Chapter 36
“What kind of world is outside the giant wall?” The girl looked curiously at Dudian: “Is there an endless sea and vast forests as bards tell in their stories?”
Dudian turned back to the pavilion, looked for a chair and sat down: “I have just been appointed as ascavenger and have not been outside the giant wall. But there are seas and forests, that’s for sure.”
“How do you know?” Jenny followed him to the pavilion, sitting on the chair opposite the tea table: “Did not you say you have not been outside the giant wall?”
Dudian mind suddenly thought of the earth. He have seen the blue sea and forests. and many beautiful sceneries. His heart was saddened and he murmured: “Of course, I have seen”.
“Have you seen?” Jenny was surprised.
Dudian recoiled the past as he rephrased: “It is in the poet’s poem to see. But I believe that those places certainly exist… Otherwise, how the bards would know about them? ”
“Do you think so?” Jenny was surprised: “I think so too but my father always said that those are made up by bards. In reality they do not exist. Even if there is something like that we would never step outside the giant wall. He said it is very dangerous outside, is that so?”
Dudian thought to himself. Most problably your father was afraid that you are too curious and would secretly ran to the outside of the giant wall to peep at the scene. He said: “The danger does exist.”
“Is it really dangerous?” There was a trace of disappointed in Jenny’s eyes.
Dudian saw her sad eyes, suddenly felt himself as if killed off a good hope. He couldn’t bear to break her heart so he continued: “However, although there is danger but it does not mean that there are no seas and forests. I believe, one day, the danger outside the giant wall will disappear and we will be able to go out and see the mountains and the sea and everything…”
Jenny ‘s eyes lit up: “Really?
“Really!” Dudian replied in a serious tone.
Jenny’s face smiled and said: “I think so too. I had told my father about it before but he told me to give up the idea. He said that the outside of the giant wall is an unknown place. In addition, he said that only special personnel such as you can go outside the wall, other people are prohibited from going out. ”
Dudian smiled but did not say anything.
“I really want to go outside the giant wall!” Jenny face full of longing. Suddenly, she thought of something looked at Dudian: “Since the giant wall so dangerous, why do scavengers go outside? ”
Dudian thought that she should be aware of it. Moreover nobles were much clearer on issue rather than him. However, as the girl’s age was young. Apparently she was not involved in these aristocratic politics: “I don’t know the reason. Perhaps like you, I just want to go outside to see.”
Jennifer looked at him with a trace of admiration: “You are so powerful. Obviously we are same age but you are more brave than I am.”
“Because I’m a boy.” Dudian smiled.
Jenny’s face turned red. She secretly looked up to Dudian. She saw that he didn’t notice her embarrassed appearance, and her heart was relieved. But her heartbeat was slightly accelerated. How can I and a boy be in a garden alone? If father knew… no! no!… He can’t learn about it.
She was going to bid farewell to Dudian and leave.
“Do not misunderstand. I do not discriminate against women. In our training camp there were many girls. But I think you should still listen to your father’s advice. Outside the giant wall is indeed very dangerous. You just have to wait until those dangers are swept out. Sooner or later you will be able to see the outside world. I believe that it won’t take long for that day to come over!”
By the faint moonlight, Jenny looked at the boy’s serious and confident look. She could not help but startled for a moment. She subconsciously asked: “Really?
“Uh-huh!” Dudian nodded affirmatively.
Jenny heard his words. It seems as if she was infected by them: “I believe you!”
Dudian smiled and said: “I believe in myself.”
Jenny giggle. “~puchi~”. Her previous intention to leave has long been missing.: “You know, my dream is to become a” magistrate “. Although the officials can not go outside the giant wall, but at least can judge all the bad inside the giant wall. I believe that there are no bad people in the world and if we work together we will soon be able to remove the danger outside the giant wall.”
Dudian smiled and said: “Are you studying law?
“Of course.” Jenny grinned as a proud expression appeared on her face.
Dudian laughed: “I study law too.”
Jenny said with surprise: “Have you also learned the law?
“Self-learning,” Dudian added.
“You want to be a magistrate?”
“Well, my goal is as great as yours!”
“Great?” “Yes, our goals are great!”
“how old are you?”
“Just turned eleven.”
“I’m almost twelve.”
The darkness gradually deepened. The more they talked the more they were unaware of how the time flew. They talked about lots of things, from their hobbies to their ages. As well as their views on things. They had way too much in common, as if they had found long lost friends.
“One without ears, one without tail, giggle …” Jenny clutched her stomach because of laughind hard. She completely forgot to pay attention to the image of noble lady that she had to kept: “What a strange son. So strange lyrics… It’s fun thou… ”
Dudian said: “It is a children’s song.”
Jenny smiled as she thought how could there be such a strange children’s songs.
Dudian just wanted to say a few more children’s songs, suddenly he felt a mosquite bite his wrist. He shot with his backhand to kill it. The suddent sound woke up them from the sweet chat. They looked back at the direction of the banquet hall.
Jenny also reacted. She felt bad: “I have to go back. If my father can not find me he will be very angry.”
Dudian was also planning to go back: “Then you go first. I will wait a while. Let’s not be caught together”
Jenny’s face turned red. She ran outside the pavilion, suddenly though of something and turned back: “You just said you also heard a lot of nice poetry. I also like poetry. Can you tell me one?”
Dudian was surprised for a moment. She was not sheltered under the pavilion. The moon rays were reflected on her cheek. This moment, she was as beautiful as unreal fairy. His heart was throbbing subconsciously. He knew a lot of Tang poetry which was classified as Eastern classical poetry. It was totally different from this era’s poetry genre.
Suddenly, he thought of the modern poetry which her sister often read:
How do I let you meet me,
At my most beautiful moment.
For this,
I beseeched the God for five hundred years,
I asked Him to let us meet in earthly life.
God let me become a tree,
Grown on the roadside that you pass by every day.
Dudian remembered that this poem was called “A Tree in Blossom”. He had changed the word “Buddha” to “God” while reciting. After all, the faith of the world is dictated by the Holy Church and there is no Buddhism.
Jenny was stunned as she listened to Dudian quietly recite the verse. After a while she turned around and fled along the trail to disappear in the darkness.