Chapter 159: Drawing Lots
Seeing that the three people ignored the Second Master and just kept looking around, Xiao Xia hurriedly reminded them in a low voice.
After hearing what Xiao Xia said, the three of them remembered that they were not here for fun, but to fulfill a vow. Zhiqiu and Zhichun quickly shut up and stole a glance at the Second Master, only to see that the Second Master had already dismounted from his horse and was standing aside with his hands behind his back, looking at them coldly without saying a word.
Zhiqiu secretly stuck out his tongue and walked forward cautiously to support the second grandmother.
Walking slowly to Xiao Jun's side, Meng Xi bowed slightly and called softly:
"Second Master"
"Um"
Seeing that they had finally seen enough, Xiao Jun came over, and without saying anything, he hummed with his nose, nodded, turned around and walked into the hall. After entering the mountain gate, he saw several huge bodhi trees. Although it was late autumn, they were still tall and green. On the left and right were the Min Tower and the Drum Tower, and in front was the Heavenly King Hall. Erye did not stop to admire, but walked directly into the Heavenly King Hall, turned right and went out from the back door, and went straight to the Great Hall.
Zhiqiu supported the Second Grandma and whispered:
"I heard that drawing lots here is very effective. After we finish praying, let's go and draw a lot."
After all, they are modern people, and Mengxi has never believed in these things. But seeing Zhiqiu's longing look, she couldn't bear to spoil his fun, so she nodded and agreed.
Holding Zhiqiu's support, they climbed up the bluestone steps step by step and came to the incense burner in front of the main hall. Mengxi couldn't help but sigh that this body was too weak. It was not a long way from the Mountain Gate Hall to the Main Hall, but he was so out of breath after climbing these steps. It seemed that he needed to strengthen his exercise in the future. Finally, they arrived and stood there breathing heavily.
When she looked up, she saw that the Second Master was already waiting beside the incense burner, holding a lit stick of incense in his hand. He was looking at her, who was a little out of breath, with a frown on his face. Mengxi was used to seeing him like this and was not surprised. She simply ignored it.
Zhiqiu pouted her lips. If the Second Master was not the master whom she could not afford to offend, she would have taught him a lesson this morning. She cursed inwardly: Why are you frowning? The Second Mistress is weak to begin with, and she is a woman. How could she come up here in a few big steps like you? You can go and pay your respects first if you are idle. I am not asking you to wait for me.
When the Second Master saw Mengxi coming up, he handed her the lit incense. Mengxi was slightly stunned. There was such a rule that she had to worship first. But she was a woman, and wasn't it the rule of men being superior to women?
She took it calmly and was about to step forward to worship when she saw Xiao Jun glance at her, then took three incense sticks, lit them, and nodded to her.
Damn, we should worship together. If you don’t say it, no one will know. You are dumb. Seeing the second master like this, Mengxi cursed in her heart. She was excited for a long time in vain. She thought he had changed his personality and advocated women’s rights!
The two of them bowed three times together and both inserted the incense into the incense burner before turning around and walking into the main hall. This time Xiao Jun deliberately slowed down his pace to allow Mengxi to catch up, and they entered the hall one after the other. Mengxi looked at the prayer mat in front of her, then at the Mute Second Master. They were not going to kowtow together, were they? It seemed that the prayer mat was not big enough.
Just as I was thinking about it, the second master had already knelt down, his face extremely respectful and pious. He muttered a few words silently and bowed down respectfully.
Mengxi, who had lived two lives as a human, experienced for the first time what it meant to prostrate oneself in admiration. At this moment, facing the piety of the Second Master, she did not find it funny at all. Her heart also became sacred, and any trace of disdain she had felt before disappeared without a trace.
People should have faith, which is a kind of spiritual sustenance that can support themselves to live when they are desperate. These days, she lies in bed every day, feeling like a walking corpse, without a trace of life. Is it because she doesn't believe in anything that she loses all hope in this confused moment?
