Chapter Eleven: Praying for Blessings

  The next day, the sky was unusually clear, and the warm winter sun shone gently on me, like a soft feather brushing against my skin, bringing a subtle warmth.

  The red plum blossoms in the Xiangfang Pavilion are in full bloom, defying the cold and adorning the simple and elegant snow.

  Lin Zhaoyan wore a set of clothes sent by Old Lady Lin, stepped on the clean brick floor that had been swept clean, and arrived at Rufu Hall.

  Lin Xingyan had arrived early, wearing the same clothes as Lin Zhao Yan, standing under the corridor of the west wing house and talking to Lin Ruo Yan.

  It was rare for Lin Ruoyan's face to be adorned with a faint smile, without any impatience.

  Lin Zhaoyan furrowed his brow, then composed himself and went into the main house to pay respects to Madame Liu.

  After finishing their early meal, the three families set off in a long procession towards Rongshou Hall.

  Several ladies and young girls were already waiting there.

  After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, they waited until everyone had arrived before Old Lady Lin instructed them to set off.

  Out of the vertical flower gate that connects the inner and outer courtyards, several luxurious horse-drawn carriages with green silk canopies were already waiting outside.

  The three sisters of Sanfang were separated in a horse-drawn carriage, and as soon as they sat down, Lin Xingyan, the most lively one, spoke up: "Grandma made the same clothes for all of us sisters this time, and when we go out, it's like we're twins."

  "Although the clothes are the same, different people wear them with different effects, where is it like twins?" Lin Ruoyan replied lightly, although she had a smile on her face, but her words showed disdain.

  She considers herself superior and is the least willing to be mentioned together with other sisters.

  Lin Xiang said one word and was interrupted.

  Lin Zhaoyan's lips curved into a smile instead.

  As long as her nature hasn't really changed, there will always be a way to dispel her thoughts.

  The lively atmosphere in the carriage disappeared, and it suddenly became quiet. From then on, there was no more conversation for the rest of the journey.

  The horse carriage had traveled for about half an hour before arriving at Lingyun Temple, located northwest of Shengjing.

  Lingyun Temple is surrounded by mountains on its west side, with towering trees and majestic temple buildings hidden among the floating clouds of the mountains, as if surrounded by an aura of immortals. Legend has it that **the emperor spent a huge sum of money to build it for the alchemy of the elixir of immortality**, which lasted for hundreds of years, and because of **the blessing of the gods**, it became a must-visit temple for aristocratic families to offer incense and worship.

  It's the 21st day since the prince passed away, and today many people came to offer incense. The stairs leading to the main hall of the temple are crowded with people.

  Lin Zhao Yan and the others got off the carriage, and several maidservants beside Madam Liu immediately surrounded Lin Ruo Yan, saying anxiously: "Fifth Young Miss, there are many people today. You must follow us closely, don't get lost."

  Lin Xing had also been accompanied by a maid sent by Wang's mother-in-law, who stood guard on either side of him.

  "Miss, you hold onto my hand." Man Shuang stretched out her pale small hand in front of Lin Zhao Yan's face, and said with pursed lips.

  Lin Zhaoyan smiled and nodded, pulling over Man Shuang's hand, and followed the main team to the Zhengdian Temple.

  In the depths of a secluded valley, wisteria vines entwined, and through the clouds and mist came wave after wave of heavy bell tolls, shaking people's souls.

  In about half a stick of incense time, the group arrived at the top of the mountain, and the majestic golden temple appeared before people's eyes.

  As soon as they entered the main hall, a strong scent of sandalwood wafted over them. The monks in blue robes were already there, and as they approached, they chanted: "Amitabha Buddha, Old Lady Lin is still so healthy and at peace. We've also heard about Sixth Young Mistress's affair. May Old Lady Lin be consoled and accept the change."

  Mrs. Lin also returned a courtesy, saying: "Thank you, Master Mingyi, for your concern. In these years, it's not like we've had the protection of the Lingyun Temple, and yet the Jian'an Marquis' estate has been so peaceful."

  "Old Lady Lin was being polite. The abbot knew you were coming and had already prepared everything. There are many people in the front hall, let's go to the back hall with me to make merits."

  This nun was a disciple of Yu Bo Tong, a famous mathematician of the previous dynasty, and often came and went among the high gates and large households of Shengjing.

