History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 372 Why

The aristocratic families in the capital looked down on the Gao family, who had only recently been granted titles. However, the emperor's confidants and the commoners from humble backgrounds were different. The former were not worth mentioning, but the latter faced difficulties in their careers and owned little land. They needed families like the Gao family, who were of similar birth and had suddenly gained favor.

Today, accompanying Gao Xian on his stroll through the gold market were Zhao Yong, who held the position of "Fengche Duwei," and Zhen Ning, the father of the Chamberlain Zhen Chen. Leading the way and protecting them from behind were a group of commoner sons who could not keep their ancestral property.

Helan's cousin, Heerhun, was among this group of people.

Gao Xian hadn't yet adapted to his status as a duke. He took a fancy to a few precious items, but after inquiring about the price, he first calculated in his mind how many boxes of imperial favors he would receive would be reduced. After doing this, he couldn't bear to buy them.

The shop assistants, used to seeing distinguished guests, could tell at a glance that Gao Xian was not from a prominent family. Their expressions gradually turned to disdain. Zhao Yong immediately pretended to look around, while Zhen Ning, whose family was not wealthy, was thick-skinned and still flattered him, saying, "Your Highness has excellent taste, hehe."

Thus, Gao Xian wandered around until noon and only bought a red deer skin and some spices such as frankincense. He ate lunch in the Jin Market. Gao Xian was from Pingcheng, and Zhao and Zhen led him to the most famous Pingcheng Lamb Restaurant in the market.

Zhao Yong could afford the meal. When he went to discuss the dishes with the innkeeper, the voices at the next table suddenly rose. It turned out that one of the diners was telling a strange story.

"There was once a poor village in the island. Because of years of famine and frequent robberies by bandits, the villagers either fled or died, leaving only a grandfather, father, and grandson."

"Because he was so hungry, after falling asleep at night, my father had a dream in which a Taoist priest overtook him from behind as if fleeing for his life, urging him to run together."

"My father was very puzzled and scared. He followed the Taoist priest and kept asking him why."

"The Taoist priest said... I'm starving. I heard there's a mountain called Broken Relationship Mountain ahead. At the foot of the mountain grow three strange herbs. Two of them are extremely poisonous and will kill you if you eat them. The third one is a divine herb that will keep you from starving for the rest of your life if you eat it."

"The Taoist priest also said... anyone who sees them will have a chance to choose, which is why I kindly invited you along."

The diner recounted the story vividly, and the "Taoist priest" in the story reminded Gao Xian of the Taoist priest he had met on his way to Beijing. He still clearly remembered the words the Taoist priest had advised travelers at that time.

Therefore, Gao Xian did not allow Zhen Ning and the others to disturb him, and he listened attentively.

The diner continued, "This father was also a kind man. He did not have any bad intentions to harm the Taoist priest. When the two of them arrived at Duanqin Mountain, they indeed saw three strange herbs growing in the pile of rocks. The Taoist priest first pulled out one herb. At the same time, he had another strange herb in his hand, and a new herb grew in the place where he pulled it out."

"It was indeed a miraculous herb. Before the Taoist could even take it, it transformed into a phantom and entered his mouth. The Taoist screamed and was torn to pieces, dying a gruesome death, which terrified the father."

"Then he saw the strange grass swaying and speaking human language, and the voice of the first grass... was actually his father's voice!"

By this point in the story, a large crowd had gathered, eager to hear what was going on, and they couldn't help but ask, "Tell us, tell us, what did this blade of grass say?"

The diner's tone turned sinister as he told the story: "It said... don't choose me, a son cannot kill his father!"

"Ah—" The audience gasped in surprise.

Diner: "The third blade of grass spoke in a human voice, sounding just like his son... Don't choose me, even a tiger won't eat its own cubs!"

The listeners in the shop exclaimed, "Good heavens!"

The impatient listener urged again, "Tell us quickly, tell us quickly, has the second blade of grass spoken yet?"

The diner shook his head, his face filled with sorrow, and said, "The second blade of grass swayed silently. The father stared at it, noticing that it was shorter than the first blade of grass and older than the third. Suddenly, he understood. He seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps asking the strange grass... You are me, aren't you? Am I dreaming?"

