met free Chapter 22 A Family of Three
Chapter 22 A Family of Three
"Benefactor Luo, this humble monk will now set off to return to Tibet."
The next morning, before the morning mist had completely dissipated, Kumārajīva, dressed in a brown monk's robe suitable for long journeys, arrived at the small courtyard where Russell was temporarily staying. He had already bid farewell to Abbot Huiming the day before, and today he had come specifically to say goodbye to Russell.
Russell, who was stretching in the courtyard, stopped what he was doing upon hearing this and nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Master. See you at Jiaxing Tower in Kaifeng on the third day of next month."
"See you there!" Kumārajīva replied, turning his body and stepping on clouds as if walking on green clouds. With his monk's robe fluttering, he had already leaped out of the small courtyard like a large bird. In a few leaps, he had disappeared at the end of the mountain path shrouded in morning mist. His speed was obviously due to the full use of his lightness skill, as if he was eager to return home.
After watching Kumārajīva's figure disappear, Russell thought for a moment that he had stayed in Miaofa Temple long enough and it was time to set off for the Central Plains. So he found Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing and asked for their opinions.
Duan Yu naturally followed Russell wherever he went, and Mu Wanqing hesitated for a moment but did not refuse.
So, after bidding farewell to Abbot Huiming, Luo Su, Duan Yu, Mu Wanqing, and Madam Su and Ayan boarded the carriage. Luo Su and Duan Yu drove the carriage, while Mu Wanqing and the other women and children chatted inside.
Shifocheng is only a few dozen miles away from Miaofa Temple, a journey that can be completed in half a day by fast horse.
Because many high-ranking officials and nobles in the city often went to Miaofa Temple to offer incense and fulfill their vows, this mountain road, although not particularly flat, was maintained by the government from time to time and was relatively safe along the way.
After all, no one cares about the life or death of ordinary people, but if any gentleman or lady gets frightened or sprains their ankle while bumping around on the mountain, someone will go and level the mountain.
This wicked feudal society...
The carriage rumbled forward, and inside, Mu Wanqing seemed somewhat absent-minded. Her gaze would sometimes drift to the scenery rushing past the window, and sometimes she would be lost in thought. Madam Su noticed something was wrong and leaned forward to ask softly, "Miss Mu, is something on your mind? You seem quite distracted."
Mu Wanqing was taken aback by the question. Her gaze involuntarily drifted through the gap in the curtain that was being blown by the mountain wind to the lazy figure driving in front of her, and she hesitated to speak.
Seeing this, Madam Su smiled and knew exactly what Mu Wanqing was thinking. She lowered her voice and said, "Since you like him, why not express your feelings to him? In this world, feelings are not something that only men can take the initiative to express."
"Who likes him!" Mu Wanqing blushed instantly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and denied it outright.
Madam Su was not annoyed, but just smiled and said, "Miss, don't be stubborn. I've been there. You look exactly like me when I was unmarried. Please listen to me. In this world, it's not just men who can confess their feelings to the women they love. Women can also confide in the men they love, just like I did back then."
Mu Wanqing couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Didn't Madam say before that she and Ayan's father were childhood sweethearts, and that it was only natural?"
Madam Su shook her head with a wry smile: "Marriage is not that simple. Ayan's father is honest and simple-minded. He is always afraid of delaying me. He has kept his thoughts to himself for many years without daring to speak. If I hadn't been so impatient back then and taken the initiative to express my feelings, I'm afraid he would still be dragging his feet now. If he had dragged it out, he might have really missed the opportunity."
Mu Wanqing sighed: "I am different from Madam."
She made a vow, and he made a vow; the back-and-forth was always troublesome.
Madam Su was puzzled: "What's the difference? You must know, young lady, in this life, meeting someone is fate. To meet someone in the vast sea of people with whom you are willing to entrust your life is a blessing from heaven. If you miss this opportunity because you are hesitant and timid, you will have nowhere to cry later."
Mu Wanqing opened her mouth, but was speechless for a moment.
Outside the car, Russell held the reins loosely with one hand, a slight smile playing on his lips.
At such close range, with his hearing, even if they lowered their voices, he could hear them clearly.
All I can say is that Madam Su is amazing, she can be called the best wingman in the novel. Her words were probably as destructive as a nuclear bomb, and Mu Wanqing is probably completely numb.
The carriage swayed and rocked along the way until the setting sun painted the clouds on the horizon a brilliant orange-red, at which point it finally entered the city gate of Shifo City.
Shifo City is located on the border between the Song Dynasty and Dali, with a special geographical location. In addition to the original inhabitants who have lived here for generations, the city's residents are mostly merchants who travel between the two countries, engaging in trade in tea, horses, medicinal herbs, silk, and other goods.
The city wasn't particularly grand or magnificent, but its walls were thick and its streets were wide and clean, enough to accommodate three to four hundred thousand people.
After the carriage entered the city, Madam Sue invited Russell and his companions to her home, saying that there was a nice inn across the alley from her house.
Russell naturally wouldn't refuse, after all, Mrs. Su had lived in this city since she was a child and had local acquaintances to guide her, so she would know more about it than he, an outsider.
Russell and his companions then lodged at the White Pine Inn near Madam Su's house. Although it was said to be nearby, it was actually right across the street, separated only by a bluestone path about five or six zhang wide, which was very convenient.
After settling their luggage, the three of them quickly found Madam Su's house, following the address given to them, and finally met Sun Ping, the taciturn husband Madam Su had mentioned.
Sun Ping, true to his name, has a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes. He wears a dark brown coarse cloth outfit, and at first glance, he can be described as safe and reliable.
Upon seeing his wife return with a friend, he quickly put down the cargo he was repairing, hastily wiped his hands on his clothes, and went to greet her.
After exchanging introductions and pleasantries, Madam Su tied on her apron and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Luo Su, Duan Yu, and Mu Wanqing chatted with Sun Ping in the courtyard, while also looking after Ayan and the infant Ning'er.
Sun Ping was a talkative person. When he learned that Luo Su and Duan Yu were young heroes who traveled the world, his eyes lit up and he asked curiously what the world was like.
He used to wander the streets and alleys in his spare time, and he loved to listen to the storytellers in the teahouses tell stories of chivalrous heroes, about chivalry and righteousness, and how they could settle scores quickly. He was very envious and wondered if the world of chivalry in the books was really that exciting.
Russell pointed to Duan Yu beside him and laughed, "Then you'll have to ask this man; he's the most qualified to speak on this."
"Oh, Brother Luo, that really hurts!"
Upon hearing this, Duan Yu's face immediately fell, and he poured out his grievances to Sun Ping:
"Brother Sun, you must not believe what is written in the books. The martial world is really not fun. Some people don't treat people like human beings at all. They will fight and kill at the slightest disagreement. They will use all kinds of despicable means. If I hadn't been lucky, I would probably be a lonely ghost in some desolate mountain wilderness long ago."