Chapter 94 "What if I insist on forcing it?"...

Shen Lingyue was lucky enough to get the last spot.

Ignoring Pei Jinghuai's resentful gaze, she couldn't wait to walk up to Yun Zhi and openly looked him up and down several times.

Yun Zhi is very young, no more than twenty-five years old by appearance. He is not particularly tall, but he is about 175 cm tall.

Shen Lingyue suddenly realized that Pei Jinghuai's sarcastic remark wasn't wrong—he really did have a very round head.

A bald head is indeed the best test of a handsome man's looks!

Look at that full back of the head!

Not only her skull, but Yunzhi's facial bone structure is also exceptional, with a beautiful zigzag contour formed from her forehead to her brow bone, and from the bridge of her nose to her jaw.

A beam of sunlight streaming in from outside the hall cast his profile onto the wall behind him. The iridescent light refracted from the carved beams and painted murals resembled the radiance of crystal, falling precisely on his head and making him appear even more holy and otherworldly.

Even the simplest gray monk's robe looked like a shimmering, colorful brocade robe on him, a garment of celestial beings.

Shen Lingyue enjoyed the moment to the fullest, but after her infatuation came endless regret.

How could such a handsome man become a monk?

Quietly asking the holy monk, is the daughter beautiful...?

"Ahem." She shook her head to turn off the background music in her head and asked Yun Zhi in a serious tone, "Master, you don't seem to be from the capital. Where did you come from to stay at the Jade Buddha Temple?"

Yun Zhi was not offended by her almost offensive gaze and replied politely, "This humble monk comes from Bailong Temple in Luozhou. My master and Master Liaokong, the abbot of Jade Buddha Temple, are fellow disciples. I was ordered to go down the mountain to travel and came to the capital to visit my fellow disciple on his behalf."

Shen Lingyue stroked her chin. "Then your master is also a senior monk at Bailong Temple?"

“Replying to the benefactor, my master is none other than Abbot Jing of Bailong Temple.”

Shen Lingyue was immediately filled with respect; it turned out to be the sect leader's eldest disciple!

No wonder he was sent down the mountain to travel. According to the tropes of martial arts novels, this is preparation for him to take over as the sect leader... ah, no, the presiding master in the future, right?

Seeing that Shen Lingyue seemed eager to ask more questions, Yun Zhi's eyes flashed with a rare hint of helplessness, and he gently reminded her, "Benefactor, you can draw a fortune stick now."

"……All right."

Shen Lingyue was afraid that she would be too enthusiastic and frighten the master, so she quickly picked up the divination tube, focused her energy, stood in a horse stance, and swayed back and forth. She closed her eyes with utmost piety and silently prayed: "Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, I, Shen Lingyue, live in the Danyue Pavilion of the Marquis of Changning in the capital. My birth date and time are... I pray to the Bodhisattva to bless me with wealth and riches!"

After shaking it for a while, a bamboo skewer finally jumped out.

Yun Zhi picked it up and looked at it, then nodded gently to Shen Lingyue.

"Under the Bodhi tree, one awakens to the true nature; the moon reflects light on a thousand rivers, illuminating every place. Do not seek treasures externally; the sacred mountain resides only within your own heart." Shen Lingyue blinked, a hint of confusion on her face. "What does that mean?"

Yun Zhi clasped his hands together and said, "Benefactor, you are a person with wisdom. You do not need to be bound by external things. Only when your heart is clear can you be at ease."

Shen Lingyue's head was buzzing. Didn't Fahai say that Xu Xian had wisdom back then?

Next, are you going to persuade her to give up worldly wealth and fame and become a nun?

Shen Lingyue quickly took a step back and emphasized righteously, "Master, I have no wisdom. I am just an ordinary person. I love drinking and eating meat, and I love gold and silver jewelry... Of course, what I love most is my husband!"

This greatly pleased Pei Jinghuai, who was watching intently from the side. He crossed his arms and smiled broadly.

During his travels down the mountain, Yunzhi had seen countless pilgrims of all kinds, but few could express their "worldliness" as openly and honestly as the female benefactor before him.

He smiled and said, "In this vast world, where is not a place for cultivation? Wherever my heart finds peace, that is my home."

Shen Lingyue: My dead high school politics class is attacking me...

So the holy monk was actually an idealist?

Her eyes darted around, and she asked with a smile, "According to the master, as long as I think about getting rich, I will definitely get rich, right?"

