《拉薩情書》

第二章、阿里山上的湯家
1
接近中午，一部重機車回到達邦村，渾厚的引擎聲驚動了村民。村民主動和湯懷民打招呼，懷民也揮手致意。機車停在湯家庭院裡，湯家三口人同樣聽到引擎聲，湯父德格‧羅桑和妹妹湯愛玉走出來。
懷民脫下全罩式安全帽，走進院子。
愛玉訝異地問：「哥，你怎麼突然跑回來？」
「回來跟爸媽商量一件事。」
「要回來也不先撥個電話說一聲。」湯父叨唸了一下，隨即問：「什麼事要跟我們商量？」
「爸，我想去趟西藏，在那裡待上一陣子。」
湯愛玉納悶地問：「哥，你哪根筋短路了？先前不是聽你說，要跟夢影姐一起去巴黎學美術？」
沒想到湯父羅桑，這時臉上表情瞬間沉重起來，長嘆說：「唉！你爺爺生前的預言，還是應驗了。」
湯愛玉越聽越迷糊，不解地問：「老爸，爺爺留下的什麼預言啊？」
羅桑說：「進屋裡說去，阿妹，妳去多炒兩三道菜。」
三人進到客廳裡，這時，電話響起，湯美蘭接起話筒：「雅雲啊！懷民剛到家，妳們待會兒要來山上，歡迎啊！咱們姐妹倆大半年沒見面了。」
「瞧！準岳母的電話，立馬追蹤來。」愛玉一臉調皮地說著，然後轉身進去廚房。
湯父和懷民在長桌前坐下。
湯美蘭靠過來說：「聽雅雲電話裡的語氣，懷民和夢影似乎發生了什麼事。」
羅桑探問：「你跟夢影，吵架了？」
懷民點頭，接著說：「她不能諒解我，突然改變決定。」
湯美蘭不解地問：「什麼決定啊？懷民。」
懷民說：「我要去西藏，待上一陣子。」
這時，湯美蘭心頭一凜，望著羅桑。兩人四目相對，出現短暫的沉默。
羅桑打破沉默說：「該來的，總得去面對！」
湯美蘭好奇地問：「懷民，你最近遇到誰？」
懷民說：「昨天我在湖邊幫遊客作畫，有個老喇嘛在我攤位前停下來，跟我說了一些話。」
羅桑接著問：「那喇嘛對你說了些什麼？」
懷民把昨天和那喇嘛的對話一五一十說了，羅桑和美蘭再次四眼對望。
羅桑說：「唉！你爺爺臨終前交代我們，如果有喇嘛點化你，要你回去西藏長住，要我們不能阻攔你。」
湯美蘭說：「可是老公，剛聽兒子說，他這趟回去，會遇到那個什麼公主的，然後會跟那女孩在一起，那我們怎麼跟雅雲交代啊？」
羅桑想了一下說：「這的確是個難題！我是藏族後人，大半生研究西藏佛學和宗教哲學，藏族人深信輪迴轉世，達賴和班禪這些重要的宗教領袖，一直都是以轉世方式延續，我想那個喇嘛應該是從懷民身上看到什麼，才會說出他是松贊干布轉世。懷民，你自己的想法呢？」
「爸，我想回去西藏，但理由不完全是想要證實喇嘛所言的真假，西藏是我們共同的根源，我卻從來沒在西藏故鄉生活過。」湯懷民說出自己的想法，他說得合情合理，羅桑完全能接受。
羅桑說：「西藏故鄉，我也只跟你爺爺回去過一趟，你的想法我能理解。」
湯美蘭憂心地說：「孩子的爸，如果那喇嘛所言屬實，夢影肯定是無法接受。」
羅桑冷靜分析說：「的確如此，但我們不妨反向思考一下，如果事後證實那喇嘛的預言有誤，懷民還是會回來台灣，跟夢影在一起。」
湯美蘭緊張兮兮地問：「懷民，你跟那什麼公主的姻緣，這部分有對夢影說嗎？」
懷民搖頭說：「我只提到要回去西藏，夢影就氣呼呼地跟我吵架，後面那部分我根本還沒機會提到。」
羅桑鬆了一口氣說：「那還好！我們就先拿回去西藏這部分，試著取得雅雲和夢影的諒解。」
湯美蘭憂心說：「看來也只能這樣！如果夢影死心眼，執意要跟懷民一起去西藏，咱們也說不出理由反對了。」
羅桑說：「咱們就謹慎應對。兒子從日月潭回來，肚子也餓了，先用餐吧！」

2
趙雅雲和唐夢影母女，出現在湯家客廳裡。湯家人都在場，湯懷民望著唐夢影哀怨的表情，不免有些心虛。
湯愛玉端出愛玉凍，美蘭熱情招呼雅雲母女：「雅雲、夢影，吃些愛玉凍解渴。」
愛玉勺了兩碗愛玉凍，遞給這對母女。
趙雅雲喝了兩口，停下動作說：「懷民一早離開日月潭，聽夢影說是懷民遇到一個遊方喇嘛，那喇嘛跟懷民說了些話，讓懷民突然改變主意，說要回去西藏一陣子，不陪夢影去巴黎留學。」
湯美蘭謹慎地應對說：「好妹妹，這事我和羅桑剛才跟懷民問過了，他說並不完全是那喇嘛對他說了些什麼，而是他一直想回去西藏故鄉看看。」
「雅雲，我父親臨終前的確有遺言交代，說懷民如果想回去西藏故鄉看看，要我們一定得讓他回去。」羅桑也幫著證實，確有此事。
