Chapter 20: Eternal Peace
Bab 20: Kedamaian Abadi
The years that followed were the most peaceful of their lives. Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian lived quietly in their estate, surrounded by the love of their son and the constant companionship of Xiaoqing. They spent their days gardening, reading, and sharing stories with the people of Hangzhou.
Setelah runtuhnya pagoda, keluarga Xu Xian, Bai Suzhen, Xu Mengjiao, dan Xiaoqing kembali hidup bersama dengan bahagia. Kaisar mendengar kisah tentang bakti dan cinta yang besar itu, jadi dia mengeluarkan dekrit yang mengampuni Bai Suzhen dan menghormati mereka sebagai keluarga teladan.
Mengjiao continued his successful career in the imperial service, eventually becoming a wise and respected official. He used his influence to help the poor and ensure that justice was tempered with mercy, always remembering the lessons he had learned from his parents' story.
Bai Suzhen dan Xiaoqing meninggalkan jalan siluman dan mengabdikan diri pada kultivasi spiritual untuk mencapai pencerahan. Xu Xian dan Xu Mengjiao melayani sebagai pejabat yang jujur, memberi manfaat bagi rakyat.
Xiaoqing remained a part of the family, her presence a source of strength and laughter. She never lost her spirited nature, and she was always ready with a clever comment or a helping hand. She and Bai Suzhen often walked along the West Lake, remembering their time on Mount Emei and the journey that had brought them here.
Akhirnya, ketika hidup mereka berakhir, Bai Suzhen, Xiaoqing, Xu Xian, dan Xu Mengjiao naik ke surga, menjadi abadi yang bertugas melindungi umat manusia. Legenda cinta antara manusia dan ular putih, serta bakti sang putra, diwariskan dari generasi ke generasi, menjadi legenda abadi Danau Barat, mengajarkan orang untuk menghargai cinta, pengorbanan, dan bakti selamanya.
"We have seen much, haven't we, sister?" Xiaoqing remarked one evening as they watched the sunset over the lake.
"We have," Bai Suzhen replied, her eyes reflecting the golden light. "We have known great joy and great sorrow. But in the end, love was stronger than everything else. We found our place in this world, not as spirits or as mortals, but as a family."
The legend of the White Snake continued to grow, becoming one of the most beloved stories in Chinese culture. It was told in operas, songs, and books, inspiring countless generations with its message of devotion and sacrifice. The Leifeng Pagoda was eventually rebuilt, but it was no longer a place of imprisonment. It became a symbol of the enduring power of love, standing tall against the test of time.
As for Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian, they lived a long and happy life together. When their time finally came to leave the human world, it was said that they ascended to the heavens together, their souls united for eternity. Their story remains a testament to the fact that love, when pure and true, can transcend any boundary and overcome any obstacle. And every spring, when the willows weep over the West Lake and the peach blossoms scent the air, the people of Hangzhou remember the white snake and the young man who lent her an umbrella, and they smile at the thought of a love that never ends.