noffsinger Chapter 428: Jingsi Temple (2)
Chapter 428: Jingsi Temple (2)
When Shangguan Qingyue and his group came over, the abbess of Jingsi Temple was still doing morning prayers. It was also a coincidence that it was Zou Chunya's turn to guard the gate today.
In Jingsi Temple, except for the abbess, there is no distinction between high and low, and most of the work is done by turns. Therefore, Zou Chunya, who used to have no experience in cooking, can now cook delicious vegetarian dishes.
Shangguan Qingyue listened to her detailed account of her life in the nunnery and almost gave up her plan. Just as she was about to say something, Zou Chunya suddenly got off the bed, tidied her clothes, and said:
"The nunnery abbess should have finished her morning prayers by now. I'll take you to see her. Ruoxi, you will definitely like the nunnery abbess. She is the most easygoing elder I have ever met!"
Her eyes were as bright as stars, making the originally dim room much brighter.
Shangguan Qingyue took the quilt off her body and replied with a smile:
"You said it so well, I can't wait."
Then he instructed Bing Ling who was always guarding the door:
"Sister Bingling, bring the gift prepared for the abbess."
Shangguan Qingyue couldn't help but imagine in her mind what the abbot should look like. She thought of all kinds of possibilities, but when she actually saw the real abbot, she couldn't help but open her eyes wide in surprise.
The other person was a petite old man who looked like a naughty boy.
If she hadn't seen that the other person's eyebrows had turned white, she would have had no idea of his age.
"My daughter Qingyue greets the nun."
Li Xiaoxi and the others also followed behind and saluted together, and then they heard a voice full of warmth soon sounded:
"I am honored to meet you, my benefactors. Please take a seat. Jingchun, please quickly fetch a charcoal basin, or the guests will get cold."
Zou Chunya responded crisply, and then left quickly.
Shangguan Qingyue and his group sat on the futons in the house, with the faint scent of sandalwood lingering around their noses, making them calm down unconsciously.
But before I could immerse myself in it, that gentle and heartwarming voice sounded again:
"Qingyue, can I call you that?"
"Yeah, that's natural!" Shangguan Qingyue nodded repeatedly.
Then the abbot took her hand very kindly and said:
"I want to ask you a favor. It's a pity that Jingchun, also known as Chunya, has trapped himself in Jingsi Temple at such a young age.
Donor Qingyue, can you think of a way to persuade that child to return to secular life? She originally practiced Buddhism with her hair uncut, so she won’t be affected by returning to secular life.”
“But I see that Chun Ya is very comfortable here, and her face is more relaxed and happy than ever before. Maybe staying here is what she wants?
If this is the case, I am afraid I will disappoint you, Master. I will not do something that is offensive in the name of doing good for others."
The hearty laughter of Yue Er resounded throughout the room in an instant. Seeing the other party laughing wantonly, Shangguan Qingyue and the others couldn't help but look at each other, and couldn't help but sigh in their hearts:
This abbot is truly unique!
The laughter gradually died down, and the abbot's ears turned red with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry to have made you all laugh. I usually like to laugh, but I just couldn't help myself."
She restrained her emotions and said seriously:
"The women taken in by Jingsi Temple are all women who have been hurt in love, abandoned by their families, or rejected by their husbands' families. But Chunya still has a loving family, so her fate is not over.
Although I have done my best to make the people in the nunnery live as comfortably as possible, my ability is limited and I am struggling financially. There is really no need for Chunya to share these hardships with me."
"Master, are you trying to persuade me to return to secular life again? I have lived a fulfilling and comfortable life in our Jingsi Temple. How can I suffer any hardship?
You don't think I'm wasting money by eating too much, do you? Then I'll eat half less at each meal."
Zou Chunya hurried in from outside carrying a charcoal brazier, looking anxious and helpless.
The nunnery master stretched out a slightly rough but very white finger and gently touched Zou Chunya's forehead.
"What are you talking about! Although our Jingsi Nunnery is poor, we still have simple meals. You are the youngest in the nunnery, and no one can let you go hungry."
Zou Chunya felt a little sad when she heard this. She blinked hard to force back the tears that were welling up in her eyes.
Since she became a nun, her father had sent people to her twice to give her a lot of silver and money, but the abbess refused to accept it.
The maternal love that she had once fantasized about was actually felt by this old man. Her mother...it’s better not to mention her!
A strong sense of friendship permeated this somewhat simple room, accompanied by the crackling sound of the burning charcoal fire, warming everyone.
Looking at the sadness on her friend's brow, Shangguan Qingyue lowered her head in thought. She was wondering what she could do for this nunnery that was full of warmth.
Suddenly, someone tugged at her sleeves a few times. She lowered her head subconsciously and saw Little Stone pouting and motioning her to look up.
It turned out that it was Zou Chunya who called her.
"Ruoxi, what are you thinking about? I'm telling you, I really like this place and I will never return home."
Looking at her friend's determined eyes, Shangguan Qingyue did not respond to her, but changed the subject.
"I prepared some small gifts when I came. Your portion is left in your room. This one is specially for the nunnery master."
Bing Ling immediately handed a cloth bag on her back to the abbot and quietly retreated to the door.
The abbess then took a serious look at the people who had come. Based on her many years of experience in judging people, she knew that this seemingly ordinary girl in front of her must be of extraordinary origin.
However, she did not say much, but slowly opened the cloth bag with interest.
"What is this...?" She picked up something that looked somewhat similar to a foot gown but much smaller, and asked in surprise.
Li Xiaoxi answered proudly:
"This is a woolen footwear. It is warm and comfortable to wear. If you feel cold at night, you can wear it to sleep."
The abbot resisted the urge to try it out right then and there, and took out a palm-shaped object from inside.
"Is this something that can be worn on the hand?"
As she spoke, she put it directly on her hand. There was an elegant red plum blossom embroidered on the back of her hand, which was extremely delicate.
Li Xiaonan simply took out the things in the bag one by one and put the most convenient ones on the abbess. After a short while, a kind and lovely old lady appeared in front of everyone.
In fact, considering the other party's status, Shangguan Qingyue picked the most plain styles. But they were all furry and had a cute air.
The abbot smiled with his eyebrows curved, and simply took a bronze mirror to look at it carefully.
"Oh, I didn't expect that I would look several years younger in this outfit! These are all rare and valuable things. I like them very much. Thank you, donor Qingyue."
Shangguan Qingyue suddenly had an idea, so he said:
"I have an idea. I don't know if it's appropriate. Can we take on some mundane tasks at Jingsi Temple to earn some money to supplement the expenses of the temple?"
Nun Jingsi was also very perceptive. She guessed the general idea as soon as she heard it. She held the scarf around her neck and asked:
"Does Donor Qingyue want the poor nuns in the nunnery to do these things? We can, of course, but the needlework is so strict and unique that I'm afraid we are too clumsy to learn it.
Besides, it is inconvenient for us monks to go out, so the donors can only send people to pick up the finished products. It is really a bit of a bother for you."