Chapter 42: Chapter 41 Wan’en Temple_1

It was a cloudy day on the second day.

Dark clouds weighed heavy in the sky, and a gray fog shrouded everything, making even the daylight appear dim. The wind caused the lanterns hanging from the eaves of the medical clinic to sway as if they might fall at any moment. Lu Tong, carrying her medical kit, boarded the horse carriage with Yin Zheng.

The carriage had been hired for them by Du Changqing, and it had been waiting at the door early on.

Wan’en Temple was situated at the peak of Mount Wangchun. To get there from West Street would take at least half a day’s carriage ride. Du Changqing had given Lu Tong a day’s leave, with the only requirement that she return by tomorrow evening to close the shop.

The carriage sped along the road. Yin Zheng couldn’t help but pull back the carriage curtain to look outside, marveling at the brilliant scenery along the way, while also anxious about the possibility of rain during the journey, making the muddy roads difficult to traverse.

Fortunately, the weather held up. Although the sky was blanketed with dark clouds presaging a city under siege, the rain only began to fall when they reached the gates of the temple at the mountain peak. At first, the rain was not heavy, a thin veil of water that added a touch of tranquil remoteness to the ancient temple amidst the sheltering greenery.

The coachman laughed from up front, "Miss, we’re about to arrive at the temple gate."

Lu Tong pulled back a corner of the curtain and peered through the gap toward the outside.

Wan’en Temple was vast and took up a large expanse of land. Starting from the mountainside of Mount Wangchun, statues and totems of various Buddhas were carved on the stairways along the cliffs on both sides. Locust trees, pines, and bamboos were planted all around the temple. With the wind and the rain, the bamboo rustled, and the evening rain tapped on the pear blossoms, making Wan’en Temple seem like an ancient temple from mythical tales, a place of hermit-like joy.

Yet the temple was also bustling with activity.

Perhaps because the temple was known to be efficacious, the fragrance of incense was flourishing. On the way up the mountain, they had already seen many carriages, and now at the temple gate, there were even more arriving in an endless stream, creating a blockade. There were many female pilgrims, and the place was crowded. Up the mountain, monks tolled the bell, the sound distant and ethereal, blending with the incense smoke.

It was a scene both lively and secluded, entwined with the mortal world yet apart from it, both desolate and bustling.

As Lu Tong watched, her carriage was suddenly jostled violently, tilting her body to the side and nearly causing her to fall out. Yin Zheng quickly sat upright and steadied Lu Tong, then lifted the curtain and asked outwardly, "What’s going on?"

They saw that a much larger and more magnificent carriage with a vermilion wheel canopy had rudely squeezed in front of their own. The coachman of the other carriage, whip in hand, was turning back to look at them, speaking impatiently, "Move aside quickly! If you disturb the young master, see how you can afford to compensate!"

Yin Zheng was about to respond but was stopped by Lu Tong holding her hand. Turning her head, she saw Lu Tong shake her head slightly.

Yin Zheng had no choice but to restrain herself.

The coachman, seeing that the two women did not argue, scoffed and drove the carriage forward again. Behind him, several similar grand carriages followed him into the temple gate.

Yin Zheng said angrily, "These people are so overbearing. It was clear that we arrived first."

Lu Tong lowered the curtain, "Seeing they are individuals of not low status, arguing would be fruitless. Let them be."

Yin Zheng nodded in agreement.

Having entered the temple gate, the two of them got out of the carriage, and the coachman led the carriage away to rest. After the Blue Lotus Dharma Assembly early in the morning the next day, he would wait for them at the temple gate to go down the mountain.

Lu Tong and Yin Zheng first went to the monks responsible for accommodation at the temple gate and paid ten silver coins, after which the monks led the two of them to the lodging house.

Each year, for the Blue Lotus Dharma Assembly at the beginning of April, there would be no shortage of spectators. Many officials and commoners would ascend the mountain the day before. Wan’en Temple had enough places to stay, and the cost of accommodation varied with each lodging place.

For instance, Xibo Garden on the outer edge cost one silver per person per night and offered ordinary rooms and average vegetarian meals. Staying here, one could not see the scenic views of the inner temple.

