第九十一回 泉水出山残文留旧迹 衣衫刺目烈火灭余痕 (Chapter 91: Spring Water Leaves the Mountain, Fragmented Texts Preserve Old Traces; Garments Sting the Eyes, Blazing Fire Erases Lingering Marks)

After the day she broke with Jin Yanxi, Leng Qingqiu moved back to her parents' home. Although there was much discussion within the Jin Family, Leng Qingqiu remained resolute in her heart. She amused herself daily by reading and writing, finding peace in this tranquility.

One day, while sorting through old belongings in the study, Leng Qingqiu suddenly discovered a stack of fragmented manuscripts pressed at the bottom of a chest. They were the poems and essays she had written when she first met Yanxi. She picked up a page and saw the line 'Spring water flows from the mountain, ultimately returning to the sea.' She couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

Lost in thought, she suddenly heard a commotion outside the door. Nanny Han rushed in anxiously, saying, 'Miss, it's terrible! The Jin Family next door is on fire!' Leng Qingqiu was startled and hurriedly stood up to look out the window.

She saw thick smoke billowing from the back garden of the Jin residence, flames shooting into the sky. It was exactly in the direction of the small building where Yanxi lived. On the street, fire engines rang their bells loudly, and crowds surged. Although Leng Qingqiu harbored resentment towards Yanxi for his heartlessness, witnessing such a scene couldn't help but tug at her heart.

The fire burned for half an hour before it was extinguished. Leng Qingqiu couldn't rest easy and sent Nanny Han to inquire. Nanny Han returned and said, 'It was Seventh Master's study and bedroom that burned. Fortunately, he's unharmed, but all his belongings are destroyed.'

The next morning, Leng Qingqiu went out for a walk alone. As if drawn by some force, she ended up outside the back wall of the Jin residence. She saw broken walls and rubble, charred wood scattered everywhere, a scene of utter devastation. Just as she was about to turn away, she suddenly noticed a corner of a bright-colored brocade garment peeking out from the debris.

Leng Qingqiu approached for a closer look. It turned out to be a lotus-colored silk gown, now riddled with holes from the fire. Yet she faintly recognized it as the one Yanxi had given her years ago. She shuddered all over, recalling the day she tried it on, as if it were a lifetime ago.

At that moment, she suddenly heard someone sigh behind her, 'It's a wonder this gown wasn't completely burned. Perhaps it's fate.' Leng Qingqiu turned and saw Yanxi standing not far away. His face was haggard, and tears glistened in his eyes.

Leng Qingqiu said coldly, 'What brings Young Master Jin here? This tattered garment only invites ridicule if kept.' Yanxi took two steps forward and whispered, 'Leng Qingqiu, I know I was wrong. This gown was our token of love. Now that it's burned like this, isn't it a warning from the heavens?'

Leng Qingqiu picked up the ruined garment and folded it carefully. She said calmly, 'Once spring water leaves the mountain, it cannot return. Since this gown has been burned, our past affection is like a lingering mark. Why bring it up again?' With that, she placed the garment in her bosom and turned to leave.

Yanxi hurried after a few steps and cried out, 'Leng Qingqiu, can you really be so heartless?' Leng Qingqiu stopped but did not turn around. She only said, 'The fire is merciless, the gown stings the eyes. From now on, let us each go our own way.'

With those words, she drifted away. Yanxi stood dazed amidst the ruins, watching Leng Qingqiu's figure disappear at the lane entrance. Only the scorched earth remained on the ground, with a few wisps of smoke, as if recounting a bygone era of splendor.