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The Sutra of the Ten Wheels states that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has, for countless eons, vowed to save sentient beings in defiled worlds. The more defiled the world, the more she resolves to enter it; the more suffering the beings, the more determined she is to help them. She even ventures into worlds devoid of Dharma, for there, beings endure the greatest hardships. She is one of the most revered bodhisattvas across the ten directions, her vow—”I shall not attain Buddhahood until hell is empty”—widely known.
Today was Lichun, the start of spring, a rare occurrence known as “Spring’s Dawn on New Year’s Day.” Households were busy cutting out paper swallows, pasting Spring Greeting banners, and Di Jiang was no exception.
Di Jiang was a doctor who ran a modest medical clinic called Jian Su at the end of South Street in Taiping Prefecture. The clinic rarely saw visitors, with few patients coming through its doors each day.
She also had a neighbor named Zhong Xu, who, along with his apprentice, operated a coffin shop directly across from her clinic. But unlike typical coffin shop owners, Zhong Xu had a side job—exorcising ghosts and resolving debts owed to the underworld.
Di Jiang often warned him, “A person’s sins are either karmic seeds planted in past lives or fruits reaped in this life. If you shield them from their misfortune, the negative energy will eventually rebound onto you. By then, not even the Jade Emperor himself could save you.”
Every time he heard this, Zhong Xu would raise an eyebrow and reply with pride, “My affairs are beyond even the Jade Emperor’s jurisdiction. Someone else oversees them.”
Di Jiang would always laugh and ask, “Who?”
At this point, Zhong Xu would usually snort, roll his eyes, and say, “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know.”
Each time they reached this juncture, Di Jiang could only nod awkwardly and respond with a perfunctory “Oh,” ending the conversation.
Perhaps, in Zhong Xu’s mind, a medical clinic and a coffin shop were natural rivals. Coupled with their bizarre first encounter, he firmly believed they could never coexist. Di Jiang, on the other hand, felt entirely innocent regarding the hostility stemming from their professions.
“Boss, take a look! How’s my swallow?” Wen Yao’s voice pulled Di Jiang from her thoughts. Turning her head, she saw Wen Yao holding up a paper cutout of a flower, presenting it like a treasure. Before Di Jiang could comment, Shu Xiang chimed in with a scoff, “That’s supposed to be a swallow? Even a chicken looks better than that.”
Upon closer inspection, Di Jiang nodded in agreement. As Shu Xiang had said, Wen Yao’s swallow had a long body and a stubby tail, resembling a plucked chicken more than anything.
“Yours looks like a chicken! Let me see how perfect yours is!” Wen Yao retorted, snatching the paper cutout from Shu Xiang’s hands. Unfolding it, she found a delicate little swallow depicted on the paper—nimble, adorable, and charming.
Even someone as fiery-tempered as Wen Yao couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, “Not bad, Shu Xiang! Last year your work looked like something a dog dragged through the mud, but this year you’ve really outdone yourself!”
“It’s all thanks to the boss’s excellent teaching,” Shu Xiang replied indifferently, picking up another sheet of red paper to continue cutting.
Wen Yao stared at him for a moment, then grew bored and turned back to Di Jiang, holding up a finished window decoration. “Boss, why do your swallows always come in pairs or fly wing-to-wing?”
“Don’t you think it looks nice?”
“Yes, it’s beautiful!” Wen Yao nodded enthusiastically. “But... doesn’t it seem a bit too sentimental? Are you thinking about your lover?”
“What makes you say that?” Di Jiang was startled, setting down her work.
“Look at Shu Xiang’s—they’re all single ones,” Wen Yao pointed out.
Shu Xiang glanced up upon hearing this, giving Wen Yao a cold look. “That’s because the boss hasn’t taught me otherwise yet.”
“Are you saying even you think swallows should appear in pairs?” Wen Yao asked, turning to Shu Xiang, who remained silent, continuing to focus on his task.
At this point, Di Jiang stepped in to smooth things over. Smiling faintly, she said, “I just think it looks livelier that way. Alright, we have enough now. Let’s start pasting these swallows onto the windows.”
“Got it!” Wen Yao applied glue to the windows, while Di Jiang and Shu Xiang followed behind, sticking the paper cutouts one by one.
Pasting swallows was an ancient tradition, believed to usher in the arrival of spring and bring forth blossoming flowers. Watching the swallows come alive on her windows, Di Jiang couldn’t have been happier. Each one was so vivid, almost lifelike, symbolizing the spirit of the season and carrying everyone’s hopes for the new year.
