Chapter 322: The Verse Conveyed in the Buddha

Mid-November.

Outside Tanhua Temple.

A cold wind, bone‑piercing in its chill, whirled scattered snowflakes, striking the horse carriage windows with a rustling sound.

The outline of Zhongnan Mountain, hazy in the gray sky, was faintly visible; the gentle coachman tightened the reins and shouted, "Madam, the young ladies, we have arrived at Tanhua Temple!"

The Cheli was gently lifted by red leaves, and a crisp mountain breeze scented with pine resin surged in.

Yun Xi stepped down first from the footstool, looked up toward the nearby temple.

The vermilion mountain gate, though veiled with a thin frost, could not hide the bustling flow of pilgrims.

Shadows of people on the Stone Steps swirled from the mountain foot up to the temple gate, and the wafting incense drifted with the wind, bearing a faint sandalwood fragrance.

"We've finally arrived…," Yun Xi stretched her limbs and sighed, "This carriage ride was terribly bumpy!"

Du Shuying followed down, gathered her sable fur coat, exhaled a puff of white breath, gazed at the swirling smoke and the throng of shadows, and laughed, "It's been a long time since I last came to Tanhua Temple…"

"The incense offerings remain as prosperous as ever!"

Yun Xi, wrapped in a lotus‑colored cloak, her cheeks flushed by the cold wind, widened her eyes at the sea of pilgrims and, pulling Pei Suiwan's sleeve, whispered in awe, "Sister Pei Suiwan, I've heard Mingyue speak of Tanhua Temple…"

"But today there are far too many pilgrims, aren't there?!"

Following her gaze, the hundred‑step Stone Steps leading to the gate were a sea of black, swarming Human Heads.

Pilgrims, some bearing incense baskets, others holding offerings, jostled shoulder to shoulder upward; men, women, the young and the old were all present, and even devout women with beaded hair ornaments patiently queued, occasionally shoved a few steps by those ahead, yet no one complained, only murmuring "Amitabha."

The open space before the mountain gate was even more crowded, with many aristocratic young ladies among the throng.

Pei Suiwan lifted her hand, brushed Yun Xi's wind‑tousled hair back, and said gently, "There are certainly many more than before…."

"Because Master Hui Neng is giving a sermon today!"

Yun Xi looked at the devout pilgrims, her pretty face full of doubt, and asked softly, "Who is Master Hui Neng?"

"Is he famous?"

Yun Xi knew little of Buddhist teachings and had never imagined a high monk could wield such influence…

Even the air itself carried a weighty sense of "must not be missed."

Du Shuying, having just smoothed her wind‑tousled hair, laughed, "Miss Yun, there's something you don't know…"

"Master Hui Neng is proficient in Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, and Sanskrit; he has translated countless sutras, spread Mahayana Buddhism, guides toward virtue, and saves all beings!"

Every line of his writing is filled with reverence.

"Hmm."

Pei Suiwan's voice was soft; she nodded lightly and added, "Master Hui Neng's wisdom is profound, perceiving the essence, cultivating the mind, and transcending the mundane!"

"He also frequently relieves disasters and aids the poor; his merit is boundless!"

"A few years ago, the Guanzhong region suffered a severe drought; the people had no grain. The Master led his disciples to open granaries and distribute food, and set up a prayer altar in the temple, chanting sutras day and night. Soon after, a thorough rain fell. Since then, even ordinary folk speak of his virtues!"

Yun Xi blinked, a speck of snow from the cold wind clinging to her lashes, as if she'd thought of something; her curiosity grew and she pressed, "What prayers are most effective at Tanhua Temple?"

Du Shuying, amused by the innocent look, brushed the snow off Yun Xi's shoulder and said, "Praying for wealth, children, marriage, or official career are the most efficacious!"

"Seeking wealth?"

Yun Xi, keenly catching the point, her beautiful eyes suddenly brightened like two fallen stars, and said, "Then I'll definitely, later, pray properly!"

That expression—eyes shining, thoughts written all over her face—was the very picture of a little money‑lover.

"Miss Yun, if you want to get rich, instead of going to Tanhua Temple to pray to the gods, you'd be better off returning home to ask the Young Master for a favor—much more direct!"

Hongye, dressed in a sleek outfit, cradled a sword; the copper fittings on its sheath glinted coldly in the snowlight. She stepped forward, a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, teasingly said.

She paused, then continued, "Perhaps ten thousand taels of silver could be in hand…."

Praying to the Buddha for wealth inside the temple depends on the Buddha's mood; the chance of receiving silver is minuscule.

But coaxing one's own Duke for favors is another matter; ten thousand taels is just a baseline, and one can easily obtain far more silver…

Simple and efficient!

"Makes sense!"

Yun Xi, deeply agreeing, laughed, "Brother A Yan is the true God of Wealth!"

As soon as the words fell, she seemed to recall something, looked at Pei Suiwan, and asked, "Right, Sister Pei Suiwan, what are you here to pray for?"

At that remark, Du Shuying laughed first, teasingly looking at Pei Suiwan, "Sister Pei Suiwan, what else could you possibly pray for?"

"Of course I'm here to pray for a child!"

As the head matriarch, Grand Duke's Lady, the only worry for her is that her womb has not yet shown signs….

Pei Suiwan's face flushed a light pink, and she scolded Du Shuying with a glance.

Yun Xi, thoughtful, asked again, "And you, Sister Shuying?"