"This man turned back to look for the Taoist's corpse, and sure enough, the corpse turned into his likeness." The diner's expression became even more sorrowful: "After dawn, the village was empty. The grandfather took his grandson and fled to a distant place. In the house that had sheltered them from the wind and rain, only the father's mutilated corpse remained."

After the story was told, sighs rippled through the crowd, and someone asked, "Do you think this poor young man killed himself to save his family, or was he killed by his loved ones while he was asleep? Is what we call a dream actually just a painful image conjured up before death?"

Some people belatedly realized: "I just remembered, the mountain where the strange herb grows is called Broken Relationship Mountain!"

Gao Xian pondered deeply, recalling the divination the Taoist priest had given the traveler. The divination indicated the traveler was neither as capable as his elder brother nor as good as his nephew; living together for an extended period would be like a broken tile envying gold and jade.

The father in the strange tale just now met an even more tragic end. In the name of filial piety, and because he needed to keep fewer able-bodied men in the family, he was eaten and cruelly murdered by his starving relatives.

Why? !

After feeling frustrated for so long, Gao Xian finally asked himself: Why?!
He and Gao Zhao were both brothers of Empress Wenzhao and both dukes. Why did Gao Zhao have the plaque on his residence read "Gao Zhao Residence"?
Why did Vice Minister Wei Yao only carefully teach Gao Zhao and Gao Meng when he came to instruct them on court etiquette? He deliberately made mistakes several times, but Vice Minister Wei ignored them!

When Gao Xian came to his senses, the diner who had told the strange tale had already left. As his companion paid the copper coins and left, they agreed, "I've been having a lot of bad luck lately. I'm going to Chongxu Temple to have my fortune told. Who will come with me?"

Once the restaurant was quiet and the number of customers had decreased, Gao Xian asked Zhao Yong and Zhen Ning, "Is the Chongxu Temple that those people were talking about a very famous Buddhist temple?"

Zhao Yong replied, "Chongxu Temple is the only Celestial Masters Taoist altar in the capital that is called a 'temple'."

Zhen Ning, being shrewd, asked, "Does the Duke intend to consult a diviner?"

Gao Xian nodded: "That's what I mean." He said that the pronunciation of these three words was already the standard Luoyang pronunciation. Not only did he learn the pronunciation from Wei Yao, but he also imitated Wei Yao's expression.

Zhao Yong was not stupid either, and quickly replied: "If the Duke wishes to have a divination performed, there is no need to go to Chongxu Temple, which is far away, and wait for the Celestial Master. I know a scholar in Chongxuan Bureau who can perform divination for the Duke at any time."

Gao Xian asked, "What is a 'Fairy Doctor'?"

Zhao Yong: "They are the Celestial Masters who bestow official titles."

"Thank you very much then." Gao Xian smiled broadly.

Zhao Yong quickly waved his hand: "I dare not, I dare not. It is my duty to relieve the Duke's worries."

Just then, a servant wiping the banquet table next to them let out a soft "tsk". Gao Xian, observing the situation, noticed that Zhao Yong was holding back his anger and that Zhen Ning seemed not to have heard it, so he also pretended not to have heard it.

After finishing their meal and leaving the restaurant, Gao Xiancai inquired, "Is this restaurant run by merchants from Pingcheng?"

Zhao Yong replied in a low voice, "It's the property of the Prince of Beihai. Merchants in Jinshi who want to operate smoothly here either need to rely on the Prince or the Princess."

Gao Xian and his group gradually walked away into the distance.

In a corner of the bustling market, a young man recounting strange tales took a small box of copper coins from a merchant. The merchant exclaimed, "Cui Han, your ability to fabricate stories is unmatched in Luoyang!"

Cui Han bowed respectfully and said, "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I know the rules. I will only tell you the tales of the strange and supernatural as instructed, and I will never say anything beyond the tales of the strange and supernatural."

The merchant smiled and said, "I know, why would I hire you if I didn't find out more about you?"