Chapter 61 Intent
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On August 14th, Abbess Sun led her disciples in a ritual, and Cheng Jiao-niang and her maid moved into their new residence.
In the front hall and back courtyard, Abbess Sun assigned a young attendant to manage the incense offerings.
“You must be respectful and adhere to the rules here. Do not go to the back unless summoned, but make sure to thoroughly clean and tidy the back courtyard,” Abbess Sun repeated her instructions over and over.
If it weren’t because the temple needed her, she would have insisted on staying in the Tai Ping Palace herself.
That’s right, this place was called Tai Ping Palace now, no longer the Small Xuan-miao Temple. Each mountain only had one temple and the temple belonged to the palace.
Abbess Sun looked down at the mountain and exhaled with a sense of relief. What she once thought would never come to pass had actually become a reality.
Although it now belonged to that daughter of the Cheng family, she was still a young lady, not a practitioner, and would eventually leave sooner or later.
The maid came out to clean the corridor and saw Abbess Sun pacing hesitantly outside the door, as if she was about to enter but also seemed ready to leave. She took the initiative to greet her.
“Is your mistress awake?” Abbess Sun asked.
“Yes, she’s awake,” the maid replied with a smile.
Abbess Sun seemed to hesitate, unsure of what to say.
“Is everything comfortable? If you need anything, I can get it for you,” she said.
“Good, good, very good,” the maid responded.
“Please come in,” Cheng Jiao-niang’s voice came from behind the door.
The maid quickly got up and opened the door. Abbess Sun took a deep breath and stepped inside in response.
“This time, we’ve made you spend a lot of money,” Cheng Jiao-niang said directly.
The money given to Abbess Sun was not spent much on repairing the temple; it was mostly used to decorate the residence. Everything—floor mats, beds, doors, windows, curtains, and so on—was brand new.
“No, no, it’s just money that you earned,” Abbess Sun quickly said.
“I like it. A sensible person,” Cheng Jiao-niang said. “You’re very good.”
Was that a compliment?
Abbess Sun felt a little pleased. Despite being much older than the lady, she now felt like an inexperienced young girl, while this young lady seemed like a worldly old matron.
Abbess Sun couldn’t help but smile.
“What do you need me to do for you? Just let me know,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
The maid was somewhat surprised; it was the first time she had seen the mistress speak so proactively.
Abbess Sun was also surprised, but felt mostly pleased.
“I, I would like to ask if you could let Ban Qin teach my disciples some culinary skills,” she said directly.
The maid was stunned.
“Learn this? For what?” the maid couldn’t help but ask.
“That old man likes your cooking skills. Now that you’ve moved to the mountain, it wouldn’t be appropriate to trouble you all the time, so I thought…” Abbess Sun said awkwardly.
She couldn’t directly say that she wanted to make…
“Do you want a big name or just a small name?” Cheng Jiao-niang interrupted and asked.
A big name? A small name?
Was it possible that this lady guessed her intention again?
Abbess Sun felt even more anxious.
“If so, if you want a small name, I can offer you fried, sautéed, braised, roasted, boiled dishes, fish, meat, eggs, rice, fruits, tea, wine, and soup—all kinds of culinary techniques,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Abbess Sun’s eyes widened in astonishment.
So those things weren’t actually the maid’s skills?
“It’s her skill; I merely mentioned it,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Just mentioning it made that old man eager to eat at their temple three times a day?
Abbess Sun felt a bit excited.
She had asked the right question this time!
With so many methods for a small name, a full banquet could be prepared. If it were a big name…
“If so, for a big name, you may choose only one of the techniques mentioned,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Both Abbess Sun and the maid were once again astonished.
One? Just one type? Could that really make a big name?
“Abbess,” Cheng Jiao-niang looked at Abbess Sun, “What is the purpose of your cultivation?”
Abbess Sun suddenly became clear-minded.
“You cultivate the Great Dao, and these are just small paths among many.* They can serve as a supplement, but not as the main focus. Without distinguishing between the primary and secondary, the great and the small, the Dao remains distant,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Yes, this was a Daoist temple, not a restaurant.
