The next morning, while it was still dark, the Cheng family boarded a donkey cart and slowly set off towards the foot of the southern slope of Wuling Mountain.
Dabei Temple is located on the summit of Chaori Peak, the highest peak at the southern end of Wuling Mountain. After the donkey cart reaches the foot of the mountain, people need to get off and hike up the mountain. It takes about three hours to climb from the foot of the mountain to the top. Time also needs to be reserved in between to go to the main hall to listen to the Dharma assembly and burn incense to pray for blessings. Therefore, people who do not have a car will choose to set off at midnight so that they can get down the mountain before dark.
It is said that Da Bei Temple not only has a long history, but is also the foremost of the three major temples in Da Yue. It is rumored that the current abbot, Master Ling Jue, is a highly accomplished monk who can understand the past and future and has boundless Buddhist teachings.
Although Cheng Ruyi was skeptical, she still wanted to meet this master if she had the chance. What if he could really see through her identity? Maybe he could help her travel back in time? After all, that's how it's written in novels!
As the donkey cart reached the foot of the mountain, the sky began to lighten slightly. At this time, the entrance to the mountain was bustling with people preparing to climb the mountain to worship Buddha and pray for blessings. The market was already filled with various stalls. Cheng Ruyi and Xu Cui casually picked out some paper money and candles. After everyone was ready, they officially began to climb the mountain.
The peaks on the south side of Wuling Mountain are significantly steeper than those on the west side. Although the entire route consists of stone steps, some sections are quite steep, posing a considerable challenge for the elderly and children. Therefore, there are many places to rest along the entire staircase, which is quite considerate.
By the time everyone reached the third rest stop, the sun was already high in the sky. They had completed two-thirds of the journey, which took about two hours. So they decided to rest there, eat something to replenish their energy, and then continue on their way.
Those who can arrive here at this time either started climbing the mountain in the middle of the night or have excellent physical strength, and the Cheng family members clearly belong to the latter.
This rest stop is located on a cliff. Once you climb up the cliff, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the scenery below. A gentle breeze occasionally caresses you, making you feel refreshed and relaxed.
Cheng Ruyi stood on the edge of the cliff and looked back, discovering that the pavilion where she was resting was named "Dingfeng Pavilion," a very interesting name indeed.
Besides their family, there was another family in the pavilion. Judging from the way they were sitting there wiping their sweat and panting, they were probably the kind who had started climbing the mountain in the middle of the night.
Although the four people in the group did not dress up deliberately, their fine silks and satins and their extraordinary demeanor clearly distinguished them from ordinary people. Moreover, one of them, a middle-aged man wearing a fine cotton long gown, was massaging the legs and back of the old man in brocade robes, so he must be a servant of their household.
The servant looked somewhat familiar, but Cheng Ruyi couldn't remember who he was for a moment, so she simply didn't pay him any mind. However, her youngest daughter, being very outgoing, started chatting with him.
"Pretty sister, are you also going to Dabeisi Temple? Why didn't you bring any food? Would you like to try our egg pancakes? They're delicious!" Cheng Yunle sweetly asked the girl in plain brocade clothes, and without waiting for a reply, she placed the egg pancake in her hand. "Pretty sister, you should try it, it's really delicious, Yunle wouldn't lie!"
The girl was slightly surprised, but she politely said "thank you" and then took a small bite of the egg pancake in her hand. The young man in brocade robes next to her was about to stop her, but he was too late.
So, with a mixture of indulgence and reproach, she said, "Xiao Ci, how can you accept gifts from others so casually! You..."
"Handsome brother, you have one too!"
Before the young man in brocade could finish speaking, Cheng Yunle skipped over to him, shoved a pancake into his hand, and then blinked her big eyes sweetly, saying, "You're so handsome! You're the most handsome person Yunle has ever seen!"
The young man in brocade robes looked at the pancake in his hand: ........
