While wiping her hands, Gu Yunzhen half-spoke about the purpose of her visit to Gu Yanfei: "Second sister, I have been checking the accounts recently, and I feel that the consumption of grain and rice in the mansion is not right."
"Not only grains and rice, but also goat milk."
"There are no children in the mansion, so most of the goat milk is used to make snacks. Only you, me, and Qingguang drink some occasionally."
Goat milk has a strong smell, so Third Madam Yan doesn't like it. Gu Yanfei and Gu Yunzhen don't use it much on a daily basis. As for Gu Yuan, who is away from home all day, he would definitely not drink it.
"We used to drink one bucket a day, but in the past ten days or so, the kitchen said it wasn't enough for midnight snacks, so they added another bucket. No matter how I thought about it, it felt like something was wrong. How could we drink that much?"
"The daughter-in-law who is in charge of the kitchen purchases is Wutong's eldest sister-in-law. She should be reliable. Goat milk is not worth much money. She should not be greedy."
Gu Yanfei originally wanted to say that this matter was simple and that he could know the answer by just telling his fortune. However, he saw that Gu Yunzhen was very organized in his analysis and his eyes showed a hint of eagerness to try. So he silently withdrew his hand that was about to take the compass.
So, Gu Yanfei changed the subject abruptly: "Then I'll trouble you to check it out carefully, big sister."
Well, this is not bad! Gu Yanfei thought to himself, and put on an expression of "I entrust everything to my elder sister", with a face full of dependence.
"Yeah!" Gu Yunzhen agreed happily, his eyes brighter.
The whole person becomes more lively and energetic.
After finishing the business, Gu Yunzhen looked around and asked, "Where's Qingguang?"
Gu Yanfei silently pointed in a direction, and Gu Yunzhen raised his chin and looked over, only to see a feather duster lying on the top of the bookshelf... Oh, no, it's a cat feather duster.
“Sunshine…”
"Sunny light, sunny light..."
One day ends with looking for a cat, and a new day begins with looking for a cat.
When Gu Yunzhen came to pick up Gu Yanfei early the next morning, he saw chaos in the yard. Juanbi and several maids were looking for the cat early in the morning.
The maids didn't find the cat until Gu Yanfei and Gu Yunzhen left Yuheng Garden.
The auspicious time for today's ritual had been calculated long ago, and it was scheduled to begin at noon this morning, so everyone did not dare to delay for a moment, and set off from Gu Mansion at the beginning of the morning.
It was not yet fully light and there were not many people on the road.
The Gu family's carriages had smooth travel all the way and arrived at the Wuliang Temple in Wuliang Mountain a quarter of an hour ahead of schedule.
Wuliang Mountain was not originally called Wuliang Mountain because fifty years ago, Tiangang Zhenren built Wuliang Temple here. The fame of Wuliang Temple spread throughout Dajing, and over time, the mountain came to be called Wuliang Mountain.
At this time, the sun rises and the sunshine is bright. At a glance, the mountains and fields are covered with lush green forests and rhododendrons in full bloom. The air in the mountains is fresh and pleasant, which makes people feel refreshed.
As the spring breeze blows, countless birds sing, fly, or play among the swaying branches, creating a bright spring scene.
The three siblings of the Gu family left their carriage at the foot of the mountain and slowly walked along the winding mountain path towards the Taoist temple on the mountainside.
"I heard from my mother that the location of Wuliang Temple is also very particular. It was a Feng Shui blessed land that Tiangang Zhenren calculated after 49 days of calculation."
"The Taoist priests in the Taoist temples are all long-lived and have youthful looks despite their white hair. Many people say that they must have absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."
"I don't know how to look at feng shui, but I think the scenery here is very good and it makes me feel comfortable."
“…”
As they walked and talked, Gu Yunzhen told Gu Yanfei some things about Wuliang Temple in bits and pieces.
From a distance, I saw a handsome little Taoist boy in green clothes, about six or seven years old, waiting at the gate of the Taoist temple.
"Are the three believers from the Gu Mansion?" The little Taoist boy came towards the three siblings with a smile and performed a Taoist bow.
He has fair skin, his Taoist bun is neatly combed, and he looks clean and tidy, which makes people feel good when they see him.
"That's right." Gu Yuan also returned the greeting and said politely, "Thank you for waiting for a long time, Master."
"No, no." The little Taoist boy showed a friendly smile, speaking and acting like a little adult, "Three believers, please come this way. Today's ritual will be held in the Sanqing Hall."
The Taoist temple was filled with a strong smell of cigarettes, and most of the pilgrims coming and going were accompanied by Taoist children, talking and laughing.
Gu Yanfei casually chatted with the little Taoist boy: "Besides my family's Taoist temple, are there any other vegetarian and religious ceremonies in the temple today? I see that there seem to be quite a few pilgrims this early in the morning."
The little Taoist boy said with a smile: "Recently, the abbot has been giving sermons in the temple, and the believers all come to listen to the abbot's sermons."
The abbot of Wuliang Temple, Xuancheng Zhenren, became a disciple of Tiangang Zhenren since he was young and received his true teachings. Later, he became the second abbot of Wuliang Temple. Everyone in Beijing knows him, but Xuancheng Zhenren is a free-spirited person. He spends most of his time every year traveling or practicing in seclusion. Many people have only heard of him but have never seen him.
Gu Yunzhen said solemnly, "I've heard that Master Xuancheng has profound Taoist skills, but unfortunately I've never seen his true appearance."
The little Taoist boy puffed out his chest with pride, and that proud little expression seemed to say, that's it!
"We've arrived at the Sanqing Temple." The little Taoist boy raised his hand and pointed to the front hall in front of him.
