BLPSG Chapter 69.2

 

Before going to the Valley of the Divine Physician, the original owner personally buried his family.

 

But at that time he was too young to erect a monument, and not long after, the graves were swallowed up by weeds, and later he could never find their burial place again.

 

So in the past years during the Qingming Festival, he would just go home and take a look.

 

Shan Yu Jian is not far from Songxiu Prefecture, and it only takes an hour to get there by horse carriage.

 

When Wen Qingci arrived here, it was sunset.

 

The light pink sunset was lingering diagonally in the sky.

 

The shadow of the mountain fell from the west and landed in the stream.

 

More than twenty years have passed, and the once bustling mountain village has been completely swallowed up by the overgrown weeds.

 

If it weren’t for the stone tablet at the entrance of the village still standing, no one would believe that there was once a village here.

 

“Shan Yu Jian…” Wen Qingci murmured.

 

Countless memories, along with a sharp pain, flooded into his mind.

 

Wen Qingci slowly closed his eyes, and he saw – the Shan Yu Jian of many years ago was like a paradise.

 

There wasn’t much farmland here, but it was close to the big mountain, and everyone had the ability to gather herbs.

 

They worked from sunrise to sunset, and their lives were as calm as a lake.

 

Under the influence of their surroundings, “he” recognized various wild medicinal herbs from a young age, and was quite interested in practicing medicine.

 

His parents had planned early on to send “him” to the medical hall in Songxiu Prefecture in the future to become an apprentice and learn medicine well.

 

After all, he was just a child, and “he” couldn’t always be serious.

 

“Qingci, why are you coming home so late, your mother has been looking for you for a long time, do you know?” The woman in a coarse cloth short shirt hugged him into her arms, rubbed his head, and sighed with relief, “Your mother thought she had lost you in the mountains.”

 

Seeing the mud on his face, the man next to him frowned and asked seriously, “Where did you run off to?”

 

The Shan Yu Jian at night was so quiet that only the cicadas could be heard.

 

The blue moonlight fell on his forehead, illuminating that spot of cinnabar.

 

The child was a little embarrassed, stuck out his tongue, hugged his mother, and finally brought out the bamboo basket hidden behind him like a treasure, “Mom, I went to catch some small fish~”

 

“Small fish?”

 

The two adults only then noticed that the child’s clothes were wet for most of the time.

 

And in this bamboo basket, there were a few crucian carp, swimming slowly.

 

Although Shan Yu Jian was considered a wealthy village, meat was still rarely seen on ordinary days.

 

That night, those crucian carp turned into milky white fish soup, all of which went into “his” stomach.

 

The taste was sweet and fragrant, even after so many years, he still remembered…

 

“Qingci, what’s wrong?” Song Junran’s voice pulled Wen Qingci’s thoughts back.

 

The next moment he realized that there was a cold spot on his cheek, he didn’t know when.

 

“It’s nothing…” Wen Qingci slowly lowered his eyes, hiding his unusual emotions.

 

“Let’s go, let’s go in and take a look.” Seeing that he didn’t want to mention it, Song Junran seemed to understand something and changed the topic, “Here, this is the key to your house.” After saying that, he handed over the thing in his hand.

 

Wen Qingci smiled and took the thing, “Thank you.”

 

“Why are you being so polite to me?”

 

Wen Qingci was carried into the Valley of the Divine Physicians after fainting, and until then, he hadn’t forgotten to hold on to the thing in his hand.

 

The old valley master took great effort to pry open Wen Qingci’s fingers and saw what he was holding tightly in his hand.

 

…At that time, after burying his family and coming to the Valley of Divine Physicians, he still didn’t realize it.

 

Once you leave home this time, it will be difficult to go back.

 

But in the blink of an eye, the sunset had dissipated.

 

The sun was blocked by the mountains and the surroundings suddenly became dark.

