to and asks you to return to the mansion for lunch first.”
Yuanxi felt a bit strange. Her father had said he was taking her to relax, but once they entered the temple, he didn’t show up and left her alone in the meditation room. Now he asked her to return to the mansion first. She wondered what urgent matter needed to be dealt with.
But she didn’t dwell too much on this thought and simply ordered Li Mama to accompany her out of the temple and onto the carriage. The other maidservants got into another carriage. The sound of horse hooves clattered as they slowly headed towards the Marquis’ Mansion along the mountain path in front of the temple.
Meanwhile, bypassing the courtyard walls of the temple, Luo Yuan, wearing a purple robe, walked through the silent monastery to a secluded meditation room. Inside, someone stood with their back to him, their purple robe reflecting in the faint smoke. Luo Yuan stood respectfully outside the door, bowing, “Luo Yuan is here as ordered.”
The person remained silent for a moment before saying, “Very well. I have always liked intelligent young people like you. Rest assured, what you asked for will be done.”
Luo Yuan smiled faintly, expressing his gratitude once again, before turning away and walking outside. However, at that moment, his smile turned into a cold smirk.
Meanwhile, Yuanxi, bouncing along in the carriage, was unaware of all this. She had no time to admire the mountain scenery along the way, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of how to explain her decision to her father. Would her father be willing to let her return?
Suddenly, she felt the carriage lurch to a stop, nearly causing her and Li Mama to collide with the carriage wall. Outside, there were frantic neighs of horses and shouts and clamor.
“What reckless driving!” Li Mama cursed angrily and was about to push the door open to investigate when Yuanxi suddenly grabbed her hand, feeling a sense of foreboding.
At this moment, the noise outside gradually subsided, leaving an eerie silence. Suddenly, footsteps approached the carriage, as if someone was walking towards it. Yuanxi’s heart pounded, and she quickly pulled Li Mama in front of her, whispering, “Something might have happened outside. I’m afraid they’re here for Father. Whatever happens, you must find a way to sneak back and inform Father to bring reinforcements!”
Li Mama’s face showed fear, but just then, the carriage door was lifted open. Yuanxi clenched her fists, trying to calm herself down, but when she saw the face peering in, she couldn’t help but freeze.
The person, though possessing a robust and imposing figure, had white hair and eyebrows, making him look like an old man. His gaze swept over the carriage interior, finally fixing on Yuanxi, and asked, “You are Xia Mingyuan’s daughter.”
Under the scrutiny of this gaze, Yuanxi couldn’t help but tremble slightly. However, she summoned her courage, straightened her back, and said, “Who are you? Do you know it’s a serious crime to ambush government officials’ families on the road? The Marquis’ guards are right behind us. If you leave now, I can pretend I didn’t see anything.”
The person couldn’t help but burst into laughter at these words, laughing so hard that even his white beard trembled. He said, “The little girl has some courage, but it doesn’t matter. Just take me back first, and we’ll talk later!”
Yuanxi was trembling with fear, but realizing there were only two female members in the carriage, she knew there was no way to resist. So she straightened her back, got off the carriage by herself, and at the same time, secretly signaled Li Mama, who was trembling inside the carriage.
The old man with the white beard showed a look of appreciation, preparing to follow Yuanxi out, but suddenly turned his head and stared at Li Mama, who was about to sneak away. He said, “You, come along too!”