Chapter 16: The Draft is Near, Re-encountering Yunyun Temple

  In the 42nd year of Kangxi, Lin Ziqian participated in the Spring Imperial Examination at the age of 14 and became the youngest Exploratory Flower in history! For a time, the beautiful talk of "one door and two exploratory flowers" in Lin's house spread throughout the imperial court and was praised by the whole city of Beijing.

  Niǔ gǒu lù yù yǎ, yì zhí yǐ wéi zì jǐ shì chuān yuè dào lì shǐ shàng de qīng cháo. Rán hòu, huì zài kāng xī sì shí sān nián de shí hou, yǐ gē gē de shēn fèn jìn sì sì de hòu yuàn, shùn lì de shēng xià qián lóng huáng dì hóng lì, děng hóng lì dēng jī hòu, jiù róng shēng wèi gāo gāo zài shàng de huáng tài hòu!

  After crossing over, she was busy buying land, opening a shop, making money, and then busy with beauty treatments, learning new skills, preparing to make herself the 'number one beauty' and 'number one talent' in the capital, so that Si Si would dote on her alone!

  Isn't it always like this? When the Fourth Master encounters Qingchuannü, he will dote on one person and ignore everyone else in the backyard! What about Nalashi, Xiaoye'gao, Li Shi, they are all just fleeting clouds!

  What's going on with Lin Fu and Lin Ziqian now????

  Niǔ gǒu lù yù yǎ wén yán zhèn jīng le, mǎ shàng pài tiē shēn de yīng rú liǔ ér, ràng tā de gē gē chū fǔ qù dǎ ting qīng chǔ!

  Translation:

  Niugou was shocked by the words and immediately sent her personal maid, Liu'er, to let her brother go out and investigate clearly.

  After reading the materials, Niǔ Gǒu Yuèyǎ was completely stunned!

  How can there still be Lin Ruhai and Rongguo Mansion????

  Is it possible that "The Dream of Red Mansions" is actually a time-travel story?

  Fine! So be it, why didn't Lin Ruhai die? What's going on with Mrs. Lin? What about Lin Ziqian, Lin Qingyu, and the triplets of the Lin family?

  Is Lin Ruhai or is this Mrs. Lin also a thief? So, has my poem been known to be stolen by someone?

  The jade-like beauty is so charming that it's hard to sit or lie down, and I've lost my appetite for tea and rice! Alright! Although the main characters of the poem are all here, but I was the first one to write it out, and everyone in the capital city knows about it now. So even if they know, I'm not afraid, after all, there's no evidence, right?

  After being entangled for a few days, Niuluo thought: whether it's Lin Ruhai or Mrs. Lin, they are already married and definitely can't compete with me for the position of fourth place, which has no impact on me. Who knows, maybe in the future, after revealing my identity, I'll still be a helpful force. Thus, he cast aside his distractions and devoted himself wholeheartedly to learning the piano!

  After Lin Ziqian won the title of Tanhuarang, Chen Lanxi began to arrange a marriage for her son. She gathered all the famous ladies in Beijing and eliminated them one by one, finally choosing Jiang Ruzhang from a family of scholars. His father, Jiang Changzhi, and his uncle, Jiang Qishan, were both well-known calligraphers in Gaodong.

  Her poem on the wall: "Clear spring water flows over the stone, and the wind blows through the pine trees. The frost is thin, and the leaves are suddenly red. The winding road leads to the village, knowing near and far, a bamboo stick in the midst of ten thousand mountains."

  Chen Lanqi chose her because she hoped that she and her son would have common interests, and they could live in harmony and love each other till old age.

  On a windy and sunny auspicious day, Lin Ziqian wore a wedding dress, riding a high-headed red horse, to welcome his new bride! As expected, he did not disappoint Chen Lanzhi's expectations, and after marriage, the couple lived in harmony, with their cases and zithers in tune.

  The long winter has quietly passed, the frost and snow have melted away, spring is in full bloom, new grasses are born, and before one's eyes it is already time for the selection of beauties.

  Chen Lanqi looked at Lin Qingyu, who had grown into a slender and elegant young girl except for the remaining baby fat on her face, with a joyful expression of "my daughter has finally grown up"!

