Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 351 - 350: Fated to be Childless

Chapter 351: Chapter 350: Fated to be Childless

As they passed by the Guanyin Temple, Chen Afu suggested that they stop to light three sticks of incense for Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of compassion, hoping for her blessings for a smooth delivery.

By now, Chen Afu was certainly superstitious. She firmly believed in reincarnation and in the existence of the Buddha and Bodhisattva. After all, she had experienced a time-travel, so what else was impossible?

According to an old saying, children should not enter the main hall of a temple out of fear that their rowdiness would disturb the Buddha and Bodhisattva. Because of this, Chen Afu told her two children to wait in the corridor, guarded by ten guards, while she was accompanied by five more.

Chen Afu, in her deepest reverence, paid her respect to the Bodhisattva, donated money for lamp oil, and then was helped by Hong Fei as she turned to leave the main hall.

As soon as she stepped out of the main hall, Dabao and Yan’er, who were waiting in the corridor, ran towards her hand-in-hand, crying out, "Mother, Mother, surely the Bodhisattva will bless you with two baby brothers."

The two children had been completely influenced by Marquis Chu, and they now stopped mentioning sisters, only talking about brothers.

The children’s clamoring elicited laughter from the other worshippers in the temple.

Chen Afu’s face turned red with embarrassment. Hong Fei stepped in front of her to intercept the children, and once their momentum was slowed, they both tugged at Chen Afu’s skirt and insisted, "Mother, after you prayed to the Bodhisattva, surely you will have two brothers."

Chen Afu didn’t say anything. She just smiled and took their hands, preparing to walk down the corridor. However, she then noticed that over a dozen guards were surrounding them with stern expressions, two of them bending down to scoop the children into their arms. Hong Fei also took a hold of her.

Turning her head, she saw the most unwanted person - Princess Rong Zhao. The moment Princess Rong Zhao heard the news in the Capital City that Chen Afu was pregnant, she smashed several tea bowls. Upon discovering that it was twins, she smashed a whole set of furniture. Running her hands over her unproductive belly, could it be that the title of prince consort would be passed on to the sons of this wretched woman? Absolutely not, she must have a son!

With that, she nagged Marquis Chu into accompanying her to Lingyin Temple again, under the pretext of paying respect to the Buddha, but in reality, she was there to seek treatment from Master Wu Zhi.

The status of Lingyin Temple was esteemed in the Dashun dynasty, even surpassing that of Bauguo Temple on the outskirts of the Capital City. About a hundred and ten years ago, Emperor Shungao, at the age of forty, suddenly had a profound desire for Buddhism. He abdicated the throne to his son and went to Lingyin Temple to become a monk, taking the Dharma name of Xuan Neng. Fifty years after Master Xuan Neng’s passing, his relics are still enshrined in the temple.

As the disciple of Xuan Neng, Master Wu Zhi was even respected by the emperor. There was nothing he was obliged to do that he didn’t wish to.

Aside from forty years ago when Master Wu Zhi prophesied that the southern region of the Dashun dynasty would suffer an unprecedented flood, and then again cured people of a widespread epidemic twenty-six years ago, he had not publicly read anyone’s fortune or treated anyone’s illness. Still, everyone in the Dashun dynasty, including the royal family, saw Master Wu Zhi as an omnipotent senior monk.

The great disaster forty years ago was mitigated after the late emperor heeded the Master’s prophecy and made full preparations, thereby saving millions of lives. During the epidemic, Master Wu Zhi also saved countless lives.

Master Wu Zhi was always busy. If he was not travelling around spreading Buddhist teachings, he was in seclusion practicing meditation, or out on some mission. Princess Rong Zhao wanted to take a chance to see if she could find him.

She heard that her second and third brothers were also looking for Master Wu Zhi’s whereabouts. Even the emperor had sent them away on duty only when they had been exhausted.

If Princess Rong Zhao wanted to visit any other temple, Marquis Chu would not bother to accompany her. But if she wanted to visit Lingyin Temple, he would have to come with her because the Yingxue Nunnery was on its premises and he was afraid she would stir up trouble there.