  She is said to be proficient in the Eight Trigrams, Mysticism and Marvelous Principles, and has gained the respect of some prominent families. Old Lady Lin often invites her to come to the mansion to lecture on scriptures and calculate the eight trigrams.

  But in Lin Zhaoyan's impression, she was just a deceitful and cunning fortune teller who knew some Zhou Yi techniques, pretending to be mysterious and deceiving those wealthy women to make some money.

  However, it is said that her master was a highly accomplished monk who understood the past and present, knew astronomy, geography, and could calculate fortunes and physiognomy with unparalleled skill. He was thus favored by the previous emperor to serve as the imperial family's exclusive fortune teller, predicting future calamities and blessings.

  In just a few years, he was promoted to a high-ranking official due to his outstanding achievements. The previous emperor even bestowed upon him a luxurious mansion and a beautiful wife, making him the envy of all.

  However, prosperity must decline and things will inevitably reverse. Ten years ago, he miscalculated a divination in the struggle for the throne and offended the current Renxian Emperor, resulting in his family being destroyed and himself being executed by waist chopping.

  The once brilliant mathematician ultimately ended up with a tragic death, leaving no complete body behind, which is truly lamentable.

  Lin Zhaoyan couldn't help but think of his unknown ability, and he shuddered at the thought. It seemed that from now on, he had to be even more low-key, otherwise, if the royal family found out, his life would no longer be in his own hands.

  In a daze, she was suddenly pulled by the arm and subconsciously looked up to see Lin Ruoyan looking at her with an expression of discontent, "What are you thinking about? Let's go in!"

  Lin Zhaoyan immediately came back to his senses and followed the crowd into the rear hall.

  After the incense was finished, they added some more incense money and then put on a show of doing a Buddhist ritual. Lin Zhaoyan, who was drowsy, suddenly heard Mingyi Shitai say: "Later, there will be a high-ranking monk from Western Regions to lecture on the scriptures. If you are interested, you can go to the back house to wait."

  Mrs. Lin had always been infatuated with Buddhist scriptures, and upon hearing this, she gladly agreed. She then turned to the crowd and said, "Those who are not interested can leave first, Qiong'er will stay here."

  Lu heard this and quietly pushed Lin Jingming forward, hinting that she should seize the opportunity.

  Who knew that Lin Jinming was unwilling, she could tolerate everything, but had no interest in Buddhist scriptures. Heaven knows how much torture it was for her to be punished by copying Buddhist scriptures! To make her sit for several hours listening to those so-called high monks say things she couldn't understand was simply more unbearable than killing her!

  At this time, Lin Ruoyan stood up and said: "I'll stay behind to accompany my grandmother. I copied some Buddhist scriptures the other day, and I feel that they have profound mysteries. Reading them carefully, I gain endless benefits."

  Mrs. Lin nodded in satisfaction, while also casting a disappointed glance at Lin Jingming.

  Lin Jinming didn't go, and the other girls were afraid of offending Madame Hou, so they all shut up tightly.

  Liu also wanted to stay and keep him company, so the others went back first.

  After it was settled like this, Lin Ruoyan suddenly said: "Fourth sister, why don't you stay and keep me company? Otherwise, with just me, a young unmarried girl, it would be improper."

  Lin Zhaoyan didn't understand what she meant by that, but seeing her determined gaze, he could only nod and say: "Alright."

  Although she wasn't very interested in Buddhism, spending more time with Lin Ruoyan would never be a bad thing.

  Lingyun Temple is very large, after winding and turning for a long time, you finally arrive at the straight path of the backyard under the shade of green trees.

  Today there are many guests, even the rooms for noble guests to rest are almost full. It wasn't until they reached the deepest part of the secluded path that the group finally stopped.

  Ming Yishi opened the door and said to Lin Lao Tai Tai, "The adjacent wing is where Zhou Lao Tai Tai from Chengnan Bo's residence is resting with her family. If you're feeling bored while waiting, why not go chat with her?"

  Chengnan Bo Fu is a newly risen noble, a title bestowed by the previous emperor. Although it has only been passed down for two generations, he has a good reputation in Shengjing. Moreover, as the current Chengnan Bo controls the northwest border army, although he is not present in Shengjing, there are many people who come to visit and curry favor with him.

  The Jian'an Marquis Manor prides itself on being a century-old noble family, although it has never taken the initiative to form connections, but still wants to make some friends.