  However, thinking that my own daughter will be married off to someone else in June, I feel a mix of joy and reluctance. I decide to bring Qian'er to Xi Yun Temple to burn incense and draw a divination slip to pray for peace!

  It's rare for Lin to go out of the mansion, and she was excitedly looking through the window screen of the carriage at the bustling scene outside. There were clothes, hats, fans, lanterns, potted flowers, fresh fish, pork, mutton, pastries, honeyed fruits, seasonal fruits, everything you could think of.

  There are also stalls of sugar blowers surrounded by a group of children, holding sugar gourds and shouting for sale, carrying poles on their shoulders and shouting for sale along the streets.

  People coming and going, very lively!

  Lin Qingyu held a cup and saucer, took a sip of tea, and slowly ate a piece of fruit cake.

  It turns out that this cake was bought from Niū Cuì Yǎ's 'Really Delicious' snack shop! To be honest, the taste is really good! Lín Qīngyù even suspected that her past life might have been a pastry chef?

  The horse-drawn carriage passed through Ping'an Street, a bustling street in the Forbidden City, lined with shops everywhere. Just looking at the flavors of snacks, Liren Fang sells Qingsha Tuanzi, Qin'an Fang sells Shicai Tangtuan, Shixi Fang sells Pao Luo Drip Sugar, and Taiping Fang sells Musk Sugar, among many other varieties, not inferior to those in the 21st century!

  Lin Qingyu looked at the names of these shops and suddenly saw a familiar name - "Olay". Wasn't that the one opened by Niu Guli Yu Ya?

  It looks pretty good! The modern elements and ancient style are well combined, looking unique and novel, no wonder the business is booming and customers are flocking in!

  Lin Qingyu was full of praise, although she didn't agree with her showing off, after all "the wood that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind"! However, it must be said that she is still quite creative. If placed in modern times, she might have been a female strongman, a future "female Li Ka-shing", but in ancient times... such behavior was too unconventional, giving people an uneasy feeling of being uncontent with one's lot.

  Xi Yun Temple, originally named Tan Zhang Temple, was renamed "Xi Yun Temple" by Wan Sui.

  At the age of 31, Wan Sui Ye personally allocated 10,000 taels of silver to renovate Tan Zha Temple. Under the personal supervision of Zhen Huan Monk, from the autumn of Kangxi's 31st year to the summer of his 33rd year, it took nearly two years to renovate more than 300 halls, making this ancient temple look new again. In the 36th year, Wan Sui Ye visited Tan Zha Temple for the second time and personally bestowed the temple name "Imperial Cloud Abode Chan Temple" and wrote the temple plaque by hand, from then on, Tan Zha Temple became the largest imperial temple in Beijing.

  Not yet arrived at Xi Yun Temple, Lin Qingyu had already heard the melodious and solemn bell sounds coming from the temple, and when she looked up, she saw that the entire temple was shrouded in misty smoke, layer upon layer, rising and spreading throughout the temple. Listening carefully, one could also hear the chanting of scriptures, as if washing away the troubles in her heart, suddenly becoming clear and calm, with a sense of transcending the mundane and entering the sacred.

  About one minute later

  "Ge Ge, we've arrived." Mo Ju and Zi Lian helped Lin Qingyu down from the carriage, while Zhang Yaya directed the second-class maids to carry the offerings, paper money, incense, and candles.

  Lin Qingyu immediately went to Chen Lanzhi's carriage, supporting her with care. Chen Lanzhi did not refuse her daughter's filial piety and said: "This Xiuyun Temple is indeed a thousand-year-old ancient temple, I feel my heart has calmed down."

  "Hmm! My daughter feels the same way!" Lin Qingyu nodded in agreement.

  Looking up, it is a 3-story and 4-pillar wooden archway. In front of the archway, there are two ancient pines with branches intertwined like a green canopy. There is also a pair of stone lions in front of the archway, majestic and powerful. Beyond the archway lies a single-hole stone arch bridge named "Haiyuan Bridge", and beyond the bridge is the mountain gate.

