Chapter 169: Temple Visit
On New Year's Day, Second Master Gu brought news that Yan Mao, the Right Vice Minister of Revenue, had retired to his hometown in Anhui due to old age. The position of Right Vice Minister was now vacant, and the relief efforts for the Shanxi disaster had finally settled down. Gu Dezhao, as the Director of Granaries, had also been rewarded for his contributions. With the Vice Minister position now open, there was a good chance he might be promoted.
Cao Ziheng wrote to Gu Jinzhao, explaining that within the Ministry of Revenue, there were four directors: the Director of Households, the Director of Expenditures, the Director of Treasury, and the Director of Granaries. The Director of Households had only been transferred two years ago and lacked seniority, while the Director of Expenditures had been mediocre in his tenure. The Director of Treasury, Feng Anyuan, and Gu Dezhao both stood a chance. Given that Gu Dezhao had served in the Ministry for over eight years, his seniority made him the more likely candidate.
However, Gu Dezhao’s connection with the Marquis Changxing’s family and his lack of outstanding achievements might complicate matters.
Gu Jinzhao shared this concern. In her past life, her father had remained a director until his death, and it seemed unlikely he would achieve his aspirations in this life either.
Promotion from director to vice minister was no simple feat. Typically, a director would first be transferred to serve as prefect of Yangzhou or Wuchang for three years. Only if he governed these regions effectively would he be promoted to the third-rank position of vice minister.
But due to the political turmoil in recent years, these transfers had not taken place, leaving none of the four directors with the necessary experience.
Despite this, Madam Feng was overjoyed. Though the step from director to vice minister seemed minor, the difference in rank was significant—a vice minister held a third-rank position!
She not only summoned Gu Dezhao for a talk but also called Luo Su to give her some instructions.
Seated on the Arhat bed, Madam Feng rested while Fuling massaged her legs and whispered, "This servant notices that Tai Furen doesn’t seem very pleased."
Madam Feng sighed. "Though I raised Gu Dezhao, he isn’t my own flesh and blood. There’s always some distance between us. And back then, I opposed his relationship with Madam Ji… He still harbors resentment toward me. If he becomes a vice minister, he’ll hold the highest official rank in our Gu family, with no familial bond to temper it. That unsettles me."
Fuling smiled. "This servant thinks the Third Master is very filial toward you."
Madam Feng replied, "That’s not the same!" After a long pause, she added, "In a few months, his mourning period will end. Before then, we should arrange his marriage. If I can’t control him, I can at least control his wife! Besides, he shouldn’t be without someone to attend to him. A wife can serve him and continue our family line."
Fuling agreed, "Concubine Luo seems too delicate to bear children… Tai Furen’s idea is excellent!"
Madam Feng frowned at the thought of Concubine Luo. Though beautiful, she was far too frail!
With this plan in mind, Madam Feng pondered for several days.
After burning the Door God paper and offering sacrifices to the God of Wealth, the eighth day of the new year arrived—the day to worship the stars.
Madam Feng summoned the ladies and young misses of the Gu family, serving each a bowl of sweet osmanthus and sesame glutinous rice balls. She sat on the Arhat bed, dressed in a crimson winter coat embroidered with endless longevity symbols, a jade-adorned forehead band, and a pair of gold hairpins with the infant and lotus pattern. Her hair was sleekly combed, and she looked remarkably spirited."Today happens to be the eighth day of the month, and my fifth daughter-in-law has just given birth. It's perfect timing for us to visit Bao Xiang Temple to offer incense. I've copied ninety-nine volumes of Buddhist scriptures to burn as an offering to Buddha, showing our sincerity. Not only to pray for favorable weather next year, but also to bless my newly born granddaughter with good health," Madam Feng said with a smile.
Everyone agreed in unison. Second Madam chimed in, "Lian jie er has also copied some scriptures, which can be offered to Buddha together."
