Chapter 378: Chapter 133: Ma Chengteng Visits the Mountain_4
The old nanny said with a smile, “Yes, Hua Lei ntioned that Third Young Lady often goes to the Scripture Pavilion of Zhaohua Temple to borrow and copy scriptures. What’s surprising is that during the copying of the scriptures, Third Young Lady can rember the scriptural texts. Not only that, she also understood most of it, which is why Master Ru Kong feels that Cousin Miss possesses intelligence. Hua Lei also said that if the Third Young Lady were not a girl, she might have even been taken away to be ordained.”
Ruo Lan laughed and said, “Who would have thought Cousin Miss would gain such a Buddhist connection from a single visit to the temple? The hardships she endured in the mountains were worth it.” The previous rumors vanished in an instant, which was good for Yueyao.
Cai Yun was sowhat puzzled and asked, “Young lady, was this incident a coincidence?”
Ruo Lan touched her belly and fell into thought again. Was it a coincidence? But wasn’t it too coincidental? However, scheming against the high monks of the temple was difficult. The difficulty lay in the fact that these monks were all purified of worldly desires, indifferent to power and gains, making them hard to sche against.
Cai Yun also felt that this was no coincidence and said, “Young lady, if this was not a coincidence, then Cousin Miss is too cunning.” If it was not a coincidence, then everything from deliberately spreading rumors about herself to going to the temple was a calculated move by Cousin Miss, which was quite frightening. She is only a nine-year-old child!
Ruo Lan instinctively shook her head, “It should be a coincidence, right? Such things can’t be planned.” Gaining the monks’ recognition from Zhaohua Temple was no easy feat. It required the right ti, place, and people, and Yueyao, no matter how clever, could not have planned it so ticulously.
Cai Yi thought for a mont and nodded, “Young lady, Cousin Miss can rember the scriptural texts after just one reading and even understand them thoroughly. Does Cousin Miss have a photographic mory?”
Ruo Lan laughed and said, “Even if she doesn’t have a photographic mory, her mory is certainly top-notch.” Ruo Lan thought about Yueyao’s situation and shook her head, saying, “What a pity.”
Cai Yun laughed and asked, “Young lady, do you think it’s a pity that Cousin Miss is a girl?”
Ruo Lan nodded, “If she were a boy, with such talent and cleverness, it would be possible for her to attain a noble title or even beco a Chancellor as long as she took the right path.”
Cai Yun laughed and said, “The Shen family is lucky to have betrothed Cousin Miss so early.”
Zhuang Ruolan shook her head, “The Shen family may not feel lucky. With aunt and uncle gone, the Second Young Master Shen has lost the support of a wife’s family. No matter how learned Yueyao is, it’s useless. Lady Shen is a shrewd manager of the household. Even if Yueyao marries into the family, her days will not be easy.”
Cai Yun said with a smile, “With Cousin Miss being so clever and favored by Uncle Master, there’s no need to worry.”
Ruo Lan smiled without saying anything more.
Ma Chengteng was very pleased to hear about this and happened to have a day off the following day. As soon as dawn broke the next day, he headed for Zhaohua Temple with his entourage to see Yueyao.
Yueyao had just finished lunch when she heard that Ma Chengteng was coming. She welcod him with joy, “Uncle, why did you co? It’s so cold on the mountain.” It was the end of November, the wind was strong on the mountain, and it was very cold. Yueyao had wrapped herself up like a zongzi.
Ma Chengteng was in high spirits, made joyful by this pleasing news, and his laughter was hearty, “The carriage is warm; I’m not cold. Uncle hasn’t seen you for such a long ti, so I ca to see how you are doing here.” Seeing his niece looking spirited, Ma Chengteng’s worries dissipated.
Yueyao smiled and said, “Hua Lei, go brew a cup of tea for Uncle.” Ma’s Mansion had sent over two cans of tea leaves earlier, but Yueyao did not drink tea and only drank plain boiled water, so she had been saving them.
Nanny Hao led the maid away, leaving the uncle and niece to talk. “It’s a blessing for the girl to be so highly regarded by Uncle Master,” she said.
Yueyao hadn’t expected Ma Chengteng to ask about her experience listening to scriptural texts a few days ago—nor had she anticipated the news to spread so quickly.
Ma Chengteng asked cautiously, “Yueyao, could you understand the Buddhist scriptures that Master Xuan Tian was expounding?” Ma Chengteng wanted to confirm whether Yueyao truly had an interest in Buddhist Law.
Yueyao smiled as she explained the reason.
Ma Chengteng’s attention wasn’t focused on Master Xuan Tian, “Yueyao, you might not know that other than painting, Mr. Yu Shan’s most proficient and favored subject is Buddhist Law. Uncle never expected you to have a talent for Buddhist scriptures as well. I’ll find an opportunity for you to et Mr. Yu Shan.”
Yueyao felt moved, for only those who truly cared would always have her in their thoughts, “Uncle, I have already t Mr. Yu Shan.”
Ma Chengteng was extrely surprised, “You’ve t Mr. Yu Shan? When did this happen?”
Yueyao recounted her conversation with Mr. Yu Shan to Ma Chengteng, “Mr. Yu Shan discussed so Buddhist principles with and advised not to copy other people’s paintings. He also said if I could persist, my future would be boundless.” In fact, Yueyao had already been accepted as a student; what she lacked now was experience and worldly knowledge.
Ma Chengteng was overjoyed, “Yueyao, since Mr. Yu Shan has said so, you must work hard and keep at it, you know?”
Yueyao said with a smile, “Uncle, don’t worry, I will.” With soone to guide her, she naturally wouldn’t give up. If before, her goal was rely to earn more money to secure her future life, now Yueyao’s goal was very clear—she wanted to beco a Great Painter, like Mr. Yu Shan.
Yueyao hadn’t thought about marriage; becoming a distinguished person could be a form of protection in itself. As long as she beca a Great Painter who commanded the attention of the world, Yueyao believed the Lian family and the Lady family would be more cautious around her, not daring to harm her as blatantly as they did in her previous life.
Ma Chengteng was thrilled and talked with Yueyao for a good while longer. Nanny Hao said from outside, “Cousin Miss, the al is ready.” The Capital City was so far from Zhaohua Temple; Uncle Master surely hadn’t eaten yet. Nanny Hao had copied a few more dishes for Ma Chengteng to consu.
Yueyao said with a smile, “Uncle, please have your al first, and we can talk about anything else after you’ve eaten.”
After Ma Chengteng had eaten, Yuehuan ca to pay her respects. Ma Chengteng had a poor impression of the Lian family’s people and was indifferent towards Yuehuan.
After speaking with Yueyao for a while longer, Ma Chengteng descended the mountain. Before leaving he said, “If you lack or need anything, tell Uncle, and I will have it sent over tomorrow.”
Yueyao chuckled, “Uncle, rest assured, I have everything I need here. If I really lack anything, I will definitely tell Uncle.” Her days on the mountain were no worse than those in the Capital City.
Only after he had given her thousand cautions and admonitions did Ma Chengteng descend the mountain.
Reviews
All reviews (0)