Chapter 365: Chapter 129: Harmony_2

Yuehuan had no choice but to admit, “Third Young Lady, I am truly sincere.”

Yueyao looked at Yuehuan with surprise, “Sincerity is something Buddha can see; there’s no need to expressly tell me. This scriptural text will be lent to you for now, when you are finished, I’ll give you another one. I am off to transcribe scriptures.” Transcribing scriptures was also Yueyao’s daily task.

Hong Mei entered the room and relayed to Yuehuan what Hua Lei had said. Hong Mei said, “Hua Lei mentioned that Third Young Lady recites and studies Buddhist scriptures every day, living her days like this without a single day’s break since coming to the mountain. Extremely devout.”

Hong Yi felt dizzy after a morning of listening to the scriptural texts, “I had no idea Third Young Lady was so well-versed in Buddhist scriptures.”

Hong Mei glanced at Hong Yi, “Don’t forget what Third Young Lady used to do?” Prior to this, Third Young Lady spent nearly half a year transcribing scriptures, so naturally, her understanding of them was greater than our Fourth Miss. However, seeing the attitude of her own Miss, Hong Mei was reassured. Just don’t be like Eldest Miss, who after staying a few days left dejectedly.

But scriptures are profound and difficult to comprehend, and without perseverance, it is very hard to persist. Yuehuan took a deep breath, summoning the desperate determination she had during her college entrance exams. Realizing that a section of the text was not scriptural, Yuehuan was astonished by the things written inside.

While grinding the ink, Hong Yi asked curiously, “Miss, what’s wrong?”

Yuehuan said with a smile, “It’s nothing. Just a bit tired from reciting, go brew some tea.” Hong Yi didn’t suspect her and went out to brew tea.

Yuehuan looked over the writing on the paper. It detailed the life of Fourth Miss from birth until before her possession. Although not very detailed, the information was quite useful to her. Yuehuan secretly rejoiced; it was a good thing that both Hong Mei and Hong Yi were illiterate, otherwise, it would have indeed been troublesome. At lunchtime, Yuehuan asked, “Third Sister, the scriptures are hard, could you teach me a simpler way?”

Yueyao shook her head, such a thing had no shortcuts. Scriptural texts are difficult to memorize and comprehend; unless one is a monk or those rumoured reincarnations of Bodhisattvas, generally no one would enjoy studying the texts. One cannot sit through it without great perseverance: “It relies on perseverance, dedication, and comprehension.”

Yuehuan’s face was a picture of struggle.

Yueyao didn’t know if Yuehuan’s expression was genuine or false, and she couldn’t be bothered to analyze it. She said with a smile, “The early morning and evening lessons cover only these five scripture passages; if you truly can’t memorize them, then let it be.”

Yuehuan shook her head, “No, I must memorize them well.” Backing down in the face of difficulty was not her nature. Once away from the constraints of Lian Mansion, Yuehuan began to recover her true temperament.

Yueyao gave a gentle smile.

After lunch, Yueyao stepped out of the courtyard, looked up into the sky, where the clouds formed an unpredictable sea, and the expansive sky stretched into the distance, evoking an open state of mind.

Qiao Lan said softly, “Fourth Miss is still quite devout.” Much better than Eldest Miss by more than just a little bit, and moreover, she is quiet and doesn’t cause trouble, with two obedient maids by her side.

Yueyao laughed and said nothing.

Nanny Hao added, “Fourth Miss is much stronger than Eldest Miss.” Not only is she smart, but she also has a good nature; such a person is worth befriending, only they cannot do so openly in Lian Mansion.

Yuehuan took up the scriptural texts and studied the scriptural texts until midnight that day.

The next morning, Yuehuan followed the Zhong Sheng to do the morning rituals. Yuehuan’s voice was loud, drowning out Yueyao’s voice.

Hua Lei was displeased.

But Nanny Hao said with a smile, “A loud voice shows a lack of confidence. And have you noticed, when Fourth Miss recites the texts, it’s halting? Unlike our Miss, who can recite without looking. That is true dedication.” That is the difference.

Hua Lei thought about it and realized there was truth to it.

After several days, Hong Yi and Hong Mei saw that despite their fatigue, there were no complaints from either party, contrary to what Cai Lan and the others had said.

Yuehuan had always heard that life on the mountain was tough, but now that she had experienced it firsthand, she knew it was indeed very boring. After just three days in the monastery, she deeply felt the dullness of life there. Apart from reciting and studying Buddhist scriptures, there was nothing else to do, and the meals were extremely poor, with no snacks or tea. When thirsty, there was only plain boiled water to drink.

Yuehuan muttered to herself, “It’s a good thing it’s just for over a month, I can endure it. If I had to stay here for a year, I’d go mad.” The repetitive and bland existence was truly hard for her to bear. The only consolation was that she could return home in the twelfth lunar month.

Hong Yi saw Hua Lei carry a steaming bowl of something into the room, and her expression darkened. She complained to Yuehuan, “We’re all sisters, yet Third Young Lady is hoarding for herself. So much for being generous, it’s all deceitful.”

Yuehuan asked and learned that it was Nanny Hao who had prepared a tonic specifically for Yueyao. Based on Hong Yi’s speculation, this tonic was probably Bird’s Nest.

After thinking for a while, Yuehuan asked, “Did the tonic come from the mansion?” Yuehuan also wanted some tonics, not because she was greedy, but because a roommate of hers had benefitted from eating well in her childhood, which made her robust. Unlike her roommate, who was hardly ever ill throughout the four years of university except for one bout of influenza, she herself suffered from various ailments. Since arriving in this world, she wished to eat well to build her constitution.

Hong Mei shook her head, “The mansion only sent food supplies, not tonics. These tonics must have come from Ma’s Mansion.”

After pondering for a bit, Yuehuan said, “Let’s not talk about it anymore.” She would ask Yueyao for help in making money, but she would never ask for food. Once she earned money, she wanted to nourish herself properly. But thinking about the situation in Lian Mansion, even with money, it wasn’t easy to spend, leaving Yuehuan feeling frustrated.

Nanny Hao tactfully suggested to Yueyao, “Miss, perhaps you can prepare an extra portion for Fourth Miss.”

Yueyao shook her head, “No need.” Yueyao was not a stingy person, but this time she meant what she said. As for the reason, Yueyao did not elaborate. Neither Nanny Hao nor the other two inquired further.