Ji Youcheng and Zhu Xiuxiu were completely stunned.
Both of them turned to look at Huo Xing’Er. She casually tossed an envelope their way. Zhu Xiuxiu, quick to act, caught it. Upon seeing the four characters on it, "For the Emperor’s Eyes Only," she understood what she needed to do.
"Second Sister-in-law, rest assured. I’ll return to the city and enter the Palace at once!"
After Zhu Xiuxiu left, Ji Youcheng hurried to question Huo Xing’Er.
"Second Sister-in-law, what about me? What am I supposed to do?"
"You go find Seventh Brother and ask him if the letter to Eldest Brother has been sent out. Also, inform him clearly about what has happened here."
The old monk, watching Zhu Xiuxiu and Ji Youcheng leave, murmured a quiet Buddhist chant, "Amitabha. Benefactress, why must you be so persistent? This young child is fated with our Buddhist ways!"
"Enough of your talk! Even if you could conjure miracles today, I would not let her become your disciple!"
Huo Xing’Er finished speaking and, with a wave of her sleeve, was about to shut the door. However, just as it was halfway closed, the old monk also waved his sleeve, and the door swung back open.
"Old bald donkey, you’re forcing my hand!"
Huo Xing’Er, teeth clenched and heart hardened with resolve, reached up and tugged at the collar of her dress, exposing her fair, delicate neck.
Seeing this, the old monk hurriedly closed his eyes and turned away. "Amitabha! Benefactress, please conduct yourself with dignity!"
HО Xing’Er gave a cold laugh. Before she could speak, Xiaosuisui’s curious voice piped up, "What does ’conduct yourself with dignity’ mean?"
Huo Xing’Er was at a loss for words.
Seeing Huo Xing’Er didn’t answer, Xiaosuisui asked again, "Why did the old bald donkey turn around?"
Hearing Xiaosuisui call the monk ’old bald donkey’, Huo Xing’Er was secretly delighted. Disrespect meant disregard, and if there was disregard, there would be no chance of Xiaosuisui becoming his disciple.
As long as Xiaosuisui was unwilling, the Ji Family could protect her and prevent her from having those ’three thousand strands of worldly care’ shaved off!
"Because his six senses are impure!" Huo Xing’Er replied, the corners of her mouth tilting up slightly.
"What does ’six senses are impure’ mean?"
"It means..." Huo Xing’Er suddenly stopped. "Why am I explaining this to you? I’m trying my best to keep you away from Buddhist matters. I shouldn’t be telling you about them at all!"
Huo Xing’Er rubbed her throbbing temples. Why aren’t Ji Youzhi and the others here yet? she wondered. I’m afraid I can’t hold out much longer!
Just as she was thinking this, she heard Xiaosuisui’s cheerful shouts. First "Seventh Uncle," then "Eighth Uncle," followed by "Second Uncle," and finally "Grandmother." She conveniently ignored Third Uncle.
Seeing the Ji Family members rushing over in a hurry, Huo Xing’Er finally let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Mother! Seventh Brother, Eighth Brother, you’re finally here!"
Ji Youcheng’s mouth twitched. It was one thing for his niece to ignore him, but now his Second Sister-in-law was ignoring him too.
"Second Sister-in-law, I’m back," Ji Youcheng deliberately announced.
Huo Xing’Er merely nodded, acknowledging him.
"Who wants my Suisui to convert to Buddhism? I, this old woman, will fight them to the death! My sweet, gentle little girl, you want her to take Buddhist vows? What kind of reasoning is that?"
As soon as Old Lady Ji arrived, she planted herself in the doorway, glaring fiercely at the old monk with an imposing air.
The old monk’s brow furrowed slightly. He squinted at the old lady before him and, upon recognizing her, intoned a Buddhist chant in her direction, "Amitabha. So, it is Young Benefactress Yun. This old monk did not expect to encounter an old acquaintance here. Amitabha!"
Young Benefactress Yun?
Everyone present was puzzled. Was the old monk greeting... Mother?
Old Lady Ji also looked bewildered. Among everyone there, she was the only one with the surname Yun.
The Yun Family of Yunhang Sea was a renowned Clan, considered maritime overlords. The Yun Family on Yunzhou Island was her ancestral home.
However, she had never returned since leaving her Clan!
It had been many years since anyone had mentioned the surname ’Yun’ in her presence.