Chapter 366: Chapter 130: The Master

When Yueyao went to return the scriptures, Master Ru Kong told her that in three days, Master Xuan Tian would hold a Dharma sermon in the temple, and she could attend.

She initially came with this idea, but her days on the mountain had also calmed her down, and she let go of the thought. She didn’t expect to receive such good news. How could Yueyao not be overjoyed? Yueyao bowed to Master Ru Kong, “Thank you, Master Ru Kong.” Yueyao was very clear that it must have been Master Ru Kong who spoke well of her to Master Xuan Tian.

Master Ru Kong smiled and said, “In three days, Ji Xiang will take you to the main hall.”

Hua Lei, seeing Yueyao’s excited expression, was very surprised. She had never seen Yueyao this happy before. Hua Lei asked, “Young lady, is something good happening?”

Yueyao glanced at Hua Lei and smiled, “It’s nothing.” Hua Lei was not good at keeping secrets, especially not when it came to such a big matter. Yueyao didn’t intend to let the news spread yet, so she didn’t plan to tell Hua Lei. It wouldn’t be too late to tell her after the event had passed.

Not only Hua Lei sensed Yueyao’s good mood, Yuehuan felt it too. Yuehuan directly asked, “Third Young Lady, is there any good news?”

Although Yueyao was rather fond of Yuehuan, she didn’t trust her, nor did she trust Yuehuan’s maid, so naturally she wouldn’t tell her, “Master Ru Kong said I’ve made more progress in understanding the Buddhist scriptures recently.” Yueyao used this excuse to stave off Nanny Hao and the others as well.

Yuehuan had a feeling that Yueyao hadn’t told her the truth. She sighed slightly, regretting that the Third Young Lady was still so guarded against her.

Back in her room, Hong Yi suggested, “Young lady, next time the Third Young Lady goes up the mountain, you could also follow her. If the Third Young Lady is really hiding something, she won’t be able to keep it from you.”

Yuehuan was not like Yueying, who could be swayed by a few words from a maid, “What are you suspecting?” Yuehuan didn’t trust Hong Mei or Hong Yi. Hong Mei was somewhat more reliable compared to Hong Yi. But that was only relative; Yuehuan would never let the two know about some highly confidential matters. And now, with Hong Yi saying this, it clearly had a misleading intent. Not to mention that her relationship with Yueyao was decent behind closed doors, even if it were as bad as it seemed on the surface, she couldn’t just follow her. Everyone has secrets, and prying into others’ is annoying and lacks class.

Hong Yi, facing Yuehuan’s sharp gaze, did not dare to say more.

Yueyao felt the three-day wait to be very long. Master Xuan Tian was a renowned high monk; to be able to hear his explanation of the scriptural texts was an immense blessing.

Finally, the three days passed. That day, after completing her morning devotions, Yueyao ate something simple and headed up the mountain. She brought Qiao Lan and Hua Lei with her this time.

Hua Lei, seeing Yueyao stride swiftly, her steps almost flying as they entered the temple, was very curious, “Young lady, is there something happening today?”

Yueyao smiled and said, “You’ll know when we reach the mountain.”

Upon reaching the mountain gate, they saw Ji Xiang waiting. Ji Xiang told Yueyao, “Benefactor, idle people cannot enter the hall.” Ji Xiang meant that the two maids would not be able to enter the main hall.

Yueyao immediately understood that there must have been a distinguished guest, which was why aside from those permitted, others could not enter, “Don’t worry, little master, I understand.”

Hua Lei wanted to ask, but was stopped by Qiao Lan, “There must be important guests in the temple. Later, we should listen to the little master.” As maids, they were to observe more, do more, and speak less. Hua Lei was somewhat indulged by the young lady, but Qiao Lan felt it necessary to remind her.

Realization dawned on Hua Lei, and without saying more about not being allowed into the hall, she obediently waited in the courtyard next to the main hall.

When Yueyao entered the main hall, she found it filled with monks and not the distinguished guests she had expected. Yueyao felt very odd, and whispered, “Ji Xiang, why are there no other people here?” Yueyao remembered that Master Xuan Tian’s sermons were always crowded, and those who devoutly believed in the Buddhist Law would attend. It could be said–the greater the reputation, the more people would come. But now, the hall wasn’t even full.

Ji Xiang brought his hands together in prayer, “Amitabha, benefactor, this time Grand Master Xuan Tian is conducting the teaching for the monks within the temple and has not invited others.”

Yueyao then realized her mistake; it was a teaching session held by Master Xuan Tian for the monks in the temple, not the public Dharma sermon she had thought. However, Yueyao was not disappointed; she had no expectations of meeting dignitaries and was there purely to listen to the teachings of Buddhism.