Chapter 1412
Jin Yue 13
Chapter 1412 Jin Yue 13
Tan You looked away: "I know. You can leave Bailuxuan when you've copied twenty books."
Wei was stunned. Was she being placed under house arrest? At her current rate of copying books, wouldn't it take her eight to ten years?
Ignoring Wei's fluctuating complexion, Tan You led Cheng Sui out of the carriage first. Cheng Qian supported Wei, who muttered, "This life... is unbearable!"
Cheng Qian smiled bitterly. Yes, this was unbearable.
"Father will be back soon. If we don't behave ourselves, things will get complicated with him..."
Wei immediately tensed up and quickly caught up with Tan You, saying, "Miss, I will definitely behave myself."
Please, whatever you do, don't lay a hand on Cheng Kun.
Wei didn't say it aloud, but everyone present understood.
Tan You merely snorted, and Wei Shi, as if she had received some kind of imperial decree, walked meekly beside Tan You. She was truly subdued now; Cheng Qian's example was right before her eyes, and she was terrified that Tan You would actually lay a hand on Cheng Kun.
Between her husband and son, Lady Wei would definitely choose her husband.
Tan You's lips curled up. In this kind of society, if she were Wei Shi, she would definitely choose her son, not her husband. After all, your husband is not necessarily only your husband, but your son, by blood and even by social norms, will always be her son.
So, Cheng Kun is coming back. What kind of surprise will he bring to the Wei family?
Looking at the new kinship line on Cheng Qian's face, Tan You smiled meaningfully.
The abbot of Baima Temple, Guangzhi, was highly respected and would preach on the high platform of Baima Temple on the first day of each month. When Tan You led Cheng Sui into the Mahavira Hall, an old monk with white hair and beard suddenly looked at Tan You, his prayer beads stopped turning, and he just stared at Tan You in a daze.
Their eyes met, and Tan You clasped her hands together in prayer. The old monk was slightly taken aback, then also clasped his hands together in prayer. Tan You smiled and took out the scroll of the Lotus Sutra that she had stayed up all night copying the previous day from her sleeve. Upon seeing it, the old monk quickly took it with both hands and respectfully placed it before the Buddha.
Tan You's eyes deepened. Extraordinary people and events can happen anywhere, and now she had actually encountered one. This Master Guangzhi had transcended worldly concerns.
Wei Shi and Cheng Qian were both surprised by Guangzhi's courteous treatment of Tan You. Before coming, they had thought Tan You was some kind of spirit or monster, but she seemed perfectly at ease in the Buddhist temple. Why was that?
Guangzhi led Tanyou to a secluded spot: "I have been practicing for many years, and I thought that the Golden Body of Merit was an illusion, but I never expected to see the real Buddha of Merit today."
In Guangzhi's eyes, Tanyou was radiant with gold, a veritable walking golden statue.
Tan You recalled her past experience of ascending to immortality through merit and couldn't help but smile: "Master Guangzhi, you flatter me. I have come today to light an everlasting lamp for Lin Jinyue."
Guangzhi personally guided them: "Please follow this old monk."
Tan You personally lit an everlasting lamp for Lin Jinyue, and then had Cheng Sui kneel and worship. As for herself, she watched from the side with her hands behind her back. She was not a Buddhist, so she did not bow when she entered the temple.
After finishing everything, Tan You looked at Guang Zhi and said, "Since you have seen through my origins, you must know that your days are numbered. You should hand over the affairs of Baima Temple as they need to."
Guangzhi smiled and said, "I did have a premonition. Birth, aging, sickness and death are all normal. I have long been prepared."
Tan You looked at him, then suddenly pointed her index finger at his brow: "I once met a Buddhist practitioner who was born with a Buddha-like heart. This is his understanding of the Buddha. We are destined to meet, so I will now give it to you."
Guangzhi clasped his hands together and said, "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening. Thank you for your kindness." Guangzhi then sat cross-legged, and Tan You led Cheng Sui out of the main hall. Gu Yu, Wei Shi, and Cheng Qian hurriedly followed, but their gazes were all different.
Gu Yu looked at Tan You with reverence. Merit Buddha, how many good deeds has this girl done? Has she already become a Buddha? She was becoming more and more curious about the girl's background.
Cheng Qian finally couldn't hold back any longer: "You killed someone, and you still have a golden body of merit?"
Tan You clenched her fist: "If Wei Ruoyu intended to frame someone, then she deserves to die. Ruthless methods and compassionate hearts are not contradictory."
Cheng Qian couldn't argue with Tan You. He hadn't expected that Tan You could openly enter and leave Baima Temple, and even receive such high praise from Master Guangzhi. And this fierce-looking woman was actually a great philanthropist?
Good heavens, with all the things she did in the Duke's mansion, how could she be considered a good person?
After returning from Baima Temple, the mansion was quiet for two days. Now that Madam Wei was confined to Bailuxuan to copy scriptures, the power of managing the household fell into Tan You's hands. How could Tan You have time to interfere?
She promoted several senior maids, who usually performed their own duties and only reported to her on major decisions, ensuring that she only focused on the big picture and delegated the smaller tasks. This was unlike Madam Wei in the past, who had to be involved in everything.
At noon, the gatekeeper came to report: "Young Madam, the Duke has returned. He sent word that the people he brought back should be settled, and he will go to the palace to meet the Emperor first."
Tan You put down the chess piece: "Go to Bailu Pavilion and inform Madam of this good news. She knows what to do. Also, tell Madam that copying books should be suspended before the Duke goes to war."
The doorman replied respectfully, "Yes, young mistress."
Inside Bailu Pavilion, after seeing off the gatekeeper, Madam Wei was almost overjoyed: "The Duke is back! He's finally back! Quickly, get him dressed and ready."
At that moment, Madam Wei was completely oblivious to the gatekeeper's words; her mind was entirely occupied by Cheng Kun's return. As for the people Cheng Kun brought back, Madam Wei didn't give them a second thought.
Tan You picked up a white piece, then suddenly smiled: "Sui-ge'er, do you want to watch a show?"
Cheng Sui plugged the bottle back in and carefully tucked it into his sleeve pocket: "Mother, what play are you watching?"
Cheng Qian also looked at Tan You with a probing gaze. Having spent the past few days with Tan You, he had also discerned some of her personality. She was an extremely wicked person. Once she categorized them as enemies, she treated them like a big cat toying with little mice, coldly watching them jump around.
At the same time, she took excellent care of those she categorized as her own. Not only did Cheng Sui constantly fawn over her, but even the maids, servants, and attendants in the mansion tried every means to curry favor with her.
Tan You chuckled, her gaze sweeping across Cheng Qian's face: "Your grandfather is still going strong. Congratulations to your father on becoming an older brother. It looks like it's a boy."
Gu Yu's ink dripped from the tip of her pen, her eyes widening in disbelief: "Miss, the Duke is already fifty, and Sui-ge'er is three years old... This... This is too absurd."
"Would a girl from a respectable family follow someone this old? Even if she wanted to be a concubine, she should have chosen someone younger."
Tan You gently pinched Gu Yu's nose: "A smart person wouldn't think that way. Old men are so good. Old men are good, old men are wonderful, but old men die young."
The newly appointed head maid, Shuangjiang, chuckled, "Miss, you're so mischievous."