趙雅雲說：「可事出突然，讓夢影不免胡思亂想，以為懷民要撇下她。而且，即使要去西藏，也不必急在此時，等他們倆從巴黎留學回來，再一起去西藏啊！」
雅雲說得合情合理，美蘭和羅桑夫妻轉而望著懷民，要他自己說明。。
懷民會意，表情誠懇地說：「嬸嬸，我回去西藏不是旅遊，是想學些東西，比方那裡的佛教壁畫和美術。」
趙雅雲感覺懷民已有非去不可的定見，想了一下說：「要不然，你和夢影乾脆先把婚事給結了，讓夢影陪妳一道去西藏，生活上彼此也有個照應。ㄚ頭，媽幫妳出這主意，妳同意吧？」
唐夢影原本深鎖的眉頭，總算綻開一絲笑容：「我當然同意啊！」
湯懷民沒想到嬸嬸會出招趁機逼婚，心裡一時慌了，表情尷尬地抓著額頭。湯家兩老看在眼裡，四目相望跟著乾著急。
羅桑連忙緩頰說：「雅雲，妳對懷民的信賴和關愛之情，我們夫妻真的一直放在心上，但是懷民和夢影都沒去過西藏，我擔心夢影不能適應那裡的高原氣候和生活條件。」
趙雅雲心想著羅桑所顧慮的，望著夢影說：「夢影，羅桑伯父說的也有道理，妳要不要冷靜想清楚？如果妳決定要跟著懷民一起去西藏，那麼在那裡吃苦受罪，妳就得忍受，不能拖累懷民喔！」
唐夢影想了一下說：「不然，我們回去跟爸商量一下。」
湯美蘭陪笑臉說：「茲事體大，是該跟妹夫商量過。」

3
當晚，湯愛玉陪著唐夢影，在村子裡庫巴(註1)旁的表演場散步。
「愛玉，妳知道妳哥為什麼突然執意要去西藏嗎？」
「這我也不清楚，我爺爺臨終前曾經交代，要我哥回去故鄉，所以這回我哥提出要回故鄉去，我爸媽都同意。」愛玉僅就她所知道的回答。
「妳哥昨天在日夜潭湖邊遇見一位來自對岸的遊方喇嘛，那喇嘛跟他說是什麼藏王松贊干布轉世，要他回去西藏。」
「這事我也是剛才聽嬸嬸和我爸媽說起，詳細內容我真的不是很清楚。不過，影姐妳擔憂的心情我能理解。」
「其實，我想跟著妳哥一起去西藏，我不怕在那裡吃苦受罪，但是我爸的飯店業務我不能放著不管，看他一個人勞累。所以，剛才我媽問我時，我才會說先跟爸商量過，我知道爸不會同意我跟去西藏，畢竟我弟剛上大學，飯店的事他插不上手，我爸需要我幫他經營管理。」夢影徐徐說出她的顧慮。
「我們家裡情況跟妳們差不多，咖啡園和茶園的工作，日常的家務樣樣我都得分擔，原本因為我哥留在日月潭擺畫攤存錢，計畫跟妳一起去巴黎學美術，我只能咬牙硬撐下去，現在他說要去西藏，路途遙遠，往後農忙時更不可能回家來幫忙，我的負擔只會更加沉重。」湯愛玉也說出自己的感想。
「我們兩家人從以前就住在一起，妳知道我對妳哥的感情，我一直相信將來我會是他的妻子。」夢影感性地說著心裡話，表情有著些許淒涼。
「影姐，妳對我哥的感情，我非常清楚，可是連我爸媽都同意讓他回去西藏，妳就把這當成是妳跟我哥之間必須共同面對的考題。古人說過：兩情若是久長時，又豈在朝朝暮暮。往好的方面去想，挨過了這一關，妳們兩人以後就能常相廝守了。」善解人意的湯愛玉，知道這時的唐夢影需要精神上的鼓舞和支持。
「謝謝妳，愛玉，妳很能安慰人。」夢影說著，眼角泛起淚光。

4
聽完老婆的說詞，唐雲飛沉默了半晌說：「ㄚ頭，妳這時候嫁到湯家，還得跟懷民去到西藏吃苦受罪，我寧可妳繼續留在家裡，幫忙我管理打點飯店。」
「喂！唐先生，妳講話能不能中聽些？為了女兒的幸福，我寧可她現在就跟懷民結婚，小倆口一起去西藏。夢影就是捨不得留下你，一個人操持飯店裡外業務，當時才會主動說，要回來跟你商量。」趙雅雲替女兒抱屈，說出在湯家討論時的經過。
唐雲飛聽了，原本冷淡的表情逐漸柔軟，變得慈祥和藹。
「緊要關頭，妳還能替老爸設想，總算沒白疼妳。」唐雲飛走過來摟住夢影。
趙雅雲問：「你知道女兒心裡憂愁什麼嗎？老爸。」
「這我當然知道，夢影擔心遠隔兩地，和懷民的感情生變，而且懷民這趟去西藏，不是幾個月就會回來。」
「你總算有些良心，能體會女兒的心情。」趙雅雲稍感安慰。
「該是你的，怎麼趕他都不會跑走；不該你的，怎麼強求他都不會為你留下。ㄚ頭，妳願意留著等他回來，老爸支持你；如果妳想自己去巴黎念書，老爸就算辛苦些，也會同意妳去，但我不想妳跟著他去到窮鄉僻壤，在那裡吃苦受罪。」