 

In a trance, Wen Qingci recalled that night in his memory, the bowl of sweet fish soup, and his last clear thought before going to bed – if only he could drink sweet fish soup every day in the future –

 

The dragon boat sailed south along the Yinchuan Grand Canal without stopping, heading straight to Songxiu Prefecture.

 

The ship carried hundreds of civil and military officials, and the momentum was no less than that of the southern tour that year.

 

“…Your Majesty, this is a newly written confession of crimes. Please take a look at what needs to be added or revised?”

 

The newly crowned number one scholar, dressed in red, knelt on the ground and held the imperial edict high in both hands.

 

In the past few months, the new emperor has spread his wisdom widely.

 

People from all over the country, mainly from Songxiu Prefecture, took this opportunity to write down what they had heard and experienced in books and sent them to Yongdu.

 

Everything that happened back then has finally come to light.

 

What was written in the “Confession of Crimes” mentioned by the top scholar was the evil deeds committed by the deposed emperor.

 

Once it arrives at Songxiu Prefecture, the current emperor will make it public to the world to comfort the thousands of dead souls.

 

The top scholar knew very well that this confession would be recorded in the history books.

 

He racked his brains to write this book and had hardly slept during this period of time.

 

Xie Bufang slowly took over the object.

 

This is also the tenth version he has modified.

 

The heart of the top scholar was immediately raised to his throat.

 

Although he is a new top scholar, he is already over forty years old.

 

But he was still suppressed by the momentum of the new emperor in front of him, kneeling on the ground and not daring to raise his head.

 

Xie Bufang’s body has the murderous intent honed from the battlefield, and those eyes… can see through people at a glance.

 

Thinking of his methods against the deposed emperor and the rebels, the body of the top scholar began to tremble.

 

After a while, Xie Bufang gently placed the indictment on the case.

 

“Copy it according to this version.”

 

The low voice came from above his head.

 

There is no emotion in Xie Bufang’s tone, only dead silence.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The top scholar immediately breathed a sigh of relief, he hurriedly performed a big ceremony, and then retreated with the indictment.

 

It wasn’t until he exited the cabin that he took a long breath.

 

It was not early, but after reading the indictment, Xie Bufang was not in a hurry to rest, and even changed into a convenient black robe for walking.

 

After another cup of tea, Xie Guanzhi was brought into this cabin.

 

“In the next few days, you will be responsible for the ship. When you get to Songxiu Prefecture, I will come back.” Xie Bufang walked out while giving a faint command.

 

Several guards in black clothes walked out of the dark and followed him.

 

In the past, perhaps no one would have expected that after Xie Bufang became emperor, he not only did not “deal with” Xie Guanzhi, the heir to the throne with the highest voice.

 

He even entrusted him with heavy use and gave Xie Guanzhi power second only to himself.

 

Xie Guanzhi was a little cautious at first, and he was not sure about Xie Bufang’s mind. He was afraid that he would touch the mold of the other party if he was not careful.

 

But later he found out that Xie Bufang seemed to be really not afraid of his usurpation… but thinking about it, Xie Bufang’s world was seized by military power.

 

Even if he wanted to usurp the throne, hundreds of thousands of garrisons in the north would not agree.

 

What he should care about is not whether Xie Bufang will care about this little thing with him.

 

It’s… Xie Bufang not only handles government affairs day and night, but even the court officials under him are forced to work overtime with him.

 

As the second-in-command of the court, he has not rested for more than a year.

 

Seeing Xie Bufang’s appearance of going out, Xie Guanzhi couldn’t help but frown and said a few more words: “Where is your majesty going?”

 

“…Your Majesty is the supreme ruler of a country, and you should always put the overall situation first.”

 

Unlike the reckless Xie Bufang, Xie Guanzhi grew up with orthodox royal education since he was a child.

 

Although he was once pitted by his father, Xie Guanzhi’s personality has not changed much.

 

Xie Bufang paused.

