Temple Fair

The oil lamp in the room flickered, its wick burning red.

The Three Flower Lady paced back and forth on the wooden table, not knowing what she was doing. Suddenly, she sat down at the edge of the table, naturally coiling her tail around her small feet, and said to Song You:

"Taoist priest, you were very cold when you were cultivating today."

Song You wasn't surprised. Cats always did whatever they pleased, whenever they pleased, and said whatever they pleased. He quietly replied, "Because I was absorbing the essence of winter dormancy, it has a calming effect."

"What's that?"

"It's a long story."

"Mmm..."

The Three Flower Cat lowered its head and licked its body, showing no interest in listening. It simply said, "The Three Flower Lady only needs to breathe in and out on her own."

"I can't compare to the Three Flower Lady."

"Are you cultivating quickly?"

"Some people are fast, some are slow. Even I am sometimes fast and sometimes slow," Song You said. "Originally, at the Taoist temple, my cultivation was steady and methodical. After descending the mountain, the world opened up, and I progressed at an astonishing pace."

"Why?"

"It's profound. But the Three Flower Lady is a Yao, not a human, so you don't need to learn these things. Just continue to breathe in and out as usual."

"Got it."

Song You smiled.

Perhaps it was because he had lived two lives, or perhaps for some other reason, he increasingly disliked complicated things and preferred simple matters. Although the Taoist priests in Fuqing Palace were all very friendly, he still found talking to the Three Flower Lady more relaxing and interesting. Even if their conversations were meaningless.

"Three Flower Lady."

"Mmm?"

The Three Flower Cat was grooming itself when it immediately looked up upon hearing this.

"How about we go back the day after tomorrow?"

"You can decide."

"Since we are traveling together, such a big decision should still be discussed with the Three Flower Lady."

"The day after tomorrow..."

"Yes."

"Mmm..."

The Three Flower Cat stared at Song You for a long while before saying, "You don't seem to like them very much."

"Why do you say that?"

"They have meat to eat here every day, and you don't like it here."

"I just feel that playing with them isn't as interesting as being with the Three Flower Lady," Song You shook his head. "Besides, we can't eat their meat every day."

"Oh, right."

"So?"

"Then let's go back tomorrow!"

The Three Flower Cat immediately exclaimed, very decisively.

"That won't do either."

"Why?"

"Tomorrow I need to help them resolve some difficult questions about Taoist magic. It's a return for their hospitality over the past few days."

"Oh..."

The Three Flower Cat seemed to be deep in thought.

"Let's sleep."

Song You blew out the oil lamp, scattering lamp flowers like stars.

The next morning, Chuyun and Yingfeng came to find Song You again, doing their best to entertain him. However, after all, they didn't have the same connection as they did decades ago. While forced proximity wasn't necessarily bad, it was difficult to forge the same bond as they had in those past decades in such a short time.

Song You only resolved the Taoist priests' doubts, and in the evening, he informed Guanghua Zi of his intention to return the next day.

Despite everyone's pleas for him to stay, he remained unwavering.

Chuyun and Yingfeng, on the other hand, admired him greatly, likely regarding him as an immortal on earth in their hearts and wishing to follow him to wander the world. However, he merely told them they were not fated to do so.

Another day passed, and Song You descended the mountain in the pre-dawn darkness.

The bright moon shines upon me, traveling only with my cat.

They walked from midnight until dusk. As the sun began to set, they were not far from Yidu. Song You thought that since it was already winter, the nights would be cold for lodging. It would be better to travel further under the moonlight. Thus, he walked all the way back to Yidu in one go. By sheer coincidence, they managed to enter the city just before the city gates closed for the night. Upon returning to the courtyard, a soft melody began to play, filling his heart with peace.

The weather in Yidu grew colder and colder.

Song You's days were very leisurely. Besides often going to the entertainment district to listen to stories, he mostly stayed at home, warming himself by the fire, cultivating, and chatting with the cat, living a life of "brushwood for fire, soft felt for warmth, my cat and I staying indoors."

Occasionally, people would come seeking a talisman, or a blessed amulet. Song You didn't have blessed items, but drawing a talisman was just a stroke of the brush. He granted every request, and in return, he'd get enough money to buy meat for the Three Flower Lady.

Sometimes he'd go for a walk, observing Yidu City in winter, watching people brave the cold in search of vitality, hurrying along in thin clothes. He saw that when the weather turned cold, the pretense of prosperity vanished completely, though he did gain quite a bit.

Yellow plum blossoms in the courtyard were gradually forming buds.

Song You often watched them under the tree, unsure when they would bloom, but leaning close, he could already catch a faint fragrance.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

There was another knock at the door.

Song You opened it to find Constable Luo outside.

In the depths of winter, Constable Luo was still wearing his dark blue uniform and boots, though he'd added thicker layers underneath. His cheeks were red from the wind, and he carried a small fish strung by a knotweed vine through its gills.

"Greetings, Mister."

"Aren't you cold, Squad Leader?"

"As a martial artist, I'm always moving, so I'm not cold."

"Please, come in quickly."

Constable Luo followed Song You into the courtyard and closed the door behind him, clearly familiar with the place. As he walked, he said, "My brother-in-law has been idle lately and has taken up fishing. He went out for half a day today, but came back shivering from the cold, having only caught this tiny fish, not even two fingers wide. He actually said we should cook it into soup. Haha, I might as well bring it as an offering to the Three Flower Lady."

"That's very thoughtful of you."

"Three Flower Lady..."