「爸…」夢影知道老爸的脾氣，只要他感覺受到充分尊重，就會展現開明的作風。
「懷民這孩子啊！就是性情太浪漫，你們搞藝術的好像都一個樣的不食人間煙火、不知現實生活的壓力。其實，坦白說懷民根本不是塊經商的料子，他不像ㄚ頭妳能在商場上跟人交際應酬，有能力經營飯店，我寧可妳找個學商的對象，比方我底下業務部的林俊良…」唐雲飛頗有感觸，竟然就發起議論，但夢影沒等他把話說完。
夢影不想父親如此不客觀地批評懷民，急著打岔說：「爸，你這樣說，對懷民很不公平，他一直是農家子弟，不懂得經營飯店是因為他從來沒機會接觸，並不能斷言他就沒有生意頭腦，他自創品牌搞網路行銷，把他家的咖啡和高山茶經營得有聲有色，他這些表現，我們不都全看在眼裡了？你覺得我能跟人交際應酬，有能力幫你經營，是因為我跟在你身邊，每天耳濡目染。以前咱們家還在阿里山上時，我不也就只知道如何採茶製茶，烘培咖啡豆而已？」
「ㄚ頭說得沒錯啊！雲飛，你剛才的那段議論，我同樣感覺有失厚道。一直以來，湯家跟我們就像一家人，十幾年前你來這裡買地蓋大飯店，現金不足想賣掉製茶工廠和咖啡園，要不是我的好姐姐美蘭頂下來，還出面跟銀行擔保，借錢出來給你應急，你哪會有今天？做人啊！要懂得飲水思源，記得人家對我們的好。」趙雅雲覺得老公講話不中聽，心裡不悅，趁機訓了雲飛。
唐雲飛苦笑說：「妳們還真是母女連心啊！這些年我飯店需要的茶葉、咖啡，可一直都跟湯家批貨，怎麼就說我做人不厚道，不懂得飲水思源？真是冤枉人！」

Chapter Two – The Tang Family of Alishan
1
Near noon, the roar of a motorcycle echoed through Dabang Village, drawing the villagers’ attention. Seeing Huai-min, they waved in greeting, and he waved back.
He parked in the courtyard of his family home. Hearing the engine, his father, Degé Losang, and his younger sister, Tang Ai-yu, came outside.
Removing his helmet, Huai-min walked toward them.
“Brother, why are you back so suddenly?” Ai-yu asked in surprise.
“I came to talk to Mom and Dad about something.”
“You could’ve at least called first,” his father muttered, then asked, “What is it you want to discuss?”
“Dad, I want to go to Tibet—for a while.”
Ai-yu blinked in disbelief.
“Have you lost your mind? Didn’t you say you were going to Paris with Sister Meng-ying to study art?”
At that moment, their father’s expression darkened. He let out a long sigh.
“So… your grandfather’s prophecy has come true after all.”
Ai-yu stared at him, confused.
“What prophecy, Dad?”
“Let’s talk inside,” he said. “Ai-yu, go prepare a few more dishes.”
