Chapter 169: The Little Lucky Star

“Sis, I think the Princess Han is unreasonable and domineering, and the little princess seems so deep and thoughtful. Neither of them looks like they have great fortune. Why does the old abbot want to see the little princess so badly?” Yun Ting whispered to Yun Ci among the crowd.

After dealing with Feng Xuetang’s affairs, the sisters Yun Ting and Yun Ci had come to Huguo Temple to offer incense.

They hadn’t expected to witness the earlier scene.

Yun Ting pouted. “As for fortune, I still think the tenth princess…”

Yun Ci shook her head, and Yun Ting immediately understood. She thought to herself that if there was a little lucky star, it must be the little princess, not the young princess.

Yun Ci said, “Let’s just see what happens.”

Di Hongluan followed the senior brother and the young novice into the main hall. The old abbot, now rejuvenated, seemed as if he had been given a mission, and would not rest until it was accomplished.

“Master.” The senior brother brought her in.

The old abbot opened his eyes, meticulously holding 108 prayer beads in his hands. He looked up at Di Hongluan, frowning.

“Master, this is the person you were looking for.”

Di Hongluan smiled slightly, unafraid, as she knew what the old abbot would ask next.

As expected, the old abbot asked, “May I know the birth date of this young benefactor?”

“February 2nd, exactly at the hour of the horse.”

“Strange, truly strange…” The old abbot murmured to himself, unable to understand.

“Master, isn’t this young lady the one you were looking for?” the young novice asked, puzzled.

“The birth date is correct, but the face doesn’t seem right,” the old abbot was baffled. He felt that this face did not match the birth date.

What kind of face should match this birth date, the old abbot did not know.

But one thing was certain—it could not be the young lady in front of him.

The feeling was wrong, as if something was off.

The old abbot was in great distress. “It’s not her, not her. It’s wrong, definitely wrong.”

“Master, what’s wrong?” the young novice asked anxiously.

“Go, go, let her out. It’s not her, definitely not her.” The old abbot clutched his head, feeling as if heaven was mocking his confusion.

Seeing the situation, the senior brother said, “Young benefactor, let’s step outside first.”

Outside, Di Hongluan was dismayed. She had hoped to have a few polite exchanges with the old abbot, but instead, after just one sentence, she was chased out.

What is this about not being the right person? Had the old abbot become muddled after waking up from his illness?

Everyone in the capital knew she was a person of great fortune.

On the day she was born, there were strange phenomena, and every year on her birthday, there were signs.

This year was the exception, possibly because she was not in the capital.

“Master, what was the old abbot mumbling about?”

The senior brother frowned. The young benefactor spoke with such intensity, “I don’t know.”

Di Hongluan huffed silently. “Master, could I request a string of prayer beads from Huguo Temple? I want them as a talisman.”

The senior brother frowned. “The prayer beads of Huguo Temple are never given out.”

What nonsense!

She had heard that the Queen Mother had a string. It was clear that they were unwilling to give her one, finding some lofty excuse.

Even if they didn’t give her one, she wasn’t too concerned.

It was just that leaving empty-handed was bound to attract comments.

Di Hongluan bit her lip and noticed a young monk nearby carrying a stack of scriptures. “Master, could you give me a copy of the scriptures?”

“Young benefactor, the scriptures are also a matter of chance.”

Di Hongluan pouted. Why were the people in this grand temple so stingy? It was just an old scripture.

“Master, please just leave me here. I will wait for my mother.”

This was the back courtyard, very quiet. To avoid unnecessary trouble, they had exited from the back. Originally, the senior brother was to take Di Hongluan to the front courtyard, but hearing her request, he handed her over to the Princess Han and then left.

Seeing Di Hongluan empty-handed, the Princess Han was surprised. “Luan’er, didn’t the old abbot give you any prayer beads for protection?”

“No, maybe he thinks I’m too young for them.”

The Princess Han was a bit disappointed, but Di Hongluan quickly added, “Mother, wait here. I’ll go get the scripture the old abbot gave me. He said I’m still young and need to study more and read scriptures to cultivate my character.”

The Princess Han’s eyes brightened. No prayer beads? Scriptures are fine too.

The scriptures of Huguo Temple were also hard to come by.

Moreover, since the Queen Mother had a string of prayer beads, if she also got one, it would seem like she was following the Queen Mother. A scripture was more practical. Plus, the Queen Mother liked scriptures.

Di Hongluan took the opportunity to “borrow” a scripture when no one was looking and happily returned to the front courtyard with the Princess Han.

Just as the pilgrims were about to leave.

“Hmm, the little princess came out with the Princess Han. Why didn’t she leave with the abbot’s attendants after such a grand entrance? We’ve been waiting so long, and the old abbot hasn’t shown up.”

“Could it be that the little princess was turned away? Maybe the old abbot made a mistake.”

“If the little princess was truly a guest of honor, she would have been properly sent out. It seems this was a misunderstanding.”

“Hey, little princess, is the scripture you’re holding a gift from the old abbot?” Someone with sharp eyes noticed the scripture in Di Hongluan’s arms.

The prayer beads of Huguo Temple were rare, and so were the scriptures.

“I’ve heard that the scriptures from Huguo Temple are blessed with Buddha’s light.”

Di Hongluan pursed her lips and nodded. “Yes.”

The Princess Han chuckled lightly and added, “If any of you friends wish to copy the scriptures someday, you are welcome to come to the Prince Han’s residence anytime.”

She appeared quite proud.

Yun Ting squinted with a smile. “Sis, wait for me.”

Yun Ting quickly ran off, and Yun Ci smiled wryly. Her sister had probably discovered some new secret.

“Not good, a scripture is missing from the back hall! Has anyone seen it? The senior monks are very anxious.”

Everything at Huguo Temple, including the scriptures, was considered royal property. Losing one was not just losing something belonging to the temple but something royal.

Each scripture was recorded to prevent misuse or theft by the monks.

Yun Ting rushed back, shouting, “Oh no, could the scripture in the young princess’s arms be stolen? Monks, come and see if it’s the one missing!”

Upon hearing the commotion, Di Hongluan panicked, clutching the scripture tightly as if trying to hide it.

To the onlookers, the panic of Di Hongluan was evident. These pilgrims, who were not ordinary people, quickly pieced together what was happening.

Several monks hurried over.

“Young benefactor, where did this scripture come from?”