NOVPUBChapter 638 The Holy Maiden
The conversation halted midway as Gao Qiu and Si De hastily leaped ashore to secure the boat, while Lin Wanrong assisted Yilian and her father in gathering the oars.
Old man Buyi cast several cautious glances their way and advised, "Guests, there is no need for you to trouble yourselves with these small matters. We are now within the jurisdiction of Sichuan Prefecture; you should hasten to attend to your urgent affairs."
The Miao elder, seasoned and composed, seemed reluctant to engage further with the Hua people. Lin Wanrong, perceptive as he was, took note of this. He nodded, fumbled in his bosom for a moment, and finally produced an appropriate object, handing it to the young girl with a smile, "Elder, Yilian, I am deeply grateful for your help with the river crossing today. To speak of money would be an insult to the Miao brothers and sisters. Here is a trinket for the two of you, a memento of our meeting. If you ever visit the capital, please do come to my residence as guests!"
In his hands was a piece of fine Burmese jade, one side carved with two lively and adorable infants, and the other with a laughing, vivacious young man, with the character 'Lin' etched in the center.
This jade pendant was crafted by the skillful Liu Yue'e of the Jinling Merchant Association upon learning of the birth of the Lin family's twin sons. She had them hurriedly made and delivered on horseback over eight hundred li to the capital. Only a dozen or so were made, and as Brother San put it, these were commemorative coins of the Lin family, of immeasurable value.
The pendant was crystal clear, shimmering with a spectrum of colors like dewdrops under the morning sun, exquisitely beautiful. Yilian admired it greatly, yet annoyance flickered in her eyes. With a firm push, she rejected the jade, saying angrily, "Ah Lin Ge, I've told you before, the Miao do not expect anything in return for their help! If you do this, I never wish to see you again! Father, let's go!"
The Miao were known for their forthright nature. Old man Buyi grunted in acknowledgment and began to pack up with his daughter, taking a direct path to leave. Lin Wanrong quickly stepped in front of them, urging, "Please, wait a moment!"
Buyi's eyes widened, and his lean frame hurriedly shielded his daughter behind him, demanding, "What is it you want, young man of the Hua people?!"
"Old man, you've misunderstood!" Lin Wanrong said, shaking his head with a wry smile, seeing the father's protective instinct, surely mistaking him for a villain, "The Miao help without expecting anything in return, which I greatly admire! But in our Hua people, we have a rule that goes, 'For a drop received, return a gushing spring!' The gift I offered, if you refuse it because you find it too valuable, then know that to me, it's priceless! Brother Gao, may I borrow your knife?"
He found a large rock and placed the jade upon it. Gao Qiu quickly passed his knife with both hands. Buyi and his daughter watched, eyes wide with uncertainty, not knowing what this Hua person was about to do.
Lin Wanrong held his breath, pressed the sharp knife to the jade, and pulled forcefully a few times. The fine Burmese jade now bore a deep mark, cleaving right into its veins, sending shards flying.
Yilian cried out in haste, "Ah Lin Ge, what are you doing?!"
Jade is fragile, but Lin Wanrong's technique was exquisite, and after making a few marks, he stopped. With this action, the value of the precious jade was destroyed, now worthless. Satisfied, he nodded, handed the stone back to the young girl, and said with a smile, "There, now it is done!"
Yilian, pained at the sight, took the jade and hurriedly brushed off the fragments, her frustration evident as she stamped her foot, "You, man of the Hua people, are truly a wastrel! A fine piece of jade, ruined by your hand! Our entire Miao village couldn't fetch its worth!"
Lin Wanrong shook his head, "In terms of money, it surely is now worthless! But while jade has a price, the heart's worth is immeasurable. In my heart, its value has never changed. Elder Buyi, Yilian, would you now accept it?"
It was as if they had been coerced into a sale. Yilian looked helplessly at her father, who, with no alternative, nodded in agreement. Seeing her father's consent, the girl quickly retrieved a silk cloth from her Miao bag and delicately wiped the jade's fragments away.
Elder Buyi, experienced and worldly, glanced at Lin Wanrong and said resignedly, "Young man of the Hua people, your insistence on gifting us is there perhaps something else you wish to ask of us?" 𝒏𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
Lin Wanrong, his mind a whirl, felt his cover blown by the elder's keen observation, his face flushing with warmth. He chuckled awkwardly, "Elder, to be frank, I am looking to inquire about someone."