Yun Zhi paused for a moment, then shook his head helplessly, "If you insist on understanding it this way, it's not impossible."

Shen Lingyue happily bowed to him, then turned back to Pei Jinghuai's side, hugging his arm and gently shaking it, "Did you hear that? The master said I will definitely be able to get what I want, and from now on our family's money will all depend on me."

Pei Jinghuai was happy to play along, "Sure, as long as you increase my monthly allowance by just a little bit, I'll call you the Goddess of Wealth."

"Hmph, we'll see how you perform then."

The young couple bickered as they walked hand in hand out of the main hall from the other side. Yun Zhi looked up and saw that they were heading towards the back hall.

The fortune telling session has ended for today. There is no one else in the main hall, only the wisps of incense smoke.

Yunzhi carefully arranged the bamboo sticks and put them back in the stick container, then used a handkerchief to wipe the incense table.

Calm and composed, moving at a steady pace—this daily practice is also a form of self-cultivation.

Suddenly, a pair of light blue embroidered shoes appeared in his lowered gaze, walking straight up to him and getting closer and closer.

Yun Zhi lowered his head even further and said softly, "I will not interpret the divination today. Please come early tomorrow."

"Can't you make an exception for me just this once?"

Princess Lekang stood a table away from him, staring intently at him.

Yun Zhi raised his head and met Princess Le Kang's slightly red eyes, letting out a barely perceptible sigh.

His eyes were as still and unmoving as an ancient well. "Your Highness was born noble, a golden branch and jade leaf. What is there that you cannot desire?"

Princess Lekang raised her head slightly, her stubborn posture like that of a bluebird. "Doesn't Buddhism preach equality for all beings? Why does the master keep calling me Your Highness?"

Yun Zhi lowered his eyes, put his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "What you say is right, benefactor. I was just being attached to appearances."

Princess Lekang grabbed the divination tube with both hands and snatched it from Yunzhi, her movements carrying a hint of urgency.

"What if I insist on forcing it today?"

Yun Zhi looked at her calmly, like an elderly wise man indulging a naughty child. "Please go ahead, benefactor."

The more indifferent he appeared, the more tormented Princess Lekang became.

The lingering fear of being nearly taken advantage of by Gao Yu after the carriage was overturned by a startled horse during the day surged into Princess Lekang's mind, making her shake the divination tube with a hint of venting, and she shook it even more forcefully.

Nearly a hundred bamboo sticks were shaking up and down in the stick container, making a constant clattering sound, but not a single stick jumped out for a long time.

Princess Lekang shook the divination tube vigorously, but didn't even glance at it, staring straight at Yun Zhi's face.

He kept his eyes down the whole time, as if he had already kept her at arm's length.

Overwhelmed with grief and anger, she suddenly slammed the divination stick container onto the table, turned around, and ran out, lifting the hem of her skirt.

The moment Yun Zhi raised his head, he caught a glimpse of a tear glistening in the corner of her eye, which vanished in an instant like morning dew.

Snap.

A bamboo skewer fell out of the skewer container.

Yun Zhi bent down to pick it up, stared at the number on the slip of paper in silence for a long time, his eyes shifting with uncertainty, and finally hid the slip in his sleeve before turning and leaving.

...

The weather in June is unpredictable. At noon, the sky is clear and blue, but in the afternoon, dark clouds suddenly gather and strong winds blow.

Shen Lingyue and her group were strolling around the Stele Forest on the back mountain when they noticed the bad weather and quickly stopped their trip, hurrying back.

The moment they entered the main hall, a torrential downpour began outside, as if the sky had burst open and was pouring rain down relentlessly.

The dense raindrops stretched out in a continuous line, and looking out from the main hall, the mountains and forests were shrouded in a layer of pale white mist, hazy and dreamlike.

...If they hadn't been trapped on the mountain, this scene would have seemed quite peaceful and serene.

Yan Yi frowned slightly and said to Shen Lingyue and Pei Jinghuai, "Traveling on mountain roads in the rain is dangerous. Let's wait until the rain stops before we go."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sound of large rocks rolling down the opposite mountain wall came from the opposite side, breaking many tree branches along the way, and crashing down below.

If it were to hit their carriage... Shen Lingyue shuddered, clung tightly to Yan Yi's arm, and shook her head vigorously, "I'm not going, I'm not going, this is too dangerous."

