(two)
Fayuan Temple is located in the western suburbs. It is one of the most common temples where people burn incense and worship Buddha.
There are many temples in the capital, and Fayuan Temple has the most prosperous incense.
On that day, Zhao'er took Ning Ning and a group of maid guards to Fayuan Temple early in the morning. In order to cover up, she also called the second child, Xue Yaotai.
Xue Yaotai took over part of the business of Tailong Trading since he was fifteen years old. It has been nearly two years now, and now it is time for the quarterly inventory period. He has not slept well for many days. Yawning all day long, now turning blue.
"If you are sleepy, just sleep for a while, it will take half an hour to arrive anyway."
Xue Yaotai yawned slowly, glanced at the little sister, and leaned into the soft pillow behind him.
Zhao'er is familiar with the habits of his younger son. His favorite thing in his life is abacus, and the second is sleeping. The only thing that can make him interested is to check accounts, and the other is business.
She also knew that he had been working hard recently, so she deliberately brought out the largest carriage in the family today.
This carriage was used by Xue Tingxiang when he was often traveling around in the early years. The carriage was spacious and had a bed and everything, just like a small house for walking. Even if Xue Yaotai was sleepy for a while, he didn't delay anything.
The carriage was quiet, but the mother and daughter were sitting fine. Seeing that there was no movement on the soft couch, Zhao'er lowered her voice and spoke to Ning Ning. Naturally, what she said was about the trivial matter of serving incense today.
In fact, it is said to be incense, but the two families are looking for opportunities for the two juniors to meet each other. There is nothing on the Gu family's side, and this is also a matter of persistence.
She hoped that her daughter could meet her future husband, and she would agree to it with her consent, instead of a blind marriage where she would only know what her future husband would look like when she lifted her hijab.
Zhao'er has met the third son of the Gu family. She is very satisfied with this child, but the key is that her daughter is satisfied, right? If Ning Ning passes this level, the two families can put Nacai's marriage on the agenda.
It is April when the capital is full of flowers, and at this time, the incense of Fayuan Temple will be particularly strong.
Without him, the Begonia of Fayuan Temple is famous all over the world, and it is natural to come here in spring.
When Zhao'er and the others arrived, it was already three poles in the sun, and there was a hustle and bustle of people walking in front of the temple.
Although there are many people, they are not as crowded as they are in the downtown area. When they arrive at this thousand-year-old temple, no matter how invisible people are, they will hold their breaths involuntarily.
The Xue family had different identities. Naturally, they didn't have to wait in front of the temple like commoners. Instead, the little novice had already led them in, and the chariots and horses were parked outside.
Along the way, I can see the quiet and quiet everywhere, one hall, one building, one grass, one tree, one brick and one stone, all of which appear simple and peaceful, exuding a strong historical atmosphere.
On the central axis are Tianwang Hall, Daxiong Hall, Minzhongtai, Pilu Hall, Dabei Altar, and Tibetan Scripture Pavilion.
Zhao'er was a little surprised to see so many people outside, but it was so quiet inside. After inquiring, I learned that the place where the commoners burn incense and worship Buddha, and even enjoy flowers, is not here.
Is that a distinction
In fact, as Xue Tingxiang became bigger and bigger, Zhao'er had long been accustomed to this kind of discriminatory treatment, and naturally understood the principle of following the customs when entering the country.
The little novice first led Zhao'er and the others to the Daxiong Hall.
This Mahavira Hall is the second hall of Fayuan Temple, which houses the three holy images of Huayan, namely Vairocana Buddha, Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. The Vairocana Buddha in the center is sitting on the Xumi seat, Manjusri and Samantabhadra are separated on both sides, and there are eighteen sitting statues of Arhats down to the left and right.
These Buddha statues are surprisingly tall and solemn, making people feel solemn.
A middle-aged monk brought three long incense sticks and gave them to Zhao'er.
This was Zhao'er's first time burning incense and worshipping Buddha. It seemed a little unfamiliar, but she was still able to pretend, so she went to the futon in the middle, knelt down, and bowed three times before standing up.
Then there are Ning Ning and Xue Yaotai.
"The heart must be sincere, and the heart must be sincere." This was Ning Ning's curiosity to ask what he could ask for in worshipping the Buddha, but the spirit was not effective. The monk was surprised by her question and could only say such a panacea.
