Chapter 46 Buddha Bathing Festival
The next day, Doctor Zhou arrived as promised and gave Yun Wan a follow-up examination. After that, he returned to the palace to report, truthfully informing her of her condition and suggesting that Yun Wan should rest and recuperate to recover her strength.
Perhaps this was the case, and Emperor Jingxuan's plan to visit was put on hold.
It happened that the previous dynasty was busy with government affairs and a sudden spring flood occurred in the south of the Yangtze River. Local officials neglected their duties, causing a dam to collapse and flooding, submerging a village downstream and thousands of acres of fertile farmland.
Emperor Jingxuan was furious and ordered the dismissal of a number of people. Some had their property confiscated, and some were exiled. As a result, everyone in the court was in danger and in a state of panic during this period.
Of course, none of this has anything to do with Yun Wan.
Imperial Physician Zhou went to Duke Lu's mansion every day for seven days to see Yun Wan. Under his treatment, Yun Wan's condition gradually stabilized and she recovered.
By late May, after nearly half a month of recuperation, Yun Wan's health had improved greatly and her complexion had returned to normal.
As the summer approaches, the weather is getting hotter. Coincidentally, the Bodhi Temple will hold the Buddha Bathing Festival in a few days. Mrs. Lu, who has always believed in Buddhism and worshipped Buddha, decided to take this opportunity to take all the female relatives in the house to Bodhi Mountain outside Beijing.
In the main room, Yueya and the others were busy packing Yunwan's luggage. Bodhi Temple was located on the mountainside, so it was cold in the mornings and evenings. Summer clothes alone wouldn't be enough; they also needed a thin fleece outer layer.
Yue'e folded her clothes for changing, and after thinking for a while, she added a lotus-colored gauze undergarment.
Yueya frowned when she saw this: "Why put this in there? Madam doesn't know how to wear it, and it would be a burden if she brought it with her."
Yue'e snorted: "That's not necessarily true."
"I heard there's a manor on the top of the mountain with hot springs. Soaking in them can beautify your complexion, dredge your meridians and invigorate your blood circulation, and is good for your health. In short, there are many benefits. If you have some free time, maybe Madam can go and soak in it!"
If you are taking a hot spring bath, you naturally cannot wear heavy clothes, and this gauze is just right.
Yueya didn't know about the existence of hot spring pools, but after hearing what she said, she thought it made sense and didn't try to stop her. After all, it was just one more thing to bring along.
What they didn't expect was that this gauze dress actually came in handy.
They set out from Duke Lu's Mansion early the next morning and arrived at Bodhi Temple before noon, where they stayed in the temple's side rooms.
There are three rooms in total. Yun Wan and Lu Changning live in one room, and Lu Changyu lives with her mother, the Second Madam, the old lady and Aunt Zhong.
After a whole morning of travel, the old lady was the first to be unable to bear it. After having a vegetarian meal, she went back to her room to rest. The others had nothing to do, so they also went back to their rooms.
"This Buddha Bathing Festival lasts for ten days, and Grandma said we have to stay here for at least seven days. That's too long..."
"When I came up from the foot of the mountain, I saw there wasn't much to do here. Aunt San, are we really going to chant sutras and recite Buddhist scriptures for seven days?"
"Bored?"
"I'm afraid I can't stay here, especially since I get drowsy whenever I hear the chanting, which is very disrespectful to the Buddha."
"The Buddha is merciful and will not blame you."
"Besides, the old lady will be busy by then and I'm afraid she won't have time to take care of you."
Upon hearing this, Lu Changning's eyes suddenly lit up.
Yun Wan guessed correctly. For several days in a row, the old lady was very busy. From participating in the Buddha bathing ceremony to fasting meetings, releasing animals, making connections and other customary activities, she had no time to care about Lu Changning at all.
That day, when Yun Wan came out of the Buddha Hall, she saw Lu Changning coming towards her from a distance with a smile on his face.
"Aunt Three! I found a great place!"
She was wearing a light pink peach blossom dress, and her round almond eyes were sparkling.
Yun Wan brushed away the dust from her cuffs. The light green dress with wide sleeves made her figure look slender and light, and there was a hint of coolness in her gentleness.
She asked with a puzzled look, "What good place?"
Lu Changning said excitedly, "I heard from the young monks in the temple that there's a hot spring village on the top of the mountain, surrounded by a peach forest. It's really beautiful!"
Although it is a bit regrettable that the peach blossom season has passed, it is still nice to see a tree full of peaches.
"I just met Xiangxue and Princess Jiayi. They also came with their family elders."
"We've made an appointment to go to the top of the mountain in the afternoon and then go to the hot spring pool. Aunt San, you should come too!"
Lu Changning took the initiative to invite and looked at Yun Wan expectantly.
Hot spring pool?
Yun Wan was tempted for a moment, but still said, "You ladies can go, it's not appropriate for me to go."
Lu Changning pouted, "What's inappropriate about that? We're all women. We've finally come here, so shouldn't we have fun?"
She knew that her third aunt was subject to many restrictions due to her status, but it was precisely because of this that Lu Changning felt even more sorry for her.
Having been master and servant for many years, Yue'e had long noticed Yun Wan's excitement, so she said with a smile, "Madam, the young lady is right. Instead of staying in the house, why don't you go take a dip in the hot spring? That would be a good way to relax your muscles."
As she spoke, she winked at Yueya, who then said, "I heard that the hot spring has the effect of dispelling cold, promoting health, and prolonging life. Since you've just recovered from a serious illness, why not give it a try?"
"Yeah, let's try it!"
Lu Changning tugged at her sleeve coquettishly.
Yun Wan glanced at them helplessly: "I don't think it's for my own good. It's you two who want to go, right?"
Yue'e smiled embarrassedly.
Without hesitation, Yun Wan agreed: "Well, since we are here, let's give it a try."
"But I'm afraid I won't be free later. I have to continue offering incense, so I won't be able to go sightseeing with you."
Yun Wan took this opportunity to make a wish in front of the Buddha, "May she and Asui, mother and son, live a peaceful and smooth life," and promised to offer incense and worship for three days. Today is the last day.
Lu Changning: "Then you can join us in the hot spring later. When you get to the manor, tell the servant there my name and she will take you there."
Yun Wan nodded and took note of it.
.........
At the end of the You hour, Yun Wan took Yueya and Yue'e up the mountain.
The hot spring villa is located at the top of the mountain. There is a bluestone path from the bottom of the mountain to the top. The road surface is flat and easy to walk on. It only takes half an hour to walk there from the Bodhi Temple.
The sun was shining brightly along the way, and there were many tourists going up and down the mountain. Most of them came to participate in the Buddha Bathing Festival and enjoy the scenery.
The golden sunlight hangs high in the sky, penetrating through layers of white clouds, and its afterglow spreads across the world. The view from the top of the mountain is broad, and as far as the eye can see, one can see most of the layout of the capital city.
It is called a hot spring village, but in fact it occupies half of the mountain. The hot springs drawn from the ground emit a faint smell of sulfur.
After entering the village, Yue'e explained her purpose and gave the name Lu Changning.
The blue-dressed maid who greeted them paused and looked at Yun Wan: "Are you Miss Lu's third aunt, the third wife of the Lu family?"
Yun Wan: "Exactly."
The maid bowed to her and said with a smile, "Madam, please follow me."
She walked in front, her steps light and brisk with an indescribable sense of agility. She didn't look like an ordinary maid, but rather like a maid who had received rigorous training.
Yun Wan thought that the owner of this hot spring villa must be a very particular person.
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