Encounter with a snake"

Mid-Autumn

The next day, the rain abruptly stopped, and the sky cleared. The flowers in the courtyard, after enduring several days of rain, inevitably withered, but more lush green leaves had sprouted, with small un-bloomed buds among them. It seemed that in just a few days, the trees would again be laden with flowers.

Shen Qingxuan sat in the courtyard, inhaling the earthy fragrance in the air and gazing into the distance. The mountain forest, unwitnessed for days, was washed by the rain into a serene green, gleaming like a gem. As the sun grew harsh by noon, its heat seemed to release all the pent-up warmth, wilting the birds in the forest with its intensity. Squinting at the dazzling sun, Shen Qingxuan was soon overwhelmed by its brightness and had to close his eyes to give them a rest. He couldn’t help feeling a bit irritable, humorously thinking that now the old demon was gone, even the sun dared to emerge so boldly. With this thought, he chuckled and sighed, leaning back in his chair and sitting there until the afternoon, his solitary wheelchair casting a long, long shadow.

A month had swiftly passed since Yi Mo left, with no word from him. Shen Qingxuan tried to distract himself from thoughts of Yi Mo’s absence, occasionally allowing his mind to wander, pondering whether Yi Mo had found the snake slough and how long it would be until his return. Each time such thoughts surfaced, he quickly suppressed them, not wishing to trouble himself.

By the second month, just after the seventh day, Shen Qingxuan checked the calendar and realized his mother's birthday was approaching. He pondered over what to present as a birthday gift, feeling a bit troubled. Seeing his gloomy expression, a servant suggested he prepare some wild delicacies from the mountain and cook a longevity noodle dish himself as a gift. Shen Qingxuan agreed with a smile.

Since his mother was a devout Buddhist and abstained from meat, everyone knew to avoid preparing such foods. The mountain was rich with fresh mushrooms and bamboo shoots, especially after the rain. Gathering a large basketful, Shen Qingxuan sorted them and went to the kitchen to knead and roll the dough. After several days of work, he finally produced a continuous strand of noodles, just in time for his mother’s birthday.

He carefully prepared a fresh mushroom broth and bamboo shoots, packed them in a food container, and sent them down the mountain with instructions to cook the noodles at home, pouring the warm broth over them. The servant, carrying the food and a basket of fresh mountain produce, hurried down to the Shen residence. Overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing the meal, Shen’s mother wiped away her tears, praising her son's thoughtfulness. The clever servant shared auspicious words and explained the special preparation of the noodles, leading her to dine immediately.

After eating, she rewarded the servant and sent him back with a message for Qingxuan, expressing her understanding of his feelings. She reminisced about how his visits always made her cry, which added to his own sorrow. Now, she was content knowing he was at peace in the mountains, wishing him nothing but safety and stability.

The servant returned to the mountain with his reward and relayed her message to Qingxuan. The slow pace of mountain life, especially in the summer with its long days, made the days seem endless to Qingxuan. One day, awakening to the scent of osmanthus, he realized it was already the eighth month – time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, when chrysanthemums bloom, crabs are fattest, and osmanthus fragrances the air.

Seizing the festive spirit, Qingxuan had the courtyard cleaned and set up tables for a feast under the moonlight, inviting all the servants to join in the celebration. The gathering was lively, filled with crude jokes and raucous laughter, much to Qingxuan’s amusement. As they indulged in the festivities, tales of gods, immortals, and mythical beings unfurled, captivating everyone with their enchanting narratives.

The revelry lasted until late, leaving everyone inebriated. Qingxuan, slightly tipsy himself, was escorted back to his room by a clear-headed maid. Left alone, he lay in bed, lost in thought, feeling a mix of loneliness and whimsy, his mind wandering to Yi Mo and whether he was also celebrating this festive night somewhere.

Suddenly, he heard a delicate voice calling him, “Young Master,” but found no one when he looked around. Puzzled, he thought he was dreaming until he saw a stunningly beautiful woman in red, standing nearby with a look of tender affection. She revealed herself as a flower spirit nurtured by his care, coming to repay his kindness in a most intimate manner. Despite the allure, Qingxuan hesitated, his upbringing and physical condition making him wary of such encounters.

As the woman persisted, the atmosphere grew increasingly intimate, but just as they neared a moment of passion, the illusion shattered. Qingxuan awoke to find himself alone, realizing it had all been a vivid dream during his bath, now cold.

Relieved yet amused by the dream’s realism, he was about to call for assistance when he noticed a telling sign in the bathwater, indicating a release of energy. This realization brought a mix of embarrassment and bewilderment, marking an end to the surreal Mid-Autumn experience.