Chapter 920: Chapter 874: Parinirvana

Wen Wan followed Linglong to the corner gate, where she saw Wen Shun swinging his legs as he sat on a small carriage.

Wen Wan recalled when the Song family returned to their hometown to honor their ancestors, Wen Shun had said he couldn’t get the travel permit and couldn’t come to the Capital. Later, Song Wei said he would help him, and Wen Shun planned to manage the shop in the Prefecture and then go to Beijing after the New Year.

Wen Wan had almost forgotten about this. Now that she saw Wen Shun himself, she remembered.

The boy had grown ambitious, intending to open a branch shop in the Capital.

Jumping off the carriage, Wen Shun called out to Wen Wan with a smile, "Sister."

"Why are you only arriving now?" Wen Wan stepped forward, carefully inspecting him. He had grown taller and wore a round-collared long robe in bamboo green. Perhaps because of his exposure to the cosmetics industry, he paid great attention to his appearance. His face was exceptionally clean, adding a touch of elegance to what wasn’t an overly handsome face, making it easy for others to take a liking to him at first glance.

It was hard to imagine that ten years ago, this little rascal was so unruly, chasing after her all day, calling her "Little Mute."

"I got held up by some matters." Having spent so long in the business world, Wen Shun had shed the shyness typical of a fifteen-year-old. He didn’t feel restrained when he saw Wen Wan, instead feeling quite close to her.

A little servant followed behind him.

"Dongzi, bring the items."

As soon as Wen Shun spoke, the little servant named "Dongzi" handed over a redwood carved box with a smile.

Wen Shun took it and gave it directly to Wen Wan.

Wen Wan paused, "Is this for me?"

Before Wen Shun could speak, Dongzi chimed in, "Our young master personally made it at the workshop, from gathering flowers onward, without letting anyone else intervene."

From Dongzi’s words, Wen Wan guessed what it was.

In front of family, she didn’t bother with formalities and opened it directly. Inside was indeed a whole set of skincare products.

Girls love cosmetics and jewelry, and Wen Wan was no exception. Since Wen Shun had made it by hand, it must be top-quality. She looked at the young man and smiled, "Not bad. After not seeing you for a few years, you’ve learned how to please a lady."

Hearing this, a faint blush appeared on Wen Shun’s pale face.

"It’s hot. I happened to have someone chilling some watermelon in the well. Come on in." Wen Wan urged him.

Wen Shun nodded and followed Wen Wan inside.

Not long after, Linglong brought a plate of watermelon, freshly taken from the well, cut into pieces with the black seeds removed and served on a porcelain dish.

The juicy redness of the watermelon made one’s mouth water.

Wen Wan handed a bamboo skewer to Wen Shun and picked a piece herself to eat, asking, "How is Father doing in Ningzhou?"

"Father is doing well." Wen Shun replied. He didn’t dare to mention that when Father heard about elder sister’s and brother-in-law’s separation, he was so worried that his hair turned white, and even now, every time it’s brought up, he can’t help but sigh.

Wen Wan nodded and asked, "And your mother?"

"She’s also doing well." Wen Shun continued with the same tone.

Wen Wan didn’t ask further.

Wen Shun, however, intentionally or unintentionally mentioned, "Sister, you might not know this, but the village has built a school, and many children are attending there now."

"There was always a village school, but it collapsed during an earthquake and was never rebuilt. It’s nothing to make a fuss about," Wen Wan said with indifference.

"But it provides basic education for the children..." Wen Shun stopped midway.

In truth, he couldn’t understand why his sister and brother-in-law got divorced. Clearly, during the ancestor worship, everything seemed fine. No matter how much they argued, it shouldn’t have led to a divorce, right?

With this in mind, Wen Shun leaned over and lowered his voice, "Sister, why don’t you be honest with me. Did you find someone else?"

Wen Wan reached out and pushed his head away, "Talking can’t keep your mouth shut. In a bit, I’ll take you to the inn. Since you plan to open a shop, you’ll need to spend time choosing a location. Coincidentally, I have some free time, so I’ll accompany you to take a look."

Wen Shun immediately let out a wail, "I came all the way here, and you’re in such a hurry to send me away? Besides, I planned on staying here."

His last sentence was said in a low voice.

But Wen Wan denied him outright, "This is my maternal home, not my own home. I’m a guest here as well, so how could I keep you here?"

In truth, the Changning Marquis Mansion was spacious enough to accommodate Wen Shun. But considering Wen Shun’s identity, Wen Wan feared that Zhao Xunyin wouldn’t approve upon her return, so she simply decided to send him away.

...

Four Seas Inn.

Wen Shun looked at the room Wen Wan had paid for and scratched his head, "There really wasn’t a need to book such a nice one. I could have stayed in an ordinary inn."

