CHAPTER 418: CHAPTER 386: THE SHY LITTLE ONE (4TH UPDATE)

The two quipped all the way up the mountain.

Although Fahua Temple is not located in the city, it is a Royal Temple and usually bustling with worshippers.

Wen Wan and Lin Xiaoyue had encountered quite a few worshippers on their way up here.

Ah Nuan and Jinbao, being young, were carried by the maids Jin Zhi and Yun Cai after walking only a short distance, and had just been set down now.

It was Jinbao’s first time at the temple, and he found everything very novel, looking around as Wen Wan held his hand, afraid to miss anything.

Ah Nuan was more well-behaved; she took a step for every step Lin Xiaoyue took. Even when occasionally attracted by something new around her, she only glanced at it briefly before returning her gaze, afraid of losing her mother.

The group entered the main gate of Fahua Temple, and immediately a little monk came to welcome the lady worshippers inside.

Lin Xiaoyue asked, "Could the young master help arrange two rooms for us?"

The little monk hesitated.

Lin Xiaoyue asked again, "Is it inconvenient?"

The little monk spoke honestly, "To be frank, all the rooms are occupied. The Abbot fears more worshippers might want to stay overnight, so he asked me to clear out a room originally used for storing miscellaneous items, but..."

While speaking, the little monk subconsciously glanced at Wen Wan and Lin Xiaoyue.

Their demeanor and attire clearly indicated they were not from ordinary families, perhaps unsuited to such accommodations.

Wen Wan, being perceptive, roughly guessed the reason for the monk’s hesitation and said, "We’re only planning to rest briefly and provide a quiet place for the children to nap. We won’t stay overnight and will return by evening. Please make arrangements accordingly, young master."

The little monk’s brow slightly relaxed, he raised a palm and acknowledged them with a Buddhist gesture, "Ladies, please follow me."

Lin Xiaoyue and Wen Wan exchanged a glance, both took hold of their children and followed him.

The recently cleared storage room had nothing but a bed inside.

The unvarnished door was quite old, seemingly for ventilation purposes. When Wen Wan and company entered, the windows were wide open, and the air inside was not unpleasant.

Though a place of monkhood, however simple, it differs from other places with its unique tranquility.

Seeing they were numerous, the little monk quickly fetched a wooden table and several stools for them to sit on.

Then, he briefly introduced the temple’s commonly visited spots to Wen Wan and Lin Xiaoyue.

Lin Xiaoyue’s intentions in coming to Fahua Temple today were straightforward: to eat vegetarian meals and pray for blessings and peace.

Wen Wan thanked him and asked Yun Cai to escort the young master outside.

After Yun Cai returned from escorting him, she glanced at the lone bed and quietly remarked to Wen Wan, "Miss, the young master seems sleepy. How shall we let him nap later?"

Wen Wan didn’t respond, she looked toward Ah Nuan, who sat rubbing her eyes on her mother’s lap.

The little girl was also yawning and rubbing her eyes.

Wen Wan hadn’t expected to be unlucky with the rooms, so she suggested to Lin Xiaoyue, "How about both children nap on that bed later? What do you think?"

Though one was three and the other two, both children knew little about conventions, yet her son was a year older, and Wen Wan was concerned Lin Xiaoyue might feel at a disadvantage.

Lin Xiaoyue hesitated for a moment, "We have no choice, let’s do that."

Wen Wan instructed Yun Cai and Jin Zhi to fetch vegetarian meals; the children were tired and needed to eat soon to nap.

After the two maids went out, Wen Wan addressed Lin Xiaoyue, "Actually, given your status, you could have informed the temple in advance, allowing the Abbot to arrange an empty room, sparing yourself the discomfort."

"My daughter is just like your son, both mere mortals. There’s nothing they can’t endure," Lin Xiaoyue expressed no grievance about such accommodations, "Men face the uncertainty of life and death on the battlefield. I refuse to flaunt the honors he won with his life, afraid others won’t know I’m the wife of a First-Grade Governor."

Wen Wan laughed.

Though Lin Xiaoyue occasionally spoke boldly, her straightforward and carefree nature made Wen Wan feel comfortable around her, not exhausted.

Yun Cai and Jin Zhi soon returned, carrying vegetarian meals.

Wen Wan placed her son on the stool next to her, pushed the small bowl of food towards him, and handed him a spoon.

Jinbao took the wooden spoon, glanced at the dishes on the table, then asked Wen Wan, "Where’s the meat?"

Having gone without meat for nearly a month due to national mourning and just started eating again, only to find none here, the little fellow pinched the spoon and furrowed his small brows in a "no meat, hard to swallow" look.