As soon as Princess Rong Zhao arrived at Lingyin Temple, she went straight to Master Wu Zhi’s Zen Room. To her delight, Master Wu Zhi was not only there but also agreed to see her.

Once she entered the Zen Room, Master Wu Zhi only glanced at her twice before saying with his hands clasped together, "Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk must regretfully inform you that he can’t cure your illness."

Princess Rong Zhao said angrily, "I am not a doctor, but I know that one must observe, listen, ask and feel the pulse to make a diagnosis. You have not done the last three, so on what basis are you asserting that you cannot cure my illness?"

Master Wu Zhi said, "Amitabha Buddha, I have ’observed’ you, and it is your destiny to be childless."

Princess Rong Zhao became so furious that she stood up and slammed the table, shouting, "How dare you speak to me like that!"

Master Wu Zhi remained calm and composed, saying, "You have repeatedly sought me out here in temple, proving your sincerity and hinting at some Buddhist destiny. Therefore, I spoke honestly... But if you don’t believe my words, you can pretend that I have said nothing."

Princess Rong Zhao retorted, "I came to you for treatment, not to have my fortune read."

Master Wu Zhi replied, "Amitabha Buddha, you are the sixth person who allowed me to furnish a prediction. Life is full of suffering, but turning back is the shore of salvation. You should take care of yourself. Amitabha Buddha, good indeed, good indeed." Having said that, he crossed his legs and closed his eyes to recite scripture.

Marquis Chu, who was waiting outside the Zen Room, heard the commotion and quickly entered the room to hold back Princess Rong Zhao, and implored her, "Princess, mind your words. This is Lingyin Temple. You are speaking to Master Wu Zhi."

He then bowed to Master Wu Zhi and apologized, "Master, I am sorry for Princess Rong Zhao’s disrespect. Please forgive her."

Master Wu Zhi continued to chant the scriptures as if he had not heard his words.

Gui Ling, who was Master Wu Zhi’s senior disciple, brought his hands together and said, "Please excuse yourselves."

Princess Rong Zhao calmed down. She knew that, despite her rank as a princess, she should not behave recklessly in Lingyin Temple. She quickly changed her attitude, her eyes filled with tears, and begged, "I implore you, master, to tell me, how can I resolve this wretched condition?"

Master Wu Zhi joined his hands as if he had turned to stone, and sat motionless on his bed.

Gui Ling again said, "One cannot defy the will of heaven. Please pardon us."

Marquis Chu then led Princess Rong Zhao out of the room.

As soon as they stepped outside, Princess Rong Zhao burst into tears on Marquis Chu’s shoulder, sobbing as if her heart would break. She cried out, "How could this happen? I wholeheartedly wish to bear a son for Chu Lang, to continue our bloodline. Chu Lang, what can I do if I can’t give birth to a son?"

Marquis Chu’s face was inscrutable, but he spoke softly, "Princess, do not worry, whether or not you have a son, I don’t mind."

While his sentiment appeared to be comforting, on hearing this, Princess Rong Zhao felt as though something was amiss. She lifted her head and declared, "I don’t believe that old monk Wu Zhi could be more powerful than Buddha and Bodhisattva. If seeking his help is in vain, then I’ll pray to Buddha and Bodhisattva. I will worship each and every Buddha and Bodhisattva in the temple." And so, she pulled Marquis Chu into the main hall.

Just as she had claimed, she started with the first main hall, paying incredible respect, offering incense, and prostrating before each and every Buddha and Bodhisattva, never missing a single one.

Yet, as she was about to enter the Guanyin Temple, she saw a pregnant woman stepping out from it. At present, merely looking at pregnant women irritated her. Recognizing the woman as Chen Afu increased her displeasure.

She considered whether she should swallow her anger since this was the holy ground of Buddhism and she was pleading with the Buddha. She also knew Marquis Chu was beside her. But seeing the two children dashing towards Chen Afu and shouting about the birth of two brothers added to her distress as these words sounded exceedingly unpleasant to her ears.