The young monk took a quick look inside, then lowered his head and walked out.
It was such a quiet room, but an uninvited guest broke in, and even the air seemed to be stirred up.
Wen Tang slowly swallowed the last bit of cake, then stood up and wanted to go out with Mrs. Zhou, but he changed his mind and stopped.
They came here first, so even if they want to leave, it should be the annoying person who leaves on his own.
But the man seemed unaware, just leaning leisurely against the door frame, his eyes cast at the mottled light and shadow in the distant corridor, without even a glance at the person behind him, his whole body exuding a sense of alienation and laziness.
Suddenly, the door curtain moved again, and a small and nimble yellow shadow came in with a "whimper". It was a small yellow dog with short legs and a round body. It shook its head and rushed towards the man at the door, and plucked the corner of his robe affectionately.
Zhang Yao finally took action, bending down, the jade-like mask he had worn before facing the little monk faded away completely, a genuine smile spread in his eyes, and he gently took the little thing into his arms.
The puppy rubbed itself against his neck with delight, eager to lick its master's chin. Zhang Yao raised his hand expertly, stroking the back of its head, a low, doting chuckle escaping his throat.
The little yellow dog had had enough fun in his owner's arms, and when his black eyes rolled around, he realized that there was someone else in the room.
It immediately became excited again, and with a "woof", Zhang Yao had just put it on the ground when it unexpectedly jumped to Wen Tang's feet, raised its little head, and sniffed her skirt curiously and tentatively, its wet nose almost touching the delicate material.
Wen Tang couldn't hide away because the puppy was too enthusiastic. It looked so cute and completely different from its owner.
Seeing that the puppy's front paws were about to touch Wen Tang's skirt, Mrs. Zhou hurriedly bent down to drive it away.
Zhang Yao, who had been keeping a distance from Wen Tang, now walked over. He called out to the puppy a few times in a gentle voice.
The little yellow dog was quite obedient. Upon hearing the sound, it turned around with a grunt and ran back to its owner's feet. It was picked up again and lay lazily in his arms. It finally behaved itself, with only its round eyes still glancing at Wen Tang curiously from time to time.
The monk who was supposed to deliver the amulet had not arrived yet. Wen Tang looked at his nose and his heart, unwilling to talk to the man in front of him. He felt that even a glance at him would pollute his eyes.
The sound of Jiang's conversation with the abbot outside floated in clearly. It was still her old talk, and every word was about her son's marriage.
"Master, is this marriage really destined by heaven? My son has been with her for many times, but nothing has happened..."
Master, "Madam, marriage is determined by heaven, but also by human effort. Madam has looked for many candidates for your son. May I ask if you have anyone in mind?"
When Jiang outside heard this, she didn't respond for a long time.
After a long while, Jiang finally spoke with difficulty, "...To be honest, Master, my son had already arranged a good marriage four years ago, but who knew that girl was unlucky and met with misfortune..."
Jiang's voice paused, a barely perceptible sob choking her throat. "Since then, my son's marriage has been repeatedly unsuccessful, and it's been difficult to find someone he's happy with. Master, could this be related to that calamity? Could it be hindering him? What should I do? Is there anything I can do to resolve it?"
Four years ago, Zhang Yao, the second son of the Zhang family who had already won the top spot in the imperial examination and was in the limelight, got engaged to the daughter of the Shangshu family. The young lady was gentle and beautiful, and had a good reputation among the ladies in the capital. Their union was once a story that was envied by the whole city.
But as fate would have it, the beautiful woman passed away, and the marriage was naturally called off. For a time, people were filled with regrets, but few dared to directly say that the second son of the Zhang family was "unlucky in marriage." Instead, some gossipers fabricated stories about the young lady's "private immorality" and even hinted that she had an affair with the Zhang family's sickly eldest son.
Few people truly sympathized with the deceased, but many people sympathized with Zhang Yao who "suffered from misfortune for no reason."
Jiang's wish for her son to get married and have children was almost overflowing. She kept nagging and talking over and over again, and even thought of asking for talisman water for her son to drink.
The master was a serious practitioner and would not agree to the matter of talismans and water. He only advised Jiang to go to the Buddha and pray for a fortune sincerely.