Pei Jinghuai stopped a monk and said, "Are there any spare meditation rooms in the temple? Let us go and rest for a while."

"Yes, please follow me, benefactors."

The monks led them to the back mountain. The more Shen Lingyue walked, the more familiar the path seemed. Pointing ahead, she said, "Isn't that Princess Lekang's courtyard?"

As they were speaking, a commotion suddenly arose behind them from the men.

"What the hell is this weather? It just started raining like that!"

"Quickly go and boil a few buckets of hot water for the young imperial uncle. If he catches a cold, you'll all be in big trouble!"

Shen Lingyue turned her head and saw Gao Yu and his group walking over, cursing and swearing. His hair and clothes were soaked by the rain, and he looked quite disheveled.

Pei Jinghuai stepped forward, "Didn't the young imperial brother-in-law return to the capital? Why is he here at the Jade Buddha Temple again?"

Gao Yu seemed surprised that the people from the Marquis of Changning's residence were still lingering in the temple. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "I was worried about Sister Lekang's condition, so I specially returned to the capital to get some ointment to reduce swelling and bruising, and came to give it to her."

Pei Jinghuai frowned and whispered a reminder: "The princess is praying for Consort Xian in the temple. Do not disturb her peace, as it would damage her reputation."

Seeing that her plans had been interrupted by Pei Jinghuai time and time again, Gao Yu became angry and pushed him, saying, "Mind your own business! My marriage to the princess is a done deal. Who are you to interfere?"

Gao Yu, in a menacing manner, headed straight for Princess Lekang's Zen temple.

With a creak, the courtyard gate opened, and Princess Lekang walked out holding an oil-paper umbrella, her brows furrowed and her eyes cold.

"Didn't you want to see me? Now that you've seen me, you can go back, right?"

Facing Princess Lekang, Gao Yu immediately adopted a gentle and considerate demeanor, asking with concern, "Little sister Lekang, how is your injury? I specially got you the best ointment. Here, let me apply it for you..."

“…Gao Yu!”

Princess Lekang, unable to bear it any longer, mustered her courage and shouted his name, "If you take another step forward today, I will go back to the palace and report to my father that you...you molested me!"

Shen Lingyue silently cheered in her heart.

Yes, that's right, you are a princess.

Gao Yu never expected that Princess Lekang, who was usually quiet and gentle like a little rabbit, would also have a temper.

Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. If this really escalates to His Majesty's ears, given my eldest sister's self-centered nature, she definitely won't plead for him.

Thinking of this, Gao Yu immediately stopped being playful and took two steps back. "Okay, okay, I won't make you angry. You're in a bad mood today. Another day, another day I'll find something fun to bring you."

Gao Yu waved his hand and led his entourage out. He glared at Pei Jinghuai as he passed by, and the next second he shouted fiercely at the young monk who was leading the way: "What are you looking at? Hurry up and prepare a superior room and hot water for me. Oh, and bring two jugs of good wine!"

The young novice was almost in tears. "Sir, drinking is not allowed here..."

After Gao Yu walked away, Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi quickly stepped forward, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, nothing's wrong."

Princess Lekang's eyes were red. She had finally managed to throw a tantrum, but instead, she made herself cry.

Shen Lingyue was worried for her. Such a soft and delicate little princess would be too easy to be bullied if no one protected her.

The women of the Marquis's household were all distinguished guests, and the monks arranged for them to stay in the courtyard next to Princess Lekang's. The layout was similar, with a main house and east and west wing rooms.

According to seniority, Pei Yuzhen naturally chose the main room, Yan Yi went to the east wing, and Pei Jinghuai and Shen Lingyue went to the west wing to rest.

The west wing and Princess Lekang's courtyard are separated by only one wall.

Shen Lingyue was exhausted after a long day of fussing. She hugged Pei Jinghuai, who was like a human pillow, and took a nice afternoon nap while listening to the rain.

When I woke up, the rain outside was pouring down like a waterfall. Instead of getting lighter, it seemed to be getting heavier.

Shen Lingyue walked to the window, and as soon as she opened it a crack, she was hit in the face by the raging wind and rain outside, and she couldn't even open her eyes.

She squinted and strained to look outside, vaguely seeing some white, translucent spheres, about the size of quail eggs, dancing and popping in the yard.

"Husband, come quick!" Shen Lingyue turned around and beckoned to him. "It looks like it's hailing outside?"

