Chapter 24 Chapter 24: Night Flute

My tears had dried up when I returned to the meditation room.I don't want Jinxi and Huanbi to know my weakness and sadness, even if they vaguely know something. I originally thought that speaking out the fears and scruples that had accumulated in my heart for a long time, and pushing him away would also calm my occasionally restless soul.And that day when his desperate eyes reappeared in front of my eyes, I was so distressed that I couldn't bear to see him, I didn't want to think about it, and I didn't want to look at it. Sure enough, he didn't come and never saw each other again.I was so quiet, kneeling in front of the incense table all day long, counting prayer beads and reciting scriptures, so as to make my mind peaceful.The smell of sandalwood is getting stronger day by day. Such a dignified smell is actually out of place in the season when spring and summer interweave, when the fragrance of clothes in this house is not as good as that of flowers.

Behind me, Huanbi and Jinxi stared at me and sighed, but it became heavy day after day. Every day, amidst the lengthy scriptures and lingering cigarettes, I would fall asleep exhaustedly.In fact, it is not bad for people to live ignorantly.It's just that Xuanqing, he didn't appear by my side, but walked into my dreams from time to time. When Wen Shichu faced my pale face, he was so distressed that he almost cried, "Your body is obviously recovering. Why is your mood so bad now? You always have trouble with yourself like this." Huanbi had no choice but to excuse me: "Miss recites scriptures and Buddha here every day, but it's actually very boring."

Wen Shichu secretly heaved a sigh of relief, but when he came again, he had an extra birdcage in his hand. He said enthusiastically, "I bought a few thrushes. It's very nice to hear them cry. Give it to my sister." It has apricot-yellow light-gold feathers, a small body, and a clear and clear song. I also like it in my heart, so I kept it in the house.The thrushes were probably chosen by Wen Shichu on purpose, they are all very lively and chattering all the time, which adds to the excitement. I slept soundly that night, and in the blurred sleep, I vaguely heard something sharp "click" grabbing the window lattice, hoarse and sharp.Although the meditation room has been renovated, the windows are only made of cotton paper and not very strong.I turned over, and in the birdcage hanging by the window, several thrushes chirped and made a fuss, their cries were sharp and ear-piercing.I vaguely thought, "Why is this bird so fussy?" So I rolled over with dim eyes, fumbled to light a candle, and mumbled, "Jinxi..."

There was a sound of "stabbing", the sound of tissue paper being torn, I didn't have time to light the candle, turned my head to look under the moonlight, and saw a big opening in the window suddenly, and the thrush was screaming loudly in the cage.A pair of green eyes were particularly deep and terrifying on the big furry head, and it rushed towards me with a "meow--", when its strong body swooped over, there was a fierce wind, and I instinctively reached out to block it. , almost at the same time, I screamed sharply: "Cats! There are cats!" Mixed with the sound of the wind and the sound of chaotic footsteps, it was Huanbi's body, hugging the quilt tightly and wrapping it tightly around me, screaming: "Jinxi, get the cat out of here quickly, Miss can't see it, can't see it!"

I was trembling with fear, as if when I was a child, I went to Fan Shilang's house as a guest. Mr. Fan's family was about the same age as me, but he was only seven or eight years old, but he was very naughty. He was holding a cat in his hand. Tucked it into my brocade jacket.It was winter, and the brocade jacket I was wearing was loose, tied loosely around the waist with silk satin, and the cat got stuck inside and couldn't find the way to come out. ", screaming in my arms like an inescapable nightmare, the cotton wool was caught out, flying in white, and my body hurt from being caught.I cried hoarsely, and my companion screamed in terror beside me.Its furry body rolled and twisted, desperately looking for a way out.Finally, an arch jumped out from the open front of my chest.I'll never forget the feeling of it jumping out of my arms and onto my shoulders.Its furry tail swept over my chin, and those strange dark green eyes stared at me fiercely, making me completely lose my resistance when I was young.

As a result, I became seriously ill, and the scratches on my body healed without leaving any marks, but I never saw the cat again, and whenever I got close to it, I would scream in terror.Therefore, no cat has ever appeared in Zhen's residence. But now, in the strange late night, the sudden appearance of such a big cat almost scared me out of my wits. I was wrapped in the quilt by Huanbi, but I heard even Huanbi's terrified voice, "Why is this cat so big!" The stick in Jinxi's hand seemed to be hit empty every time, and it hit the wall.As if it wasn't just one cat, there were several of them running around the room, screaming chaotically and ferociously.

