After the prayer ceremony, according to custom, monks from Baima Temple will descend the mountain to distribute blessings, giving away the offerings that were presented to Buddha during the ceremony to the people living below the mountain.
Even those who didn't receive any offerings could still get a bowl of eight-treasure porridge, which carried the same meaning: good fortune, longevity, peace, and prosperity.
Although the Empress Dowager fell into a coma due to poisoning and the blessing ceremony was forced to stop, the process of sending blessings down the mountain was not canceled in order not to cause panic among the people.
On the day of the almsgiving, Song Ting still escorted the monks of the temple to deliver the offerings and eight-treasure porridge to the foot of the mountain.
It was still early, but the alms-giving site was already crowded with people. Upon seeing the monks of Baima Temple, they all put their hands together in a Buddhist salute, showing great respect.
Even the baby being held in someone's arms knows to do it, and says "Amitabha" in a very proper way.
To prevent accidents during the distribution of offerings, Song Ting needed to maintain order. Once the offerings were distributed, he was basically done with it. He turned his head and found Chu Huaixu standing in front of the porridge bucket, distributing eight-treasure porridge with the monks.
Today, he unusually changed out of his red clothes and borrowed a monk's robe from the temple.
The ordinary gray monk's robe he wore immediately took on an indescribable quality, so much so that Song Ting couldn't help but look at him many times on the way down the mountain, as if she couldn't get enough of looking at him.
Looking at it now, it still doesn't feel right.
"Brother, why are you wearing a mask? Is your face injured?"
A little girl, about five or six years old, was being held by her father, holding a large bowl with a crack in it, and asking Huai Xu for porridge. She asked him curiously when she saw the mask on his face.
Children speak without thinking, which made the child's father's expression change. He smiled awkwardly and apologized repeatedly.
"My child is being immature, please forgive him, young master..."
Chu Huaixu was dressed in monk's robes, so the man mistook him for a disciple of the White Horse Temple.
"It's alright." Chu Huaixu smiled and nodded at the man, then reached out and touched the little girl's head, saying softly, "I'm ugly, and I was afraid of scaring you, so I have to wear a mask."
That's a lie.
Song Ting thought to herself, "You're so beautiful, no one is more beautiful than you."
"Brother is lying. Brother's voice is so nice, he must be very handsome." Even the little girl didn't believe it.
Everyone around burst into laughter, and Huaixu laughed heartily too. In a flash, he produced a piece of candy from his palm and handed it to the little girl: "Thank you. Grow up healthy and safe."
"Thank you, brother." The little girl smiled sweetly and saw Song Ting not far away. "Brother, does that brother over there like you? He keeps looking at you."
Chu Huaixu: "..."
Song Ting: "..."
This little girl is destined for great things; she has a sharp eye for talent.
"What nonsense are you talking about, child? How can your brother like your brother? Don't talk nonsense." The child's father looked even more embarrassed.
"I'm so sorry, young master. The child is ignorant and has offended you. I hope you won't mind. And to this gentleman, I'm truly sorry..."
Song Ting, dressed in his black python robe, exuded a menacing aura when he remained silent with a stern face, making it almost impossible for anyone to look him in the eye. The middle-aged man was so frightened that he could barely speak.
"It's alright, children say the darndest things." However, Song Ting wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, he was secretly pleased. If he wasn't worried about Huai Xu getting angry, he would have rewarded the little girl with a bag of golden melon seeds. She was so good at talking.
After the little girl left with her father, the line for porridge continued. Song Ting went over and took the ladle from Huai Xu, then stood next to him and served him porridge.
"Are you tired? Sit down and rest for a while."
"Not tired."
Song Ting glanced at the sweat on his forehead and reached out to wipe it away for him: "You said you weren't tired."
Chu Huaixu's words last night hurt Song Ting's feelings, and the commander's awkwardness has continued from midnight until today.
Not only did she always speak with a sharp tone, but she also dared to contradict him. Chu Huaixu found it somewhat amusing. "It is quite hot, but I'm not tired."
"It's hot and uncomfortable. Let's go sit under the shade of the tree over there and have a bowl of sweet soup," Song Ting said with a stern face.
Chu Huaixu raised an eyebrow: "Where did this sweet soup come from?"
“I had it prepared, just in case you suddenly want to eat it. Xiao Wu—” Song Ting called out, and Xiao Wu, who was patrolling around, immediately ran over, “What is it, sir?”
"Where is the bird's nest and lotus seed soup? Let me take you there for a drink."
Xiao Wu immediately fawned, "Okay!"
The bird's nest was chilled; just holding it in my hands before even drinking it made me feel much cooler. Chu Huaixu's current physical condition was strange; he was sensitive to both cold and heat, and felt very uncomfortable if it got even slightly hot, wishing he could hold ice cubes in his arms at all times.
Following Song Ting's instructions, Xiao Wu only ladled out a small bowl for him. After drinking it, Chu Huaixu felt it wasn't enough and wanted more.
Xiao Wu didn't dare to give it to them. The two stared at each other for a while, and then Chu Huaixu suddenly laughed: "Are you that afraid of your parents?"
Xiao Wu cleared his throat and said earnestly, "It wasn't fear, it was respect."
Chu Huaixu stared at him through the silver mask, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze. Xiao Wu felt a chill run down his spine under his gaze, but still stubbornly said:
"I'm telling the truth. Although the lord looks fierce, he treats us subordinates very well. He saved every one of us secret guards; otherwise, we wouldn't be alive today."
"That's because he needs you to work for him; he's using you," Chu Huaixu said with a half-smile.
The sun gradually rose, and the surrounding temperature increased. Even sitting still, one could break out in a sweat. Chu Huaixu glanced at the man serving porridge, whose features had matured considerably compared to five years ago.
Those who have never seen Song Ting in person probably wouldn't believe that the ruthless and decisive commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could be so handsome.
Back then, Chu Huaixu himself was deceived by this face, which is why he was used by this person and became a stepping stone for his rapid rise to power.
“The master likes you very much. I can feel that the master is different from before,” Xiao Wu suddenly said.
Chu Huaixu was somewhat surprised: "Hmm?"
"I'm not good with words and don't know how to say it, but ever since you came into my life, it's like you've come alive."
This remark successfully amused Chu Huaixu: "What, were your adults dead before?"
Xiao Wu smiled somewhat awkwardly. "That's not what I meant."
Whether by coincidence or not, Song Ting also sensed the gaze upon her, looked up at Chu Huaixu, and mouthed, "Is it—delicious—?"
He looked a bit like he did five years ago. The stray dog he had taken in had finally learned to be affectionate and would occasionally tentatively extend its paw, taking advantage of his pampered nature.
Chu Huaixu's eyelids twitched inexplicably, and he pointed his finger at the unfinished sweet soup: "Since you won't let me drink it, take it to your master. He's tough and doesn't mind the cold."
Xiao Wu: "..."
Xiao Wu: "Shouldn't we save it for later? There are still many people, and they might not be able to go back for a while."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com