"Marriage." Du Shuying exhaled a breath of murky air, slowly uttering the two words.

In her beautiful eyes, a strange hue filled them.

She didn't know why her father delayed arranging a marriage for her…

He didn't even hint at which Young Master he favored!

He only let her wait…

Mid‑sentence, a knowledgeable monk stepped forward, guiding them toward the side gate.

Avoiding the main gate's crowd, yet even so, the chanting of Buddha's name rose and fell on the Stone Steps, mingling with the wind and carrying far.

Through the noisy courtyard, the few stepped on the thin‑carpeted Stone Steps into the main hall.

Inside, candlelight blazed; three golden Buddhas sat majestically on lotus platforms, their divine forms solemn, incense swirling, and the faint sound of sutra chanting drifting from the rear hall.

Pilgrims, either kneeling or standing, hushed their breaths; even children had their mouths covered by adults, the solemn atmosphere making everyone tread lightly.

Pei Suiwan first took three incense sticks, lit them over the candle flame, clasped her hands at her forehead, closed her eyes and prayed quietly, "May Buddha protect me, grant me a legitimate son soon, and bless my husband's lineage with prosperity!"

"When my son reaches his first birthday, I will sculpt another golden statue for Buddha!"

She had a peaceful expression, her long lashes casting faint shadows under her eyes, the prayer hidden in her heart, turning only into a deep bow.

Du Shuying followed closely, her slender fingers twirling the incense, eyes fixed on the compassionate face of the Buddha statue, a gentle hope at the corner of her mouth: "May my Buddha bless me, that this humble maiden may find a fine husband!"

"I do not ask to be as dazzling and talented as Director Chen, only hope to reach half his level, enough to satisfy this humble maiden!"

Du Shuying knows well that a man like Director Chen is so rare that not even one appears in several hundred years......

To seek someone almost identical is as hard as scaling the heavens; she can only settle for second best—half is enough to be content!

Yun Xi, the most straightforward of all, mimics their incense‑raising, her eyes sparkling as they glance at the Buddha, whispering to herself: "This humble maiden only wishes to stay forever by Brother A Yan's side....."

"May Brother A Yan have peace and smooth fortune in this life!"

Having finished, she respectfully kowtowed three times.

When she rose, a hint of resolve settled on her face, as if the Buddha had already heard her prayer.

Wen Run stood by the hall entrance, eyes on the Buddha, and solemnly said: "May the Buddha protect the Lord and enable the smooth handling of the two Grand Pillars of State!"

Wen Run knows clearly that once those two undying elders fall, the Lord will promote him into officialdom.....

... giving him a chance to achieve great ambitions and serve the Lord even better.

Just as they placed the incense into the censer, a faint commotion arose from outside the hall.

A few worshippers huddled together, whispering urgently: "Master Huineng's sermon is about to begin!"

"If we're late we won't get a good seat!"

"Go! Hurry!"

"I, a humble servant, came specifically for Master Huineng!"

As soon as the words finished, the worshippers who had lingered inside the hall seemed to receive a signal, turning outward in a hurry, their steps even quicker than when they arrived.

For a moment, the crowd in the main hall surged like a tide toward the same direction, the solemn atmosphere now tinged with lively urgency.

Du Shuying watched the surging crowd and suggested: "Since everyone's here, let's join the excitement and listen to Master Huineng's sermon, shall we?"

Yun Xi, hearing that, became interested, nodding: "Go, go, go—hardly ever catch up, we must hear what this highly charismatic master has to say!"

Pei Suiwan nodded in agreement, and the group followed the flow outward.

Passing through several courtyards, the path opened up; a temporary Gaotai came into view, its base packed with a sea of dark‑cloaked people, and even the surrounding Stone Steps were crowded with on‑toes worshippers peering down.

Suddenly a crisp wooden fish clacked from the side of the stage, and the noisy crowd fell silent at once, the cold wind seeming to subside a bit.

Following the sound, everyone saw an elderly monk in a red kasaya stride slowly onto the Gaotai—it was Master Huineng.

His beard and hair were all white, yet his face was rosy and full; his gaze swept the audience with a gentle insight that seemed able to smooth the creases of the heart.

The master stepped onto the front cushion, sat down, palms together, and first recited a brief passage; his voice, though low, carried a strange penetrating quality, reaching each ear clearly and dispelling the surrounding chill.

"All dharmas arise from causes and conditions, all dharmas cease from causes and conditions." He spoke slowly, his tone as peaceful as flowing water, "Just like the ginkgo before this hall—sprouting in spring, flourishing in summer, shedding in autumn, withering in winter—seeming permanent yet actually impermanent. The world clings to 'being', and then"

While speaking, he casually picked up a fallen ginkgo leaf, twirling it between his fingers: "Everyone, look at this leaf—its green is not true green, its yellow is not true yellow, its falling is not true extinction—just as worldly honor and disgrace, today a splendid mansion, tomorrow a barren tomb, …"

"Boring!" Yun Xi whispered a yawn, covering her mouth with her cloak sleeve, a few physiological tears welling at the corner of her eye.

She felt overwhelmingly drowsy.

Master Huineng had just finished expounding the principle "All sentient beings can become Buddhas" from the Great Nirvana Sutra, when his voice suddenly deepened, his gaze sweeping the audience: "Venerable lay followers…"

"Just as the teaching was not yet finished, the old monk suddenly felt drowsy, and in the hazy moment it seemed as if…"

"The pillars will topple, the red gates…"