Madam Feng looked at Gu Lian with surprise. "Didn't you always find copying scriptures tedious?" The stewardess attending to Gu Lian chuckled, "Young Master Yao Wenxiu will be taking the Metropolitan Exam this spring. Our Second Miss copied the scriptures for him, hoping he would pass the provincial examination..."
Everyone burst into laughter, while Gu Lian blushed and murmured, "I also copied some for Grandmother..."
Madam Feng nodded repeatedly. "It's good that you remember your grandmother... I also hope Young Master Yao passes the exam. There's no need to be embarrassed about it."
Their wedding date had already been set, so there was no need for such formalities.
Gu Jinzhao listened silently. Gu Lian had gotten her wish—Yao Wenxiu would indeed pass the provincial exam this spring. However, his scholarly abilities were mediocre. After several attempts at the Metropolitan Exam, he only managed to become a tong jinshi and remained a low-ranking official in the Ministry of Works. What happened afterward, she didn’t know.
Madam Feng then instructed everyone to return and change clothes. Maidservants followed behind, carrying compartmented boxes of snacks, small stools, and cloaks as they boarded the carriages.
Madam Feng specifically pulled Gu Jinzhao to ride in the same carriage with her. Along the way, she told her about Bao Xiang Temple in Daxing. The ladies of the household all had eternal lamps enshrined there, and the Gu family donated three hundred taels annually to the temple for scripture printing. As a result, the temple treated the women of the Gu family with special courtesy when they visited to offer incense.
"...We’ll also enshrine an eternal lamp for you at Bao Xiang Temple—one with a white lotus pedestal carved into a pointed niche, using two jin of lamp oil per year. It will be placed in the lantern tower alongside others, some even with white jade lotus pedestals... Not that we’re being extravagant, but we don’t want to risk overwhelming your fate with something too grand."
Jinchao didn’t believe in Buddhism. She had learned in her past life that no faith could truly save anyone.
She smiled respectfully and said, "I’ll follow Grandmother’s arrangements."
It had always been Gu Lian who rode with Madam Feng. Now that it was her, it was only because of her father’s potential promotion.
Bao Xiang Temple was located on Yuanjing Mountain, bordering Daxing and Shunyi. Just half a li downhill was the bustling county town of Shunyi, with an official road cutting through Yuanjing Mountain, making carriage travel very convenient. By the time they arrived at the temple gates and disembarked, the sky had already darkened.
Mama Xu, who had accompanied them, looked worried. "Judging by the sky, another heavy snow is coming..."
If the snow became too heavy, they would have to stay overnight at the temple. But that wasn’t a problem—Bao Xiang Temple had dedicated meditation rooms for pilgrims. Madam Feng told her that when her grandfather had just passed away, she had stayed here for a month, chanting prayers for him every day.
Seeing that Madam Feng didn’t object, Jinchao knew she had already considered this possibility.
After the women had offered incense, a temple attendant led them to a meditation room for a short rest, serving them a pot of steaming fragrant tea.
Second Madam helped Gu Lian remove her cloak and said cheerfully, "The vegetarian fare at Bao Xiang Temple is excellent. Your grandmother loves their crispy tofu, golden needle mixed with tender cucumber, and plain boiled vegetable heart. You should all try them later."Fifth Madam was still in confinement and hadn't come, but Gu Wuye's two concubine-born daughters had accompanied them. With all the female relatives from the Gu family combined, there were twelve people in total. They needed to set up two tables of vegetarian meals to accommodate everyone. The reception monk smiled and chanted the Buddha's name upon hearing this. "It's fortunate that distinguished guests have arrived at our temple today. Our abbot had disciples grind soybean milk early this morning. Please wait a moment, benefactors. This humble monk will fetch it for you."
Gu Lian couldn't sit still and didn't find soybean milk particularly appealing. She begged Madam Feng to let her go outside to look around.