Seeing this, Cheng Ruyi couldn't help but facepalm. She knew that her youngest daughter was powerless against beautiful people and things and was a die-hard member of the "appearance association." However, she had never encountered such an open and blatant infatuation before.
However, the young man and woman in their fine clothes were indeed exceptionally beautiful children. At such a young age, they already possessed elegant figures and extraordinary temperaments, suggesting that only a wealthy family could raise them. Moreover, the girl was dignified, beautiful, gentle, and graceful, while the boy was handsome and dashing. The two of them standing together were a truly pleasing sight to behold.
Seeing this, Cheng Ruyi walked over and gave the old man a slightly awkward bow, saying apologetically, "This young lady is naturally lively and active. Today, seeing the kind faces of the two gentlemen and ladies, I couldn't help but want to share my favorite food. I hope the old man won't mind!"
As she spoke, she handed the food box containing the pancakes to the servant beside the old woman. "These egg pancakes are homemade. They're also sold in shops in the county town. They taste alright. Would you like to try some, sir?"
The old man had no reaction with his eyes closed, but the servant looked up at Ruyi and then bowed to her, saying, "Madam Cheng, how have you been?"
Cheng Ruyi was very surprised. She had thought the person looked familiar, but she didn't expect that it was actually someone she knew. Only after getting closer and seeing clearly did she finally remember.
"It's Manager Zhou! Long time no see..."
The servant beside the old man is the head steward of the Zhou family, which means that the old man is the patriarch of the Zhou family? And these two young men and women are the young master and young lady of the Zhou family?
What incredible luck!
"Master, this is Madam Cheng, who has a business relationship with Zhiwei Restaurant." Manager Zhou didn't care about Cheng Ruyi's thoughts at the moment, and simply introduced her to his master in a proper manner.
Perhaps it was because of his years of worshipping Buddha and doing good deeds, but the old patriarch of the Zhou family exuded a kind and gentle aura, and his appearance was somewhat similar to that of Maitreya Buddha.
Upon hearing Steward Zhou's introduction, the old man, who had been keeping his eyes closed, finally opened them. His gaze was deep and bright, as if he could see into people's hearts.
He gave Cheng Ruyi a deep look, then smiled and said, "Hehe, since we're acquaintances, then this old man won't stand on ceremony!"
The old man was very down-to-earth. He picked up a piece of egg pancake, took a bite, and then his eyes lit up. He finished the pancake in just a few bites.
"Excellent, excellent! Quick-witted and skillful!" After saying this, he patted his round belly and exclaimed with satisfaction, "If this were accompanied by some refreshing and sweet tea or soft and fluffy desserts, it would be the greatest pleasure in the world!"
"Huh? Uncle, how did you know we brought tea and sweets?" Cheng Yunle from Sheniu was completely oblivious to awkwardness and could chat casually with anyone like old friends. "I know! It must be because Mom's sweets smelled so good, right!"
"Hehehe, you're right, the little one is so clever and quick-witted!"
Little Yunle was overjoyed after receiving the praise. "Mommy, Mommy, shall we give the sweets to the old man to try?"
What else could Cheng Ruyi do? Could she say no? The big boss she wanted to build a good relationship with was sitting right in front of her; of course, she had to seize the opportunity and make a good impression!
So she simply took out all the egg pancakes, preserved pork and radish rice balls, osmanthus cakes, and honey orange tea with spring water that she had brought, and the two families had lunch in the pavilion ahead of time.
During the conversation, it was learned that the Zhou family had indeed started climbing the mountain in the middle of the night. They had rested for a long time at the previous rest stops and had also eaten some food brought from home. So after they arrived here, they asked their servants to take the food and luggage to Dabeisi Temple to make arrangements, thinking that they would catch up after they had rested.
So the Zhou family, who originally had a small appetite but had unexpectedly become hungry again due to the exertion of climbing, encountered the Cheng family, who were carrying plenty of food but were not very hungry and just wanted to sit down and rest.
Perhaps fate is always so ingenious; before long, all the food Ruyi brought was finished, and even the tea was drunk clean.
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