At Tai Ping Residence.
The maid pushed the flying money draft forward, and Xu Maoxiu reached out to take it, handing it over to Manager Wu.
“Please take care of the arrangements, Manager,” he said.
Manager Wu, who had been running the Drunken Phoenix Pavilion for over a decade, was no stranger to money. However, this was the first time he had received such a large sum all at once, with the freedom to use it as he pleased.
“Can all of this be used?” he asked.
Xu Maoxiu nodded.
“Yes, and if it’s not enough, just let me know,” he replied.
Manager Wu smiled and accepted the money with a serious expression.
“Miss Ban Qin, could you kindly give me a ride into the city?” he requested.
The maid nodded in agreement.
“Miss has already spoken with Master Chen, and he has agreed to give Tai Ping Residence some guidance at the appropriate time,” she said.
Manager Wu nodded.
“I think this method is worth a try. After all, times have changed. Puxiu Temple is not the same as it used to be, where they would jump at the sight of money. Offering vegetarian meals is no longer a novelty. If we aim to replicate the success of the big bucket merchants from back then, I’m afraid it might not work. I hope Miss and Master are aware of this,” he added.
“Manager, there’s no need to worry. What Miss desires is not the same as what the big bucket merchants sought,” the maid replied with a smile.
Manager Wu and Xu Maixiu were momentarily stunned.
“Then what should we do?” the manager asked.
“Miss said that as long as we devote ourselves wholeheartedly and offer our sincere intentions, that will be enough,” the maid replied with a smile.
What? Was this truly about making an offering?
“Exactly, with sincerity,” Manager Wu quickly nodded in agreement, glancing toward the courtyard.
Li Dashao had not left the table, completely absorbed in examining the knives in his hands, determined to find the most suitable one for each task.
To achieve, one must first observe. There is nothing difficult in the world for those who are determined and earnest.
The hustle and bustle in Puxiu Temple had begun half a month ago, but as it had become routine, everything followed a set procedure. Coupled with the large number of monks in the temple, the atmosphere was busy but not chaotic.
“Another big spender?” asked a monk with a large head and ears, putting down the account book in his hand.
“Yes, five thousand guan,” another monk replied, handing over the flying money draft.
The portly monk took it and glanced at it casually.
“Not many fools are willing to spend this much money these days. Let’s give him an outer position,” he said with a laugh.
The outer positions were the most visible and the best.
But for now, what does it matter even if they are seen? It’s just vegetarian food after all, not as impactful as scattering money on the spot to gain fame.
“No, this family requested the innermost spot,” the monk quickly added.
The portly monk was taken aback.
“How interesting,” he chuckled, shaking the money in his hand.
“They said they want to offer their devotion wholeheartedly,” the monk explained further.
The portly monk laughed heartily.
“Fine, even better. Since they’re so sincere, we should accommodate them,” he said, tearing off a slip of paper. “Give them the position in front of the hall.”
The area in front of the hall was the most conspicuous spot in the entire venue, but it wasn’t the ideal place for those seeking fame through offerings, as the only focus there would be Master Minghai. Everyone’s attention would be on the Zen tea ceremony, not the offerings.
However, if someone was willing to spend money on such a seemingly foolish choice, who were they to stop them? Alas.
At the break of dawn the next day, the Chen family’s carriage had already arrived outside Cheng Jiao-niang’s gate.
“My sister has gone ahead with the other sisters from the family, so I came to pick you up,” Chen Dan-niang said cheerfully as she ran into the courtyard, seeing Cheng Jiao-niang already stepping out.
Cheng Jiao-niang reached out and took her hand.
“So early?” she remarked.
“It’s not early. If we wait until more people arrive, we’ll have to queue just to get in. We can have some fun in the temple first,” Chen Dan-niang explained.
Compared to waiting inside the hall for the dozen or so Zen tea ceremonies, she much preferred enjoying the moments of play outside the hall.
“Then let’s play outside,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Chen Dan-niang’s eyes widened with delight.
“Really?” she asked. “I thought you specifically wanted to see the Zen tea ceremony?”
