Chapter 111 Zen Temple

Chapter 111 - The Temple

Guanyin Temple is located on Qingxiu Mountain, built halfway up its slopes.

Whether it was because Li Buyan was particularly skilled or because Third Master Xie had no interest in seeking romantic fortune, Li Buyan was the first to reach the foot of the mountain.

The remaining three arrived shortly after.

None of them had the energy to speak, sprawling on their backs on the grass, all thinking the same thing: utterly exhausted.

"Third Master!"

"Master!"

Two figures rushed over like madmen, one collapsing beside Xie Zhifei and the other beside Pei Xiao.

Zhu Qing, whose face was usually as expressionless as a coffin, finally showed a hint of a smile. "Third Master, I guessed you'd arrive these past few days."

Huang Qi hurriedly added, "Master, we've found out about Old Lady Ji's family."

Pei Xiao’s throat felt parched as he asked in a hoarse voice, "Where? How many hours away?"

Huang Qi replied, "In Dongxing County, by the lower reaches of the Beicang River. It's too far to travel in just a few hours; at least five days and nights."

"Five more days and nights?" Pei Xiao slumped his head.

Just let me die!

"Yan Sanhe."

Xie Zhifei turned his head and saw the fine down on Yan Sanhe's porcelain-white ears, which looked incredibly soft, contrasting with her tough demeanor.

His throat tightened, and he quickly straightened his head. "You decide."

Yan Sanhe's stomach was already aching steadily, but she firmly said, "Rest for the night and set off early tomorrow morning."

Pei Xiao's legs went weak at the mention of "set off." "I can't walk anymore. Get some bald monks from the mountain to carry Master Pei!"

"Master, there's no need to carry you. The carriage is ready, and it's only half an hour's journey."

Huang Qi added earnestly, "Third Master, Miss Yan, Miss Li, please join us in the carriage. It's very spacious, and everything has been prepared at the temple."

...

Spacious?

They would still have to curl their legs, four people staring at each other with eight eyes.

But half an hour really was just half an hour.

The abbot of Guanyin Temple was an old monk named Changqing.

Logically speaking, someone who held the position of abbot should exude a sage-like aura, right?

Not this one.

Changqing the old monk had a round, fleshy face, his entire body plump like a wealthy landowner.

Upon seeing Master Pei, the wealthy landowner smiled until his eyes narrowed.

"Master Pei's visit brings great honor to Guanyin Temple, this humble monk..."

"Cut the formalities. Master Pei is barely hanging on. I want to bathe, change clothes, eat, drink, eat meat, and sleep."

Pei Xiao shamelessly added, "It would be best if there were one or two nuns who could sing and look pretty to liven things up."

The wealthy landowner frowned anxiously.

Nuns?

How could there be nuns in a monastery?

"What's with the frown? No need for nuns, but everything else."

Pei Xiao pointed at him. "Don’t think I don’t know about the secrets of your temple. When I recover, I'll have a good chat with you."

"Yes, yes, yes."

As the wealthy landowner agreed, his eyes darted behind Pei Xiao.

Pei Xiao stepped aside and introduced, "This is my good brother, and those two are his good sisters."

The good brother and good sisters bowed together.

"Truly exceptional individuals! All exceptional individuals!"

As the wealthy landowner praised them, he respectfully gestured for them to follow. "Master Pei, this way, please!"

Pei Xiao raised his hand arrogantly. "Lead the way."

Dozens of monks chanted "Amitabha," surrounding Master Pei as they slowly entered the temple.

Li Buyan watched in awe, nudging Yan Sanhe with his elbow. What imposing authority Master Pei has!

However, Yan Sanhe glanced at Xie Zhifei from the corner of her eye.

Both the Five City Military Commissioner and the Buddhist Affairs Commissioner seemed unremarkable, but there seemed to be something more beneath the surface!

"Third Master Xie?" She called out.

"Hmm?"

"Is it true that all the monks in Great Hua fall under the jurisdiction of the Monastic Registry Office?"

"Yes."

"Do they receive salaries from the imperial court?"

Xie Zhifei raised an eyebrow. "Only those who receive salaries from the imperial court can be considered true monks."