With a sound of "bang", the door seemed to be kicked open by someone. It was the cat's terrified screams, screams, Huanbi's exclamation, and Jinxi's comfort. A person rushed over and grabbed me tightly, patting the quilt, Said softly: "It's okay, it's okay." In shock, I lifted the quilt and messed up my hair.When I raised my eyes, it was Xuan Qing's gentle and distressed face. I couldn't restrain my weakness and fear for a moment. I grabbed his arm, fell into his arms and sobbed softly. He patted my back and comforted me: "It's okay, it's the civet cat that broke in to snatch the food."

I turned my head and glanced, and there were several huge gray cats lying on the ground, much bigger than ordinary cats.The birdcage was smashed to the ground, and the guts of several thrushes were torn out, bloody.I just glanced at it and flinched in fright.Xuanqing said: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's dead, it's all right." He frowned and said, "This is in the mountains, how can we raise birds. Although there are no wild animals in the mountains, there are civet cats. These civet cats often come and go together. They like to feed on birds, they have a ferocious temperament, they are good at nocturnal, and they dare to hurt people even if they are big. Most of them were brought in to prey when they heard the birds, but luckily they didn't hurt people."

Huanbi ate and Ai said: "We don't know that there are civet cats, but they are all Mr. Wen. Would you like to send some thrushes here? They said it was to make the lady happy, but they recruited the civet cats." Jinxi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Fortunately, the lord came in time. Otherwise, how good would it be to have so many cats, and the servants were also terrified. I have never seen such a big civet cat. Speaking of it, Mr. Wen really did something bad with good intentions. As he said, he found a big cloth bag, put the cat corpse and thrush in it and threw it away, and cleaned the house with Huanbi.

Both Huanbi and Jinxi were there, I felt so embarrassed, I quickly straightened my hair and sat up, wondering: "It's lucky to have you tonight, but why are you still around?" There was a slight worry in Xuan Qing's brows, "You don't want to see me, so I can only come to see you secretly. For more than a month, you have not slept until the second o'clock, no wonder your face is so pale." I was taken aback and said, "I don't even know." He smiled, with unspeakable bitterness, "If I deliberately don't want you to find me, how can you find out that I'm outside?"

