Chapter 8 third quarter

"That's it." Boya said to Qingming. Since then, for almost a month, Boya went to Horikawa several times and played the flute there.But the ox cart was nowhere to be seen. "Oh, Boya, in those days when she came, you just asked someone to help you, and you could ask anyone to help you, didn't you just follow the bullock cart! Didn't you do that—" Qingming asked. "I thought about it, but since the other party refuses to even say his name, it feels a bit inappropriate to do this kind of thing again." I would never do that kind of indecent thing.This is what Boya meant.

"I still remember when she lifted the curtain to appreciate the jade face of the moonlight. Even if she floated up in the moonlight and soared to the sky, I would not be surprised at all." Boya stared at the bright moon in the sky through the eaves, sighing endlessly. "When Horikawa was playing the flute, sometimes I could feel her breath reaching my ears clearly." The flute is like weeping and complaining. The bullock cart on the opposite side parked quietly. Inside the bead curtain, the young lady listened to the sound of the flute, inhaled and exhaled quietly, exhaling the fragrance of orchids.The sound of her breathing reached Boya's eardrums.

"In my ears, it seems that the sound of her breathing at that time is still there." Boya turned his gaze from Mingyue to Qingming. "Next—" Seimei asked. "Next, what do you mean?" "I mean, the story is not over yet, and the rest should be told." "you know?" "Of course, you are not a man who can hide and hide." "Qingming, didn't you say I'm a fool?" Boya deliberately spoke in an unnatural and awkward tone. "I didn't say that." "Ok." Boya raised his glass and said, "Actually, Qingming—"

He moved his body slightly forward. "Twelve years later, I met her again." "hehe." "And just tonight..." Boya said, "The moonlight is so beautiful tonight. Before coming here, I walked to Horikawa Bridge while playing my flute." Boya talked to himself and nodded knowingly. Boya walked out of his mansion, the atmosphere was filled with the breath of the rainy season. In the sky, the mantle of clouds scattered and scattered, and the moon poked its head out. As the clouds moved, the moon flickered. The night air is full of moisture, but Boya's flute sound is still very penetrating.

"When I walked to Horikawa Bridge, I couldn't help but recall the charm of that young lady. So I played the flute there for a while." After blowing for a while, Boya suddenly noticed something. "It's strange, Qingming, there's actually an ox cart parked under the willow tree—" Boya's voice rose. "Whenever I missed the past, I would go to the Horikawa area. This kind of thing used to happen, and this evening is not the first time. Moreover, as far as I am concerned, I never thought that I could meet her again." Boya put the flute to his lips and held his breath.

There was only one handyman by the ox cart. The shape of the face is still a little familiar. "Could it be..." This word was the only word that came to Boya's mind. Is there really such a thing—— Thinking this way in his heart, Boya walked towards the bullock cart unconsciously. Boya stopped in front of the ox cart. It was still the bullock cart with hanging windows. "Lord Boya..." A voice came from behind the curtain. It was the voice of a woman I heard twelve years ago. "It's you..." "It's been a long time." Said a soft voice.

"I came here again when I heard the long-lost, unforgettable sound of the flute. Master Boya is also here—" "I didn't expect to see you again." "The wonderful sound of the flute is the same as before. After I heard it, I felt like I was flying towards the sky in the moonlight." "Your voice is just like my memory, it hasn't changed at all!" Boya just said the words, but heard a voice from the curtain, whether it was a sigh or a smile. "After twelve years, women have changed a lot..." The woman murmured in a low voice. "In this world, nothing is static. The same is true of people's hearts." The woman said with emotion.

"I also thought that I would never see Fangrong again." "I thought so too, Lord Boya..." the woman said softly. Boya looked at it from a close distance, and the car was indeed exactly the same as it was twelve years ago.Only the curtains were brand new, but the shape of the car and the color of the hood seemed familiar.It's getting old in some places, and the paint is peeling in many places, but it's still in good condition. The appearance of the handyman, even after twelve years, is still the appearance in memory. "If we didn't hear the flute tonight, we might not be able to meet again."

"This flute of mine, let me meet with someone I'm destined to meet again." "yes." Boya understood, and put the flute to his lips again. Ye Er—— This is the name of Boya's flute. The flute played again. The graceful rhythm slid out of the flute lightly. It was a very delicate voice.It seems that gold and silver threads are entwined and spread out into the distance.A few colorful butterflies with blue phosphorescence are flying and playing in the moonlight on the thin thread. One song is enough, and one song is coming. This song ends, and that one comes one after another.

Boya played the flute in a daze. From Boya's eyes, one line, two strands, hot tears flowed down his cheeks. Even if Boya stopped blowing Ye Er, the surrounding air still contained rhythm, swaying and trembling. In the gentle silence like water, only the moonlight poured down from the sky. Even the particles in the air sensed the sound of Boya's flute, as if dyed with a subtle light. A low whimper came from behind the curtain. "What's the matter with you?" Boya couldn't help asking. After a while, the crying gradually stopped. "Anything sad?" "there is nothing."

