Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Grand Ceremony

The child-seeking ritual in the hall is personally led by Mrs. Zhang, who kneels before the Bodhisattva as high monks chant and bless her. Buddhist music plays continuously, from morning until night. She then moves to a dedicated meditation room to follow the scriptures and chant throughout the night to conclude the ceremony.

However, the deacon mentioned that since this is about seeking a child, the more sincere the heart, the better it is. One day is the minimum, but three days and three nights are ideal.

During the ceremony in the hall, incense guests are free to observe from the side.

After the prayer session, few incense guests remained in the temple; however, those curious enough stayed upon hearing about the event, mostly coming to watch the ritual.

Afterward, they were all astonished by the beauty of Mrs. Zhang.

There is a kind of person in this world who, even with a bare face, untouched by makeup, is as pure as a lotus emerging from clear water. Even without brocade clothes or adorned jewels, she remains absolutely unblemished in her beauty.

Her beauty is dazzling yet elegant and pure, evoking no sense of desecration. It is a beauty that can cleanse the heart, seeming to reflect the darkness within, causing one to feel ashamed unconsciously!

Huangfu Jingchen felt uneasy in his heart and wanted to see if that person was Xia Wenjin, so he went to observe the ceremony.

Then he immediately saw the person kneeling at the front of the hall.

His heart shook violently. The brows, the eyes, the lips, the face… there was no mistake, it was Xia Wenjin. She had merely changed into women’s clothing, trying to appear older by wearing a married woman’s hairstyle.

There was no alteration to the features of her face.

Yet, she was so incredibly beautiful!

A beauty beyond compare!

His heart pounded fiercely. To think that Wenjin dressed as a woman could be so attractive!

It’s a pity she is a man; if she were a woman, one could only wonder how deeply they’d be ensnared, lost to dreams and desires!

Presiding over the ceremony this time was Chief Master Ming Qing.

Not only Master Ming Qing, but also Master Ming Ze from the West Hall and Master Ming Xi from the rear hall were present. The three took turns chanting, with three of the four major chiefs present, making the occasion extraordinarily grand.

Huangfu Jingchen whispered to a monk beside him, “It’s just one person seeking a child. Why such grandeur?”

The monk replied, “The Chief Master knows of the female patron’s urgent desire for a child, so he helps her with a compassionate heart!”

Huangfu Jingchen asked, “So why isn’t the Abbott present?”

The monk responded, “The child-seeking rituals have always been presided over by the Chief Master, or Masters Ming Ze or Ming Xi. The Abbott practices Suffer Zen and rarely sees laypeople, hardly participating in the prayer sessions. He joined yesterday only because Master Kong Chan, a high monk from Bodhi Temple, was present.”

Huangfu Jingchen praised, “The Abbott has severed worldly ties and is devoted to Buddhist practice. Truly admirable!”

The monk, with a sense of pride, replied, “Of course. Our temple’s thriving incense trade is due to the virtues and respect commanded by the Abbott and Chief Master!”

Huangfu Jingchen curiously asked, “Other temples usually have four major chiefs. Does Shian Temple only have three?”

The monk glanced at Huangfu Jingchen and said, “Our Shian Temple is quite large, and naturally has four major chiefs. There is also Hall Master Ming Xuan, but like the Abbott, he practices Suffer Zen and seldom appears outside of public lectures in the temple.”

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Jingchen understood. The pursuit of children began with Ming Qing, who gathered Silver to renovate the temple. The reputation for successful child-seeking spread, attracting people who actually got results. News traveled, even reaching neighboring counties, and the incense money from grateful families significantly expanded the temple’s scale.

Ming Qing even initiated monthly events at the beginning and mid-month for casting lots.

It must be said, if Ming Qing ventured into business, he would certainly excel.

Huangfu Jingchen glanced at Xia Wenjin once more. Her attire made him feel it’s highly inappropriate, yet surprisingly novel, and he couldn’t help but keep looking.

Xia Wenjin seemed to fit whatever role she played. At this moment, she was entirely the image of a devoted woman seeking a child.

Huangfu Jingchen realized he couldn’t look any longer.

If this continued, he feared he would become entranced by Xia Wenjin’s female guise, mistaking her for an actual woman.

Resolutely, he turned away and exited the hall. Crossing the square, he intended to find Kong Chan, when someone approached, calling crisply, “Huang Zheng!”

Huangfu Jingchen frowned slightly, asking, “What do you want?”

Sang Xuewei walked briskly toward him, tilting her head playfully, “Huang Zheng, where did you come from? The main hall? I heard a beautiful woman seeking a child is here, and everyone’s gone to see. Did you come back from watching, too?”

Huangfu Jingchen replied, “No!”

Sang Xuewei shifted her eyes, revealing a look that said she knew the truth and teased, “You saw her, right? Wasn’t she beautiful? Let’s go see again. I don’t believe anyone’s beauty can surpass mine!”

Huangfu Jingchen glanced at her, his expression unreadable. Comparing beauty with a man? What’s wrong with her?

Sang Xuewei approached and tugged at him, “Are you not a man? Ignoring a beauty? Come on, let’s go see!”

Huangfu Jingchen evaded her and said calmly, “If you want to go, go yourself. Don’t drag me along!”

Sang Xuewei complained, “Huang Zheng, you’re really tiresome. That day, the important silk scroll, I let you have it when you asked. You even bumped into me and took advantage, and I didn’t say anything. Why are you acting aloof now?” She looked around him curiously, asking, “That Xia Wenjin with you? Where is he?”

Huangfu Jingchen had never met such a clingy woman before. Regarding the silk scroll, everyone relied on their skills; her failure to obtain it and claiming she let him have it was brazen. He had no desire for further entanglement, so he stepped back and said, “Miss, be at ease, I have matters to attend, I’m leaving!”

Watching Huangfu Jingchen stride away, Sang Xuewei pouted, feeling somewhat frustrated. She was accustomed to having people revolve around her. It was her first time being ignored like this by a man, which, while unpleasant, also ignited a strong desire to approach and conquer him.

She turned and chased after Huangfu Jingchen.

Huangfu Jingchen heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Sang Xuewei following. Annoyed, he asked, “Didn’t you say you were going to see a beauty? Why follow me?”

Sang Xuewei retorted, “Who said I was following you? The road is so wide; can you walk it but not me?”

Huangfu Jingchen had no interest in arguing with her further, so he continued on his way.

Yet, he noticed that whenever he moved forward, Sang Xuewei followed. He turned, and she turned, always behind him. How could she claim not to be following him?

Exasperated, Huangfu Jingchen asked, “Miss Sang, what exactly do you want?”

Sang Xuewei blinked her large eyes, saying, “I want to talk to you!”

Huangfu Jingchen didn’t want to be stuck with her, so he patiently responded, “Please speak!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep