劍問蒼天 - 第229章 絕望 - 翰墨軒

Yet even if no one doubted Su Wan's grief, her behavior remained deeply puzzling. Ming Li wanted to ask, but at this moment Su Wan's back, turned toward him, was like a wall, and he did not know how to begin.

It was at this moment that Su Wan broke the silence: "What is it? Do you have something to say to me?"

Ming Li was startled. Then, after a moment's deliberation, he finally said cautiously, "Master's wife, I do have a few words—though I know not whether I ought to speak them."

Su Wan said calmly, "Speak. I know well enough that these words are likely not yours alone."

Ming Li was momentarily at a loss. He had always known his master's wife to be a woman of supreme intelligence, and it seemed the pain of losing her husband had not overly clouded her thinking. He gave a light cough and said, "Master's wife, forgive your disciple's boldness. I understand your grief over Master's passing..." Here his gaze inadvertently fell upon Tian Buhui's countenance, and he could not help but feel a pang in his heart. After a moment he continued, "But I beg you, Master's wife, whatever else, to take care of your health. Moreover, though you grieve, Master's funeral affairs should be arranged as soon as possible. And Senior Sister Ling'er, by both sentiment and reason, ought to be informed so she may return and pay her respects to Master."

Su Wan neither turned nor spoke. Ming Li's heart was uneasy; he lowered his head slightly and said softly, "Master's wife, if I have spoken too boldly or presumptuously, please do not take offense."

Su Wan shook her head and slowly turned around to face him. Looking at Ming Li, she said, "You said nothing wrong. Everything you said is right."

Ming Li looked at Su Wan and was startled at heart. Su Wan's appearance today was quite different from the past few days. Though still in mourning attire, it was clear from her face that she had made herself up, looking much more spirited, and even more beautiful—enough to stir the heart.

Ming Li lowered his head, at a loss for what to say. After a long hesitation, he said, "Master's wife, there is one more matter on which I boldly seek your guidance."

Su Wan said calmly, "Speak."

Ming Li said, "Master's passing grieves your disciple as much as it does you, Master's wife. But Master's remains truly should not be moved carelessly, and even less should they be brought to this back mountain..."

Su Wan suddenly cut in: "Are you lecturing me?"

Ming Li hastily shook his head and said, "Your disciple would not dare!"

Su Wan glanced at him and said nothing, but her expression gradually softened. She seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly a look of desolation came over her face. She said, "Old Seven, do you know how many years your master and I were married?"

Ming Li's heart jolted. He vaguely sensed that her words carried deep sorrow, heavy with grief. Yet even knowing this, he did not know how to comfort her. His heart was anxious, but he could only say in a low voice, "Your disciple does not know."

Su Wan smiled, turned back around, and slowly sat down beside Tian Buhui. In a low voice she said, "In truth, it's not only you who doesn't know—even I have forgotten. The years in these mountains, the two of us keeping each other company, were enough for my heart. How could I have thought to count the days? He often laughed at me for being foolish, saying that if in the future we failed in our cultivation and could not enter the immortal records, falling back into reincarnation, then at that moment of parting in life and death, who knew what it would be like."