Constable Luo said as he removed the knotweed vine. He didn't throw the fish on the ground but placed it on the clean stone table.

Normally, he wouldn't bring a gift for the Three Flower Lady when visiting Mister. He would only bring things for Mister. But one day, when he came to ask Mister about a nightmare ghost, he suddenly saw a delicately carved little girl in the courtyard. He had never seen a child there before. He visited a few more times, sometimes seeing a cat, sometimes the girl. When he saw the cat, the girl was nowhere to be seen, and when he saw the girl, he couldn't find the Three Flower Lady at all. Over time, and recalling the Three Flower Lady's usual demeanor and actions, he gradually understood what was going on.

Having been a constable in Yidu for many years, he had encountered his fair share of Yao and ghosts, and had even handled cases of animals transforming into spirits. To be honest, it wasn't that mystical. These animal spirits just gained intelligence. Being able to speak was already terrifying enough; they didn't have the ability to transform into human form as in stories. Under the hands of a martial artist, they could still be killed with a single blow. At most, they would beg for mercy in various ways as they were being struck.

He had never seen a Yao capable of shapeshifting before.

Constable Luo was both surprised and felt it was only natural.

He was surprised that a shapeshifting Yao lived right next door, and he hadn't noticed for so long. But then again, it seemed ordinary for her to appear beside a master like Mister.

Didn't every story about a master have an ordinary boy or girl attendant, or a mount that had become a spirit?

Mister should naturally have one too.

From then on, he brought gifts for the Three Flower Lady every time he visited, and in return, the Three Flower Lady ensured his home was free of mice and his grain stores were safe.

Seeing the Three Flower Cat already eating, Constable Luo watched for a while longer before turning to Song You and saying, "Mister, the temple fair at King Yue Temple is in a few days."

"In a few days?"

"Three days from now, the third."

"Ah..."

Song You suddenly realized it was already the twelfth lunar month.

"Many people have already arrived at King Yue Temple, but it will be most lively after the third," Constable Luo said. "Is there anything you wish to buy, Mister? This temple market is a mixed bag. Do you need me to act as your guide? I have a group of men under me who can help with any heavy lifting for you."

"I'll see when the time comes."

"If you need anything, Mister, just knock on my door."

"Thank you in advance, Squad Leader."

"You're too kind, Mister."

After chatting for a while longer, Constable Luo was sent off.

Song You's face broke into a smile.

A temple fair, also known as a temple market, originated from religious gatherings, especially during major festivals or religious holidays when large numbers of believers would congregate. Where there were people, there was business. In an era with poor transportation and inconvenient shopping, people had procurement needs, so some began setting up stalls at temple fairs to sell their wares. As more merchants gathered and more customers came, it formed a virtuous cycle. Later, temple fairs were no longer limited to religious pilgrims but became large shopping festivals and one of the liveliest celebrations of the year.

Temple fairs varied in size.

Small temple fairs would only attract people from nearby villages or the same county. Large temple fairs were something else entirely. At their most extreme, their influence could extend to several prefectures. It was hard for people in later generations to imagine someone traveling thousands of miles for half a month, just to offer a stick of incense, enjoy the lively atmosphere of the temple fair for a few days, and then spend another half a month returning.

During this time, some people broadened their horizons, some made a fortune, some made lifelong friends, some met their destined love, and some came and went alone, even having their money stolen.

The temple fair at King Yue Temple was the most influential in Yizhou. While it couldn't reach several prefectures, people from remote parts of the prefecture would still come. Some traveling performers and merchants from outside the prefecture would also arrive.

The reason it was set for the third day of the twelfth lunar month was because the third day was rumored to be the birthday of King Yue Divine Lord. A temple fair of this scale was no longer limited to King Yue Temple itself; it merely marked the beginning of the event. It usually lasted a few more days to complete this grand celebration.

Song You had been looking forward to this temple fair for a long time.

He took a walk around and indeed, as Constable Luo had said, many merchants and performers had already arrived in Yidu today and were gathered in the streets and alleys near King Yue Temple, creating a bustling and lively scene.

The Three Flower Lady, of course, noticed the excitement on his face, but she seemed a bit puzzled:

"Taoist priest, are temple fairs very fun?"

"I don't know."

Song You replied, adding:

"I hope they're interesting."

"You seem to really like temple fairs."

"It's quite lively," Song You said to the Three Flower Cat. "Have you seen lively scenes before, Three Flower Lady?"

"This city is already lively."

"No…"

Song You shook his head. No matter how many people there were in Great Yan, or how prosperous Yidu City was, it was limited by the era. Perhaps the number of residents within the city wasn't even as many as those gathered under landmark buildings in provincial capitals during New Year's Eve in later generations. It might not even compare to the number of visitors at a popular tourist spot during Golden Week. Only this temple fair was truly lively.

It was the grandest display of human life in this era.

It was also a liveliness comparable to later generations.

Song You's eyes sparkled, but he didn't explain to the Three Flower Cat. He simply said, "There are many things at the temple fair that you don't usually see, like performers with special skills, rare flowers and plants, and exotic birds and beasts. We can not only watch the excitement for a few days, but we can also buy a lot of delicious food, and, hmm, buy a horse or a mule."

"Buy a horse?"

"Yes."

"Us? Buy a horse?"

"What's wrong?"

"We're buying a horse?"

"Buy a horse, or maybe a mule," Song You told it. "It'll be good for traveling the world later."

"Great!!"

The Three Flower Cat's eyes sparkled.

Song You stared at it, looking again and again, somewhat puzzled.

This cat seemed unusually excited.