Feng’en Garden was a step up from Xibo Garden, costing two silver coins per person per night, featuring more spacious rooms and richer vegetarian meals. Pilgrims could walk around in the garden of their quarters. With its lush flowers and plants, and elegant pavilions and cottages, Feng’en Garden had its own charm.

The Wuhuai Garden where Lu Tong and Yin Zheng were staying was even more expensive, five silver coins per person for one night, with its winding corridors, clear streams like melted snow, and intertwined vines presenting unparalleled beauty. As for the vegetarian meals, they were also more exquisite, surely living up to the five silver coins they paid.

There were also Lanjing Garden, Shiyuan Garden... According to Du Changqing, there was also a Chenjing Garden within Wan’en Temple, but that was no place that money could buy. Only imperial relatives, or families of high officials and nobility, could reside there.

The monk leading the way passed through the long corridor and gallery, heading toward Wuhuai Garden. By this time, it had reached twilight, the temple lights had been lit everywhere, the night rain drizzled incessantly, and the sky was overcast with a continuous light pattering.

All around were pilgrims holding paper umbrellas, hurrying to their lodgings, each walking briskly to avoid the rain soaking through their robes.

A figure passed by in the distance, and Lu Tong caught a glimpse, then couldn’t help but pause slightly.

The twilight deepened, and in the solitude of the drawn curtains in the distance, a young man’s profile was handsome and shapely. Tall and upright in stature, he carried no umbrella, braving the wind and rain with a casual and heroic air. Rather than emitting the peaceful aura of seclusion, he added a touch of worldly splendor.

The Princely Heir of Lord Zhao Ning?

Lu Tong’s eyes flickered with recognition.

The last time at the Rouge Shop below Baoxiang Tower, although Marshal Pei had spoken with a smile, he was actually intensely shrewd. His presence here now...

It was unknown whether there were any people from the Palace Front Office here.

As she pondered, the monk ahead noticed she had not continued to follow and asked with some confusion, "Benefactor?"

Lu Tong withdrew her gaze and said, "Let’s go."

After walking the length of a stick of incense, they encountered fewer people until they arrived at a dense garden. The garden had a corridor, and at intervals along the corridor, there were rooms.

Now with the night growing late, lights were lit in the homes along the corridor, appearing like hazy fireflies through the dim yellow of the night rain.

The monk pressed his palms together, his eyebrows knitted as he asked Lu Tong, "This place is Wuhuai Garden, and there are still a few vacant rooms to the west. Please choose one."

Lu Tong glanced at the corridor and pointed towards a room at the end with an outstretched hand, saying, "That one will do."

The leading monk was somewhat surprised and kindly explained, "That room is the most secluded, I’m afraid it is cold and quiet, and you won’t be able to see the temple scenery."

"It doesn’t matter," replied Lu Tong as she walked forward. "I don’t like bustle, and besides, with the night sky darkened by rain, I won’t be able to see any scenery anyway."

Seeing this, the monk refrained from saying more and simply led them to that last room, handed them the keys to the door lock, and then left.

Lu Tong and Yin Zheng pushed the door open and walked in.

The room was spacious, divided into an outer and an inner room, with two long couches set up, and the bedding was very clean. On the table, there were some incense burners and scriptures, likely there to pass the time for bored pilgrims.

Yin Zheng had just put away their bundles when another monk delivered a vegetarian meal. There was a dish of winter melon, a bowl of pickled mustard greens, and they continued to bring lotus root dishes, tossed lettuce, water shield and bamboo shoots, almond tofu—all seasonal vegetables. Finally, they served two bowls of green jade porridge, a small basket of auspicious fruit, and a plate of plum blossom cookies, probably to cater to female guests’ tastes.

Having hurried along the road for half the day, the pilgrims having just arrived, many felt relaxed when seeing the table of porridge and light dishes. Even the pickiest eaters would likely have an improved appetite.

Yin Zheng set the bowls and chopsticks, then seeing Lu Tong standing by the window, asked, "Miss, do you plan to go out now?"

Lu Tong shook her head, "Not right now."

The rain had intensified, and no one was visible outside. On a clear night, the view from here would be serene and beautiful. However, with the dark wind driving the rain, only desolation and quietness could be seen.

Lu Tong reached out to close the window, and with that, the sullen atmosphere was shut out.

She sat down at the table, picked up the chopsticks, and calmly stated, "We’ll leave after midnight."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read