While she was thinking, she heard the Second Master cough. She came to her senses and found that the Second Master had finished praying and was looking at her. She hurried forward and knelt on the prayer mat, and bowed devoutly from the bottom of her heart, muttering silently:
"Merciful and compassionate Bodhisattva, please, for my sincere worship of you, give me some pointers and help me escape from the sea of suffering as soon as possible."
After reading it, he also imitated the Second Master and prostrated himself on the ground. After prostrating himself three times, he took the hand that Zhiqiu extended to him and stood up.
He stood up and saw the half-smiled Buddha Shakyamuni, and was shocked. Damn, what does this have to do with anything? I finally became pious for once in two lifetimes, but why is it that the Buddha of Three Ages is kneeling and reciting the Avalokitesvara Sutra?
She clasped her hands together, looked at the Buddha, and added in her heart, "May the Buddha bless you? The Buddha said that all dharmas are empty. What I just said was just an illusion. It is empty, empty."
When the Second Master saw Mengxi standing up, he turned around and walked out. Zhiqiu saw this and anxiously pulled the Second Mistress's sleeve and winked at her. Mengxi then remembered that Zhiqiu and Zhichun were determined to sign the document. Seeing that the Second Master was about to leave, she hurriedly called out:
"Second Master"
Xiao Jun stopped and looked back at her. Seeing the Second Master looking back, Meng Xi actually hesitated. The two of them came together to fulfill their vows. The Second Master was very awkward and acted like a mute all the way. She really didn't want to pay attention to him, but seeing Zhiqiu's eager face, she coughed lightly and said:
"Second Master, um, I'm here to ask for a fortune."
The two maids looked at the Second Master nervously, fearing that this cold man would refuse outright. But when they saw him pause, turn around and walk back, although he did not say anything, they understood that he agreed. They were immediately overjoyed. If they were not in the solemn and dignified Main Hall, they would have jumped up and down.
He joyfully helped the second grandma to the place where he drew lots, but seeing that the second grandma was determined not to draw lots, after pushing and shoving for a long time, Zhiqiu finally stepped forward and took the lot tube handed over by the little missal. He held it with both hands very piously, recited a few words silently in his heart, and shook it gently. After a while, a lot came out. The little missal had already picked it up and handed it up with both hands. Mengxi reached out to take it, and Zhiqiu also nervously stretched his head over to ask what was written on the lot.
"The door is full of good fortune and happiness, the door is prosperous because of accumulating good deeds, marriage and farming and silkworm affairs are all smooth, and the illness will be cured if a miracle medicine is found." Mengxi read it out softly while holding the fortune stick.
"How do you interpret this fortune?" Zhiqiu looked at the second wife in confusion and asked.
"Is there any need to explain it? Just look at the literal meaning and you will know that everything will go smoothly."
Seeing Zhiqiu looking anxious, Mengxi made up something.
"But I am not sick. Why do they say that a good medicine will cure a disease? This lot is perfect for the Second Madam."
Shit, this lot doesn't even tell you who to marry, do you think this is choosing a son-in-law? Mengxi rolled her eyes at Zhiqiu, who shut up tactfully.
"Amitabha, donor, if you want to interpret the fortune, you can go out from this door. There are people who can interpret the fortune in the side hall." Xiao Misan said, pointing to the door next to it.
"Second Madam and Zhichun please wait here for a moment. I will be right back."
After hearing this, Zhiqiu raised his leg and walked out, but Zhichun grabbed him and said, "Wait, let's go together after we finish smoking."
Zhiqiu looked at the Second Mistress and realized that he was being too impatient, so he quickly calmed himself and walked back.
Zhichun had already taken the lottery stick and shook it for a long time. A stick fell out. Before the little missal could come forward, Zhiqiu had already snatched it and read out the words:
“Sit in a quiet place without worries, sit or lie down while drinking tea after a meal, and don’t be busy with your body and mind, and you will surely avoid injustice and disaster.”
