See You Again

Chapter 6

Drowned in the Room

Terms in WTFFISYA Chapter 6: 中天王 (Zhōng Tiān): Central Heavens 中天王 (Zhōng Tiān Wáng): King of Central Heavens 北界王 (Běi Jiè Wáng): King of the Northern Realm 天女 (Tiān Nü): Heavenly maiden 王妃 (Wáng Fēi): Princess consort 天庭 (Tiān Tíng): Heavenly court These terms can also be found in the Glossary In the distance, Bai Ling was standing under the shade of a tree and there was a woman in white next to him. Hong Ning recognised her, but it wasn't good to go over now, so she hurriedly ducked behind a tree. "Pester me again, don't blame me for being ruthless." "Aren't I doing it for you!" "You killed Xiao Ke." "So what, she will wrong you if she doesn't die!" The woman in white was agitated and raised her voice, "Humans and demons have different paths, you are not of the same kind, it is impossible to be together, otherwise you will be punished!" Bai Ling said coldly: "It has nothing to do with you." "It has nothing to do with me?" The woman in white hugged his arm, raised her face and shook her head, "You think I like to hurt people? Doing too much evil will make the future tribulations increase, you think I don't know? I'm not afraid?" The brilliance gradually flickered in in her beautiful eyes, and she looked into his eyes: "We have cultivated together in Kunlun Mountain for more than 200 years, and you always say that I am timid and let them bully, but as long as you are here, I will dare to do anything, you ...you don't understand what I mean?" Bai Ling was silent for a long time, then pushed her away: "I have already spared your life." The woman in white said, "Follow me back to Kunlun Mountain." Bai Ling turned sideways. The girl in white looked at him for a long time, and said with hatred, "She should have died. If it wasn't for her, we could cultivate immortality and go through the tribulation together. I only regret that I beat her till her soul scattered!" Bai Ling was angry: "He Lan Xue!" The woman in white gritted her teeth: "Don't you regret it." With a wave of her long sleeves, she disappeared. Hong Ning could hear clearly, but she felt a little sympathy for this He Lan Xue. Because of love, hatred is born. Feelings is always the most elusive thing. No matter how much you put in, you may not necessarily get repayment. At the same time, she felt a little melancholy. Humans and demons can't be together, the only way is to cultivate immortality... "Come out." Bai Ling's voice. Knowing that she has been found, Hong Ning hurriedly walked out from behind the tree and said with a smile, "I see that you have something to do, so it's inconvenient to disturb you." Bai Ling glanced at her, turned and left. Hong Ning couldn't help it: "Is she the same as you?" When she asked the question, she thought Bai Ling would ignore her, but he actually stopped and answered, "She is the Snow Princess of Kunlun Mountain." Hong Ning was surprised, she said "oh" and didn't ask any further. It is said that Tianhe Temple was originally a small temple. It has gradually expanded in the past ten years, and its incense is becoming more and more popular, it now has a small reputation. At the moment, many people are gathered under the steps outside the door talking about it. Hong Ning couldn't squeeze in and asked Bai Ling, "What happened?" Bai Ling said, "Someone died." Hong Ning was shocked: "How did they die?" Bai Ling said, "Drowned." Hong Ning breathed a sigh of relief: "Is there a pond inside?" Bai Ling was silent for a moment, then said, "He was drowned in the room." Someone drowned in the room for no reason. There was obviously something strange. Hong Ning was astonished: "Could it be murder? Since it is a temple, it should be protected by Buddhism. If this kind of thing shouldn't happen, is that thing is very powerful?" Bai Ling shook his head: "This temple has not been built for a long time, the Buddha's energy is not strong and the Buddha's light is still weak." Hong Ning pondered for a moment: "It's most likely something in the water is doing mischief, are you able to feel it?" Bai Ling said, "We'll have to wait for it to show up." A murder case happened yet there was no regret on the faces of the surrounding people, but there was some schadenfreude. Hong Ning was feeling strange when suddenly a group of people came out of the door. In addition to a few monks, there were also several yamen runners and two green robed guards. Three people at the front, the one in the middle was wearing a crimson official robe, in his fifties, with a majestic face. The one on the left was the magistrate Tao of this County, and the one on the right was the abbot of Tianhe Temple.

