Chapter 188: Not Worthy To Begin With
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Qiao Mai had prepared ponies for the children long ago, raising them in her space. After being nurtured with spiritual energy for a considerable time, these horses were naturally intelligent. Following Qiao Mai’s commands as the space’s owner, they were well-behaved and obedient.
Even when they encountered loud noises like fireworks, they remained calm. This is why Qiao Mai felt comfortable with the children riding on their backs.
The next day, the whole family set off, each person carrying a cloth bag.
The cloth bags proved convenient, and both Old Mistress and Master Wang liked them very much.
The weather was clear, and the sun shone brightly, yet it didn’t feel too hot.
Each child rode a pony while Ling’er sat on the back of the horse with Qiao Mai. Even Yuan Jiaqi, who had a gentle and scholarly appearance, was riding a black horse.
He and Qiao Mai rode side by side while Old Master and Mistress Wang watched from the window. “These two look quite compatible.”
“Jiaqi can’t compare to my Mai Mai.”
“Oh, you’re already calling her by a nickname. Do you treat her like a child?” “In my eyes, my granddaughter is still a child. Think about it. She’s not even twenty years old yet.”
Old Master Wang sighed softly, “She’s worked hard. From a woman who only knew how to make money, she’s become someone who can study and practice martial arts. For the sake of this family, she’s been working hard to learn everything. ”
“Yuan Jiaqi has accumulated good karma from a previous life. Although their marriage might be a ruse, they are still married, and it’s most likely to become a real marriage.”
“You’re not happy about it? Do you not approve?”
“Naturally, I disapprove. What can he do? Since he joined the Qiao family, he’s been spending money. He’s still spending money on his education. He makes my granddaughter work hard on her own.”
“He also wants to help her, but your granddaughter won’t let him. Don’t worry about it; this girl will have good fortune. I like that young man very much. He has feelings for her; she’s just testing him.”
“If he mistreats my granddaughter, I’ll kill him.”
“You never know. In the future, Mai Mai might take an interest in someone else. This matter is uncertain. Let’s not worry about it here. Fate is something no one can explain.”
“I’m going to the Xiangtang Temple to look at their destiny and to bless Rul er and her child to be safe and sound.’
“You are always worrying about trivial matters.”
Old Master Wang looked at Yuan Jiaqi sneakily watching QiaoMai and said, “Ah, this young man is probably afraid he’s not good enough for such a strong-willed woman.”
“He was never good enough to begin with. In my eyes, Mai Mai is the best woman in the world.”
“That’s a matter of perspective. People say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
You’re the best in my eyes, but in others’ eyes, Madam Qiao is just a housewife.”
The old lady shot him an annoyed look, but she was secretly pleased by his words.
The three boys rode a pony, running behind the carriage with joy. Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi occasionally looked back at them.
As a family, they attracted attention on the road due to their appearances and the guards accompanying them. People could tell they were not ordinary.
Therefore, no one dared to provoke them. Along the way, they encountered several men who looked like local ruffians or troublemakers.
They were idle and always trying to steal from other people’s pockets and purses, looking for ways to get something for nothing.
Upon seeing them eyeing the money pouches around her family’s waists, Qiao Mai gave them a stern, threatening look.
The look in her eyes terrified some of those individuals so much that they urinated on the spot, and their legs went weak.
This was Qiao Mai’s warning: anyone daring to harm her family would meet their doom.
Those men, who had wanted to follow the carriage, immediately retreated and sighed as they watched the carriage depart.
They didn’t stop along the way and avoided lingering on the road.
They soon arrived at the foot of the Xiangtang Temple mountain. It was past lunchtime. Old Mistress Wang was a devout Buddhist, so the carriage stopped at a parking lot at the base of the mountain, where they paid for parking.
The attendants would take care of the carriage and horses once they paid. After disembarking from the carriage, they followed the old lady up the mountain.
The Xiangtang Temple was not very well-known during the Ming Dynasty, but it had some reputation within Wei City.
Old Mistress Wang had likely been a frequent visitor as the abbot and temple head came out to welcome her.
Qiao Mai’s family stood behind her. The abbot and temple head glanced at Qiao Mai through the old lady.
In that brief moment, Qiao Mai had captured their attention.
Although she was an atheist, her recent time travel experience had made her believe in the existence of deities, especially since she was a cultivator herself.
She only believed in herself and respected but didn’t worship any particular religion, as she trusted in her abilities.
After the formalities, the abbot and temple head led them to the guest rooms at the back of the temple.
“Kind donors, the journey must have been tiring. I’ve already arranged for vegetarian meals. After you’ve eaten, please rest well. You should fast and meditate for three days, cleanse yourselves, and then you may pay your respects to the Buddha.”
“Thank you, Master.”
The abbot left first, but the temple head glanced back at Qiao Mai as he departed.
Qiao Mai rolled her eyes as if to say, “What are you looking at? Even if you see through me, what can you do? I’m not afraid.”
Men and women had separate rooms, which were quite spacious and capable of accommodating multiple people.
The guards had one room, Yuan Jiaqi and the three boys had another, while Qiao Mai, Ling’er, and Yue Hong Yue Xia shared a room.
Finally, she could sleep with her mother at night. Ling’er happily bounced on the heated brick bed.
Before long, the meals were served.
Except for Old Mistress Wang, everyone else was taken aback as the food was incredibly bland, without a trace of oil or flavor.
They didn’t even put salt on it.
Even the pious old lady was puzzled, frowning as she asked Qiao Mai.
“My dear, it’s your fault that we can’t eat such plain food. It’s so bland that I can’t eat it anymore. Do you have any ideas?”
Qiao Mai couldn’t help but burst into laughter. So it was her fault that they couldn’t stomach the plain food.
“I don’t know about this. Can spicy food be eaten here?” “Yes, as long as it’s vegetarian and not too oily.”
“Alright, wait here.”
Qiao Mai took an empty bowl and a small bottle from her bag in front of everyone. After a moment, she concocted a versatile sauce.
Qiao Mai shared the sauce with everyone and said, “Dip your food in this sauce; it’s all vegetarian, and the oil is soybean.”
The people at the table began dipping their food into the sauce, some even using steamed buns to soak it up, savoring the delicious flavors.
After tasting it, Old Mistress Wang’s eyes brightened. “Delicious!”
“There’s some chili in there. After the meal, have a cup of green tea to clear your palate.”
After the meal, everyone went about their business. When the young monks came to collect the dishes, they couldn’t help but sniff the air curiously.
The aroma was heavenly, unlike the scent of meat, but something different. It filled the air with a tantalizing fragrance that left them longing for more.
Seeing people walking around the courtyard, they couldn’t resist asking,
“Excuse me, what did you all eat just now? It smelled so delicious!”
“It’s a versatile sauce made by our lady of the house.”
“Versatile sauce?”
“Yes, don’t worry. It’s entirely vegetarian.”
The young monks scratched their heads, “May we know if there’s any of this
sauce left?”
“Sorry, it’s all gone. It was so tasty that we finished it all. Right now, our masters are resting, and we wouldn’t want to disturb them.”
“Alright, thanks anyway.”
The young monks walked away, and no one asked about the sauce again. Monks were particular about their diet and spiritual practices. They merely wanted to inquire without demanding anything more.
During the three days of fasting and prayer, Qiao Mai took her children to explore the temple grounds and enjoy the scenery..
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