Madam Feng said, "...Have Xu Momo accompany you, along with two guards. You may only visit the main halls and are not allowed to wander elsewhere. Since your elder cousin hasn't visited Bao Xiang Temple before, why don't you take her to the Lantern Tower to offer an Eternal Lamp?"
She turned to instruct the stewardess, "...Give Chaojie ten taels of silver."
This had been discussed earlier in the carriage.
Gu Lian was reluctant but couldn't refuse, so she had to bring Gu Jinzhao along.
Bao Xiang Temple was much larger than Lingbi Temple in Shi'an. With seven towers, nine pavilions, and twenty-seven halls, it was a grand temple with thriving incense offerings. The most famous structures included the Heavenly King Hall, Great Buddha Hall, Mahavira Hall, Welcoming Hall, Vairocana Pavilion, and Qiyun Pagoda. The Lantern Tower was particularly striking with its eternal flames, appearing especially magnificent at night.
Following Gu Lian, they arrived at the Great Buddha Hall. Gu Lian pointed to a bluestone path to the west and said with a smile, "Elder Cousin, weren't you going to offer an Eternal Lamp? This path leads there. Lan Er and I are heading to the Heavenly King Hall, so we can't accompany you further!"
Gu Jinzhao smiled in return, "You go ahead. I won't trouble you." The Lantern Tower stood tall and prominent; she wouldn't get lost.
Gu Lian left with Gu Lan, the stewardess, and the guards.
Gu Jinzhao and Qingpu proceeded along the bluestone path toward the Lantern Tower. Bao Xiang Temple was built on the mountainside, where the first snow of the season still lingered, dressing the distant peaks in silver. The vast sky stretched above, creating a breathtaking scene. As they walked and chatted quietly, they suddenly found their way blocked.
A stern-faced man in a Chengzi uniform stopped them. "No further passage is allowed here. Please turn back."
Qingpu was startled—why would such a man be in the temple? She protectively stepped back with Gu Jinzhao, eyeing him warily.
Gu Jinzhao frowned slightly and asked softly, "Sir... this path was built for public use. Why can't we proceed?"
Before the man could reply, laughter rang out. "Wang Chun, let the young lady pass!"
Gu Jinzhao looked up. The speaker wore a silk Straight Robe, seemingly unfazed by the cold. His square face bore a smile, yet it carried no warmth—it was Jiang Yan, Third Master Chen's advisor!
Why was Jiang Yan here? Had he also come to worship? Gu Jinzhao glanced ahead and noticed guards in Chengzi uniforms stationed every few feet, armed with broadswords, creating an imposing security presence.
Jiang Yan bowed slightly to her. "Miss Gu, my apologies. The path is clear—please proceed."
But Gu Jinzhao hesitated.
Jiang Yan quickly pulled the man aside and gestured politely.
There was no beast or flood ahead! Taking a deep breath, Gu Jinzhao quickened her pace, intending to finish offering the Eternal Lamp and return promptly.
The Lantern Tower was just ahead. No more guards dared to stop them—they simply pretended not to see.In no time, the gray clouds overhead pressed down, and snow began to fall in an instant. At first, it was gentle, but gradually, the snow grew heavier, mixed with fine shards of ice, swept up by the northern wind, stinging their faces painfully.
Qingpu hurriedly draped the cloak over Gu Jinzhao and glanced anxiously at the Lantern Tower ahead. "Miss, the snow is so heavy... It won't be easy for us to go back now..."
The Lantern Tower was still ahead, and they were already far from the Great Buddha Hall, with nowhere to take shelter from the storm!
Gu Jinzhao felt her face stinging from the wind and noticed Qingpu's shoulders were already soaked through.
The snow fell in a vast, disorienting sheet.
She was about to suggest heading to the Lantern Tower since it was closer when she saw Wang Chun, who had just passed them earlier, braving the snowstorm to catch up, holding an umbrella in his hand.
He approached Gu Jinzhao and said softly, "Third Master says the snow is getting heavier and invites Miss Gu to take shelter at the Reception Hall for now."
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