The car slowly stopped in front of a small gray-tiled temple, and the wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs, making a slight creaking sound.
The four large gilded characters "Ciyu Zen Temple" on the mountain gate have become mottled, and in the morning light they emit a dull luster that has been precipitated over the years.
Compared with the bustling Dabei Temple, this small temple hidden in the downtown area seems particularly quiet and ancient, with several stone-carved small animals squatting on the eaves and corners.
"It's almost early spring, but the weather is still cold. Don't catch a cold." Xie Yun's slender fingers flexibly moved between the ribbons of the fox fur cloak, wrapping Zheng Wanqing tightly.
After making sure that the straps were properly fastened, he pushed open the car door, and a cool breeze immediately rushed in.
The scent of incense that wafts into your face is mixed with the bitter fragrance of holly and a faint hint of wintersweet.
There are several ancient cypresses in front of the temple, standing tall and vigorous, with a thin layer of frost covering their branches, which sparkle in the sun.
The two walked side by side over the threshold of Ciyuen Temple. Zheng Wanqing's shoes made a crisp sound as they stepped on the bluestone steps, crushing the thin layer of "peach blossom snow" that remained from last night.
Xie Yun subconsciously reached out to hold her waist. Through the thickened indigo cheongsam, he could still feel the slender curve of her waist.
Zheng Wanqing lowered her eyes and smiled slightly. The hem of her cheongsam swept across the frozen cattail mat in front of the hall, making a slight rustling sound.
The icicles hanging from the lintel of the main hall were crystal clear, and water droplets were dripping from them.
A young monk in a gray monk's robe stood on tiptoe, holding a copper basin in both hands to collect water from below.
Water drops fell into the basin, making a tinkling sound, which intertwined with the low sound of chanting in the hall, like a tuneless spring song.
Zheng Wanqing was about to step through the palace gate when she suddenly stopped. She turned her head to look at Xie Yun and saw that although he was trying hard to hold back, the tip of his nose was slightly red.
When he stepped into the mountain gate just now, the strong smell of incense made him sneeze several times.
She knew too well how sensitive he was to smells. His hand unconsciously stroked the bridge of his nose, and there was a hint of moisture in his eyes.
"Yumin," she gently tugged at his sleeve, "you don't have to accompany me, just walk around."
Xie Yun looked into her bright almond eyes and knew that she was caring about him.
The corners of his lips slightly raised, and he reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Okay," he whispered, his voice still smiling, "I'll go for a walk in Merlin outside."
Zheng Wanqing saw him turn around and then stepped into the hall.
The scent of sandalwood hits you in the face, mixed with the smell of candlelight that has been there for years.
The light in the hall was dim, and only the long lamp in front of the Guanyin statue was swaying with warm orange light, illuminating the Bodhisattva's compassionate face in a flickering manner.
The green smoke rising from the incense burner swirled in the beam of light, casting a hazy veil over the entire hall.
She slowly knelt on the faded mat, her thick fox fur cape and padded cheongsam making her movements seem particularly clumsy.
The cashmere gloves she took off were gently placed aside. When she clasped her hands together, her knuckles were a little frozen and the white air she exhaled condensed into mist in front of her, which quickly dissipated in the mist of incense.
Zheng Wanqing closed her eyes, her long eyelashes cast two shadows under her eyes, and her lips slightly parted, silently revealing her thoughts.
Occasionally, the crisp sound of bells ringing on the eaves could be heard outside the temple, but it could not cover up the devout prayers in her heart.
Xie Yun stood with his hands behind his back in the corridor outside the hall, looking at his wife's kneeling figure from afar.
He stared for a moment, then turned around and walked to the vigorous Bodhi tree in the yard.
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