Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 24 Xuan Tomb Panxiang Temple

The funeral arrangements for Jia Min were actually mostly completed in Yangzhou.

Sending it to Suzhou now is merely the final step in its burial process.

Lin Ruhai had already sent people to select the location of the tomb, but now the time has been delayed due to the carving of the tombstone, the construction of the tomb, and the selection of an auspicious date.

It took about half a month before Jia Min's coffin was finally laid to rest.

At this point, after receiving two complimentary meals, the women of the Lin family returned to their respective homes.

Daiyu, on the forty-ninth day after Jia Min's death, held a final Buddhist ceremony at Jia Min's grave before finally relaxing.

Because Daiyu's illness was not yet fully recovered, Jia Lian was not in a hurry to take her back to Yangzhou. Apart from helping Daiyu seek medical treatment, he spent most of his time having Zhang Yong continue to train him.

Sure enough, even though it was just simple horse stance and martial arts training, over time, Jia Lian could feel that his physical fitness had improved significantly, which further strengthened his "desire for martial arts".

This wasn't a whim of Jia Lian's; rather, after much deliberation, he felt that since studying literature was too difficult, he might as well learn martial arts instead.

One should at least have some knowledge of either the arts or the martial arts; otherwise, one will truly become a useless person who is neither good at literature nor martial arts.

Nearly half a month later, Jia Lian saw that Daiyu's condition was gradually improving. Fearing that she would get bored staying alone in the inner courtyard of the mansion, he took the opportunity of a visit to suggest, "Today is a beautiful autumn day, how about I take my sister out of the city for a stroll?"

"Okay!"

Don't get me wrong, that's Xueyan's voice.

Xueyan instinctively cheered when she heard that she could go out and play, but she only retreated awkwardly when she saw Daiyu glaring at her with displeasure.

Daiyu was a little embarrassed and didn't really want to move, so she whispered to Jia Lian, "Won't this be too much trouble? Shouldn't we be preparing to go back to Yangzhou?"

During her month in Suzhou, Jia Lian took care of her like a father, which made her feel very strange towards him now.

After all, Jia Lian was the third relative in her life, besides her parents, who had been so good to her and spent every day with her.

Saying they spent every day together isn't quite accurate, because they only saw each other two or three times a day, usually when Jia Lian came in to check on her, and each visit lasted only a short while, about half a cup of tea to the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. But Daiyu felt that this was what spending every day together was like.

"There's no need to rush back to Yangzhou. I received a letter from my uncle yesterday. He knows you're sick, so he wants you to rest in Suzhou for a few more days and go back when you're fully recovered."

I've been thinking that my sister has been staying at home for too long, and this isn't good for her recovery. The weather's nice today, not too hot or too cold, so why don't we go to the temple? We can also pray for our aunt and fulfill her vows while we're there.

Daiyu was persuaded by Jia Lian. She had indeed been feeling quite sore lately, and only felt slightly better when Jia Lian came to visit her each day.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Then, where to?"

After asking, Daiyu realized that she was the one from Suzhou and the owner. She guessed that Jia Lian might not even be visiting Suzhou for the first time, so how would he know about the surrounding temples? Therefore, she added, "The major temples around here are Chongyuan Temple, Hanshan Temple, and Dinghui Temple, all of which I have visited."

Jia Lian had already made plans, "Let's go to Xuanmu Panxiang Temple."

"Panxiang Temple?"

Daiyu tilted her head and thought for a moment before replying, "I know about Xuanmu Mountain; it's located west of the city. But why is there a Panxiang Temple inside? I didn't know that."

Jia Lian smiled and said, "This place has a story behind it, and there is a fascinating person here. It is possible that the person and my sister have some kind of affinity, but I cannot say for sure."

Daiyu smiled, and Lian Ergege even started to speak in riddles, just like those monks and Taoists.

She didn't believe there was anyone in the world who could be compatible with her, Lin Daiyu! But she didn't give Jia Lian any face, and simply nodded and said, "In that case, I will follow your arrangements, Second Brother Lian."

"Alright, then sister, get ready first. I'll go outside and have them prepare the carriage and horses, then I'll come back to pick you up."

Jia Lian stood up with a smile, and Daiyu also quickly sat up, bowed slightly on the kang (a heated brick bed), and then watched Jia Lian leave.

……

Jia Lian had already found out the location of Panxiang Temple, so after preparing the carriages and entourage, he escorted Daiyu out of the city and headed directly to Xuanmu Mountain.

Along the way, he enjoyed the beautiful autumn scenery of Suzhou. If Jia Lian hadn't known his own limitations, he would have loved to compose a poem on the spot to express his praise for the beautiful scenery and his own feelings.

Daiyu sat alone in the carriage, lifting the curtain to look outside. She thought to herself that Jia Lian had indeed not lied to her; this weather was perfect for going out of the city for a trip.