They went into the living room. Just then, the phone rang. Tang Mei-lan answered.
“Ya-yun? Huai-min just got home. You’re coming up the mountain later? That’s wonderful—we haven’t seen each other in ages.”
“Well, look at that,” Ai-yu joked. “Future mother-in-law is already on the move.”
She headed into the kitchen.
Seated at the long table, Mei-lan turned to Huai-min.
“From the sound of her voice, something must’ve happened between you and Meng-ying.”
“Did you two argue?” Losang asked.
Huai-min nodded.
“She can’t accept that I suddenly changed my decision.”
“Changed what decision?” Mei-lan asked.
“I want to go to Tibet—for a while.”
A flicker of tension passed between Mei-lan and Losang as their eyes met.
“At last, what was meant to come has come,” Losang said quietly.
Mei-lan asked, “Who did you meet recently?”
“Yesterday, while I was painting by the lake, a lama stopped by and spoke to me.”
“What did he say?” Losang asked.
Huai-min recounted the entire encounter. When he finished, his parents exchanged another heavy glance.
Losang sighed.
“Before your grandfather passed away, he told us that if a lama ever came to awaken you and told you to return to Tibet, we must not stop you.”
Mei-lan looked troubled.
“But if what the lama said is true—that he’ll meet some princess and be with her—how are we supposed to explain that to Ya-yun?”
Losang paused before replying.
“I’ve spent most of my life studying Tibetan Buddhism and philosophy. Tibetans deeply believe in reincarnation. The Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama themselves are recognized through reincarnation. That lama must have seen something in Huai-min to say he is the rebirth of Songtsen Gampo. But what do you think, son?”
