Before dawn, Qin Yining woke up to the sound of the morning bell. Other than the familiar scent of Pang Xiao, there was the ubiquitous sandalwood scent of Wan Fo Temple.
After getting up, Qin Yining first went to the meditation room where the Empress resided to pay her respects.
"Wang fei, the Empress met an old friend of the Abbot. That is a high monk. Last night, they discussed Buddhism and didn't return until the third watch. This morning, she went with that high monk to pay respects to Buddha. The Empress knows that wang fei is a person of etiquette and will definitely come to pay respects. The Empress has ordered that there will be no mortal etiquette for the next few days. Wang fei, please do as you wish. "
Hearing this, Qin Yining couldn't help but sigh: "Niangniang is truly devoted to the people. Compared to niangniang, chenfu is ashamed."
Sun mama smiled and said: "Wang fei, why do you say this? Wang fei is also a person who has accumulated virtue and is very sincere in paying respects to Buddha. The matter of you accompanying niangniang to pay respects to Buddha, niangniang often mentions it. She often praises you for being calm and sincere. "
Qin Yining knew that the Empress might not praise her, but it was more likely that she was suspicious. However, she still chatted with Sun mama for a while before returning to the meditation room.
At this time, the young novice monk had brought in the vegetarian food. Pang Xiao was waiting in the room and practicing a round of boxing out of boredom. Seeing Qin Yining push open the door and come in, she neatly stopped and smiled: "I was waiting for you. Let's walk around Wan Fo Temple today."
Qin Yining smiled and nodded. He sat across from Pang Xiao and ate a simple vegetarian meal.
Not long after the meal was over, Qin Yining said: "Her Majesty the Empress is really attentive to the people. Granny Sun said that Her Majesty the Empress worshipped Buddha until the third watch of the night last night and left early this morning. This Wan Fo Temple seems to have a high monk. Supposedly, he is a good friend of the Abbot. Maybe it is because the high monk's teachings are very good that the Empress's mind is completely not on the beautiful scenery. "
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "Yesterday I heard from the reception master that the Abbot of the Wanfo Temple is an eminent monk. Presumably, birds of a feather flock together. The friend of the eminent monk must also be proficient in Buddhism." Sitting on the kang bed and sighing, Pang Xiao smiled and said, "It is a pity that I am a boor. I don't know much about Buddhism.
Qin Yining smiled. "How are you a boor? Besides, even though you don't come up with a set of Dharma, you still act according to the heart of doing good and never hurt innocent people. "
"But in the end, my hands are stained with blood. Pang Xiao lowered his eyes and looked at his slender hands. His palms were full of calluses, and his fingers were slightly deformed. It was obvious that he was a person who held a weapon all year round.
Pang Xiao's lowered head made Qin Yining think of a helpless child. She couldn't help but say softly: "Everyone is born with a different mission. Also, the Buddha said, 'If I don't go to hell, who will?' Since you have the ability, you have to bear the responsibility. This cannot be blamed on you. Everything is the will of the heavens and fate. "
Pang Xiao heard Qin Yining's gentle and soft voice and couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't think that Sister Yi also believes in the will of the heavens and fate."
"Sometimes, when you have done your best, you will understand the will of the heavens. There is nothing to not believe in."
Pang Xiao stood and stretched her arms. She said with a smile: "The Empress does not need your company. How about we walk around Wan Fo Temple today and make a wish at the ancient tree?"
"Of course." Qin Yining nodded cheerfully.
The two did not disturb others and did not ask for company. There were many meditation rooms in Wan Fo Temple. After going up the mountain yesterday, everyone had scattered to rest. The terrain here was dangerous and the temple was quiet. Pang Xiao and Qin Yining both wanted everyone to be free. She was not someone who needed to be served.
The two went out. Because this was a Buddhist temple, they did not hold hands. They walked side by side in the spacious courtyard paved with square bricks. The strong grass stubbornly stretched out from the cracks of the stone bricks, bypassed the tall Bodhisattva statue, and met a few young novice monks. The two of them stopped, put their palms together, saluted each other, and then walked in different directions.
Walking along the walls of the courtyard, it didn't take long for them to see three majestic halls. They passed through the courtyard where the halls were, walked a few hundred steps through the moon door and came to the back courtyard.
The seven-storied pagoda stood silently behind the Bodhi tree and looked down at the vast land from the peak of Juhuang Mountain. The loud sound of water came from behind the pagoda.
Qin Yining and Pang Xiao walked one after another in the direction of the sound of water. Soon, they came to a spacious flat area. There were flowers and trees here. An ancient tree that was thick enough for four people to wrap their arms around it was split in two and fell to the ground. The wood was charred, but there were new shoots growing in the middle of the originally charred trunk.
Qin Yining walked forward happily and looked at the new green on the charred trunk. She breathed in the fresh grass fragrance mixed with the smell of sandalwood. Listening to the sound of the waterfall behind her, she felt as if her anxious heart had calmed down in an instant.
Under such conditions, the old tree could still produce new shoots. It was full of vitality and made her feel that nothing in the world was impossible.
Pang Xiao stood beside Qin Yining. They put their hands together and closed their eyes to pray sincerely.
Neither of them said their thoughts. After making the wish, Qin Yining looked up at Pang Xiao and found that Pang Xiao was also looking down at her.
She felt that perhaps the contents of their wishes were the same.