I was stunned, and said: "Then, after I left Qingliangtai without saying goodbye, do you often do the same?" He bowed his head and said nothing, but that expression was already obvious.My heart was pounding, he described it as a bit haggard, there was a small bruise under his eyes, like a moon halo, probably because he didn't get enough sleep.Where is he still the wild, clear, gentle and graceful young man from before.I sighed softly: "Why are you bothering?" He straightened his body, said with a faint smile, "I'm not bitter. I just want to see you fall asleep before leaving." There were deep traces of night dew on his clothes. I frowned and said softly, "This is a lie. Since I fell asleep and you left, why are you still here today?" He sighed in a low voice, "Why do you have to be so smart, just think that I am greedy for looking at the moonlight." He apologized: "It was my fault today, and I took a nap because I was greedy for sleep, which surprised you. You The thrush I raised, I never thought that it would attract civet cats." My heart moved, but I could only say nothing. After a while, I said sadly: "You are the body of a thousand gold, why bother to embarrass yourself like this." He smiled wryly, his expression becoming more and more haggard, and said: "Compared to what you said that day, being able to look out the window at the lights in your room is my greatest comfort." I was stunned inside, as if waves were washing up one after another. After a moment of silence, I pushed his arm and said softly: "I'm fine. Please go back to sleep, my lord. It's already three o'clock." His eyes are as clear as a pool of clear springs.Staring at me like this, I almost secretly missed a heartbeat, and I couldn't avoid it, I just looked back at him quietly. After a long time, he got up and said, "Go to sleep. Don't think about tonight." I nodded meekly, "OK." He was about to stretch out his hand to tuck the corner of the quilt for me, but I hurriedly stopped him: "I'll do it myself." He smiled shyly, like a reed flower swaying in the autumn wind, "The last time I tucked the quilt for you like this was at the Qingliang Terrace." He paused, with a hint of pleading in his eyes, "It's been a long time since I've done this, let me Help you tuck the quilt again. Next time, I'm afraid there won't be a next time." My heart suddenly felt sour, and I couldn't bear to refuse any more, let him help me tuck the corner of the quilt, put it under my chin, and said: "Don't catch a cold at night, your complexion is so bad." I nodded my head, seeing the longing in his eyes, I couldn't bear to look any more, turned my head and closed my eyes. My nightmares started getting worse from this day on.Even though there is no harassment from civet cats anymore, the encounters I had with the civet cats when I was a child and the dark green eyes of the civet cats that night often scared me into screaming in cold sweat in the middle of the night. Huanbi and Jinxi's company was of no avail, and my panic kept me from sleeping peacefully all night. And the sound of the flute sounded at this moment.The pulse is continuous, like a thread.Even if you don't listen carefully, you know it's the flute sound of "Long Xiangshou".The clear and mellow sound of the flute was brought by the night wind, and it was clear to the ears.I sat hugging the quilt, and suddenly felt that the fear and anxiety in my heart had settled down, and only the sound of the flute at this moment was left, like a clear stream in a quiet place in the mountains, flowing straight into my heart. Huanbi got up and opened the window, and said in a low voice, "It's the prince playing the flute." I whispered: "You can hear it too." Huanbi raised the corners of her lips and smiled indifferently, "Only the prince's flute can have such a charm." Huanbi's figure was soaked in the moonlight, and she said softly: "Tonight, the prince didn't know that he was going to play the flute again. What time does the flute arrive?" Even Huanbi could hear such a sentimental charm. I leaned against the wall, but seeing the moonlight melting like pear blossoms, I thought of him playing the flute under the moon, silent for a long time, and finally shed tears silently. This night, he still fell asleep to the sound of Xuanqing's flute.What woke me up was not the nightmare, but the sudden rainstorm outside the window. In the midsummer season, such heavy rains are often unexpected in the mountains. There was heavy rain and thunder, and gusts of wind with water vapor came in, sucking in through the half-opened windows.Jinxi woke up with a start, and hurriedly closed the window and fastened it.Seeing that I was just sitting in my clothes, he sat down beside me silently. The candlelight was flickering, and a majestic rain fell heavily between the sky and the earth. The smell of dust was "squeaked" by the torrential rain like a whip.Amidst the sound of thunder and rain, one could faintly hear the continuous sound of the flute. My heart felt like someone had slapped me hard.I just hope that the sound of the flute will stop soon, stop soon. Xuanqing, I beg you, don't worry about whether I can sleep well, the rain is so heavy, you should go back quickly. Jinxi glanced at me and said gently, "What is your lady anxious about?" I couldn't hide my expression for a while, and said in a low voice: "Listen, the sound of the flute is still there." Jinxi sighed, stroked the corner of her clothes, and said, "It's really pitiful, it's raining so heavily outside, but it's going to drench the bad guys." "Such a heavy rain..." I murmured, my heart was startled, and I was even more worried. Jinxi's gaze was like a strong lightning bolt outside the