Chapter 19: The Pagoda Collapses
Chương 19: Tháp đổ
The collapse of the Leifeng Pagoda was a sign to Xu Xian, who was still living in the distant monastery. He felt a sudden, profound change in the air and knew that his wife had been freed. He immediately set out for Hangzhou, his old legs finding a new strength.
Hứa Mộng Giao quỳ gối cầu xin trời phật trước tháp Lôi Phong, trong khi Tiểu Thanh dùng phép thuật tấn công tòa tháp. Lòng hiếu thảo của con trai và sự quyết tâm của người em gái khiến trời xanh không thể làm ngơ.
When he arrived at the shores of the West Lake, he saw the ruins of the tower and the crowd gathered around the three figures. He pushed through the people, his eyes searching for the one face he had never forgotten.
Đột nhiên, bầu trời tối sầm, sấm sét đánh mạnh xuống đỉnh tháp. Mặt đất rung chuyển. Tương truyền rằng Long Thần của Tây Hồ đã hút cạn nước hồ, đúng như lời nguyền Pháp Hải từng nói.
"Suzhen?" he called out, his voice weak but full of hope.
"Ầm ầm ầm!" Một tiếng nổ lớn vang lên, tháp Lôi Phong bắt đầu nứt toác và sụp đổ thành đống gạch vụn.
Bai Suzhen turned and saw her husband. He was older now, his hair gray and his face lined with age, but to her, he was still the kind young man who had lent her an umbrella in the rain.
Giữa bụi mù mịt, dáng hình một người phụ nữ xinh đẹp trong bộ y phục trắng từ từ hiện ra. Bạch Tố Trinh đã được tự do!
"Xu Xian!" she cried, running to him. They met in the middle of the crowd, their embrace a testament to a love that had survived twenty years of separation and suffering.
"Mẹ!" Hứa Mộng Giao chạy đến ôm chầm lấy mẹ trong niềm vui sướng.
"I never stopped praying for you," Xu Xian whispered into her hair.
"Tỷ tỷ!" Tiểu Thanh lao đến ôm lấy chị gái trong nước mắt.
"And I never stopped loving you," she replied.
"Tướng công..." Bạch Tố Trinh nhìn về phía Hứa Tiên đang đứng đợi.
Mengjiao and Xiaoqing stood by, watching the reunion with tears in their eyes. The family was finally complete. The top scholar, the devoted husband, the powerful sister, and the legendary spirit—they stood together as a symbol of hope and perseverance.
Gia đình chia ly hơn 20 năm cuối cùng đã được đoàn tụ, trong niềm hân hoan tột độ của mọi người.
The Emperor, hearing of the successful reunion, granted the family a special estate in Hangzhou, where they could live in peace. He also declared that the story of their love should be recorded and shared with future generations, so that all might know the power of devotion and forgiveness. The tragedy of the past was finally replaced by the promise of a peaceful future. The white snake was no longer a prisoner, and the mortal was no longer alone. Their story had become a part of the very fabric of Hangzhou, as enduring as the willows of the West Lake.