Chapter 2: Seeking a Son-in-law
Ronghua Temple stood at the top of the mountain, surrounded by clouds and mist, overlooking the mountains below.
It was late October, with a drizzling autumn rain accompanying the rhythmic chanting of scriptures, making people drowsy.
The cool wind, mixed with rainwater, blew in through the window panes.
The cold wind startled Ji Li, causing her to suddenly open her eyes.
Several days of nightmares had left her feeling a bit unwell.
After a moment of silence, she regained her composure.
Looking up, she saw the compassionate statue of the Bodhisattva, with a golden incense burner on the side. The Bodhisattva stood peacefully amidst the rising smoke, creating a serene atmosphere.
However, the edges of the golden paint had faded over time.
Since her childhood, the temple had been standing for a long time, now exuding even more antique charm.
Two lifetimes have passed in a flash. In the blink of an eye, it felt like meeting an old friend again.
Just one glance was enough to calm her down quickly.
Kneeling on the cushion, she prayed devoutly for a while and lit several incense sticks before standing up.
Her maid, Yun Yi, draped a cloak over her shoulders. "Miss, your sincerity will surely bring you what you desire."
"I'm just seeking peace of mind, after all, actions speak louder than words," she replied calmly.
Yun Yi added, "General has sent word earlier, saying there is an important matter he wants you to attend to." As she fixed her collar.
The sky turned a dark golden color, slowly enveloping the main hall in a halo of light.
Ji Li withdrew her gaze, puzzled. "At this hour?"
"It's alright, I can have dinner with father," she said, heading towards the direction of the living quarters.
The layout of the temple was simple, with winding paths of blue stone leading to the main hall, surrounded by intricate foliage.
Every corner was meticulously cleaned.
Except for a dilapidated small temple in the far corner, which seemed out of place here.
She quickly averted her gaze as it swept over it.
Before entering the living quarters, she heard laughter and slightly rough male voices coming from inside.
"Well, they're all very handsome."
Ji Li couldn't help but frown, stopping a few steps away.
Inside, the voices continued.
"Stand up straight and let this General have a good look at you!"
"Well done!"
Perhaps she had hesitated for too long, as the voice suddenly stopped and asked, "Has Li Li arrived? Come in and speak!"
Unable to refuse, Ji Li reluctantly responded with a "yes" and pushed open the door to walk in.
Upon seeing her, Ji Yunshan became interested, pretending to cough. "Come and see if any of these young men catch your eye?"
The servant next to him stepped back, and Ji Li took a few steps forward, only to be surprised.
The living room was like a hidden paradise.
A screen embedded with precious jewels divided the room into two sides. Eight handsome young men stood in line by the screen, greeting her in unison.
"Hello, Miss Ji!"
Looking at their hopeful expressions, Ji Li found it difficult to speak for a moment.
Just a few days ago, she had argued with her father, and now this sudden gesture of goodwill left her feeling perplexed.
"What is this, father...?"
"I'm here to make amends."
"But... there are so many ways to make amends, is it necessary to show off like this?"
She was not in the mood for this kind of thing.
Ji Yunshan waved his hand, and the young men were led away by the servant.
Before leaving, the curious young man at the end glanced at Ji Li.
Sensing her gaze, he hurriedly looked down and then quickly left with the group.
In the side room, the father and daughter sat facing each other.
On the rosewood table were a few volumes of Buddhist scriptures.
Ji Li glanced at them and then noticed the slightly worried look on her father's face. She slowed down her tone and asked, "Father, what are you doing? Are you afraid that I will deviate too far from the teachings and not be able to marry?"
She had just turned sixteen this year, so there was no need to rush.
Ji Yunshan replied, "No! How is that possible?" His expression turned serious, as if a tiger had been stepped on its tail. He said, "I am planning ahead for this."
Ji Yunshan had achieved great deeds throughout his life.
If there was any regret, it would be that he was rebellious in his youth and did not pay much attention to his studies.
Although he later sought knowledge, the time of his youth was always something to be cherished.
He continued, "These young men are the descendants of Ronghua Temple who are soon to return to secular life. They spend their days with scriptures and come from reputable families."
"Although... I do think that what you said earlier was a bit inappropriate, there's nothing major about it." he reassured, "You are the only daughter of the General's Mansion, with a noble status. If you don't want to marry, then don't. It's not a big deal - just find a suitable son-in-law."
Ji Li couldn't express her feelings.
"Father, please stop worrying about it. Your daughter speaks from her heart, so why don't we put this matter on hold for now?"
However, Ji Yunshan suddenly became firm, his hands stroking the blue-green teacup on the table. "Li Li, you..." he asked, "Are you still thinking about that Fourth Prince?"
"Who?"
Ji Yunshan had a knowing expression on his face and said confidently, "A few days ago in the capital, didn't he send a letter to you?"
"The messenger at the post station told me that he seems to care a lot about you."
The familiar and handsome face slowly emerged in her mind, and she finally realized that her father was referring to Xie Yuncheng.
Thinking of the unopened letter thrown into the charcoal fire, she replied with some confusion, "Is it because of that?"
