Chapter 88: Is the Little Lotus Temple Far?

The Prince of Rui’s Residence

Today was the day of the Moon Festival. Li Rui was likely to remain in the palace all day, awaiting orders, for security was the foremost concern, after all, it was a major sacrificial ceremony held within the imperial court.

As for Zhang Xiaoran, she had already asked Xiaolian about the nearest temple and planned to go early in the morning to offer incense and pray for the safety and good health of her parents, family, and friends who were far away in that other world.

When Li Rui learned of this, he ordered Haizi to drive them there by carriage. Of course, the ones going were Zhang Xiaoran, Ling Xiao, Xiaolian, and Haizi, who was handling the reins.

"Xiaolian, is the temple far?" Zhang Xiaoran asked only after she was seated in the carriage.

During this period, Buddhism had become popular beginning in the Northern Wei era, and devotion to bodhisattvas was widespread. With the spread of Buddhism, the development of Buddha statues, murals, grotto temples, and the like had also flourished as never before.

Among them, the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, the Yungang Grottoes, the Longmen Grottoes, and the Maijishan Grottoes became treasures among China’s artistic heritage of religious statuary.

Later, Buddhism incorporated esoteric and Zen traditions and gradually took on a distinctly Chinese character.

"It’s not that far. If we leave this early, we should get there in about two hours."

Xiaolian tilted her head and estimated the time. In truth, she had never been there herself; she had only heard people talk about it. Haizi, however, had been there before and had boasted to her about it.

"Not far? That’s two hours!"

Two hours was the equivalent of four hours in modern times. Just thinking about spending more than four hours in a carriage made Zhang Xiaoran’s face pale with a faint green tinge, almost enough to make her faint. Who made her prone to motion sickness, and even more so when it came to carriages?

"Counting the mountain path, it should be about two hours. But going up the mountain will probably take more than half an hour."

Xiaolian thought of the temple built so high up. Just climbing the stone steps would take quite some time. She only did not know why it had to be built on such a high mountain.

Temples were mostly built on mountains, chiefly so one could ascend to a height and look far into the distance. Monks and Daoist priests practiced there because the surroundings were good: first, to honor the gods; second, to welcome the immortals; third, because it was spotless; fourth, because it promised immortality; fifth, because it stood apart from the world of men.

At the same time, it drew countless believers into the gate of emptiness and led them toward wonder, broadening their minds, stirring their hearts, and embodying an ethereal realm beyond reach, yet deeply yearned for.

"I’m not afraid of the climb. It’s just that we’re bringing so much incense, candles, and offerings—can we even carry it all up?" Zhang Xiaoran said. She did not mind at all. In the past, when she went to archaeological sites, there had been places far away and hard to reach, deep in mountains and wild forests, and they had all been reached on foot. So as far as climbing a mountain was concerned, she had nothing to worry about.

Besides, it was good exercise and allowed one to breathe fresh air. To Zhang Xiaoran, hiking was like a natural oxygen bar; in modern times, such pure, unpolluted air was a luxury.

"The mountain temple sells those things, but I wanted to offer a little more. If the bodhisattvas see our sincerity, they’ll be even more likely to grant our prayers," Xiaolian said with a smile. That was her way of looking out for Zhang Xiaoran. She knew Zhang Xiaoran missed her loved ones and could never see them again, so she wanted to do more for her, as a belated act of filial devotion and a token of her heart.

"Xiaolian, you’ve thought of everything. I’m nowhere near as thorough as you. When the time comes, Ling Xiao should also burn incense and pray for his relatives."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoran felt deeply moved. Only then did she remember that Ling Xiao was just like her—offering blessings for his loved ones in heaven, while she sent her wishes to family far away and unreachable.

Ling Xiao was suddenly mentioned in connection with this matter. He first looked at Zhang Xiaoran in slight daze, then smiled at her, taking it as agreement. He had never thought of it himself, for he had never before met anyone who would care so much for him.