There was a silence. As if to break the silence, the woman said again: "Master Boya, where are you going tonight?" "Oh, I'm going to go to Tsuchimikado's friend." "You mentioned Tsuchimikado, it's the residence of Abe Seimei-sama." "yes." "I heard that Boya-sama and Seimei-sama have an extraordinary relationship." "right." Boya nodded, followed by another silence. "Master Boya, I have a request." The woman said. "What's up?" "I heard that Abe Seimei-sama can use alchemy, manipulate shikigami, and do all kinds of incredible things. Is it true?" "Since you hear people say that, it may be true." Boya replied very tactfully. Even Boya was amazed several times by Seimei's alchemy displayed from time to time.However, those things are not suitable for interpretation. "It's true." "Well, maybe." Boya's answer is unpredictable. The woman was silent, as if there was something difficult to decide, and after a while, she said: "This time, five days later, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the sumo wrestlers will hold a court match. At that time, Master Zhenfa Chengcun will hold a match with Lord Hai Hengshi. Do you know about this?" "I know." Boya nodded. Zhenfa Chengcun is the most left hand. Hai Hengshi is the right hand. "Most hand" was the highest level of sumo at that time, which was equivalent to "Ozeki".Today, "yokozuna" has become the highest level, and "yokozuna" is a new title after "Ozeki", and it was not a word indicating level at first.Indicates the level of sumo wrestling, and has different titles in different eras. Zhenfachengcun and Haihengshi, the two best left and right, will compete in this palace competition, of course Boya knows about it. "Nowadays, in the palace, the ministers are guessing which side will win." "yes……" "What's the matter with you?" "Ugh……" The woman remained silent. After a while, he finally made up his mind and said: "Can you ask Abe Seimei-sama for me to let one side lose—" "..." Boya was speechless for a moment. What is this woman talking about?He couldn't figure out what medicine was in the woman's gourd. "Can you ask Abe Seimei-sama to use some alchemy to make Hai Hengshi, the right hand, come back in a big defeat..." the woman asked again. "This, this kind of thing..." Boya could not answer this question. At this moment, a snow-white hand appeared from under the curtain. When that hand grasped the corner of the curtain, the curtain rose gently from bottom to top. The figure of a woman in a gorgeous kimono with a willow pattern appeared in front of her eyes. The smell of lavender is stronger. That was the face she hadn't seen for twelve years. This time, instead of facing the moon, he stared directly at Boya's face. Under the clear light of the moon, the woman's face is vivid. Twelve years of time were imprinted on her face. The muscles of the cheeks sag due to overwhelm, and wrinkles appear at the ends of the lips. There are also wrinkles around the corners of the eyes and on the forehead, which are clearly visible in the moonlight.The body seems to have grown fat. His face was still thin, but it was clearly different from before. Boya was momentarily at a loss. It wasn't because of a glimpse of the traces of twelve years on the woman's body, but because of the woman's unconcealed strong will, which made him shrink back unconsciously. Even on a moonlit night, it was unprecedented for a woman of noble status to show her face so boldly in front of a man. By the age of fifteen or sixteen, women have already married as wives, which is a common phenomenon in this era. Here, the woman's deep consciousness can be clearly seen. Boya didn't know how to answer properly. "I'll ask Seimei." Such words cannot be said indiscriminately. However, to this woman, it is impossible to say hurtful words such as "that is impossible". In the eyes of the woman who stared at Boya and asked him for help, an indescribable deep sadness was quietly burning, and that kind of flame lingered in her eyes for a long time. It was really difficult for Boya to answer. His heart seemed to be split in two. Even if you ask "why" and listen to her explain the reason, it is impossible to agree to her. Whether it is done or not, it is not Boya who has the decision-making power, but Seimei Abe himself.Moreover, Seimei would not accept the idea of ​​casting a spell even if he asked him to do so. Boya had no choice but to remain silent. "..." "I'm really sorry." The woman said suddenly. "There is no answer to this kind of question..." A lonely smile floated over the woman's lips. "Forget what you just said." The woman lowered her head, and the curtain slowly descended, hiding her figure. Boya opened his mouth, but couldn't make any words. Rolling rolls—— Still like twelve years ago, the bullock carts began to move again. "Perhaps..." Boya said. However, the bullock cart did not stop. From the receding bullock cart, a woman's calm voice came: "It's really a good flute!" Boya stood under the moonlight for a long time. "So that's what happened." Qingming sighed. "At that time, I was speechless with her. Now, drinking here, remembering the details, I still feel pain in my chest." Boya buried his eyes, and his eyes fell on the cup in his hand. The cup filled with sake was not brought to the mouth, but placed on the edge of the corridor. "However, Qingming, I will not ask you to use any alchemy to defeat Master Hai Hengshi." "That's right." Seimei nodded. "Of course it will vary from case to case, but I'm