"Father, there is no romantic involvement between me and him. You are thinking too much."
"Moreover, I don't like his type. There's no need for you to find a bunch of similar people for me to consider."
In her past life, she had been deceived step by step by Xie Yuncheng, leading to the downfall of the entire Ji family.
Besides, she had no interest in finding someone as a substitute.
But since her father had thought about it, she did not completely refuse: "Let's put this matter aside for now." She hinted, "If you are really concerned, as you mentioned earlier, we can find a kind-hearted young man from a good family to marry into ours."
"As for the Fourth Prince, you are truly overthinking it. Furthermore, our Ji Mansion cannot be involved in such muddy waters."
She concluded firmly, "People who follow the Buddhist teachings pay attention to karma and fate. Relationships are also about finding a connection. What do you think?" She sipped the tea, its fragrance of purple bamboo leaves and jasmine refreshing.
Ji Yunshan was convinced by her words and after some thought, nodded. "That's true, this matter cannot be rushed."
He was confident in his daughter, who had always been determined since she was a child.
Glancing at Ji Li's indifferent expression, he immediately understood that she wasn't very concerned about the matter. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: it seems he would have to pay more attention in the future.
The father and daughter had a pleasant conversation and finished their evening meal.
As the evening clouds dispersed and the sun began to set, feeling a bit drowsy after dinner, she thought of taking Yun Yi out for a stroll.
In the past few days, she had been busy with Buddhist rituals, so this leisurely stroll and relaxation were a rare experience for her.
The prayer tree in the courtyard was adorned with red silk and incense bags, creating a vivid crimson scene.
Ronghua Temple was the only large temple in this border region and had experienced a resurgence in recent years.
After the rain stopped, the faint fragrance of grass and trees in the air became noticeable.
During these days, Yun Yi had become quite familiar with the monks, "Miss, this tree is called the Muling Tree. The young monk who cleans here said it has a history of a hundred years."
He explained enthusiastically, "Besides being famous for its incense, Ronghua Temple's other wonder is this old tree. The people at the temple show great respect for it and care for it diligently."
Just then, a clear and melodious voice came from the direction of the tree.
"Miss Ji, greetings."
Ji Li looked up to see a young man dressed as a monk. He wore a purple robe with green embroidery, his hair tied up with a bamboo hairpin, and he gazed at her intently without blinking.
He seemed to realize that he was interrupting their conversation and his greeting faded as he contined, his voice getting lower.
With delicate features, his shy and charming appearance added a touch of youthful shyness when he looked at her.
It was the person from the end of the group.
Ji Li politely replied before turning to leave. She was just out for a walk and didn't intend to engage in conversation with strangers.
As darkness fell and with no one around, she thought it best to explore other areas with Yun Yi before heading back to rest.
Unexpectedly, the monk called out to her, "Miss Ji!"
His voice suddenly increased in volume and she turned to look at him, feeling a bit puzzled.
Seeing her gaze, the young monk seemed extremely nervous and stammered, "I...I am called A Lin."
Ji Li was unsure of what the monk meant, but she responded with her usual composure.
A Lin, seeing her reaction, tried to hide his reluctance as he bid her farewell with politeness.
As she walked away, Ji Li found herself somewhat lost in thought.
Was that person just now... introducing himself?
Lost in thought, she continued walking and realized she had unconsciously wandered to a corner of the temple.
The dilapidated temple was shrouded in darkness, adding a hint of eerie and mysterious tranquility. With the gusts of chilly wind, it initially seemed ominous.
Yun Yi unconsciously stepped forward to tighten her cloak, expressing concern, "Miss, if you are curious about this place, why not come back tomorrow? The sky is already getting dark, and the cold wind makes me uneasy. It doesn't feel safe."
As if to confirm her words, there was a faint commotion in the distance.
Although Ji Li was intrigued by this place, the pitch-black surroundings dampened her enthusiasm, and she turned to leave. However, the insults from that direction became increasingly unpleasant.
"You low-born peasant, how dare you look at the heir like that! Are you challenging me?!"
"You have quite a temper, hitting someone just because! Fight, fight!The Marquis's residence will protect you, what are you afraid of?!"
Standing outside the protective wall, she couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly. Why would the heir of the Duke of the Capital come to the border?
While pondering this, a familiar voice suddenly invaded her ears, "What's wrong with that?"
The speaker seemed to have been kicked and struggled to speak through a scratchy throat. The deep voice flowed like honey into her ears, leaving her stunned.
This voice was so… familiar. It reminded her of the person who stood up for her family's righteousness.
However, she hesitated as she couldn't believe that someone from the Embroidered Guard (Jinyiwei), an elite group with prestigious background and martial skills, would be bullied in this small temple. Through the wall, she heard the faint groans of a young man in great pain.
The howling wind matched the darkening sky as the boy's defiance and despair stirred her curiosity.
Closing her eyes, she decided to do a good deed. In a split second, she made up her mind and leaped into action, grabbing a stone and launching it at the leader of the group, causing a sudden chaotic gust of wind.
"Everyone, stop immediately!"