Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Jiang Xiaochuan made a bamboo hairpin.

The bamboo used was the oldest bamboo from the back mountain, which was shaved and polished repeatedly.

The bamboo joints were difficult to work with, so he used a small knife to scrape them little by little, until blisters formed on his fingers. The blisters broke and bled, but he wiped them clean and continued.

The hairpins that were made were crooked and uneven, thick at one end and thin at the other, with several scratches on the shaft.

He held it in his hand and looked at it from left to right, and the more he looked at it, the uglier it seemed.

How can I possibly give this away?

He hid the bamboo hairpin in his bosom and never took it out again.

A few days later, Tian Buyi said he would take him to Heyang City.

"Master, where are we going?" Jiang Xiaochuan asked.

"I'm buying something," Tian Buyi said, without looking at him, "and getting some fresh air."

Jiang Xiaochuan's eyes lit up. He could go down the mountain, go to Heyang City, and see the outside world. He was happy, but also a little guilty. He remembered the last time he went to Heyang City, he was locked up for half a month.

Tian Buyi seemed to see through his thoughts and snorted. "This time you're coming with me, not eloping with someone."

Jiang Xiaochuan blushed and fell silent.

The two descended the mountain on their swords. Tian Buyi's sword was wide, making it very stable for him to stand on.

Jiang Xiaochuan stood behind, his arms around Tian Buyi's waist. The wind was strong, making it hard for him to open his eyes. He squinted, watching the mountains and rivers rush past below.

He remembered the last time Lu Xueqi took him flying; the wind was just as strong, and she was holding him like this.

He shook his head, trying to banish the image from his mind.

Heyang City remained unchanged. The city gates were high, the streets were crowded, and the noise of people filled the air.

Tian Buyi led him through the streets and alleys until they arrived at a shop.

The shop wasn't big, and the storefront was old, but the items inside were very shiny. Jade, jewelry, hairpins, rings—a dazzling array.

"Go in," Tian Buyi said.

Jiang Xiaochuan followed him inside. The shopkeeper was an old man who quickly came to greet Tian Buyi when he saw him.

"Immortal Master, you have arrived."

Tian Buyi nodded and pointed at Jiang Xiaochuan. "Pick something for him. A gift."

The shopkeeper glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan, then at Tian Buyi, and smiled. "To the young lady?"

Tian Buyi remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

The shopkeeper led Jiang Xiaochuan to the counter and pointed to rows of hairpins. "Little Immortal Master, take a look. These are all new arrivals. Jade, silver, wood—we have them all."

Jiang Xiaochuan leaned over the counter, looking at the hairpins. There were many, and many styles. Some were carved, some were plain, some were inlaid with gemstones, and some had tassels. He was dazzled and didn't know which one to choose.

"Who are you sending this to?" the shopkeeper asked.

"Junior sister," Jiang Xiaochuan said.

"Junior sister," the shopkeeper smiled, taking a white jade hairpin from the counter. "This is good. The jade is warm and smooth, and the design is simple. It's perfect for a young girl."

Jiang Xiaochuan took the hairpin and examined it. The hairpin was made of white jade, pure white all over, with a small plum blossom carved on the head, the petals thin and lifelike. He held it in his hand; it was cool and smooth.

"How much?" he asked.

The shopkeeper announced a number. Jiang Xiaochuan gasped. He had no money, not a single penny. He turned to look at Tian Buyi.

Tian Buyi walked over, glanced at the hairpin, and nodded. "Wrap it up."

The shopkeeper beamed, packed the item in a brocade box, and handed it over. Tian Buyi paid, took the box, and stuffed it into Jiang Xiaochuan's hand.

"Give this to Lu Xueqi," Tian Buyi said. "Consider it a thank you for teaching you."

Jiang Xiaochuan held the box; it wasn't heavy, but it felt surprisingly substantial. He glanced at Tian Buyi, but Tian Buyi wasn't looking at him; he was looking at something else.

"Master..." Jiang Xiaochuan began.

"Um?"

"thank you."

Tian Buyi waved his hand. "No need to thank me. It's just a hairpin."

The two walked out of the shop. The street was crowded with people. Tian Buyi walked in front, and Jiang Xiaochuan followed behind. After walking a few steps, Tian Buyi suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.

"Didn't you think about buying one for your senior sister too?"

Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback. "Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'?" Tian Buyi glared at him. "Lu Xueqi has one, but your senior sister doesn't? Do you think that's appropriate?"

Jiang Xiaochuan opened his mouth, but no words came out. He really hadn't expected this. Tian Buyi asked him to buy it for Lu Xueqi, so he did. Tian Ling'er… he really hadn't thought of that.

