Shaojun riding the sea

In the opened wooden box, there was an azure-colored sachet, which contained a few dried petals. They were the knot flowers found only in the Qingli Mountains.

At the bottom of the sachet, there is a small piece of writing paper. After unfolding it, what comes into view are two lines of small, hard-edged, vigorous and powerful words——

Bury me in a Taoist temple and sleep in the same heaven and earth.

Shi Xuanling held the writing paper, her hands trembling uncontrollably. This was indeed her mother's handwriting. Her mother's handwriting was not as graceful as that of ordinary women, but as cold and hard as a knife, with sharp and blurry strokes.

The embroidery work on this sachet was also done by her mother-in-law, as well as the knot flowers inside. These are indeed her mother-in-law’s old things, and these relics are indeed from her hands, and they are definitely not forgeries. .

But, this was different from the imagined "suicide note". It was just a small piece of paper with only one short sentence. Other than that, there was nothing left.

Shi Xuanling suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with tears. Before she could speak, Zhong Lisheng beside her had already asked a question for her:

"Just, it's gone, just a note? Just ten words?"

Yue Wujiu also frowned and said in a deep voice: "Why does the lady of Xuanling want to be buried in a Taoist temple? Is there no reason at all? Just ten words like this without any beginning or end?"

Facing the two young men's unabashed doubts, Shi Zhongqing didn't change his expression and just gave a long sigh to Shi Xuanling:
"Xuan Ling, you also know your mother-in-law's temperament. She has always been cold and taciturn, restrained and prudent. It is her behavior to leave only a cross and a will like this. If she really writes a tearful suicide note, it is not That’s all she can do, are you right?”

Shi Xuanling blinked in confusion, then lowered her head to look at the thin piece of paper. She read the ten words again and again until her eyes were filled with mist. Then she raised her head, He asked Shi Zhongqing lightly:
"Which Taoist temple is my grandma buried in? Since you knew her last wish, why did you carry her into the Shi family cemetery and put on a show like that in front of everyone?"

As soon as these two questions came out, it became clear that the note was true or false. Shi Xuanling believed this last wish. As Shi Zhongqing said, she understood her mother-in-law's temperament very well. Compared with writing a "long essay" She is indeed more likely to leave such a short and clear suicide note.

But she couldn't figure out why her mother-in-law wanted to be buried in a Taoist temple, and why her father wanted to put on such a show in front of everyone?

"Actually, your mother-in-law had this last wish for a long time, and it was not just a whim. That year when you returned to Shi Mansion, I saw that your mother-in-law was seriously ill, so I took her to a remote mountain. There was a Taoist temple there, and the old Taoist master was very capable. , and he is kind-hearted. He has superb medical skills, which are even better than your grandma’s. I originally wanted him to treat your grandma, but I didn’t know that your grandma is too ill and the medicine has no effect. , not even the old Taoist priest can save her, everything is powerless..."

Shi Zhongqing sighed and looked into the void, as if he saw that pale and tough face again. She leaned in front of the Taoist temple and smiled with relief at him, but as she smiled, two lines of tears fell down again.

"I was extremely sad when I learned about this result, but your mother-in-law smiled indifferently and looked down upon life and death. She sat with me in front of the Taoist temple, looking at the green mountains and white clouds, and the flying cranes spreading their wings. She said to me, this place is really good, stay away In the mortal world, no one will disturb her. It would be a blessing if she could be buried here after her death and rest in this quiet world, a fairyland outside the world..."

"The old Taoist priest was kind-hearted and felt that your mother was a pitiful person, so he agreed to her request. He also said that he would light a Taoist temple's Sanqing lamp for her. After she passed away, he would commemorate her soul every day. May she be free from illness, disaster, fear, and happiness in the next life."

"After your mother-in-law passed away, I followed her last wish and decided to bury her remains in a Taoist temple. However, I openly said that I would bury her in the Shi family cemetery and would never let go. The reason why I had to spend so much money Such a drama is staged in Zhou Zhangdi. Firstly, your mother was not a monk and was buried in a Taoist sect for no reason. It is not good to spread the word, for fear of causing groundless criticism. Secondly, it is because of you."

When Shi Zhongqing said this, he looked at Shi Xuanling steadily. His brown eyes were obviously startled. He didn't know why, but Shi Zhongqing sighed softly and said seriously:
"Although you have returned to the Shi family, recognized your ancestors, and your name has been included in the family tree, your identity has not been truly recognized by the Shi family. You should have vaguely heard the private discussions in the house. If I want to appease so many eyes and mouths, and if I want you to be an upright Miss Shi San, I must bury your mother in the Shi family cemetery, not only to give her some dignity, but also to give you an identity."

The room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. In the dressing mirror, the figures of father and daughter facing each other were reflected. Shi Xuanling's chest heaved slightly as he listened to his father's words. It was false to say that he was not touched at all.

