nycdaug Chapter 207: Trip to Fahua Temple (2)
Chapter 207: Trip to Fahua Temple (2)
After Mei Hong left, a trace of disgust flashed across Yu Qingli's eyes, and she called out in a low voice: "Xiluo!"
Xiluo appeared in front of Yu Qingli swiftly. "What do you want, Miss?"
"Fahua Temple, you come with me."
Xiluo was stunned, feeling somewhat puzzled. The young lady had previously said that maids were not allowed to be brought with them to the Fahua Temple this time, so Meihong had given up on the idea. Could it be that...
As if seeing Xiluo's doubt, Yu Qingli said calmly: "That's just a lie. Compared to Meihong, I want to take you there more!"
Xiluo's heart moved, and he knelt on one knee and said, "Thank you for your trust, Miss."
Yu Qingli responded and instructed, "Although I'm taking you with me, I also have something for you to do. Mei Hong must not know that you and I are going to the Fahua Temple for the time being. Can you do that?"
"Don't worry, Miss!"
Yu Qingli nodded slightly and hoped that everything would go well tomorrow.
Early the next morning, Yu Qingli was ready. The carriage from the palace to pick people up also stopped at the gate of Yu Mansion early. There seemed to be someone sitting in the carriage.
Wang and others sent Yu Qingli to the door, and the curtain of the carriage was slowly lifted. Murong Feng stuck his head out of the carriage. Today he was wearing a white robe, elegant and handsome. There was a bright pearl on the small gold crown on his head, and his gentle and handsome face made him look extremely elegant.
Murong Feng saw Yu Qingli in the crowd at a glance. Among the red gauze and green skirts of Wang and others around her, she was wearing a lilac long skirt, dignified and elegant, like a lotus isolated from the world, lonely and proud.
A woman like this belongs to him!
Murong Feng smiled gently, his eyes passing over Yu Qingli's face and landing on Yu Zhengsha who was standing beside him. "Prime Minister, time is running out so I won't stay any longer. My mother and the others are still waiting."
Yu Zhengsha nodded slightly, "Your Highness, please feel free to do as you please. Qingli, be careful with your words and actions!"
Yu Qingli nodded, indicating that she understood. Murong Feng reached out from the car and said, "Qingli, get in."
Looking at the pair of white hands, Yu Qingli's heart tightened. Once, she thought that she would hold these hands and accompany each other until old age, but in the end, everything was just a beautiful dream.
Although she felt disgusted, she still reached out and held Murong Feng's hand. Her fingertips were slightly cold, and the chill penetrated into her heart.
"Let's go..."
Following an order, the carriage moved slowly.
Yu Qingli sat opposite Murong Feng, the hatred in her heart surging like a raging sea. She had to clench her hands tightly to suppress her emotions, and her lowered eyes covered the hatred in her eyes.
"Puff!" Murong Feng laughed out loud, "Qingli, it's only been a few days since we last met, and you seem to be much more reserved."
Yu Qingli calmed down her emotions. It wasn't possible now, it wasn't the right time yet. One day, she would make Murong Feng pay the price!
A faint smile spread from the corner of her lips, and Yu Qingli's face was as bright as the rising sun.
"Brother Feng, I'm just a little nervous. After all, this is the first time we've been alone together since the arranged marriage!"
Yu Qingli lowered her eyes in a coquettish manner, "Last time at the mansion, I heard Brother Feng say that he wouldn't mind that I have an unlucky fate. I was so happy."
Murong Feng's heart moved. It turned out that she was just shy. Come to think of it, she has always been fascinated by him. Now that she has the opportunity to ride in the same car with him, it is natural for her to be a little restrained.
He immediately soothed her softly, "Qingli, those nonsense were just the words of those monks. You don't have to take it to heart."
Yu Qingli's expression darkened. "But if it is true, what should we do?"
Murong Feng reached out and held Yu Qingli's hand, "No, that can't be true."
Yu Qingli did not dodge and let him hold her hand. She tried to tell herself that she was now trying hard to play the role of admiring Murong Feng and must not reveal her true identity. Even though she wanted to kill him right now, that would be too easy for him. Taking away the thing he cared about most from his hands was the best way to take revenge!
The carriage moved forward and soon met up with the queen's carriage. Then the group headed towards the Fahua Temple in a mighty procession.
The carriage finally stopped. After a gentle and affectionate journey with Murong Feng all the way, Yu Qingli felt extremely tired. Xiluo had already been waiting outside the carriage and helped Yu Qingli get out.
The Queen and others had already gotten off the car and were waiting in front. Murong Feng also got off the car and took Yu Qingli to meet the Queen.
Queen Li wore a dark golden phoenix robe today, which was solemn and majestic. Her hair was piled high and decorated only with peonies. She looked dignified and noble. Her every move and gesture showed the example of a mother of a country.
Next to Queen Li stood a woman in her thirties, wearing a well-fitting dark red palace dress and a pair of charming eyes. She should be Concubine Lin.
Murong Cheng still stood beside Concubine Lin with an indifferent expression.
The girl next to her looked pretty and charming. Her pink dress made her stand out among the crowd. She looked a little impatient, as if she was extremely dissatisfied with Yu Qingli's lateness. She was really dissatisfied. If she hadn't had to wait for Yu Qingli, she would have left with the little uncle long ago.