Both sides of the Sanqing Hall are lined with lush, green trees that block out the sun. The treetops, which are taller than the single-eaved, hip-and-gable red-tiled roof, block out the rising sun, making the surrounding light suddenly much darker.
The Sanqing Hall with its carved railings, painted buildings, flying eaves and pointed corners stands proudly in the dense green shade, and the surrounding atmosphere suddenly becomes solemn and dignified.
Several Taoist priests who were presiding over today's ritual came forward and bowed to the Gu family.
Chanting scriptures and mantras, reading sacrificial texts, burning incense and burning paper.
After a series of ceremonies ended, it was already three hours later. The three siblings of the Gu family walked out of the Sanqing Temple hungry.
Gu Yuan felt sorry for his two sisters who were so hungry. He was about to ask them if they wanted to have some vegetarian food before leaving when he heard the little Taoist boy beside him shout in surprise, "Master."
The three siblings followed the little Taoist boy's gaze and looked forward. Not far away, under a Bodhi tree, stood an old Taoist of medium height, wearing an ordinary blue gown.
He looked to be over 70 years old, with a head full of frosty silver hair, but his face was gaunt and he looked energetic, with an air of an immortal, just as Gu Yunzhen had said before, "white hair but a youthful face."
The sunlight shone through the tall trees into the courtyard and onto the old Taoist's body. His frosty white hair reflected a golden halo, like the halos behind the celestial ancestors in mythology.
He just stood there quietly, giving people a feeling of transcendence.
The little Taoist boy introduced with a smile: "Three good believers, this is our temple master Xuancheng Zhenren."
"Mr. Gu, there are two female believers here to greet you." Master Xuancheng smiled kindly at the three brothers and sisters and flicked the silver whisk in his hand.
"Master." Gu Yuan calmly returned the salute, his attitude neither cold nor hot, but not impolite at all.
Xuan Cheng Zhenren's smiling eyes fell on Gu Yanfei who was standing in the middle, and he looked at her gently, "Is this Miss Gu Er?"
As soon as these words were spoken, several Taoist priests passing by stopped and looked over. There was a bit of curiosity and scrutiny in their eyes as they looked at Gu Yanfei, and some even had a hint of unpleasant hostility.
Because of Shangqing's incident, the name "Second Miss Gu" is now known to everyone in the Taoist community. Although Shangqing brought it upon herself, there are some people in the temple who are angry with Second Miss Gu because this incident has ruined the reputation of Wuliang Temple.
Even the little Taoist boy covered his mouth in surprise, stunned.
He only knew that the Gu family came today to do something shady, but now he realized that the "Gu" was the "Gu" of the second Miss Gu.
Gu Yanfei bowed to Master Xuancheng with grace and grace: "That's right."
Master Xuancheng stroked his beard and looked at Gu Yanfei, his eyes sparkling, the smile on his face deepened by three points, and he sighed in admiration: "Young lady is the most talented person I have ever seen in my life. If you can abandon the secular world and join the Tao, you will definitely achieve something, or you may even comprehend the great Dao."
The Taoists around were all shocked, and when they looked at Gu Yanfei, most of them had awe-inspiring expressions.
The little Taoist boy was even more surprised, his eyes widened.
It was the first time he heard the master speak so highly of someone.
"..." Gu Yuan's face darkened instantly, thinking: What is this old Taoist doing? His sister has only been recognized by him for a few months, and he wants to persuade her to become a nun? Not good, not good at all! ! He did not hide his displeasure, and his expression exuded a cold and fierce momentum.
Gu Yanfei was also sizing up Master Xuancheng, his eyes deep, and he praised generously, "The master has good talent, too."
She was not just being polite. The first time she saw Master Xuan Cheng, she could tell that he had spiritual roots. After getting closer and observing him carefully, she was convinced that his spiritual roots were rare heavenly spiritual roots.
Zhenren Xuancheng's talent is even better than Shangqing's.
What a pity.
True Man Xuancheng was born in this spiritual place.
Over the years, his spiritual roots have been contaminated by too much of the filth of the mundane world.
If he were in the Yaoling Realm, with his qualifications and talents, he would definitely be accepted as a true disciple by a venerable.
Gu Yanfei couldn't help but sigh and said, "What a pity."
"What a pity?" Master Xuancheng swung the whisk in his hand, and his snow-white beard also fluttered along with the whisk. He looked at Gu Yanfei with a kind smile.
Gu Yanfei did not answer the other party's question directly. Instead, he said something irrelevant: "It is feasible to enter Taoism through medicine."
By practicing medicine, one can accumulate merits.
This is a place without any spirits. It is impossible for anyone to truly "enter the Tao" in this world. The only way is to cultivate in the next life.
As long as you accumulate enough merits in this life, it is very likely that you will enter the Great Dao in the next life.
"I wish the master of the temple perfect merit." Gu Yanfei stopped here, and saying this also meant the end of the topic.
Master Xuancheng couldn't help but think deeply.
He swung the silver whisk again, and when the whisk fell, his wise eyes calmed down.
He turned his gaze to Gu Yunzhen, took out a peace amulet from his sleeve and handed it to Gu Yunzhen, saying with a smile: "Female believer, your fate is not good. This amulet is drawn by me personally. It can protect you from the invasion of evil spirits. You can wear it with you."
"Thank you, Master." Gu Yunzhen accepted the amulet devoutly and respectfully.
Master Xuancheng is an enlightened hermit. His amulet is worth a fortune. Gu Yunzhen knows this and puts the amulet in his sleeve with great respect.
"Master... Master." Another chubby little Taoist boy came over breathlessly, looking very excited, and shouted intermittently, "A distinguished guest... A distinguished guest is visiting!"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