afraid this kind of matter cannot be discussed." Seimei bluntly declined. "I don't understand what's going on, but there must be quite a complicated situation." "Ok." "I can't do anything about her troubles..." "Bo Ya, in fact, she also understands, she understands how reckless the thing she entrusted is." "Maybe." "That's why she left first." "You are so sensible, Seimei. Because of this, when I think of the feelings of the person who left first, I will be even more sad." Boya let out a long sigh. "Qingming, there seems to be a strange factor dormant in my heart." "Oh?" "For example, even if it's impossible, even if it's against humanity, if it's for her, I'd like to dedicate myself. This kind of feeling has been lingering..." "Bo Ya, do you have feelings for her—" "yes." Boya took the cup in his hand and took a sip of sake. "Compared to twelve years ago, not only has he aged, but he has also lost weight." "..." "She is only in her early thirties. In my opinion, the charm of this age, the situation of a person who is thinner than a yellow flower, is even more worrying." "Did she mention the sumo tournament in the palace?" "Well, she hopes that Lord Haihengshi will lose in the contest between Lord Haihengshi and Lord Zhenfacheng Village." "Is there any hidden secret about the outcome of the game?" "How could I guess, Seimei—" "This competition was indeed decided after Mr. Fujiwara Jetoki, who was ranked in Nakanogen, reported to the Emperor." "Well, that's because Lord Jishi likes Lord Hengshi very much." "Master Haihengshi and Master Zhenfachengcun are competing, this is the first time." "yes." "As a sumo wrestler, Mr. Mafa Narimura should be quite old." "About early forties." "Where is Master Hai Hengshi?" "It's not like thirty yet." "Oh." "There are discussions in the palace, most of them think that the young Lord Hengshi will win." "probably." "However, there are not a few people who hope that Mr. Narimura will win." "Winning doesn't mean the same thing as wanting someone to win." "That's right. Those who verbally hope that Lord Chengcun will win, when talking about the real victory, they still think that the winner will be Lord Hengshi—" "It makes sense." "Compared with before, Mr. Narimura's body lacks tension and luster, but when practicing with young people, he can still easily throw them out of the court." "But those young practitioners are not the best." "yes." "Speaking of which, Boya, why did the people you met by the Horikawa Bridge wish Master Hai Hengshi to lose?" "Perhaps it is Zhenfa Chengcun's wife and family, and I don't know." "So to say……" "Of course I care about the progress of the game, but her situation is what really worries me." Boya couldn't help sighing again. "Is she as beautiful as a fairy?" Seimei asked directly, a little abruptly. "beautiful as godness?" "Compared to twelve years ago, how much has it improved?" "Didn't I just say that?" "What is the specific situation?" "Speaking of her skin, if there are no wrinkles, she is still as beautiful and charming as twelve years ago. But in my opinion, she is as ripe as a peach now, full of plumpness. However, I am not talking about these .” "What is it?" "Forget it, Seimei..." Boya looked at Seimei from the front as if trying to sit up straight: "It's not a matter of being beautiful or not. She has suffered twelve years of hardships, in my opinion, she is becoming more and more pitiful..." His tone is serious. Boya looked away from Qingming's face and looked at his knees. On his lap was a glass of wine.He took the cup in his hand and drank the wine in the cup.Holding the empty cup in his hand, he turned his gaze to the courtyard in the night. "What's going on, the current state of mind..." Boya murmured. "Maybe it's because I feel sorry for her." "Oh?" "I mean, I am on the same boat of time as her, going down the river of time. My body and voice are not what they used to be. I will also age with the passing water, withered……" "But Boya, don't you find it strange?" "What's strange?" "According to what you mean, don't all living things ride the same boat of time? It's not just her and you. No one is exception, they are all riding the same boat of time and go. Don't you?" "Ok." "What's the matter?" "Even if you ask me what's wrong..." Boya hesitated. "...I understand what you mean, Seimei. In short, I can only express it in this way, and there is no other way." Boya said bluntly. "Ok." "For example, Seimei, the familiar body is gradually getting old, and even the icy skin and skin cannot escape. Isn't such a person more pathetic?" "Ok." "However, because she is getting old, it is more pitiable. Because the aging body is more pitiful, and such a person is also more pitiful..." "..." "I don't know why, but I always feel that way recently, which makes people unable to control themselves." "right." Qingming nodded and said: "What you mean... I understand it in my heart." Seimei's words would actually be intermittent. "Really, do you really understand?" "But Boya, what are you going to do?" "You mean—" "Are you looking for her?" After this question, Boya held the cup in his hand and remained silent. "Are you going to find her and meet her again?" "have no idea." Boya said, filled up the wine again, and drank it all in one gulp. "Now it's even more confusing." Boya whispered, then put the empty cup on the edge of the corridor.The cup made a small sound. In the grass covered with water and moonlight, the summer insects are singing happily.