Chapter 135: Burning Incense at Baoguo Temple
Thinking that it was an appointment between women, Chen Yu naturally would not go forward to disturb them. Seeing Xu Zhao and the imperial concubine entering the Baoguo Temple, he also walked into the temple.
It's just that the two groups went in different directions. Xu Zhao and the imperial concubine were led to the Moon Temple by the little monk, while Chen Yu went directly to find the abbot.
Su Yao only brought three palace maids into the temple. One was the personal maid who had always served her, and the other two followed behind her, each carrying a basket.
There was nothing covering the basket. Xu Zhao looked at the two people, one carrying a basket of fruit and the other carrying sandalwood for burning incense.
Today is the birthday of the Moon Goddess. The monks in Baoguo Temple come to clean the Moon Goddess Temple as soon as they finish their morning prayers.
In front of the statue of the Moon Goddess are fresh fruits that the monks bought early this morning. As for other pastries and the like, they were prepared by pilgrims who came to burn incense early this morning.
Xu Zhao knew very little about the Baoguo Temple. Along the way, apart from meeting some young ladies from official families, he didn't see any other ordinary people.
If you don't understand, ask: "Today is the birthday of the Moon Goddess, and the people of the Moon Kingdom have all returned to the temple to burn incense. I heard that the Baoguo Temple is very famous in the imperial city and its surrounding areas, so why can't I see the people of the city today?"
Logically speaking, the common people should be the first to arrive, and if they come now, they probably have to line up in front of the temple.
The monk Mingde glanced at the imperial concubine and thought that this girl must have been brought by the imperial concubine. It was probably her first time here and she didn't understand the rules of Baoguo Temple today.
Seeing that no one around the imperial concubine wanted to explain, Mingde led the way and explained: "Donor, you may not know that because Baoguo Temple is a royal temple, today we only entertain royal relatives and fifth-rank officials and their families. If it were a normal day, we would be open to everyone."
Xu Zhao understood. Since it was a royal temple, the royal family would use it first. But it was also a good thing this way, as he didn't have to wait in a long line with others.
Mingde thought that this donor was visiting for the first time, so he introduced Baoguo Temple to her. At the end, Mingde proudly said, "The vegetarian food in our Baoguo Temple is also unique. Many people come here because of the reputation of the vegetarian food. If you are interested, you can taste it after burning incense."
"Oh?" This piqued Xu Zhao's interest.
But because Xu Zhao came in with the Imperial Concubine, she still needed to ask the Imperial Concubine if she wanted to go along, "Your Majesty, would you like to try it together?"
Su Yao would come to Baoguo Temple on the second day of the Chinese New Year every year, and naturally had also tried the vegetarian meals there.
Apart from hunting in the hunting grounds, Su Yao would only leave the palace on this day throughout the year. When she came to Baoguo Temple, she naturally thought of the vegetarian meal. "Since I'm here, I have to eat the vegetarian meal at Baoguo Temple."
"But since it is Prince Anding who is accompanying you today, you can have lunch with him. You don't have to accompany me."
The young couple came out together, so Su Yao would not force Chaoxi to have dinner with her, lest King Anding come to bite her personally.
"yes."
Xu Zhao was naturally happy and at ease.
The Moon Temple is on the west side of Baoguo Temple. After passing through one temple after another, we finally stepped into the threshold of the Moon Temple.
In front of each temple is a spacious area filled with candles lit by pilgrims and various incense sticks.
The first month of the lunar year is a day for people to rejoice together. At this moment, people were burning incense in the Moon Temple. Su Yao did not ask anyone to clear the place, but raised her hand and sent the palace maid who was supporting her to come over.
Su Yao waved her hand, and the palace maid beside her knelt down to salute. She took out six sandalwood sticks from the basket behind her and walked to the burning incense burner in front to borrow light.
Six incense sticks were gathered together and lit one by one. The palace maid did not blow them out with her mouth, but fanned them lightly with her hands. The originally burning fire went out, leaving a wisp of gray smoke.
The palace maid split the sandalwood in her hand into two, three sticks given to the imperial concubine and three sticks given to Xu Zhao.
After Su Yao took the incense, he started from the threshold, bowed every three steps, and walked towards the Moon Temple.
Xu Zhao took the sandalwood from the palace maid, said something, and followed Su Yao's way into the hall.
The palace maids behind him lit incense and entered the hall together. It was the same in previous years. Su Yao did not restrict them. If they also wanted to pray to the gods, Su Yao would naturally agree.
As they were approaching the main hall of the Moon Temple, a young lady happened to come out with her maidservants.
Seeing the imperial concubine coming, the girl immediately stepped forward and knelt down to salute, "I, Su Luoluo, greet the imperial concubine. I pay my respects to her."
Su Luoluo is the second daughter of the Minister of Rites. Her elder sister entered the palace two years ago. She is dignified in appearance and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She was favored by Emperor Showa for a period of time. With a father who is a high-ranking official, her status in the palace is not bad. Now she is ranked among the four concubines and is given the title of Shu.
Because she has a father who is a second-rank official and a sister who is favored in the harem, Su Luoluo usually behaves eccentrically and arrogantly.
However, when meeting the imperial concubine, he still has to behave himself.
At this moment, the imperial concubine was praying for Qinghe to have a safe journey to Zhongjin, and she had no intention of caring about the people around her.
Her eyes didn't even fall on Su Luoluo. She just walked past him without paying any attention.
Xu Zhao, who was following behind, thought that since he came here to pray to Buddha for survival, he would naturally ask for something, regardless of whether it would work or not.
The only person related to her in this world is Chen Yu. Thinking about praying for his safety and also praying for the safety of her parents, she was completely focused on the whole journey and didn't care at all about the woman who walked out.
But even if she cared, it would be useless. She didn't know the woman, so there was no need to go up and talk to her.
Su Luoluo, who was ignored by the two men one after another, stomped her feet angrily and walked out of the Moon Temple without looking back.
"She was born a palace maid. She relied on the fact that she had been with His Majesty for many years and His Majesty made her a noble concubine out of nostalgia. What's so proud about that? Moreover, for a palace maid like her to have her current status, who knows if she used some shameful means."
The maid following Su Luoluo was so frightened when she heard what was said that her soul almost left her body. She turned around hurriedly and saw that the imperial concubine and others had gone far away. It seemed that they did not hear what was said. She took a breath and quickly exhaled.
"Miss, be careful with your words." The maid reminded cautiously.
If this maid had not been with her for many years, Su Luoluo would have slapped her in the face when she heard this.
"What are you afraid of? She is just a concubine without any family background. No matter how favored she is, will His Majesty blame me for her? It's a joke."
"Miss, she is a royal concubine after all, so we'd better not talk about it." The little maid was so scared when she heard her own girl say such outrageous and outspoken words that she hurried to persuade her.
"You, you," Su Luoluo stopped and turned around to tap the maid's forehead, "Have you become stupid from serving others? Even if she really has concerns, we are just talking behind her back, not saying bad things to her face. What's more, am I wrong? Sooner or later, she will grow old and lose her beauty. By then, His Majesty will definitely like younger and prettier ones. I'm afraid her position as a concubine will soon come to an end."
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