Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

Mingxin got married, and Suxin became the daughter of Ye Si Niang, so naturally she had to stay and serve her stepmother. In the blink of an eye, the two personal maids all had their own homes. Wen Jiao usually only let the two of them serve her. When the two left, she felt empty around her. After returning to the mansion, the little maids immediately rushed forward to show their courtesy. Everyone knew that the positions of the two big maids were vacant. After becoming a big maid, not only would the food, clothing, and monthly wages be higher than others, but they would also be respectable in front of the masters. If they were particularly successful in the future, they could also fight for their freedom and marry a good family. Just looking at the current glory of Mingxin and Suxin, who would not envy them, and who would not want to fill their gaps?

Wen Jiao saw the ingratiating smiles that appeared on the faces of the middle school girls one by one, and she felt very uncomfortable. She motioned them to step aside, sat down, and took a sip of tea that someone handed over. The mint taste made her mouth twitch, and she quickly put down the teacup: "Mingxin is married, and Suxin is now Ye Si Niang's adopted daughter, and she will never come back to the mansion."

When the maids heard this opening remark, they knew that the serious business was about to begin, and they all fell silent, waiting for the next part.

"The positions of the two head maids beside me are vacant. Mother's idea is to pick the best ones from among you to fill the positions." Wen Jiao said.

These words seemed to press a switch, and the maids' eyes lit up like a string of light bulbs.

Wen Jiao changed the subject: "And what I mean is, I won't pick any of them."

The maids looked disappointed and puzzled. Liu Cui asked boldly, "Did the young lady find a capable sister somewhere else?"

Wen Jiao shook her head: "I want to return all your deeds to you. In the future, you can leave the mansion to reunite with your parents and relatives, or continue to work in the mansion. It is entirely up to you to go or stay. Of course, no matter whether you leave or stay, I will give each of you fifty strings of cash as a farewell gift."

The maids cried out in surprise, clapped their hands, and hugged each other in laughter. They were either born in the family, or were kidnapped or sold by their families. They thought they would be slaves for the rest of their lives, and their descendants would not be free. Now they are free and have severance pay. Even if they have no one to rely on, they can still stay in the mansion. How can they not be happy? After laughing and joking for a while, some smart ones asked, "Who will serve the young lady after we all leave?"

Huo Ling'er was sitting on the side, enjoying a snack box. She didn't even raise her head when she heard this: "You don't have to worry about it. Can she still use someone else?"

Wen Jiao smiled but said nothing.

Naturally, she would leave too.

Chang'an has a warm climate. It is early summer and the sun is already scorching. In such hot weather, eating a piece of fresh watermelon will make you feel refreshed and comfortable.

Yin Kaishan was having a day off today and was eating watermelon with Madam Yin when he heard the maids shouting, "The eldest lady is here." Before the words were finished, he saw the crystal curtain move and his eldest daughter Yin Wenjiao walked in slowly.

Yin Kaishan smiled and waved: "It's such a hot day, why don't you stay inside to cool off? Why do you come here? Here are some fresh watermelons that have just been washed with well water, come and have some." As he spoke, a watermelon seed was stuck on his beard, swaying as his lips opened and closed.

Wen Jiao smiled at him, stretched out a finger, and poked her chin. Yin Kaishan was startled, but Madam Yin understood and scolded him with a smile: "You are so old, and you can eat watermelon on your beard!" Then she took a handkerchief to help him pick off the watermelon seeds.

Yin Kaishan coughed twice in embarrassment, and was about to say something to maintain the dignity of the Prime Minister that was left in his family, when he heard Wen Jiao instruct the servants in the room: "I have something important to report to my father and mother. You guys go out for now and stay outside. Don't let anyone in."

The maids looked puzzled, but they dared not say anything, and they all left. Seeing this, Yin Kaishan and Madam Yin suddenly felt ominous. Madam Yin was closer to her daughter. She had long noticed her daughter's distant attitude since the divorce, and she had also guessed it. Seeing this, her lips trembled slightly, and she forced a smile and said, "I met Princess Han the other day, and she asked when you were free so that we could play polo together. I was just about to ask you, you, her, and the Princess of Xiangyang are all good sisters who have been together since childhood. It would also help to relax if you spend more time together."

Mother and daughter are connected by heart, and Mrs. Yin always had a premonition of her daughter's recent mood of world-weariness. However, because she was unwilling to face it, she always tried to whitewash the situation.

Wen Jiao pursed her lips and knelt down in front of the two elders. Then she took off the hairpins on her head one by one, and her long black hair suddenly fell down. She took off her earrings, armlets, bracelets, and rings, and knelt on the ground silently.

Yin Kaishan panicked: "Mantangjiao, are you dizzy from heat stroke? Why are you taking off your hairpin?"

Taking off the hairpin and kneeling down, this is the posture of asking for forgiveness!

Madam Yin was still deceiving herself. She grabbed the fan beside her and fanned herself vigorously: "But these jewels are not to your liking? Mother will send new ones tomorrow."

Wen Jiao shook her head: "Recently, my mother has been sending me jewelry and silk every now and then. Everything is very good and there is nothing I don't like. It's just that..." She bowed solemnly again, "Father and mother, please forgive me for being unfilial."

Because he had long sensed his daughter's desire to leave the world, he gave her gifts like water and spared no effort to encourage her to remarry, simply hoping to use jewelry and fine clothes to retain her heart in this world.

Wen Jiao admitted that for a while, she was indeed addicted to this life of luxury and extravagance. But compared with immortality, this worldly enjoyment is nothing. Moreover, in the fifth century AD, even the Holy Emperor Li Shimin could not use flush toilets, eat hell spicy hot pot, or play 5G mobile phones. No matter how charming this enjoyment is, it is only limited to modern people.

Besides, Wen Jiao was a person who would not give up easily after trying something. Once she had decided on a goal, she would pursue it without hesitation. Besides the goal, she was destined not to indulge in anything for a long time.

She said solemnly: "I dare not hide it from my father and mother. I have always wanted to leave the world and practice cultivation. Now that Chen Guangrui has been executed, I have no more worries. I want to leave Chang'an and go to various famous mountains and rivers to seek immortals and ask for the way."

"What nonsense are you talking about! You don't live in your luxurious house, don't enjoy your fine goods, don't use your pretty maids, don't enjoy your youth, why do you seek immortality, why do you ask for advice?" Yin Kaishan slammed the table and stood up, "Who instigated you? Are famous mountains and rivers easy to visit? Not to mention that you might run into wolves, insects, tigers and leopards, even if you run into a few bad guys, they will eat you alive."

"No one instigated my daughter." Wen Jiao said.

Madam Yin angrily said, "It's all Chen E's fault. He made me, a beautiful girl, want to become a Taoist nun!"

Wen Jiao was helpless. When faced with indecision, she blamed Chen Guangrui. This had probably become a path dependency for the old couple.