衙门 (yá mén):

Government office in feudal China

The man in the crimson official robe cupped his hands to the people and said loudly, "A certain Hai was appointed as the prefect of Yue Zhou by the Mongolian Holy Sage. I have just taken post, passing by this county the day before yesterday. Originally wanting to spend a night at this temple, not expecting to meet a murderous incident. This county belongs to Yue Zhou, this government cannot shy away from the blame, and will definitely investigate the case thoroughly. Anyone who knows about it can come and report it, if it is verified, there will be big rewards!"

海某 (hái mǒu):

Mou means certain, is used to as a self appellation sometimes, Hai is the official's surname

It's the new prefect? Hong Ning secretly thought, which ordinary official who just took office will not familiarise with his subordinates in advance, receiving good food and good accommodation, but he is staying in this temple outside the city. On the surface, he seems to be upright, but it is hard to say, how many good officials are there these days? who knows if it is loud thunder with little rain, sanctimonious, intending to make a name for himself...

雷声大雨点小 (léi shēnɡ dà yǔ diǎn xiǎo):

Metaphor which means great momentum but little ability. Originated from "The Jingde Record of the Transmission of the Lamp"《景德传灯录》

道貌岸然 (dào mào àn rán):

an idiom, meaning Sanctimonious, to be solemn and serious but actually sinister inside. Originated from "Strange Tales from Liao Zhai. Become immortal"《聊斋志异·成仙》

Two people beside them whispered. "Relying on how much money he has, his brother-in-law is also the magistrate, and he has been domineering all the time. Now that he died in the place of the Buddha, It's really retribution. It's better if it's not investigated clearly!" "Don't implicate the monk!" "How could someone like Zheng Ke live in such a place? He must have heard about the new magistrate passing by and came here with his eldest brother-in-law to please him, not sure how much money they gave." "That's not necessarily true. I heard that Mr Hai was a very famous and honest official in Ming Zhou." A voice interjected. Both of them sneered. The one who died is the magistrate's younger brother-in-law, who would want to go into this muddy water? What's more, when this bully dies, the people would only applaud and cheer, and even if they have clues, they would not help to catch the murderer, so the crowd gradually dispersed. Hong Ning whispered, "What should I do?" Bai Ling was silent. Although Zheng Ke deserved what he deserved, there is no guarantee that the thing will not harm others again. Seeing the prefect Hai Gong turning around to go in, Hong Ning decided to take a gamble, took two steps forward, and said loudly: "Master, Min Nü and Shi Xiong are passing through this place, we would like to borrow accommodation in the pagoda for spend a few days, I wonder if Master can make it convenient?"

公 (gōng):

lit. male, similar to Mr in usage

民女 (mín nǚ):

self appellation of a woman from an ordinary family

Everyone turned to look at her. The abbot did not dare to make his own decisions and only looked at Hai Gong. Magistrate Tao reprimanded: "Presumptuous! The prefect is here, how can you let idlers people live in!"

闲杂人等 (xián zá rén děng):

an idiom, refers to idle people with no duty. Originated from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"《三国演义》

This official surnamed Tao's prestige is really not small. Hong Ning only looked at Hai Gong: "I heard that Lord Hai loves the people like a son, hence Min Nü dares to ask for help. I hope Lord Hai forgives my sins." See if you're in the same gang. Hai Gong was amiable: "There's just been a murder case here, you guys..."

和颜悦色(hé yán yuè sè):

an idiom, means an amiable and joyful look; amiable face. Describes the attitude of gentle and kind.

