From a young medicine seller to a Taoist master

My name is Lin Ziye. My father’s surname is Lin and my mother’s surname is Liu. My father wanted me to inherit the family business and had high hopes for me, so my name is Lin Ziye.

I was born into a merchant family. My family was in the fur business and it was a very wealthy family, so I had never lacked food and clothing since I was a child.

I also have a childhood sweetheart who is a good match for me. The elders in both families are very happy to facilitate this marriage, and I like her very much.

My father has always wanted to train me so that I could inherit the family business, but I have never had any interest in it and have no talent for it.

My father always hated him for not fighting for his son, but he had no choice as he was his only son.

I had been at odds with my father since I was eight years old, but most of the time it was because I ran away to play, thinking that I should soar into the sky instead of getting involved in the ways of business.

At the same time, I am also fed up with the intrigue involved.

But after I met my first husband, my world changed.

I was addicted to the wonderful stories in the books, yearning for them extremely and believing that this is how the world should be.

I truly had a dream and aspirations, and I became more and more obsessed with them. At the same time, the arguments between me and my father increased more and more.

But he is my father after all, and we still maintain a father-son relationship on the surface.

A young boy who pursues his ideals has a misunderstanding and conflict with his father, and the conflict becomes increasingly serious.

But I still continue my original life, as if nothing has changed, but the seeds of contradiction have been planted, and one day they will grow into towering trees.

When I was fifteen, my parents arranged for us to get married, but I knew that after marriage I would inherit the family business and would no longer have the chance to pursue my own dreams.

I resolutely opposed the marriage, and as expected, I encountered resistance.

You...you bastard...you, my father was so angry that his face turned red, he gritted his teeth, and was extremely angry.

My mother was also extremely disappointed and didn't even look at me, but this can still be discussed. I'm not stupid enough to say it in front of both families. It won't do me any good.

But my father was also very angry. He put his right hand on his heart and pointed at me with his left hand, his face full of anger, as if he wanted to say something.

However, as he has been in the business world for many years, he has a good heart. In the end, he just sighed, his eyes full of disappointment.

Since you don't want to marry her, then go away! Go away..., he said slowly.

I left without thinking, and just as I reached the door, my father's voice came again.

You are leaving today, you are no longer a member of the Lin family, and I will not let you be my son. You go and talk to Shi Yao yourself!

I felt a little regretful at the time, but my so-called face would not allow it and my youthful ambition took over.

I left without looking back, vowing to pursue my ideals.

I went to meet my childhood sweetheart, Xie Shiyao, in person. She wasn't as beautiful as a fairy, but she was also a pretty girl next door.

Brother Ziye, what is the matter that you called me here for? She didn't know what had happened yet, and was still waiting to be taken home in a sedan chair carried by eight men, wearing a phoenix crown and a bridal robe, with a shy face.

Shi...Shiyao...I...I, I stuttered and didn’t know what to say, because this was cruel to her and I really liked her.

But I was already crazy about pursuing my ideal, so I finally spoke it out.

Shiyao, I don’t want to get married anymore, I said slowly in a low voice.

But she heard it, as if she heard something impossible, and the hairpin in her hand fell to the ground, sounding particularly clear in this quiet environment.

The pretty little face was pale, her eyes were red, her body was trembling, and she bit her red lips tightly, trying to control herself from crying.

Watching this scene, my heart ached.

But I am still hurting her heart, I expressed my thoughts to her, hoping she can understand.

Shi Yao...Shi Yao will support Brother Ziye. Her voice was filled with tears, as if she could cry at any time.

I took out the handkerchief I had prepared long ago, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and left it to her.

Don't wait for me, I will tell people that I am not worthy and the Xie family has rejected the marriage proposal, so that you can meet someone better, better than me... His tone contained not only reluctance and regret, but also an indomitable sharpness.

Although he didn't know it, every word he said would become a knife, breaking her heart into pieces.

Afterwards, I left my back to her. This is my dream and I will give everything for it... The boy's voice was full of ambition.

……

However, the process of pursuing dreams is not always smooth, and one will always lose something.

I took the imperial examination. I have a talent for it, otherwise I wouldn't be so obsessed with it.

I passed the exam and got a good ranking, and became a minor official in the court. The Wei Dynasty was too big, and the lord of Qiuchi was like a local emperor, while I was only in a city near Linya.

I have tried during this period, but I have no spiritual roots and my future achievements are very limited.

But I am unwilling to accept this. Why can't ordinary people reach that position?

It took me ten years to do this. I grew from a young boy with a pure heart into an adult. Ten years is enough time for a person to change dramatically. After ten years of hard work, I have long lost my youthful innocence.

I also faced the reality.

I originally thought that this was the most painful time, but when I received a piece of news, my world collapsed.

I am my father's only son, so even if he is kicked out of the house, I should be left to observe mourning.

……

I returned to my hometown which I had left for ten years. Nothing had changed here, so I hurried to the scene.

The boy had conflicts with his father, but time had healed his wounds.

When I saw my father for the last time, my heart was overwhelmed with great sadness, and I...regretted it.

I cried like a child, hugging my father's coffin and crying bitterly.

The people around me ignored me and let me cry like a child.

After a few minutes, my tears dried up and a trace of blood flowed out.

My mother looked at me with complicated eyes. Although she was very disappointed in me back then, time had smoothed everything over the past ten years.

Stay and live a good life. Your family needs you, and also for her, the mother finally said.

She? I couldn't figure it out for a moment, but then I understood.

Brother Ziye, a sweet voice sounded, I turned around and it was Xie Shiyao.

She hadn't changed much in ten years, still petite and delicate, but her temperament was colder and sadder.

For a split second my mind flashed back to that day and the guilt I felt surged up in me once again, but I said nothing because I knew I didn’t deserve it.

She didn't know what to say. She had been waiting for more than three thousand days just for him to come back.

The two met in silence, and all they could hear was tears and blood dripping.