Chapter 25: My Wife Believes in Buddhism, Fond of Buddhist Scriptures

Stepping into the temple, a vigorous, ancient aura rushed toward me; after walking a bit farther, faint chanting could be heard drifting from deep within the temple halls, solemn and lingering.

Niu Dingtian followed close behind Jue Zhen, holding Han Xiao Ying and matching his steps, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings without a trace, as if searching for something.

Walking along the blue‑brick path, turning here and there, when we passed a courtyard gate, a glance revealed the three characters on the pavilion's signboard inside; a flash of light appeared in Niu Dingtian's eyes, then vanished instantly, and he did not pause at all.

After a while we arrived at a meditation room and stopped; Jue Zhen personally opened the door, his kind‑looking face showing a hint of guilt, and he said to Niu Dingtian beside him:

"Our temple's conditions are simple; please excuse us, Patron Niu. Please rest here for a while, and after you finish your vegetarian meal, Junior Brother Jue Xing will come to treat your lady."

"If you have any business, seek the disciples outside; I'll take my leave now."

Having said that, he pressed his palms together in a bow toward Niu Dingtian, and without waiting for his thanks, turned and hurried away.

Entering the meditation room, I saw that the space, less than two zhang in both dimensions, contained only a bed, a table, a wardrobe, plus two chairs.

"Miss Han, you'll just have to make do here for now."

After entering and seeing the furnishings, Niu Dingtian lowered his head and softly apologized to Han Xiao Ying in his arms.

No wonder that old monk's face showed a hint of guilt earlier; after deducting the medical fee from the two thousand taels of gold, it really was all donated to the Buddha.

However, regardless of whether we can fully dispel the palm poison on Han Xiao Ying's body in one go tonight, Niu Dingtian decided they must stay here tonight, possibly for another two days.

"It's fine, Young Master Niu… please just put me on the bed; I never expected this trip to cost you so much."

Seeing Niu Dingtian still holding her, Han Xiao Ying blushed slightly and whispered a reminder; thinking of today's expense, she felt guilty and indebted.

"It's alright; wealth is merely external. Han Xiao Ying's health matters most—spending a bit more is no problem."

Hearing this, Niu Dingtian showed a carefree expression.

"Patrons, it's time for the vegetarian meal."

Just then, a little monk's voice sounded from outside; the vegetarian meal had arrived.

"Thank you, little monk."

Niu Dingtian went to the door, thanked the comer solemnly with a smile, then took the tray: a portion of cabbage, a portion of tofu, and two portions of rice.

"Patron Niu, no need for formalities; I'm the little monk Kong Hui. If you have any business, seek me outside the courtyard; I'll take my leave now."

Kong Hui wore an apricot‑yellow monk's robe, appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen, his youthful face still bearing a touch of simplemindedness—quite unlike the precocious look of Niu Dingtian.

Seeing Niu Dingtian's kindness and hearing his solemn thanks, Kong Hui, feeling somewhat flattered, waved his hands, gave a careful reminder, and was about to retreat—this person before him was a distinguished guest specially instructed by the abbot, and he dared not be negligent.

"Master Kong Hui, please stay!"

Niu Dingtian kept his eyes on Kong Hui's retreating figure; as the monk neared the courtyard gate, he too wanted to turn and go inside, but suddenly recalled something, halted his steps, then hurried back and called out to Kong Hui not far away.

Upon hearing the sound, Kong Hui stopped, turned, saw Niu Dingtian calling him, hurried over, and with clasped hands said, "Patron Niu, what else do you command the little monk to do?"

Niu Dingtian smiled at Kong Hui and then said:

"Master Kong Hui, please indulge me; I have one more matter I wish to ask you."

"Patron Niu, please speak; if I can do it, I will certainly not refuse." Kong Hui hurriedly replied.

Holding his tray, Niu Dingtian moved two steps closer to Kong Hui and said:

"Master Kong Hui, my wife believes in Buddhism and usually enjoys Buddhist scriptures; this time, when we came to your temple for medical treatment, I specifically instructed him to help copy some of your scriptures to bring back for recitation. I don't know whether your temple has a sutra storage where I could assist in copying some scriptures to take home."

Having said that, Niu Dingtian glanced at Kong Hui with a half‑smile, carefully observing his expression.

"Patron Niu, I won't hide it—our temple indeed has a sutra storage; copying ordinary scriptures should pose no problem. In the past, a few distinguished guests have come seeking scriptures, but this requires the abbot's approval."

"If you wish to do so, Patron Niu, I'll convey your request for you."

Kong Hui heard this, gave a simple smile, expressed some apology to Niu Dingtian with clasped hands, and finally wished to contribute his modest ability.

"Then thank you, Master Kong Hui."

Niu Dingtian nodded slightly, smiled, and thanked Kong Hui.

"Patron Niu, you're too polite; the poor monk takes his leave."

Seeing Kong Hui depart, Niu Dingtian stood where he was, pondered a moment, then turned with his tray and entered the room.

"Miss Han, are you wondering why I said those things to that little monk just now?"

After placing the vegetarian meal on the table and moving the table beside the bed, Niu Dingtian, while ladling some vegetables into his bowl, asked the Han Xiao Ying lying on the bed.

"Young Master Niu surely has his own plans; there's no need to spell them out to me—I only hope to be of help to you."

Although Han Xiao Ying was also curious, she felt mostly delighted at this moment.

She felt that after so long she could finally be of some use to Niu Dingtian; thinking of this, the joy on her face could hardly be contained, and she involuntarily smiled in reply.

At first, hearing Niu Dingtian repeatedly call her "my wife" from outside the door made her feel as shy as when the abbot addressed her as "madam"; but after realizing Niu Dingtian wouldn't say such things to a little monk for no reason, she knew there must be some purpose, and whatever it was, she was glad she could finally help him.

"Miss Han, please eat some vegetarian fare; this temple food is also my first try—let's see if it suits your taste."

Seeing Han Xiao Ying so considerate, Niu Dingtian felt delighted, stopped pressing the topic, smiled at her, gently fed her a bite of tofu, and said softly:

"Mm."

Han Xiao Ying obediently opened her mouth.

"Kong Hui, you may step back now."

"Yes, Abbot."

"Junior Brother Jue Xing, what do you think?"

Inside a meditation room, after hearing the little monk Kong Hui's report and seeing him leave, the abbot Jue Zhen, seated in meditation on the central cushion, turned to his junior brother and asked:

He was precisely the chief monk of the Dharma Hall, Zen Master Jue Xing.

Jue Xing heard his senior brother's query, slightly opened his eyes, pondered a moment on his solemn face, then replied with clasped hands:

"Reporting to Abbot Senior Brother, I see that the injured female layperson possesses some martial skill; as for the scholar‑looking Patron Niu"

Having said that, Jue Xing pondered further, then shook his head: "He probably knows no martial arts."

"Amitabha, then this suits Patron Niu just fine."

"I hope this brings blessing, not disaster, to the Shaolin Temple."

Having said that, Jue Zhen closed his Buddha eyes again, and the prayer beads in his hand turned somewhat hastily.

What he said to his junior martial brother was not surprising; even though his own strength was slightly superior to the opponent's, for a moment he could not discern Niu Dingtian's depth.

Asking this may be more for seeking some mental reassurance, but it still needs to be asked.

To say something contrary to the Buddha's heart, if misfortune were to truly arise from this matter,

Then

It is always the collective decision of us Buddhist disciples.

Amitabha Buddha

Asking for votes, there will be more tonight; if there are typos or garbled sentences, please point them out, thank you.

(End of chapter)