Wen Wan glanced at him, "Why didn’t you say it when it started." Then she said seriously, "I’m living at my mother’s family now, many things are not convenient for me to decide on my own. You have to bear with it. After a while, when you find a shop and settle down, things will get better."

Wen Wan stood behind the door, her delicate and white face silhouetted in shadow. From Wen Shun’s angle, he could see she had matured so much compared to before, both in her features and in her tone of voice.

Wen Shun suddenly asked, "Sis, will you and brother-in-law reconcile?"

Wen Wan was taken aback, evidently not expecting him to say this.

Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Wen Shun bowed his head as he packed his things, as if casually explaining, "One won’t remarry, the other won’t remarry either, obviously unable to let go, then why bother being pretentious?"

Listening to this adult-like tone, Wen Wan couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head, not answering his question.

...

Wen Wan left Wen Shun and Dongzi at the inn and returned to Changning Marquis Mansion. Zhao Xunyin had already gone to a banquet and returned; she was sitting in the room drinking tea. Seeing Wen Wan enter, her eyes glanced behind her, seemingly to confirm no one was following, before asking, "Didn’t you say Wen Shun was coming? Why don’t I see him around?"

Wen Wan couldn’t say she had sent him to the inn, so she simply said, "He’s here for business, he’s busy!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xunyin seemed to think of something and chuckled lightly, "Back then, I said that if he liked studying, I’d give him a place in the Princess Mansion, let him take the Third Son’s path to enter officialdom through exams. Unexpectedly, he inherited his father’s genes, making a name in business. Actually, this is rather good, thinking about it."

Wen Wan hesitated but couldn’t help asking Zhao Xunyin, "Mother, you won’t mind his background, will you?"

Zhao Xunyin shot her a sideways glance, "It’s all old news, like stale sesame seeds and rotten grain, don’t keep bringing it up to annoy people."

Wen Wan immediately laughed, "Alright, alright, I won’t mention it. By the way, the cherries at grandma’s place are ripening soon, right? I’m craving them."

Zhao Xunyin snorted twice, "If you want to eat them, go ask yourself. I won’t be your shield."

Wen Wan immediately dropped her head, feeling a bit depressed.

Song Wei was once Grandfather Duke Lu’s apprentice, later became his grandson-in-law, the affection Duke Lu had for him was imaginable.

Yet there was an inconsiderate granddaughter who caused quite a scene at her mother-in-law’s memorial hall.

Even if not caring about the rumors among the common folk, Duke Lu was angry that she had hurt his beloved student.

Wen Wan still remembered, when she returned to the capital, besides entering the palace, she also went to the Lu Family. Partly to assure them of her safety, and partly to thank her uncle, but Grandfather pulled a long face, insisting she go to Ningzhou to apologize and remarry Song Wei.

What kind of nonsense was this?

Wen Wan felt bitter, did people really think she didn’t want to?

She was more anxious than anyone else, you know!

"Didn’t you write a letter to Ningzhou earlier?" Zhao Xunyin asked, "How’s it going, then?"

"I don’t know either." Wen Wan frowned, "He wrote back saying everything seemed normal, but I think, staying in the countryside, teaching children every day without running into many annoying people, of course he would feel things are fine. What if he came to the capital..."

Wen Wan thought back to the highs and lows Song Wei experienced after passing the exam and entering the capital, especially the deaths of his mother-in-law and Jiaojiao later, which still chilled her to the bone.

"You should visit Fahua Temple then!" Zhao Xunyin sighed, "Since it was Master Xu Yun’s suggestion, perhaps only he can clear your confusion now."

...

The next morning, Zhao Xunyin accompanied Wen Wan to Fahua Temple.

Due to Master Xu Yun’s reputation, Fahua Temple, though located outside the city, still saw a continuous stream of pilgrims climbing the mountain every day.

Zhao Xunyin and her daughter arrived quite early, but even then, they saw quite a few carriages at the foot of the mountain.

Before heading up, Wen Wan clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and bowed deeply to the serene and peaceful temple mountain.

Then she began to ascend the steps.

Throughout the journey, Wen Wan’s mood remained heavy, torn between wanting to see Master Xu Yun and fearing hearing some unfavorable remarks from him again.

They had barely reached halfway up the mountain when they heard the deep and resonant sound of a bell ringing from the summit, with not much time between each chime, very regular.

Wen Wan didn’t count how many times the bell was struck but felt the time seemed rather long, perhaps exceeding the daily morning bell ritual.

Zhao Xunyin evidently noticed too, furrowing her brows almost imperceptibly.

The mother and daughter finally climbed to the top, standing outside Fahua Temple’s main gate, and heard the harmonious chanting of monks inside.

Among the exiting pilgrims, some were stealthily wiping their tears, others were shaking their heads regretfully.

Wen Wan stopped one of the women, asking her, "What’s happening inside?"

The woman sighed with a darkened expression, "Master Xu Yun has passed away."

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