Li Xia, who had nothing to worry about, just came back to the courtyard. She saw Auntie Mei with a cheerful expression picking out clothes. "Auntie, what has made you so happy?"
"We are going to the Green Mountain Temple outside the city to pray for blessings tomorrow," Auntie Mei said, holding up a garment and asking Qiu Ju beside her, "Qiu Ju, how do you think this looks?"
"Auntie has such good taste, this is perfect," Qiu Ju praised.
"I think so too. This is the one. Qiu Shui, remember to dress the young mistress in this tomorrow," Auntie Mei said, handing the garment to Qiu Shui, who was following behind Li Xia.
"Why are we going to the temple to pray?" Li Xia had no interest in gods or Buddhas. She knew in her previous life that relying on oneself was better than relying on anyone else. Having strength was the only way to survive, and everything else was just clouds.
"The young master is leaving for the Capital City in half a month, and the journey will take more than a month. The mistress is worried, so she wants to go to the Green Mountain Temple to get a talisman of safety for the young master," Auntie Mei explained.
Li Xia thought to herself, "Mrs. Lu can go, why do they all have to go?" But she didn't dare say it out loud, knowing Auntie Mei would pull her ear.
Although having to kneel and pray at the temple was annoying, it wouldn't be bad to go out of the city and have a bit of an outing.
With a mood for a day trip, Li Xia enthusiastically looked out the window at the scenery along the way, occasionally exchanging a few words with Li Xin sitting beside her. Li Shan beside them looked down on Li Xia's lack of manners.
However, Li Shan was secretly envious of Li Xia's good relationship with Li Hui and Li Xin. Especially the things Li Hui and Li Xin gave to Li Xia, which made Li Shan envious and jealous. But after so many years of being strangers, she didn't know how to get close to her two elder siblings. She could only watch silently, occasionally sneering and mocking Li Xia.
Li Xia didn't care at all about Li Shan's little antics. No matter how much Li Shan sneered, it wouldn't hurt Li Xia, so there was no need to bother about it and make herself troubled.
When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, instead of taking sedan chairs, the group walked up the mountain to show their sincerity. Seeing the endless stairs, the others might have felt their legs weaken, but Li Xia was full of enthusiasm.
The beautiful scenery was initially appreciated by everyone. But later, they were too focused on the road, wanting to reach the top as soon as possible. Li Xia, however, had no such feeling. Seeing Li Xin was a bit tired, she still had the energy to support Li Xin and help her climb.
In the end, Li Xin was completely dragged up the mountain by Li Xia. Li Xin had no strength left. When they reached the top, the group was breathless. The maids immediately went to tidy up their mistresses' clothing, as they couldn't appear unkempt before the Buddha.
Qiu Shui also came forward to tidy Li Xia's clothes, quietly telling Li Xia about Li Shan's disdainful looks and mocking along the way, reminding Li Xia to pay attention to Li Shan and try to stay with Li Xin as much as possible to avoid any schemes.
"Don't worry, your young mistress knows what she's doing," Li Xia said, reaching out to pluck a blade of grass from Qiu Shui's head. Qiu Shui had climbed up the mountain tirelessly and was still here attending to Li Xia before even catching her breath.
After tidying up, Mrs. Lu led the ladies of the Li family to make offerings and pray to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas for the safe journey of Li Hui. As a mother, she didn't wish for her son to be extremely wealthy, only for him to be safe and sound.
Li Xia followed the others and knelt down seriously, even though in her eyes, these vague deities were of no use. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do. After a round of praying, everyone was tired and went to rest in the meditation hall.
Leaning on the couch, Li Xia finally recovered. Climbing the mountain didn't tire her at all, but the kowtowing and praying to the Buddha was truly exhausting. She thought to herself that these days, offering incense had become a physical labor.
A young monk brought in the meal. Li Xia called Qiu Shui and Qiu Ling to dine with her. After the meal, not feeling sleepy, Li Xia told Qiu Shui and Qiu Ling to rest in the room, and she would take a stroll around the area and come back.
"Young mistress, I'll go with you," Qiu Shui said, trying to stand up, but the fatigue from the climb made her legs tremble, and she sat back down.
Qiu Ling supported Qiu Shui, "Qiu Shui sister, you rest. I'll go."
"You don't need to come, just stay and rest in the room. I promise I won't go far," Li Xia said, looking at their weary faces and speaking unusually seriously.
Qiu Shui and Qiu Ling exchanged a glance, and Qiu Shui said, "Then young mistress, don't go too far."
After instructing the two maids, Li Xia left the courtyard through a small door, randomly walking along a small path. The air here was so good, a deep breath made her feel refreshed from the inside out.
Arriving at a pond, Li Xia saw two lotus flowers growing in it, surrounded by many large turtles. Since the temple did not allow killing, the turtles had grown quite big and looked very plump.
Wondering how they would taste, Li Xia picked up a small stone and threw it in, startling the turtles and making them scatter. She found it amusing and played with the turtles for a while before getting up to leave.
Suddenly, an extremely thin old monk in a grey robe was standing behind her. The old monk looked at Li Xia with great compassion and respectfully said, "Amitabha."
Li Xia's senses were sharp, and she could detect any insect or creature flying around, but she hadn't noticed this powerful old monk at all. Facing such a skilled master, Li Xia naturally responded with respect, "Venerable, hello."
The old monk took the Buddhist beads from his wrist and gave them to Li Xia, "These Buddhist beads are for you, young benefactress. May you have peace throughout your life."
Li Xia looked at the beads, then at the old monk, "What is precious to the Venerable must be dear to you. I wouldn't want to take what you hold dear." She had no interest in becoming a nun.
"The young benefactress deserves them," the old monk's words made the playful smile on Li Xia's face disappear. After a while, her voice sounded somewhat ethereal, "Venerable, do you know where I came from?"
The old monk did not answer, but bowed to her again.
Li Xia narrowed her eyes and looked at the old monk, "Venerable, do you know what happened there later?"
The old monk did not answer, but held out his hand, waiting for Li Xia to take the Buddhist beads.
Li Xia looked at the beads, then at the old monk, and smiled, "Then I shall not be rude and decline." She took the Buddhist beads and put them on her wrist.
After Li Xia took the beads, the old monk bowed to her for the third time and left.
Li Xia watched the retreating old monk, the Buddhist beads on her wrist emitting a faint glow.
Just as she entered the courtyard, she saw Qiu Shui and Qiu Ling heading out. "Where are you two going?"
Qiu Shui and Qiu Ling, not seeing Li Xia, were about to go out to look for her. "We were just going to look for the young mistress."
"I'm back already, see?" Li Xia said, walking into the room and sitting down. She took the tea that Qiu Shui brought her, "I'm rested now."
"Would the young mistress like to rest a bit more?" Qiu Shui asked.
"No need, we should be leaving soon." Li Xia had just finished speaking when Zi Juan came to notify them that they would be leaving in half an hour.
Qiu Shui and Qiu Ling quickly packed up. On the way back, everyone was too tired to talk much.
That night, Li Xia went to bed early. As she lay on the bed, she didn't notice the faint glow of the Buddhist beads on her wrist.