“I came on a whim, and that’s already enough,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
Chen Dan-niang didn’t fully understand but didn’t press further, happily walking ahead with Cheng Jiao-niang.
“What did Miss mean by that?”
Jin Ge’er whispered from behind.
“In ancient times, Wang Huizhi suddenly felt the urge to visit a friend. After traveling all night, he arrived at his friend’s doorstep but then decided not to see him after all, so he turned around and went back,” the maid explained softly. “When asked why, Wang Huizhi said that he had come on a whim, and now that the whim had passed, he returned.”
Jin Ge’er and Ban Qin exchanged glances.
“What was the point of that?” they said.
The maid smiled faintly.
“There’s no ‘why’—it’s just how it is,” she said. “But Jin Ge’er must be pleased.”
It was said that the Zen tea ceremony involved over a dozen rituals, and if Miss had gone in, she would have had to sit for a long time. As a servant, Jin Ge’er wouldn’t have had to accompany her inside, but he would have had to wait by the door without wandering off, which would have been quite tedious for him.
Jin Ge’er chuckled.
In addition to the Chen family’s carriage, the maid had also rented another one specifically for the three of them.
Once everyone was seated, the carriages set off toward Puxiu Temple in the city.
The street in front of Puxiu Temple, usually bustling with activity, had now grown quiet.
Fresh yellow soil had been laid on the road, and officers from the Five City Watch stood along the roadside. Only after the distinguished guests who were to attend the Zen tea ceremony in the main hall had entered would the ordinary citizens be allowed in.
The reason for deploying the military and civil officers to maintain order was that members of the royal family would also be in attendance.
The common people, who had been waiting since the middle of the night, began to stir.
“They’re here, they’re here.”
These words prompted everyone to stand on tiptoe and crane their necks to see.
The emperor’s health was poor, so he rarely attended such events. With only two princes allowed to leave the palace, it was usually the two princes residing in the capital who attended. However, today the ceremonial procession was clearly of a higher standard than usual. Looking toward Puxiu Temple, the central gate, which was only opened for the emperor, had been swung wide open.
“It’s the First Prince!”
Although the First Prince was not the emperor, it was evident that he was attending on behalf of the emperor, so Puxiu Temple treated him with the highest honors.
The news spread quickly, and the crowd grew more and more excited, to the point where the officers from the City Watch had to use their whips several times to drive people back and maintain order.
The procession soon passed, followed by aristocratic families from the capital or those who had traveled from afar. The enthusiasm of the common people waned slightly, and they grew impatient waiting for their turn to enter.
In the imperial palace, the Duke of Jin’an sat in the hall, tossing a scroll of books up and down, visibly bored.
“Your Highness, are you really not going?” the eunuch asked.
“No, that old monk puts on such a show, it’s suffocating. I’d rather have him brew tea for me privately afterward,” the Duke of Jin’an replied.
“But it’s lively, Your Highness. It’s a shame you find it dull,” the eunuch sighed, a smile creeping onto his lips as if recalling something. “I still remembers the first night Your Highness stayed in the palace. You wouldn’t let go of my sleeve all night, and I ended up wetting my pants…”
The Duke of Jin’an burst into laughter, the sound growing louder as he threw down the scroll and slapped his thigh.
The eunuch laughed along, then turned his head slightly as if casually wiping the corner of his eye.
“With the First Prince attending, Your Highness doesn’t need to put on a grand display. You can go and enjoy yourself freely, maybe take a stroll,” the eunuch urged again. “Even if it’s just to have a bowl of vegetarian noodles at Puxiu Temple, it would be better than staying here. On a day like today, I really don’t want to see Your Highness sitting idle.”
The Duke of Jin’an smiled but said nothing.
“There’s one more thing. Your Highness has always been curious. Many people will surely attend this event, and the Chen family will definitely be there. If that lady is from the Chen family, she might go. And if she’s a guest of the Chen family, she will certainly be there,” the eunuch added.
Before the eunuch could finish, the Duke of Jin’an stood up.
“That’s true,” he said with a laugh, stretching his arms. “Attendants, bring my robes.”