Inside the small room,
Mrs. Zhou still stood in front of Wen Tang. Actually, she didn't need to block him, as Zhang Yao in the corner had no intention of getting closer.
He held the dog and sat far away on a mat in the corner, with his eyes lowered, his fingertips combing the soft hair on the puppy's back intermittently. His posture was leisurely, but he had no intention of leaving.
Silence spread in the small space, with only the faint sound of chanting outside the window.
Until the monk outside finally came in holding the amulet, "Madam, this is the amulet you requested. It is specially designed for children to wear. One dragon and one phoenix, just like the blessing of the dragon and phoenix twins in your family."
The monk smiled warmly, "The auspicious combination of dragon and phoenix is a blessing from heaven, which can only be obtained by those with great destiny. Madam, you are blessed with great fortune, and your two children will surely be extraordinary in the future."
Mrs. Zhou stepped forward, took the talisman bag with a smile on her face, and thanked her.
The monk looked at Wen Tang again and said with a smile, "Madam, your face is indescribably noble, and you will be blessed with long-lasting blessings."
He paused, as if recalling something, "Madam, did you ask for a peace amulet for your husband last time?"
It's no wonder that the monk had an impression of her. Wen Tang's beautiful and elegant appearance would leave a deep impression on anyone who saw her.
Wen Tang nodded. "Indeed, Master, you have a good memory. My husband has been wearing the amulet I requested last time for over half a year now, and it looks a bit faded and worn around the edges. I wonder if there's anything special about this amulet? Should I request a new one for him today?"
Since she tied the amulet around Qin Gong's waist last time, she needed to remind him the first one or two times, but later he tied it silently every morning. Over time, the amulet was obviously worn and faded.
The monk put his hands together and said, "Amitabha, Madam is thoughtful. The most important thing about a peace amulet is sincerity. There is no need to change it too often. Just pray sincerely once a year."
Wen Tang responded with a smile and returned the greeting.
The sun was rising higher and it was almost noon.
It's customary for the temple to offer vegetarian food to pilgrims. The food and congee here, imbued with the incense offered before the Buddha, not only satisfies the stomach but also cleanses the body and mind, bringing blessings and good fortune. Many pilgrims stay specifically to soak in this pure Buddhist atmosphere.
Wen Tang followed the monk to the dining hall, and Zhou Pozi followed closely behind.
The monk turned to Zhang Yao in the corner and said, "Sir, the dining hall is in another place. Please follow me."
Zhang Yao stood up holding the dog and clasped his hands together in greeting towards the monk.
The monk nodded at him.
The dining hall is spacious and bright, and quite lively. Because the temple is very popular, many people come and go every day, and many people eat vegetarian food.
The hall was simply furnished, its long tables and benches neatly arranged. The air was filled with the subtle aroma of sandalwood and the delicate fragrance of porridge and side dishes. Everyone ate quietly, some silently chanting with their Buddhist beads, others chewing their food slowly with their heads bowed.
The only noise came from the restless little yellow dog in Zhang Yao's arms.
Seeing many strangers at first glance, it excitedly wagged its tail and barked softly, "Woof woof!" This movement attracted several glances.
The man and woman who were led in by the monk at the door were really eye-catching.
The man was tall and straight, with a noble demeanor, holding a warm yellow puppy in his arms. The woman was a few steps behind him, with a slender figure and skin as white as snow. Her slightly raised fox eyes were particularly bright and charming.
Even though there was a distance of ten feet between the two people, their outstanding appearance was enough to form a pleasing painting.
The little yellow dog noticed everyone's gazes and grew even more excited, wiggling around to get off the ground and run. Zhang Yao, a faint smile on his lips, flicked his furry forehead with his finger. "Stop making noises," his voice gentle, coaxing. "If you bark again, you'll lose your meat bone for today."
He lifted the puppy up to his eyes, his gaze level with its bright, round, dark eyes. With a smile in his eyes, he patiently soothed it, "Be good."
"Dear donors, please come this way. There is still a vacant seat here." The monk led the way.
Mother Zhou hurriedly said, "Thank you, Master. My wife can sit here." She was pointing to a space in the middle of the dining hall that was still empty, but the seats next to it were already full.
