Chapter 40: Lighting an Everlasting Lamp

Chapter 40: Lighting an Everlasting Lamp

From a distance, Wu Jingyun watched Wu Jingshu converse with Xiao Yuchen, her little face flushed, and sneered inwardly. So this was the virtuous daughter raised by the Feng family, brazenly flirting with her future brother-in-law in public.

What puzzled her, however, was that based on her understanding of Xiao Yuchen, his current demeanor clearly showed impatience. Why then was he still indulging Wu Jingshu? The Xiao Yuchen she knew wouldn’t act this way.

Born as the heir to the Marquis of Yongning, with the powerful Tang family as his backing, Xiao Yuchen had never known what it was to accommodate others. He lived by his own set of rules, acting impulsively and rarely considering others' feelings. Of course, whether as the heir or the Marquis himself, he never needed to concern himself with the feelings of others.

Could it be that Xiao Yuchen, like her, had been reborn?

The thought flashed through her mind and was quickly dismissed. Xiao Yuchen couldn't be reborn, for his attitude towards her was the same as in the previous life, like towards a stranger.

They had been entangled for so many years in their previous life. If Xiao Yuchen had been reborn, he couldn't possibly act like this.

Many things in this life were different from the previous one. She didn’t know if it was because she was reborn or if someone else had been reborn like her. But no matter how much had changed, she had to call off her engagement with Xiao Yuchen; today's tasks had to be accomplished.

The group, each with their own thoughts, ascended the mountain. Reaching the gates of Chongguang Temple, Tang Shuyi was somewhat out of breath. Her body was delicate and would require more exercise in the future. In her previous life, she had died of overwork, essentially due to burnout, as her body couldn’t handle the strain and finally gave out.

In this life, she was determined not to overexert herself, to take good care of her body, and to live a long and healthy life.

At that moment, a young monk in grey approached them. He appeared to be seventeen or eighteen, with handsome features. Approaching with measured steps, he greeted them, “Monk Changjing greets the patrons. Are you from the Marquis of Yongning’s residence?”

Tang Shuyi nodded. She had already informed Chongguang Temple the day before of their plans to offer incense today and possibly rest at noon, asking them to reserve rooms. Of course, this was a privilege afforded to the distinguished Marquis’s residence.

“Patrons, please follow me,” Monk Changjing gestured invitingly. Tang Shuyi stepped forward, with Madam Wu beside her, smiling, “It seems the Marquis’s wife has gone to great lengths.”

“It is my duty,” Tang Shuyi replied.

As they spoke, they followed the young monk Changjing toward the temple's back courtyard. Along the way, incense smoke curled through the air and flowers and trees abounded, affirming Chongguang Temple as a place of exceptional beauty.

Shortly thereafter, they arrived at a serene courtyard. Stepping inside, another young monk approached to greet them. Changjing instructed him to arrange rooms for Madam Wu and her two daughters, then led Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuchen into an elegant and tranquil guest room. Turning to Xiao Yuchen, he said, "Noble guest, your room is in the neighboring courtyard."

Naturally, men and women would not be housed in the same courtyard.

"Mother, I will come back in a while," Xiao Yuchen said to Tang Shuyi.

Tang Shuyi nodded. "Be careful in all things."

"I understand," Xiao Yuchen replied, knowing full well what needed his cautious attention.

Accompanied by Changming and Changfeng, he followed Monk Changjing into a guest room in the adjacent courtyard. Once Changjing had departed, he whispered to Changming, "Keep a close watch on the people from the Wu residence. Inform me immediately of any actions they take."

Changming solemnly acknowledged the command and left. Xiao Yuchen then addressed Changfeng, "Stay alert with me. Don’t let anyone exploit any loopholes."

Changfeng replied, "Understood, young master."

………

Inside Madam Wu's room, she marveled at the elegantly comfortable quarters, remarking to her daughters, "This is the advantage of power and influence! I've never stayed in such a comfortable guest room during my previous visits to Chongguang Temple."

Pointing out the window, she continued, "This courtyard, they say, is reserved only for the royal family and the households of dukes and marquises."

Hearing this, envy painted the faces of Wu Jingyu and Wu Jingya. Madam Wu turned to Wu Jingyu and said, "If today is successful, you too will enjoy such treatment in the future."

Wu Jingyu nodded vigorously, her eyes alight with anticipation, as if she were already the esteemed daughter-in-law of the Yongning Marquis's household.

Madam Wu then looked toward Wu Jingya. "Rest assured, I will make plans for you as well. I am determined to see you both live the life of the privileged."

Meanwhile, Wu Jingyun was busy instructing her maids, Xing'er and another personal attendant Tao'er, to keep a close watch on Madam Wu and Wu Jingya.

Tang Shuyi did the same, cautioning her maids, Cuizhu and Cuiyun, to be discreet in their actions.

A grand drama was about to unfold...

After resting for a while, Tang Shuyi and Madam Wu, along with their daughters, stepped out. At the entrance of the courtyard, they encountered Xiao Yuchen and Monk Changjing. A visit to the temple naturally called for offering incense, so Changjing led the group to the temple's front courtyard to pay their respects.

In her previous life, Tang Shuyi was a staunch defender of scientific atheism, but the surreal occurrence of transmigration forced her to reconsider her beliefs. Taking the incense from the young monk, she lit it and inserted it into the incense burner, kneeling devoutly.

She prayed for her grandparents to have a peaceful and happy next life and wished for “Tang Shuyi”—referring to her previous incarnation—to live a long, happy, and smooth life.

Of course, this Tang Shuyi referred to her predecessor.

After offering incense, the group proceeded to the back mountain of Chongguang Temple. The season had painted the mountains behind the temple in a breathtaking palette of red leaves. Madame Wu, eager for her daughter Wu Jingshu to spend more time with Xiao Yuchen, coaxed Tang Shuyi to distance themselves from the younger ones, and Tang Shuyi complied gracefully.

Meanwhile, Wu Jingshu occasionally struck up conversations with Xiao Yuchen, who responded perfunctorily. His mind was on guard against the Wu family's schemes, leaving him little interest in the scenery and making time seem to drag.

As noon approached and the sun reached its zenith, the group returned for their meal and rest. Normally, as a man, Xiao Yuchen wouldn't dine with the Wu sisters, but Madame Wu insisted, “We are all family here. The young master should join us.”

Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuchen were uncertain about her intentions but agreed nonetheless. They were both extremely cautious throughout the meal, but nothing untoward happened until they retired to their rooms. Still, before parting, Tang Shuyi reiterated her warning to Xiao Yuchen to be vigilant.

Back in her room, Tang Shuyi dispatched Cui Zhu and Cui Yun to keep an eye on the Wu family and stepped out. On her way, she encountered a young monk and asked, “Where can I light an eternal lamp?”

“Let this humble monk guide the benefactor,” offered the young monk.

Thanking him, Tang Shuyi followed to the Hall of Eternal Light. Inside, she saw rows of flickering lamps adorning the large altar.

She presented a thousand-liang silver note to the monk overseeing the hall, requesting, “Please light an eternal lamp for me.”

The monk accepted the note, filled a large lamp with oil, lit the wick with a fire starter, and placed it on the altar.

Standing before the lamp, Tang Shuyi thought to herself, “I don't know why I became you, nor do I know your current state. But now that I have become you, I will shoulder the responsibilities and protect what you were meant to protect.”