When Yu Qingli's eyes swept over Queen Li and others, Queen Li's gaze also fell on Yu Qingli who came with Murong Feng.
The woman in front of him had a kind of beauty that was independent from the world. She exuded a cool temperament. She didn't look like someone who liked to be competitive. Her eyebrows were delicate and graceful, very similar to her sister. Her manners were also very dignified and appropriate. It was hard to find fault with her.
Yu Qingli stepped forward and respectfully saluted Queen Li, "I, Yu Qingli, pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen, Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and Her Royal Highness the Princess!"
"Get up quickly, why should we be so polite as a family?"
Queen Li had a gentle demeanor and looked very amiable, but Yu Qingli knew the true nature of the queen. She was narrow-minded and especially fond of holding grudges. Such a person was the hardest to offend.
As the saying goes, it is better to offend a gentleman than to offend a villain.
After Yu Qingli thanked him, she stood aside respectfully. Murong Yuan looked Yu Qingli up and down and said, "This is my future sister-in-law. She's not that great!"
Queen Li glanced at Murong Yuan warningly, "Yuan'er, stop talking nonsense! Besides, logically speaking, Qingli is still your cousin!"
After that, he said to Yu Qingli, "Qingli, don't worry about it. This girl has been spoiled and always speaks without restraint."
Yu Qingli smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I don't take it to heart. What's more, what the princess said is the truth. The world is so big, there are many people better than Qingli. Qingli is indeed very ordinary."
Queen Li felt that Yu Qingli's words were sarcastic, but when she looked at Yu Qingli, she felt that her expression did not change much. It seemed that she really did not take Murong Yuan's words to heart.
Murong Feng took over the conversation and said to Murong Yuan, "Whether it's good or bad, it's not up to you to decide. As long as I like it, it's fine. Don't bully Qingli by relying on your status."
Murong Yuan snorted coldly, "I don't want to bother with you! Mother, Imperial Concubine, when are we going to burn incense?"
"You girl, you are still so impulsive." Queen Li smiled helplessly.
Concubine Lin on the side smiled and said, "This is also what makes the princess so likable. His Majesty really likes her true nature."
Murong Yuan curled her lips. She was not happy at all when being praised by Concubine Lin. Queen Li then walked towards the Fahua Temple with Concubine Lin.
Walking through the solemn gate, the scent of sandalwood mixed with the fragrance of the forest fills your nose, making you feel relaxed and happy.
Yu Qingli looked up and saw that most of the leaves on the lush mountain had fallen. The maple tree halfway up the mountain was like a red ribbon tied between the mountains, adding a bit of charm.
The solemn and majestic temple stands among the trees, adding a touch of solemnity and mystery.
The winding path was long. Walking up the long stone steps, Yu Qingli's heart calmed down for no reason. The deep bell sounds echoed in the valley, which had a very otherworldly flavor.
The group went up the mountain in a mighty procession. Three monks were already standing in the open space in front of the temple, seemingly waiting for a long time.
The leading monk had a kind face, especially his eyes which showed the wisdom and vicissitudes of life. The two monks behind him were a little younger, but they also had upright expressions and clear eyes.
When they saw Queen Li and others, the monks came forward and saluted.
The old monk clasped his hands together and said, "Greetings to all benefactors. I am Qiu Chan, the abbot of Fahua Temple. This is my disciple, the Four Existences and the Four Emptinesses."
"Master, there is no need to be so polite. I came here today to pray for blessings during the Mid-Autumn Festival. I am very grateful to you for this."
"Your Majesty, your words are too kind. Please follow me."
Queen Li and others followed Master Qiu Chan into the hall. Compared with the outside, the hall was a little darker, but more solemn. Each of the tall golden Buddha statues was magnificent.
Everyone knelt down devoutly before the Buddha statue, and even the unruly and willful Murong Yuan did not dare to overstep the line.
After the lengthy ceremony, Master Qiu Chan stepped forward and said, "Empress, this blessing ceremony ends here today. Everyone is tired from the journey, so why not go to the side rooms to rest first? Sikong, Siyou, take the donors to the side rooms."
The two monks responded and prepared to lead them to their respective rooms. Murong Yuan frowned and said, "This princess is not tired yet and does not want to rest for the time being."
Then he stepped forward and pulled Murong Feng's clothes and said, "Why don't you accompany me to walk around? I have never been to Fahua Temple before, I wonder if it is fun."
She added in her mind that maybe she could meet the little uncle. She didn't know where the little uncle had gone all the way up the mountain, but based on her understanding, it was absolutely impossible for the little uncle to stay in one place obediently.
Murong Feng was a little embarrassed and looked at Yu Qingli with a slightly apologetic look. Before he could say anything, he was dragged away by Murong Yuan.
Queen Li turned her head and saw that Yu Qingli looked calm. She stepped forward and held her hand, saying, "Qingli, I'm sorry for wronging you."
"Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. Qingli is already a great blessing to be able to accompany you to the Fahua Temple. There is no way she feels wronged."
Concubine Lin obviously didn't want to stay and watch Empress Li's hypocritical behavior, so she made an excuse: "Sister, I am really a little tired after this journey. I will go to the wing room to rest first. With that, I will take my leave."