"Inquire about someone? That's not a difficult task," the elder nodded. "Is this person from Sichuan, from the Hua people or Miao tribe? Go on, tell me."
"She should be here, in Sichuan. A Miao by the name of An Biru."
"An Biru?" Elder Buyi pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "I haven't heard this name among the nine villages and eighteen hamlets of our Miao enclave!"
Lin Wanrong was astonished, for his Master Sister's beauty and character should have made her well-known in the Miao territories. How could she not exist here? "Elder, please think again! My sister is exceptionally beautiful, like a fairy, always smiling, and she enjoys pricking people's behinds with needles for fun—"
Yilian burst into laughter, "If my father, who knows everything about the nine villages and eighteen hamlets, says there's no such person name An Biru, then there isn't!"
The father and daughter were well-acquainted with the affairs of the Miao, one known as a walking encyclopedia, the other a lively songbird. Could it be that they had taken a wrong turn, and Sister An wasn't here? Yet, Xuzhou area was the largest settlement of the Sichuan Miao, with over two hundred thousand people—her hometown should be here!
As Lin Wanrong pondered without conclusion, even though he had reached Xuzhou, Sichuan, he felt as if he had lost his way, his spirits wilting like a frost-stricken eggplant.
Yilian, with her kind heart, could not bear to see him so and spoke softly, "Father, didn't some sisters return to the village from outside two years ago? Were there any by the name of An? Ah Lin Ge, is there anything else extraordinary about your sister?"
"Yes, yes," Lin Wanrong revived with a jolt of spirit, "She returned to the Miao village this spring. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also skilled in medicine, poison, and venomous bugs. Her laugh is mesmerizing! Oh, and she often secretly sets up blind dates for me—"
The expressions of Elder Buyi and his daughter changed, they exchanged a look, and Yilian cautiously asked, "Ah Lin Ge, the person you're seeking, could it be... the Holy Maiden?"
The Holy Maiden? Lin Wanrong was taken aback. When Sister An was mingling with the underworld of the White Lotus Sect, she was known as the Holy Mother. Had she become the Holy Maiden upon returning to the Miao village? Regardless of the title, his intention was clear: he was here to turn the Holy Maiden into his holy sister-in-law! His excitement was palpable as he nodded eagerly, "Yes, that must be her! What is the Holy Maiden's name?"
"The Holy Maiden is simply the Holy Maiden. What other name would there be?" Yilian realized, "I see, you've come to participate in the Flower Mountain Festival, seeking to court the Holy Maiden?"
Flower Mountain Festival? Courting? Lin Wanrong was overwhelmed, "Slow down, Yilian. What is the Flower Mountain Festival, and whom is the Holy Maiden to court?"
"You're not here to court?" Yilian was now puzzled. "The Flower Mountain Festival, also known as the Miao Market, is our traditional Miao festival, held annually on the third day of the third month and the third day of the ninth month. It's a grand celebration where we pray for a bountiful harvest and prosperity. It is also," her cheeks flushed, too embarrassed to continue.
Elder Buyi, with a smile, finished for her, "It is also the time for Miao men and women to meet and court!"
That was it! The Flower Mountain Festival on the third day of the ninth month, and that Vixen An was really going to court without giving him notice! Was he now as insignificant to her as a scallion? Fuming with anger and frustration, he clenched his teeth.
Yilian saw his state and advised, shaking her head, "Ah Lin Ge, those who court the Holy Maiden are the most distinguished people of the Miao village and Sichuan. You stand no chance!"
"Hmm, I know. I just want to see how she courts!" Lin Wanrong said through gritted teeth. "Yilian, where does the Holy Maiden reside, and how many hours by horse can one reach there? I'm going to scout out the situation under cover of darkness!"
Yilian laughed merrily, turning to Buyi, "Father, look at this man, so daring to barge into Sichuan without knowing a thing!"
Elder Buyi nodded in agreement, "Young man of the Hua people, do you know how vast Xuzhou, Sichuan is? Are you aware of the distance to the thirty-six clans of the nine villages and eighteen hamlets? The Holy Maiden is of the White Miao, of noble status, residing at the highest peak of Xuzhou, Yunlian's Wulian Peak at Biluo Hamlet. The mountain is steep and the path treacherous, hundreds of miles from here. Even if you ride the fastest horse without rest, it would take three days and nights!"