The two of them turned around and walked slowly to the edge of the cliff.
At the bottom of the cliff, there was a rapid flow of water fifty to sixty feet high. The waterfall splashed a large amount of water and white fog rose from the water like clouds. A drawbridge extended from the bottom of the cliff to the opposite shore. However, standing here, one couldn't see the other side of the drawbridge, nor could they see the scene on the other side. Everything seemed to be hidden in the fog. The drawbridge seemed to extend from the cliff and lead to the other side of the sky.
Qin Yining smiled and said, "It's no wonder that this place can still become a famous scenic spot for so many people despite its dangerous terrain. The scenery here is really good. The sky is high, the clouds are boundless, and the water is clear. Standing here, it's like standing in the clouds."
"Yes." Pang Xiao took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "It seems like nothing is going to pass."
Qin Yining nodded in agreement.
At this moment, she was standing high up and looking down at the misty mountains below her. Her mind seemed to be more open.
"Sister Yi, look." Pang Xiao pointed to the east.
The bright morning glow gradually filled the sky. A red sun slowly climbed up the mountain and drove away the stars. The sunlight shone through the gaps in the clouds and sprinkled on the mountains and rivers. The light from the water and the sky combined to form a dazzling golden-red color.
Those who didn't stand here and watch the sunrise wouldn't be able to understand Qin Yining's feelings at this moment.
She and Pang Xiao stood side by side silently. The two of them didn't speak and enjoyed this moment of peace.
After a long time, Qin Yining heard footsteps behind her. Only then did she turn around.
Bing Tang and Ji Yun walked in front holding hands. Huzi and Tang Xiu followed behind. Perhaps they didn't expect Pang Xiao and Qin Yining to be here so early. The four of them were slightly stunned.
Bing Tang and Ji Yun's faces were slightly red. It wasn't known if it was due to shyness or because of the morning glow.
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining exchanged a look and tacitly didn't speak.
Bing Tang smiled and said, "No wonder Wang Fei wasn't in the room. This servant went to look for nothing. So you found such a good place to watch the sunrise."
"Yes, it's a pity you came a bit late. The scenery here is very good. Tomorrow, you can come earlier."
Ji Yun and Bing Tang smiled and nodded in agreement.
Huzi walked to the side of the suspension bridge. Just as she took a curious step, she was pulled back by Bing Tang. "What are you doing? The other side is covered in clouds. We don't know how far it is or what's on the other side. Are you planning on going to the other side?"
Based on the speed of the current under their feet, the water here shouldn't be narrow. The fog on the mountain was too thick. They could only see the water but couldn't see what was on the other side.
Huzi chuckled. "Okay, okay, okay. If you don't ask me to go, I won't go. I'm just curious. "
Bing Tang snorted. "If you're curious, you can ask the monks of Wan Fo Temple first. What if the suspension bridge isn't strong?"
"I know. I won't do it in the future." Huzi obediently agreed.
At the side, Pang Xiao snickered as she watched.
Huzi's face immediately turned red. She coughed and looked away.
Pang Xiao felt that when she saw Huzi like this, she saw herself trying to get close to Qin Yining. Although it had been six years since they met again and Qin Yining was already in his twenties, the memory of that time was exceptionally clear in her mind.
The group of people chatted and laughed as they walked back to the backyard of Wan Fo Temple. As soon as they stepped through the door, they saw Jing Zhe, Liao Zhibing, and Mu Jinghu walking towards them with serious expressions.
Qin Yining's expression instantly tensed up. "What happened?"
Jing Zhe said, "Princess Consort, Master Zhong asked the brothers of the Qingtian Alliance to deliver a letter."
Liao Zhibing cupped his hands and said, "Alliance Master, Master Zhong sent a letter to you."
Qin Yining took the letter and opened it. He casually asked, "Do you know what happened in the south?"
Master Zhong had carried out the reclamation of terraced fields in the vicinity of Huichuan County and all of Qin Yining's lands in the south. Qin Yining had originally bought a part of the terraced fields before Dayan was conquered. There were already some experienced farmers who could teach others. Master Zhong had gone to the south and everything was going smoothly.
Qin Yining didn't know why a letter would make these three people's expressions so serious.
Liao Zhibing said, "Princess Consort, everything else is fine. But the brothers from the south said that the rain in the south has not stopped. The river banks are already in high water. In addition, Boss Qiu seems to have contracted some kind of illness. I heard that the illness is not weak."
Qin Yining's brows furrowed as he listened. He glanced at Mu Jinghu, who was pursing his lips, and carefully read the contents of the letter.
The letter explained in detail the reclamation of the terraced fields by Qin Yining, as well as the operation of the other businesses. It also talked about the rain and the water in the south. Finally, it talked about Qiu Feishan's illness.
When Qin Yining and Pang Xiao left, Qiu Feishan had just given birth. After that, she had to work hard on business matters and fight with Qiu Yuanqing. In addition, the south was already humid. This year, the weather was not good. Qiu Feishan was overworked and weak after giving birth. She caught a cold. Later, before she recovered from the cold, she was bitten by mosquitoes and contracted malaria.
Qin Yining was shocked when he read it. He didn't care that the contents of the letter involved business secrets and stuffed it to Mu Jinghu.
Mu Jinghu's face turned green. Looking at the last paragraph of the letter, his hands began to tremble.
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