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Early the next morning, except for Chu Lingxuan, the entire family and the pets gathered in the main courtyard. The old Marquis had come to see the Tricolor Ball, while the children and the pets were eager to see the Golden Swallow.
The courtyard was filled with laughter, bird songs, and barking dogs, creating a lively atmosphere.
Dabao was so engrossed in playing with the Golden Swallow that he didn’t want to go to school. Chen Feng glanced at him disapprovingly, and he obediently went off with a pout.
Upon hearing the news, Chu Hanyan hurried back as fast as possible.
Chen Feng wanted to head to the Lingyin Temple immediately, but Chu Lingxuan disagreed. Without a carriage, even the fastest sedan chair would take four hours. If they left now, they wouldn’t reach the Lingyin Temple until the evening, and traveling on mountain roads in the dark was risky.
After deliberation, they decided to leave early the next day with Chu Lingxuan accompanying them. Once they obtained the pouch, they would stay a night at the Yingshuan Monastery before heading back early the next morning. They also sent someone to urgently deliver a message to the capital, hoping that Marquis Chu and the other elders would come here.
In the evening, the children played with the Golden Swallow in the main room until late, then went to rest.
Tomorrow was the 5th of August; the Golden Swallow would enter hibernation in the space, only emerging on the 26th of February next year. So, Chen Feng allowed the children to play with the Golden Swallow a little longer before they left.
When the children departed, Dabao wanted to take the Golden Swallow to his courtyard, but Li Xuan refused and cried uncontrollably. Eventually, the Golden Swallow followed Li Xuan to the Eastern Chamber, then flew to the Chaohua Courtyard once Li Xuan fell asleep.
At that moment, Dabao lay in bed with wide eyes, and when the Golden Swallow flew into the canopy, he quietly remarked, “I knew you’d come to play with me.”
The Golden Swallow stood by his pillow until he drifted off to sleep.
At the crack of dawn the next day, Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan quietly set off with the servants. Mama Song carried the still-sleeping Chu Hanyan. Because they were heading to the Yingshuan Monastery, they took the opportunity to let the little girl see her grandmother.
By the time the little girl woke up just before noon, realizing she would accompany her parents to visit her grandmother along with the Golden Swallow, she felt incredibly happy and kissed Chen Feng’s face multiple times.
Around noon, they passed through a small town, grabbed a quick bowl of noodles, then hurried on their journey.
They finally arrived at the Lingyin Temple during the hour of the Rabbit (5-7 am).
The room of Guiling was next to that of the Master Wuzhi. Upon hearing the young monk’s report, he emerged from his room.
Monk Guiling appeared to be in his twenties, tall and slender, exuding an air of dignity despite his youth.
Gazing at the Tricolor Ball, his eyes sparkled as he clasped his hands together, saying, “Amitabha, indeed, it’s the Tricolor Ball flower. The donor’s illness can be cured.” He then turned to Chu Lingxuan and said, “Esteemed guest, please go to the pavilion over there for tea. I have important matters to discuss with the lady donor.”
He instructed a young monk, “These two donors are esteemed guests, serve them fine tea, do not neglect.”
His intention was to prevent Chu Lingxuan and the little girl from entering the room.
Feeling embarrassed, Chu Lingxuan couldn’t match up to his wife in the eyes of the Master, nor in the eyes of this young monk. What significant matters could they have? They were just delivering a pouch, why couldn’t it be handed over in his presence?
Despite his thoughts, Chu Lingxuan had no choice but to lead the little girl to the nearby pavilion.
Inside the room, Chen Feng covered her right hand with her sleeve and retrieved the pouch containing the Green Swallow’s Nest from the space, filling the room with an indescribable fragrance.
She handed the pouch to Guiling, saying, “This is the medicinal herb that the Master asked me to find for the Master.” To prevent the young monk from being greedy like the older one, she added, “This is the last one, I won’t be able to find this again in the future.”
The Monk took the pouch, eagerly checked the Green Swallow’s Nest, smiled, and then placed the handkerchief back into the pouch, saying, “Amitabha, the lady donor has performed another great deed.”
He arranged the Green Swallow’s Nest in the inner room, then brought out a purple pouch to the main hall, saying, “Amitabha, this is the pouch that my master instructed me to give to the lady donor before he departed. May the lady donor’s family avoid calamity and find prosperity.”
Upon seeing the pouch in the Monk’s hand, Chen Feng couldn’t contain her excitement and rushed forward to grab it. After the Monk finished speaking, she finally received the pouch.
The Monk added, “Amitabha, my master also instructed me to remind the lady donor that this pouch contains two matters. Remember!”
Two matters! Did that mean two disasters? Chen Feng nodded in confusion and said, “Thank you, Mastern Guiling.” She tucked the pouch into her embrace and left the room.
She arrived outside, where Chu Lingxuan was leading the little girl towards her. Chen Feng nodded at him.
Unnoticed by Chen Feng, the Monk who had followed her out also nodded at Chu Lingxuan and made a gesture.
Subsequently, Chu Lingxuan led his wife, daughter, and servants outside the temple.
Leaving the temple, Chen Feng and the little girl boarded the sedan chair, while Chu Lingxuan mounted his horse, and they all headed towards the Yingshuan Monastery on the mountainside.
Feeling the pouch in her arms, Chen Feng finally had the peace of mind to admire the beautiful scenery.
She lifted the curtain of the sedan chair; this season was when Honglin Mountain was most vibrant. The grass and tree tips were starting to turn yellow, and some maple leaves were beginning to redden. The colors of red, yellow, and green blended together in a dazzling display.
Before reaching the Yingshuan Monastery, they could already see Abbess Liao Chen standing in a pavilion, gazing down below.
Chu Lingxuan’s nose tingled, his mother hadn’t seen her family in over a month and must be missing them terribly. Urging his horse, he hastened over.
Upon noticing them, Abbess Liao Chen briskly walked towards them.
When they met, Chu Lingxuan dismounted, bowed respectfully to Abbess, and called out, “Mother.”
Abbess Liao Chen gently caressed her son’s face and tearfully said, “Seeing you again, I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mother.” Chu Lingxuan replied.
As he spoke, they heard the little girl’s voice, “Hanyan misses Grandma, Mother misses Grandma, Brother misses Grandma, we all miss Grandma.”
The little girl’s words brought a smile to Abbess Liao Chen’s face.
The granddaughter was becoming more cheerful and intelligent.
After offering her respects, the little girl happily jumped into Abbess Liao Chen’s arms.
As they conversed, Chen Feng also approached, bowed to the Abbess, and exclaimed, “Mother-in-law.”
Abbess Liao Chen, looking at Chen Feng’s prominent belly, chuckled and scolded, “With such a big belly, why are you here? If something were to happen, it would be troublesome. Come, come inside and rest.”
In the backyard of the temple hall, Chen Feng allowed Abbess to check her pulse before listening to her chatter for a bit. She then excused herself, heading directly to her own small room.
Chu Lingxuan followed suit, his brows furrowed, his handsome face unusually serious as he gazed at Chen Feng.
Closing the door behind her, Chen Feng handed him the pouch. Chu Lingxuan opened it, took out a piece of paper, which read: “As the year ends, snow comes quickly, as the month ends, skies clear. Beware of heading north on a clear day.”