Chapter 189: I Respect You but Do Not Worship You

She looks at the various people and has the children describe them with the words they have learned, and teaches them how to interact with others.

The old gentleman not only teaches them Reading and Writing, but also teaches Painting; however, the three boys are not keen on painting.

Fengyun brothers are very keen on Martial Arts, Chuan'er is very keen on eating, and Ling'er is very keen on playing.

But these children are all clever; when they want to learn something, they can pick it up quickly.

Seeing Qiao Mai's way of guiding the children's learning, Yuan Jiaqi finds it very fresh.

After three days of Fasting and Bathing, the old lady brings everyone to the temple's Main Hall, devoutly kowtowing to Buddha and offering incense.

She also donates a huge sum of silver, while the Abbot and Abbot (Abbot (Abbot (Abbot (Fangzhang)))) stay by her side.

Everyone else kneels, but Qiao Mai stands at a slight angle, hands behind her back, motionless.

The old lady leads the group in worshipping one Buddha after another and the Bodhisattvas.

"Thank you, Great Master; I will definitely come when I have time."

The kitchen had already received Xin'er, so upon entering the house one can eat a sumptuous dinner.

A worker leads a horse of roughly the same color as Dongzao and runs over.

"So that's it, Old Monk showed the Benefactor the Face Reading; the Benefactor's true form is half black, half gold, with merit, virtue, and also Karma."

"Let me ask again, where is my horse?"

Qiao Mai stays at the rear the whole time, acting as a guard.

"You say the Buddhist path is righteous; I am not a Buddhist, so I naturally do not follow your way. I have my own path to walk. Moreover, you intend to ferry evil, releasing evil back to the world, and evil harms the good—how can you answer to the good?"

"Yes, sir!"

The guard, brandishing his sword, rushes at the Shopkeeper, but the Shopkeeper not only shows no fear, he even acts recklessly.

"Who are you? We'll find out when we reach the County Magistrate's Office."

Carriages stream out one by one; because Ling'er is asleep, Yuehong and Yuexia carry her onto the old lady's carriage.

The worker sneaks a glance at the Shopkeeper, who immediately puts on a smiling face, "Madam, this truly is your horse!"

At this moment, the old Mr. Wang, leaning on the window outside, seems to have noticed something and immediately summons a guard.

"The Buddhist way is such that sweeping the floor does not harm the lives of ants."

"The Benefactor may stay at the temple for a short while in leisure; this will be good for your body and mind."

"Old Monk understands!"

"Yes, Mother, rest assured; the son will not let him affect the reputation of our Wang Family's branch."

The old gentleman points at the Shopkeeper, "Block his mouth and take him away!"

She was cheerful on the way there, but encountering this on the way back truly makes the old lady angry.

"Well, then you judge!"

Qiao Mai bursts out laughing, "Grandfather, someone is using your family's influence to seize my horse; you must intervene for me."

"Isn't this…?"

The children, however, listen to the old lady's Buddhist talks, becoming entranced; each listens obediently and does not clamour to go outside.

Seeing the old man before him, the Shopkeeper snorts coldly, "Our family is actually the Prefect Zhifu's steward's own brother; are you scared? Hmph!"

"Sir, your horse is here."

The guard tries to take the Shopkeeper away; the Shopkeeper shouts, frightening the worker inside who is at a loss; the guard, annoyed, knocks him out with the back of his sword and ties him, throwing him onto the horse's back.

Qiao Mai follows the old lady and leaves; the Abbot sighs, turns, and also departs.

Wang Meng purses his lips, "You judge; we're heading back. When you have a message, let us know, and remember not to be lenient."

The Qiao Family stays at the temple for six days in total, then prepares to set out and return.

After the Sutra Lecture ends, the Abbot looks at the three of them.

"Who are you? How dare you seize me? Do you know who I am?"

"You are all blessed people; cherish your blessings, especially you, Young Master, you must cherish them."

Qiao Mai laughed in anger, "You really can open your eyes and speak nonsense… My horse, with a single whistle, automatically ran to me, and you actually dared to call my horse yours?"

"This is our horse here; please, sir, do not lead it casually."

Everyone was stunned, seeing Dongzao run to her and let out a long neigh.

