Chapter 147 Wanhua Temple
Some people know they are wrong and stop before it is too late to avoid greater mistakes.
Some people know they are wrong, but they feel that there are more important things that they care about more, so they pin everything on luck and plan to go all the way.
This is what Mrs. Cui is like.
Cui Si didn't know whether Madam Cui had any plans or what they were, but that didn't stop her from being more vigilant.
On the second day, Cui Si took Cui Hao and Cui Changyou to the entrance of the city to wait. After all the clansmen had gathered, they set out together to Wanhua Temple outside the city.
Cui Xian didn't come with them after all. Early this morning, Song Rou said she was not feeling well and insisted that Cui Xian accompany her. Everyone in the second house knew her personality and was worried about Cui Xian going with others, so they didn't bother to care.
It's hard for Cui Xian. I hope that under his mother's careful care, he can still have a strong heart to face the world.
Cui Changyou figured it out and just thought of it as accompanying Cui Si and Cui Hao. There was a smile on his face when he went.
Not wanting to ride a horse, I simply got in a carriage, asked someone to open the curtains and drapes, leaned lazily in the carriage, felt the cool autumn breeze, made a pot of good tea, and drank it slowly.
"It's a pity that Brother Jiang is not here." Otherwise, we could raise our glasses and drink together, inviting Shanfeng to drink with us.
Cui Si sat in the carriage, leaning on a soft pillow, slowly flipping through a storybook with the light coming through the lattice window and the breeze from the mountains and forests.
The infatuated men and resentful women in the storybooks, their love affairs, sometimes made her feel a little stupid, and sometimes she felt that maybe this was how life should be.
Being too transparent can sometimes make life more painful and tormenting.
"A Buddha's dream, life and death, love and affection."
Song Lu tilted his head and asked her, "Madam, is the storybook interesting?"
"Interesting." Cui Si smiled. "If you knew a few more words, you could read it yourself."
Yanzhi and Songlu had been following Cui Si since they were young, and they also learned to read and write.
Yanzhi was clever and studious. She knew most words and could count and do accounts. But Songlu was not like that. She could only recognize a few words.
However, when it comes to martial arts, Yanzhi, like Cui Si, has no talent and only learned some rough moves. Song Lu is pretty good. Although he is far from being a true martial arts master, he can still compete with those guards.
Song Lu shuddered and refused repeatedly.
Cui Si found it amusing: "You only regret not having enough knowledge when you need it. Whether it's literacy or martial arts, it all requires hard work. Martial arts are for survival, and literacy is for a better life. No matter what you encounter in the future, this is the foundation for your survival."
Yanzhi's expression changed slightly: "Madam, are you trying to drive us away by saying this?"
"How could that be?" Cui Si laughed. "If you want to stay, you can stay forever. It's up to you. But although I hope you'll be happier, it's always a good idea to learn more."
If Yanzhi had better martial arts skills, she might not have died in Shangyang City in her previous life.
If Song Lu had been more educated, he wouldn't have been fooled by the people below him so many times in the palace, and he wouldn't have been so angry that he couldn't eat for several days.
"If you are destined to meet someone you want to marry, then it would be great to get married. I, your master, will prepare a dowry for you."
The Cui family's convoy left the city in a mighty procession, winding its way up Wang Wanhua Mountain, and stopped at the gate of Wanhua Temple around noon.
Wanhua Temple has closed its doors to visitors today. The temple's abbot, Master Fayuan, led a group of monks to welcome guests at the gate.
The autumn wind blows across the mountains, the green leaves turn yellow, and the monks put their hands together and chant the Buddha's name.
"The arrival of a distinguished person brings glory to our humble home."
"Fayuan presides."
Mrs. Cui led everyone forward to speak to the host.
Cui Si and the others fell behind. Cui Changyou curled his lips and said, "Monks don't tell lies, but this old bald donkey just opens his mouth and speaks nonsense."
Between Taoism and Buddhism, those who practice Taoism have always looked down on those who practice Buddhism, thinking that they are hypocritical and only say nice things, but when they are really asked to do something, they start to pretend.
Buddhism was introduced to China about a few decades ago. Due to the turbulent times in the past decade or so, it has gained many believers and developed rapidly. More and more people are praying to Buddha for blessings. On the contrary, the incense in Taoist temples has become increasingly deserted.
It's simple. The Three Pure Ones wouldn't take on this job. What they believe in is that my destiny is in my own hands, and praying to God is useless.
Cui Si coughed and said, "You should be more careful on someone else's territory. If you make a scene, it will ruin the blessing ceremony. When you get back, be careful with Grandmother's cane."
Cui Changyou's face fell.
He is not her uncle, she is his great aunt.
Cui Hao chuckled at the side, his almond-shaped eyes sparkling: "Yes, yes, uncle, be careful with grandma's cane."
Cui Changyou reached out and patted her head twice: "Did you learn bad things from your sister?"
"I'm not, I didn't..."
"If you have it, you have it."
Cui Si listened to their argument and smiled without saying anything.
"Princess Wang." Presiding Master Fayuan exchanged pleasantries with Madam Cui, then led the others forward to greet her. "I didn't know your Highness was coming. I apologize for not welcoming you."
"No need for that. We are here to pray today. Master, please lead us to the temple."
"As it should be, Princess Wang, Madam Cui, and everyone else, please come inside—"
Not long after Buddhism emerged, the Buddha statue sat upright on a high platform, free from dust, but the monks in the temple were still very polite for the sake of incense.
Even though it was a time of chaos, many people came forward to pray to Buddha for psychological comfort. There was no shortage of pilgrims in the temple, and the people in Wanhua Temple did not dare to offend the Cui family of Pingzhou.
Therefore, as soon as they entered the door, monks led the way, followed by the guards of the Cui family, and then several monks invited the Cui family members into the temple.
When we arrived at the main hall, monks were already chanting scriptures, and the temple was filled with the scent of incense that lasted for a long time.
Cui Changyou refused to go in when he arrived at the main hall door. He only asked Cui Si and Cui Haoduo to pray for his family so that he could go back and fool Old Lady Xu.
It was already difficult for him to reach Duwanhua Temple. It was absolutely impossible for him to kneel before the Buddha. Cui Si did not force him and asked him to wait outside the temple.
After entering the hall, a monk brought out lit incense and asked everyone to worship the Buddha.
The Buddha statue in the main hall sits high in front of the hall, half of its body shrouded in clouds and mist, making it difficult for people to distinguish between reality and illusion for a moment. It also seems as if there is a real Buddha in the world, looking down at all living beings.
Everyone listened to the scriptures and worshiped the Buddha, and followed the master to chant scriptures and pray for blessings. After about two hours, they finally got the amulet they wanted.
There was a monk nearby shaking a bamboo tube to draw lots. Cui Hao found it interesting, so he pulled Cui Si over and they each drew a lot.
Cui Hao's fortune says: The lush forests of pines and cypresses are flourishing.
It is extremely auspicious.
Cui Hao's eyes were wide with smiles, and her little face was almost bursting with laughter.
Cui Si picked up one at random, and there was a note on it: Neither wind nor rain, nor clear.
The monk who interpreted the lot explained, "This lot means nothing is lost and nothing is gained."
Cui Hao pressed on: "Is that auspicious or inauspicious?"
"Not auspicious, but not ominous either." Seeing Cui Si frown, the monk who interpreted the fortune said, "Donor, only by letting go of your obsession can the dark clouds dissipate and the world become clear."
Cui Si threw the lot back and drew another one.
"I want to defy fate and change my destiny."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
