It is indeed much closer to Qingyun Temple from outside the city, and there is no need to get up early.
Early in the morning, the sun shone in through the window. It was neither dim nor scorching, but a warm and cozy day. The slightly lowered gauze window fluttered in the wind.
Yuchun had been waiting there early. When she heard the noise, she hurried over, picked up the bed curtains and hung them on the golden hook.
Qu Moying sat up, took the tea from her hand, took a sip, and handed it back to her.
I got up and changed my clothes, and Yudong came in with some toiletries.
Everything today is simple. She is wearing a very simple solid-colored dress with only some light lotus-colored embroidery on the cuffs and collar.
Her slender waist was tied up, with a sachet hanging on it, pearl earrings on her ears, and a hairpin made of pure gold with a simple pearl pendant.
After washing up and having a quick breakfast, Qu Moying took two maids and got on the carriage that had been prepared long ago.
He didn't go for long. He just took a horse-drawn carriage and went to Qingyun Temple with a small entourage to congratulate the master of Qingyun Temple on his birthday.
Since you are going to Qingyun Temple, you have to pay your respects.
Yesterday, Liu Lanxin specially sent someone over to ask if they wanted to go together. Qu Moying replied that everyone could do as they pleased.
If they want to go together, someone has to wait. In Qu Moying's opinion, they are always too intimate. She and Liu Lanxin cannot reach this step yet, not only now, but even in the future, they may not reach this step.
In that case, there's no need to act so overly affectionate.
Fortunately, Liu Lanxin also had an idea and didn't send anyone over, which meant she agreed with her statement.
The carriage went all the way to Qingyun Temple. It was indeed much faster than the previous trip out of the city. After turning a few corners, it arrived at the foot of the mountain of Qingyun Temple. The carriage slowly went up along the road.
It was still early, and there were not many carriages on the road to Qingyun Temple. There were however a few passers-by, who must be from nearby villages, as that is why they arrived so early.
As soon as we entered Qingyun Temple and got off the carriage, a Taoist nun came to greet us.
"Are you the fourth young lady of the Qu family?" The middle-aged Taoist nun walked forward and bowed, asking with a smile.
Qu Moying returned the greeting: "Exactly. Where is Master Ning Yin?"
"Miss Qu Si, please follow me. I have been waiting for a long time." The Taoist nun said with a smile and led the way in front. Qu Moying followed behind with two maids.
After going through twists and turns all the way, they finally stopped in front of a small courtyard. As expected, Master Ning Yin was already waiting outside the door. When he saw Qu Moying coming, he came forward with a smile.
The Taoist nun and Master Ningyin who led the way bowed and then retreated.
"Miss Qu Si." Master Ning Yin stepped forward and saluted with a smile, then pointed to the courtyard behind him, "This is the master's quiet room. Even the master doesn't want to see more guests today."
"If that's the case, how can the immortal celebrate the birthday for the master of the temple?" Qu Moying asked.
"Just find a few lay Buddhists who are respected by the abbot to chat with her. If you really want to make it lively, it won't work. This is also my intention. The abbot is my master and the one who led me into the door of cultivation. She has done me a great favor. I really don't want to see the abbot's birthday celebration so lonely."
Ning Yinzhen's smile was a little bitter.
Her lonely look made people feel a bit fond of her for no reason.
"Master, do you really not want to celebrate your birthday in a lively manner?" Qu Moying raised his hand.
Liu Mei asked again.
"He's not very willing. I tried to persuade him yesterday, but he still refused. Fortunately, I didn't invite many people today, otherwise it might not be good." Master Ning Yin said helplessly.
Qu Moying stopped in front of the door and said, "If I really disturb the temple master's peace, then I'd better forget it!"
"Si Miss Qu has come, so how can she leave? Besides, the abbot has always thought highly of Si Miss Qu. If you come and leave, it will be my fault. No matter when, the abbot is willing to see Si Miss Qu!" Zhenren Ning Yin stretched out his hand to stop her and said politely.
Overestimate yourself? Qu Moying felt a little disturbed. She would never forget how Ji Youran tricked her into coming here. At that time, the Qingyun Monastery Master should have been there. However, she might not have been worthy of the attention of the noble Qingyun Monastery Master.
At most, he just glanced at himself through the window!
This so-called self-esteem sounds like a joke.
"In that case, I'll be sorry to bother the Master of Qingyun Temple." Qu Moying said with a smile without any further refusals.
"That's the best. I just want the master to have a good day. Even if it can't be too lively, it can't be too deserted. I'm afraid if it goes on like this, the master will really be gone with the wind." Ning Yin really sighed. As a disciple who was worried about her master, she was wholeheartedly devoted to the master of Qingyun Temple.
He was worried about disturbing the peace of the master of Qingyun Temple, and also worried that the master of Qingyun Temple would be too lonely on his birthday, so he really took great pains.
The yard was indeed quiet and silent.