Tian Buyi sighed when he saw his foolish look. "Come with me."

They returned to the shop. The shopkeeper, seeing them come back, assumed there was something wrong with the goods and quickly came to greet them.

"Immortal Master, is there anything else you require?"

"Pick one more," Tian Buyi said, "for another junior sister."

The shopkeeper, understanding his intention, led Jiang Xiaochuan to the counter. This time, Jiang Xiaochuan paid close attention. He examined each item carefully, one by one. Jade hairpins, silver hairpins, wooden hairpins—he looked at them all. After a long while, he settled on a pair of silver bells. The bells were small and exquisite, engraved with fine patterns. He picked them up and shook them; they tinkled melodiously.

"This," Jiang Xiaochuan said.

The shopkeeper took it and put it into another brocade box. Tian Buyi paid, took the box, and then handed it to Jiang Xiaochuan.

"This is for Ling'er," he said, pausing before adding, "Don't tell her I asked her to buy it."

Jiang Xiaochuan held the two boxes and nodded.

The two left the shop, but Tian Buyi didn't rush off. He wandered around the street for a while longer. He stopped in front of a stall selling rouge and face powder, and looked at it for a long time. Finally, he picked up a box of rouge, smelled it, and nodded.

"wrap up."

Jiang Xiaochuan watched from the side, a thought suddenly occurring to him. "Master, is this for Master's wife?"

Tian Buyi blushed and glared at him. "Shut up."

Jiang Xiaochuan smiled. He watched Tian Buyi pay and carefully put the rouge box into his pocket, his actions and expression like those of a young boy.

Back at Dazhu Peak, Jiang Xiaochuan held the two boxes, unsure which to give first. He sat in his room for a while, staring blankly at the two boxes. The white jade hairpin for Lu Xueqi, the silver bell for Tian Ling'er. Both were beautiful, both suitable. But… he remembered Tian Buyi's words.

"Lu Xueqi has one, but your senior sister doesn't? Do you think that's appropriate?"

He felt it wasn't appropriate. But he didn't know what to do. Should he give them both? Would that be too much...? He scratched his head and decided to stop thinking about it. He'd give them to Lu Xueqi first, because Lu Xueqi was coming to teach him cultivation tomorrow.

The next afternoon, Lu Xueqi arrived on time. She landed on the back mountain on her sword, Tianya sword on her back, her moon-white Taoist robe spotless. Jiang Xiaochuan was already waiting, holding the box containing the white jade hairpin.

"Junior Sister Lu." He went to greet her.

"Senior Brother Jiang." Lu Xueqi nodded, her gaze falling on the box in his hand. "What's this?"

"Here you go." Jiang Xiaochuan handed over the box, a little nervous. "Thank you for teaching me cultivation."

Lu Xueqi paused for a moment. She took the box, but didn't open it immediately, instead running her fingers over the lid. The box was made of wood, carved with simple patterns, and felt very smooth to the touch.

"Can I open it?" she asked.

"Of course." Jiang Xiaochuan nodded.

Lu Xueqi opened the box. The white jade hairpin lay in the brocade, gleaming warmly in the sunlight. The plum blossom on the hairpin head was exquisitely carved, with layers upon layers of petals, looking incredibly lifelike. She picked up the hairpin; its body was cool to the touch and had a delicate feel.

"Do you...do you like it?" Jiang Xiaochuan asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Lu Xueqi didn't speak. She stared at the hairpin for a long time, then looked up at Jiang Xiaochuan. Her eyes were bright, as bright as stars.

"I like it," she said, her voice soft but clear. "I really like it."

Jiang Xiaochuan breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you like it."

Lu Xueqi put the hairpin back in the box, closed the lid, and hugged it to her chest. She looked at Jiang Xiaochuan for a long time, then said, "Why did you give it to me?"

"Thank you," Jiang Xiaochuan said. "You've taught me so much, I don't have much to repay you with, so..."

"You gave me this?" Lu Xueqi interrupted him, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Do you know what it means to give a woman a hairpin?"

Jiang Xiaochuan was stunned. "What do you mean?"

Lu Xueqi looked at his bewildered face, her smile deepening. She shook her head. "It's nothing. Thank you for the gift."

She turned and flew away on her sword. After flying for a while, she turned back and waved to Jiang Xiaochuan. The wind blew her hair, and the strands danced in the sunlight. Jiang Xiaochuan looked at her and thought she looked especially beautiful today.

