The morning sun was shining brightly, shining through the open doors onto the golden statue, in front of which was a woman in a black dress kneeling. She had her hair combed like an ordinary woman, and her face, without makeup, was slightly pale, but had a clear and bright look.
At this moment, she knelt down, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and muttered to herself for a long time, as if she had endless things to say.
She wondered if she had seldom come here in her life and had not cleansed the sins of her past life, so she was punished like this.
She recalled the experience of copying scriptures in Tongtai Temple a long time ago. That was probably the time when her heart was the most peaceful, calm and leisurely. Suddenly, she felt a little nostalgic.
Youan was sweeping fallen leaves in the yard. Zhaopei came out of the main hall and stood on the steps. She looked at the green hills outside the courtyard, one after another. Everything was so ethereal and peaceful. If she could stay here forever, it would be good to be away from the hustle and bustle... .
The faint sound of a zither drifted in from afar with the wind. It was the song "Xizhou". Zhao Pei was stunned. You An also stopped what he was doing and raised his eyes to follow the sound and murmured, "Hmm? Shouldn't Master Zhitong be in the Buddhist temple?"
Zhao Pei was a little confused, and said to Youan: "Youan, can you take me there?"
She and You'an walked to the pavilion beside the pond and saw two figures in the distance. One was sitting and the other was standing, both were very impressive. Zhao Pei approached and saw Ji Jijiang and He Hui. Ji Jijiang was sitting in front of the zither with a smile on his face, straightening his body and slightly lowering his eyes to the strings. His hands gently plucked the strings and a clear and graceful sound was produced.
The look on his face while he was playing the piano was very different from usual. He was so focused and calm, without any trace of his usual frivolous and playful look. His expression was actually very similar to that of a person in my memory.
He Hui stood beside him, listening quietly and nodding in admiration from time to time.
When the song ended, Ji Jiang gathered his sleeves and smiled calmly. He Hui clapped his hands and praised: "Ji Jiang made me experience what heavenly music is today."
Ji Jijiang was naturally very happy to be praised. Just when he was about to say a few polite words, he heard Zhao Pei, who came a few steps over, say, "Ji Jiang was originally a musician, how could he not be proficient in these things?" It could not be said that she was praising him, nor could she be said to be making fun of him.
You An followed behind and said, "The donor's piano skills are as good as Master Zhi Tong's. Just now You An thought it was Master Zhi Tong."
Ji Jijiang laughed and said, "Why? Master, you can also play these earthly songs?"
Youan ignored his question and continued, "This zither was specially placed here by Uncle Zhitong. He comes here every day after noon." Zhaopei always heard Youan mention the master Zhitong, who had a sage-like appearance and extraordinary temperament, and couldn't help but become interested in the zither.
This zither is made of ice silk strings, and it is a rare treasure. It is unexpectedly in Yaoguang Temple. Zhao Pei's eyes fell on the signature on the zither.
A line of beautiful and freehand small characters: I would rather know that my heart still remembers you.
Zhao Pei's heart trembled, and she was filled with endless reverie and surprise. She remembered the small note Xiao Gang gave her before he died: There is no end to my longing for you, and I sigh all night long. I only see your beautiful face, but I don't know that you still remember me. But... how could you be here? As far as she knew, it was written by Xiao Tong before he left. Except for her and Xiao Gang, there was probably no one else who knew about it.
Zhao Pei's mind was in a mess. She had thousands of doubts, but she denied them all.
He Hui saw that she looked unhappy and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Where do you feel uncomfortable?"
Zhao Pei shook her head and looked at Youan with a faint smile: "Youan, I have always heard you talk about Master Zhitong, but we have not yet visited him. It is really not in accordance with etiquette."
Youan's eyes lit up, revealing his two little canine teeth, and he said, "How about Youan take a few donors with you?"
The sound of chanting sutras came from the Buddhist hall. Zhao Pei and You An stood in front of the door, followed by He Hui and Ji Jiang. You An blinked and said, "Aunt Pei, wait here for a while. You An will go in first."
Zhao Pei nodded, stepped back a few steps and stood side by side with He Hui. After a while, You An poked his head out with a smile: "Everyone, please come in. Uncle Master is here." (To be continued)