Wen-shi, the former Princess Ding, didn"t live in Prince Ding"s Manor. The second year after Mo Xiu Wen pa.s.sed away, Wen-shi moved to Moonless Convent to become a nun while keeping her hair by the reason that the circ.u.mstances in the manor would evoke mixed feelings. Two of Mo Xiu Wen"s concubines went to Moonless Convent with her. After she moved into Moonless Convent, Wen-shi didn"t go back to Prince Ding"s Manor except on the anniversary of Mo Xiu Wen"s death. In the past few years, Mo Xiu Yao had shut himself away from the world for many reasons, so though he respected this sister-in-law of his, he didn"t know her well.
Since Ye Li got Mo Xiu Yao"s approval, she would now wake up early and do some exercises openly. Then she had breakfast with Mo Xiu Yao before the two of them took a carriage to Moonless Convent which was located outside the capital.
Moonless Convent was on a hill with beautiful scenery outside the capital. It was the family convent of Prince Ding"s Manor, so there weren"t many pilgrims or visitors. The journey to Moonless Convent was quiet and delightful. As soon as they were at the convent, the smell of sandalwood in the air filled their nostrils. Ye Li wrinkled her nose since she wasn"t used to the smell. Mo Xiu Yao turned towards her: "What"s wrong?"
Ye Li said a little embarra.s.sed below her breath: "I don"t believe in Buddhism." She didn"t know whether to prostrate herself before the Buddha when she went inside. In her opinion, it was meaningless for a nonbeliever to worship the Buddha but it might be impolite in others" opinion.
Mo Xiu Yao smiled slightly: "No wonder you never leave the capital to worship the Buddha."
In the capital of Chu, not only ladies from a good family but also pretty girls of humble birth loved to worship the Buddha or divine by drawing lots at various temples or convents in the capital of Chu or outside the capital. Some wished for happiness, some wanted an ideal husband. But n.o.body seemed to hear that the third miss of Ye Family ever went to the temple to worship the Buddha or draw lots.
Ye Li lowered her eyes: "Since I don"t believe in Buddha, how could I have the face to ask for his protection? If G.o.d and Buddha are real, how could they manage to help all those pract.i.tioners every day?"
Mo Xiu Yao raised his eyebrows and smiled at Ye Li: "So, do you believe more in yourself, Ah Li?"
Ye Li lifted her head and grinned with delight: "If I can"t believe in myself, what else in the world can I believe in?"
Mo Xiu Yao nodded in agreement: "Perfect. I don"t believe Buddha either. Act as you please, Ah Li."
Soon, a young nun came out to show them in.
Wen-shi was a sweet-tempered woman. She wasn"t very good-looking, but the quietness and peacefulness between her eyes gave her appearance a unique style. Even though she was in a gray nun dress, one could see her gentleness and grace of a woman born in family of scholars. Seeing the two of them inside, her eyes remained tranquil. Obviously, she had been at peace with herself, or put it another way, her heart was like dead ashes.
"Sister-in-law." Mo Xiu Yao took Ye Li"s hand and stepped forward while telling Wen-shi: "Sister-in-law, this is Ah Li."
Ye Li went forward and bowed respectfully: "Sister-in-law."
Wen-shi looked at Mo Xiu Yao"s eyes and his wheelchair, then she quickly turned to Ye Li, a trace of melancholy pa.s.sing her calm eyes and she said softly: "Don"t mind that. Come here and have a seat."
Ye Li thanked her and took a seat next to Wen-shi.
Wen-shi took Ye Li"s hands and looked at her. Then she gave Ye Li a brocade case which was a little out-of-date beside her and said: "I"ve left the secular world behind and I don"t have a proper gift for you on our first meeting. When I was married and went to Prince Ding"s Manor, His Highness... your elder brother gave this to me and told me it belonged to Mother Princess. Now you can have it."
"Eh..." Though the brocade case looked old-fashioned but its surface was smooth that someone must have cleaned it often. It must have been an only keepsake that Wen-shi have.
Wen-shi smiled slightly and shook her head: "Take it. I can"t use it at the moment."
Ye Li didn"t refuse her this time and took the brocade case: "Thank you, sister-in-law."
Wen-shi took Ye Li"s hands and said: "Your elder brother only had one younger brother, but I, as a sister-in-law... am no use. You two support each other and live in harmony."
Ye Li understood that Wen-shi was talking about the trouble Prince Ding"s Manor went through a few years ago when she didn"t remain in the manor and manage it for Mo Xiu Yao but left him in severe injury and disability and practiced Buddhism. However, Ye Li didn"t think that was Wen-shi"s fault. Wen-shi wasn"t 20 at that time. She wasn"t even a woman raised by a prominent old family. It was hard for a woman who had just lost her husband to manage the whole Prince Ding"s Manor with the only heir of the manor badly injured and disabled.
"Thank you for your teachings, sister-in-law." Ye Li nodded. Glancing at Mo Xiu Yao, she said softly: "Since I"ve married His Highness, I will surely share both honor and disgrace with him."
"Well, then I won"t be worried about you." Wen-shi nodded with satisfaction.
Ye Li frowned and hesitated for some time before she asked: "Sister-in-law, aren"t you lonely living here by yourself. How about coming back to the manor... You can practice Buddhism in the manor."
Wen-shi shook her head: "I"m used to the peacefulness here. I won"t be myself returning to the manor."
Ye Li tried to persuade her over and again only to stop since Wen-shi kept her opinion.
After they talked for a while, Wen-shi invited them to stay for lunch. Then, since she was going to transcribe Buddhist scripture, she asked Mo Xiu Yao to show Ye Li around.