The monk said to Zhang Yao, "Sir, please follow me."
The monk led Zhang Yao to an empty seat in the corner.
--
After leaving the temple, the refreshing mountain breeze blew away some of the strong smell of incense in the temple.
The Qin family's servant had been waiting beside the carriage for a long time. When he saw the grandmother come out, he avoided her gaze.
Wen Tang walked over and said, "Why are you panicking? We are outside the mansion. If the master asks you, just tell the truth. It was the grandmother's order."
The servant nodded in agreement and dared not say a word.
The curtain of the sedan chair was suddenly lifted by a hand, and Fu Jiu jumped down swiftly. Then, a tall figure leaned out.
Qin Gong's eyes were heavy, first sweeping across her slightly wet temples and slightly pale face, and finally falling on the fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
The Qin family servant then dared to raise his eyes and glanced at the grandmother with a bitter face.
Qin Gong stretched out his hand and touched Wen Tang's cheek with the back of his fingertips. It felt hot and his jawline tightened.
Wen Tang took out the amulet he had prayed for and wanted to show it to Qin Gong, but Qin Gong didn't even look at it. "Next time you do this, you don't have to come to this temple again."
His enthusiasm was like being poured with a basin of ice water. Wen Tang suddenly raised his head and looked straight at him.
Wen Tang was originally very fair-skinned, but now due to fatigue and the mountain breeze, her cheeks were unnaturally flushed, and even the corners of her eyes and her eye sockets were stained with a thin layer of red. At first glance, she looked as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Qin Gong's Adam's apple rolled. Seeing her like this, his words got stuck in his throat. His brows furrowed deeply out of habit, and the tall figure loomed over him.
From a distance, I saw a tall, stern-faced man lowering his head and scolding his petite, frail, and tearful wife in front of him in a harsh tone. The atmosphere was depressing.
"Donor, the lady is still kneeling and praying in the hall. Please wait a moment. She will be here soon..." The young monk at the door chased out and looked at the young man who was about to leave. However, he saw Zhang Yao, who had just left in big strides, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The young monk followed her and at the intersection of the road going down the mountain, the lady with a stunning appearance was slightly raising her head, her shoulders trembling slightly, and her eyes and nose were bright red. The imposing man in front of her, who should be her husband, had a gloomy face and stood with his hands behind his back. He was indifferent to her condition and even showed a bit of impatience.
The young monk quickly withdrew his gaze, silently chanted Amitabha in his heart, and dared not look again.
"Get down in the sedan chair." Qin Gong turned his face away, his voice still cold and hard, but it seemed to be less harsh, and his eyes deliberately avoided her face.
Wen Tang was stubborn when it came to praying to gods and Buddhas. Every time, she took one step at a time.
For her, praying to the gods and Buddhas was a solemn matter, something she had to do personally. Once upon a time, when she had come to the capital, her mother fell ill, and she had no money. The people in the Bo's mansion were accustomed to favoring her daughter, and the Bo's stepmother disliked her and her mother, so her mother's illness was repeatedly delayed. Those people wished her mother would die soon. With no one to turn to, Wen Tang had nowhere else to turn to, so she could only place her hopes on the gods and Buddhas, visiting various temples, begging on her knees, kowtowing, and stopping whenever she saw a temple door.
"I don't want it." Wen Tang was particularly persistent on this matter.
"Nonsense!" Qin Gong seemed to be really angry, his face was stern. He was intimidating without even being angry, and at this moment a cold aura emanated from his body.
As soon as he finished speaking, he clearly saw the crystal clear light gathering in Wen Tang's red eyes without any warning.
Qin Gong's back was stiff.
At the door, Zhang Yao raised his eyes and looked over there quietly and without emotion.
The young monk following beside him was reciting Buddhist scriptures devoutly.
--
Qin Mansion,
The atmosphere was oppressive. The maids and servants walked on tiptoe, holding their breath for fear of making any noise.
Only a few brave ones dared to peek in the direction of the main house.
The master had been standing in the corridor outside the door for some time. The light from the lanterns in the corridor fell on his cold and hard profile, flickering in brightness. Then, after a while, the maids looked out again and found that the corridor was empty. The master had gone straight to the study.