Shi Zhongqing looked at her directly and continued to say word by word: "Even if your grandmother's tomb can only occupy a small corner in the Shi family cemetery, even if her tomb has not been worshiped or taken care of for many years, she You still entered the cemetery of my Shi family, and you are considered a member of my Shi family. In this way, your identity as Miss Shi San has become more stable. Those controversial voices have finally been suppressed. You, Shi Xuanling, have finally become me. Shi Zhongqing's legitimate daughter." Shi Zhongqing told Shi Xuanling these reasons and comprehensive plans for the first time today. It was as if he had broken his heavy heart and his deep father's love in front of her. , and showed it to her at a glance.

Regarding this explanation, Yue Wujiu and Zhongli Sheng also looked at each other and judged each other. The two young men nodded their heads. It was indeed difficult to find anything wrong with this statement.

Shi Xuanling was silent for a long time, his brown pupils like a quiet lake, wondering what he was thinking.

"Xuan Ling." Shi Zhongqing called the girl again. His eyes flickered and his words were soothing: "Xuan Ling, don't blame dad for hiding it from you. There are some things that are not easy for you to know. You just need to understand that every year, your mother-in-law On the festival day, she received all your thoughts. The Taoist temple is located to the east of Shengdu City, so every year dad lets you go out of the city to the lake, facing the east direction, and burn some paper money there for your mother-in-law. , the words you said to her by the lake will be blown to the Taoist temple by the wind, and that Sanqing lamp will bring your feelings to your mother..."

"Where is the Taoist temple and what is its name?"

Shi Xuanling's long eyelashes were moist, and she suddenly spoke to Shi Zhongqing. She seemed a little impatient: "Where is that otherworldly spiritual mountain? Dad, please tell me, and I will set off to go there immediately!"

"You, are you going to pay homage to your mother-in-law?" Shi Zhongqing was stunned for a moment, his lips moved, as if he was about to speak, but it was Shi Xuanling's next words that really made his face change, and the hand behind his back suddenly Hold tight.

"It's not just about paying homage. I'm going to take a trip to pick up my grandmother's remains and bring her to Yunzhou Island. I'll never be separated from her again."

"What?" Shi Zhongqing blurted out without hesitation: "No, no, it must not be like this!"

"Why not?"

"That Sanqing lamp was specially offered by the old Taoist Priest to your grandma. It can bless your grandma's deceased soul to rest in peace and have long-term happiness and worry-free life in the next life. It is also the kindness of the old Taoist Priest..."

"Can't I take that Sanqing lamp away with me?" Shi Xuanling interrupted Shi Zhongqing's words. She looked serious and had an irresistible stubbornness: "I will go to the Taoist temple in person to kneel down to the old Taoist priest and thank him. Everything I have done for my grandma, but now that I have grown up, my grandma’s remains can be handed over to me. I will set up a plaque and burn incense for my grandma on Yunzhou Island to offer sacrifices for her. Isn’t it better to pray for blessings with a lamp than to stay alone in a Taoist temple?”

"She is not alone..." Shi Zhongqing's sentence ended abruptly. He flicked his sleeves and still refused simply: "No way, you can't take your mother away. This is her last wish. You have to respect her choice. Let her sleep forever in that Taoist temple, with the green mountains and white clouds as her companions, and don’t disturb her anymore!"

"How could it be an interruption?" Shi Xuanling's eyes were bright and reasonable: "My mother-in-law once told me that she hopes that one day I will grow up, find a good son-in-law, and start a family. She is willing to always be by my side. See She wants me to live the life I want and live a happy and smooth life, which is also her wish."

When Shi Xuanling said this, she directly held Yue Wujiu beside her with one hand. Her eyes were bright and she said without thinking: "Have I not grown up now? Isn't my good son-in-law here? I am on Yunzhou Island. Don’t you already have your own home? Why can’t I take my grandma with me?”

Yue Wujiu was caught off guard and was held by the girl's arm. Hearing her firm words of "good son-in-law", he was stunned for a moment and then raised his lips uncontrollably. However, he was afraid that he would be too obvious and was still pretending. He lowered his head and coughed twice.

Shi Xuanling didn't notice the young man's little thoughts, but Zhongli Sheng folded his fan and said sourly: "Lao Yue, please stop your pride. As for what, if you raise your mouth higher, I can use your sword." The sheath is hung up!"

In the room, even though he heard Shi Xuanling's reasonable words, Shi Zhongqing still looked embarrassed, and the hand behind his back was clenched tighter and tighter. He looked directly at the stubborn girl in front of him, and finally shook his head in refusal. road:
"No, it can't be like this. I won't tell you where the Taoist temple is. Xuan Ling, just listen to dad and give up any unrealistic thoughts. You can't take your mother away."

"Why can't you take it away?" Shi Xuanling breathed quickly, let go of Yue Wujiu's hand, and took two steps forward. She finally felt that something was wrong, and said anxiously to Shi Zhongqing:
"Why are you refusing to let me pick up my mother-in-law's remains despite all the resistance? Could it be that... are you lying to me again?"