Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 380 Dispute
Wang Yan sat at the desk copying Buddhist scriptures.

Sang Dian reported the news he had heard in the front courtyard: "The prefect of Kaifeng has come to discuss matters with you, sir. I heard it's because many hired workers have gone to the yamen to sue their employers."

Upon hearing this news, Sang Dian felt a deep sense of familiarity.

Isn't that how it is in Daming Prefecture?

People kept going to the government office to file lawsuits, and now the same thing was happening again in Bianjing.

If the master had experienced it once, he would know who was behind it and wouldn't have come to ask the young master for information.

Sang Dian still admired her husband, and calmly replied to the steward, "I don't know."

Aren't you afraid that one day everything will be exposed? When that happens, the master will definitely come to settle accounts with you.

Wang Yan looked up and out the window: "Are there many people guarding the South City Wharf?"

Sang Dian immediately said, "Yes, Madam Xie doesn't go out anymore these days." He knew his husband's plan; having finally escaped from the palace, he would surely be unable to control himself and would want to see Madam Xie.

Sang Dian earnestly advised, "Yang Xiaoshan and the others are becoming more cautious, probably because they're being watched. Young master, you'd better be patient for a while, lest you ruin Madam's plans."

Wang Yan said calmly, "I know."

Sang Dian slightly raised her eyes, afraid that her husband was just being stubborn.

As a loyal bodyguard, Sang Dian stretched his neck and said, "My lord, there are only so many sheets of paper bestowed by the emperor. Please don't ruin them by copying them again."

If someone were to write the Bodhisattva's name as Madam Xie's, that would be truly disastrous.

Moments later, Sang Dian was kicked out of the house.

A hint of joy flashed in the eyes of Sang Zhi and Sang Ji, who were standing outside the door. Sang Dian, who had been arrogant for so long, had finally suffered a setback.

A moment later, Sang Dian brought over a bowl of food.

"My lord, this is freshly made Xiangcheng Yuan." Madam Xie had made this for her husband before.

Sangzhi and Sangji thought their husband wouldn't pay any attention, but unexpectedly, a voice soon came from inside the house: "Bring it in!"

Sang Dian happily went inside again.

Sangzhi and Sangji exchanged glances. What exactly did Sangdian possess? How did she manage to win over her beloved so completely?

……

At the Privy Councilor's residence.

Xie Wenjing got up early, and after having breakfast, she was going to take her people to Yunqi Temple.

The Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching, and the female relatives who have been summoned to the palace to offer their congratulations are required to prepare a gift.

Although the Prince of Huai sent a jade screen carved with a birthday greeting yesterday, instructing Xie Wenjing to take it to Cining Palace in the name of the Xie family, Xie Wenjing still wanted to hand-copy a Buddhist scripture.

The Empress Dowager had been a devout Buddhist for decades, and everyone knew how to win her favor.

Copying Buddhist scriptures requires requesting scripture paper. Xie Wenjing had someone inform Yunqi Temple in advance to place the scripture paper before the Buddha, and now she was able to personally go and request it back.

"Be careful on this journey." Madam Zhou saw Xie Wenjing off to the carriage. Although she was unwell and could not accompany Xie Wenjing, she got up early and instructed the servants to prepare everything. This kind of maternal love would surely move people if they heard about it.

Xie Wenjing persuaded Madam Zhou to go back and rest, and the mother and daughter parted ways after a long while.

When the Xie family daughters traveled, in addition to a steward and three maids, they were also accompanied by guards. Such a grand procession was the envy of many.

The carriage stopped at Yunqi Temple, and immediately a nun came to greet it.

“The meditation room is all ready,” the nun said. “The nun will come to give a sermon to the lady in a little while.”

Xie Wenjing nodded, and led her servants to offer incense first, and then went to the meditation room to rest.

Incense burned in the meditation room, and tea and snacks were prepared, with a nun serving the tea. The steward said, "My wife has heard that the scenery around Yunqi Temple is quite beautiful, and she would like to go and have a look."

The nun immediately performed a Buddhist salute: "There's been construction going on in front of the temple recently, and it's crowded and noisy. Madam, please come another day."

Xie Wenjing asked with some doubt: "Does this mean we're going to expand and renovate the temple?"

The nun shook her head and said, "It's because a merchant took a liking to a piece of land in front of the temple and has now rented it to build a shop."

No sooner had the nun finished speaking than a voice came from outside: "We can't let them dig any further. How can we ruin the tranquility of the temple for a little money?"

Xie Wenjing's eyes flashed as she looked outside: "It seems to be Abbess Mingzhen."

The nun quickly bowed and hurried out to check the situation.

Xie Wenjing put down her teacup and opened the window.

Two nuns were standing there talking.

Xie Wenjing recognized them both: one was Abbess Mingzhen, and the other was Abbess Miaojing, the temple's abbess.

"It's one thing to rent out the land, but why dig up the surrounding land as well? If it rains, it could cause a disaster. Even if you don't care about the people in the temple, there are still houses of ordinary people nearby."

Master Miaojing advised Mingzhen: "Don't worry, I've already asked around, and they'll fill it in soon and flatten it with pebbles. Once it's done, the road will be easier to walk on."

“Those donors were thinking of the temple; they were all kind-hearted.”

Mingzhen was clearly not convinced: "I'm afraid those people have other intentions."

“Amitabha,” said Master Miaojing, “Do not have such thoughts.”

Mingzhen said, “I observe the heavens and it will rain tomorrow. If the land is not refilled today, I will take my disciples to drive away those people and take back the land.”

Xie Wenjing listened intently, unaware that the nun had returned to her meditation room.

“Benefactor,” the nun said, “Mingzhen is busy today and is afraid she cannot give a sermon.”

Xie Wenjing pointed outside: "Why is Abbess Mingzhen so angry?"

The nun recited the Buddha's name once: "Nun Mingzhen was also thinking of Yunqi Temple." She refused to say anything else.

After a brief argument, Abbess Miaojing was finally persuaded: "I will immediately send someone to inform them that the benefactors at the foot of the mountain are not allowed to dig any more ground around here, and that the dug-up land must be filled in immediately."

Master Mingzhen's furrowed brows finally relaxed a little, and she performed a Buddhist salute: "There is no time to lose, the abbot will arrange for the disciple to go immediately."

Master Miaojing had no choice but to nod.

Xie Wenjing watched the two nuns walk away into the distance. She closed the window and instructed the steward beside her, "Go and find out who is carrying out this large-scale construction in front of the temple? Why are they so unruly, provoking the two nuns to their anger?"

"If the Empress Dowager finds out about this, she will surely punish them."

The Xie family steward hurried out to inquire, while Xie Wenjing sat down again to drink tea.

Before long, there was a knock on the door of the meditation room. The servants of the Xie family went to answer the door and saw several female relatives standing there.

"Having heard that Madam Xie is here, I have come here to pay my respects."

The two women were invited into the house.

The two daughters of the Assistant Minister of Rites bowed to Xie Wenjing before sitting down around her.

"Is Second Madam also here to ask for a peace charm?"

Xie Wenjing shook her head: "No, I've come to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures."

Upon hearing the words "scripture paper," the two women looked on with envy: "Second Miss, are you going to copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager? Will you also be going to the palace for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet?"

(End of this chapter)