Chapter 247 The child will ultimately bear the surname Zhou.
That cold gaze, like an invisible needle, gently pierced Meng Shilan's back.
She instinctively turned around, but the crowd was bustling and no one particularly noticeable was there.
Everything was exactly the same as before.
But that momentary chill did actually slide across her skin.
Without making a sound, she adjusted Fu'er's collar and pulled her daughter a little closer to her.
"There are too many people, let's go to the temple to offer incense."
She spoke to Shuang'er and Wei Xun, her voice revealing no sign of anything amiss.
Wei Xun, holding the chubby little boy, nodded. "Alright, young master must be tired from playing. Go inside and rest for a bit."
The group walked through the bustling crowds of the temple fair, and the halls of the White Horse Temple came into view.
Unlike the hustle and bustle outside, this place has its own solemn and dignified atmosphere.
The bluestone pavement was worn smooth by the footsteps of pilgrims.
The air is filled with the lingering scent of sandalwood, which brings peace to the mind.
Shuang'er tugged at Meng Shilan's sleeve and pointed to the side hall not far away.
"Sister, I'm going to pray to the God of Wealth!"
She said cheerfully, putting her hands together in a gesture of praying for wealth.
Meng Shilan was amused by her, and the gloom in her heart dissipated somewhat.
"Go ahead, sincerity is key, and ask for more money to come back so I can manage the accounts."
Wei Xun, holding the somewhat drowsy little chubby boy, found a quiet spot to sit down in the long corridor outside the hall.
Meng Shilan then took Fu'er's hand and slowly walked into the main hall.
Inside the main hall, incense smoke curled and billowed.
The central Buddha statue is dignified and solemn, with lowered eyes full of compassion, as if it can see through all the suffering in the world.
The eighteen Arhats on both sides, some angry and some laughing, are all in different poses and are very lifelike.
The surrounding area was filled with the soft prayers of believers, which mingled with the crisp sound of the wooden fish drum, creating a soothing hymn.
Meng Shilan, with Fu'er by her side, knelt respectfully on the prayer mat and kowtowed devoutly.
She did not seek wealth or glory.
All I ask for is for my two children to live a peaceful and healthy life, free from any further troubles.
May Zhou Congxian, who is traveling to the border, have a safe journey and return in triumph soon.
After offering incense, she led Fu'er to the donation box on the side, took out a silver note, and put it in.
After doing all this, she breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much of the fatigue and tension from the past few days dissipate.
She turned around, ready to call out to Fu'er.
But the child who should have been standing beside her was nowhere to be seen.
Meng Shilan's smile froze instantly.
Her heart skipped a beat, and the surrounding sounds seemed to fade away instantly.
"Fu'er?"
Her voice trembled slightly, without her even realizing it.
A chilling fear crept up her spine, reminding her of the days and nights she spent fleeing from Yuzhou.
She turned her head sharply, her eyes anxiously searching the hall.
Thankfully, she breathed a sigh of relief after just one glance.
Fu'er hadn't gone far.
She was standing not far away, tiptoeing, peering curiously inside.
In the center of the crowd, an old monk dressed in a gray robe sat cross-legged, reciting scriptures with his eyes closed.
His voice wasn't loud, yet it strangely reached everyone's ears, carrying a comforting power.
Master Huineng was a highly accomplished monk at Baima Temple.
The high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital all considered it an honor to receive a single word of guidance from him.
At the innermost part of the crowd, a familiar figure sat upright, looking devout – Old Madam Zhou.
She was accompanied only by two personal maids, who were listening intently to Master Huineng's sermon.
Madam Zhou was a devout Buddhist throughout her life, and she held Master Huineng in the highest esteem. Whenever the Master held a ceremony, she would personally attend, regardless of the weather.
She stepped forward quietly, intending to pull Fu'er back.
The sermon stopped at that moment.
Madam Zhou clasped her hands together and asked respectfully, "Master, I have a question that I would like to ask you."
