On October 12th, just after the Beginning of Winter, the temperature was getting lower and lower. There were only a few withered yellow leaves left on the trees.
Li Jingyun visited Dongchan Ding Temple again.
Last time she entered through the back gate. This time, she followed the pilgrims and entered through the main gate. There were quite a number of people coming and going.
In a side hall with few visitors, a teenage novice monk was sweeping the floor. She didn't recognize the Buddha statue enshrined there, but it looked solemn and majestic.
On the cushion, there was not a person but a huge python, curled up quietly. It showed no reaction when it saw her coming, just squinting its eyes as if half - asleep.
It was not scary at all. Instead, it exuded a sense of tranquility.
Li Jingyun didn't say a word. She quietly walked over and touched the python's head. It felt cold, like the finest jade. Its vertical snake eyes were very bright, and it nuzzled her hand affectionately, as if it was afraid of scaring her. Its tail wagged gently.
"Princess, you can't touch this," said Eunuch Feng. He was so startled that his soul almost flew away when he accidentally saw Li Jingyun getting close to the python.
The novice monk beside them remained calm. "Don't worry, benefactor. This is a spiritual snake enlightened by our abbot, Master Guanghui. It won't hurt people. You've come at a good time, madam. It will hibernate in a few days, and you won't be able to see it then."
"It's so cute! What's its name?"
"It's of the same generation as me. My name is Huaiyu, and its name is Huaishui. It's already eleven years old this year," Huaiyu introduced.
Although Huaishui was docile and understanding, its huge size and intimidating appearance were another matter. Over the past dozen years, there had been few people as brave as Li Jingyun who dared to touch it.
The last person who dared to touch it was the eminent monk Xuanzang. And this young lady was the next one.
She really wasn't afraid. She boldly got close to the huge snake's head. Eunuch Feng was so nervous that his heart was in his throat.
If anything happened, he would be in big trouble along with this snake.
He could only give her subtle reminders in a low voice. "Don't forget why we're here. We're here to find someone."
Only then did Li Jingyun remember. "Young master, I'm here to find the eminent monk Xuanzang."
"The eminent monk Xuanzang is concentrating on studying Buddhist scriptures and doesn't see outsiders. Are you here to offer incense or fulfill a vow, benefactor? I'll go find a senior brother who is familiar with this place."
Huaiyu was always polite, but he was secretly puzzled. This child looked only four or five years old. How did she come here alone?
The person beside her was obviously not a family member but a servant. It seemed that this family was quite trusting to let their little daughter run around outside.
Another older monk was shocked when he saw Li Jingyun's appearance. "May I ask if you're Princess Chengyang, Li Jingyun?"
"Yes, I am. How do you recognize me?"
The monk replied, "I saw you by chance during the Double Ninth Festival."
"Please forgive me, Princess. I was blind. Huaishui, stop pestering the Princess. Go and play by yourself."
Huaiyu apologized very quickly. Huaishui seemed to really understand what was said. It obediently crawled out of Li Jingyun's arms and curled up to sleep again.
Li Jingyun was taken to a meditation room in the back courtyard. Huaiyu said that the eminent monk Xuanzang would arrive soon, and so would their abbot, Master Guanghui.
What Buddhist scriptures could be more important than the little princess?
How could Li Jingyun just sit obediently in the small meditation room and wait?
Outside was a large and spacious yard. It was so quiet that one could hear footsteps. Li Jingyun squatted under a tree, watching the ants move. They were moving from under the locust tree to under the sycamore tree opposite. A long line of ants was marching in a row, and not a single one fell behind.
She watched quietly for a quarter of an hour. Then a tall young man appeared beside her and squatted down with her. His shadow completely covered Li Jingyun.
The real Xuanzang was quite different from the Tang Seng in Journey to the West, except that they were both proficient in Buddhist scriptures and were going to the Western Regions to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Especially in terms of physical strength, the real Xuanzang was at least 1.8 meters tall, with a strong and powerful build.
He was the kind of person who, if you didn't understand the profound Buddhist teachings, he also knew a thing or two about martial arts.
You know, on his real journey to the West, there were no Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and the others to escort him. He walked all the way there by himself.
"Master, when do you think they'll finish moving?" Li Jingyun frowned and looked at Xuanzang.
Xuanzang smiled. "It's never too late for them to finish. Everything has its own destiny."
"Then it's destiny for Sister Lizhi to give birth safely, and it's also destiny for Sisters Xinxing and Gaoyang not to be sent away for a political marriage."
Li Jingyun said seriously, word by word, with a firm look in her eyes, looking a bit stubborn.
"Princess, man can conquer nature. We say that there are three thousand paths in the great way, but one is hidden. This one is the variable," Xuanzang replied carefully, trying to persuade her.
At the same time, he was also very curious. Why did the life and death of Li Lizhi and her child come before the political marriages of the other two princesses?
Did Princess Changle have health problems too?
Li Jingyun scratched her head. She didn't understand what "there are three thousand paths in the great way, but one is hidden" meant. She could only understand the general idea, that is, if she tried a little harder, her sisters would be out of danger.
"Princess, don't worry. All the ants are working together. If they pool all their strength to do one thing, it will be completed soon," Xuanzang comforted Li Jingyun softly.
He finally knew why the little princess had come here.
A little girl of only five years old had to deal with those court officials, manage such a large fortune, and decide on trade with foreign tribes such as the Tubo and the Turks. Who wouldn't feel the pressure?
Li Jingyun looked up at him blankly.
Xuanzang continued, "What's your greatest wish at the moment, Princess?"
"Greatest wish?" Li Jingyun was stunned. Having to choose between her sisters and the common people, she decided to say it all. "I wish the people of the Tang Dynasty are prosperous and stable, and my sisters are all well. I don't know which one is the greatest."
"These two things don't conflict, Princess," Xuanzang said. "Although you're young, your achievements are beyond what countless people can achieve in their lifetimes."
"Let's start with cement. I once visited the cement ground in the villa. It was truly amazing. I heard that countless border cities have been reinforced with cement."
"Secondly, there's the library, as well as the newly - emerged bamboo paper and movable - type printing. These are great things that can open people's minds. In Buddhism, we advocate right speech, not lying, scolding or slandering; right livelihood, not killing, stealing or doing evil. Isn't the Princess also guiding the people to do good by making them well - informed and civilized?"
"..."
Xuanzang was really good at preaching. He just kept talking.
But how could Li Jingyun listen? She had heard these words too many times.
She looked at the entrance of the yard. Eunuch Feng wasn't there. She quietly climbed up the locust tree. There was a cute and chubby little squirrel there, lying obediently on Li Jingyun's hand, staring into her eyes.
"So cute! What's your name? Is it something with 'Huai'?" Li Jingyun rubbed the little squirrel's furry head and asked with a smile.
Xuanzang couldn't help but smile. There were quite a number of high - ranking officials and nobles who came to see him and discuss Buddhist scriptures, but he had refused them all. He had only agreed to see the little princess, Li Jingyun. Unexpectedly, the little princess didn't even listen.
He had to get straight to the point. "Princess, with your help, the national strength of the Tang Dynasty is getting stronger day by day. Blessed by heaven and earth, there's no need to worry about the political marriages."