Chapter 12: Wu Qiu Nunnery
Wu Qiu Nunnery was sparsely attended, with only five nuns in total, two of whom were too old to move.
It is said that Buddhism is a place of purity, but ultimately it relies on the offerings of the mortal world to maintain its solemn appearance.
Wen Mingqian entered the nunnery gate and walked for a long time without seeing anyone. Only a myna bird cawed once under the old Bodhi tree in the front courtyard.
A few clumps of hollyhocks bloomed beautifully at the foot of the wall, contrasting with the damaged and peeling gray walls, displaying an unusual elegance.
Walking further in, she saw two nuns sweeping the floor in the main hall. They only acknowledged her presence with a nod upon seeing her, without any warm greetings, indicating their accustomed indifference.
At this moment, a maidservant walked over and bowed to Wen Mingqian, saying, “Madam, please follow me.”
She led Wen Mingqian to the Medicine King Hall on the east side.
Liu Shi had just risen from the prayer mat. Turning around, she saw Wen Mingqian and quickly came forward to hold her hand, calling out, “Elder Sister.”
After that, she couldn’t say another word.
“Cuiyi, don’t be sad. Haven’t I already returned?” Wen Mingqian called Liu Shi by her given name and squeezed her hand tightly.
Liu Shi wiped away her tears and forced a smile, “Yes, it’s truly wonderful that Elder Sister has returned. I’ve been worried about you all these years and secretly sent many letters, but they were all returned. I didn’t know what your situation was over there.”
Wen Mingqian said, “I know you were worried about me, but I was truly afraid of implicating you. Knowing that your mansion has many rules and that you were in a difficult position everywhere, it was better to cut off contact.”
Liu Cuiyi asked, “Elder Sister, for what reason did you leave back then?”
Wen Mingqian smiled and said, “Where is there a wall that doesn’t let wind through? You must have known something, right?”
Liu Cuiyi shook her head, “I don’t believe those rumors. Elder Sister would never harm a young child.”
Wen Mingqian said, “The Gong Family believed I instructed a maidservant to poison Consort Song’s son. Their family greatly values its reputation and did not allow the matter to be publicized. Therefore, they sent me back to Shuangxi, ostensibly for pure cultivation, but in reality, for repentance.”
Liu Cuiyi asked, “That child’s death was so strange. Who really poisoned him and then blamed it on Elder Sister?”
Wen Mingqian was silent for a long time, “I’m not entirely clear about it now, but the events of that year must be investigated.”
“But it’s been so long…” Liu Cuiyi said with a sigh, “Can it still be investigated clearly?”
“Let’s not talk about my affairs anymore. How are you now? Are your days at your husband’s family going smoothly?” Wen Mingqian asked her.
Unexpectedly, her question brought tears to Liu Cuiyi’s eyes, “Elder Sister, you know them. The Zhou Family, from top to bottom, none of them are easy to get along with. And I myself am not fortunate, having given birth to two daughters in a row.”
Liu Cuiyi’s mother-in-law, Shao Shi, was very difficult, and her husband, Zhou Jing San, was unfaithful and philandering.
Moreover, her maternal father was extremely strict and old-fashioned, always saying that parents are never wrong and that Liu Shi should simply fulfill her filial piety and behave herself.
Her mother, on the other hand, searched everywhere for childbirth methods, hoping she would give birth to a son, believing that this would solve all her problems.
But Liu Cuiyi just couldn’t give birth to a son. In fact, due to taking medicine and her suppressed emotions, her health worsened. In recent years, she hadn’t even been pregnant.
The Zhou Family had already taken four or five concubines for Zhou Jing San. Among them, only her dowry maidservant treated her with respect. The other concubines often taunted her.
“A woman’s life has many unavoidable hardships, but ultimately, one cannot be at the mercy of others. No matter what, one must find a way to struggle forward, otherwise, where will one retreat to find resolution?” Wen Mingqian felt great sympathy for her and wanted to help her escape the predicament. However, no one can succeed solely with the help of others; one must stand up for oneself.