After finishing, Di Jiang gently pushed open the window and glanced at the quiet coffin shop across the street. Turning to Wen Yao, she said, “In a bit, pick a few of the best-looking swallows and take them over to the coffin shop.”
“To that smelly Daoist priest?” Wen Yao’s eyes widened. “Why?”
“The master and apprentice must find it lonely running a coffin shop. Two grown men probably don’t know how to cut out swallows. We’re neighbors after all, and it’s only right to extend some kindness.”
“Alright,” Wen Yao grumbled reluctantly, taking a few swallows and heading to the coffin shop. She returned some time later, loudly announcing, “You’ll never guess who I ran into at the coffin shop!”
Shu Xiang remained perfectly calm, continuing to sweep the floor without even raising an eyelid, as if he hadn’t heard a word.
There were only three people in the room—the master and her two apprentices. Though Wen Yao was usually impulsive, Di Jiang decided to humor her excitement and asked, “Who?”
Wen Yao cleared her throat dramatically before announcing, “The most handsome man in our kingdom—Lord Wu Rui’an!”
“Oh?” Di Jiang was somewhat surprised. Even someone as uninterested in worldly affairs as her had heard of Lord Rui’an’s reputation. No wonder Wen Yao was so excited.
“Guess what Lord Rui’an went to the coffin shop for?” Wen Yao continued.
“Obviously, to buy a coffin,” Shu Xiang replied dryly.
“How shallow!” Wen Yao rolled her eyes and sat down across from Di Jiang.
Di Jiang poured her a cup of tea and smiled, “Calm down. Here, have some water.”
But Wen Yao had no time for tea. She pushed the cup aside, leaned forward, and whispered conspiratorially, “Lord Rui’an’s mother is none other than the current Empress. He has no wife or concubines, no heirs. Why would he personally come to order a coffin? Even if someone close to him passed away, couldn’t he just send a servant, a eunuch, or a palace maid? Why would he come alone during the New Year?”
“Are you sure it was Lord Wu Rui’an?”
“Of course! He’s the man I’ve dreamed of day and night… How could I be mistaken?”
“Oh, congratulations on meeting your dream man.” Di Jiang wasn’t particularly interested and resumed her needlework, picking up an embroidered handkerchief from the table.
Seeing this, Wen Yao immediately snatched the handkerchief away and said sternly, “Lord Rui’an ordered a coffin and instructed that it be delivered to the mountains by nightfall!”
“He really did go to buy a coffin, after all,” Di Jiang chuckled behind her hand, wanting to avoid further disturbance. To humor Wen Yao, she asked, “Did you hear anything else?”
“I was kicked out after delivering the swallows, so I didn’t hear what they said. But there’s definitely something strange about this coffin!”
“If there’s truly something wrong with it, it’ll eventually reach me anyway. Why are you in such a hurry?” Di Jiang smiled and yawned, “I’m feeling a bit tired. Tell me the news tomorrow—I’m going to rest now.”
“Sleep, sleep, sleep! All you ever do is sleep!” Wen Yao rolled her eyes and blocked Di Jiang’s way. However, Di Jiang simply sidestepped her and slipped past.
“Getting worked up over nothing—you’ve clearly wasted years of cultivation,” Shu Xiang muttered under his breath, unable to resist rolling his eyes. Unfortunately, this comment earned him a punch from Wen Yao. Though he winced in pain, he didn’t retaliate, merely muttering softly, “This child is beyond teaching,” before leaving the room.
Only then did Wen Yao remember to chase after Di Jiang. As she walked, she called out, “Boss, don’t leave! This might mean business for us!”
Di Jiang pretended not to hear and slammed the door shut, leaving Wen Yao outside. After muttering a few complaints at the door, Wen Yao realized Di Jiang wasn’t interested and reluctantly gave up, returning to her room with a look of disappointment.
Once Wen Yao’s footsteps faded and the world finally grew quiet, Di Jiang gently pushed open the window and looked down. At that moment, she happened to see a nobleman in fine robes walking out of the coffin shop. His figure was striking, his demeanor extraordinary, and his peach-blossom face made even Di Jiang’s heart skip a beat.
“No wonder women throw themselves at him—he truly has unparalleled beauty,” Di Jiang murmured to herself, recalling the gossip Wen Yao often whispered in her ear.
