Soul Returns to its Place
Springtime is vibrant, and the walls of Tingxuetang are covered with flowers and vines.
Fu Zhi Qiao simply had a recliner moved to the courtyard, where she lay down for a nap. When she was hungry, she ate pastries, and when she was thirsty, she drank fragrant tea. Her obedient and adorable maid, Yin Xing, kept her company and chatted with her. Compared to her life in her previous life, she didn't have to get up early, go on business trips, or attend meetings... She vaguely felt like she was living a retired life.
When Zhao Xialan's first plan failed, she dared not try any other methods for the time being.
Fu Zhi Qiao hadn't been idle these past few days, thoroughly investigating the situation in the mansion. Since Yin Xing was young, the servants didn't hide their gossip from her, and Fu Zhi Qiao learned quite a bit from her.
There were originally about twenty maids and servants in Tingxue Hall. Although they served in the main house, they were still maids of the Fu family and had signed a life-or-death contract with the Fu family.
Seeing that there was no future working for the main branch, the stewards and servants who wanted a better future all tried to use their connections to join the second branch. Those maids and old women who couldn't get ahead and remained behind were lazy and unmotivated, always dragging their feet when asked to do anything. That's why when she woke up that day, there wasn't a single maidservant by her side.
People naturally gravitate towards better opportunities, and Fu Zhi Qiao understands this. The eldest son's family is declining, while the second son's family is thriving; anyone with eyes can see which to choose.
With the household undergoing a complete upheaval, the eldest son's family no longer had any place to stand. Continuing to stay in the household, subservient and subservient to others for survival, was something she absolutely could not accept.
Now the entire Fu family is controlled by Fu Mingjie. He can even poison Fu Changyue, so he certainly won't treat them, mother and daughter, well.
Judging from the servants' attitude these past few days, Fu Mingjie might support the mother and daughter out of consideration for his reputation, but he would only provide them with enough food to keep them from starving. It would be impossible for him to maintain the lifestyle of a pampered young lady.
The urge to leave the mansion grew stronger day by day.
Inside Tingxue Hall, Granny Cui was helping her get dressed. "Miss, does this outfit suit you?"
Fu Zhi Qiao was still in mourning, so her attire was kept simple. She wore a light blue strapless dress with a silk gauze jacket over it, and her hair was styled in a lily bun. She had an elegant and otherworldly air about her. A touch of rouge on her lips made her skin look even whiter, and her fair face had a faint rosy glow.
After finishing her makeup, Granny Cui glanced at the sky and then told her maids and servants to prepare breakfast.
Yinxing helped her serve the food. Breakfast consisted of white porridge, steamed buns, chicken soup, and several dishes of pickles.
This body has a small appetite, and Fu Zhi Qiao was full after only a few bites. She put down her chopsticks and went to drink the chicken soup. It was actually a medicinal soup, specially prepared by Yu Rou Lan to nourish her body. The plump hen was stewed with Chinese medicinal herbs such as ginseng and astragalus, making it a very nourishing and health-preserving soup.
Chicken soup may seem simple, but it takes some effort to make it well. First, you need to simmer the chicken in an earthenware pot over low heat for two hours. This will result in a rich and clear chicken soup.
But the chicken soup in front of me was covered in oil and smelled fishy, clearly indicating that it hadn't been simmered long enough, making it unpalatable.
Have the servants become so indifferent? How can such dishes be served?
Fu Zhi Qiao frowned and waved for the servants to remove the soup. She couldn't wait any longer; she had to find a way to leave the Fu residence as soon as possible.
After finishing breakfast, Fu Zhi Qiao went to pay her respects to Yu Rou Lan as usual.
"Mother, if it weren't for your sincere prayers before Buddha, I wouldn't have recovered so quickly. Buddha's birthday is in a few days, so we must go and thank Buddha properly!"
Yu Roulan is a Buddhist. During Fu Zhiqiao's illness and coma, she burned incense and prayed to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas for protection every day. Gradually, she developed the habit of reciting scriptures and chanting Buddhist mantras in the morning and evening. Especially when she was feeling uneasy, she would copy a few scriptures to calm her mind.
"Hmm, you look much better. Mother is going to give thanks to Buddha." Yu Roulan carefully examined Fu Zhiqiao's complexion.
The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is Buddha's birthday.
Just as dawn was breaking, after eating two pastries to tide them over, the mother and daughter, along with Granny Cui and Ginkgo, had their servant Defu drive them in a carriage to offer incense.
Because it was Buddha's birthday, many people went out of the city to Guangji Temple to offer incense, and long queues of people driving horse-drawn carriages formed at the city gate.
After a while, the carriage slowly drove out of the city gate, making a "creaking" sound from under the wheels.
The official road was not like the cobblestone road in the city. Once outside the city, the carriage began to bump, and the number of pedestrians on both sides of the road also decreased.
Fu Zhi Qiao suppressed her excitement. It had been over a month since she arrived in the Great Wei, and she had finally gone out again. The first time she went out was to buy books at a bookstore to learn more about this world, and the second time was to offer incense at Guangji Temple.
Guangji Temple was outside the city, and they set off at dawn. Because they got up so early, Fu Zhi Qiao became drowsy in the carriage after the initial excitement wore off.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage gradually slowed down, and the noise outside grew louder. Fu Zhiqiao rubbed her temples, lifted the curtain, and saw that many carriages had stopped one after another at the foot of the mountain.
Guangji Temple stands atop the mountain. The stone path leading up the mountain is winding, with 999 steps extending all the way to the top. Horse-drawn carriages can only stop at the foot of the mountain; to get up, one must either walk or take a sedan chair.
