Volume Two, Step by Step to Success, Chapter Thirty-Four: Encountering a Rainstorm
When Ruan Bi left Master Ziying's hermitage, it was past noon. The day was cloudy, a gentle mountain breeze stirred, and banana leaves swayed in the wind like countless green silk fans dancing around her. She took a deep breath; she had just spoken to Master Ziying, expending considerable effort and thought, but thankfully, she had finally agreed.
At the beginning of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Buddhism flourished, and temples were numerous. These temples possessed vast tracts of land designated for charitable donations, and monks and nuns enjoyed privileges, not engaging in production or paying taxes. At that time, the dynasty was surrounded by powerful enemies; the Northern Han, Later Shu, and Southern Tang, among others, frequently clashed with the Great Zhou, while military manpower was limited and the national treasury was empty. Therefore, Emperor Taizong of Zhou issued an edict to "limit Buddhism," destroying temples and ordering many monks and nuns to return to secular life, either to engage in production or join the army. The nation's strength was thus restored. Afterwards, Buddhism declined for a period.
More than a hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. The Great Zhou Dynasty was at its peak, rich in resources, and Buddhism and Taoism also flourished. Perhaps due to the influence of Emperor Taizong of Zhou, the royal family had a particular fondness for Taoism. In particular, the late Emperor Xuanzong frequently summoned Taoist priests to the palace in his later years to discuss metaphysics and concoct elixirs.
The title "Zi Ying Zhenren" was bestowed upon Emperor Xuanzong during his lifetime. Its full name was "Jinmen Yuke Tongzhen Daling Zi Ying Zhenren".
As for her origins, Ruan Bi could never find out. All she knew was that she had become a nun at Yuxu Temple twelve years ago, and her fame spread immediately upon her appearance. Half a year later, she received an imperial edict from Emperor Xuanzong, and was allowed to frequently enter and leave the palace to preach to the concubines, including the then-Consort Rui, who is now the Empress Dowager.
The advantages of becoming her lay disciple are self-evident, while the disadvantage is that one will be bound to her from then on. However, nothing in this world is perfect. Let's deal with the immediate problem first and then deal with the bigger picture later.
As Ruan Bi walked, she thought to herself. She met up with Granny Liu and Xiuzhi in the front hall, then they ate together at the canteen. After a short rest, they set off to return to the Ruan residence.
They were still traveling in the carriage of Yuxu Temple. After about a mile, the sky began to darken. Ruan Bi looked out the window at the distant sky, where the clouds were like layers of gray, one after another. After traveling ten miles, the gray clouds turned into leaden clouds, heavy and seemingly about to fall at any moment.
Ruan Bi had a vague feeling that a downpour was coming, and discussed with Granny Liu, "Mother, judging from the sky, it might rain heavily. Should we go back to Yuxu Temple?"
Remembering the First Madam's instructions, Granny Liu said, "Miss, the weather looks terrible, but we don't know when it will rain. It's only about twenty miles from the city, so maybe we can get back before it rains."
What she said wasn't without merit, so Ruan Bi had no choice but to give up.
Before we'd gone two miles, a torrential downpour began. Raindrops the size of soybeans pelted the carriage, making it seem like countless tiny firecrackers were exploding overhead. It hadn't rained for over a month; the land was parched, and when the rain fell, dust billowed up, obscuring everything in a hazy gray.
Granny Liu felt a pang of regret. She shifted uncomfortably, looking out the window, hoping the downpour would end soon.
The post road was all dirt, turning into a muddy mess after rain. The carriage struggled to navigate it, constantly getting stuck in potholes or slipping. After traveling another two miles, the horses lost their way at a bend and bolted into the paddy fields. The driver, shouting and reining in, barely managed to bring it to a stop in the rice paddies. He wiped the rain from his face, turned back, and said loudly, "Miss, the rain is too heavy! We can't even see the road ahead. Should we find somewhere to take shelter?"
Ruan Bi lifted a corner of the curtain to look around. The wind and rain were dark and the mist was thick, making it impossible to see the road clearly. "Okay, Master, is there anywhere nearby where we can take shelter from the rain?"
The driver said loudly, "Yes, I remember there's a small temple around the bend ahead."
"Okay, let's get started."
The driver cracked the whip again, and the two horses neighed and galloped off. The carriage stumbled and lurched for several miles, until the small temple the driver had mentioned appeared and disappeared in the rain and mist. It was indeed a small temple, with a plaque on the door reading "City God Temple," about the size of a small farmhouse courtyard. The walls were dilapidated, and grass grew on the roof tiles. The two faded doors were ajar, with only a crack left.
The gate had a threshold, so the carriage couldn't get in and had to get off outside.
Granny Liu took out the veil and put it on Ruan Bi, then jumped off the carriage with Xiu Zhi and reached out to help Ruan Bi.
Just as Ruan Bi was about to get out of the car, someone inside the temple asked gruffly, "Who's outside?"
Then another clear voice rang out: "Yu Qing, don't shout. Perhaps someone has come to take shelter from the rain. Go and see if they need any help."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Footsteps clattered, followed by a creak as the door creaked open. A burly young man dressed as a guard stepped out, giving Ruan Bi and the others a commanding glance before asking in a booming voice, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Granny Liu quickly shook her head and said, "No, no." Then she said to Ruan Bi, "Miss, let's sit in the carriage for a while."
Ruan Bifang had already recognized that the person inside was the Prince of Jin, so she nodded and said, "Okay."
The coachman was a little unhappy and said, "Miss, my two horses can't handle this."
