In the past few days, Meng Zhelan has been in a low mood, and even at the bustling trade fair, she seemed listless and absent-minded.
"Lan'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Or is something on your mind? I'm really worried about you seeing you like this," Li Xi asked with concern when she saw Meng Zhelan's condition.
She originally thought that Meng Zhelan didn't care about Prince An's marriage, since their relationship was just that of doctor and patient.
But now it seems that's not the case.
Upon hearing Li Xi's question, Meng Zhelan slightly raised her head, her eyes revealing a hint of melancholy and helplessness.
She sighed softly and said, "Actually... I don't know what's wrong with me. Ever since I heard that the Emperor bestowed a marriage upon Prince An and Princess Xuan Yue, I've felt a bit down and can't muster the energy to do anything."
Upon hearing this, Li Xi was deeply shaken.
She hadn't expected Meng Zhelan to be so upset about this.
Could it be... that she has special feelings for Prince An? The thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
After all, they had always referred to each other as friends, and Meng Zhelan had never shown any feelings for Prince An that went beyond friendship.
Perhaps she was simply happy for Prince An?
However, the reality is not so simple.
Deep within Meng Zhelan's heart, ripples had already begun to stir.
Although she had always regarded Prince An as a good friend, she realized that she actually had a deeper feeling for him after learning that he was about to get married.
This feeling left her confused and in pain, unsure of how to cope.
"Lan'er, you..." Li Xi looked at Meng Zhelan's complicated expression and couldn't help but feel worried.
She knew Meng Zhelan was a clever and quick-witted woman, but in this matter, she seemed somewhat confused and at a loss.
Meng Zhelan gently shook her head, as if trying to shake away the turmoil in her heart, but to no avail.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and then said, "Xi'er, you don't need to worry about me. I just need some time to sort out my feelings."
"Let's go to Xiangguo Temple. I heard that the abbot has been chanting sutras for the public these past few days, and a lot of people have gone there to watch the excitement."
Li Xi wanted to take her out to relax.
Li Yi has almost fully recovered. After seeing him today, Li Xi went to the trade fair to find Chairman Wang and the others.
"Alright, it's been a while since I've properly presided over the abbotship. Let me go buy some snacks first."
After buying some snacks, the two headed towards Xiangguo Temple in the suburbs.
It is now the hour of Si (9-11 AM), and it will only take an hour to ride a horse to Xiangguo Temple.
The two chatted as they walked, enjoying the scenery and the autumn air.
When we arrived at Xiangguo Temple, it was not yet noon.
The temple was bustling with activity, filled with the smoke of incense and the constant flow of people.
"It seems there are quite a few people here today," Li Xi remarked.
The two walked through the crowd and arrived in front of the main hall.
A kind-faced old monk was chanting scriptures in a loud and clear voice, inspiring awe in all who saw him.
"The abbot is truly profound in Buddhist teachings; even the sound of his chanting brings a sense of inner peace," Li Xi exclaimed.
The two stood quietly to one side, listening to the chanting of the presiding master and feeling the tranquility and solemnity.
After the chanting ended, the two stepped forward to pay their respects to the presiding master and asked him some questions about Buddhism.
The host patiently answered their questions, which greatly benefited the two of them.
Afterwards, the two strolled around the temple, visiting various halls and appreciating the unique charm of the temple's architectural style and Buddhist culture.
"This is truly a wonderful place, a place where one can forget the troubles of the world," Li Xi remarked.
"Yes, every time I come here, I feel a sense of peace and tranquility within me," Meng Zhelan said with deep feeling.
The two strolled around the temple for a long time, immersed in its peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Suddenly, a voice came: "Dr. Meng, you've arrived."
The speaker was the abbot of Xiangguo Temple.
Meng Zhelan quickly bowed and respectfully said, "Master Jingkong."
The abbot smiled and nodded, saying, "The temple has been very busy today, and I only have time to chat with you now."
He made a "please" gesture, indicating that Meng Zhelan should follow him.
The two arrived at a meditation room, which was not large but was decorated very exquisitely.
The walls of the room were painted a light yellow, and several ink paintings hung on them, giving off an elegant atmosphere.
The floor was covered with a thick carpet, which felt as soft as walking on clouds.
The room contained a wooden desk and several meditation cushions. On the desk were a few Buddhist scriptures and a calligraphy brush, creating an atmosphere of exceptional tranquility.
The abbot was sitting upright on one of the prayer cushions, wearing a kasaya, with a kind face and eyes that revealed an extraordinary and refined temperament.
Meng Zhelan sat down gently to the side, placed the desserts she had brought on the table, and said with a smile, "Master, these are some snacks I brought especially for you. I hope you will like them."
These desserts look incredibly tempting; they are meticulously crafted into various shapes, including round, square, and triangular, and each one exudes a sweet aroma.
The dessert is also decorated with colorful icing and dried fruit, making it irresistible to take a bite.
The abbot nodded slightly in gratitude.
He said softly, "Since I started using Doctor Meng's medicine, my condition has greatly improved. The splitting headaches I used to experience while chanting scriptures are now rare."
Meng Zhelan smiled and replied, "That's good. Let me take your pulse. Also, I'll prescribe some medicine to help you recover. You can send someone to Ren'an Hall to pick it up tomorrow."
She gently gestured for the abbot to extend his arm, placing her fingers on his pulse and carefully sensing its quality.
Time passed slowly, and Meng Zhelan waited patiently. When the diagnosis was over, she gently blew on the soaked prescription to dry it and put it away properly.
However, she was still struggling with whether or not to ask the host that question.
Finally, after much struggle, Meng Zhelan decided to tell the truth.
She took a deep breath, hesitated slightly, and then poured out all her worries.
The host listened quietly, occasionally nodding slightly to show understanding.
After Meng Zhelan finished speaking, the host remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering how to respond.
After a while, he slowly spoke: "In life, it is indeed difficult to avoid encountering all kinds of troubles and difficulties. These troubles may make people feel upset, but they are also opportunities for growth and tempering. The key is how we face them, learn from them, and find solutions."
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