Chapter Twenty-Four: Slaying the Horse

"Exactly. You will only drift further and further away from me. I can never guess what is in your heart, and living like this is exhausting," Zhu Yingtai said, the corners of her mouth lifting. "But Shanbo is different. To me, he is like an open book. We look at the same things and have the same thoughts. We..."

"Enough," Ma Wencai suddenly exploded in a rage. "Do not mention Liang Shanbo to me again, Zhu Yingtai. You know I have little patience; do not push me."

I turned my face away, secretly laughing. What a foolish woman Zhu Yingtai is, saying such things to her own fiancé. Even if this man does not love you, he cares deeply about his pride. You’ve truly poked the tiger this time.

I looked up and suddenly spotted a horse not far away. It was Ma Wencai’s horse. I shouted with joy, "Ma Wencai, look! Your horse is over there."

I pointed toward the horse and ran off. Behind me, I heard Zhu Yingtai scream, "No!"

I turned around, startled. Ma Wencai was already nocking an arrow, aiming at the horse. Zhu Yingtai grabbed the shaft. "Don't kill it, I beg you."

"Get out of the way. You really understand me less and less." Ma Wencai pushed her aside. With a sharp whistle, an arrow streaked past my eyes and struck the horse in the neck. The animal collapsed instantly. I looked back at Ma Wencai in terror; there were tears in his eyes, proving that he, too, could feel pain.

Zhu Yingtai flew to the horse's side, gently stroking its mane, her tears falling upon its coat. "Ling Jie, I couldn't save you. I am so sorry. It is my fault you are dead."

I ran to Ma Wencai’s side and demanded, "Ma Wencai, what are you doing? Wasn't this your most cherished horse? You are crying, too. If you feel such pain, why did you have to kill it?"

"Because it was loyal and useful, I cherished it for seven years. To think a thief could ride it away—a beast like that deserves to die! There is nothing to regret." Ma Wencai held his head high, his voice hard.

Tearfully, Zhu Yingtai turned and glared at him. "Liu Yiqing, let me tell you: Ma Wencai is a madman. A person like him does not understand what love or heartbreak is. For those who betray him, there is only one outcome: death. If a man like him could shed tears, the dead would walk the earth again."

I admit that Ma Wencai’s actions were a bit extreme, but Zhu Yingtai’s words were too harsh. Unless something had happened between them in the past, it was not my place to interfere.

Ma Wencai walked off on his own. I could tell he was hurting. I had seen this often in television dramas: when a horse is no longer loyal, the owner kills it in sorrow. It is because the owner had deep affection for the animal and could not bear the betrayal, so they chose to end it.

I suddenly realized something: the reason Ma Wencai could turn a blind eye to the situation between Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo was that he did not love her. Because he did not love her, he did not care. But if he did not love her, why bother fulfilling the engagement? And who exactly was the person Ma Wencai truly loved?

There were so many suspicious points. I decided to record all of this and keep it with me, so that whenever I managed to return to the modern era, I would have proof. I would surely be credited for this; I might even be promoted to a historian.

Watching Ma Wencai walk away, I pulled Zhu Yingtai, who was still mourning by the horse, to follow him. I dared not linger in this desolate wilderness. After walking for half a day, we reached the foot of the mountains. Before us appeared a clear blue lake, a small pavilion, and a grove of peach trees. Zhu Yingtai stopped and let out a long sigh. "It is so beautiful here."

I looked around; it was indeed a wonderful place—clear waters, green mountains, and pleasant scenery. My eyes lingered on the peach grove. Did this not fit the description of the Peach Blossom Spring? Could it be that Tao Yuanming lived here?

"Ma Wencai, Zhu Yingtai, there is a house up ahead. I will go knock on the door and see if we can stay the night." After spending the day with them, I had completely lost my favorable impression of both. When I watched *Journey to the West*, I always thought the plot was ridiculous—why was there always someone willing to take in the monk and provide him with free food and lodging? Now, I was the one who had to beg for food and shelter.

I truly hoped the people of this ancient era were as kind as those in the stories.

We circled the lake and entered the peach grove. The trees were arranged in a deliberate, orderly fashion, clearly planted by human hands. Tucked away among the trees was a two-story bamboo pavilion, complete with corridors and pavilions; the whole structure looked elegant and refined.

"Is anyone home? Is there anyone here?" I called out. "Is anyone living inside? Excuse me, is anyone there?"

The bamboo door above creaked open, and a familiar voice called out, "Who is it?"

I looked up at the sound and saw a middle-aged man in coarse linen clothes strolling slowly out of the room. His hair was a mix of black and white, and a thin, triangular beard swayed gently in the breeze. As he looked down at us, he sighed, his face showing a look of helplessness. My body stiffened, and my steps felt heavy.

The man walked down the stairs, his tone unwelcoming. "And what might you three young brothers be wanting?"

I did not answer, merely staring at him. He looked to be about forty, dressed in simple, clean clothes. Now that he had set down his carrying pole, he exuded an air of refinement. He also looked very familiar. I looked at the peach grove, then recalled his words from earlier that day: "If fated, we meet from a thousand miles away; if not, we face each other without recognition." Could it be...

Seeing my silence, Zhu Yingtai stepped forward and bowed. "Kind sir, we apologize for the intrusion. We were lost in the mountains and had our money and belongings stolen by thieves. We have no choice but to seek shelter here for the night, and we shall leave at dawn."

Ma Wencai stood at the back, his face livid.

The man sighed. "Since you have come, I have no reason to refuse. Come in."

Zhu Yingtai dragged Ma Wencai into the house. There was little furniture inside. Seeing that the sky was turning dark, the man took some fish down from the wall and said he would prepare them for our dinner. Heavens, fish was the one thing I despised most; I had once choked on a bone as a child and had been terrified of it ever since. Yet, Zhu Yingtai agreed readily.

Zhu Yingtai and the man sat by the fire grilling the fish, while Ma Wencai and I sat in the pavilion—or rather, he sat, and I slumped over. I was exhausted and starving, but the fish was a major taboo for me.

Zhu Yingtai and the man placed the grilled fish on a bamboo tray and carried it toward the pavilion. Zhu Yingtai handed a fish to each of us. "You should eat something, too."