Chapter 323: Chapter 118: Zhaohua Temple_2 Chapter 323: Chapter 118: Zhaohua Temple_2 Hua Lei muttered to herself that Eldest Madam had intentionally let Eldest Miss ride in the same carriage as her daughter to make others uncomfortable.
As the carriage arrived at the market, Yueyao lifted the curtain and looked outside before saying to Hua Lei, “Go outside and buy some pastries and marinated dishes.”
Hua Lei went down and bought a bunch of marinated dishes. Of course, all were vegetarian; she didn’t buy any meat dishes, but she did buy quite a few pastries.
Yueyao took a blue-and-white porcelain bowl from the food box, selected a few pastries, and placed them into the bowl. Then she asked Hua Lei to wrap up the rest, preparing to take them up the mountain to eat.
Yueying watched Yueyao’s actions, “Third younger sister likes to eat these things a lot?”
Yueyao smiled, “It’s all right.”
By noon, the coachman saw a spring water by the road and stopped the carriage in a shady spot nearby, and everyone began their noon meal.
Everyone had brought dry food, which needed water to be swallowed easily, otherwise, it would be easy to choke. Yueyao instructed Hua Lei to present the marinated dishes she had bought earlier for everyone to eat.
The group gnawed on the hard steamed buns and enjoyed them with the marinated dishes, all praising Third Young Lady’s generosity.
Yueying looked down at the others as they ate and praised Yueyao, her eyes complex, feeling that her third younger sister outshone her in every way.
Yueyao’s noon meal had been prepared in advance. She had instructed the Kitchen Maid the night before. It was originally prepared for her, her two Maids and Nanny, but now she shared it with Yueying.
Yueying blushed; besides clothes and some daily necessities, she hadn’t brought anything else, and she hadn’t even considered needing a meal at noon. Previously, it was always Lady Mo who took her up the mountain, managing everything perfectly; only now did she realize how many concerns there were when travelling.
After the two finished eating, the leftover food was given to the Maids. However, the food meant for four people now had to be shared among seven, and it wasn’t enough.
Nanny Hao did not join them for the meal, instead opting for steamed buns. Hua Lei had anticipated this situation, so she ate quickly. Qiao Lan was better off, not as impatient as Hua Lei. In the end, none of the four Maids felt full.
Yueyao glanced at her two Maids, Cai Qing seemed more submissive, but Cai Lan’s expression was too lively. However, since they weren’t her Maids, Yueyao didn’t bother to intervene.
Halfway there, Hua Lei, feeling hungry, touched her stomach. Yueyao said with a smile, “If you’re hungry, use the pastries to fill your stomach.”
Now Hua Lei understood why her mistress had asked her to buy pastries. It seemed the young lady had anticipated they wouldn’t have enough to eat.
Yueying also seemed to realize this issue, her complexion turning somewhat red.
Yueyao had thought the mountain road would be bumpier. However, even after walking a while, it was smooth, not bumpy at all.
Yueyao lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw the outside, the road was very smooth. Yueyao laughed at herself, “I was being silly.” Zhaohua Temple was an Imperial Temple, and nobles from the imperial palace often visited Zhaohua Temple to offer incense and worship the Buddha. If the road caused discomfort to the nobles, no one could bear the responsibility. It was normal for the road to be good, and it would be abnormal otherwise.
Yueyao couldn’t be blamed for her naivety; in her past life, she had only gone to Hualin Temple to offer incense and had never visited Zhaohua Temple. The threshold for Zhaohua Temple was higher, and the cost of offering incense there was several times that of Hualin Temple, which the ever-thrifty Lady Mo was reluctant to spend.
The steward said to Yueyao and Yueying, “Young ladies, please get off the carriage.”
Yueyao got off the carriage; at this point, they had reached the foot of the mountain, and they did not disembark at the main temple gate. Yueyao looked up, the mountainous ranges undulating beautifully,
The location of Zhaohua Temple was excellent, placed from north to south, backed by Jewel Peak, surrounded by nine tall mountains arranged in a horseshoe shape, appearing as though it was under the protection of nine giant dragons.
Zhaohua Temple also possesses a long history, traceable in historical records to the Jin Dynasty, further flourishing during the Tang Dynasty. Through expansions and renovations over several dynasties, the temple, therefore, was quite expansive, covering four hectares within the temple grounds and twenty hectares outside, along with the surrounding forests and mountain fields managed by it, totaling over one hundred hectares.
The entire Zhaohua Temple was centered around a main axis, with symmetrical structures on either side, making the architectural complex appear orderly, strict, with a clear hierarchy and distinct levels. Its architectural forms included halls, chambers, pavilions, refectories, verandas, gazebos, towers, and altars, varied and diverse.
Yueyao was not a distinguished guest and did not enter the main hall, going directly through a side door into the temple. A Little Novice Monk was waiting at the entrance, who verified their identities and led them on their way.
From the entrance to a small courtyard was a considerable distance. Within the temple grounds, no carriages or sedans were allowed, out of respect for Buddha and Bodhisattva, one had to walk, no matter how far.