Yan Sanhe nodded, deep in thought.

Seeing her expression, Xie Zhifei suddenly felt goosebumps all over his body.

The machinations behind the scenes at the Northern City Military Commission and the Monastic Registry Office were truly orchestrated by Zhao Huai Ren.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered to become acquainted with a bunch of beggars; Mingting wouldn't have spent every day facing a group of bald monks, unable to find even a speck of oil in his meals.

The intricacies involved were extremely complex; only a clever person could discern and comprehend them. But this girl...

Xie Zhifei let out a bitter laugh.

It seemed that he would have to be even more cautious when speaking with her in the future.

...

Basking in the glory of Lord Pei, Elder Monk Changqing had arranged for the quietest and coolest courtyard within Guanyin Temple.

As soon as Yan Sanhe stepped inside, she felt a refreshing breeze on her face.

"Which room will Li Buyan and I stay in?"

Zhu Qing hurriedly replied, "The two ladies will reside in the eastern courtyard. Clothes and shoes have been prepared. Shall you eat first or bathe first?"

Yan Sanhe: "Bathe, eat, sleep, and we'll depart at the first hour of dawn as usual."

Zhu Qing: "Yes, I'll make the preparations right away."

Yan Sanhe led Li Buyan into their living quarters.

The room was even cooler, and several men's robes hung on the clothes rack, made of smooth silk.

Below the rack, there were two pairs of embroidered shoes.

They tried them on, and the sizes fit perfectly.

Now Yan Sanhe understood why Xie Zhifei always brought Zhu Qing along everywhere. Though he didn't speak much, he observed keenly and handled everything meticulously.

Suddenly, she felt something surge beneath her.

Yan Sanhe's expression changed. "Buyan, my period has started."

Li Buyan untied her bundle. "Hurry up and bathe. I'll get someone to brew you some brown sugar ginger water. After eating, you can go to sleep."

Yan Sanhe barely managed to eat a few bites before she painfully collapsed onto the bed.

Li Buyan carefully dried her hair.

"Next life, let's reincarnate as men so we don't have to suffer like this."

...

"In the next life, if I reincarnate as a woman, I won't put up with this."

This was Lord Pei's inner monologue at the moment.

When a man entered the political arena, the formalities weren't something that could be casually brushed aside with a few words.

Even if your position was higher than others, when seeking assistance, one must engage in small talk, say kind words, and wear a smile, without skipping any of these steps.

Making Lord Pei curse was easy, but making him smile politely...

I'll bear it!

Once the atmosphere was sufficiently set, Lord Pei couldn't hold back any longer and stated his request.

Although Abbot Changqing looked surprised, he didn't ask any questions. Six horses, four martial monks, and provisions for several days were promptly arranged.

How efficient!

Lord Pei marveled inwardly at the sight of the man's plump figure.

After seeing off the abbot, Zhu Qing and Huang Qi attended to the two masters, helping them bathe and dine.

Seeing no movement in the eastern courtyard opposite, Xie Zhifei felt uneasy and gave Zhu Qing a meaningful glance.

Zhu Qing seemed to anticipate Third Master's inquiry and whispered, "Miss Li had someone brew a thick bowl of brown sugar ginger soup. It seems Miss Yan isn't feeling well."

"Then why haven't you summoned a physician?"

"What physician?!"

Pei Xiao wore an expression that said, "Are you stupid?" "Doesn't your sister drink this soup every month too?"

Xie Zhifei realized what was happening and his face flushed slightly. "Don't bring my sister into this. You must have heard too many stories at the pleasure houses."

"Do I need to hear stories at pleasure houses?"

Pei Xiao was so angry that he wanted to curse again. "I come from a family of doctors. I understood what women go through since I was five years old. Unlike you, who is so clueless."

"Hush, for the love of heaven!"

Xie Zhifei wanted to cover his mouth, "Don't let them hear us over there."

Pei Xiao, startled by him, changed his expression and then leaned in again with a sly manner, whispering, "Tell me, who would marry a girl like the shamaness in the future?"

"Do you still have the heart to care about that? Think about your Ji family first!"

Xie Zhifei irritably pushed him aside.

Marry her?

They'd have to get past me, Third Master Xie!