Master Huineng slowly opened his eyes; they were eyes that understood the ways of the world, peaceful and profound.
"Please speak, Madam."
"Grandson Congxian, this journey to the border is long and arduous, and military affairs are perilous. I do not know the course of this journey..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but her worry was already evident.
Master Huineng's gaze did not linger on her.
His gaze swept over the layers of people and landed steadily on the small figure with eyes full of curiosity.
The entire hall fell silent instantly.
A kind smile appeared on Master Huineng's face.
"This child has a noble destiny and is no ordinary person."
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
Madam Zhou turned around in surprise. When she realized that the one being gazed at by the master was Fu'er, a complex and incomprehensible light flashed in her eyes.
"He is a blessed and fortunate child who will protect his family."
Master Huineng's voice rang out again, each word seemingly carrying immense power.
Meng Shilan's heart stirred, and she stepped forward, gently taking her daughter's slightly cool little hand in hers.
She bowed gracefully to Master Huineng.
"Master, you flatter me."
Her voice was neither arrogant nor humble, but clear and gentle.
"Actually, I was fortunate enough to meet the master when I went to Baima Temple to offer incense three years ago. At that time, the master had already told my daughter's fate."
She raised her head, meeting Master Huineng's gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"The master said at the time that the child was blessed and would have a smooth life."
Upon hearing this, Master Huineng's eyes revealed a hint of understanding.
He looked at Meng Shilan, then at Fu'er beside her, and his smile deepened.
"I see."
He said slowly, "The two words 'fate' and 'destiny' are truly wondrous."
After saying that, to everyone's astonishment, he slowly took off the Buddhist prayer beads that he had been wearing on his wrist for countless years, which were now as smooth and lustrous as jade.
"Since we are destined to meet, I will give this string of prayer beads to you, young benefactor."
For a fleeting moment, Madam Zhou's breathing stopped.
She stared at the scene in shock, almost unable to believe her eyes.
Countless powerful and influential people in the capital wanted to obtain a token from the master but could not.
Now, it's been given to Fu'er so easily?
The surrounding worshippers erupted in hushed exclamations and whispers.
This girl is truly blessed to receive Buddhist prayer beads personally from Master Huineng.
Meng Shilan, holding Fu'er's hand, bowed deeply to Master Huineng once again.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Master."
"Amitabha."
After chanting a Buddhist prayer, Master Huineng withdrew from the main hall.
Meng Shilan then looked at the Buddhist prayer beads in Fu'er's hand.
She always felt that Master Huineng's prediction meant that she would successfully change her child's name.
While I was delighted, it was also entirely reasonable.
But now she's saying the same thing as she did three years ago. Does Fu'er really have some great destiny in the future?
Thinking of this, she shook her head with amusement.
With internal and external troubles looming, it would be good enough if Fu'er could have a peaceful life once she grows up; how could she possibly dream of anything else?
Meng Shilan and Fu'er had just stepped out of the main hall.
Mrs. Gao, who was waiting by the door, blocked her way.
"Miss Meng, my matriarch requests your presence."
Meng Shilan looked up.
Madam Zhou stood calmly under a Bodhi tree not far away.
But those eyes that had never looked at her directly before were now fixed on her.
"This junior greets Madam Zhou."
Meng Shilan held Fu'er's hand, facing her probing gaze with neither arrogance nor servility.
After a moment of silence, Madam Zhou shifted her gaze from the Buddhist beads on Fu'er's wrist to her small face, which bore a striking resemblance to Zhou Congxian.
"Since Fu'er has won the master's favor, she must be very fortunate."
Meng Shilan lowered her eyes, "It's all Fu'er's fate."
Madam Zhou then changed the subject, her tone taking on an air of unquestionable authority.
"In the future, bring the children to visit your home more often."
"Xian'er is not in the capital. You and your children should be looked after by us elders."
Finally, she delivered the heaviest blow, each word distinct and deliberate.
"The child... will ultimately still bear the surname Zhou."
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