“I want to go to Tibet,” Huai-min replied calmly. “Not just to verify what the lama said, but because Tibet is our ancestral homeland. I’ve never truly lived there.”
Losang nodded slowly.
“I understand. I only went back once with your grandfather.”
Mei-lan said anxiously,
“But if the lama is right, Meng-ying will never accept it.”
“That’s true,” Losang said. “But think of it this way—if the prophecy turns out to be false, Huai-min will return to Taiwan and be with her again.”
Mei-lan asked nervously,
“Did you tell Meng-ying about the princess?”
Huai-min shook his head.
“I barely mentioned going to Tibet before she got angry. I didn’t even get the chance to tell her the rest.”
Losang exhaled in relief.
“That’s good. For now, let’s focus on getting her to understand the trip to Tibet.”
Mei-lan sighed.
“I suppose that’s all we can do. But if Meng-ying insists on going with him, we won’t have any grounds to stop her.”
“We’ll take things one step at a time,” Losang said calmly.
“You’ve just come back from Sun Moon Lake. You must be hungry. Let’s eat first.”
2
Zhao Ya-yun and her daughter, Tang Meng-ying, appeared in the Tang family’s living room. Everyone in the Tang household was present. When Tang Huai-min saw the sorrowful expression on Meng-ying’s face, a pang of guilt rose within him.
Tang Ai-yu brought out bowls of aiyu jelly, while Mei-lan warmly greeted their guests.
“Ya-yun, Meng-ying, have some aiyu jelly—it’s refreshing.”
Ai-yu handed a bowl to each of them.
After taking a few spoonfuls, Zhao Ya-yun paused and said,
“Huai-min left Sun Moon Lake early this morning. Meng-ying told me he met a wandering lama who said something to him—something that made him suddenly decide to return to Tibet for a while instead of going to Paris with her.”
Mei-lan responded carefully,
“My dear sister, Losang and I already asked Huai-min about this. He said it wasn’t only because of what the lama said—he’s always wanted to return to his ancestral homeland in Tibet.”
Losang added,
“Before my father passed away, he did leave instructions. He said that if Huai-min ever wished to return to Tibet, we must not stop him.”
“But this all happened so suddenly,” Zhao Ya-yun replied. “It’s only natural that Meng-ying feels unsettled. And even if he wants to go to Tibet, there’s no need to rush. Why not wait until after they return from studying in Paris and then go together?”
Her reasoning was sound. Mei-lan and Losang turned to Huai-min, waiting for him to speak.
Understanding their gaze, Huai-min spoke sincerely.
“Auntie, I don’t want to go to Tibet as a tourist. I want to learn—about Buddhist murals, about art.”
Zhao Ya-yun sensed his determination and thought for a moment before saying,
“Then why don’t you and Meng-ying get married first? She can go with you to Tibet, and you can take care of each other. What do you think, sweetheart?”
Meng-ying’s tightly knit brows finally relaxed into a faint smile.
“Of course I agree.”
Huai-min never expected such a sudden proposal. He froze, awkwardly scratching his forehead. The elderly couple exchanged uneasy glances.
Losang quickly intervened,
“Ya-yun, we truly appreciate your trust and affection for Huai-min. But neither of them has ever been to Tibet. I’m worried that Meng-ying may not be able to adapt to the high altitude or the living conditions.”
Zhao Ya-yun considered this and turned to her daughter.
“Meng-ying, what your Uncle says makes sense. You should think carefully. If you really decide to go with Huai-min, you must be prepared to endure hardship and not burden him.”
After a moment’s thought, Meng-ying replied,
“Then perhaps we should go home and discuss it with Dad.”
Mei-lan smiled politely.
“That would be best. It’s a major decision—you should talk it over with him.”
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3
That evening, Tang Ai-yu accompanied Tang Meng-ying on a walk near the performance grounds by the Kuba (Note 1) in the village.
“Ai-yu, do you know why your brother suddenly insists on going to Tibet?” Meng-ying asked.