Wen Wan said, "This is a temple, we can’t eat meat here. Just make do now, and when we return home tonight, I’ll ask Mrs. Jin to make you braised pork."

Being coaxed by Wen Wan, Jinbao reluctantly perked up and began nibbling at the rice in his bowl.

Ah Nuan across the table had no appetite at all. Lin Xiaoyue offered her the spoon, but she didn’t take it, and even when Lin Xiaoyue tried feeding her, she didn’t eat, with her eyelids drooping.

Jin Zhi said, "Miss is probably tired, let me take her to sleep."

The room prepared at short notice had no separation between the inner and outer areas, the bed was just by the north wall, visible at a glance.

Lin Xiaoyue acknowledged with a hum, letting Jin Zhi take her daughter away.

After the little girl lay down, Jin Zhi covered her with a quilt and lowered the plain-colored canopy.

Even though there was no meat, the vegetarian meal at Fahua Temple was exceptional. Jinbao could tell after a couple of bites, his eyes brightened, and he ate more than the adults.

Wen Wan saw this and told him, "After you finish eating, you should go sleep too."

Upon hearing this, Jinbao lifted his head, glancing towards the bed. The canopy was already lowered and tightly shielded, unable to see who was lying inside.

Knowing he would have to sleep on the bed later, the little fellow shook his head vigorously, saying he wouldn’t go.

"You’re not tired?" Wen Wan asked.

The little fellow kept his head down and didn’t respond.

Wen Wan noticed a suspicious blush at the base of his little ear.

Lin Xiaoyue also noticed and teased him, "Jinbao, what are you doing?"

Wen Wan took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.

The little fellow took a while before squeezing out a sentence, "Embarrassed, not going."

Lin Xiaoyue laughed, "You heartless little thing, my daughter hasn’t said anything yet, and you’re already shy. Just a tiny tot, what do you understand?"

Jinbao’s little face turned even redder.

He didn’t understand, but he hadn’t slept with his parents for a long time, and certainly not with anyone other than them.

Wen Wan discovered for the first time that her mischievous and carefree little son had such a shy side.

Lin Xiaoyue laughed so hard she couldn’t straighten up, telling Wen Wan, "Oh, look at him, as if my daughter is taking great advantage of him, trying to act all innocent while benefiting himself; your son will be quite the deal-maker in the future."

Wen Wan analyzed, "He has started learning to read, maybe influenced by books, understanding the separation between males and females."

Lin Xiaoyue showed an expression of disbelief.

Wen Wan didn’t know why her son reacted this way; she didn’t bother to explain further, helping Yun Cai tidy up the bowls and chopsticks on the table.

At noon, while the sun was scorching, the mountains remained cool, and the breeze was more refreshing than the ice buckets they had at home for such weather.

Knowing her son wouldn’t sleep, Wen Wan thought it was rare to visit the temple, so she took him to explore the surroundings.

Lin Xiaoyue said, "Don’t go alone, wait for me."

Wen Wan looked at her, "If you leave, what about your daughter?"

"Let the maid watch over her, I’m just going to pray for a blessing; it won’t take long."

Wen Wan was worried, instructing Yun Cai not to follow but to stay with Jin Zhi to watch over Ah Nuan.

The two adults took Jinbao and headed towards the front main hall, first donating incense money upon entering.

Lin Xiaoyue came prepared, donating a substantial amount, a full five hundred taels.

Before Wen Wan left home, her mother-in-law specifically instructed her to donate more, to accumulate blessings for the Third Son.

Wen Wan didn’t quite believe in these things; if prayers to Buddha and Bodhisattva worked, her husband’s fortune would have turned before marrying her. Why wait until after?

But since her mother-in-law had spoken, Wen Wan had to comply, gritted her teeth and donated two hundred taels.

Their family was no match for Lin Xiaoyue’s family.

Su Qing’s official rank was higher than Song Wei’s, not to mention his substantial yearly salary. Being stationed away for three years, he also received a significant amount of integrity silver.

The integrity silver of the Great Chu Dynasty ranged from ten to a hundred times the annual salary.

For example, some officials might have a yearly salary of just over a hundred taels, but the integrity silver could reach ten thousand taels. Even at the lowest level, with a salary not even reaching a hundred taels, the integrity silver could be nearly a thousand taels.

However, only specific officials could receive integrity silver; Song Wei was clearly not among them.

Thus, if not for the Emperor’s rewards, Wen Wan’s dowry, and Song Wei’s collection, their family essentially had no substantial assets.

Compared to Lin Xiaoyue casually donating five hundred taels of incense money, Wen Wan’s two hundred taels were squeezed from between her teeth.

Yet, compared to other pilgrims, her two hundred taels were already quite generous.