Hong Ning rushes: "There is a saying, 'Don't do bad things, won't be afraid of ghosts knocking on the door', my Shi Xiong and I have never done evil in our lives, and we have never used power to bully others. Who would harm us for no reason?" Hai Gong was stunned for a moment, thoughtful. Magistrate Tao also heard that something was wrong, but it was not easy to attack because of Hai Gong's face. Hong Ning said: "Your excellency is an official of the imperial court, with a distinguished status, if you are not afraid, what are we afraid of?" Hai Gong showed his admiration, but still shook his head: "You two are young, you should put your life first, go elsewhere." Hong Ning said: "To tell the truth, we are people who practice cultivation, monk and taoist are family, there is no place more suitable." After a pause, she smiled again: "Perhaps Min Nü has a way to catch the murderer. " As expected, Hai Gong's eyes lit up and he pondered. Magistrate Tao couldn't help but said: "You two are young, what ability do you have to catch the murderer, don't play around!" Hong Ning lowered her eyes and said, "You have to use your skills to find out. Min Nü just heard people say that Lord Tao of this county is also a juren in his mid 20s. Isn't it true that he can also do a lot big things at a young age?"

举人 (jǔ rén):

lit. recommended man, a qualified graduate of the triennial provincial exam.

Magistrate Tao was neither able to say yes or no, so he snorted, "She grew a sharp mouth." Hai Gong asked the abbot next to him with a smile: "Is there any room available?" The abbot replied, "There are still a few rooms." Hai Gong said: "Since the two of you have such courage, then stay here." Sure enough, he was a good official, Hong Ning bowed her thanks and dragged Bai Ling into the door. Magistrate Tao firstly had the heart to embarrass the two of them, and secondly, it was his brother-in-law who died. Originally, he heard that the prefect was passing by and hurriedly brought him to flatter him. Who knew he would hear that he lost his life, his sister would cry and he is distressed. Hence. he can't wait to catch the murderer. Hong Ning did not refuse and proposed to go to the scene. The abbot led everyone to the room where Zheng Ke lived. The room was clean and a bit simple, but it could still be seen that it was a first-class guest room in the temple. Hai Gong said: "When the servants found out, Zheng Gong Zi was lying on the middle ground, soaked all over, as if he had been soaked in water. According to the inspection, he drowned."

公子 (gõng zǐ):

Childe/young master

Hong Ning checked the window and found that it was nailed firmly, so she asked, "Did anyone come to see Zheng Gong Zi that night?" The yamen runner said, "I've been guarding in the yard, I haven't seen any movement." Hong Ning said nothing. The abbot sighed: "Amitabha, our temple was originally just a small place. It has received a lot of financial support from donor Zheng in the past ten years. It is only today. I didn't think that would die in such a way..." Zheng Ke was notorious for bullying the people, but he was willing to spend money to build a temple. Hong Ning laughed secretly, "Did you see anything special at that time?" Silence. Hai Gong said: "He has some water plants on his body." Hong Ning said, "Water plants from where?" The abbot hesitated for a while, and replied, "It's in the lotus pond of this temple. Donor Zheng likes that pond and has raised a lot of fish in it, not letting us move it without permission." Hong Ning nodded: "That's right, he was drowned by the water in the pond." Magistrate Tao sneered: "You mean he ran to the pond by himself?" Hai Gong also said, "Zheng Gong Zi was in the room that night and didn't go out." If there is something inhuman in the pond, will the prefect believe it? Hong Ning couldn't explain it, and asked: "If I said that the water from the pond flowed into the room and drowned him, your excellency would believe it?" Hai Gong shook his head. Magistrate Tao snorted: "Absurd!" Hong Ning wasn't sure, and turned to look at Bai Ling. Bai Ling nodded slightly and said softly, "Buddha." Hong Ning was baffled. Bai Ling said, "Isn't everything in the temple marked with the word 'Buddha'?" Hong Ning said: "Yes, wasn't everything in our room marked just now? Why isn't it here?" A little monk hurriedly stood up and folded his hands: "Donor Zheng said that it was an eyesore, and asked the little monk to replace it." Everyone was surprised. Hai Gong doubted: "Really?" Another monk next to him testified: "It was indeed Donor Zheng who asked it to be replaced." Hong Ning shook his head, a person who paid for the construction of a temple, but thought that the word "Buddha" was an eyesore, and there were "Buddha" everywhere, and the demons with shallow Taoism naturally did not dare to do mischief. He himself removed the amulet and suffered as a result, it was indeed providence. Magistrate Tao was uncomfortable: "We are looking for a murderer, not a some Buddha." Hong Ning said: "Since it is necessary to investigate thoroughly, it is natural to ask more clearly." The case was strange, Hai Gong originally didn't expect the two of them, he nodded: "Well, let's rest today." Magistrate Tao echoed two sentences, and repeatedly invited Hai Gong to settle in the city, but was refused by Hai Gong, because he knew his brother-in-law's usual actions like the back of his hand, and now seeing him die strangely, and in such a place, he can't help but feel guilty. It was getting late, so he left in a hurry, leaving behind several yamen runners to protect Hai Gong's safety.