Pei Jinghuai was still half asleep. He walked up behind her in a daze, put his head on her shoulder, and almost pushed Shen Lingyue against the wall, making her protest incessantly.

He didn't get up either, clinging to her and looking out the window. "It's getting heavier and heavier. Looks like we'll have to stay at the temple tonight."

The sky was overcast and almost completely dark. Given the wind and rain, it was best not to risk traveling back to the city.

In any case, the Marquis's family always prepares bedding and all necessary utensils in the carriage for their daily outings, just in case.

Shen Lingyue finally managed to squeeze out of Pei Jinghuai's arms, grabbed an oil-paper umbrella from the door, and hurried to find Yan Yi across the street.

Yan Yi agreed to stay overnight at the Jade Buddha Temple, but a faint worry lingered in her eyes.

"With the rain so heavy, and the manor waiting for us to return so long, they must be worried."

Shen Lingyue waved her hand, "It's because the rain was so heavy. Anyone with a brain knows we're definitely trapped on the mountain."

After she finished speaking, she realized what she had said and winked at Yan Yi teasingly, "Are you afraid that your older brother will worry?"

Yan Yi gave her a light, reproachful look. "...We agreed this morning that I would go back tonight."

Although she had gotten used to Pei Jingyi's early mornings and late nights at work, knowing that he would come back every night and that she would wait for him in the room made the daytime separations seem less unbearable.

Now, suddenly having to separate for a whole night, and being separated by such a strong wind and rain, one in the city and the other outside the city, dozens of miles apart, she felt a sense of emptiness and bewilderment all alone in this unfamiliar room.

Lost in thought, Shen Lingyue had already taken her arm and pulled Yan Yi into her embrace. "Alright, I'll sleep with you tonight! Anyway, it's been so long since we've spent the night together, how about we have a late-night chat by candlelight?"

For example, let's chat about the holy monk brother or something ^_^

Yan Yi laughed at her: "Then what about Pei Jinghuai?"

Shen Lingyue waved her hand, "He's such a grown man, is he afraid to sleep alone?"

If it were at home, it wouldn't be a problem, but now that they're out, she can't let Yan Yi spend the night alone.

...

Dinner was brought over by a young novice monk from the temple. After the family ate in the main room, Pei Yuzhen yawned listlessly, "If I had known we would be spending the night at the temple, I should have brought a mahjong set with me before leaving."

Isn't this perfect for four people to make a table?

Shen Lingyue suppressed a laugh, "Auntie, gambling isn't allowed in Buddhist temples, is it?"

"Who said we were going to gamble?" Pei Yuzhen scoffed. "The loser just draws a turtle on their face."

As they were talking, a young novice monk came to deliver a message.

"Tonight, Brother Yunzhi will be giving a sermon at Mingli Hall for the pilgrims staying at the temple. If any of you are interested, you are welcome to go and listen."

Pei Yuzhen immediately perked up, "Then what are we waiting for? Lead the way!"

Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi followed along with great interest.

Only Pei Jinghuai reluctantly walked at the back.

Monster monk!

As soon as the group stepped out of the courtyard, they saw Princess Lekang from next door also coming out with an umbrella.

Pei Yuzhen greeted him warmly, "Is Your Highness also going to listen to Master Yunzhi's sermon?"

Princess Lekang nodded, "I just finished copying today's scriptures, so I'm just getting some exercise."

"Your Highness's filial piety is truly sincere. Heaven will surely be moved by your kindness and bless Consort Xian with a speedy recovery."

Princess Lekang smiled faintly. The girl's figure, holding the umbrella, was slender and frail, as if she could be blown away by a strong wind at any moment.

"The roads are slippery because of the rain, Your Highness. Please be careful and come with us."

Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi shielded her in the middle, and the three of them held hands, walking unsteadily towards the Mingli Hall.

Yunzhi sat on the prayer mat at the very front, nodding to each pilgrim who entered.

When it was Princess Lekang's turn to enter, his eyes flickered slightly, and he subconsciously looked away.

Princess Lekang silently knelt down on a prayer mat in the corner of the last row, her head bowed as if in a daze, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the hem of her clothes.

Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi sat on their prayer mats very close together, making it easy for them to gossip quietly.

"I've heard that Bailong Temple is the largest temple in the Central Plains, and it's also supposedly the birthplace of Zen Buddhism. Master Yunzhi's trip down the mountain is like a pilgrimage to the West. Once he's visited all the major temples in Daye, he can go back and inherit the family business..."

