In mid-July, Jiang-zhou entered its rainy autumn season, with the rain turning cooler. Xuan-miao Mountain, just outside the city, was enveloped in rain, its lush greenery accentuated, while two Taoist temples nestled below the mountain in a faint, misty outline.
As was often the case with mountains, Xuan-miao Mountain hosted the Xuan-miao Temples, each with its own distinct size and history. The Grand Xuan-miao Temple, situated at the mountain’s base and dating back to the Jin Dynasty, boasted two gates, three halls, and a stage. In contrast, the Small Xuan-miao Temple, perched halfway up the mountain, was modestly built with just a mountain gate and a single hall, offering breathtaking views.
Both temples adhere to the Kun Tao tradition*. The Grand Xuan-miao Temple was overseen by a Taoist nun and her five female disciples, whereas the Small Xuan-miao Temple was originally led by a Taoist who, in recent years, took in two orphaned girls as novices.
Despite its scenic beauty, Xuan-miao Mountain wasn’t renowned as a top-tier destination. Typically, one temple would suffice in such a setting, yet there were two here. One could easily imagine the level of incense offerings, especially since the reputation of one temple wasn’t favorable.
A short and stout woman rushed into the mountain gate, her eyes fixed angrily on a nun passing through the corridor as if she were a sworn enemy.
“You shameless little bald donkey, I’ll…” the woman yelled, charging forward.
However, the nun remained composed, clearly unfazed by such confrontations.
“Madam, this is the Grand Xuan-miao Temple,” she said politely. “Are you looking for the Small Xuan-miao Temple?”
The fist poised to strike the nun’s head froze in mid-air. After a moment of heavy breathing and a piercing glare, the woman spoke again.
“None of you are any good anyway!” With that, she turned and stormed back out.
The nun watched the woman’s retreating figure with a resigned smile, then a middle-aged nun stepped out into the hall. The young nun hurried over, bowing respectfully.
“Abbess,” she addressed.
The abbess nodded.
“Abbess, with all the commotion at the Small Xuan-miao Temple, our reputation is at stake,” the nun remarked with a wry smile.
The abbess let out a sigh.
“What can we do? That temple is supported by the Cheng family and doesn’t rely on donations for sustenance. Besides, with the Cheng family backing them, there’s little we can do,” she explained, standing in the corridor and looking towards the halfway point up the mountain. “It’s just a pity for such a beautiful place.”
A rolling thunder rumbled through the sky, startling the nun who covered her ears.
“Lately, there have been more thunderstorms,” she remarked.
“Isn’t it the same every year?” the abbess said with a smile, then turned and went inside.
The nun glanced again at the half-visible temple halfway up the mountain.
“It’s the same every year. Why doesn’t the thunder just strike it down?” she muttered to herself.
“This place was established many years ago with a nun from Qing Cheng Mountain to oversee it, and indeed, everything has been smooth,” the maid said. “It’s even more efficacious than the Grand Xuan-miao Temple down below, so no one remembered its original name and simply call it the Small Xuan-miao Temple.”
The wind, carrying strands of rain, brought a chill. She reached out to close the window, and as the deep black curtains settled calmly, the figure behind them became clearer.
The maid lifted the curtains and walked over, observing Cheng Jiao-niang quietly engrossed in her reading, as usual. She read with one hand moving slowly across the desk.
It’s not really like the usual since Cheng Jiao-niang’s hand movements had become much smoother compared to the past.
After finishing a line of writing, Cheng Jiao-niang stopped.
“The nun from Qing Cheng Mountain isn’t overseeing this place anymore, is she?” she asked.
“Of course not. That was a hundred years ago. How could she still be alive?” the maid chuckled, kneeling down and offering a cup of water. “After the nun passed away and they couldn’t find a replacement for a while, the Cheng family depleted its wealth digging rivers and diverting water. The temple fell into disrepair until Old Master restored it. Now, the abbess is from our own family, a woman from the southern Cheng branch who chose to practice here voluntarily.”