了如指掌 (liǎo rú zhǐ zhǎng):

an idiom, knowing something as well as your hand, well informed. Originated from "The Analects of Confucius" 《论语·八佾》

The lingering floral fragrance, Hua Zhao palace city had four seasons like spring. Jin Xiu stood by the red fence with his hands behind her back, looking at the cluster of red camellias under the fence, he seemed to be thinking about something. Behind him, a woman wearing a light red and white shirt and holding an apricot flower called him softly, "Your excellency Shen Zun."

神尊 (shén zūn):

god/deity lord

Jin Xiu turned sideways. The woman muttered and mumbled said, "They all said... your excellency Shen Zun is about to step down and return to Zhong Tian."

吞吞吐吐 (tūn tūn tǔ tǔ):

an idiom, wanting to say something but not cheerfully/happily. Originated from "The Legend of Heroes"《儿女英雄传》

Jin Xiu smiled: "Why?" The woman lowered her head and said in a low voice, "No, it's just that we won't be able to see your excellency Shen Zun in the future..." "Promotion to the gods is a happy event, could it be you want him to stay behind and watch you," the cold and arrogant woman next to her interrupted her, waving her hand, a tree of red plums immediately bloomed, fragrant and tangy, "As long as we devote ourselves to cultivation, we will rank as an immortal in the future, there will naturally be a reunion in Tian Ting. Immortal, there will be a reunion day in the heavenly court, you are so clingy, it will only disturb the cultivation of his excellency Shen Zun." The earlier woman blushed and glared at her. Jin Xiu said: "Mei Xian is right, even if I'm not here, there will be a new flower god, from the same species, they will naturally take care of you. Moreover, it's hard to predict whether I can return to my position now, the two of you definitely must not miss your cultivation because of this."

梅仙 (méi xiān):

plum immortal/fairy

Only then was Xing Xian happy: "Really?"

杏仙 (xìng xiān):

