Chapter 46: Blood Sutras
Old Madam Gong was not yet aware that Gong Xu had met with misfortune.
However, she already knew that Wen Mingqian and her son had returned.
Therefore, when the horse carriage stopped outside the gates of Ru Yang Bo Mansion and the curtains were lifted, she saw Wen Mingqian among the welcoming party and did not appear surprised.
Still, she was slightly surprised in her heart.
She had originally thought Wen Mingqian would be much more gaunt, after all, seven years of hardship.
And to punish her, she had warned everyone not to send any money or goods to Wen Mingqian, letting her live solely off the few dozen mu of ancestral graves in her hometown.
Yet, the current Wen Mingqian was radiant and full of vitality.
Could it be that she had lived quite comfortably all these years?
In contrast, Consort Song, standing beside her, appeared seven parts more gaunt.
She was originally a few years older than Wen Mingqian, but only by two or three years. Now, comparing the two, it seemed as if she was at least seven or eight years older than Wen Mingqian, if not more.
With such suspicion, Old Madam Gong entered the mansion, surrounded by her entourage.
After taking her seat, everyone came forward one by one to pay their respects.
When it was Wen Mingqian’s turn, she walked forward and knelt gently before Old Madam Gong. Gong Changan also knelt down immediately.
“Your daughter-in-law pays her respects to mother-in-law. Mingqian is unfilial, having not served by your side for many years. My heart has been uneasy and I have been in constant fear. Now that I see mother-in-law is healthy and more vigorous than before, your daughter-in-law is truly happy.” Wen Mingqian said with her head slightly lowered, her words sincere.
“You are quite free, returning whenever you please. I am already in my twilight years, how could I be more vigorous than before? It is you, with your radiant appearance, who is truly more vigorous than before!” Old Madam Gong’s tone was somewhat cold, accusing Wen Mingqian of breaking the rules and returning without notice.
She also sarcastically implied that Wen Mingqian had lived a comfortable and leisurely life, completely forgetting that she had been punished to reflect on her mistakes.
Old Madam Gong scolding Wen Mingqian in front of everyone made Consort Song feel very pleased.
If the Old Madam had been home before, she would never have let Wen Mingqian live so freely for so long! She would have surely dealt with her long ago.
“Old Madam, you are right to blame me. My return without notice was indeed wrong, but it was truly out of desperation.” Wen Mingqian explained in a gentle voice and with a humble attitude, “Since last year, Shuangxi has been suffering from a plague. Uncle Yu and his wife, Granny Huang, and A Hui all contracted the plague and did not survive. Only my son and I, along with Zhang Ma, were left.
After a winter, the plague still had not subsided. I originally intended to write a letter to request instructions from home. But I thought that letters would take at least two months to travel, and by spring, when the plague would be at its peak, I wouldn’t be able to leave.
After much thought, because there is still this descendant, who is after all the blood of the Gong Family. Therefore, I took it upon myself to leave Shuangxi.
To be honest, I didn’t expect to return successfully. After all, the journey is long, and if the plague were to break out, I might die on the way.
But if we had stayed there, the danger would have been even greater.
Fortunately, the ancestors blessed us, and thanks to Old Madam’s fortune, this journey has been remarkably safe and smooth.”
“Old Madam, sister-in-law was also forced into a corner. She didn’t consider enduring it, but after enduring for a year, the plague was still there. Moreover, even if she could endure it herself, how could she let the child face danger with her?” Madam Wei, Gong Rang’s wife, interjected, “Besides, the child is already this old and should return to the capital to study properly. Didn’t you mention it before? Shuangxi is hardly a place to raise a child.”
Mention of Gong Changan, Old Madam Gong stopped pressing Wen Mingqian and turned her gaze to this grandson she was meeting for the first time.
“Your grandson, Gong Changan, pays his respects to grandmother and eldest aunt.” Gong Changan knelt upright, his voice clear and loud.
After respectfully kowtowing, he straightened up and knelt again.
“Oh my, this child is so handsome!” Madam Wei said with a smile. “Quick, get up and come here so Old Madam can have a good look at you.”
Gong Changan stood up and walked to Old Madam Gong. His eyes, like black glaze, were slightly misted with moisture, and his small lips were pursed slightly, showing a look of longing for closeness yet also a hint of timidity.
No matter how great Old Madam Gong’s resentment towards Wen Mingqian was, she could not remain indifferent to this likable grandson.
“Grandmother, was your journey difficult? Changan has been longing to see you every day.
It is my fault that your grandson could not fulfill his filial duties by your side. From now on, your grandson will accompany you every day and make up for what was lost.” Gong Changan looked at Old Madam Gong with eager eyes, expressing his filial piety without hesitation.
Old Madam Gong was naturally moved. She pulled him into her embrace and said, “My dear grandson! You have suffered so much all these years.”
Gong Changan gently hugged Old Madam Gong, shedding a few silent tears.
At this moment, Wen Mingqian was still kneeling there, as Old Madam Gong had not told her to rise.
Gong Changan then said, “Grandmother, my mother has also prepared a gift for you.”
“Grandmother doesn’t want hers. Grandmother has you, and that’s enough.” Old Madam Gong did not even look at Wen Mingqian.
“Grandmother, please. My mother spent six years preparing this gift, and it was made with her heart and soul.” Gong Changan pleaded, “Please take a look. If you don’t like it, then so be it.”
“Old Madam, this is after all sister-in-law’s intention. Please just take a look!” Madam Wei also persuaded.
Zhang Ma and Zhu Ma carried in a wooden box. Everyone found it strange, not knowing what was inside.
After placing it down, Madam Wei stepped forward and opened it herself.
“Sister-in-law, is this your handwritten Avatamsaka Sutra?” Madam Wei picked up the topmost scroll and handed it to Old Madam.
Wen Mingqian had copied eighty scrolls of the Avatamsaka Sutra.
Consort Song couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. What was so special about this? People say to offer a gift with borrowed flowers, but Wen Mingqian was clearly offering a sutra as a gift. Wasn’t she just going to practice pure cultivation after returning? What else could she do every day if not copy sutras?!
In fact, she wasn’t the only one who thought this way. Many felt that Wen Mingqian’s gift was not very clever.
If it was said to be catering to her preferences, then where was the lack of these handwritten sutras?
But looking at Old Madam Gong, she was completely captivated by the sutras in her hands.
After looking for a long time, she raised her head, and her gaze towards Wen Mingqian was completely different from before.
“This… this is a Blood Sutra?!” Old Madam Gong’s voice trembled slightly, indicating she was deeply moved.
“This is what my mother used her own fresh blood mixed with gold powder to write, stroke by stroke,” Gong Changan said, sobbing. “She said this is the only way to show complete sincerity and filial piety.”
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.
To write sutras with blood requires immense vows, and it is not something that can be done by just anyone. Moreover, it was eighty scrolls of the Avatamsaka Sutra.
Blood Sutras are extremely rare and difficult to obtain. If the person writing with blood does not abstain from meat, the written sutras will turn black and be unusable.
Yet, Wen Mingqian’s writings were radiant with every character and solemn with every stroke.
Since ancient times, there have only been two surviving Blood Sutras of the Avatamsaka Sutra. One of them is incomplete. The other is secretly stored in the True Scripture Pavilion, inaccessible to ordinary people.
Old Madam Gong was a devout Buddhist and knew how rare this box of sutras was.
Even with silver, she wouldn’t know where to buy them.
This was because the vital essence and time required could not be measured by silver.
“You… get up!” Old Madam Gong no longer made Wen Mingqian kneel.