window, turning herself into a crystal-clear person. She corrected her complexion and said, "There is a sentence that I have never dared to say, but now that I see the situation of the lady, I have to say it now." time." Jinxi took my hand, put it in his palm, and said with gentleness and love in awe, "Lady, the past is over. The lady is so haggard, it is tormenting myself and tormenting myself." The prince. The slaves have seen it for so many years, the prince has deep affection and righteousness, and he is a person who can be entrusted to." There was a thunderous thunder rolling across the deep and dark sky, making the ears numb.The sound of the flute is still long, and my heart seems to be rolling with thunder. Whether Huanbi persuaded or discouraged, no one had ever understood the place and told me so. The rain was pouring, Jinxi saw that I was just in a silent trance, so she smiled and said: "When I was in the palace, the servants also liked to listen to operas. There was a song "Si Fan" that I heard most familiarly, and the ladies on the left and right were not sleepy. Why don't the servants sing it to relieve the lady's boredom? Bar." I couldn't care less about what Jinxi wanted to sing, so I had to let her sing in time: "He looks at us, and we look at him. He and us, we and him, both There are so many worries here. Enemies! How can a marriage be made? It is to die in front of the palace of the king of hell, let him pound the pestle; I only see the living suffer, but have I ever seen a dead ghost carrying the shackles? Alas, let him. I can't help but look at the moment. I can't help but look at the moment." It was as if blue-purple lightning flashed across the sky brightly, and my heart suddenly became clear.Jinxi suddenly opened the window, and as far as I could see, the sunset flowers in the courtyard fell to the ground silently in the storm. My heart was shaken, and my blood was surging, I just thought about it over and over again, burning my brows, and looking at the moment.I can't wait to look at the moment. I stood up abruptly and ran out quickly.Huanbi didn't know when she got up, and hurriedly called me: "Miss, where is the umbrella?" I looked back and smiled brightly, "No need." Shiqun hurried out. Behind him, Huanbi seemed to be sighing lonely to Jinxi, "Miss, I'm finally out." The heavy rain was rushing, like a whip was whipped on the body, one strike after another, slightly painful.The clothes on his body were completely soaked and sticky to the skin.The rain blinded my eyes and scattered my hair, the wind and rain hindered my steps, and Jiao Lei broke the branches on the top of the tree.I don't care and I don't feel tired.For so many years, no matter whether it is in the pear-blossom-like corridors in the deep palace, or in the meditation room with the Buddhist prayer beads surrounded by cigarettes, my heart has never been so carefree as it is now. I ran, like a bird with wings reinstalled, looking for the sound of his flute, and galloped away.Where he is, is my direction. In the night rain and thunder, he stood by the rock, dressed in white clothes, as if coming from the lightning, with the flute on his lips, playing slowly, pure and cold like white dew. My tears gushed out of my eyes in an instant.She ran a few steps and threw herself into his arms. Rainwater slid off his face.He held me in his arms, he couldn't believe it, and murmured: "Huan'er...is that you?" I nodded vigorously, hugged his neck tightly, and said with a tearful smile, "It's me. I'm here." He didn't seem to believe it, and stared at me hard.Suddenly, he tore off his coat, put it on me, and said angrily: "You are crazy! It's raining so much, and you still run out. Do you want to lose your body?" I bit my lower lip, stared at him and whimpered, "It's obvious that you don't want your own body anymore, and it's raining so hard, playing the flute here like crazy." He put my head on his chest, sighed and said, "You are most afraid of thunder and lightning." His heartbeat was deep in my ears, and his warmth spread to me through the wet clothes. There are countless tenderness in my heart, I leaned on his chest and said in a low voice: "As long as you are here, I will not be afraid." As if he didn't hear clearly, he said in a daze, "What?" The rain blew up countless fine white vapors, but it couldn't blur his face.My mind was as firm as an old pine in the rock at that moment.This life is so good and bitter, and the past has broken me physically and mentally.However, in the frustration, there is something that has never given up, and has always been pursuing. I raised my head, looked at him firmly, and said word by word: "Qing, as long as you are here, I will not be afraid anymore. So, I always want you to be here." The night is as thick as juice, and the sound of the rushing rain hits thousands of leaves and plants, rushing out the damp, cold and fresh grass and trees.He looked at me, with my figure firmly fixed in his eyes, as if endless tenderness was flowing, and even my figure was reflected in a flowing light.There was endless joy on his face, and he hugged me so tightly that even my bones were aching.I seemed to be in a dream, only the pain made me feel that his embrace was so real, so joyful and sweet.He was ecstatic, and said solemnly: "As long as you are willing, I will always be by your side, and I will never leave." His eyes are so warm and firm, with the halo of happiness and hope that has been dreamed for a long time. Through the intertwined rain and tears, he holds my hand and looks at me affectionately. I just feel that I can't see enough.It turns out that the distance between hearts can be so close, or as far away as