In the main room,
Mother Zhou came in with a plate of steaming crab meat dumplings, which were fragrant and delicious. "Everyone's gone, Grandma, have some."
Wen Tang got down from the couch, casually tidied up his hair which had been deliberately messed up, took the warm, wet handkerchief handed to him by Mother Zhou, and carefully wiped the corners of his eyes and the tip of his nose which had been rubbed red.
Mrs. Zhou placed the dumplings on the small table and said, "Master, he doesn't look very happy and gloomy. Is he really angry?"
Wen Tang picked up a delicate and translucent steamed dumpling and gently bit a small hole in it. The delicious soup immediately flowed into her mouth. She swallowed it slowly, "Is there ever a day when he doesn't have that look of keeping strangers away?"
Come to think of it, Wen Tang hadn't really cried for a long time. Although Qin Gong's words were irritating, Wen Tang was not a child anymore. How could he cry because of a few words?
While I was eating, there was a soft, tentative knock on the door.
The person who came in was the servant who usually ran errands for Qin Gong. He was holding a mahogany tray with several plates of exquisite cakes on it. They were all seasonal snacks that Wen Tang loved to eat.
As soon as the boy entered the room, he wanted to look past Mrs. Zhou to see the expression on the eldest lady's face.
Mrs. Zhou was quick-witted and took the tray steadily, blocking his view. Her face was filled with sorrow, and she gave the servant a look that said, "Look behind you, the grandmother is sad." But when the servant wanted to take a few steps forward, she walked over and blocked him, "The grandmother is still sad, how can she have the appetite to eat these? Look, her eyes are swollen..."
As he spoke, he pretended to press the corner of his eye with his sleeve.
The servant became even more anxious when he heard this. "Oh my dear, Madam Zhou, this can't be allowed! Madam came back in the evening and didn't eat. How can her body bear this? The snacks are all here. Madam, these are her favorites. Please, Madam Zhou, persuade her to eat some. At least she can fill her stomach."
As he spoke, he stuffed the tray into Mrs. Zhou's hands, fearing that it would be returned.
Mrs. Zhou pretended to refuse, but the servant didn't dare to let her. He quickly put the tray on the round table next to him and didn't dare to look inside again. He was even more afraid that saying too much would upset the mistress. He hurriedly bowed towards the inner room, then retreated and closed the door gently.
As soon as the door was closed, Mrs. Zhou deftly opened the lid of the food box.
Everything inside was neatly arranged, with an enticing sweet fragrance wafting out from it. They were all Wen Tang's favorites.
Wen Tang turned around slowly. In fact, she had just eaten several dumplings. She didn't have a big appetite to begin with, but looking at these delicious snacks, she opened her eyes wide and felt a little greedy, but she couldn't eat them now.
The servant left the grandmother's place and ran straight to the study at full speed.
Outside the study.
The servant came back with a bitter face to report.
Fu Jiu, who was standing guard outside, understood most of the situation as soon as she saw his gloomy expression. She whispered, "Grandma...didn't move?"
The servant nodded, looking worried.
Fu Jiu also sighed. No wonder. Ever since the master got off the carriage today, his face had been as black as ink, and there was a wet spot on his chest. He was shocked when he saw it from afar. He thought that the master had hit the grandmother. Otherwise, how could the grandmother, who was always gentle, docile and considerate, look so aggrieved?
Anyone who saw that scene would think it was the uncle's fault.
--
In the study.
The candlelight was bright, illuminating Qin Gong's well-defined profile.
"Sent it over?" He held the scroll without raising his head.
The servant lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Master, they have all been delivered. Mother Zhou received it."
"Eat it?" Qin Gong's eyes were still on the pages of the book, and his voice was silent.
"No, Mother Zhou said that Grandma is still crying, and she...she is beside her trying to persuade her..." The servant lowered his head even lower and replied with a stiff upper lip.
"Looks like... I'm so sad. I can't eat anything..."
"Click"
The scroll was thrown onto the rosewood table. The sound was not loud, but it felt like a knock on the heart, which scared the servant. He looked up hurriedly and saw the master's face, as black as the bottom of a pot.