Shen Lingyue was talking nonsense, but Yan Yi understood everything she said.

She rested her chin on her hand, watching Yunzhi calmly preach ahead, and sighed again, "What a wonderful holy monk! He makes one want to... hehehe..."

Yan Yi, both amused and exasperated, covered her mouth, "Tone it down a bit, what if Buddha hears you? Do you still want to get rich?"

This threat was more effective than anything else, and Shen Lingyue immediately fell silent. The dog furtively bowed to the surroundings a few times.

Halfway through the sermon, the whole house suddenly shook violently.

Everyone was startled and looked around in fear, those who were close by huddled together tightly.

Has the earth dragon turned over?

At this moment, a young monk ran in from outside and hurriedly bowed to Yunzhi. "Brother, a section of the back mountain has been washed away by the rain. The abbot asked me to escort you all back to your meditation rooms to rest."

Shen Lingyue asked Yan Yi in a low voice, "Does it sound like a mudslide?"

Yan Yi nodded solemnly, "Fortunately, the Jade Buddha Temple is located on relatively high ground, so even if there is a landslide, it shouldn't affect us. I'm just worried that... the road down the mountain might be blocked."

Shen Lingyue exclaimed in disappointment, "I thought I could go down the mountain and go home tomorrow once the rain stops."

Yan Yi comforted her, "This is just my worst-case scenario; it might not happen."

Led by the young monk, the pilgrims gradually walked out, their faces showing worry, and they couldn't help but look down into the dark mountains as they went.

The Mingli Hall is located a little higher than the main hall. Looking down from the entrance, the winding mountain road resembles a long, coiled dragon, swallowed by the rain and disappearing into the dark night.

Suddenly someone pointed down the mountain and shouted, "Hey, with this heavy rain, how can anyone dare to ride a horse up the mountain?"

This sound immediately attracted the attention of the others, who all looked in the direction he was pointing.

Gradually, amidst the torrential rain, the sound of rapid hoofbeats seemed to truly emerge, growing ever closer towards the mountain.

Boom—

A large chunk of soil, softened by the rain, rolled down with the rainwater, carrying tree branches, bushes, and rocks, rushing downwards without reservation.

The next second, accompanied by the long neigh of a horse and its galloping hooves, the man narrowly escaped before the mudslide submerged the mountain road and headed straight for the mountain gate.

Yan Yi stood motionless, as if stunned. At this moment, everything in the world turned into a blur, except for that figure galloping towards him on horseback, which was so familiar that it made her heart tremble.

The sound of horses' hooves drifted away in the wind, yet it seemed to pound heavily on her heart.

Her heart was racing uncontrollably, and she suddenly had a very strong premonition—

It's getting closer, closer and closer.

The mountain wind howled and blew the straw hat off his head, revealing Pei Jingyi's handsome yet sharp features in the next second.

The moonlight was extremely dim, but his eyes were extremely bright. Even from such a great distance, he still found his A-Tan accurately.

Yan Yi suddenly rushed into the rain.

The umbrella was blown inside out by the strong wind, and she couldn't hold on to it. The entire umbrella was blown away, and she was soaked in the rain.

She hastily wiped her face, her mind blank, and stumbled towards the mountain gate.

Pei Jingyi saw this, so he urged his horse to speed up even more. Before it could even stand still, he leaped off the horse in front of the mountain gate and hugged Yan Yi in his arms the next second.

Yan Yi hugged his waist tightly. His lean and strong lines and familiar warmth made her realize that this was not just her fantasy.

She was completely enveloped under his raincoat, her clothes, soaked by the rain, clung coldly to her body, and she shivered incessantly.

Pei Jingyi could only press her even closer into his arms, his chin resting on her damp hair, his low, husky voice sounding above her head, tinged with a helpless pity.

"It's right in front of you, can't you even wait a few more steps?"

Yan Yi held him for a long time without saying a word, then suddenly patted his back several times.

"Pei Jingyi!" she shouted, her voice low but her anger undiminished. "Are you crazy? In this heavy rain and in this darkness, you actually dared to ride a horse up the mountain—"

Did he even realize how dangerous that moment had been? He almost, so very almost…

Pei Jingyi lowered his head to silence her, gently brushing her lips and licking away the tears on her cheeks. "But I'll be even more worried if you're all alone on the mountain."

-----------------------

Author's Note: Moon Child: The plan to sleep with you failed [crying emoji]