Chapter 16: The Truth Revealed
Bab 16: Kebenaran Terungkap
The time for the imperial examinations arrived, and Mengjiao traveled to the capital to compete against the best scholars in the empire. His performance was legendary. He answered every question with such wisdom and clarity that the Emperor himself was impressed. Mengjiao was awarded the title of 'Zhuangyuan', the top scholar of the land.
Setelah ujian, Xu Mengjiao kembali ke rumah dan bertemu Xiaoqing, yang baru saja kembali dari pelatihannya. Xiaoqing melihat keponakannya sudah dewasa, jadi dia memutuskan untuk menceritakan seluruh kebenaran kepadanya.
He returned to Hangzhou in a grand procession, celebrated by the entire city. But before he went to the celebrations, he visited his aunt. "I have achieved what I set out to do," he said. "Now, please, tell me the truth. I know there is more to my family's story than you have told me."
"Mengjiao, ibumu tidak pergi mempraktikkan ajaran Buddha di mana pun. Dia dipenjara di bawah Pagoda Leifeng karena dicelakai oleh orang jahat," cerita Xiaoqing dengan penuh dendam.
His aunt looked at the young man, now dressed in the magnificent robes of a top scholar, and realized she could no longer keep the secret. She took him to the shores of the West Lake and pointed to the Leifeng Pagoda.
Xu Mengjiao terkejut dan marah setelah mengetahui kebenarannya. "Bibi, aku akan menyelamatkan ibuku! Aku akan menghancurkan pagoda itu!"
"Your mother is not dead, Mengjiao," she said, her voice trembling. "She is trapped beneath that tower. She was a white snake spirit who loved your father. She was imprisoned by the monk Fahai because of her magic and the sins she committed out of love."
"Tenanglah, keponakan tersayang. Sekarang kamu harus fokus untuk lulus ujian kekaisaran. Ketika kamu memiliki kekuasaan dan pengaruh, kita akan menemukan cara untuk menyelamatkan ibumu dengan lebih mudah," saran Xiaoqing.
Mengjiao stood in silence, his mind racing. Everything finally made sense—the dreams, the feeling of being watched, the connection to the pagoda. He felt a surge of anger toward Fahai, but also a deep, overwhelming love for his mother.
Xu Mengjiao mengerti dan bertekad kuat untuk menjadi juara pertama dalam ujian demi membawa kehormatan bagi keluarga dan menemukan cara untuk menyelamatkan ibunya. Dia pergi berdoa di depan Pagoda Leifeng dan berjanji kepada ibunya: "Ibu, tunggulah aku. Aku akan membawa keluarga kita kembali pada kejayaan dan akan menyelamatkanmu."
"She sacrificed everything for us," he whispered. "And she has been suffering in darkness for twenty years. I will not let her stay there a moment longer. I will use my new status and my voice to demand her freedom. No stone can keep a mother from her son."
Isak tangisnya bergema hingga ke telinga Bai Suzhen di bawah pagoda. Dia merasa terhibur karena putranya tumbuh menjadi orang yang begitu baik dan berbakti.
He knelt before the pagoda, his top scholar's robes dusting the ground. "Mother! It is I, Mengjiao! I know the truth now! I am here to bring you home!" Inside the pagoda, Bai Suzhen heard his voice and wept with joy. The final battle for her freedom was about to begin.