That year, in early February.
The Taoist master Zhang Shanyun, along with his closed-door disciple Liu Feng, embarked on a journey across the world, visiting famous mountains and rivers, and seeking friends to discuss the Tao.
Along the way, Zhang Shanyun not only taught him about worldly affairs and human relationships, but also carefully taught him the methods of cultivating Tao.
On this day, the master and disciple arrived at Baiyun Temple, located atop Mount Heng in the Southern Yue region.
Nestled in the embrace of lush mountains and forests, the air is fresh, with towering pines and swaying bamboos, creating a serene and solemn scene.
The female Taoist priests in the temple are all highly skilled in Taoist cultivation.
The abbot, Bai Yaohua, also known as Lingsu Zhenren, appeared to be about sixty years old. He had a slender face and eyes that shone with a serene and tranquil light. His silver hair was neatly tied under his Taoist crown.
She was skilled in astrology and the Plum Blossom Divination, and it was rumored that she could see through the secrets of heaven, and was even called the "Divine Calculator of Heavenly Secrets".
The old Taoist priest Qingfeng had been friends with her for a long time, and this time he specially brought Liu Feng to visit, hoping that she could give his young apprentice some guidance in astrology and divination.
A gentle breeze rustles through the mountains, and the sounds of birdsong and wind chimes occasionally drift from the bamboo grove. Everything around is tranquil and peaceful, as if one has stepped into a paradise, washing away worldly troubles and instantly calming the mind.
When Liu Feng and his master entered Baiyun Temple, they happened to meet a young Taoist nun.
The young nun, about eleven or twelve years old, was dressed in a simple Taoist robe. Tears streamed down her face as she sat alone on the steps in front of the temple, head bowed, weeping by herself.
Beneath her long, curved eyelashes lay a pair of large, bright, watery eyes; she was very beautiful.
Liu Feng couldn't help but recall the line "In early February, the cardamom buds are just beginning to sprout," feeling it was the perfect description for this young Taoist nun. Perhaps he should add: "Peach blossoms on the branches are just beginning to bear dew, their pink petals holding sorrow as they reflect the colors of spring."
Seeing the young nun crying so sadly, he felt pity for her and knelt down beside her, gently comforting her: "Little girl, what's wrong? Don't cry, you'll make your face look ugly. Go home and find your mother."
Upon hearing this, the young Taoist nun looked up at Liu Feng with teary eyes, and the tears flowed even more rapidly.
Liu Feng's heart sank. He thought to himself that she might be an orphan, and he shouldn't have mentioned the word "mother." Otherwise, what mother would be willing to let such a lovely little girl become a nun?
"Why!"
He sighed and decided to try a different way to comfort her: "Little girl, don't cry. Here, there's candy. Eat it and you won't cry anymore."
As he spoke, he pulled out a pocket full of candy from his pocket and pried the little Taoist nun's hand away.
These candies were a gift from a poor family in Nanyue Town, given to them as a token of their gratitude when they treated patients without charging them any fees.
Liu Feng didn't like candy like other children. He wanted to refuse, but he couldn't resist their hospitality. Unexpectedly, it came in handy at this moment.
After giving all the candy to the young Taoist nun, he left with light steps.
The young Taoist nun, tears welling in her eyes, stared at Liu Feng's departing figure, paused for a moment, and muttered softly, "Who wants your candy? You little stinky Taoist, why do you still call me 'little girl'?"
Gradually, the crying subsided. But before she knew it, a strange, indescribable emotion welled up inside the young nun.
She looked down at the candy in her hands, as well as the ones that had spilled on the ground, and picked them all up and put them in her pocket. She rarely ate candy like this, maybe twice a year, so it was a real treat.
Finally, she pursed her lips, but couldn't resist, unwrapping a candy and putting it in her mouth. The sweet taste instantly melted in her mouth, so sweet that she forgot her earlier sadness.
Then, the little Taoist priest who smiled and called her "little girl" seemed adorable again.
In fact, the young Taoist nun was not an orphan as Liu Feng thought.
She has parents and comes from an official family.
However, her parents favored boys over girls and sent her, who was frail and sickly, to Baiyun Temple so that they could plan to have a second child. They never came to see her again.
From then on, she became a little Taoist nun in the temple who was unloved, and her heart was filled with loneliness.
If she had a loving mother, things wouldn't be like this now.
I reckon she would refuse even if Liu Feng offered her candy!
Because her mother must have taught her from a young age: "Child, don't talk to strangers, and never eat anything given to you by strangers!"
However, in reality, she did not have such a mother.
After stopping crying and wiping away her tears with her cold little hands, she touched her bulging pockets and suddenly felt that the candies had become exceptionally precious.
A thought arose in her mind.
She wanted to find the young Taoist priest and ask him, "Why are you so kind to me?"
She thanked him for the candy and wanted to say, "Thank you!"
However, in the end she still couldn't take that step. She just sat there quietly, looking at the lush green mountains and forests in front of her, feeling a chill and loneliness.
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