My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Yunling Temple, built sixty li from Prefecture City atop Yun Mountain, earns its auspicious name implying that where there are clouds, there will be spiritual presences. The temple’s incense burns strong, and a continuous stream of devotees arrive to worship.

Qin Liuxi respected the Buddha but did not worship him; upon entering Yunling Temple, she skipped the main hall altogether and rather immediately grabbed a young monk, insisting he take her to see the abbot.

The young monk clasped his hands together and said, "Donor, the abbot is currently receiving guests and may be unable to meet with you. Are you seeking divine intervention or to pay respects to the Buddha? This humble monk can lead the way. If you wish to draw lots, there’s also a brother who can interpret them."

"I do not seek any of that. I simply wish to find your abbot and ask him some matters. He’s with guests, so I can wait outside the Zen Temple," Qin Liuxi responded without causing a scene.

Having heard her, the young monk had no choice but to lead her to the Zen Temple for a temporary rest, and then he went to report back to his brother monk.

The brother monk frowned, "Who is this person, and she thinks she can just see the abbot upon request? Couldn’t you have dismissed her?"

With the abbot’s reputation being so widely respected, if everyone expecting to see him did so, when would he ever have time for anything?

The young monk shrank back a little and said, "I told her the abbot was preoccupied with guests, and she said she was willing to wait."

Upon hearing this, the brother monk was somewhat dismissive. Were there not plenty of people like this, thinking they could get their way just by being persistent?

"I’ll go take a look."