apricot immortal/fairy

Jin Xiu was about to speak but stopped again, turning to look at the auspicious cloud flying over from the sky. The cloud head pressed down, but seeing the person who came in a snow-clothed long skirt, with a beautiful face, a dignified posture revealed a bit of natural charm, and a pair of beautiful eyes that seemed to be both angry and happy, it was Bei Yao Tian Nü. Jin Xiu was not surprised: "Tian Nü." Bei Yao Tian Nü did not bow, and walked slowly to his side: "The nobleman forgets so much, and he doesn't even remember the two words Lu Yao? If you are still so polite, I will have to worship Zhong Tian Wang next time." Jin Xiu raised his hand to sit. Lu Yao's beautiful eyes turned, sizing up the surroundings and showed a narrow smile: "I had heard that the scenery in the Hua Zhao Palace is good, and sure enough. I wanted to come more often, but I was afraid that you would find me annoying." Jin Xiu smiled: "Don't dare." Lu Yao whispered, "Thank you for Lu Jiu's matter." Jin Xiu said, "As long as Bei Jie Wang does not blame." Lu Yao shook her head: "It's him who did not cultivate properly and ran down the mountain without authorisation to create trouble. If you didn't teach him a lesson, he'd be in trouble in the future, even father wouldn't be able to save him at that time." After a pause, she turned her eyes again: "Since you are family, just take it as you are disciplining, don't stand on ceremony, my father is only grateful, how can he blame you." Jin Xiu was stunned for a moment, then smiled. The two of them kept talking to themselves, Xing Xian served tea, then stepped back to stand beside Mei Xian, and complained in a low voice, "Always coming to pester his excellency Shen Zun for what!" Mei Xian said: "She is the future Zhong Tian Wang Fei, naturally she can come." Xing Xian was stunned for a while, then suddenly said: "If we can be her maids, wouldn't we be able to follow his excellency Shen Zun?" Mei Xian was quite dismissive: "I have no ambition.". The water in the pond was deep and the surface of the pond was wide. Since the summer had not yet come, there were no new lotus leaves, but in the shallow water, there were many withered lotus stalks that were lying about, and the two stood by the pond. "There has never been an accident in the temple before. It's afraid of seeing the 'Buddha' word, so it's definitely not strong." "En." "Didn't the abbot say that Zheng Ke likes this pond? But look at those water plants, those withered lotus leaves... The pond has never been cleaned," Hong Ning looked carefully for a long time, then raised her face, "It's true that there are fish in it, You say, could it be the fish doing the trick?" Bai Ling didn't answer. Hong Ning sighed, "Can't you hum once more?" Bai Ling looked at her: "En." Hong Ning couldn't help laughing, pointing at him as she was about to speak, but she heard a voice from the left, pretty familiar, and turned to look. It turned out to be a man and woman in white flirting over there. Seeing the faces of the two, Hong Ning was shocked. The woman in white is He Lan Xue, and that man, with his soul-stirring eyes, isn't that the fox demon Lu Jiu! The two of them are rare characters, and they are considered a good match in terms of appearance, but if the two of them look alike, they will not be a feast to the eyes. Hong Ning sighs, He Lan Xue is angry and uses such a stupid method, is Bai Ling someone who would be jealous for her? In the end, except for herself, she can anger no one.

貌合神离 (mào hé shén lí):

an idiom, means that the relationship is very close on the surface , but is in fact two hearts. Originated from "Su Shu Zunyi"《素书·遵义》

赏心悦目 (shǎng xīn yuè mù):

an idiom, refers to the joys of seeing good things. originated from "Ren Zhong Hua Feng Liu Pei"《人中画·风流配》

As expected, Bai Ling had already seen it, frowned slightly, and said nothing. Hong Ning probed: "How will she extricate herself in future?" Bai Ling said "It has nothing to do with me." Hong Ning said, "You are too ruthless." Bai Ling looked at her and seemed a little stunned. Hong Ning didn't pay attention, she leaned over to look over there, but saw He Lanxue sitting in Lu Jiu's embrace, with her arms hooked around Lu Jiu's neck, her beautiful eyes staring at Bai Ling from a distance, seeing that he didn't respond, and gradually she could no longer act, showing a look of grief. Who is Lu Jiu, he soon found out that the beauty was in a wrong state and then looked over. Hong Ning accidentally met his eyes and went into a trance in a moment until Bai Ling turned sideways to block her vision. Only then did she suddenly wake up, secretly regretting. Bai Ling pulled her up and left: "That's the white fox, be careful, don't be fooled by him." Hong Ning also felt that she shouldn't be too nosy, and nodded, "I know." You can tap/click the text to change the links below