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Shi Jin's father was quite wealthy, owning properties in Bianjing, including a courtyard with a stable that housed several docile draft horses, which rarely made a sound. However, the neighing of these horses was clear and high-pitched, resembling a dragon's roar, quite extraordinary.
Shi Jin wondered, "Is my mother back?" A few days ago, his mother had gone to their estate outside the city to check the accounts and had taken those horses for transport.
Dujian nodded and said, "She arrived this morning and immediately asked about you. She wants you to visit her after you come back."
Shi Jin felt a bit overwhelmed; he was somewhat afraid to face his mother. Shi Taigong and his wife had doted on their son since they had him later in life. The original character wasn't bad by nature but was reckless and combative, which caused Madam Shi, coming from a scholarly family, much distress. In the original story, it was said that she died from worry over him.
At that moment, Dujian slapped her forehead and exclaimed, "Oh, how could I forget!" She stepped forward and said, "Young Master, someone delivered a horse this morning, saying you bought it from him."
Shi Jin paused in surprise and asked, "What kind of horse?"
"A bay horse," Dujian replied. "It looked quite spirited to me. Didn't you buy it?" She looked at Shi Jin in astonishment.
Shi Jin shook his head.
Dujian anxiously glanced toward the courtyard and said, "Oh no! I thought it was your purchase. Lao Song mentioned that horse costs at least a hundred guan!"
Curiosity piqued, Shi Jin turned toward the stable with Dujian hurriedly following behind. Earlier she had complained about Shi Jin's extravagant spending after hearing Lao Song mention the horse's price, but now she felt a bit panicked since she had accepted the horse.
They soon saw a magnificent bay horse leisurely eating feed. The other draft horses were keeping their distance, looking uneasy.
Shi Jin asked, "Did that person say anything?"
Dujian replied, "When he came and saw you weren't here, he left the horse. I asked him how much it cost; he said you had already paid."
Shi Jin approached the horse and tentatively stroked its neck. The horse lifted its head, glanced at him, sniffed closer, snorted loudly, then lowered its head to continue eating.
Shi Jin silently praised the horse; its coat was smooth like silk, its muscles firm beneath the skin, brimming with strength—truly a rare find. But who had sent this horse over?
This son is usually reckless and restless, often leaving in impatience after saying a few words. He is typically the one chasing after me, but this is the first time he has taken the initiative to greet me.
Seeing the woman's puzzled expression, Shi Jin realized that he might have been too forceful, but there was no helping it; he was no longer the mischievous boy he used to be. He cleared his throat and said, "I have not been well these past few days and suddenly recalled how, when I was ill as a child, Mother stayed up all night watching over me without rest. The kindness of a mother is something I can never repay. Yet I have been unruly and caused you sorrow, which is the greatest act of disobedience and unfilial behavior on my part. I am truly ashamed."
After speaking, he lifted his clothes and knelt down.
The woman was stunned by Shi Jin's words, her mind only echoing one phrase: "The ancestors have shown their spirit!" Upon seeing Shi Jin kneel, she hurried forward to embrace him, overwhelmed with joy and tears. "The ancestors have shown their spirit! Finally, my son has come to his senses!"
Dujian, standing nearby, was also dumbfounded. Reflecting on the events of the past few days, he thought to himself, "Eldest Brother, has he really come to his senses?"
At lunch, there was another display of maternal affection and filial piety. In the afternoon, Shi Jin excused himself to visit friends and led out a bay horse before leaving. Dujian wanted to follow him, but Shi Jin teasingly said he could join him if they rode together. Although tempted, Dujian ultimately did not dare to be so conspicuous in public.
Once outside, Shi Jin loosened the reins and slowed the horse's pace, allowing it to walk on its own. The horse trotted along leisurely for a while until Shi Jin noticed its direction and muttered to himself, "Is it outside the city?" Sure enough, after passing through several streets, they reached the city gate.
Once outside the city, the horse picked up its pace and ran for a while before finally stopping in front of a ruined temple at the foot of West Mountain. Shi Jin dismounted but did not rush inside. He squinted at the small temple before him; under the setting sun, it appeared dilapidated and had clearly been abandoned for some time.
The temple's plaque had fallen to the side and was obscured by weeds, revealing only a corner that made it impossible to read the inscription clearly. Noticing that although this place was desolate, there seemed to be nothing unusual about it, Shi Jin stepped onto the stone steps, preparing to enter the temple for a closer look.
Just as he was about to enter, a gust of wind arose; the wind howled softly while the trees rustled gently and the weeds bowed low, revealing that plaque once more. Shi Jin slowed his steps instinctively and glanced at it.
"Lan... Ruo... Temple? What on earth!"
(Music should play here!)
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