After a roll of thunder rumbled past, large raindrops began to pour down. The road quickly turned chaotic, with people and horses thrown into disarray and dust flying everywhere. However, the rain soon created a misty haze that blurred the sky and surroundings.
In the temple by the roadside, people kept rushing in to take shelter from the rain, causing constant commotion in the already crowded hall. Due to the sheer number of people and the limited space in the temple, many had to stand under the eaves, getting splashed by the rain. The sounds of cursing and arguing from the shoving were constantly heard.
Those inside the temple were much better off compared to the people outside.
Some even started a small fire. A young girl, dressed in a simple blouse and skirt, was carefully warming wine on a small, square, hollowed-out brick stove. The aroma of the wine quickly spread, attracting the attention of even more people.
“Great wine…” someone commented.
But none of this bothered the young girl who was warming the wine. She swiftly picked up the wine pot, placed a small iron plate on top, and selected four pastries from a nearby box, arranging them on the plate. Then, she carried the wine pot over to the Buddha statue.
It was only then that everyone noticed a donkey cart parked there.
Those who had arrived early were truly fortunate; even their donkey was sheltered from the rain.
“Miss, the wine is ready,” the young girl said, pouring a cup.
The cart’s curtain lifted slightly, and a hand reached out, with fingertips just visible beneath a wide sleeve, accepting the cup before the curtain fell back down.
The young girl turned around, and the pastries warming on the stove started to release a tantalizing aroma.
“What kind of treat is this?” someone nearby couldn’t help but ask, eyeing the square rolls on the iron plate. Their appearance alone was incredibly appealing.
“Grandpa,” a four or five-year-old girl sitting in front of the Buddha table couldn’t hold back any longer and called out. Her fingers had been in her mouth for quite a while, and her bright eyes hadn’t left the small iron plate for a moment.
She was leaning against an elderly man around seventy years old, dressed in a brown cloth robe, his face full of wrinkles, but with a kind expression.
Hearing the child’s murmuring, the old man understood her thoughts and, feeling a bit embarrassed, gave her a gentle hug.
“Dan-niang, when we get home and you see your father, what’s the first thing you need to do?” he asked softly, trying to divert the little girl’s attention.
But nothing could outweigh the temptation of food for such a young child.
Leaning against her grandfather, the little girl couldn’t help but squirm.
The young girl had already picked up four small rolls, placed them on a small plate, and handed them to the person inside the donkey cart.
This time, the person in the cart only took one.
“Ban Qin, give these to the child.”
A lady’s voice from inside said, sounding rigid and direct.
Ban Qin, the young girl addressed, promptly turned around and brought the small plate to the little girl.
Upon hearing the lady’s voice, the elderly man had already risen to his feet.
“This…this is too much,” he said, his tone filled with apology and unease.
Ban Qin had already handed the small plate to the little girl.
Although the girl wanted to eat, she glanced at her grandfather, showing good manners.
“Sir, please don’t feel pressured. We’ve traveled together all this way, so we can consider ourselves acquainted,” Ban Qin said with a smile, reaching out to pat the girl’s shoulder.
The old man wanted to express his gratitude, but the lady’s voice suddenly spoke up again.
“Ban Qin, offer the elder a cup of wine,” she said.
“No, it’s fine,” the old man hurriedly replied.
Ban Qin, however, only listened to her mistress’s words and poured a cup of wine to offer to the old man.
In this era, the people were open-minded, and their personalities were also bold. Such back-and-forth pushing and pulling was deemed unnecessary. With a smile, the old man graciously accepted the cup, taking a sip and finishing it swiftly. Although he enjoyed drinking, he rarely indulged in this type of wine. As he swallowed, he felt a sense of relief coursing through his body. He wondered if it was an illusion, but the slight pain in his back seemed to have eased somewhat.
The old man returned the cup and thanked them once again.
The little girl also received permission to pick up a small roll from the plate and eat it eagerly.
“It’s delicious! What is this called?” she asked in her innocent voice.
“This is a red bean roll,” Ban Qin replied with a smile.
“You’re really skilled, young lady,” the old man praised, even he, as an elder, found himself tempted to eat.
“My mistress taught me this,” Ban Qin said, her face glowing with happiness.
Women secluded in the inner chambers weren’t necessarily devoid of practical skills; cooking held a significant place among their domestic responsibilities, and it’s not uncommon for them to excel in making snacks. However, it’s puzzling why this young girl seems so joyful and excited while discussing it.
Of course, if the old man knew that the lady who taught confectionery was a fool who couldn’t even speak properly just three months ago, he wouldn’t think so lightly of it. He might even be more surprised.
“You truly are clever, young lady,” the old man nodded with a smile, glancing at the donkey cart. “If it weren’t for your reminder about the impending heavy rain, advising us to take shelter in the temple, my granddaughter and I would have been caught in the downpour if we had continued on our journey. We are truly grateful.”
Ban Qin bowed slightly in acknowledgment and handed the remaining snacks to the little girl before turning to tidy up the utensils.
The surrounding people were astonished by the conversation they had just heard. That lady actually knew that heavy rain was imminent, so she sought shelter here in advance?
Someone could actually predict when it would rain? Especially considering that there were no signs of rain before the rain came just now, the weather was clear without a trace of rain.
Discussions spread among the people, attracting even more onlookers. The gazes directed at the donkey cart were now filled with curiosity and astonishment.
It was rumored that some people could read the stars at night and predict the past and future. Was the lady of unknown age sitting in this small donkey cart one of them?
A rough-looking man couldn’t help but tiptoe and look over in this direction.
“How did the lady know it was going to rain?” he shouted, “Did a deity tell you?”
This remark elicited laughter from the people in the temple, and the laughter carried outside, prompting inquiries from those outside. Soon, the lively atmosphere dissipated.
Ban Qin felt a twinge of irritation, sensing that this public jesting was directed at her mistress.
As the laughter died down and people began to pay less attention, the voice from inside the donkey cart spoke up.
“It wasn’t a deity; it was the sky that told me,” she said.
With this statement, the previously subdued lively atmosphere reignited.
The lady’s voice was serious and solemn, lacking any hint of jest. Could this be her characteristic way of telling jokes?
The rough man was the first to burst into loud laughter.
“Then, lady, did the sky also tell you when the rain will stop?” he shouted again.
The laughter in the temple grew louder.
“These common folk always speak like this, but they mean no harm. Lady, please don’t take offense,” the old man, cradling the little girl, addressed the donkey cart.
Observing the demeanor of the master and maid, from their comportment to their every action, it was evident that they were not ordinary citizens. These nobles, being teased in such a manner, would surely be displeased. They mustn’t be provoked.
The old man kindly consoled them.
Ban Qin was indeed somewhat irritated, but she didn’t know what to say. Her mistress had instructed her to do more and speak less.
The laughter subsided once again.
“The sky said it’s about to stop,” the lady’s voice came again.
This lady seemed to enjoy cracking jokes deliberately. Just as the laughter subsided, she managed to elicit more, timing her remarks to prolong the lively atmosphere.
This rundown temple had never seen such liveliness before. Even those who had been arguing over shelter from the rain were now laughing and reconciling with each other.
Suddenly, the laughter from outside ceased first.
“Hey, the rain has stopped!” someone shouted loudly.
One shout led to another, quickly drowning out the laughter inside the temple. With a collective cheer, many people rushed over to look outside.
Sure enough, the downpour had turned into a gentle drizzle. In that moment, as everyone looked on, the sky cleared up.
After a brief eerie silence, the temple erupted once again with lively chatter.