"It should also mean a smooth life. It seems that both of you have good luck in this year. Come over and listen to what the master says."
Mengxi listened to Zhiqiu's recitation and translated it literally. The two little girls blushed and were so happy. They were about to help the second grandmother out, but Zhiqiu suddenly stopped and advised:
"Second Madam, take a puff too, just for fun."
As Zhiqiu spoke, he reached out to take the stick box from the little missal and handed it to the second grandmother with both hands.
Mengxi would never believe this, and was about to refuse when she saw Erye standing aside and looking at her thoughtfully. She thought about how she had just said that she wanted to draw lots, and it would be bad to leave without drawing lots. She reached out to take the lot holder and shook out a lot at random, but Zhiqiu had already picked it up and said casually:
"The stone hides priceless jade and treasures, but strangers from other places look for them. It is like holding a lamp and looking for fire. It is better to stop wasting your time."
Mengxi frowned when she heard this. What the hell is going on? What is this? What is this?
This is how it is with lottery. If you don’t believe in it, then you can just not draw. But if you draw and don’t understand, you’ll always have a knot in your heart.
Zhiqiu and Zhichun also shook their heads, not understanding whether this lot was good or bad. Was it saying that Second Madam had worked so hard for nothing? Was it that everything Second Madam had planned was just a mirage? Zhiqiu secretly regretted for forcing Second Madam to draw this lot. If he had known this would happen, he would not have drawn it.
"Signing this thing means you have it if you believe it, and you don't if you don't. Second Madam, you don't have to believe it. Let's go back. Second Master will be impatient soon."
Second Grandma has been feeling depressed these days. What if the fortune is a bad one? That would be like adding insult to injury and cost Second Grandma her life. Thinking of this, Zhiqiu didn't dare to interpret the fortune no matter what and quickly changed the subject.
Zhichun was about to open his mouth when Zhiqiu glared back at him. Mengxi saw that Zhiqiu, who had just been so anxious to interpret the divination, was now in a hurry to go back. She understood her painstaking efforts and her heart was moved. No matter how unhappy this life was, it was enough to have a few people like her following her. Thinking of this, she turned around and said to the Second Master:
"Please wait a moment, Master. I will be back soon after I have interpreted the fortune."
After saying this, seeing that the Second Master didn't say anything, he took it as his consent and supported Zhiqiu as they walked towards the door.
The three of them, under the guidance of the little missal, went out and headed towards the side hall. They ran into the little missal who was coming out of the Yuantong Hall. When she saw the three of them coming out, she stepped forward and clasped her hands together, saying:
"Amitabha, the donor needs to interpret the fortune. The abbot of this temple, Master Jingyun, is waiting in the Yuantong Hall."
Mengxi glanced at Zhiqiu. Wasn't it said that Master Jingyun didn't meet people easily? Why was he interpreting the divination for people?
"It seems that Second Grandma is also a destined person. Let's go over and take a look."
When Zhiqiu heard this, the depression on her face disappeared and she became happy again. The master who was said to be so magical actually took the initiative to meet her second grandmother. It seemed that her second grandmother was definitely not an ordinary person.
"Okay, please lead the way, little master."
Mengxi supported Zhiqiu and was about to move forward, when she saw Xiao Misa clasping his hands together and saying to Zhiqiu and Zhichun:
"Amitabha, two donors, please go over there to interpret the fortune."
Damn, it's so mysterious, why don't you let me go together? Mengxi hesitated. She didn't have any concept of a high monk outside the law. For her, a person from the later generations, such a considerate Zhiqiu and Zhichun were much more important than the high monk.
"Master Jingyun wants to see you, but this is a rare opportunity. Second Madam, please go quickly. I will wait for you at the entrance of Yuantong Hall after I interpret the fortune."
After listening to Zhiqiu's words, she thought about it, nodded, and followed the little mass towards the Yuantong Hall. When she arrived at the steps, Mengxi stopped, looked at the high steps, took a deep breath, and was about to climb up when a hand reached out from behind to support her.