He seemed to know that the mother and son were not mortals. The middle-aged monk said again: "There is a spiritual lottery in this temple. If the benefactor has something to ask for, but you are unsure, you can ask for the lottery to give it a try. But if the lottery does not work, it depends on the benefactor. Are you related?"
Ning Ning was stunned for a moment, then shook his head: "Thank you, Master, the little girl has nothing to ask for."
"Since you're here, let's give it a try," Zhao'er stepped forward and said to the monk with a smile, "Master, the little girl is waiting for you, I want to ask her for a marriage."
"Mother..." Ning Ning said in surprise.
She knew that her mother never believed in gods and Buddhas, but how did she know that Zhao'er had always been uneasy because of her marriage, so she couldn't help but want to seek other external forces for peace of mind. It is also unusual today, and I want to ask for a good idea.
"Donor wait."
After a while, the monk brought a lot of bamboo sticks in his hand.
He handed it over to Ning Ning and asked him to kneel in front of the Buddha statue reverently, thinking about what he was asking for, and then he shook it three times to get a lottery.
Seeing this, Ning Ning felt a little reluctant, but she still held the lottery and knelt down.
This Vairocana Buddha is the Dharmakaya Buddha of Sakyamuni. Buddhism often mentions three Buddhas, namely Dharmakaya 'Vairocana Buddha', Yingshen 'Sakyamuni Buddha', and Sambhogakaya 'Lu' Shana Buddha'.
Looking up at Vairocana Buddha at a high place, seeing the Buddha statue with drooping eyes and a smile on his face, Ningning suddenly felt a sense of tranquility in his heart.
For a time, many pictures flashed in her mind, and finally the unwillingness was fixed in her heart.
But there is fate, if not, why did we meet
With a crisp sound, a bamboo stick fell.
The monk picked it up, glanced at Ning Ning, Fang said: "Master Xue is for the country and the people, even if my Fayuan Temple is a place outside the square, I have heard of it. The abbot of this temple has never unsigned for others, but he was poor before. When the monk came, the abbot once said that he could make an exception, and he also asked the donors to wait."
Having said that, the monk left, leaving Zhao, mother and son to wait.
Because the monk said it very carefully, Zhao'er, mother and son couldn't help but also solemnly. Although they were in the Buddhist temple, their hearts were peaceful, but they couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
After about a cup of tea, the monk came again, first saluting with his palms together, and then handing out a palm-sized note.
I saw the words on it: "I advise you to be patient with your old life, keep your mind at ease, and wait for someone to take care of it, and the dead branches and old trees will regenerate flowers."
First Ning Ning read it himself, and then handed it to Zhao'er.
Zhao'er was puzzled and looked at the monk in doubt.
The monk smiled in an unfathomable manner, and said: "This is the image of dead trees and flowers, and everything has its own achievements."
Zhao'er hesitated, and then asked: "But this sign is to seek marriage for the little girl. What is the solution to this marriage?"
The monk said: "This is the abbot's release of the signature. The poor monk can't say much. In fact, the signature has already explained."
Does it mean that everything has its own achievements? Is that a good meaning
Zhao'er was still thinking about this. The monk over there had already left. Seeing this, she looked outside the palace, thinking about the time she had made with the Gu family, so she hurriedly took her daughter and son to leave the palace.
She didn't notice that her daughter's face was a little wrong, she seemed stunned and sad.
…
In a quiet meditation room, a monk with white hair and beard sat cross-legged on a futon.
The middle-aged monk just now stood behind him and asked in doubt, "Abbot, why didn't you let me tell the complete signature? This signature is for fishing in the Wei River. If you move, you will suffer more, but if you are still, there is nothing to blame. If you ask about marriage, you should It's because the marriage has not been moved, you can't force it, cultivate your self-cultivation, and wait for the chance." But the abbot only made a later interpretation, but did not understand the previous intention.
"Do you know which one is there today besides the Xue family meeting?"
The middle-aged monk thought for a moment and said, "And the Gu family."
"There have long been rumors in Beijing that the Xue Gu family intends to marry, and they both have children of school age. They should come here today for marriage. The Xue family does not believe in gods and Buddhas, and they have not heard of the Xue family going there for many years in Beijing. Which temple burns incense and worships the Buddha. Even if you don’t believe it, it’s just for peace of mind. How to sign the document will not affect his decision at all, but it’s just adding annoyance.”
Of course, the old abbot did not express his intentions, but this monk knew it well.