It was rumored that Lord Wu Rui’an was the sixth son of Empress Chen Zhao. He never participated in politics, preferring instead to linger among flowers and frequently creating scandalous stories that spread through the streets. Strangely, every woman who had been involved with him spoke only of his kindness, even when he moved on to someone new. Not a single one criticized him.
For a man to achieve this level of admiration was truly commendable.
As Di Jiang watched Lord Rui’an’s retreating figure thoughtfully, she didn’t realize that Zhong Xu had been observing her the whole time. When she noticed him, she saw his disdainful expression, as if silently accusing her: “Judging by appearances alone—how shallow.”
Di Jiang raised an eyebrow and playfully licked her lips. The dryness was instantly soothed, making her lips appear luscious against her fair complexion.
Zhong Xu was startled and hurriedly retreated back into his shop.
“This Boss Zhong is truly adorable,” Di Jiang laughed aloud, amused by his seriousness.
________________________________________
The next two days were quiet, with few customers visiting the clinic. The only visitor was Lady Li from Wuli Slope outside the city, who came to collect some medicine for pregnancy care.
Lady Li was raising over ten children alone, so Di Jiang didn’t charge her much. Unwilling to take advantage, Lady Li sent her eldest son the following day with a jar of aged fruit wine as thanks.
“Please convey my gratitude to Lady Li. I won’t keep you for dinner,” Di Jiang said, glancing at the coffin shop across the street. Understanding her meaning, Lady Li’s son quickly took his leave.
After he left, Di Jiang immediately opened the jar and took a sip. The aroma of the wine filled the air—it was intoxicating.
“This wine is exquisite just by its scent. Lady Li truly has good taste,” Shu Xiang remarked calmly.
“Indeed! If sold, it’d be worth thousands of gold coins,” Di Jiang nodded, visibly pleased.
“Let me try too!” Wen Yao eagerly fetched a wine cup.
Di Jiang brushed her hand away and said, “You’ve never lacked good things these past years. This one, I’ll bring to Boss Zhong.” Ignoring Wen Yao’s sulky expression, she quickly left the clinic and entered the coffin shop.
“Boss Zhong?” Di Jiang called twice, but no one came to greet her. She wandered around the shop and confirmed that no one was there—not even Changsheng, who must have gone out on deliveries. Without hesitation, Di Jiang treated the place as her own home and headed straight for the inner room.
Inside, Zhong Xu was seated across from a nun, discussing something.
“Lord Rui’an’s request is truly impossible for this humble nun to fulfill. I hope…” The nun stopped mid-sentence upon seeing Di Jiang and closed her mouth, murmuring a quick “Amitabha” before sitting quietly to the side.
Zhong Xu turned around, frowning, “Why are you here?”
“A customer sent some fine wine; I brought it to share with you.” Di Jiang shook the wine jar in her hand.
“No need. I don’t drink alcohol. Please leave.” Zhong Xu rejected her outright, practically wishing he could increase the distance between them tenfold.
Di Jiang acted as though she hadn’t heard him, taking two more steps closer and placing the jar on the table. Smiling, she said, “We’re neighbors. There’s no need to be so formal. We should visit each other more often.”
Just as Di Jiang was about to open the jar, Zhong Xu grabbed it and shoved it back into her arms. “I can’t possibly accept. Please leave.”
“How am I unworthy? Aren’t you also a shopkeeper?” Di Jiang persisted.
Zhong Xu sighed and gestured to the nun beside him. “We are ascetics, while you remain deeply rooted in worldly affairs, wearing luxurious silks and indulging in wine and meat. We are simply not the same kind of people. Boss Di, please stop joking.”
“What nonsense! Just because I wear silk doesn’t mean I don’t value simplicity. Just because I drink wine and eat meat doesn’t mean my heart isn’t devoted to Buddha. As the saying goes, ‘Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but the Buddha remains in the heart.’ The ancients surely had their reasons for such wisdom.” Smiling, Di Jiang raised a cup and offered it to the nun. “Sister, don’t be so stiff. Won’t you join us for a drink?”
“You’re utterly clueless!” Zhong Xu hastily brushed Di Jiang’s sleeve aside and scolded, “Leave! Stop embarrassing yourself here!”
Seeing both their faces turn green with anger, Di Jiang realized they were genuinely upset. Reluctantly, she picked up the wine jar and left the shop.
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