Chapter 27 She Likes Children
The maid led the way in front, and the two little monks followed behind, like two wobbly little ducks.
Xie Jinglan stood in the side room, listened to the maid's report, and then gave another instruction: "Leave the fallen flowers in the inner courtyard."
Seeing that Wen Ning liked it, he left it in the yard for her to enjoy.
The maid took the order and left.
Two little monks, each holding an oil-paper bag in their arms, walked over the threshold one after the other.
The round-faced little monk stumbled over the high threshold and subconsciously tried to pull the toothless little monk behind him. Both of them were about to fall on their butts.
"Be careful!" Wen Ning exclaimed.
But then a pair of bony hands caught them in mid-air. The left hand grabbed the back collar of Little Round-Faced Man, and the right hand grasped Little Gap-Tooth Man's belt, lifting the two little monks into the air.
The bald little heads all shrank, and they couldn't help but secretly glance at the tall man.
Xie Jinglan frowned and loosened his hands, and the two little guys almost fell to the ground.
"What do you want from me?"
The two young monks were frightened by his aura and shrank their necks, not daring to say a word.
Wen Ning saw this, squatted down with her skirt lifted, and said softly: "Don't be afraid, the Marquis just has a loud voice."
The two little guys thought the sister who was talking was very pretty and thought they had seen a fairy from heaven. They couldn't help but rub against her with red faces.
"Hmm?" Xie Jinglan raised his eyebrows, with a hint of ice in the last words. His phoenix eyes were stern and imposing, and he wished he could drive these two little guys out immediately.
Wen Ning was speechless when she saw him like this. She could only turn around and comfort the little guy, "My Lord, you are just bluffing. If you want to talk to me, just tell me what you want."
The round-faced little novice monk then clamped the oil-paper bag in his arms with his chin, and with his two small hands clasped together in a forced bow, "Master said that the Marquis is a great Dharma protector Bodhisattva, who is taking care of us orphans. Master said this is called... this is called..."
Little Gap Tooth was so anxious that he pulled his sleeve and reminded him, "Call him Yang Jici child!"
He was talking through his teeth when he said this, and if you didn't listen carefully, it would be difficult to understand what he meant.
The round-faced man interrupted, "Yes, the Marquis raised Ji Ci as a child, so I, under the orders of my master, have come to give him Zen tea. It's picked from a century-old tea tree on the hill behind the temple, and it's infused with osmanthus and pine needles. Please enjoy it, Marquis."
After explaining in a babyish voice, the two of them took out the oil-paper bags from their arms and handed them to Wen Ning.
Whenever a war ended, Xie Jinglan's first priority was to check on the children of the fallen soldiers. If there were any orphaned children, they could always find a place to stay in the ancient temple.
When Wen Ning heard this, she realized that they were orphans living in the temple and had been supported by the Marquis. Her heart suddenly softened.
She raised her eyes to look at Xie Jinglan and saw that he still looked stern.
This marquis is a man with a fierce face but a kind heart.
Wen Ning also felt sorry for the two little monks, so she took their little hands and brought them to the table, hugging one and then the other. She not only gave them candy, but also fed them fruits and snacks.
When Xie Jinglan saw the sparks in her eyes, his eyes darkened.
She loves kids!
But I think of myself...
At that time, when the poison attacked him for the first time, the doctor finished the examination and whispered that he would have difficulty in having children in the future. He just smiled indifferently.
But at this moment, I feel a little lost.
Xie Jinglan stared at the two little guys clinging to Wen Ning, then turned and walked out of the side room, calling Qing Feng over, and said in a deep voice, "Tell the monk in charge of reception that the two new novice monks are unfamiliar with their studies and need to go back and recite more scriptures as punishment!"
Qing Feng's eyebrows twitched, and seeing that something was not right, he quickly responded, "I'll go right away!"
In a short while, someone took the two little monks back.
Seeing them leave, Xie Jinglan pretended to feel sorry and said, "We were having so much fun, why are you in such a hurry to go back to school?"
Wen Ning's brows furrowed, and she spoke with a worried look on her face, "They are still young, yet the monastery's workload is so heavy. My Lord, could you please discuss with the abbot and lighten their workload a little?"
Xie Jinglan put his fist against his chest and coughed lightly, then said seriously, "Disciples of Buddhism should practice diligently and study hard."
Seeing her look disappointed again, he paused for a moment, "...never mind. I will discuss this with the abbot and make appropriate adjustments."
Wen Ning's eyes suddenly filled with a clear light. Since she had accepted his kindness, she wanted to do something for the Marquis. "I think there are many rare fungi and medicinal herbs behind this mountain. I want to pick some fresh ones and make some nourishing medicinal food for the Marquis."
This seemed to be exactly what Xie Jinglan wanted. The corners of his lips curved up in an almost imperceptible arc. "I happen to have nothing to do, so I'll go with you."
Wen Ningyu choked up. Tomorrow is the day for praying for blessings. How could he have time off?
He just said it's nothing, so it's nothing.
Qing Feng, who was standing outside the door, watched this and was so embarrassed that his face turned black.
Isn’t this still my master!
…
After walking around the guest house and down a short distance, you will see a maple forest.
At this time, dusk was falling, the sky was full of rosy clouds, and the maple forest seemed to have burned the entire mountaintop.
Walking on the stone path, maple leaves swirled and brushed past the gap between the two of them.
"My Lord, do you often come here?"
Seeing her raise her creamy little face, the red maple leaves in the sky behind her suddenly faded.
Xie Jinglan's mind was in turmoil, but he remained calm as he said, "The old lady is a devout Buddhist, so I often accompany her here to worship Buddha. Furthermore, this ancient temple is very popular, and even many royal sacrifices are held here."
Wen Ning's eyes flickered slightly, and his expression was tangled. "Then after the sacrifice, do you often go to the back mountain?"
She only remembered that she had left wearing that man's cloak a few months ago. Such a cloak with gold and cloud patterns was something that only a wealthy family could afford.
After hearing what Xie Jinglan said, I was afraid that the person who came to worship often went to the back mountain. Otherwise, how could he know the path in the mountains and hide in such a secluded thatched house.
Even more boldly, is it possible that the man is the Marquis?
Xie Jinglan's words were on the tip of his tongue, but he hesitated. He rubbed his brow and said casually, "The mountain behind is steep, but there's nothing beautiful there. I've never been there."
A thought flashed across his brows, and he fixed his eyes, "Ning'er, how did you know there were so many rare fungi and medicinal herbs behind this mountain? Why don't you come here more often?"
Wen Ning pinched her palms, her face calm as usual, "I once heard Master say that there are many mushrooms and medicinal herbs on the north slope of this mountain, but it is sparsely populated. Master was concerned that I was alone and worried that something might happen, so he didn't come here."
The corners of Xie Jinglan's lips tightened for a moment, and thinking that he had been the "unexpected" one, he could only nod guiltily.
After testing each other, the two felt that there would be no such coincidence in the world.
…
The two picked some mushrooms and herbs and returned to the temple.
They took a shortcut and arrived at the firewood yard. A young monk in a gray robe, holding a half-bundle of dry firewood, hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting. "Amitabha, two donors, this temple once took in a mad old man who now lives in this firewood yard. Please be careful when you pass by here."
Xie Jinglan said in a deep voice: "We will keep an eye on it."
Just as he was about to cross the corner of the yard, he saw the wooden door half-open and a crazy old man lying on a pile of hay.
When Wen Ning looked closely, he saw the left leg curled up in the shadow, and he couldn't help but tremble.
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