Although they are outsiders, they are in the midst of the mortal world. The capital is at the feet of the emperor, and the two families are of high power and are not easily contaminated. It's better to give an ambiguous statement, even if there is a time error, it can't be blamed on Fayuan Temple.
"The signature has been given. How to understand it is their business. It is not easy for us to interject."
"It's true what the abbot said."
The old abbot sighed: "This woman's life should be like this, and external interference will only add more right and wrong to the fate."
At this moment, a little novice walked in from outside the door, holding a sign in his hand.
"Abbot, this is the lottery shaken by the person in the Pilu Temple."
The old abbot sighed and said that he never released the contract, but today was an exception twice, and people outside the square also have the helplessness of people outside the square.
He took the bamboo stick and looked at it in his hand, but was stunned.
Because this sign is exactly the same as that of the girl from the Xue family. It is a sign for fishing in the Wei River. It has the image of dead trees and flowers, and everything has its own achievements.
In the Hall of Pilu, a giant statue of Pilu Buddha is enshrined in the center.
It is divided into three layers, the lower layer is a giant seat with a thousand lotus petals, each lotus petal has a small Buddha statue carved on it, the middle layer is a square Buddha, facing east, west, south and north, and the upper layer is Pilu Buddha statue.
This hall is never open to the public, only for the royal family to burn incense and worship Buddha.
At this time, there was a tall man standing in the hall. He was wearing a crow-blue brocade robe and a black jade belt around his waist. A head of black hair was gathered up and tied with a three-finger-wide black hairband with pearls embedded in it.
With one hand behind his back, he was tall and straight, but his expression was indifferent, revealing a hint of impatience.
"Your Highness, this is what Your Majesty specifically explained, just wait."
"Is it true that the father and emperor asked this king to burn incense, and it is true that I ask for marriage?" King Lu said lightly, with a bit of ridicule in his words.
The eunuch beside him smiled and did not dare to speak.
Soon, a monk with a sign in hand walked in.
First, he put his palms together to salute King Lu, Fang said: "This lottery is a great blessing."
King Lu took it over, glanced coldly, and let out an almost untraceable sneer.
Dead branches and old trees regenerate flowers? Does this mean that his dead branches and old trees will bloom soon
Fu Lai was curious, and regardless of his superiority, he leaned over to look at it, and immediately smiled like a flower: "It's not good luck, it means that His Highness's marriage is not far away."
Since King Lu appeared before the beating, he has attracted quite a lot of attention.
After conferring the queen, those ministers were not interested in him, but some families in Beijing who had school-age daughters were very concerned about him.
Without him, it is because King Lu is not young, but he has never been married.
Seeing that he usually travels alone, Lu Wangfu has never heard of any concubines. In addition, his status is noble, and his appearance is unusually beautiful. Although he has blood from other countries, he can be a dragon child. Naturally, no one dares to pick anything. For the most suitable husband-in-law candidates.
It's a pity that King Lu has always behaved neither saltily nor lightly, and seems not to be in a hurry at all. Seeing that he is thirty and eighty years old this year, it is not that Emperor Jiacheng has not mentioned marriage to him for so many years, but King Lu has always been reluctant to marry a wife, and Emperor Jiacheng is not good at forcing it.
No, he was probably in a hurry. Emperor Jiacheng sent King Lu to the Fayuan Temple under the name of burning incense and worshipping Buddha for him. In fact, after he came, Fulai encouraged him, and the temple seemed to have arranged it too. will have this signature.
No wonder King Lu had such an attitude.
King Lu glanced at Fulai, turned and strode away.
Fu Lai followed suit, both laughing and being careful. Seeing King Lu walking straight out of the temple, he persuaded him, "Your Highness, it's the flowering season of begonias. The Begonias in Fayuan Temple are famous all over the world, why don't you go and have a look?"
"Is this also explained by His Majesty?"
Fulai laughed dryly again.
Begonia is second. The key is that at this time, there are many young women who come to enjoy the flowers. Anyway, Fu Lai discovered that as long as King Lu is willing to marry a wife, even if he finds a commoner woman, his Majesty is probably willing.
King Lu snorted and nodded.
The Begonia in Fayuan Temple is indeed famous all over the world.
One by one, one tree, thousands of low branches, overwhelming the sky, like a sea of begonia flowers.