Bathed in the warm sunshine and breathing in the clear air, it felt as if all the illness on my body had been blown away.

She hasn't been out of town for a long time.

Upon arriving at Xuanmu Mountain, the carriage could not proceed up the mountain road and had to stop on the main road, leaving personnel to guard it.

However, a single horse could make it up the mountain. Jia Lian saw that Daiyu was already panting heavily after walking only a short distance, so he rode up to her and said, "There's still a long way to go up here. Why don't you ride a horse, sister? It will save you some energy."

Daiyu looked up at the tall white horse, then at Jia Lian sitting on it, and hurriedly shook her head.

Jia Lian jumped down and said with a smile, "Don't be afraid, Sister Lin. I ride this horse often. It has a gentle temperament and won't make you fall."

Wang Mama, who was standing nearby, also advised, "Miss, just do as Second Master Lian says. With us here, it won't be a problem."

Daiyu was about to refuse, but Jia Lian had already taken her hand and led her to the stirrups.

Daiyu's face flushed slightly; this was the first time she had held hands with a man other than her father.

To hide his unease, he could only obey and step into the stirrups. Suddenly, he felt a tightness under his ribs. When he turned around, Jia Lian had already put him on the horse, and he was sitting steadily.

She took the horse reins from Jia Lian and listened to his instructions to tighten them and sit properly. Then he personally led the horse forward for her.

Daiyu suddenly breathed a sigh of relief; if that was the case, then so be it…

She had just thought Jia Lian was going to take her up the mountain on horseback, which would be like sitting in his lap, but that was the most embarrassing thing for her.

Sitting on the soft cushion, with the horse's thick yet warm skin at my side, and looking down at the mountain road and the scenery below from a perspective I had never experienced before, a feeling of excitement and joy welled up in my heart for no reason.

So this is what it feels like to ride a horse.

This must be Lian Er's beloved horse. I often see him riding only this horse, and it seems as if his presence still lingers on it.

Feeling a little shy, Si Zhi looked down at Jia Lian, who was walking ahead and was almost as tall as the horse. Suddenly, she thought to herself, "If only I had a brother like that."

That way, not only would my father have someone to rely on, but I might not even need to go to the capital anymore...

The mountain path was steep, and Jia Lian carefully led the horse, not daring to put Daiyu in any danger.

After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the road indeed became much wider, and an ancient temple could be seen faintly in the distance, with a few wisps of smoke rising from it.

"Please wait, sir. Our temple does not accommodate outsiders. Please return now."

When they arrived at the temple, Zhao'er went up to knock on the door, but was told that Panxiang Temple did not receive worshippers.

Zhao'er already knew that Jia Lian had specially taken Daiyu out for a stroll today, so she didn't dare to act rashly. She just smiled and said to the old nun, "You don't receive worshippers. What do you eat and drink normally? Have you all become immortals and don't need to eat or drink anymore?"

"Lin Daiyu, wait a moment, I'll go take a look."

Seeing that Zhao'er couldn't be communicated with for a long time, Jia Lian said something to Daiyu and went over as well.

"No need for you to trouble yourselves, our temple receives donations from the Suzhou textile commissioner year-round, so we have no worries about making a living. Therefore, you should all leave now. If you wish to offer incense, you can go to the west; there are several other ancient temples there."

Jia Lian walked over and happened to overhear the old nun's words, and couldn't help but think:

As expected of the temple where Miaoyu once stayed, its behavior is just as absurd as Miaoyu's. What kind of temple would forbid pilgrims from entering the mountain to offer incense? And this Suzhou textile manufacturer is a very lucrative position under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and has a high status in the entire Jiangnan region. How could it support such an obscure nunnery?

Could it be that Miaoyu is his daughter?

Ah, if Miaoyu is indeed practicing Buddhism with her hair intact in Panxiang Temple, then even if she is not his daughter, there must be a great relationship between them.

Seeing that Zhao'er couldn't reason with the old nun, Jia Lian stepped forward, put his hands together in a gesture of respect, and said, "Greetings, Abbess. My aunt has recently passed away, and my cousin is deeply saddened. Today, I took her out for a walk to clear her mind. We happened to pass by your esteemed temple and only wished to go in to offer incense. I hope you will grant us permission, Abbess."

As they spoke, Jia Lian handed over the silver ingots that he had prepared in his sleeve.

The nun hesitated immediately upon receiving the heavy silver coins.

She glanced at Daiyu sitting on her horse behind her, and seeing four or five maids, servants, and many sturdy guards around them, she knew they must be from a wealthy family in the city. Seeing Jia Lian's handsome appearance and polite demeanor, she said, "However, our temple is small and I'm afraid it cannot accommodate so many people, benefactors..."

Jia Lian then said to Zhao'er, "You all wait outside. Do not disturb the peace of the temple without permission."

Zhao'er and the others all agreed.

The old nun said nothing more and stepped aside to invite Jia Lian and the others inside.