Ruan Bi said, "Master, you can get out of the carriage. We'll sit inside, and you can lead the horses inside to take shelter from the rain."
The coachman, moved to tears, said, "Thank you, young lady, thank you, young lady." He immediately dismounted and led the horse into the temple.
Upon seeing this, Yu Qing also turned and went back into the temple.
Ruan Bi and the other two sat in the car, listening to the torrential rain pounding against the carriage outside, hoping it would pass soon. But the rain only intensified, and the sky grew darker.
Granny Liu was extremely anxious and said, "Miss, what should we do?"
Ruan Bi was also anxious, but there was nothing she could do.
Footsteps sounded again from inside the temple, clattering as they stopped beside the carriage. It was Yu Qing, who had spoken outside earlier, saying, "Young lady, my lord says this rain isn't going to stop anytime soon. Why don't you come inside and sit for a while?"
At this moment, Granny Liu dared not voice her objections and looked at Ruan Bi expectantly.
Ruan Bi thought for a moment, realizing that forcing herself to endure it wasn't a solution, and immediately said, "Thank you."
She jumped off the carriage and stepped over the threshold. The temple was indeed very small, consisting of a courtyard and a three-room main hall. To the east was a corridor leading to the main hall, and to the west was a stable. Ruan Bi quickly glanced around and saw that besides the two horses belonging to Yuxu Temple, there were eight other horses. It seemed that there were a total of eight people in the temple.
The temple was small, with almost nothing visible at a glance. Ruan Bi walked along the corridor, looking around at her surroundings.
The doors to the main hall were open, with a guard on each side of the entrance, swords in hand, gripping the horse's reins, his eyes fixed straight ahead. The coachman didn't enter the hall; instead, he squatted under the eaves, watching the rain.
Yu Qing led Ruan Bi and the other two into the main hall, and pointed to the Prince of Jin sitting on the futon in the center, saying, "Miss, this is my prince."
Ruan Bi performed a curtsy, and Prince Jin glanced at her, waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities, please make yourself at home, young lady." As he spoke, he placed a chess piece on the chessboard.
Xiuzhi found three prayer cushions, took them outside to dust them off, and then placed them on the west side of the main hall, about ten feet away from Prince Jin. Ruan Bi sat cross-legged, with Xiuzhi and Granny Liu sitting behind her. With the veil covering her face, Ruan Bi could confidently observe her surroundings.
Several candles lit on the incense table, illuminating the main hall. Playing chess with the Prince of Jin was a scholar in his forties, with a lean appearance and a long, flowing beard. Ruan Bi had met You De before, who sat at the table, whittling a piece of wood with a dagger. Yu Qing sat behind the Prince of Jin, watching the game, while two guards leaned against the wall, dozing.
Although it's called the City God Temple, it seems to enshrine Yama, the King of Hell. There are many judges with blue faces and fangs standing on both sides. The walls are painted with pictures of the suffering in the eighteen levels of hell, with mountains of knives and seas of fire, tongues being pulled out and hearts being taken out. Ruan Bi felt a chill down her spine and quickly looked away.
After sitting quietly for a while, with his eyes closed and his mind focused, he heard the scholar say, "Feiyang, is something on your mind? Your chess skills are not like usual."
Prince Jin turned to look at the gloomy wind and rain outside the door, frowned and said, "With this torrential rain, the Yichun River is likely to flood. Now is the time to harvest the early rice and sow the autumn crops..." After thinking for a moment, he said, "Yuqing, go and check the water level of the Yichun River."
"Yes, Your Highness." Yu Qing stood up, strode out, led his horse out of the temple gate, and soon the sound of hooves faded into the distance.
Youde jumped down from the incense table, stretched, and said, "This is really boring. Nanfeng, let's arm wrestle."
One of the guards who was dozing on the east side opened his eyes and said, "Alright, there has to be a prize."
Youde said, "Just say it."
Another guard opened his eyes and said, "Alright, I'll bet on the foreign exchange, betting on Brother Feng to win."
The scholar said, "Stop fooling around, there are girls here."
Youde then noticed Ruan Bi and the others, raised his eyebrows and asked, "Hey, whose daughters are you? Why are you wandering around in this rain?"
His question was quite unreasonable, and Ruan Bi frowned. But then she heard Granny Liu say in a low and gentle voice, "My young lady is from the Ruan family in western Beijing. She went to Yuxu Temple to burn incense today, but she was caught in a downpour. The coachman brought us here to take shelter from the rain. We did not mean to disturb you gentlemen. We will leave when the rain stops."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Bi secretly praised her, saying that Granny Liu was indeed someone who had lived in a large family, and that she was neither humble nor arrogant.
Upon hearing about the four families of the Ruan family in Jingxi, Prince Jin raised his eyes and glanced at Ruan Bi.
Youde also became interested and said, "The Ruan family in Jingxi? Isn't that Ruan Chi's family? I heard he has several beautiful nieces. Which one is this?"
The two guards beside him chuckled.
Granny Liu sensed the flirtatious tone in his words and her expression changed drastically. After thinking for a moment, she realized that saying anything would be inappropriate, so she simply ignored him, adopting a solemn and dignified demeanor, hoping he would lose interest and leave.
Youde glanced at Ruan Bi, chuckled, and said, "These young ladies from noble families in the capital are really boring. They're all as thin as monkeys, far inferior to the dancers of the Northern Rong."
Even though Ruan Bi was naturally calm, she was slightly annoyed. Xiu Zhi behind her clenched her fists and her face turned red.
The Prince of Jin frowned and said in a low voice, "Youde, do not be presumptuous."
Youde shrugged, unimpressed.
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