Chapter 345: Chapter 122: Blessing and Fortune_3
Yueying was so astounded when she heard Yueyao reciting the scriptural texts that she went completely dumbfounded. It took her a long time before she finally asked, “Yueyao, how can you recite the scriptures and even explain them?” She found it unbelievable.
Yueyao replied with a faint smile, “It’s a coincidence, I had copied this scripture several times before, and naturally I came to understand its meaning once I was familiar with it.”
Nanny Hao glanced at Yueyao and immediately lowered her head. Coincidence? How could there be so many coincidences? It seemed that the young lady wasn’t lying about being familiar with the scriptures after all.
After returning, the Little Novice Monk immediately reported this to his master, Ru Kong. Master Ru Kong thought the Little Novice Monk was lying. How could there be such an insightful woman? At least Ru Kong had never seen anyone who could recite and understand the meaning of the scriptural texts just by copying it once; he himself didn’t have that ability.
The Little Novice Monk spoke with utmost certainty, “Master, I’m really not lying. What the female benefactor said is very similar to the explanations you gave. Master, if you don’t believe it, you can examine her yourself. Master, I think this female benefactor has a connection with Buddha; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so incredible.” The Little Novice Monk was envious; if only he had such high comprehension, he wouldn’t be reprimanded by his master so often.
Master Ru Kong knew that his disciple was still immature, which was due to his young age, but this disciple never lied. The earnest look on the Little Novice Monk’s face aroused Ru Kong’s curiosity. If what the disciple had said was true, then this woman’s comprehension must indeed be exceedingly rare. He said, “Alright, Master will meet this female benefactor.”
Yueyao was practicing her calligraphy, copying it from plum blossom rubbings when Hua Lei came in and said, “Miss, the Little Novice Monk has come.”
The Little Novice Monk said with a beaming smile, “Miss, my master invites you over to see the female benefactor.” The Little Novice Monk’s smile was pure and clean, comforting to see.
A leap of excitement went through Yueyao’s heart. It seemed she had bet correctly; she must grasp such a good opportunity firmly. She answered, “I’ll change into another dress and then meet your master.” If she could gain the appreciation of the Little Novice Monk’s master, she would stand a very good chance of meeting the monks high up in the monastery. Being guided by a high monk would be a tremendous blessing for her.
Yueyao changed into a plain white dress and followed the Little Novice Monk. Hua Lei felt it was too plain, but Yueyao smiled and said, “It’s better to wear something plain on the mountain.”
Yueyao did not bring Hua Lei with her this time. Hua Lei was too outspoken, and if she said the wrong thing and annoyed the monks in the temple, it would have been bad.
Hua Lei was quite hurt. Nanny Hao, shaking her head beside her, thought only the young lady spoiled and protected this maid otherwise, with that kind of temperament, she would have had a difficult time staying in the estate.
The Little Novice Monk led Yueyao to the monastery and explained along the way, “Female benefactor, last time you wanted to join us for the morning prayers? My master refused you partly because you’re a woman and it’s inconvenient; and also, because it’s a half-hour walk from where you stay to the monastery, and the road can be impassable when it snows.”
Qiao Lan said from behind to the Little Novice Monk, “Little Master, my lady is very sincere. Since the second day she arrived at the monastery, she has been following the monastery’s bell for morning and evening prayers without missing a single day!”
The Little Novice Monk looked at Yueyao and asked, “Female benefactor, is this true?” Such devotion! Even his own fellow disciples all wanted to sleep in and skip morning prayers.
Yueyao nodded with a smile, “It’s true. I really enjoy it. Buddhist Law embodies many profound things, which once understood, are useful for life.”
The Little Novice Monk immediately replied, “I believe you. But, female benefactor, can you tell me how you managed to remember the scriptures just by copying them once?”
After thinking for a moment, Yueyao answered, “Concentration.” Although memorizing after only one copy might be an exaggeration, with concentration, she could roughly remember them after three times.
The Little Novice Monk walked on, pondering Yueyao’s words, and finally nodded seriously, “Thank you, female benefactor, Ji Xiang is enlightened.”
Yueyao said with a smile, “Little Master, is your Dharma name Ji Xiang? It’s a very nice name.” Lucky and auspicious – how could it not be good?
The Little Novice Monk replied joyfully, “I also think the name is very nice; I like it very much.” In fact, Ji Xiang was not his Dharma name; Ji Xiang was the Little Novice Monk’s personal name. The Dharma name would be given by a senior monk in the monastery during the ordination ceremony.
Yueying, surprised to learn that Yueyao had been invited over by a monk from the monastery, asked, “Why did the monk from the monastery invite our third younger sister over?”
Hua Lei, with disdain in her heart but not showing it on her face, answered, “The little monk said it was because the lady is fated with Buddha, and his master wanted to meet her.” As long as she gains favor from any high monk in the monastery, the reputation of our lady as a Jinx will be gone.