Cheng Jiao-niang remained silent for a moment. When she had arrived that day, the abbess greeted her, but she was busy talking to the steward’s wife and didn’t come over to Cheng Jiao-niang herself. Glancing absentmindedly, she appeared to be in her mid-thirties, her appearance not particularly remarkable, but her eyes were remarkably subtle and eloquent.
Various thoughts crossed Cheng Jiao-niang’s mind.
“Mm,” Cheng Jiao-niang simply responded.
The maid, receiving a reply, continued cautiously.
“Miss, would you like some snacks? There are fresh tangerines available down the mountain, and I bought a handful,” she said.
Cheng Jiao-niang paused, her hand resting on the book, silent for a moment.
The maid understood her contemplation and remained quietly attentive.
“Use sugar to coat them,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
The dishes Miss mentioned were always something she had never heard of, but the maid didn’t have any questions.
“Alright,” the maid said with a smile. “Can you tell me how to make them?”
The Small Xuan-miao Temple was nestled against the mountainside, with limited space. Apart from the mountain gate and the main hall, there were side rooms on both sides. Two round arched doors lead inside: on one side lived the abbess and two novices, while on the other side resided Cheng Jiao-niang and the maid. Each had their own kitchen.
As the maid walked over to their side, she noticed the two novices in the rain, clearing weeds and dry leaves from the water spout. They wore Taoist robes fashioned from old, now thoroughly soaked, appearing thin and fragile.
“Why aren’t you using an umbrella?” she couldn’t help but ask.
Her voice startled the novices, who nervously stood up, looking timidly at the maid approaching with an umbrella, unable to speak.
“It’s only a light rain. You two are just dawdling, which is why it’s taking so long,” a woman’s voice came from inside, and she soon emerged.
The abbess appeared, smiling as she glanced at the two young novices.
“Go start the fire and prepare the meal!” she commanded.
The two novices hurried off.
The abbess then turned to the maid, smiling.
“What can I do for you?” she asked.
“I’m here to borrow some sugar,” the maid replied, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the abbess’s smile and thus keeping her words brief.
“No need to talk about borrowing; we’re all part of the Cheng family,” the abbess said with a smile, turning to fetch a few pieces of sugar and handing them over.
The maid thanked the abbess and turned to leave, holding her umbrella and watching her steps. Suddenly, she bumped into someone at the courtyard gate. Looking up, she saw a burly man wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat.
The maid was startled.
This temple was for females only, how could a man be here?
“Firewood seller, you’re finally here! Why didn’t you deliver the firewood yesterday?” the abbess called out from behind.
Firewood seller? The maid quickly lowered her head, feeling his bold gaze scrutinizing her, and hurried away.
“I came to tell you that the weather was bad yesterday, so I couldn’t deliver the firewood. I’ll definitely bring it tomorrow,” the man’s rough voice came from behind her. As he moved to close the courtyard gate, his voice faded from earshot.
Watching the courtyard gate close, the man finally looked away, meeting the abbess’s half-smiling gaze.
“Couldn’t tear your eyes away?” the abbess remarked, leaning against the door with a lazy, seductive air, showing none of her earlier composure.
The man chuckled, reaching out to embrace her.
“Just a bit young, not that good-looking,” he said.
The abbess pouted.
“Is that the lady who was sent here?” the man asked. “I heard about her and came to see for myself. Won’t it be inconvenient for me to visit in the future?”
“That lady is a fool, and the one you saw is just a maid,” the abbess replied with a laugh, turning to go inside. “What’s inconvenient about it? If you don’t want to come, just say so.”
The man chuckled and followed her inside, closing the door behind him.
“…That maid is too ugly, not as good-looking as the two little ones you have here…”
“…I know what you’re craving, but you’ll have to wait. They’re still too young…”
The playful banter between the man and the abbess echoed through the window. In the kitchen, the two young novices huddled together, trembling with their heads down. The fire in the hearth was lit, but it seemed unable to chase away the cold that enveloped them.
Translator’s Note:
* The term “Kun Tao”(坤道) in Taoism refers to a path or tradition that emphasizes principles associated with the Earth or the feminine aspect of Taoist cosmology.
