Cheng Chi obviously didn't expect that Fayu Temple would target him.
He smiled and said, "If I were still in Jinling when you went to Jinling City to raise funds, I would naturally do my best to help you."
The receptionist said "Oh" and asked curiously, "Could it be that Mr. Cheng is planning to go on a long journey recently?"
"It's not like I'm going on a long trip." Cheng Chi said with a smile, "It's just that I'm in charge of the household affairs, so I'm not at home seven days out of ten. During the three days at home, I often have social engagements, so it's rare for me to have a free time. I'm just afraid that I won't be at home when you go over. However, I will tell the housekeepers at home not to let you get lost in Jinling City!" At the end of his words, there was already a hint of joking in his words.
As for recommendations, there was not a single word mentioned.
The receptionist was inevitably a little disappointed.
He originally thought that someone as young and successful as Cheng Chi would usually be very concerned about his reputation, and would reluctantly agree to something after a few nice words even if he was unwilling in his heart... He didn't expect that he would hit a wall.
However, nothing in this world can be accomplished overnight. I can only find a way to continue to work with Mr. Cheng to achieve my goal.
He still accompanied Cheng Chi and others up the mountain with a smile and enthusiasm.
But Mrs. Guo was old after all, and she started to pant after walking for halfway.
Zhou Shaojin, who was walking beside Old Madam Guo, and Cheng Chi, who had been paying attention to his mother, noticed it immediately. One of them helped Old Madam Guo, and the other said, "We are tired after walking for half a day. Let's take a rest here."
Zhou Shaojin said "OK" repeatedly.
Biyu, who was accompanying them, hurriedly took the cushion from the servant and placed it on the bluestone beside her.
Zhou Shaojin helped Mrs. Guo sit down, and only then did they realize that there was a beach to the east of them.
Amid the rippling blue waves, the sea water and the sky became the same color. When the waves surged, it was like a white line rolling over. Zhou Shaojin, who had never seen the sea, was not only surprised but also felt it was very beautiful.
She couldn't help but point to the distance and said, "Old lady, look!"
Mrs. Guo looked over and saw a wave coming towards her, splashing up waves.
"The scenery is beautiful." Mrs. Guo nodded with a smile.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "I don't know whether the Qiantang River tide is more beautiful or the Putuo Mountain beach is more beautiful!"
"Each has its merits." Cheng Chi came over at some point, stood behind Zhou Shaojin, and looked at the beach. "The waves here are broad and vast, while the waves over there are like galloping horses. You'll know when you go and see them."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but feel longing.
Mrs. Guo even stood up and walked forward a few steps, looking at the small island ahead.
Chunwan pulled Zhou Shaojin's sleeve and silently said the word "comb".
She asked herself to ask Uncle Chi when she could go shopping.
Zhou Shaojin frowned slightly.
Jiying whispered, "What's wrong?"
"It's okay." Zhou Shaojin said, and thought it would be a good idea to tell Jiying about this. Maybe Jiying could think of a solution, so he said, "We need to buy some things and see when we can go out to buy things."
"We?" Ji Ying whispered, "It's not you and your maid, is it?"
Zhou Shaojin blushed slightly and said, "I also want to buy something to bring back as a gift!"
Ji Ying was furious and said, "You are still thinking about those vulgar things at this time. What can I say to you?"
"Then let's not say anything." Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "Some people like beautiful scenery, some people like shopping. Isn't the purpose of going out to play to enjoy something?"
"Forget it, forget it, I won't talk to you anymore." Ji Ying pretended to be angry and said softly, "Just think about what to buy and take back!"
Zhou Shaojin's eyes curved, which made Cheng Chi, who was standing aside and had to listen even though he didn't want to, couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
I didn't expect that this girl looked gentle and docile, but her words and actions were straightforward and wise.
※
Huiji Temple naturally cannot be compared with the majestic Fayu Temple, but it is built among high hills and forests, quiet and peaceful. Standing in front of the mountain gate, you can overlook Mount Putuo. Walking into the mountain gate, you can hear the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers, and the mysterious and secluded mountain peaks, which is another scene.
The temple's receptionist who had received the news hurried over to greet him.
Cheng Chi took them for a walk in Huiji Temple, rang the bell in the bell tower of Huiji Temple, drank tea in the pavilion on the back mountain, donated five hundred taels of silver for incense money, and seeing that it was getting late, the receptionist of Fayu Temple took them back to Fayu Temple from the southern mountain road.
After going back and forth like this, everyone except Cheng Chi and a few others looked tired. They quickly ate their vegetarian meal and went back to their rooms to rest.
With the familiar Chun Wan accompanying her and Cheng Chi traveling with her, Zhou Shaojin quickly fell asleep in the unfamiliar room, and was still woken up by Chun Wan the next day.
She washed and dressed herself shyly, then hurried to see Old Madam Guo.
Madam Guo was waiting for Cheng Chi to come over for breakfast. She saw Zhou Shaojin wearing a lilac-colored plain silk bodice, with her black hair tied up in a bun and a small golden lilac flower inserted in it. She looked pretty, like a budding crabapple. Madam Guo's mood improved and she couldn't help but smile and said, "You are really dressed up today. You are still young, you should dress like this more often in the future."
Zhou Shaojin blushed and replied "yes", but when he looked up he saw Cheng Chi walking in.
He was wearing a dark cloth Taoist robe, with a gentle look and free and easy manners, as if he had walked out of a painting.