“Elder Sister, I’ll tell you the truth. If it weren’t for those two little ones, I truly wouldn’t want to live another day…” Liu Cuiyi cried, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. “Ever since I got married, it’s been like living in a dry well, confined to a small patch of sky above my head, looking until my eyes are worn out but unable to jump out.”
“Good sister, you are still young. Don’t say such disheartening things,” Wen Mingqian said, embracing her. “There’s a line in a poem that says ‘natural beauty is hard to abandon.’ I believe people must not abandon themselves to have a new world.
No matter how dire your situation is, it’s still better than mine. If I am unwilling to abandon myself, how can you be content to be trapped in a city of sorrow?”
“Elder Sister, is there any hope for me in this life?” Liu Cuiyi asked, her eyes teary as she looked at Wen Mingqian.
“It depends on human effort,” Wen Mingqian said, her eyes fixed. “Don’t worry, no matter when it is, as long as I am here, I will do my best to help you.”
This statement caused Liu Cuiyi’s tears to flow even more torrentially. She hugged Wen Mingqian and cried bitterly, not out of sadness, but out of gratitude.
For so many years, no one had ever given her such a promise, not even her closest relatives.
She knew that Wen Mingqian’s situation was much more difficult than hers, yet she still made a promise to her without reservation. This promise was more precious than gold.
It brought warmth to her heart, which had already been soaked with tears.
When Wen Mingqian saw that she had cried enough, she gently patted her shoulder and said, “After crying like this, do you feel more relieved?”
Liu Cuiyi said a little shyly, “I’m so sorry, I’ve made Elder Sister’s clothes wet.”
“What’s a little bit of that? As long as it can help you feel a little better, let alone one piece of clothing, I’d gladly give ten or eight,” Wen Mingqian said, affectionately stroking her face. “Look at you, you were originally a delicate and beautiful young woman, and you’ve been worn down and gaunt over these years.
No matter what, you must take good care of yourself.”
“I’ve been disheartened all these years and really haven’t bothered to dress up,” Liu Cuiyi said. “On the other hand, Elder Sister, not only do you not show any signs of being gaunt, but your beauty is even more so than it was back then.”
Liu Cuiyi was not flattering. Wen Mingqian was naturally beautiful, and coupled with her noble and ethereal demeanor, she was unforgettable at first glance.
Meeting again after seven years, she was more serene and graceful than before, and more worthy of careful observation.
“You also know that Shuangxi is a poor and remote place with no precious or rare items,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile, taking out a small porcelain bottle. “This is the Jade Dew Cream I made myself. Apply it to your face before sleeping every night to make your skin delicate and radiant.”
Liu Cuiyi took it and opened it, only smelling a faint, elegant scent of grass and wood. Inside was a white cream like sheep fat.
“Thank you, Elder Sister. You made this yourself, it’s more precious than anything bought with money. I will definitely use it well when I go back and won’t let down Elder Sister’s kind intentions.”
“That’s right! Don’t spend all your time thinking about having a son, and don’t let your husband and mother-in-law upset you,” Wen Mingqian said, seeing her smile, and continued to advise her. “The most foolish thing in this world is to help others bully yourself. Be open-minded, be intelligent, and look forward.”
Liu Cuiyi took out a sachet and presented it to Wen Mingqian with both hands, “Elder Sister, inside are two gold ingots. Consider it a meeting gift for my nephew. That child is truly lovable. When I visit your mansion someday, I’ll get to see him properly.”
Wen Mingqian accepted it without being polite, “When you come, tell Zhang Ma to prepare a dietary recipe for you. She has taken good care of us mother and son all these years, especially with our diet. Health doesn’t deteriorate in a day, nor can it be restored in a day. Diet is a major matter, and putting effort into it is better than taking medicine.”