  Chen Lanqi and Lin Qingyu, accompanied by a group of maidservants, walked across the stone arch bridge in a grand procession. Standing before the temple, they gazed around, but all they saw were rolling hills, layered peaks, and lush greenery as far as the eye could see. The nearby Baozhu Peak was covered with verdant cypress trees and newly sprouted grasses.

  Following Xiaosha, Chen Lanzhi and Lin Qingyu to the Daxiong Treasure Hall to burn incense and worship Buddha, except for Qinglan and Moju, all the other maids were waiting outside the temple.

  Inside the temple, ancient trees stretch to the sky, and pagodas stand in a forest. The halls are majestic and the entire temple's architecture is cleverly laid out according to the terrain, with a harmonious arrangement of buildings. There are also lush bamboo and famous flowers scattered throughout, making the environment extremely beautiful.

  The hall has a facade of five bays, with a double-eaved gable-and-hip roof covered in yellow glazed tiles with green edges. The upper plaque reads "Qīng Jìng Zhuāng Yán" (Clear and Solemn), while the lower plaque reads "Fú Hǎi Zhū Lún" (Sea of Blessings and Pearl Wheels). At either end of the main ridge are two giant emerald-green glazed dragon heads, each tied with glittering golden chains.

  Inside the hall, a large Buddha statue is enshrined in the center, with a solemn expression and a backlight behind it. The backlight is decorated with carvings of Garuda, dragon girl, lion, elephant, sheep, flame patterns, etc. On either side of the Buddha statue stand statues of "ānanda" and "Mahākā?yapa".

  Lin Qingyu was originally an atheist, but after transmigrating and rebirth, she took the attitude of "it's better to believe in their existence than not" towards immortals, gods, and ghosts. She knelt down devoutly in front of the Buddha: "Buddha above, this humble woman is cold and poor, seeking Buddha's blessing. May my parents' bodies be healthy in my past life, may my brother Cold Yan become a good husband soon, and may our family be happy and harmonious. May my mother live to be a hundred years old in this life, may my brother have a bright future, and may my younger brothers be healthy and peaceful."

  After finishing the kowtow, when Lin Qingyu stood up, she happened to hear a clear and crisp child's voice coming from beside her. Although it was very small, after Lin Qingyu drank the spring water, her hearing gradually increased, and she could hear it clearly.

  "The Buddha is above, a young girl with small butterfly wings begs the Buddha for protection, and this life will not repeat the tragic fate of the previous life! Nala, Li, and Niuhuru, owe me, I want to get them back one by one! My children are all born smoothly and grow up healthily!"

  Lin Qingyu is now gloating, how come the women in Yongzheng's backyard are either transmigrated or reborn! He is really a bird of misfortune! But he doesn't know that he himself is even more tragic, after all, he is the heir of Kangxi's appointed Yin Zhen.

  Lowering my head to look, I saw a weak and frail 7 or 8 year old girl holding an incense stick, devoutly kneeling in front of the Buddha statue, wearing a moon-white skirt, with a white jade hairpin slanted on her head.

  But seeing her pale face, as if she had a sickly look, although the candlelight in the palace was like a halo, shining on her face still without a hint of color, the delicate and elegant little face looked even more refined and uncommon. Her figure was surrounded by a layer of light smoke and mist, seeming real yet unreal, not a person of this world. It can be seen that when she grows up, what kind of stunning beauty she will become!

  Lin Qingyu was so stunning that even as a woman, she almost looked straight at her. No wonder Emperor Yongzheng favored her for ten years!

  After leaving the Daxiong Treasure Hall, Chen Lanzhi and Lin Qingyu followed Xia Shami to burn incense in several main halls, offered fruits, added incense money, and then headed west of the temple.

  The western route of the temple is mostly the hall of the temple, mainly built with the altar, Guanyin Temple and Longwang Temple, etc., which are arranged in layers, magnificent and majestic.

  "Listen to Zhang Jia's lady saying that the Guanyin Temple's divination is very spiritual, why don't you ask for a stick and take a look?" Chen Lanxi stood in the main hall of the Guanyin Temple and said to Lin Qingyu.