"Mother!" He stepped forward and bowed to Madam Guo, saying, "I have asked the temple to help us hold a Taoist ceremony. Would you like to go over and take a look later?"
Mrs. Guo nodded.
After breakfast, they went to the side hall of the Imperial Monument Hall together.
The futon has been set up.
Ninety-nine and eighty-one monks prayed for the Cheng family.
The bells were struck, incense and candles were burned, and the hall was filled with the scent of sandalwood.
Zhou Shaojin and Mrs. Guo followed the monks to recite a volume of scriptures before leaving the hall.
At this time, the sun had risen and pilgrims began to arrive one after another.
The receptionist who accompanied them yesterday saw them leaving the hall and came forward with a smile. After bowing to Old Madam Guo, he said, "Old Madam, our abbot has just decided to personally hold a ritual for you tomorrow."
This is the highest honor.
Mrs. Guo was surprised and delighted, and said hurriedly, "Thank you very much, host. I am unworthy of this honor."
"No, no!" The receptionist smiled modestly, "The old lady came all the way to our temple to burn incense. Her sincerity is enough to move the Bodhisattvas in heaven, so we, the abbot, decided to hold the altar..."
While he was saying the flattering words, Zhou Shaojin glanced at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi smiled slightly, as if he had no idea why Fayu Temple was suddenly going to hold a lecture for Old Madam Guo.
The receptionist said a lot of nice things, but when he saw pilgrims coming into the hall to burn incense, he stopped the topic and invited Madam Guo and Cheng Chi to visit Chaoyin Cave and Purple Bamboo Forest.
Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi spent a whole morning with Mrs. Guo in Meitanling. They did not return to the resting room until some literati and poets came to compose poems and recite couplets.
Madam Lu was busy helping Madam Guo change her clothes.
Zhou Shaojin then asked Cheng Chi in a low voice: "Uncle Chi, is it appropriate to give a lecture specifically for the old lady?"
"What's inappropriate about that?" Cheng Chi said calmly, "Aren't they just building a main hall? If the old lady is happy, our family can pay for it!"
Donate a main hall to Fayu Temple? !
Zhou Shaojin just felt sweat on his forehead.
The more Cheng Chi thought about it, the more he felt that this was a good idea.
People in Jinling City say that the Cheng family is rich. Sometimes being too rich is not necessarily a good thing. If they can take this opportunity to donate some money to a Zen temple, especially a temple like Fayu Temple that has a royal decree, they can not only get the temple's protection, but also make others mistakenly think that most of the Cheng family's money has been donated...
He nodded slightly and said with a smile: "Let's see if Fayu Temple has the ability to do so!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled awkwardly.
In the afternoon, they went to the beach.
The humid air and the crashing waves made Zhou Shaojin feel novel and interesting.
Cheng Chi suggested that Mrs. Guo take off her shoes and walk on the beach.
Madam Guo said angrily, "You kid, your mother is so old, how can you act like a child?"
"This is not nonsense," Cheng Chi explained patiently with a smile, "You probably have never walked barefoot on the beach in your life, right? Why not give it a try? There's no one else here."
Mrs. Guo was still a little hesitant, but Zhou Shaojin was eager to try.
She encouraged Mrs. Guo: "It's just once in a while! Besides, we don't know when we can come to Putuo again in the future!"
These words touched Mrs. Guo.
Biyu helped her take off her shoes, but she refused to take off her socks. She said to Zhou Shaojin a little embarrassedly, "Take off your shoes and walk on the sand."
Mrs. Guo’s words hit Zhou Shaojin’s heart exactly.
She took off her shoes like Madam Guo did, and stood on the beach in her socks. She and Cheng Chi supported Madam Guo on both sides as they walked on the beach.
A wave surged over, and Zhou Shaojin and Mrs. Guo were unable to avoid it, and their skirts were wet as they screamed.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but smile.
Madam Guo stroked her chest and said, "I can't do this. I have to go back. This is too dangerous. The sand is all over my body."
Cheng Chi did not force her and called Biyu over to help Madam Guo put on her shoes.
Zhou Shaojin rubbed his feet on the sand for a while before putting on his shoes.
Cheng Chi looked at him and smiled.
When they returned to the room and washed up, it was already time for dinner.
Unlike the tiredness of yesterday's first overnight stay at Fayu Temple, after dinner, Cheng Chi was invited by the abbot of Fayu Temple to have tea, while Madam Guo sent away the servants around her and whispered to Zhou Shaojin: "... You have been playing chess with your uncle Chi these days. Has your uncle Chi ever said anything strange?"
Zhou Shaojin was stunned, thought for a moment and said, "Uncle Chi doesn't talk much, but what he says is meaningful. The strange words you said... I really can't think of what can be called 'strange'."
Mrs. Guo's face was very warm after hearing this, and she said, "He would suddenly say that a place is very good and he wants to go and see it, or suddenly talk about some anecdote and praise a famous person in history..."
Zhou Shaojin thought carefully for a long time and said, "No. I have never heard Uncle Chi say these words."
"Then have you heard from your Uncle Chi when he will go out?"
"Neither do any." Zhou Shaojin said with certainty.
Mrs. Guo finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If your uncle Chi says something like this when you play chess with him in the future, you must tell me."
※
Today's update, sisters.
I’m too sleepy, so I can only update twice today.
PS: Historically, Fayu Temple was originally named Haichao Temple. For the needs of the story, I made some changes. Please forgive me.
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)