Su Yuanyuan was by no means a fool. She had just been feigning stupidity to protect herself.
Now that she was pushed forward by Lady Mo, she got a bit closer to the venerable Master Kongwen. Nervousness welled up inside her, and her heart started pounding like a drum.
Actually, she had planned to act like a “normal person” during this visit to Foxing Temple.
According to her plan, she should have given her mother a big “surprise” when they were praying in the Main Hall. But unexpectedly, she was startled by Xiao Ba, and thus the plan was put on hold.
She wondered if this renowned Buddhist master in front of her could see through her disguise. Would he expose the fact that she had been pretending to be a fool?
Su Yuanyuan felt a bit uneasy, but Master Kongwen's gaze was so gentle and kind, exuding a soothing power. As she looked into his eyes, her heart gradually calmed down.
Lifting his hand, Master Kongwen placed it on the girl's head and said with a smile, “People have three souls and seven spirits. The celestial soul is in charge of one's consciousness. If the celestial soul is lost, one will be born a fool, oblivious to the world. This poor monk sees that this young benefactor has an upright, kind, and blessed face. This poor monk believes that as long as one harbors good intentions, the lost celestial soul will surely find its way back home.”
Su Yuanyuan stared blankly at Master Kongwen. His words had a profound impact on her.
“Everything in this world is governed by cause and effect. Losing something means the previous karmic bond has been severed, while gaining something indicates a new opportunity has arisen. As long as one seizes the opportunity and remains kind - hearted, one's wishes will surely come true.”
After saying that, Master Kongwen withdrew his hand and gave Su Yuanyuan a kind smile.
Lady Mo was extremely excited. Although she was a bit confused by the old monk's words, the overall meaning was that as long as the opportunity came, her Yuanyuan would surely gain wisdom!
There was no better news than this!
Lady Mo clasped her hands together and said in a trembling voice, “Thank you, Master Kongwen! With your words, this lady is at ease!”
After thanking Master Kongwen again, Lady Mo led Su Yuanyuan out of the meditation room.
As they were leaving, Su Yuanyuan's gaze accidentally swept across the chessboard beside Master Kongwen. She noticed that the game was only half - played, which meant there had been someone else in the room before they arrived.
However, before she could figure it out, Lady Mo had already pulled her out.
After they left, a figure in black emerged from behind the screen.
“Thank you, Master Kongwen,” Cang Xuan said, clasping his fists.
Master Kongwen twirled the Buddhist beads in his hand and said meaningfully, “It seems that young friend Cang is quite concerned about that young benefactor.”
Cang Xuan replied, “It's just an unfinished karmic bond.”
Master Kongwen just smiled and said nothing. Karma, once it reaches a point where it can't be resolved, will only become more deeply rooted. Who could predict that karma wouldn't turn into a marital bond?
“One will be reborn after death. Born with the destiny of a phoenix, one will enjoy great honor once obtained,” Master Kongwen said. “If this prophecy were known to the outside world, it would surely cause a great stir. Young friend Cang has really put a lot of thought into this.”
Reborn after death...
If he hadn't protected her body, she would have ceased to exist in this world.
As for the so - called destiny of a phoenix and great honor, in her previous life, she had suffered so much. It was already a blessing in disguise that she could grow up safely in this life.
It was just unfortunate that she was reborn into the Yongguo Duke's Mansion this time, destined to be tied to the fate of the mansion.
If he couldn't change the pre - destined future, then he would at least delay that day.
He was the chess player, and everything was up to him.
He placed a black chess piece on the board, once again taking control of the game. Cang Xuan's lowered eyelashes concealed all the emotions in his eyes.
...
When Lady Mo led Su Yuanyuan out of the meditation room, there was an uncontrollable smile on her face, and her eyes were filled with hope.
No matter whether her daughter would gain wisdom in this life or not, she would always cherish this child as the apple of her eye. But she also hoped that one day she could talk to her Yuanyuan like an ordinary mother and daughter.
Looking at her mother's delighted side profile, Su Yuanyuan couldn't help but think of what Master Kongwen had said just now.
People have three souls and seven spirits, and the celestial soul is in charge of one's consciousness. Maybe the experiences of her previous life as Su Yuanyuan were just her celestial soul going through trials. After the trials were over, it returned to Su Yuanyuan's body.