  Drawing lots? Lin Qingyu heard this and looked at Chen Lanxi, whose eyebrows were slightly furrowed with worry and reluctance. Wanting to refuse, she couldn't say the words out loud, so she smiled warmly and said: "Daughter will listen to Mother!"

  Lin Qingyu took the divination tube from Xia Shami's hand, closed her eyes and knelt on the cushion, focusing her mind and clearing away distractions. She shook it several times, and a slip of paper fell out. Just as she was about to pick it up, someone else beat her to it.

  Lin Qingyu looked in the direction of the hand and saw a Buddhist monk who was about thirty years old, and a young man who was twenty-five or six years old. Behind the young man followed a eunuch.

  The young man wore a dark blue robe, with a long face, thin lips slightly pursed, and narrow, deep-set phoenix eyes that seemed like water. The whole person was low-key, introverted but not lacking in majesty and nobility.

  Isn't this the man she saved three years ago who was suspected to be Yongzheng? Then the other two are probably the famous Yu Yin and Shang, as well as the eunuch Su Peisheng.

  Lin Qingyu stepped forward with a flattering face and greeted: "Fourth Master, it's been many years since we last met. Are you well?"

  He glanced at Lin Qingyu and said to Chen Lanxi on the side, "Mrs. Lin, have you come to worship Buddha?"

  "Ah, come to ask for a safe and peaceful life!" Mrs. Lin nodded at Yongzheng, but she couldn't tell if it was just her imagination, facing the person in front of her, she always felt a bit constrained and uneasy!

  Lin Qingyu heard this and couldn't help but roll her eyes, saying "What nonsense is this?" You've come all the way here without paying respects to Buddha, just to sightsee?

  Yuanyin looked at the girl in front of him, who was full of spirit and had a strange aura, and couldn't help but smile. "Benefactor, my Buddhist name is Yuanyin. Today I accompanied Fourth Master to Xi Yun Temple to pay respects to Buddha. Happened to see you kneeling and praying sincerely, it's quite moving. How about letting me interpret the sign for you?"

  Can you still return it to me if I say no?

  Do you think I didn't see your hand tightly grasping the pen?

  Lin Qingyu really wanted to roll her eyes, the little person inside was furious: Are you kidding me? But she had a smile on her face, full of calculations, where did this touching feeling come from?

  Chen Lanqi's face lit up with surprise and delight, she had heard that the Master of Vowels was exceptional in his Buddhist teachings, and happily said: "To be able to get the master to interpret the sign is an honor for my family!"

  Yuanyin smiled and said: "This hexagram is the symbol of Pangu's creation of heaven and earth, all things are auspicious. Those who obtain this sign will transcend worldly affairs and encounter great auspiciousness. The one who asks for the sign, with a heart that cherishes the good way of family and country, will be noble beyond words."

  After finishing, he returned the sign to Lin Qingyu. Upon taking a look, it read: "Opening up heaven and earth for a good fate, auspicious days and times, all things complete. If one obtains this sign, it is not trivial, people will be loyal and honest, emperors will proclaim."

  Chen Lanqi and Yin Zhen greeted each other before taking Lin Qingyu to the vegetarian hall for a meal.

  "How about the vowel?" Yongzheng stroked the Buddhist beads in his hand and looked at Lin Qingyu's distant back.

  "Marriage is predestined by heaven, prosperity to the family, husband and son!" Yuan Yin finished speaking with her hands clasped together, and recited a phrase: "Amitabha Buddha!"

  In his heart, he thought: This Lin family girl is surrounded by purple energy and her spirit is soaring to the sky. It seems that she is indeed the "born with a celestial fate" that Master said, destined to become an immortal. As the saying goes, when one person achieves enlightenment, even chickens and dogs can ascend to heaven. It seems that staying by Fourth Master's side was the right decision! If time permits, once she encounters an opportunity, she will surely embark on the path of becoming an immortal. Then, maybe I too...

  Everyone, sorry about that! There was a power outage yesterday!

  I've never been to Xi Yun Temple, all the text I wrote was searched from Baidu! Originally it was supposed to be about Jade Buddha Temple, but after checking the information, it turned out to be in Shanghai, and I was stunned on the spot, so I had to change it to Xi Yun Temple.