White Miao, Biluo Hamlet, Sister An! Lin Wanrong felt a headache coming on. He hastily asked, "Elder, are you also of the White Miao? Is your residence also at Yunlian's... what was it... Peak?"
Yilian interjected quickly, "Who said we are White Miao? We are Red Miao, living just three li from here, in the outermost of the eighteen hamlets of the nine villages of Sichuan, called Yingyue Hamlet!"
"Biluo Hamlet, Yingyue Hamlet?" Lin Wanrong said, envious, "Whoever named these places was a genius, just as lovely as the name Yilian!"
[TL: Biluo means Emerald Falls; Yingyue means Moon Reflection.]
His flattery was second nature. The Miao maiden beamed with delight, coyly responding, "Ah Lin Ge, you're even more straightforward than our Miao people!"
Old Gao and Si De, listening to the conversation, were left speechless. If Brother Lin was considered straightforward, then all the paths in Sichuan must be straight!
After inquiring further, he learned that they were in the territory of Xingwen County, on the very edge of Xuzhou, still far from Yunlian. The Holy Maiden was very likely Sister An. Anxious though he was, with dusk approaching and being a stranger in a strange land, he realized that floundering like a headless fly was no solution. He had to calm himself and take things one step at a time.
Resigning himself with a sigh, Lin Wanrong was about to bow and take his leave from the Miao father and daughter when Yilian spoke, "Ah Lin Ge, are you now heading to an inn?"
He indeed intended to find an inn, for days of traveling had taken their toll. He nodded in affirmation, and the girl hesitated, "The nearest town from here is still six miles away, through treacherous mountain paths. With the night falling, it would take you more than four hours by foot."
Four hours? The thought alone left Lin Wanrong tongue-tied; the journey sounded like a death sentence!
Yilian's face flushed with a touch of embarrassment as she stole a glance at her father and spoke softly, "Father—"
Elder Buyi looked at the three weary travelers and offered, "The mountain roads are long and arduous. If you do not disdain our humble Miao village, you are welcome to stay with us for the night. We offer simple accommodations and hope not to offend you with our modest hospitality."
"How could we possibly impose?" Brother Lin was pleasantly surprised, quickly patting Si De's shoulder, "Hurry, gather our belongings, and let's follow the elder!"
The conduct of this man from the Hua people was truly unique. Elder Buyi sighed, while Yilian giggled softly.
Yingyue Hamlet was merely one mile away, which in Lin Wanrong's estimation, should have been a short walk. However, upon seeing the narrow paths carved through the mountains, like the intestines of a sheep, he understood why six miles of mountain road could take four hours.
Along the way, the Miao maiden flitted back and forth, incessantly cautioning them to be wary of the treacherous mountain paths. Lin Wanrong observed her handling the jade pendant, now wiped clean with the corner of her garment, though the deep scratches could never be erased. Yet, she often held it up to gaze and caress it lovingly, clearly cherishing it.
Lin Wanrong, moved by her affection for the damaged jade, softly offered, "Yilian, let me give you another piece of intact jade."
"No!" The girl was indignant, "I like it because it's worthless!"
How could this be explained? Lin Wanrong was puzzled.
Yilian explained, "I understood after Father told me. You gave us the jade as a pretense to inquire about matters, destroying such a fine piece in the process! Mother warned me that men of the Hua people are crafty, that nine out of ten Miao girls are duped by them, and she told me to be careful. She was right!"
Where did that come from? Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, waving his hand, "I do have many ideas, but they are meant to punish the wicked, never to harm the good. It's nothing like what your mother warned you about!"
"Who knows if you're telling the truth or not!" Suddenly, the girl pointed excitedly, "Ah Lin Ge, look, we've arrived at our village!"
Looking ahead, a vast lake appeared like a mirror sunk into the earth, its waters clear to the bottom and shimmering in the light. Surrounding the lake, hundreds of stilt houses stood firm, with Miao women singing songs while gathering laundry on the extending balconies, a scene of pure harmony.
Then, from somewhere, a burst of fireworks erupted, followed by the loud clash of what sounded like swords and stones. The joyous expression on Yilian's face changed instantly to one of alarm, "Oh no, it's the bandit officials!"
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