 

Just when Xie Guanzhi thought he would not answer him, the new emperor in a black robe slowly said: “Shan Yu Jian.”

 

“Shan Yu Jian?” Xie Guanzhi couldn’t help but repeat it.

 

After a pause, he finally remembered that Shan Yu Jian should be the place where Wen Qingci lived when he was a child, which was investigated not long ago.

 

Xie Guanzhi didn’t expect that Xie Bufang, who had already ascended to the throne, would choose to take a small boat and go to that place in advance.

 

But thinking about it, when the dragon boat arrives, the people and officials of Songxiu Prefecture will definitely surround Xie Bufang.

 

At that time, going to Shan Yu Jian will only disturb there.

 

“Your Majesty, I also want to…” Xie Guanzhi couldn’t help but speak.

 

Before Xie Guanzhi finished speaking, Xie Bufang slowly turned around and looked at him coldly and asked, “What identity are you going with?”

 

This look was full of hostility, making Xie Guanzhi shudder.

 

He suddenly remembered that on the night when he wanted to commit suicide and was saved, Xie Bufang seemed to have looked at himself like this…

 

Xie Guanzhi was shocked by his gaze, so he had to stand in place and watch Xie Bufang leave with someone.

 

“Say me?” After a long time, Xie Guanzhi finally couldn’t help but muttered in a low voice, “…But you don’t have any identity either.”

 

Xie Guanzhi’s voice was not loud, but it all reached the ears of Xie Bufang, who had profound internal strength.

 

The emperor in a black robe paused for a while before continuing to walk forward slowly.

 

*

 

Xie Bufang took a small boat and arrived at Songxiu Prefecture before the dragon boat.

 

He didn’t stop, and went directly to the location of Shan Yu Jian recorded.

 

In order to facilitate the collection of taxes and the dispatch of corvee, the Wei Dynasty, like all previous dynasties, has a strict household registration system.

 

After becoming emperor, the first thing Xie Bufang did was to call out all the household registrations of Songxiu Prefecture at the beginning of the dynasty, and check them year by year, and found this “Shan Yu Jian” that suddenly disappeared from the record.

 

The breeze swept over the horse’s back, gently blowing Xie Bufang’s slightly curled hair.

 

He held the reins in one hand and slowly clenched the copied household registration in the other.

 

…During this period, he didn’t know how many times he had seen that address.

 

The short few lines of text have long been engraved in Xie Bufang’s heart, and they can be recited backwards.

 

But he was still not at ease, and copied the household registration several times by hand, carrying it with him at all times.

 

The black war horse was tied to an old tree at the entrance of the village.

 

“You guys wait here, no need to go in.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

 

Xie Bufang left the accompanying guards and walked into it alone along the path full of weeds.

 

“…West Street, No. twenty-nine.” He whispered the address.

 

At this moment, the usually cold amber eyes also showed a bit of softness.

 

Even though it was the first time he came here, Xie Bufang’s heart actually gave birth to a feeling of being close to home.

 

Even the rhythm of breathing became nervous and chaotic.

 

When Xie Bufang arrived here, it was early morning.

 

At this time, the sky was not yet bright, and everything was shrouded behind a layer of blue mist.

 

The cold wind howled through the hall, like a ghost crying.

 

The trees that died in the distance at some unknown time swayed with the wind, showing their teeth and claws.

 

The farmhouses and courtyards next to him have long been dilapidated, as if they would collapse at any time.

 

At the corner of the alley, he didn’t know where a piece of coarse cloth stained with blood floated from.

 

And at his feet, there are even bones rolling.

 

Here is like a ghost place, no different from the dead city on the bridge of Naihe in the legend.

 

But there is no fear in Xie Bufang’s eyes.

 

He only knew that this was where Wen Qingci lived.

 

If there are really ghosts.

 

It’s just right for him.

 

…Wen Qingci once walked on the small road he is walking now, fetched water from the well next to him, and looked for playmates in the small courtyard next to him.