the other side.From here to there, just take this step. His cold lips pressed against my forehead, "Huan'er, if you don't tell me and keep avoiding me, I'm afraid I'm going crazy." I was slightly stunned, and said shyly, "Do you know what I want to tell you?" He was shining like a pearl, exuding a warm and dazzling brilliance in the dark night, and said with a smile: "Fool, do you think I'm so stupid? Can't I see that you like me? Don't say it's me , I’m afraid Jinxi and Huanbi have noticed it. I just feel sorry for you, and I tortured myself patiently like this.” I sighed, "Qing. In my heart, there are always many things I can't and dare not." His lips had fine and full lines, and he said softly, "Huan'er, when did you have such affection for me?" I shook my head and said honestly: "I don't know." I thought about it carefully, "Maybe it was at Qingliang Terrace, maybe it was by the long river. Maybe... earlier, after I had a miscarriage, after you used the flute When the voice led me out of Tangli Palace to relieve my worries." I sighed, "Qing, I don't know when, because all along, when I need it most, you have always reached out to hold me, not to let me go. I fall." He shook his head, and there were countless expressions in his eyes: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that you are in my arms and say such words to me. Huan'er, how many years have I been looking forward to it!" The rain gradually stopped, and occasionally a drop slipped from the branches and flowed coolly into the neck.His ten fingers clasped mine firmly, as if endless joy and understood gratitude were held in the hearts of these hands. The sky in the east gradually brightened, and the morning light had a soft blue hue, with the dampness of dew.Every word of his language is in the ears, as gentle as the wind in late spring and April, "I am in your heart, how is it?" When I think about it, all my heartfelt feelings are transformed into sixteen characters, " He pressed his forehead against mine, and said with a slight smile: "This is an old saying that praises male gods. I am not so good." I smiled without saying a word, and just asked him, "What about me, what do you think of me?" He thought for a while, and answered solemnly and firmly, "In my mind, you are my world." I didn't have time to savor the deep meaning of the words, the tears were already rolling down, and the vigorous joy burst into bloom in my heart, just like a tree and a flower tree blooming in front of my eyes in spring, blooming countless holy and snow-white flowers, like The pure white wings of the dove stand above the dust and smoke of the world, emerging from the dust.It's more like a bright light shining in the morning, a bright moon in the sky, suddenly shining on my heart in the endless darkness, that kind of brightness is so bright that people almost dare not look at it directly. "Heaven and earth?" I muttered to myself, almost in disbelief. His tone must be like a rock that has been placed on the top of a mountain for thousands of years, "Yes. If you get you, you will get everything. If you are not here, all this prosperity and beauty will be nothing to me." His voice suddenly became a little bit Stuck, "Huan'er, because of you, no matter how much I lost in the past, it was worth it." I sobbed softly, shook my head and said, "I'm not as good as you said. I'm the abandoned concubine of the current emperor. I live in Buddhism. I'm the daughter of a criminal minister and have given birth to daughters. And you, there are countless A lady from a famous family can choose, she has a bright future, and she really doesn't need to be with a broken body like me..." His palm is warm, tightly covering my lips and blocking my words, he hugged me hard, "In my heart, you are the best. Huan'er, you have to believe it." I nodded, "As you said just now, you are the best in my heart." His smile gradually bloomed, and my tears melted into his clothes, as if blooming bright flowers one after another. The little flowers bloom so brightly. His embrace is vast and warm, like the blue and peaceful sky, I am embraced by him, as if a bird that has been looking up at the sky in its nest has finally spread its wings and flew into the long-awaited sky. Letting go of everything, a lot of joy surged up my body like floating clouds and sea waves, my body and mind were relaxed and peaceful, and softened. I whispered: "Qing, because of you, no matter how many hardships and grievances I have suffered in the past, I can no longer hold grudges." Dawn has come and the sky is bright.The morning glow in the sky is as bright as clouds and brocades. I have never discovered that even the morning glow can be so beautiful. When they sent me to the meditation room, Jinxi and Huanbi were waiting outside the door, seeing Xuanqing and me coming hand in hand, they knew it all. Jinxi joked: "The rain stopped before dawn, I don't want my lady to be blocked by the rain until now." Huanbi was silent for a moment, and said: "I went out in the rain yesterday, and I didn't come back until now. The food is ready. The lady and the prince should go and use some." I smiled and said, "I'm not hungry, I just feel very tired right now." Xuan Qing said: "I haven't slept all night, go to sleep for a while." I nodded, and said softly: "You should go to bed earlier, your eyes are blue." He shook my hand and said with a smile to Huanbi, "I will leave your young lady to you." Huanbi smiled and said: "The prince has ordered, dare you not do your best." I saw him go back reluctantly, Fang yawned long and sleepy.As soon as I lay on the soft pillow, I fell into a dreamland. -------------------------------------------------- --- Notes: