No one had ever taught her these things before.
Not even in her dreams had anyone taught her.
Mrs. Han hugged Yun Jinnian, "A girl must learn to respect and love herself, no matter what happens, always put yourself first. Don’t envy what others have, and don’t boast about what you own. Maintain a normal heart, have your own principles, and only if you value yourself will others value you!"
If you don’t even respect yourself, who else do you expect to value you?
Yun Jinnian nodded and clutched Mrs. Han’s arm, "Mother, I’ll be obedient!"
Mrs. Han began to smile.
"Mother knows you’re an obedient child, but..." Mrs. Han stroked Yun Jinnian’s small face, "this little face of yours is too beautiful!"
There’s an old saying that you’re not afraid of thieves stealing, but of thieves coveting.
Now Yun Jinnian was twelve years old. In another couple of years, she would grow taller, her appearance would mature and she would definitely be a beauty capable of toppling states.
Mrs. Han felt it was necessary to have the Han Family’s Hidden Guard protect Yun Jinnian in secret.
Yun Jinnian smiled, feeling very secure by Mrs. Han’s side.
By the time they arrived at Huguo Temple, it was not yet dark. It seemed as though they had been expected, and the temple’s high monks were already waiting at the base of the mountain.
"This humble monk greets His Highness Prince Chu Yu!"
Chu Yu responded indifferently, with his usual proud and aloof demeanor.
Yun Jinnian watched his pretentious behavior and felt amused, but she didn’t dare laugh out loud, bowing her head instead and twisting her handkerchief.
"Lead me to the meditation hall!"
As soon as Chu Yu said that, naturally the highest-ranking monks of Huguo Temple took him there. Moreover, it was a meditation hall specially reserved for him, where even the Emperor could not stay.
Mrs. Han and Yun Jinnian were also arranged accommodation, but it was incomparable to the beautiful and tranquil environment provided for Chu Yu.
Chu Yu wanted to invite Yun Jinnian to stay as well, but with Mrs. Han, his future mother-in-law, present, he did not dare act presumptuously.
There were Bai Que, Hemei, and Henuan to sort out the rooms. Mrs. Han took Yun Jinnian to the Daxiong Treasure Hall first to kneel and pray, and to add oil money.
Upon seeing Mrs. Han insert several large silver notes, the accompanying monk’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, "Amitabha, the benefactor is so generous!"
Mrs. Han nodded her head and knelt before the Buddha Sakyamuni with Yun Jinnian.
Yun Jinnian saw his merciful eyes, aiming to save all beings, and with palms pressed together, she prayed devoutly.
Her first prayer was for the Buddha to bless her loved ones with peace and joy.
Her second prayer was for the Buddha to help make her dream come true, to obtain the child from her dreams, Momo, so she could love and cherish him for a lifetime.
Her third prayer was for the Buddha to guide her heart’s true direction, without fear or regret, wishing to obtain mercy and bear no grudges!
Prostrating on the cushion, Yun Jinnian held tears in her eyes, but she knew, she could not cry.
Crying was a sign of weakness, and it would cause Mrs. Han to worry.
Yet, her heart felt lonely and lost, full of questions with no idea how to voice them! There was no one to confide in, and even if she did, who would believe her? Such a vivid dream, as if it had been part of her own life experience.
If there were past lives and reincarnations, she must have lived it before, but out of sympathy, the heavens allowed her to return to the age of ten to change that tragic fate!
Seeing Yun Jinnian prostrating on the cushion for a while, Mrs. Han asked softly, "Jinnian, would you like to draw a divination stick?"
Yun Jinnian looked up, mumbling an assent.
The monk handed over the divination cylinder, and Yun Jinnian shook it lightly until a bamboo stick fell out. She picked it up, and on it was written: with utmost sincerity, even metal and stone can be penetrated.
"With utmost sincerity, even metal and stone can be penetrated?" Yun Jinnian murmured softly.
Could it be that as long as she truly wished for it, she would succeed in obtaining it?
But what she wished for the most was the child from her dreams, Momo. Did this mean she had to marry Chu Liange again, to endure that bone-deep pain and humiliation once more?