Chapter 346: Xiao Duzhu's Family
The weather in midsummer is already hot, and encountering unlucky things on the road is even more annoying.
Fortunately, the journey was smooth. When the ice basin on the carriage had melted almost completely, Tang Ning and his companions arrived in front of Lingyun Temple.
The high orange-red wall blocks the main hall inside, but you can faintly smell the smoke from burning incense wafting out of the temple. The towering pines and cypresses vaguely peek out from the top of the wall, covering the entire front of the temple.
There is a large open space in front of the temple, which is now filled with horse-drawn carriages that have not yet dispersed. Pilgrims who come to participate in the Ullambana Festival get off the carriages one after another. The smell of incense can be smelled before entering the temple.
When Tang Ning and the others arrived, a young monk from the temple came out to greet them: "What are your names, donors?"
"My master's surname is Xiao, and he sent a message to the temple three days ago."
As Yue Jian finished speaking, the young monk quickly lowered his head and said, "So you are the family of Governor Xiao. Please follow me into the temple, benefactors."
The back of Lingyun Temple is divided into two wings, east and west. Male and female pilgrims who come to burn incense normally stay on each side. In addition, there are some small guesthouses for couples or parents and children who come to pray together, or for some noble people who are too noble to live with others to stay overnight.
The Governor's Mansion had sent a message to the temple earlier. Tang Ning and the others were settled in a small courtyard. After entering, Canglang brought people to explore the entire courtyard inside and out.
Tang Ning watched Hua Wu and the other maids coming in and out to pack their things, fanning herself as she said, "There are indeed a lot of people in this temple. I just saw quite a few familiar faces outside. They all came to our house for the banquet that day."
Rong Yue said, "We've only just arrived. Today isn't the official Dharma Assembly yet. I'm afraid more people will come tomorrow morning."
It was Xue Ru's first time to be in such a crowded place. She was a little curious: "Are so many people here to attend the Dharma Assembly?"
"Not entirely." Rong Yue knew she didn't understand, so she explained, "There are many Buddhist ceremonies, and the Ullambana Festival is just one of them. Lingyun Temple is very popular and very effective, so many people do come to worship and pray on this day, but not everyone comes for this."
"Have you seen those carriages at the foot of the mountain, and the people staying in this temple tonight? Not to mention those far away, just in the west wing we just passed, there are the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion, the Ji Prince's Mansion, the Fourth Prince's Mansion, and several Earl's Mansions. In addition, there are even more relatives of important officials in the court. Most of them will stay in this temple for two or three days..."
Xue Ru suddenly realized, "It's extremely difficult to normally meet so many powerful people, but in this temple, it's much easier. Besides, since they all come here to offer sacrifices and pray, it's easy to find common topics. Those people are treating this Dharma Assembly as a place to socialize."
Rong Yue liked the girl's intelligence and fanned herself as she said, "There are many people in the capital who like to seek personal gain, and not everyone respects the gods. If you come with Tang Ning, you will definitely be noticed by those with ulterior motives. If anyone approaches you these two days, you must be careful and don't be deceived."
Although the little girl has nothing, she can't help but have a sister who has everything. Some people may set their sights on Xue Ru.
Xue Ru quickly alerted: "I will be careful."
Tang Ning put the snacks in his hand aside, turned around and laughed when he saw Xue Ru being so cautious.
"There's no need to be too cautious. After all, it's a Buddhist temple. Even if you want to take advantage of it, you can't go too far. Otherwise, you won't gain any benefits and will easily be branded as disrespectful to the gods."
"There's a warm spring on the cliffside in the mountain behind Lingyun Temple. The surrounding vegetation is lush and green all year round. At sunrise and sunset, the spring water creates a beautiful rainbow above the cliff. If you're interested, Aru, you can go and take a look. Just remember to bring your guards."
After she finished speaking, she glanced at the sky outside and said, "It's getting dark. I wonder if Sister Ayue and Madam Qian have arrived yet."
If there is anyone who can't stand being talked about, it must be Qian Qiyue.
Tang Ning had just finished speaking when Qian Qiyue's voice came from outside.
"Tang Ning!"
Qian Qiyue rested for a few days, and the impact of falling into the water was long gone. She changed out of her favorite crimson dress and put on a Suqing skirt. However, the dress of a lady from a noble family did not restrain her temper at all. She jumped over to Tang Ning when she saw her.
Tang Ning went out with a smile: "I was just talking about you, and you guys are here."
"I was just saying that. It's all my brother and the others' fault. They kept dragging their feet and didn't come up until dark."
Qian Qingran had already been appointed to the Dali Temple. Although his position wasn't high, he would be staying in the capital. Hearing Qian Qiyue's clamor, he replied, "Isn't it because you were afraid the vegetarian food in the mountains wouldn't suit your taste, so you sneaked off to buy food and wasted time?"
After he finished speaking, he smiled gently at Tang Ning and said, "Greetings, County Master."
Tang Ning returned the greeting: "Master Qian."
"What's the big deal? He's just a little Mr. Qian at best." Qian Qiyue hugged Tang Ning's arm: "He is my brother, and your brother too. Why are you so distant with him? Otherwise, there are a lot of people with the surname Qian in our family. Who will respond if you call them 'sister'?"
Tang Ning seemed to be amused by the image in Qian Qiyue's words. Even Qian Qingran laughed: "You and Ah Yue are good friends, so let her call me Brother Qian."
Tang Ning was not pretentious: "Then Brother Qian, don't call me the County Master anymore, just call me Tang Ning."
Qian Qingran raised the corner of his mouth slightly: "Tang Ning."
Fu Laiqing, who had just walked over to greet them, suddenly felt redundant when he heard the two of them calling each other. It didn't matter to him whether they called each other Tang Ning or not, but he had even touched Qian Qiyue's side. After all, they had experienced "life and death" together, and they were still "Miss Qian" and "Mr. Fu". Why did these two get close to each other first?
envy!
Fu Laiqing coughed heavily to show his presence.
Qian Qiyue hugged Tang Ning's arm and turned around: "Fu Laiqing? Why are you here too?"
When Fu Laiqing heard her call his name, the jealousy in his heart subsided a little: "I came here with my grandmother. She said that the Ullambana Festival is a rare event in Buddhism, and it's a good time to pray for our ancestors."
Qian Qiyue was puzzled. Usually, it was the female family members who liked to come for the prayers, sacrifices, and worship of gods. Didn't the Fu family have a daughter-in-law? At the very least, there was Mrs. Fu. Even her eldest brother came for his sister-in-law. Her second and third brothers refused to come and even pestered their two sisters-in-law to stay in the house.
Why is Fu Laiqing so active and even accompanies Madam Fu in worshipping Buddha?
Qian Qiyue said, "You are quite filial."
"The same goes for Miss Qian." Fu Laiqing met Qian Qiyue's gaze and tried to show the smile he had prepared for a long time and thought was the best.
Qian Qiyue: "What are you doing? You're smiling so ugly."
Fu Laiqing: "..."
Seeing the young master of the Fu family's face frozen, Qian Qingran couldn't help but pat his little sister lightly: "Don't be rude."
Qian Qiyue stuck out her tongue, turned her head and hugged Tang Ning, muttering softly: "That's it..." She was fine the last time we saw her, why is she smiling so fakely this time?
Fu Laiqing's face instantly tightened when he heard her words.
If you laugh again, he's a pig!
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