Chapter 564 Temple

Lin Changning and his team didn't dare to rest at all along the way, working in two shifts day and night to rush towards the capital.

We have now arrived outside Luoyang City, and it will take another half a day to reach the Princess's residence.

Li Mingshu seemed to be feeling better, and today happened to be a sunny day. After lying in bed for a long time, Li Mingshu rarely wanted to get out of the car for a stroll and soak up some sun.

Lin Changning now treats Li Mingshu almost like a fragile porcelain doll, and he gets extremely nervous whenever Li Mingshu wants to get out of the car for a stroll.

"Ah Shu, why don't you wait until you feel better before getting off the bus? It's cold today, and I'm afraid you'll catch a cold."

Li Mingshu seemed to have some energy today. She slowly sat up from the bed, then moved down and took a few steps in the carriage. Slightly out of breath, she said to Lin Changning, "I feel much better today. Aning, let me go for a walk. I've been lying in the carriage for almost a month, and I feel uncomfortable all over."

Lin Changning was still somewhat hesitant.

Li Mingshu sat down on the felt mat next to Lin Changning, her long hair tied back. She slowly leaned on Lin Changning's lap and said softly, "Ah Ning, there is a Jingling Temple ahead. I made a wish there one year, and now my wish has come true. I want to go up and fulfill my vow. I have been imprisoned in the inner quarters of the capital for many years and have never had the chance. I want to take this opportunity to go up there today."

As Li Mingshu spoke, she raised her slightly moist eyes: "A-Ning, once we enter the capital, I'm afraid the imperial physicians will lock us in our rooms every day. Let me go and take a look. The scenery at Jingling Temple is also very beautiful."

Lin Changning sighed and tucked Li Mingshu's long hair, which had fallen across her cheek, behind her ear: "A-Shu, don't be willful. Don't joke around with your body."

Li Mingshu raised her eyes, a hint of disappointment flashing in them: "A-Ning, I'm afraid that once I return to the capital this time, I'll never be able to leave again. I want to go, please..."

Lin Changning sighed again as he met Li Mingshu's expectant gaze: "Let's ask the imperial physician first."

He then picked Li Mingshu up from the ground again, carried her back to the bed, and gestured for the maid to summon the imperial physician.

After the imperial physician took her pulse, Lin Changning said that Li Mingshu wanted to go out for a walk and wanted to go to Jingling Temple in front of the temple.

After taking her pulse, the imperial physician sighed softly, "Jingling Temple is indeed quite effective. The princess is in better condition than usual today, and she can walk around a little."

Hearing what the imperial physician said, Li Mingshu looked at Lin Changning with delight. Lin Changning hesitated for a moment and then nodded: "Alright, then let's go."

When they arrived at the temple gate, Lin Changning looked up at the thousands of steps in front of the temple and sighed softly.

After having the maids pull silk cloths from both sides to block the wind, he wrapped Li Mingshu in a cloak, completely surrounding her, and then picked her up in his arms.

As he slowly ascended the steps, guards cleared a path for Lin Changning, dispersing the people on both sides of the road.

Lin Changning sighed and looked at the crowd being dispersed ahead, saying, "This temple is indeed very popular. Even though it's so cold today, so many people still come to offer incense."

Li Mingshu lay quietly in Lin Changning's arms, her slender wrists clinging to his neck: "Jing'an Temple has always been very popular, and most of the wishes made here come true."

Lin Changning nodded and continued climbing uphill with Li Mingshu in his arms. Qi Rong, carrying Yue'er in his arms, followed behind. He was quite startled when he learned that Lin Changning was bringing Li Mingshu to the temple to fulfill a vow.

I always thought my younger sister was being silly, but why is my sixth child being silly too?

Later, after consulting with the imperial physician, it was learned that Xiao Liu had no choice but to lead people to climb the temple because he couldn't persuade Ming Shu otherwise.

Qi Rong wasn't fully recovered, and after climbing halfway up the mountain carrying Yue'er, he was covered in sweat.

Lin Changning had excellent stamina; he carried Li Mingshu for nearly an hour without breaking a sweat or getting out of breath.

However, Li Mingshu seemed to have limited energy. After climbing halfway up the mountain, she nestled in Lin Changning's arms and fell asleep again.

Lin Changning looked at Li Mingshu, who had fallen asleep again in her arms, and sighed softly. Behind her, the imperial physicians, guards, and entourage followed closely, many of them panting heavily from exhaustion.

Lin Changning looked at the steps ahead, where a raggedly dressed man was climbing up one step at a time, his head tucked in his sleeve.

With some doubt in his heart, he turned his head to look at Qi Rong, who had just caught up: "What's that guy up there? Second Brother? Look, his forehead is all scraped."

Qi Rong looked up and saw the person who was almost at the mountain gate taking the warm water from the maid. After taking a sip, he handed the warm water to Yue'er and said, "It must be for praying for the safety of your family. There is a legend in Jing'an Temple that if you can kowtow every step of the way from the foot of the mountain to the main hall, your wish will definitely come true."

Lin Changning looked up at the man who was almost at the temple gate and asked softly, "Really?"

Qi Rong heard Lin Changning's seemingly murmuring voice and shook his head: "It's all just hearsay. I've never heard of any seriously ill person getting better just because their family member kowtowed all the way to the main hall."

Lin Changning hummed in agreement, feeling that he had rested enough, and then led the group uphill again.

They quickly caught up with the man who had been kowtowing with each step. The man's forehead was bleeding, and some blood mixed with dust was stuck to his forehead.

Lin Changning paused suddenly as he passed by the man: "What are you here to ask for?"

The man glanced at Lin Changning, climbed another step, and kowtowed: "My mother was seriously ill a few days ago. My wife and I offered incense at Jingling Temple. After we returned, my mother felt better. I heard that bowing with each step shows sincerity. This time, I came to fulfill my vow and also to hope that my mother will no longer be troubled by illness."

Lin Changning looked at the man and nodded slightly. Judging from the man's clothes, his family was probably not very wealthy. "I wish you all your dreams come true."

The man climbed another step forward and kowtowed, saying, "Then I thank you for your kind words, sir."

Lin Changning carried Li Mingshu and walked towards the gate of Jing'an Temple. Guards had already gone to inform the abbot of the temple that a distinguished guest had arrived.

When Lin Changning carried Li Mingshu to the temple gate, a group of monks were already waiting at the entrance. When they saw Lin Changning, dressed in a long red robe, carrying someone in his arms, the abbot, wearing a gold and red kasaya, took a few steps forward.

"The abbot of Jingling Temple pays respects to the Princess. May the Princess live a thousand years! He also pays respects to the Duke and the Marquis."

Hearing the old monk's voice, Li Mingshu, who was in Lin Changning's arms, slowly opened her eyes. She looked somewhat dazed and struggled in Lin Changning's arms for a moment.

"A-Ning, put me down."