Just looking at its flowers, the buds are red and bright when they are not in bloom, like rouge spots, but most of them are in bloom, mostly pink and white, with a fragrant fragrance, and the flower appearance is difficult to describe.
There are many tourists in the park, either male or female, but most of them are young people.
After listening to her mother's instructions, Ning Ning came under the more than ten century-old Xifu Begonias, and waited while admiring the flowers.
She was in a very chaotic mood at this time, and she thought of the previous signature.
Maybe Zhao'er didn't understand the meaning of this sign because he hadn't read for a few years, but Ning Ning did.
"I advise you to hold on to your old life, keep your mind at ease, and wait for someone to take care of it, and the dead branches and old trees will regenerate flowers."
This sign is to tell her not to move her other thoughts. If she moves, she will suffer more, and if she is still, she will be blameless.
really!
Sure enough, don't have thoughts that shouldn't be there, even the Buddha is admonishing her.
I don't know how long it took, and a light cough sounded not far away.
Ning Ning looked up and saw a jade-like young man standing there.
Sven and handsome, with a slender figure, he was looking at her with excitement.
"Are you a girl from the Xue family?"
Ning Ning looked at him and said, "Exactly."
Gu Qian bowed as a salute, and said, "Xiaosheng's surname is Gu's name, and he is the third son of the Gu family."
Ning Ning nodded, lowered her eyes, and said nothing.
Gu Qian only regarded her as a cowardly and respectful daughter of her daughter's family, and didn't think much of it. Seeing this woman with a beauty like a begonia flower, Gu Qian's heart swayed as long as he thought that this was his fiancee.
He wanted to say something, but he was afraid of scaring her, and thinking that his mother only said that the two of them would see each other, and told himself not to be abrupt, he took a deep breath and said: "Xiaosheng is reckless, for fear of scaring the girl, so don't let it go. Well, wait for the good news."
This Gu Qian is also a person who observes the ceremony, and he turned his head back after a step reluctantly, but left.
Looking at the back of the other party, Ning Ning felt a little dazed.
Is that him
Just thinking about it, a crow blue figure slammed into her eyes.
In this sea of pink, the color is so striking, and the most important thing is that person.
She didn't know why she walked up, and when she reacted, the other party had already discovered her.
Looking at the little girl walking across, King Lu unconsciously frowned.
Seeing this, Ning Ning felt a little pain in her heart, but she pretended to be okay and raised her eyebrows with a smile: "Uncle, are you here to enjoy the flowers?"
"Why are you here?"
"I came with my mother." Ning Ning glanced at the other party deliberately when he said this.
King Lu nodded and said nothing.
The atmosphere was stagnant, and Fu, who was on the side, looked at Ning Ning, and then glanced at King Lu.
Ning Ning couldn't stand a little bit, but he was a little unwilling, and forced a smile: "Uncle, I'm also here to enjoy the flowers, why don't we go together?"
King Lu gave her a deep look, and wanted to say no, but he didn't know what to say.
The two strolled through the Begonia Forest, with Fu Lai following more than ten meters behind them.
Ning Ning looked at the person beside her, she didn't look up, she could only see the position below the waist of the other party, more of the corners of the other party's robes and soap boots.
She watched the pair of soap boots move forward without any hassle, and suddenly thought that it would be good to be able to walk for such a lifetime.
How did that happen
In fact, even Ningning didn't know why he fell in love with King Lu. It seemed that on the night of Shangyuan Festival, he looked at his lonely eyes looking at his parents from afar, or he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Unknowingly, I became interested.
Already knew him.
At that time, Ning Ning was still young, and her father and mother didn't care about her when they spoke occasionally. The one who always made father jealous, and made mother ridicule father for being jealous at his age, was him.
He is a mother's admirer, he once saved her, but he was tempted to kidnap her.
He used to be a pirate chief, but he was also an exiled prince.
Ning Ning knew that many things about King Lu were from her inquiries.
The girl Huaichun is always poetry. Mother always said that she suddenly became sensible, but she didn't know that it was a taste of affection, so she grew up suddenly from being innocent.
"Uncle, I'm getting married, and my mother told me about her."
"He is very good, gentle and handsome, with outstanding talents, suitable for my age."
A gust of breeze blew, and the begonias fell like rain, but they were quickly stepped on and turned into mud.
King Lu didn't speak, only the girl's voice rang softly.
"Uncle, is there anything you want to say to me?"