Defu carried a low stool to the bottom of the carriage, and Granny Cui came over to help Fu Zhiqiao and Yu Roulan down.
As expected of the most popular temple in Yuzhou City, the road leading up the mountain is lined with various vendors, mostly selling noodles, herbal tea, sugar figurines, and other snacks, creating a very lively atmosphere.
The stone path leading up the mountain was swept very clean by the monks, and there were also Buddha statues carved on the mountain walls along the way.
Climbing the stone steps, you can see the temple nestled among the green trees. The temple roof is covered with golden glazed tiles, which look magnificent in the morning glow.
The three large characters "Guangji Temple" are written in a vigorous and powerful style, and it is said that they were personally written by the founding emperor.
In the center of the temple stands a century-old Bodhi tree. Legend has it that if you stand under the tree and make a sincere wish, you will receive the Buddha's blessing and your wishes will come true.
However, what makes Guangji Temple most famous is not the Bodhi tree, but Master Dongjue of the temple. Legend has it that he was highly accomplished in his spiritual practice and had the ability to communicate with the heavens. People who came to Guangji Temple to offer incense could all receive his guidance.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!" The deep and resonant sound of the bell rang out.
Yu Roulan led Fu Zhiqiao, Granny Cui, Yinxing and others into the hall to offer incense.
Inside the main hall is a magnificent golden statue of Buddha, flanked by eighteen imposing Arhat statues. A large incense burner sits in the center of the hall, its smoke curling upwards; the temple's unique fragrance is incredibly calming.
Fu Zhiqiao wasn't a Buddhist before, and she didn't really believe in ghosts and spirits. After this experience, her perspective changed somewhat. The world is full of wonders, and people should have a sense of awe for the unknown.
She knelt on the prayer mat with her hands clasped together, looking at the solemn Buddha statue, and sincerely prayed: May Buddha bless her with peace and good fortune, and bless her parents who are far away in another time and space with good health and freedom from disaster.
After offering incense and praying for a peace charm, and donating a large sum of money for incense oil, Yu Roulan was led by a young monk to a small courtyard in a meditation room next to a temple. She wanted to recite Buddhist scriptures for Fu Changyue. Fu Zhiqiao accompanied her to recite the scriptures for a while, and then she wandered around the temple alone.
Guangji Temple is built against the mountain in a quiet and secluded environment. It had rained last night, and there was a moist scent of grass in the air. Staying in such an environment made her feel relaxed and comfortable.
Passing through a small arched gate, I unknowingly wandered into the temple's back courtyard. Unlike the bustling front courtyard, this place was surrounded by green bamboo, creating a unique and tranquil atmosphere.
As I approached the lotus pond, a monk was chanting sutras over the carp in the water.
The monk had nine ordination scars on his head, a white beard, kind eyes, and wore a kasaya. He looked like a highly virtuous monk.
Fu Zhi Qiao didn't dare to disturb her and took two steps back, intending to leave through a side path.
"Please wait, benefactor." Before she had taken two steps, the monk had already spotted her.
Fu Zhi Qiao turned around, put her hands together in front of her chest, and bowed to him, "Greetings, Master!"
The monk stared intently at Fu Zhiqiao, a strange light flashing in his eyes, before a look of understanding appeared on his face.
"A soul from another world, reborn from the ashes."
Fu Zhiqiao: ...
She looked at the monk in shock, her blood rushing to her head. A soul from another world? She was indeed from another world. He had revealed her origins the moment they met. Could this be the legendary Master Dongjue?
But Master Dongjue went on a pilgrimage, so why is he still in the temple?
Her fingertips dug tightly into her flesh beneath the wide sleeves; only pain could keep her calm. She pursed her dry lips, her voice hoarse, "Master Dongjue, you...you know..."
□□ people.
"Gathering brings life, scattering brings death; everything is predestined." Master Dongjue smiled slightly: "Congratulations, benefactor, your soul has returned to its rightful place."
What is that? The soul returning to its rightful place?
After understanding the master's meaning, Fu Zhiqiao's heart sank instantly.
Was Fu Zhi Qiao's frail health since childhood due to an incomplete soul? Is that why her soul could be summoned when she was on the verge of death? Does the return of her soul mean that she originally belonged to this world?
No wonder she recovered so quickly!
What about her in modern times? She returned to her original place in ancient times, but is she alive or dead in modern times?
Fu Zhiqiao had a lot of questions, but before she could ask them, she had already asked them.
Master Dongjue took off his prayer beads and handed them to her, saying calmly, "Doing good deeds and accumulating merit will bring blessings. Amitabha!" After saying that, he turned and left.
The bamboo leaves swayed in the wind, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Watching Master Dongjue's departing figure, Fu Zhiqiao stared blankly, as if she saw a flash of golden light above the master's head.
"Girl! Girl!" Ginkgo's crisp voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Miss, so you're here! Madam sent me to find you!" Ginkgo came running over, panting slightly as she spoke.
Her tense body immediately deflated, and Fu Zhiqiao stumbled. Yinxing quickly steadied her: "Miss, what's wrong?"
Fu Zhiqiao let out a soft sigh and shook her head: "It's okay, let's go."
After having a vegetarian meal at the temple, the group descended the mountain and headed back home.
On the carriage back to the city, Fu Zhiqiao stared blankly at the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her mind filled with Master Dongjue's words: "The soul has returned to its place? The soul has returned to its place..."
Does "soul returning to its rightful place" mean that one's soul has merged with the original body? Because her soul came over, this body slowly became healthy again?
Suddenly, an indescribable and strange feeling came over me. Could she be "Fu Zhi Qiao" herself?
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