  Mrs. Lin ordered Cuiling to give a reward and politely said, "Thank you, Master Tai, for reminding me."

  As soon as she finished speaking, a crisp and pleasant sound like a silver bell came from the next room.

  "Come on, come on! At this time of year, the red plum blossoms behind Yunshan are all in bloom. Let's pick a few branches to take back and give to Mother!"

  Then the door creaked open and out came a lovely young girl of eleven or twelve years old.

  Her skin was as white as snow, translucent like porcelain. A pair of bright and agile eyes fluttered lightly, with long eyelashes covering her eyelids. Her face was shaped like a melon seed, with cherry lips. She wore a pale pink silk jacket with a hundred folds, looking like a lotus flower blooming in winter. The cloud-shaped hairpin on her low bun was adorned with golden ornaments, making her skin look even more tender and delicate, charmingly beautiful.

  "A girl should pay attention to her manners, what kind of image is she presenting by being so noisy?"

  A slightly older green-clothed girl followed her out, but with a cold face and an annoyed expression.

  The girl in pink then stuck out her tongue, pulled the hand of the girl in green and begged for mercy: "Okay okay, it was my fault, Third Sister, let's hurry to the back mountain!"

  The girl in blue clothes snorted and shook off his hand.

  "Jing'er, have you forgotten what your grandmother told you?" At this moment, a voice like the morning bell and evening drum sounded, and the green-clad girl called Jing'er immediately trembled.

  Then, a woman in her sixties walked out of the house, wearing a plain purple robe, with a hundred blessings patterned forehead sticker on her head, although her temples were white, but she was spirited and radiant.

  "Old Lady Zhou." Ming Yi Shifu was the first to speak up, attracting the attention of the people on that side.

  All the noble families have some connections with each other. Although Jian'an Marquis Manor and Chengnan Earl Manor are not close, they have met at several gatherings.

  Old Lady Zhou immediately narrowed her eyes, made a courtesy towards this side and said: "Greetings, Mistress Mingyi." Then she asked with feigned ignorance: "Is that not Old Lady Lin of the Jian'an Marquis's estate across from us?"

  Mrs. Lin took the opportunity to smile and step forward, saying: "That's right, today is the third seven of the Crown Prince and the Sixth Princess, specially came to offer incense and worship, coincidentally the Buddhist master from Xiyu came to lecture, so I brought a few daughters-in-law and granddaughters to stay behind."

  Old Lady Zhou also smiled and echoed, "Indeed it's a coincidence. I was worried that waiting for too long would be boring, so I kept two mischievous monkeys to accompany me. Who knew they couldn't sit still for even a moment? Now, they're making a fuss about going to the back mountain to see some red plum blossoms."

  Having said that, he smiled and said, "With Old Lady Lin here, I'll just go with them!"

  Mrs. Lin smiled and asked, "Are these the young ladies from your family? Just by looking at them, they seem to be exceptional talents, in comparison, mine are far inferior."

  "Not at all, I think the young lady from your family is a top-notch good one." Old Lady Zhou called out to the two girls behind her to come forward and pay their respects, while her gaze fell on the two girls in white clothes not far away, both with delicate and beautiful eyebrows and eyes, but in terms of temperament, one was majestic and domineering, and the other was overly quiet.

  "It's the two legitimate daughters of our family's Old Third." Madam Lin said, following Madam Zhou's line of sight, and beckoned to Lin Zhaoyan and Lin Ruoyan, "You two girls also come quickly to pay your respects."

  The two girls from the Chengnan Bo Mansion came first, curtsied and said: "Junior Jingyu (Wanyu) wishes Madam Lin a peaceful evening."

  Mrs. Lin repeatedly praised, as it was a temporary encounter, and nothing had been prepared as a gift, so she took off the silver leaf silk wrapped jade bangle on her hand and handed it to them, saying: "A small token, just to give you good luck."

  The two of them accepted it with courtesy and thanked in a sweet voice.

  Lin Zhaoyan and Lin Ruoyan stepped forward, bowed slightly, "Junior Zhaoyan (Ruoyan) pays respects to Old Lady Zhou, wishing Old Lady Zhou eternal peace."

  "They're all good kids." Old Lady Zhou smiled with her eyes, just about to instruct the maid behind her to send a gift for meeting, but on the other side, Zhou Jingyu, who was wearing a green dress, widened her eyes and exclaimed: "You are Lin Ruoyan of the third house of the Lin family?!"

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