She was cultivating the Dao, not seeking fame.
She was a Daoist priest, not a chef.
How could she lose her way, forget the true path, and, even if she gains fame through the offering of meals, what has the Xuan-miao Temple become?
Even with great renown, wouldn’t wearing this Daoist robe turn into a joke?
With such a joke, how long could that reputation last?
So, learning too many skills was actually a small path.
“Thank you,” Abbess Sun sincerely bowed and offered her thanks.
Cheng Jiao-niang looked at her and smiled slightly.
“There’s no need to thank me. If you must thank someone, it should be yourself,” she said. “If people respect me by a foot, I must return their respect by a yard. This, is the Dao.”
This was the third time Second Master Cheng had come to the Zhang family’s old residence. Unlike previous visits, he was accompanied by another man this time.
The man, in his thirties, was tall and dressed in a scholar’s robe, exuding an air of literary elegance.
“Does the old master often not stay at home?” he asked, speaking with an accent.
“Yu Kun, it’s unfortunate that you’ve come at this time,” Second Master Cheng said, casually with a touch of local hospitality. “The old master has always avoided people. With so many students and visitors, he intentionally keeps himself out of sight.”
The man called Yu Kun glanced at Second Master Cheng with a hint of envy.
“Being a local, you could see him often,” he said. “I was taught by teacher for three years but have been traveling the northwest. Since our teacher went to the capital, we’ve been separated for several years. I’m content to see the old residence of our teacher on this trip. I don’t dare disturb the old master. I will take my leave now.”
Second Master Cheng quickly stopped him.
“Yu Kun, don’t be hasty. It’s not easy to come here, so you should at least have a visit,” he said, somewhat anxiously.
Liu Yu Kun, also known as Liu Pu, had long been renowned. A member of the Liu family from Tong-zhou, Liu Pu was now a minor official, but his uncle was no ordinary person. He was Liu Ping, the top scholar of the third year of You Ning*, and now a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy.
Second Master Cheng had long known that Liu Pu was also a disciple of Zhang Chun. However, due to the distance and the fact that they were not classmates, they had never had any interaction. It was unexpected for Liu Pu to come to his door, and Second Master Cheng could not miss the opportunity to build a connection.
He had wanted to meet his teacher’s father, but after sending gifts twice, he had still been unable to gain entry.
Second Master Cheng had boasted, insisting on bringing him in again.
“Better not to disturb the old master. If he doesn’t wish to see us, then we shouldn’t insist,” Liu Pu said.
Second Master Cheng continued to hold on, urging the servant to go to the gatekeeper again.
The servant reluctantly shuffled off, secretly resenting his master for boasting and making grand statements.
What did he mean by seeing him often? This was already the third time this month, and they hadn’t even made it past the gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper was pretending to be deaf and mute, clearly refusing to let them in. Still, they were being sent to ask again, which would only result in more disappointment.
The servant sulkily made his way over. Before he reached the door, it opened, and he saw a maid with a basket walking out.
“Miss, please take care. I’ll fetch a carriage right away,” the gatekeeper, who usually pretended to be deaf and mute, said with a toothless smile, speaking warmly.
“No need. It’s not far. I still need to go to the East Market, so I’ll walk back myself,” said an unremarkable little maid with a smile.
“That won’t do! You’ve specially brought food for the old master. To let you walk back would be improper hospitality!” the gatekeeper said, with a righteous tone.
The servant was stunned, thinking, “Is it really such a big deal just for a bite of food? And now this maid is treated like a guest? Which family’s maid is this? Quite impressive!”
Translator’s Note:
*Great Dao (大道): This refers to the fundamental, universal principle that governs all existence. It’s the highest, most significant path or truth in Daoism. Whereas using “small path”（小道） in this manner suggests that the person is relying on trickery or less ethical methods rather than following the proper or moral path. It conveys a sense of manipulation or deceitfulness.
*You Ning（佑宁）: The last dynasty
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