Chapter 4: The Woodcutter Sings

Chapter 4: The Woodcutter Sings

Under the moonlight shadow, Da Qiao broke away from the young mans grip. She turned away with her head down. The man hugged her after she took two steps.

She stopped, but in a moment, she broke away again.

The man did not chase her anymore, only stopped there to look at her fading back, and slowly knelt down. His knees were on the ground. A black figure seemed to freeze, not moving.

Xiao Qiaos heart was pounding, and she returned to the house. The maid was still sleeping, so Xiao Qiao crossed to her side and climbed onto the bed in the inner room. Lifted the quilt and lay back down. Just before she closed her eyes, she heard a slight creak of the outer door, and the sound of footsteps showed that Da Qiao had also returned.

The maid was awakened from her dream and opened her eyes. When she saw a figure near her, she was shocked that she was about to shout.

Its nothing. You can sleep. I was just relieving myself.

Da Qiaos voice sounded as if nothing was wrong. The maid did not doubt it. A few moments later, Xiao Qiao heard a slight rustling sound of undressing. Then, the curtain was lifted and Da Qiao climbed onto the bed, facing outward with her back to Xiao Qiao, and lay down.

She did not move at first, as if she had fallen asleep. But after a few moments, her shoulders shrugged. And in the nights darkness, there was a small choking sound that reached Xiao Qiaos ears.

Xiao Qiaos heart was at war and hesitating to decide. She heard Da Qiao choke on her breath because she was afraid of waking her up. Her voice was silent, but her shoulder was twitching even more.

She opened her eyes. Turned her face and looked at her back as she curled herself into a tight ball, gritted her teeth and decided. She pressed herself towards her cousin whose back was to her, reached back, hugged her soft waist and came to her ear and whispered: Sister, dont cry. When you went out, I followed you. I saw it all.

Da Qiaos body stiffened. She rolled over and said. Man Man, please dont be mistaken! Sister is

Xiao Qiao reached out and covered her mouth, signaling her to be silent. She got out of bed and walked to the door. She heard the maid outside making a slight grinding sound before she returned, lit the oil lamp, and turned her head to look.

Da Qiao has sat up from the bed. Her green silk ribbon hangs down to her neck and shoulders. Both hands grabbed the quilt around her waist. Her face was pale and her eyelids flushed with the light pink after crying. Her cheeks were carrying a few remnants of tears, staring at Xiao Qiao.

When she saw Xiao Qiao carrying the oil lamp and put it on the bedside lamp stand, she came back to her senses and grabbed her hand in a panic, saying in a low voice: Man Man, I didnt think of anything else. Its just that its late at night, and its so cold outside. I dont want that person to wait in the garden, and in case someone sees him, its another disaster for no reason. Thats why I asked him to leave

One of her hands was trembling, just like her voice.

Xiao Qiao held Da Qiaos hand back and looked at her, Sister, I saw that man. But dont be afraid, I wont tell anyone. You like him, dont you?

Da Qiaos pale cheeks flushed a light red. After a moments hesitation, she met Xiao Qiaos gaze, nodded, and said, He has a lowly status, but he is very good, really good

The boy grew up on Qiaos horse farm. He was silent, as if he were a mute. But he was strong and could chase the wind at a gallop. And he was good at horsemanship that even the toughest horse would bow down before him.

But over a long period of years, this young, strong, handsome slave with a pair of strange pupils left Da Qiao with the impression that every time he knelt down and acted as a human stool to help herself get on and off the carriage, he was much more stable than stepping on other horse slaves.

When she stepped on his back, her feet did not move, steady as a rock.

Da Qiao remembers this slave from three years ago, when her fianc died. Although they had never met, it was still a sad event for her. For a while, she used to go with her mother to burn incense at the Changsheng Temple outside the city. One day, on the way back, the horses were frightened and threw the coachman off the carriage, dragging the carriage into a wild ride. She and her mother were locked in the upside down carriage that threatened to tip over or even tumble off the road. When she was frightened, a sharp whistle came from behind her, and then someone caught up. And the horses slowed down their speed and stopped at the side of the road.

When she was in shock and her face was still white, she looking out of the windows. She saw the man who had just caught up with the scared horse. He standing at the side of the horses head, holding the horses head, which was still snorting. Stroking the horses mane, while moving to the horses ear, whispering something in a low soft tone that she could not understand, as if soothing it.

Da Qiao looked at her sister, who looked like a different person, and froze for a long time before saying, Man Man, do you think so? Is it really not for my sake?

Sister, on the contrary, I am asking you. I beg you to help me!

Xiao Qiaos tone was certain.

Da Qiao froze for a long time, and a glimmer of hope that had not been seen for a long time appeared in her eyes, but she was still not very sure, and looked at Xiao Qiao, murmuring, Is it possible? Can I leave everything here and go? Will my father blame me? Will mother be sad

Sister! Xiao Qiao held her hand hard. After you leave, I will serve on your behalf of the filial parents. When time goes by, your parents will understand you, too. Besides, think about it. If you marry like this, what will happen to that person?

Da Qiaos face was pale, but her cheekbones were red. She closed her eyes and murmured, Ill think about it let me think about it

Sister, Im not forcing you. Take your time to think about it.

Xiao Qiao helped her to lie down, covered her with the blanket, blew out the lamp, and followed to lie beside her. After a while, she said: Sister, didnt I often have nightmares before? I didnt tell you, but I had a dream about you and that horse slave. In the dream, you were married to someone and died early, leaving only a lonely grave in this world. He also lived alone. Do you know what he did in the end? In the end, he found your grave, raised you out of the ground and took you with him

Dont say it anymore

Da Qiao murmured in a low voice, tears falling along her cheeks and seeping into the pillow.

Three days later, Mrs. Ding took the Two Qiaos to the Changsheng Temple to burn incense and make a wish. After burning incense and adding incense oil, she went to the back room for a nap as usual because she was tired from the long journey. But she felt that her daughter Da Qiao differed from her usual self. Her mind was heavy, and she kept clenching her hand. Even when she was lying down, she was sitting next to her.

Mrs. Ding thought little about it, she just thought her daughter was worried about the marriage with the Wei family, so she touched her hand and smiled, Child, just now I made a wish in front of the Buddha, as long as you can get a beautiful marriage in the future, I will sacrifice my life, I think the Buddha will grant the wish, dont worry about it anymore.

Da Qiao held back the sadness of parting and held her mothers hand for a long time, unwilling to let go.

Behind the Changsheng Temple, there is a secluded mountain path, made by the nearby woodcutters, who walk up and down the mountain every day to cut firewood.

Da Qiao, who had changed out of her fancy clothes and was dressed in coarse cloth, and the man beside her left along the trail side by side. When they walked out for a while and their figures were about to be completely swallowed by the shadows of the trees on both sides of the trail, the young man with one green eye stopped, turned around and walked back to Xiao Qiao, knelt down towards her and made a big salute.

Lady, if there is anything you need in this life, I will give you my life!

He said word by word.

This was the first time Xiao Qiao heard his voice. The voice was mellow and steady, and one could not help but feel a sense of trust.

He finished his salute, got up and walked towards Da Qiao, who looked back at him, and the two figures soon disappeared from Xiao Qiaos sight.

Hua Xudou once sleepwalked, the first floor of the World Rivers and Mountains

Xiao Qiao back to the Changsheng Temple. Her ears faintly heard a few woodcutter singing from the depths of the forest. The voice is thick and distant, but also seems to bring some of the worlds immortal atmosphere.