There were two little nuns guarding the door of the quiet room in the main house. When they saw Ning Yinzhen leading Qu Moying in, the two little nuns silently bowed to them and then respectfully stepped aside.
He was very polite in his actions. Even in a large family, it was rare to find servants who were so calm and composed.
Since he was not very old, there was already a sense of detachment in his eyes when he looked at Qu Moying, as if he was a god in heaven. The way he looked at the world was respectful without a trace of worldly airs.
The people around the hermit are really different!
Master Ning Yin knocked on the slightly closed door of the quiet room and heard a woman's voice from inside: "Come in!"
The sound and the curl of smoke spread outside, making people feel more peaceful.
"Master, Fourth Miss Qu has arrived." Master Ning Yin reported.
The room was quiet for a while, and then You Ran's voice came out again: "Please let her in!"
Master Ning Yin pushed open the half-closed door, turned around and made a gesture of invitation to Qu Moying. Qu Moying nodded, left Yuchun outside, and took Yudong in alone.
Since this is a quiet room, there naturally can't be too many people here.
There is a simple bamboo mat inside the door, on which is a small table, and a table by the window. On the table are neatly laid out pens, ink, paper, and inkstone. Opposite the back of the table, there is a painting of the Three Pure Ones. At a simple glance, one can tell that this is a quiet room.
There is also a crane-shaped incense burner next to the table in front of the window. The curling smoke is wafting out from it, giving off a sense of elegance and tranquility. Looking at this scene, even my heart suddenly becomes quiet.
On one side of the mat, an elderly Taoist nun was sitting there, looking at Qu Moying with a smile on her face, her expression elegant and leisurely.
Although she is old, her complexion still shows her youthfulness.
At that time, she must have been a beauty as graceful as jade. Even at her current age, she is still calm and beautiful, and even makes people feel that such a person should be so extraordinary. This person is the master of Qingyun Temple.
Qu Moying had only taken a quick glance before, so he couldn't see as clearly as he does now.
When we met again, she was indeed like a fairy. Her aura made people feel that she must be a great person, someone who had transcended the ordinary world.
"Miss Qu Si, please take a seat." The abbot of Qingyun Temple naturally pointed to the other side of the mat.
Qu Moying originally wanted to decline, but after looking at the leisurely look of the Qingyun Temple Master, he smiled, sat down, and didn't hesitate.
The master of Qingyun Temple showed some appreciation and then reached out and tapped the corner of the table.
A young nun came forward and served tea, then left.
"Miss Qu Si, I have something else to do, so I will not accompany you anymore." Master Ning Yin said guiltily.
She is not the only guest coming today, so Master Ning Yin should be responsible for entertaining the guests.
"Please do as you please, sir!" Qu Moying said with a slight smile.
After Master Ning Yin bowed to Qu Moying, he backed away and turned around to leave when he reached the door.
"Miss Qu Si, please have some tea." The Qingyun Temple Master smiled and looked at Qu Moying for a few times, then gently pushed the tea in front of him towards Qu Moying, "Is this the new tea I harvested here, or I roasted it myself. I don't know if it suits Miss Qu Si's taste."
Qu Moying picked up the teacup and took a look. The tea was light in color and shaped like jade. The color looked excellent, and the roasting technique seemed different from ordinary techniques.
I was really interested. I took a sip and tasted it. My eyes lit up immediately: "Great tea!"
"Miss Fourth Qu likes it?" The master of Qingyun Temple smiled.
"Yes, I like it. The master's tea is really different and tastes good." Qu Moying praised.
The color of this tea is a little different from ordinary tea. If you taste it carefully, there is a slight astringency, but if you taste it further, you will find a refreshing fragrance that is long and lingering. After the initial astringency, you will feel the lingering fragrance.
"Since Fourth Miss Qu likes it, take some back when you leave, although it's not a lot. I originally thought Fourth Miss Qu wouldn't like it." The Qingyun Temple Master smiled, "Ning Yin doesn't like it very much. She said it's too bitter and not easy to drink. It's not as good as ordinary tea, which is more comfortable to drink."
Since it was baked by the master of Qingyun Temple himself, there must not be much. Judging from the appearance, there should be very little. Being able to share some with himself is also a way of expressing his appreciation for himself.
Qu Moying thought about it for a moment, and didn't bother with too much formality: "Thank you, Master."
"Miss Qu Si is too polite." The head of Qingyun Temple said with a smile, his eyes fell on Qu Moying, and his gentleness was accompanied by a bit of kindness from an older man. "Over the years, Miss Qu Si is another person who finds the taste of tea pleasing to me at first sip. I am really happy. Now that she is gone, I thought it would be difficult for me to find someone who gets along with me in this world."
When the master of Qingyun Temple said this, he sighed and his eyes fell on the half-open door, as if he was looking at the person far away through the curling smoke.
"Who is the person the abbot mentioned? I wonder if I will be lucky enough to know her name?" A hint of darkness flashed across Qu Moying's eyes. Over the years, there was only one predecessor who made her feel a little moved.
Is this predecessor related to her