Upon arriving at Fucheng, without a word they went straight to the Prefectural Office; Wang Zongsheng, seeing his parents arrive, performed a ceremony for the two in the County Magistrate's Office.

She curled her index finger and put it in her mouth; a loud whistle sounded, and with a splash, Dongzao crashed through a wooden wall and rushed toward her.

Qiao Mai reached out to grab the horse reins, then turned and walked away; the Shopkeeper behind took a quick step and rushed in front of her.

The Abbot escorted them to the Mountain Gate and looked at Qiao Mai.

It seems the Wang Family still follows this old lady's word; even the old master obeys her.

Dongzao, towering, continuously grazes Spiritual Energy‑infused pasture, drinks Spiritual Energy‑infused water, and breathes Spiritual Energy‑filled air.

Wang Zongsheng, angry, immediately ordered his own Steward to be bound and sent a wave of people to interrogate the household's Account Book and all the servants.

For matters like this, Qiao Mai does not participate; the Meditation Room only has the old gentleman, the old lady, and Yuan Jiaqi.

"Yes, father."

The Abbot of Xiangtang Temple comes to her side, "Benefactor, why do you not worship Buddha?"

"The Dao is different; I do not worship, but I respect."

Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi were the last to leave, but Yuan Jiaqi had already mounted his own horse, while Qiao Mai's horse had not yet been led over.

Qiao Mai doesn't mind; Dongzao is not something others can just take away; now it is not only rideable but also a highly combative Treasure Horse.

Qiao Mai sees their gaze and has nothing left to be unclear about.

Qiao Mai unleashed a murderous aura toward that worker, who could not endure and fell kneeling on the spot.

"Go, seize that Shopkeeper, bring him to Fucheng, and hand him over to the County Magistrate's Office for disposition."

Truly greedy, even wanting to seize the guests' belongings.

"So the Buddha has the Buddhist Path, humans have the Human Path; I respect you, but I do not worship you!"

"Kill the one who should be killed, fear nothing,"

"What a case of thieves crying 'catch the thief'."

"Help! Save us! These few are robbers, trying to steal our Horse Ranch's Ma'er!"

Work at sunrise, rest at sunset; though simple, it is a rare tranquility.

"Yes, Great Master!"

When night fell, the party finally returned home.

At this moment Qiao Mai recounted the incident that happened at the Horse Ranch in the Small Town beneath the mountain corner of Xiangtang Temple.

"Don't worry, your uncle will certainly not let them off lightly."

Old Mr. Wang got out of the carriage, walked up to him, and said, "Tell me, who is backing you?"

After packing their gear and checking their belongings, the children cheered, finally able to ride their beloved little horses.

The group descended the mountain, reached the Horse Parking Lot, and retrieved their vehicles and horses.

Actually, these past days Qiao Mai has been very comfortable in the temple, feeling a serenity she has never known before.

The old lady, unwilling to accept it, said, "You dog, a servant, actually allowed your own brother to bully others; who gave them that dogged audacity? Zongsheng, let me tell you, the Emperor is severely punishing corrupt officials; you must not let a rotten piece of meat spoil the whole pot of soup."

She asked the Horse Ranch staff coldly, "Where is my Ma'er?"

The next day, the Abbot (Abbot (Abbot (Abbot (Fangzhang)))) personally performed Meditation and Sutra Teaching for the old gentleman and the old lady.

It was highly spiritual; no one could take it away. Surely someone plotted, hid it, and used a similar horse, planning a weasel‑cat swap for the Crown Prince.

This was at the request of Wang Meng Lao Xiansheng, hoping he could discern some worldly truths from the Buddhist scriptures.

Gazing at the high mountains and the ancient‑styled Small Town below, hearing the Bell Sound, smelling the Incense, it felt nice to keep living like this.

"This"

"My own Ma'er, how could I not know?"

These past days we couldn't eat meat, and it made everyone crave it.

However, there was indeed meat, but no big fatty cuts—just boiled Meat Soup, the kind that's tasty, satisfies cravings, and nourishes the body.

Everyone ate their fill; each time they went out, they shouted they wanted to follow, and after stepping out they felt home was still best.

So they each lay on the kang, snoring comfortably like little pigs.

(End of Chapter)