Chapter 204: Masters gather together for divination
In the main hall, green smoke curled up, and the golden Buddha stood solemn and dignified, looking down at the sentient beings who came to kneel and worship.
Xiao Qinggu knelt on the mat, clasped his hands together, closed his eyes and concentrated, appearing extremely pious.
The mountains, rivers, lakes and seas of Dayu, the hustle and bustle of the people flashed through her mind... In the end, what Xiao Qinggu remembered most clearly was Shang Yuwan's back, which had become thinner since she knew when.
“…”
Xiao Qinggu leaned down, resting his forehead against the cool blue bricks.
After standing up, Xiao Qinggu reached out to take the lit incense. The light of the flame made her eyes look like the shimmering surface of a lake in the afterglow, with a light, clear golden color.
Xiao Qinggu's face was calm as she gently inserted the object in her hand into the incense burner. The curling smoke blurred the deep thoughts that flashed across her eyes.
After the ceremony, Xiao Qinggu went to the side hall and paid homage to the statues of Guanyin Bodhisattva and other gods. Every time he went to a place, he bowed and burned incense devoutly.
After paying homage to the Buddha, Xiao Qinggu was invited to the Zen room to rest and listen to Master Shanhe explain Buddhism.
An hour later, Master Shanhe said goodbye to Xiao Qinggu and asked Shang Yuwan to take a walk with him in the bamboo forest behind the Zen room.
Shang Yuwan saw that he had something to say to her, so she naturally wouldn't refuse.
Seeing the two of them walking into the bamboo forest, Yuan Ji went to look at Xiao Qinggu.
"Your Highness, what did Master Shanhe say to you? Why did you leave so quickly?"
If Master Shanhe were to explain Buddhism to others, it would take him half a day.
Xiao Qinggu laughed awkwardly twice, "Because I don't understand and I'm sleepy."
She had been feeling tired for the past two days, and it was a relief that she didn't fall asleep in front of Master Shanhe while listening to the heavenly book in such a quiet place.
Yuan Ji: “…”
Yue Zhu next to him: "......"
Her Royal Highness the Princess was definitely blinking like crazy in front of Master Shanhe.
Jinfu Temple is surrounded by bamboo forests. Shang Yuwan and Master Shanhe are walking on a winding path that is just wide enough for the two of them to walk side by side.
Early this morning, a thin mist rose in Jinfu Temple, which has now dissipated, but the bamboo leaves looked as if they had been carefully washed. A few drops of crystal water fell from the tips of the bamboo leaves, and clusters of emerald green came into view, making people feel relaxed and happy. Taking a deep breath is even more intoxicating.
"Is the girl doing well these days?"
Shang Yuwan walked to the left of Master Shanhe and said modestly, "Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Master. It is my honor."
"Miss Shang seems to trust Her Royal Highness the Princess very much."
Master Shanhe still had a kind smile on his face, but his words were somewhat ambiguous.
Shang Yuwan's eyes flickered as she said, "Master, don't you also think that Her Royal Highness the Princess is a role model for women all over the world?"
The smile on Master Shanhe's face deepened a little.
The two walked to an open space where there was a stone table and stone benches. Master Shanhe invited Shang Yuwan to sit over there.
As soon as Shang Yuwan sat down on the stone bench, Master Shanhe took out three copper coins from his sleeve.
"Miss, can you tell me your fortune?"
"......" Shang Yuwan was stunned, "Ah?"
When did Buddhist masters begin learning Taoist divination techniques? Is the Buddha statue in Jinfu Temple going to be replaced?
Master Shanhe still had a smile on his face. "This was taught to me by someone I met by chance some time ago. It's pretty good. Would you like to try it, young lady? It's more accurate than drawing lots."
Shang Yuwan: "...Master, this is against the rules."
Master Shanhe said, "Hmm?" "Is the girl a person who follows the rules?"
Shang Yuwan: “…” She is really not a person who sticks to the rules.
Since Buddhism was introduced to Dayu, Taoism and Buddhism have been intertwined for a long time. In order to attract believers and pilgrims, some Buddhist temples in the folk have absorbed Taoist methods such as shaking lots and fortune-telling.
The popularity of Jinfu Temple stems from a heroic act by Master Shanhe when he was young. However, Jinfu Temple is not a royal temple, and some of its rules are not strict, so the method of shaking lots is not uncommon.
