Xun hexagram, upper-middle hexagram
Chapter 57 Xun Hexagram - Upper-Middle Hexagram - Treasure Land
When Madam Zhang received the letter, she said to her servant, "This new abbess of Hebai Temple is so young, yet she has such a big mouth. Can she really find a good position in just three days? Don't try to fool me, she's just a woman."
"Madam, this servant believes she wouldn't dare. Logically speaking, Daoist Chonghuo wouldn't do such a thing."
Madam Zhang felt somewhat uneasy, yet she also felt that what the servant said made sense, but ultimately she still harbored some distrust.
At this moment, Madam Zhang, accompanied by several servants, arrived at Hebai Temple, weary from their journey.
Madam Zhang wore a white dress and a white flower in her hair; she even changed her veil to white, with the only black covering her face.
Rong Yan stood outside the Hall of the Three Masters, waiting quietly for her to finish offering incense. After a servant handed her a bottle of floral water to wash her hands, she gracefully approached.
"You are the abbot of Hebai Temple?" Madam Zhang's voice sounded very young. She turned her head to look at the scale of Hebai Temple and nodded. "It's not big, but it's exquisite."
"Madam, my surname is Rong, and I am a disciple of the Taoist Master Gouxiang, whose Taoist name is Jigui Jushi."
She originally intended for Daoist Chonghuo to handle the matter personally, but he seemed to have some concerns and instead introduced her to the master of the small Hebai Temple.
Although she had no romantic feelings for the deceased, the many years of companionship had at least given rise to some sense of kinship.
She was also a little worried, afraid that things wouldn't go well.
Therefore, Rong Yan's refusal was within her expectations.
After all, she knew she could only take on tasks within her capabilities.
But who would have thought that Rong Yan would invite her over again in just three days?
"Hmm, I've heard about you from Daoist Chonghuo. I originally thought you weren't skilled enough, so you declined my master's task of finding the dragon's eye. I didn't expect you to accept it."
Madam Zhang spoke very directly, without any regard for Rong Yan's feelings.
To her surprise, Rong Yan, despite his young age, showed no sign of embarrassment on his face!
If she is not so shrewd as to not show it on her face, then she must be a person of great wisdom!
Rong Yan smiled, seemingly unconcerned that Madam Zhang had said this: "Madam, although you don't love Lord Zhang, rest assured, while finding burial sites is not my forte, I am still capable enough to get things done."
Mrs. Zhang: !!!
Madam Zhang was either shocked by her statement that she did not love Lord Zhang, or speechless at the following sentence, and remained silent for a long time.
If she were to speak, it would seem as if she were arguing with a young woman about whether she loves or not.
If you don't speak up, it's as if you've agreed.
“Madam Zhang, don’t underestimate me because I’m young. I’ve seen many people with these eyes and performed many divinations with these hands. I dare not say that I’ve never made a mistake, but I’ve never made a major one.”
As if possessed, Madam Zhang stared intently into her eyes after hearing her words.
Despite having large, bright eyes that suggest a youthful spirit, the underlying tone of those eyes truly seemed to indicate... a wealth of experience!
She found herself getting goosebumps all over her back, and her expression turned somewhat solemn.
"I apologize, Layman Jigui, I misspoke."
“Then please come with me, madam. I have already taken a liking to several places, two of which are the best. It is up to you to decide.”
"Alright, let's set off quickly."
The two families traveled in separate carriages, gradually moving further and further along the mountain road of Hebai Temple. Eventually, the carriages could no longer pass, so they had to get out and climb mountains and wade through rivers.
As a noblewoman, Madam Zhang rarely did such strenuous work, and she was panting heavily after walking for less than half an hour.
Then, to her surprise, this hermit was breathing even harder than she was!
Mrs. Zhang: ...
Rong Yan, however, showed no embarrassment whatsoever. He smiled calmly and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Madam. I've been frail and sickly since childhood, and this long journey has taken its toll..."
Madam Zhang, being such a person, smiled as well, "If it is truly a good place, I will give the temple double the price."
Although she spoke politely, she couldn't help but feel suspicious.
Can such a delicate geomancer really shoulder great responsibilities?
With that thought in mind, the group climbed to the mountainside.
Rong Yan breathed a sigh of relief. "Madam Zhang, this is the auspicious site. The other site is on the opposite side of this hill, and in terms of terrain alone, this is the best."
Madam Zhang frowned and looked at her mother beside her, her voice slightly colder, "Do you really believe what you say, Layman? A Taoist priest once surveyed this place, and his reply differed from yours. He believed that since there are no continuous mountain ranges surrounding this place, it cannot be considered a place with mild winters and cool summers. Layman, please do not try to appease me just because I am a woman."
Sure enough, the treasure land that was found in three days was probably just something that another Taoist priest had found beforehand.
She said, "How could that be possible in just three days?"
Yu Ling: "Madam, our young mistress never does things half-heartedly. Every task she undertakes is completed perfectly."
“Yu Ling, how can you speak to Madam Zhang like that?” Rong Yan quickly stopped her, afraid that she would speak recklessly and exaggerate her, leaving her with no more opportunities to be lazy in the future.
"Madam Zhang, if you trust me, this is the best place. We geomancers value most the ability to gather and retain auspicious energy. Whether a piece of land is a treasure depends on its ability to retain energy. Energy gives birth to all things, and energy is generated by the soil, thus ensuring continuous life and benefiting future generations. Although this place is not surrounded by mountains on all sides, it is backed by mountains to the south, and its shape resembles a hill, making it an extremely rare and auspicious site. In addition, there is a pool of flowing water in front, and the terrain at the foot of the mountain is open and flat, with flowing water surrounding the front of the mountain. I can guarantee, Madam Zhang, that this is the best place for Lord Zhang's burial site."
Madam Zhang was clearly taken aback by her extremely fluent speech, and judging from her appearance, she didn't seem to be making things up.
However, she still had some doubts. Firstly, a Taoist priest had indeed shown her that this place was not the best location. Secondly, she didn't quite believe in Rong Yan's abilities, given her delicate and beautiful appearance.
She smiled and said, "Thank you, layman. I will think about it some more when I get back, but I believe that the person recommended by Daoist Chonghuo must have some extraordinary qualities."
Rong Yan wasn't angry when he heard this, but Yu Ling was quite upset.
Go back and think about it, or it'll fall through!
The young mistress's time was already precious, as she had to attend to both the Taoist ceremony and the affairs of the Taoist temple.
Now, it's even more difficult for her to go and look at the burial site for Madam Zhang. Not only is she picky, but most importantly, she clearly doesn't believe in Madam Zhang's abilities.
If you don't believe it, why bother people?
Money is a small matter; what's truly important is damaging the young mistress's reputation in feng shui!
Rong Yan knew what Yu Ling was thinking. On the way back, she said to her, "You don't need to be angry. I don't have much contact with these ladies, so it's understandable that she suspects me. If it weren't for Daoist Chong Huo's recommendation, I'm afraid she wouldn't have come to He Bai Temple."
"I just feel sorry that Madam has worked so hard for nothing."
Rong Yan shook his head and smiled.
"No, if I'm not mistaken, we'll reach a conclusion tonight."
Yu Ling was taken aback. "Tonight? Young Madam, are you so certain?"
"What I'm certain about isn't her, but the person behind her."
Yu Ling was a little confused and didn't dare to ask again, afraid that Rong Yan would think she was stupid. She was only thinking that it was almost evening and she would see if what Rong Yan said would come true.
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