Qi Zhenzhen left satisfied, holding the scripture that Yuanjue supposedly recited daily.
"That scripture was what you offered to Buddha every day, and you just gave it to her like that?" Xie Chen asked, puzzled.
"Madam Gu, like you, is someone with a karmic connection to Buddha," Yuanjue said.
Xie Chen was skeptical. "You're not using that excuse to trick someone again, are you?"
He had met Yuanjue in the Southern Border. Yuanjue was only ten years old then, and Xie Chen had personally witnessed him eloquently persuade a local chieftain to donate silver to build a temple.
It was important to remember that the Southern Border people believed in the Witch God.
For centuries, the Witch God had been the faith of the people in the Southern Border.
Yet, Yuanjue possessed the ability to brainwash. He clearly recalled Yuanjue's words to the chieftain back then: "Benefactor, you are someone with a karmic connection to Buddha."
Yuanjue maintained his smile. "Monks do not speak falsehoods, how could I deceive? Although Madam Gu is an outsider, from a certain perspective, she transcends being an outsider."
To say she could come from centuries later.
To say she had lived two lives and retained her memories was also acceptable.
Such a person, in essence, had common ground with him, an worldly individual.
Coupled with the life-saving grace.
Naturally, her karmic connection to Buddha was profound.
"Don't tell me you have some ulterior motive!" Xie Chen said, feeling uneasy.
"This humble monk is an ascetic, with pure senses, what ulterior motive could I possibly have?" Yuanjue retorted. "However, I know I possess a handsome appearance. If I were to return to secular life, Madam Gu might just take a liking to me. After all, I am no less handsome than Gu Sinian."
Xie Chen was so stunned by Yuanjue's words that it took him a while to blurt out, "Aren't you afraid of blaspheming Buddha?"
"How could that be blasphemy? Cultivating Buddhism is also cultivating the heart. Let wine and meat pass through the intestines, and Buddha remains in the heart. Don't you understand this meaning, Benefactor Xie? Abstaining from meat is respect for Buddha, but no one can say eating meat is an insult to Buddha," Yuanjue said seriously. "Besides, it was just a joke. There's no rule stating monks cannot make jokes."
Xie Chen didn't know what to say. In short, Yuanjue was an anomaly among eminent monks.
Yet, he was hailed as a rare Buddha-child rarely seen in a century.
"Alright, don't be so rigid. Overly rigid men are not welcome," Yuanjue poured Xie Chen a cup of tea. "I've read your fortune. Although what you seek is somewhat difficult, the outcome will be satisfactory."
Xie Chen's mouth fell open. What he sought...
"Is it true?"
"It couldn't be truer!"
Xie Chen practically floated back to his guest room, his head light and his feet as if treading on cotton.
Yuanjue possessed abilities, abilities not born from external praise but from tangible proof.
So, could he truly be with A Xue?
Was his desire to be with A Xue not a delusion?
Xie Chen was incredibly excited, wishing he could immediately ask A Xue if she would consider being with him.
Fortunately, reason triumphed over impulse. Yuanjue had said the process would be very difficult. If he went to see A Xue now, he would only cause her trouble and confusion. Therefore, at this moment, he should maintain distance and offer silent care.
"Master, this is a token of gratitude from the Duke's mansion," the attendant respectfully handed Xie Chen the package Qi Zhenzhen had sent.
Although he knew A Xue definitely hadn't prepared it, the thought that these items were brought out from the Duke's mansion by her still brought him a tiny sliver of joy.
"Keep them well and take them back when we return to the capital," Xie Chen instructed.
The attendant was somewhat surprised. This gift was clearly a generic one, why would his master value it so highly? His master usually paid no attention to such things, it was truly peculiar.
"Select a few items from what we brought back and send them to the female members of the Duke's household," Xie Chen added after some thought. Reciprocity fostered long-term relationships.