But when Master Shanhe directly took out the copper coins and asked her if she wanted to tell her fortune, Shang Yuwan still felt a little strange.
Master Shanhe held three copper coins in his hand, leaving his palm empty, shook it gently, and then threw the coins onto the stone table.
After repeating this throwing action six times, Master Shanhe's eyebrows moved slightly.
This hexagram...
Shang Yuwan didn't know how to tell fortunes, so he looked at Master Shanhe and asked, "Master, what is this?"
Master Shanhe sighed inwardly, but still looked at Shang Yuwan with a smile on his face, "Miss Shang, what does the princess think she is from Dayu?"
Shang Yuwan: “?”
Shang Yuwan thought to herself, Master Shanhe is the abbot of Jinfu Temple. Could he also be secretly an associate of Emperor Chengming? Was he calling her out to pretend to tell fortunes just to test her?
She carefully considered her words and said, "Today, the Dali Temple announced the truth about the land deed to the world. Master, you should know. Your Highness is naturally the hope for the future of Dayu."
The crown prince has been deposed, Prince Qi is not handsome, and Emperor Chengming is currently unable to give birth to a new prince. Apart from Xiao Qinggu, who else can inherit the throne?
A gleam of light flashed in Master Shanhe's eyes, "Miss Keshang, you are the hope of Her Royal Highness the Princess."
Shang Yuwan: “…?”
She knew that she had some weight in Xiao Qinggu's heart, but she also had self-knowledge and knew that she was not everything to Xiao Qinggu.
But what does Master Shanhe mean by this?
Before Shang Yuwan could figure out what he meant, Master Shanhe said, "Don't worry, young lady."
"Whatever the girl has in her heart will surely come true in the future."
Master Shanhe's words seemed vague and confusing, perhaps it was a secret that could not be revealed?
Seeing this, Shang Yuwan didn't ask any further questions, but just responded with a smile.
"Then I will take advantage of Master's good words."
The two chatted for a while when suddenly a little monk came hurriedly over.
"Why are you so impatient? What happened?"
The young monk took a deep breath and said to Master Shanhe, "Master, Her Royal Highness the Princess, His Royal Highness Prince Qi, and Imperial Censor Baili are all here."
Shang Yuwan frowned slightly. Xiao Tong's presence was expected, but why were Xiao Qingxu and Baili Pu here too? Could there be some important new news that she wasn't aware of?
Master Shanhe smiled faintly and turned to look at Shang Yuwan.
"Miss Shang, would you like to come with us?"
Shang Yuwan came back to his senses and nodded.
Xiao Qingxu and Xiao Tong appeared in Jinfu Temple at the same time, and Bailipu also came here inexplicably, so she naturally wanted to go and take a look.
Two members of the royal family and a head of the civil service, three important figures came to Jinfu Temple. Master Shanhe naturally had to take his disciples to greet them.
Shang Yuwan followed Master Shanhe and became suspicious the moment he saw Xiao Tong.
Xiao Tong used to like to dress up when going out, and it would be fine if she dressed simply when coming to the temple, but why is she wearing a veil today?
"This humble monk pays homage to Her Royal Highness the Princess, His Royal Highness Prince Qi, and Lord Censor Baili."
Master Shanhe and his disciples paid their respects to the three nobles. Shang Yuwan exchanged glances with Xiao Qingxu while paying their respects.
Xiao Qingxu glanced at Baili Pu who was standing next to him with a serious expression, shook his head slightly, and frowned slightly.
Shang Yuwan's heart sank.
Baili Pulai Jinfu Temple...something is very wrong.
After the ceremony, Xiao Qinggu also came over with Yuan Ji and Yue Zhu.
When Yuan Ji heard that Xiao Tong and Baili Pu were here, his heart started beating faster.
He had clearly handed over most of the complicated official business of the Censorate to Mr. before leaving, and he had not mentioned that he was coming to Jinfu Temple on behalf of Mr., so why did Mr. appear in Jinfu Temple?
Could it be...
After Yuan Ji saluted, he raised his eyes and stared darkly at Xiao Tong, whose face could not be seen clearly because of the veil.
Is she doing something behind the scenes?
Master Shanhe sighed silently in his heart.
With all the nobles gathered together, Jinfu Temple is really going to be very lively.
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