First meeting 761
as like a monster, everyone feared and loathed me. And the ring I had been wearing on my chest for eighteen years, it was said to be a betrothal gift left by the sinister being who had relations with...The Qingyu Temple is surrounded by verdant mountains, with winding paths leading to secluded spots.
Here, the fragrance of flowers, grasses, and trees washes away the dust in your heart.
We spent the night at Xiaomiao Peak and started our climb slowly before dawn the next day.
We came to the Back Mountain Hall. This place was where Old Madam Shen had led me before, and it wasn't easily open to outsiders. Even the Taoists didn't do their morning and evening prayers here.
The entire hall was very quiet.
Before the sun had risen, we pushed open the door.
In the main hall, there is a statue of the Great Deity Tai Yi. Its divine appearance is both compassionate and majestic.
Lin Yanqin whispered, "Xiao Qiao, are there any rules about making wishes I didn't understand before, but now I'm afraid of profaning the gods. After requesting divine protection, do we need to make a promise in return and fulfill it according to our vow"
I looked up at the divine aspect of the revered deity and gently shook my head, saying: "Honorable deity, I ask for no reward. All I seek is that believers harbor kind thoughts, perform good deeds, speak kindly, and spread goodwill."
With a kind heart, good deeds in action, and kind words spoken, spreading kindness… Lin Yanqin silently recited both sides, nodded and said softly: "Hmm, I remembered."
My older brother shook his head and said, "You never used to pray to the gods before, and now you're suddenly so devout... I thought you had converted to Western deities."
Lin Yanqin quickly explained: "No, no, I've never dared to believe in foreign gods. Our family doesn't allow children to believe in religion, especially foreign ones... But Taoism is a native religion, its ideas have been integrated into our bloodline. I don't really believe in it, more like I respect it."
She knelt down on the cushion while speaking, sincerely apologizing to the Buddha statue.
I glanced at her and my brother, silently thinking in my heart: Since both the Lin family and Mu family have representatives, then I'll represent the Shen family and pray for my mother's family.
I knelt down on the cushion at the far right, silently reciting the revered scriptures, and then whispered my prayer —
One, may there be favorable winds and abundant rain; Two, may the country prosper and its people live in peace; Three, may there be peace throughout the world; Four, may there be an abundance of resources and prosperity for the people; Five, may my family members live in harmony and safety; Six, may disasters be averted; Seven, may the elderly enjoy good health and longevity; Eight, may children be safe and healthy; Nine, may yin and yang be in balance and the two realms coexist harmoniously without turmoil; Ten, ...
"To grow old together, hand in hand, until our hair turns white and we never part." I whispered softly, my face flushing slightly. To say such things before Master felt a bit...biased, like favoritism.
A sudden chill came from behind me, and Jiang Qiyun appeared behind me, reaching out to clasp my lower abdomen, preventing me from bowing.
His cool, thin lips brushed against my earlobe, and he whispered, “...Is it too much trouble to ask Taichi-sama for these wishes Why not ask me instead”
"How can I beseech you Should I seek your image and pay my respects with incense" I whispered.
Jiang Qiyun lightly smiled and said: "There's no need for so much trouble, just the favor of my wife is enough. I will definitely accommodate my little wife's request."
I smiled at him, and he smiled back at me.
Outside the main hall, a ray of morning light pierced through the clouds and mist, casting a soft glow upon him.
I heard the morning bell in the distance, and close by, my brother patiently taught Lin Yanqin to recite a mantra, sincerely pouring his own tender hopes into the heavens.
I also heard the birds singing and the sound of dewdrops falling.
All the sights of the world whizzed past me, but at this moment, my eyes and heart held only him.
My husband, Your Majesty the Emperor.
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May there be favorable weather and abundant harvests; may the nation enjoy peace and prosperity.
Three wishes for the world to be peaceful, four wishes for prosperity and abundance.
Five aspirations for my family's peace, and six aspirations for calamities to be dispelled;
May the elders enjoy longevity and blessings, and may the young be safe and well.
May the yin and yang harmonize, bringing peace to both worlds without a single ripple or disturbance.
May we walk hand in hand until the end of our days, never to be parted.
(The first part is complete)as still wearing that mask. He must not have wanted others to see his face. I had instructed the medical staff about this at the time."Well, Lin Yanqin may be innocent, but she's very emotionally inte...