 

There are traces of his existence everywhere here.

 

Xie Bufang even gave birth to an illusion.

 

Just wait for the next turn, Wen Qingci will come towards him with a smile, holding an oil-paper umbrella as in his memory.

 

What is death?

 

Xie Bufang couldn’t tell.

 

He thought maybe Wen Qingci was just sleeping quietly somewhere… or maybe, he just went home.

 

Every time he gets closer, Xie Bufang’s heartbeat speeds up.

 

His heart is full of tension.

 

West Street, twenty-ninth household.

 

He almost walked here with his breath.

 

——The courtyard in front of him is no different from every one he passed just now.

 

It was also swallowed by weeds, and the high walls that are crumbling and extremely mottled are the same.

 

But all this fell into Xie Bufang’s eyes, and there was only warmth left.

 

He took a deep breath and walked slowly.

 

Then he raised his hand and gently knocked on the wooden door that had already decayed.

 

At this moment, there is a faint expectation in Xie Bufang’s eyes, and even the corners of his lips are raised a bit.

 

Like a real visitor.

 

The sound of “knock knock knock” spread throughout the mountain village.

 

There was no answer in the courtyard.

 

Xie Bufang paused for a while, and stubbornly raised his hand again, knocking on the door.

 

“Knock knock.”

 

There was still no answer inside the door.

 

Knock knock, knock knock.

 

One after another knocking on the door, and Xie Bufang’s carefulness, for fear of disturbing the owner of the small courtyard, merged into the desolate mountain village and the unopened morning mist.

 

It looks extremely weird.

 

“Wen Qingci…”

 

“Wen Qingci?”

 

Xie Bufang stood by the door, whispering the name of the owner over and over again.

 

Not far from the horizon, the sun rose higher and higher, completely illuminating this dilapidated courtyard.

 

The courtyard, which has not been inhabited for twenty years, has returned to its original state and become part of the forest.

 

The old wooden door was cracked, rotten, and even covered with moss.

 

A tear slid down Xie Bufeng’s cheek without any warning and fell heavily to the ground.

 

Xie Bufeng couldn’t help sobbing, and finally he hugged his knees and slowly sat down in front of the door. There was no emperor in him anymore.

 

But just a little animal abandoned by its owner.

 

From beginning to end, no one came to open the door for him.

 

Xie Bufeng sat here in silence.

 

His empty gaze passed the dry well and fell on the hill not far away.

 

For a moment he didn’t know what to do.

 

After sitting there for an unknown amount of time, Xie Bufeng’s brows suddenly furrowed slightly.

 

He suddenly stood up as if he suddenly thought of something, and turned to look at the wooden door.

 

Then his eyes slowly fell on the rusty door lock.

 

……Ash

 

dust!

 

Xie Bufeng’s originally numb heart began beating wildly again.

 

He realized belatedly that the door of this courtyard was locked and there was not even a trace of dust on it!

 

Xie Bufeng raised his hand and touched the door panel, and the next moment there was a thick layer of dust on his fingertips.

 

Then he changed his hand and rubbed the door lock hard.

 

No……

 

There was nothing on his fingers.

 

Xie Bufeng was like a drowning man who had touched the last piece of driftwood. His hands were shaking and his breathing rhythm was completely disrupted.

 

Then he flew over the wall like crazy and walked into the courtyard.

 

Xie Bufeng slowly squatted down and looked at the weeds on the ground with red eyes.

 

——He didn’t know when it was bent by someone.

 

Shan Yu Jian was destroyed in the ninth year of Tianchu, and Wen Qingci was the only survivor in the village.

 

So who could have opened the door and walked into the courtyard?

 

…The dreamlike and illusory thoughts and possibilities in his heart suddenly grew at this moment, like vines tightly wrapping around his heart.

 

The new emperor, dressed in black, slowly closed his eyes and finally couldn’t help laughing little by little.

 

That smile was like madness.