Maybe she was always Su Yuanyuan, and Lady Mo was always meant to be her mother.
The back hall of Foxing Temple was connected to a long corridor filled with thousands of Buddha statues. There were various kinds of divine statues here, their expressions either solemn or compassionate. This magnificent sight made Lady Mo stop in her tracks.
Out of reverence for the gods and Buddhas, Lady Mo held Su Yuanyuan's hand and knelt on the prayer cushions. They kowtowed to each and every statue one by one. Each time they kowtowed, Lady Mo would murmur, “All the gods and Buddhas in the heavens, please bless my daughter Su Yuanyuan to be safe, happy, healthy, and prosperous. May she gain wisdom soon and enjoy family happiness with us.”
Su Yuanyuan also knelt beside Lady Mo and kowtowed. Hearing her mother's wishes, she felt both touched and guilty.
Her mother was so eager for her to gain wisdom. If she continued to pretend to be a fool, wouldn't it be like deceiving her family?
It seemed that it was time to find a suitable opportunity to “gain wisdom”.
After kowtowing to the last statue, the mother and daughter got up. Seeing that Su Yuanyuan seemed a bit preoccupied, Lady Mo stroked her hair and said, “Are you tired, Yuanyuan? Shall we go find your sister - in - law and third brother?”
Su Yuanyuan nodded. “Okay, mother.”
The mother and daughter walked hand in hand towards the exit. But unexpectedly, after they walked out of the exit, they found themselves in a brightly - lit hall.
It turned out that the corridor of a thousand Buddha statues was connected to the Hall of Ever - lasting Life, where the long - burning lamps were enshrined.
As far as the eye could see, there were one long - burning lamp after another, twinkling like immortal soul fires. It was extremely shocking.
The mother and daughter walked out of the hall while exclaiming in admiration. When they walked around a pillar, they unexpectedly saw a familiar figure in the hall.
It was Lady Tong, the wife of the Marquis of Pingyang, who had come to the Hall of Ever - lasting Life to set up the long - burning lamps.
Lady Mo paused and murmured in a low voice, “Why do they show up everywhere? It's really annoying.”
Looking around, she found that neither Su Qingyu nor Su Zeqian was beside Lady Tong. Lady Mo whispered to Su Yuanyuan, “Yuanyuan, let's go quickly. Don't let her see us.”
Su Yuanyuan nodded and followed Lady Mo quickly towards the outside of the hall.
...
In the Hall of Ever - lasting Life, Lady Tong lit another talisman paper with the birth date of her second daughter written on it.
The talisman paper burned smoothly. However, every time she tried to use the fire from the talisman paper to light the oil lamp below, she just couldn't get it lit.
“What on earth is going on?” Lady Tong was at the end of her rope. She had been holding on until today and come all the way here just to set up the long - burning lamp and then find relief.
But she never expected that at this critical moment, such an accident would happen.
If this method no longer worked, what could she do?
“Little master, bring me another lamp!” she said to the young novice monk beside her, her voice on the verge of tears.
The young novice monk sighed. “Benefactor, you've already changed five lamps. Listen to this little monk's advice. The reason the wick won't light is not the problem of the lamp. It's because that person's soul is either no longer in this world or has been reincarnated. Setting up the lamp is just a futile effort.”
“Who says it's a futile effort?” Lady Tong interrupted him sharply. Her hands trembling, she lit another talisman paper. “The reason the lamp won't light is that she can't forgive me. She can't forgive me for being so cruel back then, saying those harsh words to her and hurting her heart...”
The young novice monk couldn't persuade her, so he just sighed and said, “Benefactor, only by letting go of your obsession can you find relief.”
Just then, Lady Tong heard someone call out “Su Yuanyuan”.
She suddenly looked up and turned her head towards the direction of the sound. Just then, she saw Lady Mo leading Su Yuanyuan away. At the sight of that plum - red figure, Lady Tong's eyes, which had long lost their luster, suddenly brightened.
“Yuan'er, is that you?”
Throwing down the things in her hands, Lady Tong lifted her skirt and chased after Lady Mo and Su Yuanyuan.