Chapter 368 The Second Princess is a Blessed Person

Zijuan and Zhuifeng quickly nodded.

Sheng Sheng still had Yan Hu lead the way, wanting to go back the way they came to find Xie Yunyang, but before they even left the courtyard, two figures who had been watching from the shadows for who knows how long came out.

"Wait a minute."

Two figures emerged from behind the pillars and blocked the way.

The leading monk had a kind and compassionate look in his eyes, and wore a long string of Buddhist prayer beads around his neck.

The man beside the monk was also dressed in the plain clothes of Putuo Temple, but his face was not very kind. He was clearly at an age where he should be "kind", but his expressionless face could even be described as somewhat fierce.

But at this moment, Sheng Sheng's mind was completely distracted by the movements of the little fox in her arms, and she couldn't see clearly at first. In her haste, she thought that the two people were both monks from this Putuo Temple.

Sheng Sheng guessed that perhaps this courtyard was special and that she couldn't come in.

In their haste to find the source of the bloody smell, they hadn't considered which areas they could or couldn't enter.

Sheng Sheng was a little anxious, but she still politely bowed to the two of them and explained, "Hello, I'm sorry, we didn't mean to break in. It's because this little fox is injured and has lost a lot of blood. If it's not treated soon, the little fox will die."

The little fox in my arms whimpered weakly and painfully a few more times, its voice even softer than before, as if it was in excruciating pain.

Sheng Sheng frowned, her worry bordering on anxiety. She gritted her teeth and decided to come back later to apologize.

"Master, please forgive us. This little fox is badly injured; if it doesn't receive treatment soon, it will likely die from the pain. We happen to have some medicine on our carriage, and I'd like to go back and get it to treat it. If we have offended you in any way, I promise to come back and apologize in a little while!"

Sheng Sheng was speaking to the monk who had called out to them earlier. After speaking, Sheng Sheng intended to apologize for a moment and then run away, but then she said, "My Buddhist name is Huihai. How about you give this little fox to me? The temple has medicine for wounds and a young novice monk who knows medicine and can treat its wounds."

As he finished speaking, Master Huihai raised his hand and gently brushed the prayer beads on his chest. His gaze fell on the little fox trembling slightly in Sheng Sheng's arms, his eyes filled with pure compassion, without any hint of inquiry.

"Really!"

Whether to apply the medicine here immediately or to make the rounds to the carriage, the former is the obvious choice!

"Can we follow along with those sounds?"

“Of course.” Master Huihai called over a young novice monk, whispered a few instructions to him, and then said to the others, “Follow him, he will take you to apply medicine to this fox.”

"Okay, thank you!"

With a gentle smile, Sheng Sheng bowed to the two "masters" in front of her to express her gratitude, and then quickly followed the young novice monk away.

Zhui Feng clasped his hands slightly and followed.

Yan Hu glanced meaningfully at the person next to Master Huihai, did nothing, and followed Sheng Sheng without hesitation.

Her footsteps were hurried, so she overlooked Zijuan, who looked somewhat surprised and conflicted, behind her.

Zijuan wanted to keep up with her princess, but the person in front of her...

She hesitated for a long time before bowing, but she didn't know why this person didn't reveal their identity to her princess. What if it was intentional? Wouldn't bowing now ruin things?

Between her left and right brains, Zijuan took half a step forward and then half a step back, turned to face forward and then turned back again, her skirt practically spinning like a top, but she couldn't come to a conclusion for a long time.

Until the person she was hesitating about slowly spoke up: "Alright, you go too."

Zijuan was startled and could only give a simple curtsy before chasing after the vegetables behind her.

In an instant, the courtyard, which had been somewhat restless and noisy just moments before, was now filled only with the gently falling leaves and Master Huihai and the Empress Dowager, who had just finished their discussion of the scriptures.

Master Huihai noticed that the Empress Dowager was staring in the direction the group had left, and he realized: "That must be His Majesty's precious daughter, the Second Princess, whom he lost and then regained."

The Empress Dowager's expression was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, and her tone showed no obvious emotion: "Hmm."

When Sheng Sheng first reunited with Xie Yuxiao and Consort Rong, the palace sent her a letter.

The Empress Dowager recalled the contents of the letter and read it aloud in a low voice: "Sheng Sheng... Xie Yunsheng".

"Your Highness is a blessed person."

The Empress Dowager seemed intrigued: "Oh? Why does Master Huihai say such a thing?"

Master Huihai's smile deepened as he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Your Highness is like a piece of jade reflecting the moon, with a heart free from dust, and a childlike compassion for all living beings—this 'compassionate thought' is the very reason for your connection with all things, and a rare blessing."

She paused, gazing in the direction the sound had faded into the distance. Her fingertips rested on a warm, smooth bead of her Buddhist prayer beads, and she added, "Fate in this world is never accidental. Her Highness's compassion for all things is the 'fruit' of her heart. And this purity may become the 'cause' that protects her through danger in the future. Cause and effect are cyclical and predetermined."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her gaze following the nimble figure, and said in a low voice, "That's enough. This child is kind-hearted and will naturally have her own good fortune. Too much concern would be superfluous."

...

The little fox's injuries were inflicted by humans, which is why it is extremely nervous and afraid when facing people. It can only relax slightly when it can see and hear people.

Because he was worried that the little fox would be scared and stressed after he left and would refuse to receive treatment from the young monk, Sheng Sheng stayed with the little fox until the wound was bandaged.

"The wound on your abdomen is too deep, and my abilities are limited. I can only stop the bleeding and bandage it temporarily. To fully recover, you will have to go back down the mountain to the city to find a doctor."

Sheng Sheng nodded and thanked the young novice, "Okay, thank you."

"You're welcome."

After the young novice monk carried the medicine box out, he looked at the little fox, who was clearly much better, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The little fox's wound was treated with medicine, and it felt less uncomfortable. It became visibly more lively, wagging its tail and rubbing against Sheng Sheng's arm.

Clearly, the little fox now completely believes that the human in front of her is a good person, or at least won't hurt her.

Just as Sheng Sheng was about to touch her tail, she suddenly realized, "Oh no, I've completely lost track of time! My brother must be worried sick that I haven't been back for so long!"

"Zijuan, you stay here and watch over the little fox. Yanhu, you stay here too. With you here, the little fox won't be too nervous."

After giving a few instructions, Sheng Sheng was about to go find Xie Yunyang, but then, afraid of disturbing the little fox, she paused and gently comforted her, "You stay here and wait here obediently, okay? I'll come back later and take you down the mountain to see a doctor!"

The little fox responded with a soft whimper, sounding somewhat distressed.

"Don't worry, Miss, I will keep a close eye on things."

"Hmm." Sheng Sheng patted the little fox's ears before leaving with Zhui Feng.

I wonder if the Empress Dowager has finished her conversation with Master Huihai. I hope she's not late.