“I’m not really sure,” Ai-yu replied. “Before my grandfather passed away, he did tell my brother to return to our homeland someday. So when he brought it up this time, my parents agreed.”
“Yesterday, your brother met a wandering lama from across the strait at Sun Moon Lake. That lama said he was the reincarnation of King Songtsen Gampo and told him to return to Tibet.”
“I only heard about that from my parents earlier,” Ai-yu said. “I don’t know the details either. But I understand how worried you must feel.”
“I actually want to go with him to Tibet,” Meng-ying admitted softly. “I’m not afraid of hardship. But I can’t abandon my father and the hotel business. He’s already overwhelmed, and my younger brother just started college. There’s no one else to help him manage things.”
“Our situation is similar,” Ai-yu sighed. “I help with the coffee and tea plantations, and with household chores. Originally, my brother planned to stay in Sun Moon Lake to save money so he could go to Paris with you. I was barely holding things together. Now that he’s going to Tibet, it’ll be even harder during harvest season.”
“Our families have lived together for generations,” Meng-ying said quietly. “You know how I feel about your brother. I always believed I would one day become his wife.”
Ai-yu looked at her with compassion.
“I know how much you love him. Even my parents agreed to let him go back to Tibet. Try to think of this as a test the two of you must face together. As the saying goes: If two hearts truly belong together, distance cannot keep them apart. Once you get through this, you’ll be able to stay together for good.”
“Thank you, Ai-yu,” Meng-ying said softly, tears glistening in her eyes.
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4
After listening to his wife, Tang Yun-fei fell silent for a long moment before speaking.
“Sweetheart, if you marry into the Tang family now and have to follow Huai-min to Tibet to suffer hardship, I’d rather you stay home and help me manage the hotel.”
“Hey, Mr. Tang,” Zhao Ya-yun snapped, “could you be a little more considerate? For our daughter’s happiness, I’d rather she marry Huai-min and go to Tibet with him. She only hesitated because she couldn’t bear to leave you alone running the business.”
Hearing this, Tang Yun-fei’s stern expression softened.
“At least you still think of your old man,” he said gently, pulling Meng-ying into his arms.
“You know what worries your daughter most, don’t you?” Zhao Ya-yun asked.
“Of course,” he replied. “She’s afraid that distance will change their relationship, and that Huai-min won’t be back anytime soon.”
“Well, at least you understand her,” Zhao Ya-yun said, somewhat relieved.
“If he’s meant to be yours, he won’t leave no matter what. If he’s not, no amount of forcing will make him stay,” Tang Yun-fei said calmly. “If you want to wait for him, I’ll support you. If you want to go to Paris, I’ll work harder to make it happen. But I don’t want you following him to some remote place to suffer.”
“Dad…” Meng-ying murmured, knowing his temperament—once he felt respected, he became surprisingly open-minded.
“That boy Huai-min is too romantic,” Tang Yun-fei continued. “You artists are all like that—dreamy, detached from reality. Frankly, he’s not cut out for business. Unlike you, who can handle social dealings and manage the hotel. I’d rather you marry someone with a business background—like Lin Jun-liang from my operations department—”
“Dad!” Meng-ying interrupted sharply. “That’s not fair. Huai-min didn’t grow up in business, so of course he lacks experience. But he built his own brand and marketed his family’s coffee and high-mountain tea online—successfully, I might add. We’ve all seen that. As for me, I learned business because I grew up watching you. Back when we lived in Alishan, all I knew was how to pick tea leaves and roast coffee beans.”
“You’re right,” Zhao Ya-yun added firmly. “What you just said wasn’t fair at all. The Tang family has always treated us like family. When you first came here years ago to build your hotel and ran short of funds, it was my sister Mei-lan who bought the tea factory and coffee plantation and even guaranteed your bank loan. Without her help, you wouldn’t be where you are today. One must remember kindness.”
Tang Yun-fei gave a wry smile.
“You two really gang up on me. I’ve always bought our tea and coffee from the Tang family—how can you say I lack gratitude?”