After seeing Lu Xueqi off, Jiang Xiaochuan took another box to find Tian Ling'er. Tian Ling'er was practicing calligraphy in her room when she heard the knock and called out, "Come in." Jiang Xiaochuan pushed the door open and entered, and Tian Ling'er looked up at him.

"Senior sister." Jiang Xiaochuan walked over and placed the box on the table. "This is for you."

Tian Ling'er put down her pen and looked at the box. "What?"

"Open it and take a look," Jiang Xiaochuan said.

Tian Ling'er opened the box. Inside lay a silver bell, sparkling brightly. She picked one up, shook it, and it jingled melodiously. The sound was clear and pleasant.

"Where did it come from?" she asked.

"I bought it in Heyang City," Jiang Xiaochuan said honestly. "My master took me there."

Tian Ling'er paused. She put the bell back in the box, closed the lid, and pushed it back to Jiang Xiaochuan.

"I don't want to," she said, her voice stiff.

Jiang Xiaochuan was stunned. "Why?"

"Does Lu Xueqi have one too?" Tian Ling'er asked, her eyes fixed on him.

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart tightened. "Yes...yes."

"What is she?"

"A hairpin," Jiang Xiaochuan said. "It's made of white jade and carved with plum blossoms."

Tian Ling'er fell silent. She stared at the box for a long time, then reached out, took it back, opened it, and took out the bell. She looked at the bell, her fingers rubbing it hard until her knuckles turned white.

"Why did you give her a hairpin, but me a bell?" she asked, her voice lowering.

Jiang Xiaochuan didn't know how to answer. He scratched his head, thought for a long time, and said, "The hairpin... is pretty. The bell... sounds nice too. They both suit you."

Tian Ling'er looked up at him, her eyes a little red. "Suitable? Do you know what a hairpin represents?"

Jiang Xiaochuan was stunned again. "What does that mean?"

Tian Ling'er stared at him for a long time, then smiled. It was a bitter, astringent smile. "Forget it. You don't understand anything."

She put the bell back in the box, hugged it to her chest, turned around and walked to the window, her back to Jiang Xiaochuan.

"Senior sister?" Jiang Xiaochuan called out to her.

"You can go now," Tian Ling'er said, her voice muffled. "I need to practice my calligraphy."

Jiang Xiaochuan stood there for a while, unsure what to say, before turning and leaving. As he reached the door, he glanced back. Tian Ling'er was still standing by the window, her back ramrod straight, but her shoulders were trembling slightly.

He closed the door and left.

Inside the room, Tian Ling'er hugged the box tightly. The bell jingled softly inside the box, but the sound was jarring.

She looked out the window, at the distant bamboo forest, at the clouds in the sky. Her eyes stung, but she didn't cry.

She bit her lip hard until she tasted blood.

Hairpins are tokens of love, bells are... toys to amuse children.

She opened the box and took out the bell. The bell was light and small, lying in her palm, glittering. She looked at it for a long time, then raised her hand and threw the bell out the window. The bell traced an arc in the air, fell into the grass, and fell silent.

She stared at the empty box for a long time, then raised her hand and slammed it hard onto the ground. The box shattered, sending wood shards flying.

She crouched down, hugged her knees, and buried her face in them. Her shoulders trembled even more violently.

Jiang Xiaochuan returned to his room and sat on the bed, lost in thought. Xiaobai jumped up, lay on his lap, and rubbed against his hand. Jiang Xiaochuan stroked its fur, his mind a jumble of thoughts.

He couldn't understand. Why was Tian Ling'er unhappy? Why did Lu Xueqi ask him if he knew what a hairpin represented? What could a hairpin possibly represent? Wasn't it just a headdress?

He remembered Tian Buyi's words. He remembered how carefully Tian Buyi had bought rouge for Su Ru. He remembered how Su Ru blushed and smiled when she received the rouge; her smile was beautiful.

A thought struck him, as if he understood something, yet also as if he didn't.

He looked down at Xiaobai, and Xiaobai looked up at him, its eyes dark and bright, like two gems.

"Xiaobai," he whispered, "did I do something wrong?"

Xiaobai rubbed against his hand, but there was no reaction.

Jiang Xiaochuan sighed, lay down, and pulled Xiaobai into his arms. Xiaobai was very obedient, remaining still and letting him hold it.

I don't want to think about it anymore, I'm going to sleep.

Outside the window, it gradually got dark. Stars appeared one by one, densely packed, like a handful of shattered diamonds.

Jiang Xiaochuan gazed at the stars, and eventually fell asleep. In his dream, he saw Lu Xueqi holding a white jade hairpin, smiling at him. He also saw his master buying rouge for his mistress, who blushed and smiled.

He turned over and buried his face in the pillow.